and with the #1 pick in the 2009 NBA draft the Kings select...

[nbrans]

Pitt/Louisville-

Really shocked, first off, at how much trouble Pitt had with Louisville's pressure. Those Pitt guards can shoot, but they sure can't dribble.

Earl Clark -- still don't feel like this guy's a top prospect unless he learns to shoot. He looks like an NBA player, he's an incredible athlete for 6'9" and he was rebounding well and getting himself good looks..... he just can't shoot. Couldn't shoot wide open, couldn't shoot contested... and he's a junior. Not like this is a frosh where he's just adjusting to the college game.

Terence Williams - I like this guy, but he's a sort of consummate four year senior college player whose game won't necessarily translate to the NBA. He's crafty more than he's quick, and he's a team player and does it all, but he also can't shoot (at least on the season, he shot well in this game), and I don't know that he's athletic enough to be a lockdown defender in NBA, which he would need to be in order to justify being on the floor.

DeJuan Blair was pretty much a nonfactor in this track meet, but he still came up with some nifty and nimble plays for being such a big dude.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

I was wondering how people outside of boston view tyrese rice. He is averaging 17 pts, and 6ast to 4 TO.

I think he's like a stephan curry lite. BC plays a slightly harder schedule than Davidson, so Rice gets the edge there .. A/TO ratio is about the same, and curry gets around 8 or so more points a game.

Not watching Curry as much as Rice, I think rice may be a better passer than curry and Curry is the better scorer. They both look for there shot, but I feel like curry does that a bit too much. Rice is also just as fast if not faster than curry.

Im not saying I would rather have rice than curry, but Rice can be had with our late 1st/early second and I wouldnt mind that at all.

 

[netseee]

Don't know if Petrie will take this risk to pick BJ Mullens by 4th pick, I know this kid is still raw, but he is high potential

 

[asakkings]

Alot website I have seen compare Jrue Holiday to Dwayne Wade, but I dont see that comparison as Jrue isn't as explosive. As a bruin alum I am waiting for him to explode but for last few games he seems to be going backwards. Man i wish we had gotten or still could get Bayless.

 

[SacKings7]

Alot website I have seen compare Jrue Holiday to Dwayne Wade, but I dont see that comparison as Jrue isn't as explosive. As a bruin alum I am waiting for him to explode but for last few games he seems to be going backwards. Man i wish we had gotten or still could get Bayless.

I'm with you.

This draft sucks. I really wish Rubio would declare

 

[asakkings]

Yea Rubio would be sick. Even if he stays abroad another year it wouldnt be bad because he would get experience and we would get another solid pick.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I don't get what the big deal is about Bayless, dude has never and will never be a PG.

 

[nbrans]

I don't get what the big deal is about Bayless, dude has never and will never be a PG.

Well, I'm not a huge Bayless fan, but I think the emphasis on having a true PG might be a little overrated considering how few true points have won championships in the past 20 years compared to the championships won by teams with scoring points.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Well, I'm not a huge Bayless fan, but I think the emphasis on having a true PG might be a little overrated considering how few true points have won championships in the past 20 years compared to the championships won by teams with scoring points.

I don't disagree with that. However, I don't think Bayless is even a scoring PG, he's a pure SG.

 

[HighFlyingMonkey]

I'm going to have to agree with Vlade. Bayless smells like Quincy Douby part deux.

 

[asakkings]

I see bayless being SG also, and he kind of reminds of wade. I havent seen him play much so I am just speaking from highlights. But bayless is definately better than douby.

 

[SacTownKid]

Pitt/Louisville-

Really shocked, first off, at how much trouble Pitt had with Louisville's pressure. Those Pitt guards can shoot, but they sure can't dribble.

Earl Clark -- still don't feel like this guy's a top prospect unless he learns to shoot. He looks like an NBA player, he's an incredible athlete for 6'9" and he was rebounding well and getting himself good looks..... he just can't shoot. Couldn't shoot wide open, couldn't shoot contested... and he's a junior. Not like this is a frosh where he's just adjusting to the college game.

Terence Williams - I like this guy, but he's a sort of consummate four year senior college player whose game won't necessarily translate to the NBA. He's crafty more than he's quick, and he's a team player and does it all, but he also can't shoot (at least on the season, he shot well in this game), and I don't know that he's athletic enough to be a lockdown defender in NBA, which he would need to be in order to justify being on the floor.

DeJuan Blair was pretty much a nonfactor in this track meet, but he still came up with some nifty and nimble plays for being such a big dude.

Are you very familiar with Clark? I've watched him since he was a freshmen and he has improved quite a bit since his 1st year in. He does need to get a consistent jumper down and he shows signs that it could be possible. He didn't have nearly the opportunity last year and the year before to showcase his own talents like he is finally getting to this year.

 

[nbrans]

Are you very familiar with Clark? I've watched him since he was a freshmen and he has improved quite a bit since his 1st year in. He does need to get a consistent jumper down and he shows signs that it could be possible. He didn't have nearly the opportunity last year and the year before to showcase his own talents like he is finally getting to this year.

What worries me is that despite his overall improvement his shooting has never really come along. He is a really, really bad shooter. He's not a guy who just misses some and makes some or has trouble hitting contested shots. He has trouble hitting anything. When good shooters miss, they usually miss short or long. His shots go to the side, they go WAY long... maybe I just saw some really off nights, but his percentages are bad.

Some guys just aren't good shooters, and if you can't shoot by your junior year of college... it's not often that you suddenly learn how. Happens sometimes, but it's rare, particularly when you're as bad as Clark to begin with. Clark still brings some rare athletic gifts and he'll probably always be a good rebounder at the SF, but without any offense I don't see how he'd justify a high pick.

 

[bajaden]

What worries me is that despite his overall improvement his shooting has never really come along. He is a really, really bad shooter. He's not a guy who just misses some and makes some or has trouble hitting contested shots. He has trouble hitting anything. When good shooters miss, they usually miss short or long. His shots go to the side, they go WAY long... maybe I just saw some really off nights, but his percentages are bad.

Some guys just aren't good shooters, and if you can't shoot by your junior year of college... it's not often that you suddenly learn how. Happens sometimes, but it's rare, particularly when you're as bad as Clark to begin with. Clark still brings some rare athletic gifts and he'll probably always be a good rebounder at the SF, but without any offense I don't see how he'd justify a high pick.

Clark's shot reminds me of the animal, Michael Smith. The guy just couldn't get a feel for shooting. Doesn't mean you can't find your nitch in the league. Does make it more difficult.

 

[Kingster]

Mills et al

I saw Mills play today. He's legit. No GM is going to have the guts to take him in the top 5 though. I doubt he's around for Houston's #1.

The players that I've actually seen (and not just read about) that I like (in no particular order):

Teague - NBA star.

Hill - very quick big man with offense; lots of upside, just learning the game

Monroe - very high BB IQ; excellent passer, sweet shot. (if we had a bunch of bruisers on our team, I could get even more excited about him; somewhat redundant because of Hawes)

Mills - very quick, fast, has the quick trigger, great in the fast break, excellent passer, undersized, but has quick hands and feet and anticipation for D

T. Williams - flat out stud of an athlete. Has everything the Kings really need in terms of defense, quickness to the ball, getting rebounds, assists, steals. Stat stuffer. Could be there at #15 or so because he's not a great shooter - yet. If he were a very good shooter, he'd be #1 in the draft.

Aminu - he's an athletic project that would definitely take three years to see what he's really got, but he has so much potential that I wouldn't cry seeing him in a Kings uniform.

 

[Sarunas]

I saw Mills play today. He's legit. No GM is going to have the guts to take him in the top 5 though. I doubt he's around for Houston's #1.

The players that I've actually seen (and not just read about) that I like (in no particular order):

Teague - NBA star.

Hill - very quick big man with offense; lots of upside, just learning the game

Monroe - very high BB IQ; excellent passer, sweet shot. (if we had a bunch of bruisers on our team, I could get even more excited about him; somewhat redundant because of Hawes)

Mills - very quick, fast, has the quick trigger, great in the fast break, excellent passer, undersized, but has quick hands and feet and anticipation for D

T. Williams - flat out stud of an athlete. Has everything the Kings really need in terms of defense, quickness to the ball, getting rebounds, assists, steals. Stat stuffer. Could be there at #15 or so because he's not a great shooter - yet. If he were a very good shooter, he'd be #1 in the draft.

Aminu - he's an athletic project that would definitely take three years to see what he's really got, but he has so much potential that I wouldn't cry seeing him in a Kings uniform.

I agree 100% here with teague and monroe. I would love to see either in a kings uniform come june, but more so for Teague. I've watched him numerous times, I think this kid already shows a ton, but I think what is impressive about him is that he definitely has a huge upside to go along with his skills. He dropped 34pts on unc, shoots about 50% from downtown on the season. His ability to get to the rack is as good as anyone ive seen this year. I would say he definitely needs to improve his A/TO ratio and ability as a playmaker, but as nbrans said earlier, more teams have been succeeding with scoring PGs rather than "true" PGs. I would not be mad if we took him with a top 5 pick, I see more to him than Jennings or any other PGs in the draft with a lottery pick. Im just not sold on any of the bigs in this draft helping our soft front line, or doing anything for us anytime soon.

 

[SacTownKid]

What worries me is that despite his overall improvement his shooting has never really come along. He is a really, really bad shooter. He's not a guy who just misses some and makes some or has trouble hitting contested shots. He has trouble hitting anything. When good shooters miss, they usually miss short or long. His shots go to the side, they go WAY long... maybe I just saw some really off nights, but his percentages are bad.

Some guys just aren't good shooters, and if you can't shoot by your junior year of college... it's not often that you suddenly learn how. Happens sometimes, but it's rare, particularly when you're as bad as Clark to begin with. Clark still brings some rare athletic gifts and he'll probably always be a good rebounder at the SF, but without any offense I don't see how he'd justify a high pick.

That's the thing though, he really hasn't had the chance to make that a big part of his in game routine. Pitino has played him in the post for his entire college career thusfar. He's playing PF and Pitino uses him like one. He posts up and drives more than he does take set jumpshots.

 

[bajaden]

That's the thing though, he really hasn't had the chance to make that a big part of his in game routine. Pitino has played him in the post for his entire college career thusfar. He's playing PF and Pitino uses him like one. He posts up and drives more than he does take set jumpshots.

I think what nbran's was talking about was his technic. Its terrible. I don't care how your being used in a game, there's no excuse for not improving your shooting skills. I can't believe that Pitino hasn't been working with him.

 

[bajaden]

I saw Mills play today. He's legit. No GM is going to have the guts to take him in the top 5 though. I doubt he's around for Houston's #1.

The players that I've actually seen (and not just read about) that I like (in no particular order):

Teague - NBA star.

Hill - very quick big man with offense; lots of upside, just learning the game

Monroe - very high BB IQ; excellent passer, sweet shot. (if we had a bunch of bruisers on our team, I could get even more excited about him; somewhat redundant because of Hawes)

Mills - very quick, fast, has the quick trigger, great in the fast break, excellent passer, undersized, but has quick hands and feet and anticipation for D

T. Williams - flat out stud of an athlete. Has everything the Kings really need in terms of defense, quickness to the ball, getting rebounds, assists, steals. Stat stuffer. Could be there at #15 or so because he's not a great shooter - yet. If he were a very good shooter, he'd be #1 in the draft.

Aminu - he's an athletic project that would definitely take three years to see what he's really got, but he has so much potential that I wouldn't cry seeing him in a Kings uniform.

I'm a big fan of Mills. The kid can flat out play. If he were 6'2", everyong would be talking about him. There's no doubt that his height is an issue when it comes draft time. I can only hope that he slides to our second pick.

Sorry, but I have to add Harden to your list. He's going to be a good player in the NBA. I know your not a big fan of Griffin's, so I won't argue him with you.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I think what nbran's was talking about was his technic. Its terrible. I don't care how your being used in a game, there's no excuse for not improving your shooting skills. I can't believe that Pitino hasn't been working with him.

Agree. Also, think he's looking at the problem backwards, I think it's more likely that Pitino can only stick him in the post because he cannot shoot than he has been unable to develop a jump shot because Pitino likes to put him in the post.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I saw Mills play today. He's legit. No GM is going to have the guts to take him in the top 5 though. I doubt he's around for Houston's #1.

The players that I've actually seen (and not just read about) that I like (in no particular order):

Teague - NBA star.

Hill - very quick big man with offense; lots of upside, just learning the game

Monroe - very high BB IQ; excellent passer, sweet shot. (if we had a bunch of bruisers on our team, I could get even more excited about him; somewhat redundant because of Hawes)

Mills - very quick, fast, has the quick trigger, great in the fast break, excellent passer, undersized, but has quick hands and feet and anticipation for D

T. Williams - flat out stud of an athlete. Has everything the Kings really need in terms of defense, quickness to the ball, getting rebounds, assists, steals. Stat stuffer. Could be there at #15 or so because he's not a great shooter - yet. If he were a very good shooter, he'd be #1 in the draft.

Aminu - he's an athletic project that would definitely take three years to see what he's really got, but he has so much potential that I wouldn't cry seeing him in a Kings uniform.

I have not seen Teague play yet, so I am curious to those who have seen him what seperates him from simply being another Ben Gordon. No doubt he can score, but he's only 6'2'' and does not seem to display even the basest of PG skills from what I have read/heard. That's a big of a scary prospect for a Top 5 pick (since he is not slipping to us at 20).

 

[nbrans]

Temple/UMass - I like Dionte Christmas with that 2nd rounder. He can pull up from anywhere or catch and shoot, can definitely shoot from NBA range, has a quick release, and is reasonably athletic. He has good size for a 2 guard. He could be a good gunner off the bench, and he doesn't have trouble getting his own shot. He doesn't always shoot on balance with his feet underneath him (and often misses when he does that), and he doesn't always take smart shots, but a lot of that has to do with how much Temple depends on him for their offense. He's mostly one-dimensional though. Not really a great defender and mainly just a scorer, although he did make a few nice passes, showing some potential there. Kind of reminds me of Michael Redd a little bit with the way he pulls up a little off balance and gets his shot off.

Man, I keep gravitating to the four year seniors this year with those late picks -- Darren Collison, Taj Gibson, Dionte Christmas, Danny Green, Jeff Pendergraph...

 

[Kingster]

I'm a big fan of Mills. The kid can flat out play. If he were 6'2", everyong would be talking about him. There's no doubt that his height is an issue when it comes draft time. I can only hope that he slides to our second pick.

Sorry, but I have to add Harden to your list. He's going to be a good player in the NBA. I know your not a big fan of Griffin's, so I won't argue him with you.

The only reason I left Harden off the list is that he doesn't have a right hand. And I don't really know how hard it is going to be for him to develop that right handed go-to move. Maybe not much. Even though I'm right handed I was much better going to my left because I worked on it so much when I was even younger. I never did get that right hand like I wanted it. If Petrie thinks he won't have a problem with the right hand, then I'm down with him in the top 7.

 

[Kingster]

I have not seen Teague play yet, so I am curious to those who have seen him what seperates him from simply being another Ben Gordon. No doubt he can score, but he's only 6'2'' and does not seem to display even the basest of PG skills from what I have read/heard. That's a big of a scary prospect for a Top 5 pick (since he is not slipping to us at 20).

Gordon doesn't have Teague's quickness or handle with the ball. He can really motor. Teague can create opportunities for others, whereas Gordon is just a set up and shoot the three kind of guy.

 

[nbrans]

The only reason I left Harden off the list is that he doesn't have a right hand. And I don't really know how hard it is going to be for him to develop that right handed go-to move. Maybe not much. Even though I'm right handed I was much better going to my left because I worked on it so much when I was even younger. I never did get that right hand like I wanted it. If Petrie thinks he won't have a problem with the right hand, then I'm down with him in the top 7.

He definitely struggles going right. What's ironic though is that against UCLA Holiday was shading him so far to stop him from going left that Harden finally went right, got straight into the lane and got the game-winner. He definitely needs to work on it more though.

 

[nbrans]

Holy crap, DeQuan Jones from Miami had one of the most spectacular plays I've ever seen in college against UNC. Drove baseline, went up, double clutched and then stuffed it on the other side.

About 40 seconds in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2YeupqUZ6U

Wow, as the game went on Jones had some more spectacular plays. This is a guy to keep an eye on, I don't know if I've seen a more athletic college player since Jeff Trepagnier.

And apparently Miami's 2nd Half strategy was to leave Wayne Ellington as wide open as possible so he could hit lots of 3s.

 

[Kingster]

Good game by Harden. I don't think there's any doubt that he can play in the NBA. The question is how good will he be? I've watched a lot of players that wern't elite athlete's have good or sometimes even great careers.

I honestly think that Holiday should stay in college another year. You see glimpses of what he can be, but only glimpses. I agree that it would be better if he were playing the point, and if he stays another year he probably will be.

Regarding Harden, I have a bias against big thick guys on the basketball floor. Artest passed the test, but there aren't many. And I really think they have more of predisposition to get injured. Also, even if they don't get injured, because their quickness isn't extraordinary, when they start to slow down in their career, they really start to slow down.

 

[Kingster]

Holy crap, DeQuan Jones from Miami had one of the most spectacular plays I've ever seen in college against UNC. Drove baseline, went up, double clutched and then stuffed it on the other side.

About 40 seconds in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2YeupqUZ6U

Wow, as the game went on Jones had some more spectacular plays. This is a guy to keep an eye on, I don't know if I've seen a more athletic college player since Jeff Trepagnier.

And apparently Miami's 2nd Half strategy was to leave Wayne Ellington as wide open as possible so he could hit lots of 3s.

Holy moly. Dam, I missed that game. I didn't think Miami had any guys worth watching. Can that guy hit a 15 footer?

 

[nbrans]

Holy moly. Dam, I missed that game. I didn't think Miami had any guys worth watching. Can that guy hit a 15 footer?

Nope, sure can't. He's decent but not great at driving to the hoop, other than that he doesn't have much game. But wow does he have hops.

 

[HighTopKicks]

Temple/UMass - I like Dionte Christmas with that 2nd rounder. He can pull up from anywhere or catch and shoot, can definitely shoot from NBA range, has a quick release, and is reasonably athletic. He has good size for a 2 guard. He could be a good gunner off the bench, and he doesn't have trouble getting his own shot. He doesn't always shoot on balance with his feet underneath him (and often misses when he does that), and he doesn't always take smart shots, but a lot of that has to do with how much Temple depends on him for their offense. He's mostly one-dimensional though. Not really a great defender and mainly just a scorer, although he did make a few nice passes, showing some potential there. Kind of reminds me of Michael Redd a little bit with the way he pulls up a little off balance and gets his shot off.

Man, I keep gravitating to the four year seniors this year with those late picks -- Darren Collison, Taj Gibson, Dionte Christmas, Danny Green, Jeff Pendergraph...

I'll take Green over Christmas. Green shoots the 3 at a higher percentage and he's one of the finest perimeter defenders in the ACC. At 6'6" and 210 he's bigger than DC, and is the type of catch & shoot player we need especially if we get the PG we want. I kind of see him as a cross between Doug Christie and Peja. Good defender that can spot up, but not great at creating his own shot. And, he's projected at mid to late 2nd round, so he should be available at 4.