big georgey

[bajaden]

It sure looks IF he is committed to putting in the work - he can be a terrific player (all that 'you can't teach size' BS). He will have to work his ass off though to get to NBA condition. Can't wait to see Ailene's articles calling him a jumbo marshmallow if he doesn't.

Maybe all the skepticism from the Sacramento fan base will help light that fire and keep it lit.

One thing that was very apparent at summer league, was when Cousins showed up in street clothes, and was standing almost next to Papagiannis during a timeout, was how much bigger Papagiannis looked than Cousins. Not may players dwarf Cousins. Size may not always matter that much, but it's nice to have it.

 

[The_Jamal]

The last few games Papagiannis has looked much better. Here are some highlights.

9 points vs the suns

5 blocks vs the vipers

10 points vs legends

His body looks much better and so does his ability to guard the pick and roll and block shots. Also nice to see him get some post shots to fall.

These 3 clips are far more promising than anything we've seen from him thus far. Showed some of the quickness we saw in his Euro clips and he looks to be in way better shape.

 

[KingsFanSince85]

I know those that still hate this draft pick will hate it regardless. And I'm not even saying that I know GP will end up being a really good player. I have no idea. However, you have to be patient with this guy. If he ends up being a really good player 2, 3, 4 years from now, it will have been worth the wait -- especially considering there really weren't any players available that would have made an instant and meaningful impact anyway.

Remember when Hassan Whiteside first came into the league with the Kings. He wasn't ready to play either. A few years later, he showed he could not only play, but has developed into one of the better bigs in the game. Whiteside played 1 year in college. GP is essentially in the equivalent of his 1st college season right now. One could argue that he's further along than Whiteside was his 1st year -- if those clips are any indication.

 

[MizzouKing]

Hassan was also kind of a knucklehead, maturity-wise, when he first entered the league. Coach Smart took great pains not to label him as having a bad work ethic, though it certainly appeared that way. But growing up influenced his choices, and we see the result. George seems MUCH more mature, and willing to put in the work at this early stage of his career. I'm willing to give him time to grow.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

George seems MUCH more mature, and willing to put in the work at this early stage of his career. I'm willing to give him time to grow.

PapaG has the maturity and skill, Hassan had the freak athleticism. They are very different cases, and I doubt we can conclude much at all about PapaG's career path by looking at Whiteside's.

Not that I'm not rooting for PapaG, mind you.

 

[KingsFan80]

PapaG has the maturity and skill, Hassan had the freak athleticism. They are very different cases, and I doubt we can conclude much at all about PapaG's career path by looking at Whiteside's.

Not that I'm not rooting for PapaG, mind you.

Spot on..there is no comparison. Whiteside was a great athlete and in the minority of players who end up being that good after a slow start

 

[twslam07]

I see Papagiannis's ceiling as Koufos with a better low post game & jumpshot. I guess that's maybe Marcin Gortat then?

No telling if he'll get there, but I could see that being a possibility if he works hard enough.

 

[LPKingsFan]

I see Papagiannis's ceiling as Koufos with a better low post game & jumpshot. I guess that's maybe Marcin Gortat then?

No telling if he'll get there, but I could see that being a possibility if he works hard enough.

Neither of those guys are quite as big as Big George. Perhaps a more polished Hibbert would be the hope?

 

[twslam07]

Neither of those guys are quite as big as Big George. Perhaps a more polished Hibbert would be the hope?

He doesn't have to be the exact same size to play like them.

 

[SacTownGrantFan]

He probably wouldn't start at Kentucky this year and he is on an NBA team aka our team. Let that sink in

If you're talking about Skal, it's absurd.

 

[KingsFan80]

If you're talking about Skal, it's absurd.

Papa

 

[KingsFanSince85]

I doubt we can conclude much at all about PapaG's career path by looking at Whiteside's.

Sure we can. Every case is different, but it is a recent example of an undeveloped talent taking time to develop and mature. Hassan was an early entry into the draft after only 1 year of college. Papa is almost a straight from HS kid. He played against grown men overseas, but was essentially the same age as a HS senior with no college experience. He just turned 19 during the Summer. The likelihood that he'd make an instant impact was quite small. Not many kids drafted at 18 have made an instant impact or played much at all. And big men tend to take a while to develop -- hence the Whiteside example.

 

[lwc]

I'm encouraged by the early progress .

 

[Kingsfan23]

Malachi balling.. three of our better prospects/players in Bogdan/Temple/Malachi at SG, wish those were more spread out

 

[ockingsfan]

Malachi balling.. three of our better prospects/players in Bogdan/Temple/Malachi at SG, wish those were more spread out

Temple can play sg, pg and sf.

But don't forget about Ben, he is currently our staring sg.

 

[Joshoua]

Malachi balling.. three of our better prospects/players in Bogdan/Temple/Malachi at SG, wish those were more spread out

I think Malachi will get heavy minutes at back up SF if all goes well. He's long enough to guard back up sfs

 

[bajaden]

Spot on..there is no comparison. Whiteside was a great athlete and in the minority of players who end up being that good after a slow start

I had Whiteside and Thabeet in the same category, although I thought Thabeet was more skilled, but less athletic. Whiteside had something like 4 assists for the entire year at Marshall. That's all you needed to know about how skilled he was at that time.

 

[bajaden]

Sure we can. Every case is different, but it is a recent example of an undeveloped talent taking time to develop and mature. Hassan was an early entry into the draft after only 1 year of college. Papa is almost a straight from HS kid. He played against grown men overseas, but was essentially the same age as a HS senior with no college experience. He just turned 19 during the Summer. The likelihood that he'd make an instant impact was quite small. Not many kids drafted at 18 have made an instant impact or played much at all. And big men tend to take a while to develop -- hence the Whiteside example.

I think it's possible that your comparing the situation, and the Capt is comparing the players. I happen to agree with both of you.. Now back to my cervesa...

 

[bajaden]

Malachi balling.. three of our better prospects/players in Bogdan/Temple/Malachi at SG, wish those were more spread out

Listened to Doug Christie on with Grant yesterday, and he said that when Vlade drafted Skal, Papa, and Richardson, he was drafting players that he thought would fit his vision for the future. He did so while expecting no contributions from any of them this season. So he didn't expect any of them to get minutes with the parent team this season. However Doug hinted that he may be changing his mind about one of them. I assume he's referring to Richardson.

 

[parker]

Listened to Doug Christie on with Grant yesterday, and he said that when Vlade drafted Skal, Papa, and Richardson, he was drafting players that he thought would fit his vision for the future. He did so while expecting no contributions from any of them this season. So he didn't expect any of them to get minutes with the parent team this season. However Doug hinted that he may be changing his mind about one of them. I assume he's referring to Richardson.

This might be what Vlade is saying now, but he said right after the draft that he expected Papa to get similar minutes to Caulie-Stein last year.

 

[dude12]

Wouldn't surprise me come Dec 15 or thereabouts, if Afflalo is traded or Ben is traded and Malachi is brought aboard for some game experience.

 

[KingsFan80]

This might be what Vlade is saying now, but he said right after the draft that he expected Papa to get similar minutes to Caulie-Stein last year.

Aka he has no clue what he is doing. Sheeeww

 

[gunks]

This might be what Vlade is saying now, but he said right after the draft that he expected Papa to get similar minutes to Caulie-Stein last year.

That could have been damage control. A lot of people were confused/angry about the pick.

Of course, what's he's saying now could just as easily be damage control!

Who knows. Glad Papa is doing better regardless.