At pick #5, draft the best player available ( BPA ) or draft BY POSITIONAL NEED?

[Prince_XY]

There is a very slim chance that Wall, Turner, Cousins, and Favors are going to be available at #5 - actually, almost impossible with regards to Wall and Turner.

Hypothetically, if it so happened no one of the four mentioned players slipped to #5 and draft day is NOW ( and before the combine and work-outs ), then what kind of player do YOU ( NOT PETRIE ) want to draft at #5 to help the Kings next season?

And why?

CHOICES:

1.) The best player available ( BPA ) irregardless of team need.

2.) One that primarily plays CENTER.

3.) One that primarily plays POWER FORWARD.

4.) One that primarily plays SMALL FORWARD.

5.) One that primarily plays SHOOTING GUARD.

6.) One that primarily plays POINT GUARD.

7.) Undecided

This poll will close in 1 week ( May 27, 2010 ).

 

[sc3252]

You should draft BPA unless its close, then just go by position.

 

[Prince_XY]

I would gamble on a player that primarily plays CENTER at the expense of the BPA. Johnson and Aminu? Are they as good as Wall and Turner, or will have the impact of Cousins and Favors?

Maybe, but I don't think so.

As a fan, I am tired of reading countless threads about Hawes and the patch-up solution Petrie had done to fill-up the need. This draft should be it. Next year we might not have the chance to draft that elusive good BIG. And if some fans are right that some good BIGS from free agency wouldn't want to play in cow town, we might as well gamble on getting that BIG now in this draft.

We've asked for that BIG all-season long. Countless threads of frustrations.

Do I want to see Petrie sign the likes of Sean May, Armstrong, Mikki Moore, or even alleviate the need with a very good but undersized Landry?

No. My memory is still not that short to forget those frustrations of having to watch my team lose games because we don't have that BIG.

This draft should be IT. I want us to gamble to get our own BIG now.

 

[sc3252]

I would gamble on a player that primarily plays CENTER at the expense of the BPA. Johnson and Aminu? Are they as good as Wall and Turner, or will have the impact of Cousins and Favors?

Maybe, but I don't think so.

As a fan, I am tired of reading countless threads about Hawes and the patch-up solution Petrie had done to fill-up the need. This draft should be it. Next year we might not have the chance to draft that elusive good BIG. And if some fans are right that some good BIGS from free agency wouldn't want to play in cow town, we might as well gamble on getting that BIG now in this draft.

We've asked for that BIG all-season long. Countless threads of frustrations.

Do I want to see Petrie sign the likes of Sean May, Armstrong, Mikki Moore, or even alleviate the need with a very good but undersized Landry?

No. My memory is still not that short to forget those frustrations of having to watch my team lose games because we don't have that BIG.

This draft should be IT. I want us to gamble to get our own BIG now.

Drafting by need gets you ****, so I don't like drafting by need at all. Everything I read about Aminu gets me excited for drafting him and trading Casspi, he is a great rebounder(need) and good at defence(need). I can see the kings taking him and a few draft boards have us taking him. So we should keep our eye on him.

Here is an article on him.
http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2010/5/19/1476974/not-your-moms-player-profiles-al#storyjump

 

[Rookie]

Best player available!

The one with the most potential to be an ALL-STAR player.

 

[ElRey]

I voted for BPA but it was an agonizing decision because Hawes must be one of the weakest starting centers in the NBA. That need for a center is so darn glaring, that it's just hard to ignore.

 

[sc3252]

I voted for BPA but it was an agonizing decision because Hawes must be one of the weakest starting centers in the NBA. That need for a center is so darn glaring, that it's just hard to ignore.

Yeah, but do you think a rookie would be any better than Hawes day one? I still am hoping that Hawes can fix himself, if not I think we should try and sign someone or even trade rather than pickup someone who might be another project like Hawes.

 

[fnordius]

I didn't vote, because I think it's a matter of finding the right balance between factors. Last year it drove me nuts that they picked a combo guard, because that wasn't really what we needed, and it did force the trading of Kevin -- overall, a very costly choice. But it did net us the RoY at #4.

Positionally, I want the same things this year as I did last year.
1. C, or at least a biggish F/C who can play real D
2. PG, or combo guard where PG skills aren't an afterthought or wishful thinking
3. A PF (not tweener F) who will be good enough to earn the starting spot
4. Anything else

If all of the bigs and PGs/combo guards under consideration are on antipsychotics, have had 3 knee surgeries, and say that they would play in China before they'd come to Sac, and some G/F is determined by the FO to have more potential than Tyreke, I definitely want the G/F. But the more we're ignoring need, the more extreme the differences will need to be.

Would I take a reliable defensive C, worthy of the starting spot, over a marginal All Star G/F at this point? Yes, without hesitation. But it's not such a simple thing that I want to try to vote in this poll.

----
EDIT: Hey! I think I have my answer.

I want the guy we pick to be good enough that he'll end up playing a whole lot of minutes. That could mean starting at C, or it could mean 6th man of the year candidate, or whatever. But by year 2 of his rookie contract, I want this guy to be on the floor a LOT.

I still wouldn't know how to vote, though.

 

[ElRey]

Yeah, but do you think a rookie would be any better than Hawes day one? I still am hoping that Hawes can fix himself, if not I think we should try and sign someone or even trade rather than pickup someone who might be another project like Hawes.

Actually I DO think Demarcus Cousins or even Cole Aldrich will be better than Mr. Hawes from day 1 !!!!!

 

[Vlade4GM]

BPA, always.

 

[Kingstime]

Eh if Cousins is there take him, Aldrich as well. The team as is needs a big man who can atleast impose his will, change a shot or atleast opponents realize he's down there. Johnson while a nice prospect does not come off like a once in a million type prospect and we have 2 guys at his position already ready to shine if given the appropriate time and with the dog collars taken off to let them turn into quality NBA small forwards.

The west is so ripe for change that if Reke has just as good a sophmore season as his rookie season and the team around him gets better as well as getting our shot blocking 5 this team will be real close to cracking the top 8, GP HAS to draft for our need at the 5 with pick #5.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Eh if Cousins is there take him, Aldrich as well. The team as is needs a big man who can atleast impose his will, change a shot or atleast opponents realize he's down there. Johnson while a nice prospect does not come off like a once in a million type prospect and we have 2 guys at his position already ready to shine if given the appropriate time and with the dog collars taken off to let them turn into quality NBA small forwards.

The west is so ripe for change that if Reke has just as good a sophmore season as his rookie season and the team around him gets better as well as getting our shot blocking 5 this team will be real close to cracking the top 8, GP HAS to draft for our need at the 5 with pick #5.

So? Neither is anyone else in this draft.

 

[Kingstime]

So? Neither is anyone else in this draft.

So this is draft for a gm to draft for their teams biggest need, no need to add another 3 to our logjam at that spot just because he might be considered the BPA availiable at our draft spot.

 

[Vlade4GM]

So this is draft for a gm to draft for their teams biggest need, no need to add another 3 to our logjam at that spot just because he might be considered the BPA availiable at our draft spot.

Well IMO, all drafts are for taking the best overall talent, hopefully that means it will be at a position of need, but if it isn't, you just take the best player and worry about how it lines up later.

Well, I wouldn't ask anyone to pick him just because other people consider him the BPA. I would strongly suggest that he is the BPA though.

He can play the 2, he's got the athleticism for it, he's some passing ability, he's a great shooter, and he definitely has the tools to defend 2's. The only thing that really isn't that polished is his ball handling and his ability to create off the dribble. He's not horrendously bad or anything though, it's hard for him to dribble the ball through traffic. It's a significant weakness, but he makes up for it in different ways.

 

[Kingstime]

Well IMO, all drafts are for taking the best overall talent, hopefully that means it will be at a position of need, but if it isn't, you just take the best player and worry about how it lines up later.

Well, I wouldn't ask anyone to pick him just because other people consider him the BPA. I would strongly suggest that he is the BPA though.

He can play the 2, he's got the athleticism for it, he's some passing ability, he's a great shooter, and he definitely has the tools to defend 2's. The only thing that really isn't that polished is his ball handling and his ability to create off the dribble. He's not horrendously bad or anything though, it's hard for him to dribble the ball through traffic. It's a significant weakness, but he makes up for it in different ways.

The worst part about it if we were in the same spot years ago with this type of draft and a chance at Wes Johnson I'd have no problems with the team taking him. I saw alot of him at Cuse and he is just as good as advertised, I even saw alot of clutchness from him during March.

But there is just no guarantee that we will get our elusive big through trades or Free Agency this year. Me personally I'd gladly trade watching him get selected at 6 by GSW and him flourishing in that broken system if GP drafted a guy like Aldrich at 5. I know whatever happens GP will make the best choice for this team going forward and next season whoever gets drafted will have a helping hand in this team moving forward

 

[pshn80]

Kings needs. Have one NBA starter now - Evans. Among rest, closest to NBA starter is Landry. Next closest IMO is Thompson at the Center position. Biggest needs are SG and SF. We have only Garcia at SG but at SF we have Nocioni, Casspi and Greene. After SG and SF the biggest need is a starter or potential starter at the 4 or 5 with strength at defense and rebounding. Potential at SF - Nocioni = caretaker, Casspi = best of three, Greene = has permanent disability in 'smarts'. Take BPA despite greatest need at SG, followed by backup or better at 4 or 5. Patience for one more year at SF. Good luck GP and crew.

 

[rainmaker]

Kings needs. Have one NBA starter now - Evans. Among rest, closest to NBA starter is Landry. Next closest IMO is Thompson at the Center position. Biggest needs are SG and SF. We have only Garcia at SG but at SF we have Nocioni, Casspi and Greene. After SG and SF the biggest need is a starter or potential starter at the 4 or 5 with strength at defense and rebounding. Potential at SF - Nocioni = caretaker, Casspi = best of three, Greene = has permanent disability in 'smarts'. Take BPA despite greatest need at SG, followed by backup or better at 4 or 5. Patience for one more year at SF. Good luck GP and crew.

Are you serious? Our biggest needs are SG and SF? Wow. What team have you been watching.

Our biggest need is at center. It's not even up for debate. We are stockpiled at the SF, with 2 very young sf's, who both have a lot of potential, and need time to mature. SG's come a dime a dozen. I have no problem going into next season with Tyreke/Beno/Cisco guard rotation if it means we fill our biggest need at center.

After watching every other team in the nba run a freaking layup drill with minimal resistance from our bigs, and often watching our starting center finish with 3 or 4 rebs, you want a sg? We have arguably the worst frontline in the western conference. GS is right there with us. We probably have the worst rebounding frontline in the league when throwing Spencer and Landry out there. We rarely block shots. We aren't physical. We get pushed around. We lose games because we can't defend the paint, and rebound when needed. When another team needs a basket, they go right at our bigs. I'm am genuinely shocked that you can look at our roster, watch our team play the last few years(have you?), and come to the conclusion we need a sg and sf above all else.

And JT is not a solution as a starting center. And I get the feeling Petrie feels that way to, thank god.

 

[bajaden]

The Question is, who is the best player available? After you get past Wall, Turner, Favors, and Cousins, it gets a lot more subjective. Maybe not amongst the scouting folks, but even on this fourm there doesn't seem to be a consensus. I could make a case for several players based on each players particular ability. Johnson would seem to be the clear favorite, if there? But is he head and shoulders above the others. And if not, do we need another SF?

Personally I hope that Cousins drops into our laps. I'm not going to count on it, but I do think its possible. If he's not there, then I'm leaning heavily toward Aldrich. He's a solid defensive player, and he would fill a large need for the team. He's a very good athlete and has legitimate size. He's also reported to be a good character guy.

Let me ask a question. Here's a what if for you... What if both Aldrich and Udoh had opted to go back to school. Where do you think they would be projected in next years draft? Its possible that one, or both could be a top five pick next year. And if so, does that make either one of them a reach this year?

This is a draft deep in big men. And as a result, some are going to be drafted lower than they would in a different year. That doesn't make them less valuable. The trick is to figure out whose the best of the rest. But in a draft thats rare with a wealth of bigs, I just don't see the logic in taking a SF or a SG unless that player is head and shoulders above all the bigs that are left.

 

[Vlade4GM]

The Question is, who is the best player available? After you get past Wall, Turner, Favors, and Cousins, it gets a lot more subjective. Maybe not amongst the scouting folks, but even on this fourm there doesn't seem to be a consensus. I could make a case for several players based on each players particular ability. Johnson would seem to be the clear favorite, if there? But is he head and shoulders above the others. And if not, do we need another SF?

Personally I hope that Cousins drops into our laps. I'm not going to count on it, but I do think its possible. If he's not there, then I'm leaning heavily toward Aldrich. He's a solid defensive player, and he would fill a large need for the team. He's a very good athlete and has legitimate size. He's also reported to be a good character guy.

Let me ask a question. Here's a what if for you... What if both Aldrich and Udoh had opted to go back to school. Where do you think they would be projected in next years draft? Its possible that one, or both could be a top five pick next year. And if so, does that make either one of them a reach this year?

This is a draft deep in big men. And as a result, some are going to be drafted lower than they would in a different year. That doesn't make them less valuable. The trick is to figure out whose the best of the rest. But in a draft thats rare with a wealth of bigs, I just don't see the logic in taking a SF or a SG unless that player is head and shoulders above all the bigs that are left.

That's hard to say since next year's prospects are a year away, but I highly doubt they'd be any higher next year than this year. Perhaps even lower because they'd be a year older. I think they're ranked about as high as they would be in most drafts.

Personally, I'm open to Alrich or Udoh, more so Aldrich. I just don't think either one of them have much of a shot at being a core player, while I think Johnson could. He could become Tyreke's Pippen, while Aldrich would probably be a Perkins type player at best. Not that that would be a bad thing, but I think when you're talking high picks, you have to go for the best shot at a core player, and not just be thinking of moderately improving next year's record.

 

[Merdiesel]

The only time you draft for needs is when you're good.
There is a big reason why we're in the lottery again, WE SUCK!
We need talent here in Sacramento. No question, BPA.

 

[LPKingsFan]

The Question is, who is the best player available? After you get past Wall, Turner, Favors, and Cousins, it gets a lot more subjective. Maybe not amongst the scouting folks, but even on this fourm there doesn't seem to be a consensus. I could make a case for several players based on each players particular ability. Johnson would seem to be the clear favorite, if there? But is he head and shoulders above the others. And if not, do we need another SF?

That's a very good point. BPA is the easy answer. But who is the BPA? No clear call at this point.

 

[pshn80]

Are you serious? Our biggest needs are SG and SF? Wow. What team have you been watching.

Our biggest need is at center. It's not even up for debate. We are stockpiled at the SF, with 2 very young sf's, who both have a lot of potential, and need time to mature. SG's come a dime a dozen. I have no problem going into next season with Tyreke/Beno/Cisco guard rotation if it means we fill our biggest need at center.

After watching every other team in the nba run a freaking layup drill with minimal resistance from our bigs, and often watching our starting center finish with 3 or 4 rebs, you want a sg? We have arguably the worst frontline in the western conference. GS is right there with us. We probably have the worst rebounding frontline in the league when throwing Spencer and Landry out there. We rarely block shots. We aren't physical. We get pushed around. We lose games because we can't defend the paint, and rebound when needed. When another team needs a basket, they go right at our bigs. I'm am genuinely shocked that you can look at our roster, watch our team play the last few years(have you?), and come to the conclusion we need a sg and sf above all else.

And JT is not a solution as a starting center. And I get the feeling Petrie feels that way to, thank god.

I watch them all. I know the defiency you speak of. Filling that need is easier IMO than filling the 2 and 3 spot at the NBA starter level. Therefore, our first pick should go out there if we can get a "starter" at either of those positions with our second move, draft, trade, FA at the big defender position. You might be right but I'll take my chances going my way.

 

[Gary]

I can't really vote on the poll because I think Aldrich is BPA if the top 4 are Wall, Cousins, Turner, and Favors. So Aldrich meets a positional need plus Aldrich is BPA.. So yea, Aldrich!!!!

 

[Prince_XY]

The only time you draft for needs is when you're good.
There is a big reason why we're in the lottery again, WE SUCK!
We need talent here in Sacramento. No question, BPA.

Sure, we need more talent in Sacramento. Which team doesn't want to add more talent? But at pick #5, you can only draft one player.

You have to ask yourself, what is the most glaring problem why we continue to suck too much?

In our team's case I suggest you review all the countless threads made during the season pointing why the Kings is so bad. You address that problem/need and the Kings would be a lot better.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I think the premise is a bit flawed.

ESPN had a great article on a couple years ago that I think explains the best strategy well.

You divide the draft into tiers of players. Within each tier, you draft for need. However, you never reach down tiers to address a need.

So if your second tier is all players you rate 90-95 (since realistically there is usually only 1 or 2 Tier 1 players) and your board looks like this:

Tier 2
Player A - PG - 94.8
Player B - SF - 93
Player C - PF - 92.5

Tier 3
Player D - C - 88.2

You can draft the PF guilt free if you need a big man, but reaching for the Center means you are clearly sacrificing talent. A big mistake.

 

[kennadog]

I think the premise is a bit flawed.

ESPN had a great article on a couple years ago that I think explains the best strategy well.

You divide the draft into tiers of players. Within each tier, you draft for need. However, you never reach down tiers to address a need.

So if your second tier is all players you rate 90-95 (since realistically there is usually only 1 or 2 Tier 1 players) and your board looks like this:

Tier 2
Player A - PG - 94.8
Player B - SF - 93
Player C - PF - 92.5

Tier 3
Player D - C - 88.2

You can draft the PF guilt free if you need a big man, but reaching for the Center means you are clearly sacrificing talent. A big mistake.

I read that, too. Andapparently this is what most teams do. So when I voted BPA (as best as you can guess,) this is the scenario I had in my head. BPA for the tier you are choosing from. Never reach down a tier.

 

[JB_kings]

All things being equal talent wise, you then consider position and fit. But it also really becomes a beauty in the eye of the beholder thing. Some guys love blondes and others love brunettes - some GMs love tough athletic players and others just drool over shooters.

 

[Smills91]

I think the premise is a bit flawed.

ESPN had a great article on a couple years ago that I think explains the best strategy well.

You divide the draft into tiers of players. Within each tier, you draft for need. However, you never reach down tiers to address a need.

So if your second tier is all players you rate 90-95 (since realistically there is usually only 1 or 2 Tier 1 players) and your board looks like this:

Tier 2
Player A - PG - 94.8
Player B - SF - 93
Player C - PF - 92.5

Tier 3
Player D - C - 88.2

You can draft the PF guilt free if you need a big man, but reaching for the Center means you are clearly sacrificing talent. A big mistake.

K, then the Kings tiers should be:

Tier 1: Wall/Turner
Tier 2: Cousins/Favors
Tier 3: Johnson, Aminu, Aldrich, Monroe, Udoh, with a few more mixed in.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

K, then the Kings tiers should be:

Tier 1: Wall/Turner
Tier 2: Cousins/Favors
Tier 3: Johnson, Aminu, Aldrich, Monroe, Udoh, with a few more mixed in.

Don't fully agree with your 3rd tier. I personally rank Aldrich & Udoh lower, but your guess is as good as mine.