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

[nbrans]

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.

I'd be ok with Green too, and I agree with the Doug Christie comparison (although he's not the ball-handler). They'd be different type of bench players, but both potentially useful. Christmas as the gunning offense type, Green the defensive glue guy. I might rather have Christmas simply because Green duplicates Garcia to a certain extent (at least in theory), whereas the Kings don't really have a long range shooter and shot-creator, which is what Christmas has the potential to be. But I think both are solid players.

 

[HighTopKicks]

I'd be ok with Green too, and I agree with the Doug Christie comparison (although he's not the ball-handler). They'd be different type of bench players, but both potentially useful. Christmas as the gunning offense type, Green the defensive glue guy. I might rather have Christmas simply because Green duplicates Garcia to a certain extent (at least in theory), whereas the Kings don't really have a long range shooter and shot-creator, which is what Christmas has the potential to be. But I think both are solid players.

If the talk of a Salmons trade is correct, were going to need someone to backup Martin when BJax & Douby are gone. Cisco starting and Greene as reserve means will always have a spot shooter on the floor and defensive players with the 1st & 2nd string. If Greene backs up Cisco, you know he's going to shot.

 

[bajaden]

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.

So...... I guess you didn't like Mitch Richmond.

 

[Bricklayer]

So...... I guess you didn't like Mitch Richmond.

Or the oft injured Karl Malone.

Strength is always a good thing and one of the primary athletic characteristics. Just a question of whether it costs you too much of the other primary attributes -- speed & quickness -- in what is really a fussy finessey game.

 

[nbrans]

Mitch also would have really had a difficult time with the rule changes. He was the master of the hand check and used his strength to stop people penetrating past him. He played Michael Jordan as well as anyone by muscling up on him.

Now the hand check is a foul, and as a result it really favors quick wings over strong ones. Artest is able to thrive because he's also quick, but the rule changes are a big reason why reason skinny quick guards (like Kevin Martin) are thriving where slow strong dudes like Mark Jackson and Mitch used to do just fine.

I still like my bigs strong, but I'd rather have quickness on the wings.

 

[Kingster]

So...... I guess you didn't like Mitch Richmond.

Exception to the rule. By and large I don't like the Mitch Richmond types.

 

[Kingster]

Or the oft injured Karl Malone.

Strength is always a good thing and one of the primary athletic characteristics. Just a question of whether it costs you too much of the other primary attributes -- speed & quickness -- in what is really a fussy finessey game.

I'm talking about guards. There you want quickness and speed more than strength and bulk. Harden has a lot of bulk and strength, but his quickness and speed are mediocre. I'd rather have several others on the board.

 

[Entity]

Honestly if we had #1 pick this year I highly doubt anybody we get will look as good as our last 2 1st rounders. In fact if Pat Ewing Jr. were in this years draft he would be a lottery pick and Sean Singletary wouldn't make it past 20.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Honestly if we had #1 pick this year I highly doubt anybody we get will look as good as our last 2 1st rounders. In fact if Pat Ewing Jr. were in this years draft he would be a lottery pick and Sean Singletary wouldn't make it past 20.

Nope, that's not true at all.

 

[Entity]

Probably not but this years draft is garbage. Blake Griffin projected #1????? no thanks I'll take Jason Thompson. Bobby Brown > Jrue Holiday.

Thabeet is the only one that intrigues me because its something that we haven't seen in Sacramento in a long time. The rest....been there done that.

 

[Bibby.10]

Yeah, I agree. This draft is pretty bad outside maybe the top 5. I think Griffin is worthy of a 1st pick though. Guy is going to be a star.

 

[Entity]

no he isn't. He may be a decent roleplayer but, will never see stardom.

 

[Bibby.10]

A decent roleplayer? Dude, get real. If he was in last years draft h would have still been top 5 easily. Guy isn so strong, can block shots and finish at the basket with ease. I would bet my car that he will have more than 1 ASG appearances before hos career is over.

 

[Entity]

The guy is 6'8 at best. While it looks great in the college ranks it don't translate very well to the NBA. Heck check out these stats from a 6'8 college player 18pts 10reb 2ast and 2.5blks per game. That looks great doesn't it? If you want to know who that player is see Kenny Thomas college stats.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

The guy is 6'8 at best. While it looks great in the college ranks it don't translate very well to the NBA. Heck check out these stats from a 6'8 college player 18pts 10reb 2ast and 2.5blks per game. That looks great doesn't it? If you want to know who that player is see Kenny Thomas college stats.

Well, we should wait until the official measurements to declare him quite so undersized. He looks to be in the 6'8" - 6'9" range but I wouldn't be surprised if he comes up on the tall end. Remember the dire predictions about Kevin Love coming up short (I think some were predicting he'd come out as low as 6'7")? He ended up 6.'9.5" in shoes in the official measurements. I don't think Griffin will be 6'10", but 6'9" seems likely to me.

And as long as we're throwing out college stats of random players, let's take those of a 6'9" (at best) power forward from his final year before being drafted: 18.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 blocks. Not nearly as good as Kenny Thomas, right? Well, that's Carlos Boozer. And I think that most teams would be pretty happy to spend a #1 overall on a Carlos Boozer if there weren't a bona fide superstar in the draft (and there may not be this year).

I'm not exactly cherry-picking Boozer's stats - I picked him for a reason. I think Boozer is a reasonable approximation of what Griffin will be at the NBA level. (Certainly a better approximation than KT.) Of course, Griffin's stats right now make Boozer's (and KT's) look less impressive: 22 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 blocks. Maybe Griffin will be better than Boozer when all is said and done.

The kid's not the next Dwight Howard, but he should have a very solid NBA career and I'd sign on with Bibby.10's prediction of multiple All-Star berths before it's over. Hey, it's not the strongest draft, but let's be realistic about it instead of fatalistic.

 

[Entity]

Well, we should wait until the official measurements to declare him quite so undersized. He looks to be in the 6'8" - 6'9" range but I wouldn't be surprised if he comes up on the tall end. Remember the dire predictions about Kevin Love coming up short (I think some were predicting he'd come out as low as 6'7")? He ended up 6.'9.5" in shoes in the official measurements. I don't think Griffin will be 6'10", but 6'9" seems likely to me.

And as long as we're throwing out college stats of random players, let's take those of a 6'9" (at best) power forward from his final year before being drafted: 18.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 blocks. Not nearly as good as Kenny Thomas, right? Well, that's Carlos Boozer. And I think that most teams would be pretty happy to spend a #1 overall on a Carlos Boozer if there weren't a bona fide superstar in the draft (and there may not be this year).

I'm not exactly cherry-picking Boozer's stats - I picked him for a reason. I think Boozer is a reasonable approximation of what Griffin will be at the NBA level. (Certainly a better approximation than KT.) Of course, Griffin's stats right now make Boozer's (and KT's) look less impressive: 22 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 blocks. Maybe Griffin will be better than Boozer when all is said and done.

The kid's not the next Dwight Howard, but he should have a very solid NBA career and I'd sign on with Bibby.10's prediction of multiple All-Star berths before it's over. Hey, it's not the strongest draft, but let's be realistic about it instead of fatalistic.

I don't think YOU picked Boozer at all. every draft site has boozer as his best case scenerio. So i'd imagine you took that analysis and ran with it. BTW those same people said Bargiani's best case was Dirk. Oh and Shelden Williams was the next Emeka Oakafor. My favorite (since its Chris Webber he was compared to) is Charlie Villanueva.

Seriously guys don't go by the draft "experts" to form you own opinions. Olowakandi was the next Dream.

I am not saying Griffin will be ran out of the league. I am just not going to put the all-star tag on him. He will a good roleplayer as long as he continues to hustle like he does now. THAT is why he gets the boards and the put backs. If (once he gets a contract) looses that all go no slow hustle then he won't be needed as much.

He doesn't have any post skills, he is not a great shooter or FT shooter. he is Reggie Evans if he keeps the hustle.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I don't think YOU picked Boozer at all. every draft site has boozer as his best case scenerio. So i'd imagine you took that analysis and ran with it.

Well, you caught me. I'm completely incapable of independent thought. I lack the intelligence and creatvity to gather and analyze information on my own and I rely solely on the opinions of others, which I parrot as my own in order to try to fool others into thinking that there is some meaning behind my pathetic and miserable existence.

Thank you for outing me for the sheep that I am. I know that I will sleep better at night now, secure that I do not have to maintain this facade any longer.

 

[Entity]

Acceptance is a step.

 

[Kingster]

Yeah, I agree. This draft is pretty bad outside maybe the top 5. I think Griffin is worthy of a 1st pick though. Guy is going to be a star.

I have a totally different feeling about this draft. I really think there will be several frosh coming out and that there will be several players in the mid to lower first round that end up as very nice players. Griffin is overated. I wouldn't pick him in the top 10.

 

[nbrans]

I still don't get the Boozer comparisons with Griffin. Boozer is far stronger and more skilled scoring inside and out, Griffin is more athletic but not as fluid offensively. I still think Griffin looks like a slightly less athletic Kenyon Martin or, as I think Vlade4GM said, perhaps the second coming of David Lee. Which, in this draft, I guess makes him the default #1, but I'm not terribly excited about his prospects at being a franchise player.

 

[Entity]

There is no real Boozer comparisons other than size and stature. The same reason every white guy that can shoot from the outside is the next Dirk. Did you see Adamn Morrisons comparison? it acutally said "a shorter Dirk." LoL

Its pretty amazing to see people come in here and just about quote draft sites opinions on players and pass them off as their own. As if those of us that are willing to read these forums must never read draft sites.

Has anybody noticed the type players that Griffin has gone up against this year??? for that matter the type players that are projected bigs in the draft that he might go up against this year in the tournament. I could look like Shaq going against my kids, but you put me in a game where I am matched in weight or smaller and 3 to 5 inches shorter and I will get my *** handed to me. Sure if I have good enough moves I could be decent but those moves better be damn good. Blake doesn't posses those moves. that SAR for instance he is on the short side yet he has great post moves and made a nice career for himself. Take those post moves away and what do you have? an average rebounder coming off the bench.

 

[bajaden]

Well, here's my two cents. I've probably watched Griffin play 20 games between last year and this year. He's played against very good competition and consistantly put up very good numbers. I've seem him block shots and have his elbow above the basket, so I know he can jump. He has good foot speed and he has good lateral movement. I think he's a pretty good athlete, but a deceptive one.

He tends to do just what needs to be done. If he needs to move quickly, he can, but if he doesn't, he won't. He playes totally within himself and does only what is necessary to get the job done. Thats why you have to watch this guy a lot to get a good read on him.

Now if you want to draft a guy like Thabeet, that puts up decent to good numbers againt weak competition, and struggles against the occasional good competion, instead of a guy that consistantly puts up good numbers, against good competition, night in and night out, go right ahead. It flies in the face of logic, but you go right ahead.

As far as his height. Its impossible to tell on television how tall someone is. There's no depth perception on tv, and angles can at times make a guy thats 6'3" tall, look the same height as someone 6'9" tall. So I suggest we wait for the pre-draft camp measurements before making any judgement.

I think the guy can play in the league. How good he'll be is up for grabs. But thats true for any rookie. Oden isn't exactly tearing up the league right now, and there are fans in Portland that are second guessing that choice. I'm not! I think he'll be a very good player. My point is that there are no guarnantee's.

 

[Entity]

The only way you can make it in the NBA without an actual skill set is to be totally dominate i.e. Shaq or hyper athletic i.e. Stromile Swift. Thing is the athelisism doesn't look as obvious once you get to the NBA hell Joe Alexander can jump Gerald Wallace can jump but, until Gerald learned how to shoot he wasn't thought about. Being a GREAT defender doesn't hurt either.

Oden is just big enough to be able to dominate at times but not all the time. Griffin doesn't have the size to dominate the post or the boards in the NBA and he doesn't have the skill set to compliment his size or jumping ability.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

 

[beb0p]

Oden is just big enough to be able to dominate at times but not all the time. Griffin doesn't have the size to dominate the post or the boards in the NBA and he doesn't have the skill set to compliment his size or jumping ability.

And if Griffin indeed has the size and the jumping ability, will your opinion of him change?

Note that I am in no way saying I know whether he is indeed as big as he is listed or as athletic as some claims. I'm merely putting forth a hypothesis.

 

[Gary]

The only way you can make it in the NBA without an actual skill set is to be totally dominate i.e. Shaq or hyper athletic i.e. Stromile Swift. Thing is the athelisism doesn't look as obvious once you get to the NBA hell Joe Alexander can jump Gerald Wallace can jump but, until Gerald learned how to shoot he wasn't thought about. Being a GREAT defender doesn't hurt either.

Oden is just big enough to be able to dominate at times but not all the time. Griffin doesn't have the size to dominate the post or the boards in the NBA and he doesn't have the skill set to compliment his size or jumping ability.

I don't get why the Blazers are playing Oden the way they are. I know he's technically a rookie, but he gets erratic minutes. I have been watching a lot of the Blazers game, and the coach will pull him out of the game for no reason. Sometimes he's in there for a couple minutes before getting pulled out right at the start of the game.

Then the next game he is in there for 35 minutes and dominating.. I know Oden is going to be good, but give the kid some time and confidence.

 

[Entity]

And if Griffin indeed has the size and the jumping ability, will your opinion of him change?

Note that I am in no way saying I know whether he is indeed as big as he is listed or as athletic as some claims. I'm merely putting forth a hypothesis.

No thats not what I am saying. I know he has decent size and great jumping ability. My concern is he doesn't have better than average skills on either end of the floor and once he gets to the NBA everybody has decent size and alot have great jumping ability. What sets them apart is ALOT of them actually have good to great skills on either end of the court. he is totally dependent on his athletic ability and size in college. I am saying if thats all he brings to the NBA he will just be an average role player.

The Shaq reference was the fact that he had no real skill but his FREAKISH SIZE made up for it. Griffin with averge size will not make up for it. Jumping ability doesn't make up for lack of skills but its nice to have to just make it in the league. Hakim Warrick and Stromile Swift are examples.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I don't get why the Blazers are playing Oden the way they are. I know he's technically a rookie, but he gets erratic minutes. I have been watching a lot of the Blazers game, and the coach will pull him out of the game for no reason. Sometimes he's in there for a couple minutes before getting pulled out right at the start of the game.

Then the next game he is in there for 35 minutes and dominating.. I know Oden is going to be good, but give the kid some time and confidence.

I've watched a number of their games and a lot of it seems to be predicated on how good the opposing bigs are at the pick and roll. Oden is a decent man defender, but he gets absolutley lost on the P&R. I think because they are trying to win and make the playoffs this year, they pull Oden when other teams start killing them with it.

 

[FakeInjury]

The list is growing thinner. I will only allow Al-Faruq Aminu, B. Griffin, Demar Derozan, or Dejuan Blair or Greg Monroe in that order. Teague and Hansborogh are my secondary picks. Maybe I missed a few can't miss players. Either way, i really would like to take a risk on AMINU because i see him having the highest ceiling of all nba-ready players.

 

[Bibby.10]

I hope when you mentioned Hansbrough you were talking about out 2nd pick...