Darrell Arthur #12?

[sactownfan]

Aruthur has canceled the rest of his workouts after working out with the Sacramento Kings...

"If Sacramento selects Darrell Arthur at #12 like many NBA sources we spoke with anticipate (sacramento was his last workout stop before cancelling numerous workouts)"http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-Givony/

Some interesting stats and info i found with... Draft Rater: Which big men will become the best pros? on espn by John Hollinger...
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draf...lumnist=hollinger_john&page=DraftRater-080620

Players in the 15s are solid pros more often than stars, but these guys still should be useful pieces worthy of a high-to-mid first-round pick.

I can't tell you why Kansas played him only 24.7 minutes per game, but the numbers say Arthur is the third-best big guy in this draft. There are concerns that he might be a tweener, but he was a good college scorer who blocked shots.

Speights was also mentioned being equal to Arthur in rank...FYI... and Anthony Randolph is off the charts horrible... no player ranked as low as him in this system has ever gone on to succeed.

So back to Arthur... the kings do have a record of only drafting players that worked out with them... and there is no mention anywhere of Anthony Randolph coming to town... im guessin Petrie's thinking is that Randolph is too risky and likes to go with proven talent (at least on the level they were just at). Arthur is a polished offensive player that is also athletic and a good shot blocker... Rebounding is sorta an issue but most agree its because of simple things like boxing out and can easily be fixed, and shouldn't be an issue... I like Randolph's Raw potential/height, and Speights is good... but i would be much more happy with a player like Arthur... that already has proven game and has no issues with being motivated...plus hes been a winner on every level thus far.

it seems pretty clear by now that the kings are targeting DJ. A, Westbrook, Alexander, Arthur, and Speights. Although i might be missing one more... All these players are projecting as good NBA players... minus Speights motivation could hold him back
i also wanna throw out that im kinda into Alexis Ajinca he is a big (7ft.) question mark... anyone know if we worked him out or if we are plannin on it?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/news/story?page=DraftVideo-Arthur

 

[nbrans]

I really can't put that much stock in Hollinger's numbers since every year he basically reverse engineers a formula that makes past guys look good and then applies it to the current draft. The mere fact that he has to come up with a new formula every year shows there's no real formula.

But that said, I just don't see what there is to like about Darrell Arthur. I think he's more athletic than he showed in the combine and he's quick off his feet, but unless you're talking about an athletic freak (which Arthur is not) I just don't know if you can afford to have a 6'9" starting power forward any more. Particularly one who isn't that skilled on offense. He's not going to be able to guard guys like Duncan, Bosh, Nowitzki, KG and the other big power forwards in the league because he's too small, he's a shaky rebounder, shaky on offense.... what exactly is he going to do on the floor?

I just don't see him as a starter. Maybe he could be a scrappy undersized PF off the bench like Powe/Maxiell/Millsap/etc., but is that the cieling you really want to shoot for with a #12 pick?

I still like Jevale McGee better at #12. At least he has SIZE and athleticism, and those long long arms. I see him being a Tayshaun Prince/Kirilenko type, only at the power forward spot.

 

[Jerichoholic]

It is another troubling sign from Petrie, we seem to be working out a lot of swingmen and undersized PFs which we already have plenty of. We all have our favorite types of players but he needs to think a little more outside the box here.

The Kings have not worked out DeAndre Jordan, JaVale McGee, Marreese Speights, or Anthony Randolph who are all potential quality starting talent at PF that have the body to play the position at the NBA level. Now each of these players have many question marks so there is no way that you draft one of them unless you've worked them out to try to get some answers...scratch them off the list unfortunately.

The other potential lottery players that the Kings have worked out include Westbrook, Alexander, and Arthur. Westbrook will be off the board, a lot of people think Alexander will be (myself not included), and Arthur will not be.

If Alexander is on the board the Kings take him and if he isn't I think Arthur will be the guy. I agree with nbrans, I don't see what there is to like about him, very frustrating.

 

[beb0p]

Arthur worked out for the Grizz on 6/11 and for the Kings on 6/13. It's just as likely (or unlikely) that the Grizz gave Arthur a promise.

All I'm saying is that I just don't buy the Kings gave Arthur a promise this early in the draft and with Speights and Thompson yet to come in.

Mostly likely he's hurt and can't go full speed so he had to cancel his workouts.

 

[nbrans]

According to the Bee we're working out McGee today (also Koufos)

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/013401.html

 

[bajaden]

All the positive's he touted about Arthur could be said about Sheldon Williams, on who the jury is still out.. I personaly still like Speights. He has the size and the talent. Is he somewhat of a gamble based on hs movitation? Probably, but no one we pick at 12 is going to be free of all blemishes. I know he can rebound and I know he has a decent offensive game, and has that so called upside.

 

[Gary]

Looks like the Kings are definitely going with a big this draft. Which means they are willing to move Hawes to PF (which he played a lot of this year).

I wouldn't have an issue with putting Hawes at PF if the C we bring in can play a little D.

 

[nbrans]

Looks like the Kings are definitely going with a big this draft. Which means they are willing to move Hawes to PF (which he played a lot of this year).

I wouldn't have an issue with putting Hawes at PF if the C we bring in can play a little D.

Not necessarily -- nearly every big in our range would either be a PF or a C that could better slide over to PF than Hawes. That includes McGee, Jordan, Randolph, Arthur, etc. Just about the only guys who would definitely be a C are Hibbert and Koufos.

 

[Bricklayer]

All the positive's he touted about Arthur could be said about Sheldon Williams,

I'm not much of an Arthur fan, and have had trouble seeing the reason for the hype about him, but at least in theory he should be a lot more athletic than Sheldon. I say in theory just because of those oddly poor combine results.

 

[Gary]

I still like Jevale McGee better at #12. At least he has SIZE and athleticism, and those long long arms. I see him being a Tayshaun Prince/Kirilenko type, only at the power forward spot.

No way.. You are comparing McGee to players that play defense. McGee has never heard of the word defense. I really cannot think of a player that McGee reminds me of. Hrmmm.... Maybe a few players mixed together.. ahhh..

Jelani McCoy type frame with his same "hops"... Udonis Haslem type jumpshot.... (after injury) Chris Webber type defense...

Put those three players together and you have McGee.

 

[Gary]

I'm not much of an Arthur fan, and have had trouble seeing the reason for the hype about him, but at least in theory he should be a lot more athletic than Sheldon. I say in theory just because of those oddly poor combine results.

Arthur was praised for this athleticism. I am not an Arthur fan, but I still say he's WAY more athletic than Kevin Love (who I am a fan of). Watching them both a LOT anyone can see he is the more athletic of the two. Arthur is one of the more athetic guys in the draft this year.. I think the combine was accurate in the measurements, but not accurate in gauging overall athleticism. Arthur probably had a bad day. But he's still 6'7 and he's a PF who cannot rebound to save his life. He's a shorter version of Mikki Moore at this point who has an offensive game. Lets say Moore would give us 8ppg 5rpg 1bpg in 30 minutes a night.. Well Arthur would give us 12ppg 5rpg 1bpg and maybe a couple assists. It would be an immediate improvement over Moore, but not by much. Also, Moore is better suited to play D against bigger players. Arthur is not, so he might give up something defensively (although in the long run I believe Arthur will be better than Moore defensively).

 

[Heuge]

No player at 12 really gets me excited this year. McGee seems very raw. Aurther seems like an underacheiver. Hibbert seems like an above average college player.

 

[nbrans]

No way.. You are comparing McGee to players that play defense. McGee has never heard of the word defense. I really cannot think of a player that McGee reminds me of. Hrmmm.... Maybe a few players mixed together.. ahhh..

Jelani McCoy type frame with his same "hops"... Udonis Haslem type jumpshot.... (after injury) Chris Webber type defense...

Put those three players together and you have McGee.

Prince wasn't known for his defense in college either, and he also played some center at Kentucky even though he's obviously a SF in the NBA.

The college game is just completely different than the NBA. His shotblocking is fine. Put McGee up against smalls in college and he can't keep up as much one on one. Put him in the NBA when he's going up against guys his size and it's a different story.

I think you have to look at the tools he has vs. how he played in college.

 

[Gary]

Sorry for the three posts but this is my own opinion on the bigs we have tried out.. I would rather just go with a project if we cannot get a talented big. Speights or "ahem" McGee. They at least give us what we need in the rebounding department. Both have a nice looking offensive game, and both are athletic. The hell with a defensive 6'7 PF who cannot rebound. The hell with another SF.

EDIT for NBRANS: - IF FOR SOME REASON WESTBROOK IS AVAILABLE THOUGH I WOULD TAKE HIM OVER ANY PROJECT BIG-

BUT if Westbrook is available when we pick I would rather have him. He's probably going to be off the board though. He played amazingly when Collison was out. I cannot believe some of the stuff I am reading about him how he's not a PG. Did these people watch him when he was running the team at the beginning of the year? Did these people realize they played an offense similar to the Kings of 2002? How they bring the ball up, and pass off to the big (Love) who passes to a slicer. His assist numbers reminds me a lot of Bibby when he first joined the Kings.

 

[nbrans]

^Definitely agree. Westbrook or a project big.

 

[Gary]

Prince wasn't known for his defense in college either, and he also played some center at Kentucky even though he's obviously a SF in the NBA.

The college game is just completely different than the NBA. His shotblocking is fine. Put McGee up against smalls in college and he can't keep up as much one on one. Put him in the NBA when he's going up against guys his size and it's a different story.

I think you have to look at the tools he has vs. how he played in college.

I know what you are trying to say, but McGee was worse than what you think. It was that bad.. Think of Fazekas.. Then minus about 50% of of his defensive prowess (lol) and you have McGee. I got a chance to see a practice last year and Fazekas was abusing McGee..

Can McGee learn to play D? Sure why not.. But it will take a while. Because right now he is worse than horrible.

Also, Prince was a rail playing PF (mostly). He wasn't known for Defense, but was never considered a bad defender. Not like McGee. McGee is 10x worse at the college level then Prince was.

 

[Gary]

^Definitely agree. Westbrook or a project big.

I was saying that I would take Westbrook over any big if he was available. But he's probably not going to be so I would take a project big over someone who I already know sucks i.e. Arthur, or someone who plays a position we don't need i.e. Alexander.

 

[nbrans]

I was saying that I would take Westbrook over any big if he was available. But he's probably not going to be so I would take a project big over someone who I already know sucks i.e. Arthur, or someone who plays a position we don't need i.e. Alexander.

I know, I agree with that.

As far as McGee goes, I haven't seen him go up against anyone good, so you may well be right that he's a weak defender. But again, I think you have to look at the collection of tools. I think McGee has the tools to be a very good defender in the NBA with his quickness, length, and size. The NBA really doesn't have someone like McGee -- not only would he enter the NBA with the highest standing reach in the entire league short of Yao, he's also a very mobile player with some skills. Assuming he gains some strength, his length would really challenge power forwards and he has real shotblocking potential.

The only variable is desire, and I trust that he has that as well. It may take some time, but if we're picking projects, I'll take the 7'0" guy with crazy long arms, leaping ability, quickness and skills.

 

[CruzDude]

As of Friday (today) I am assuming all 5 of the Lottery PGs will be gone by #12 (hence my Poll). Among those discussed for the Kings at #12, I'm down to three favorites: Arthur, Alexander and Thompson.

Alexander and Thompson have the work ethic, skill set, and both are rebounder-scorers. Arthur was only the 2nd best rebounder on Kansas this year but was the most athletic and can score with back to the basket (so can Thompson).

Alexander in the combine measurements was:

- one of the top leapers of all
- the quickest of all in the 3/4 court sprint
- has a 6-11 wing span

And he loves the Kings. Did not say that to anyone else.

 

[LPKingsFan]

And he loves the Kings. Did not say that to anyone else.

Not exactly. Here's an excerpt from Wednesday's Portland Oregonian:

"I would really like to be in Portland," he said. "They have a young team full of guys that love the game and work hard, and that's what I'm about. I think I would fit in well here."

and

"A lot of things about this place appeal to me," he said. "One is the location, in Portland, and another thing is it's a young team full of players passionate about the game. That's what I like."

If there's one sure thing about Alexander, it's that he went to the Ron Artest school of interviews. He'll say anything good about himself and the team he's working out for. There may be some good reasons to consider drafting Alexander but his apparent enthusiasm for the Kings should not be one of them.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I still don't know why people would prefer Alexander to Batum. The only things Alexander really has over Batum is a bit better size and perceived work ethic. Batum's got the skills, length, experience, and all around athleticism.

 

[beb0p]

I know, I agree with that.

As far as McGee goes, I haven't seen him go up against anyone good, so you may well be right that he's a weak defender. But again, I think you have to look at the collection of tools. I think McGee has the tools to be a very good defender in the NBA with his quickness, length, and size. The NBA really doesn't have someone like McGee -- not only would he enter the NBA with the highest standing reach in the entire league short of Yao, he's also a very mobile player with some skills. Assuming he gains some strength, his length would really challenge power forwards and he has real shotblocking potential.

The only variable is desire, and I trust that he has that as well. It may take some time, but if we're picking projects, I'll take the 7'0" guy with crazy long arms, leaping ability, quickness and skills.

McGee's defense looks horrible in the Grizz's workout (against Joey Dorsey and Love), but the dude is very long and athletic. I thought he'll fo' sure going to spent two years in the NBDL. Who knows, he may become a defensive force, but it's going to be a lot of work and many years.

http://www.grizzblogs.com/index.php?/draft08/video/preview_player_workout_6_9_08/

 

[nbrans]

^That didn't look like bad defense to me. They were showing offensive highlights and those were good shots.

 

[beb0p]

I still don't know why people would prefer Alexander to Batum. The only things Alexander really has over Batum is a bit better size and perceived work ethic. Batum's got the skills, length, experience, and all around athleticism.

For me, Alexander has proven his desire and his ability to carry a team. At worse you get an Eric Williams type player.

Batum is a role player trapped in a superstar's body. He's decent at some things but good at nothing. At worse he's DeMarr Johnson.

 

[Gary]

McGee's defense looks horrible in the Grizz's workout (against Joey Dorsey and Love), but the dude is very long and athletic. I thought he'll fo' sure going to spent two years in the NBDL. Who knows, he may become a defensive force, but it's going to be a lot of work and many years.

http://www.grizzblogs.com/index.php?/draft08/video/preview_player_workout_6_9_08/

DeAndre's is a baller... Friggin gets up for the dunk amazingly well.. VERY fast off his feet. Thanks for posting .. It's a great video.

Just another reason why Kevin Love will not fall to the 12th spot..

 

[beb0p]

^That didn't look like bad defense to me. They were showing offensive highlights and those were good shots.

Those were poor defense. Didn't get very physical with the offensive player, allowed the guys to back him into the money spots, and didnt move his feet very well.

Those are good shots too, simply in order to score over McGee's length. But there's no way a Tyson Chandler would let those guys back him down so easily. I'm just saying McGee needs a lot of work. I'm not saying don't draft him.

 

[nbrans]

Those were poor defense. Didn't get very physical with the offensive player, allowed the guys to back him into the money spots, and didnt move his feet very well.

Those are good shots too, simply in order to score over McGee's length. But there's no way a Tyson Chandler would let those guys back him down so easily. I'm just saying McGee needs a lot of work. I'm not saying don't draft him.

That's a good point, but they were still drill situations. McGee also faked Love out (although it was a pretty blatant travel on the shot).

 

[beb0p]

That's a good point, but they were still drill situations. McGee also faked Love out (although it was a pretty blatant travel on the shot).

Yeah, even though he travaled it sure shows McGee's potential. If that guys is willing to put in the sweat. The sky is the limit.

 

[JerN820]

A lot of the mock drafts I've seen, they have us getting Anthony Randolph. Evidently some of them think he is actually a top 5 player in this draft and is compared to Bosh.

 

[beb0p]

DeAndre's is a baller... Friggin gets up for the dunk amazingly well.. VERY fast off his feet. Thanks for posting .. It's a great video.

Just another reason why Kevin Love will not fall to the 12th spot..

You welcome. And yeah, I thought the Grizz has all but announced to the world that they're picking Love. Oh well. There goes the dream that Love falls to #12....