Draft Analysis...somebody had to start this

[rhythmless]

But don't let that color your view on this guy. Give him a chance to show what he's got. There is plenty of time for criticism later if he doesn't work out.

And if he does, you all have crow to eat later.

Ah, but if you wait until later to criticize, everyone on this board is apt to give you the "hindsight is 20-20" bullcrap. So what you are proposing is really a catch 22. Let the people criticize now, and eat crow later.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Better than a bust. And honestly, Thompson fits the mold of a player who has the potential to be really good. He was one of about 10 bigs with potential that we could have gone with. Who really knows which one is going to be the one that turns out the best?? I liked McGee, you liked Randolph, other people liked Speights, Jordan etc. etc. Who knows! At least Thompson is 6'11", he put up great stats, he's athletic...

I mean, in some sense it's better to start with someone who is big, athletic and skilled rather than taking a flyer on a guy who is either too short, too skinny (ahem) or too raw.

Trust me, I really didn't like the Hawes pick last year. This year -- there just wasn't a really obvious move.

Is it better than a bust? Sure, but it's not better than a pick that can be much better than a role playing starter at best. You can say well nobody expected Kevin Martin to bust out like he did, but you could say that about any player. Truth is, nobody really projects Thompson as anything more than a solid role player at best. If we got a bust, fine, as long as we went for some high reward though. Playing it safe isn't going to get us anywhere, we're in a bad position and it's going to take some risks to get us out of it. To me, when there isn't an obvious player, you take best talent and upside, that was Randolph IMO. To me, Petrie is just waiting around for something to fall into his lap. He's not being proactive about getting this team back into contention.

 

[steelevt]

Is it better than a bust? Sure, but it's not better than a pick that can be much better than a role playing starter at best. You can say well nobody expected Kevin Martin to bust out like he did, but you could say that about any player. Truth is, nobody really projects Thompson as anything more than a solid role player at best. If we got a bust, fine, as long as we went for some high reward though. Playing it safe isn't going to get us anywhere, we're in a bad position and it's going to take some risks to get us out of it. To me, when there isn't an obvious player, you take best talent and upside, that was Randolph IMO. To me, Petrie is just waiting around for something to fall into his lap. He's not being proactive about getting this team back into contention.

i have a sad feeling randolph wont get a chance to live up to the potential you speak so highly of and support your argument now that he was drafted by the Ws. Nellie is notorious for not playing rookies. he might have to pull up a seat next to brandan wright, cj watson and marco belinelli

 

[Gary]

First off he hardly played against anyone. Second ATLEAST TRADE DOWN IF YOU WANT HIM. My god the guy would've been available at 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20. You want to tell me he couldn't have gotten SOMETHING by trading down? Hell we could've picked up another 2nd or something.

Then picking Ewing Jr.? Is Petrie on crack? He passed up Bill Walker, DeVon Hardin, Hendrix, etc. for a guy with no skills. Are you kidding me? What is the reasoning behind that pick??? There were a couple good players left and he blew it again, lol.

The only pick I like is Sean Singletary. The thing is, he could've bought a first rounder or traded or something. There was still plenty of talent at the end of the first. Arthur, Dorsey, Jordan, etc. were still there. They all fill needs.

Singletary might turn out to be good though. He had a good college career and he can probably contribute right away but ehh, the other picks I dunno. I'll be happy if Thompson turns out to be a poor man's Sheed Wallace w/o the attitude but we could've gotten more value out of that pick. Or atleast trade up 2 or 3 spots so you can get Bayless, instead of letting THE FREAKING BLAZERS get him. I'm sorry but sometimes you have to be aggressive to put yourself in a better position to do something and he hasn't done it. I am sick of this passive BS, there is no aggression at all shown from Petrie lately.

Who knows, maybe Thompson turns out to be a Stuckey like pick and is decent. We still could've gotten him later on and gotten more value, or stopped Portland from getting their dream PG who we ALSO COULD HAVE USED. Just blown opportunities all around on our end.

I totally 100000% agree with you..

Thompson was eyed by the Warriors though. I am not sure he would have went past 14th, and I don't think he would have been able to do anything with Portland because they were looking to trade with Indy. So with Thompson I am OK..


The part I am NOT OK with is that we could have bought a 1st rounder. I am 10000000% sure if Petrie said to the Maloof's that it would have been worth it they would have given Petrie the green light to go ahead. SO.... The Kings could have very well walked out of this draft with;

Thompson, Jordan, Chalmers, and CDR. Seriously... This was our draft within reach. I am growing tired of Petrie sitting on his *** not doing anything. People will say "He probably explored all his options, and couldn't find a deal he liked". Bull Sh1t. There were draft spots bought today. There was a first round given for a future second rounder.

So this year let's see how well CDR, Chalmers, and Jordan do. These are players we could have had. What's going to happen is that if Thompson turns out to be a success that will be Petrie's "smoke screen". If Thompson averages 50ppg, and 30rpg and Jordan/Chalmers/CDR turn into good NBA players then I will call this an unsuccessful draft.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

Is it better than a bust? Sure, but it's not better than a pick that can be much better than a role playing starter at best. You can say well nobody expected Kevin Martin to bust out like he did, but you could say that about any player. Truth is, nobody really projects Thompson as anything more than a solid role player at best. If we got a bust, fine, as long as we went for some high reward though. Playing it safe isn't going to get us anywhere, we're in a bad position and it's going to take some risks to get us out of it. To me, when there isn't an obvious player, you take best talent and upside, that was Randolph IMO. To me, Petrie is just waiting around for something to fall into his lap. He's not being proactive about getting this team back into contention.

Yes, some people (myself included at times) say hindsight is 20-20, but that needs to be justified. If Thompson becomes a 6th man roleplayer and Randolph becomes a star, I will gladly admit that Petrie blew this pick. However, for tonight there is no reason to believe that. Thompson has good upside. He is young for a Senior (about to turn 22 in July) and has a NBA body and good skills. When Petrie blows it, I at least have no problem admiting it. I want to see Douby's third year; however, I wanted us to take Rondo at the time and wish we had. Barring a major Douby assention, I feel we missed a great opportunity. Similarly, while I gave Geoff the benefit of the doubt at the time, his assumption about trading smaller contract with the Webber deal was plain wrong.

With that said, Petrie has done a great job, especially as far as the draft is concerned. Thompson to me is an intriguing pick. To call it a safe pick seems like a fallacy. Petrie put himself on the line here. If anything Randolph is a safe pick. If he worked out, Petrie looks like a genius. If he fails, Petrie could argue, "well, he was projected there and had a lot of potential."

A number of mock drafts (ESPN and Draft Express) had Thompson moving up fast and going shortly after us. Maybe those were from smoke screens or maybe they were real. Deja vu with us taking Hedo. Maybe Petrie could have dealt down, but who knows what we could have gotten or if Thompson still would have been there.

I appreciate Geoff's guts on a player with a lot of potential who he could be heavily criticized for. We will see how it turns out.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I totally 100000% agree with you..

Thompson was eyed by the Warriors though. I am not sure he would have went past 14th, and I don't think he would have been able to do anything with Portland because they were looking to trade with Indy. So with Thompson I am OK..


The part I am NOT OK with is that we could have bought a 1st rounder. I am 10000000% sure if Petrie said to the Maloof's that it would have been worth it they would have given Petrie the green light to go ahead. SO.... The Kings could have very well walked out of this draft with;

Thompson, Jordan, Chalmers, and CDR. Seriously... This was our draft within reach. I am growing tired of Petrie sitting on his *** not doing anything. People will say "He probably explored all his options, and couldn't find a deal he liked". Bull Sh1t. There were draft spots bought today. There was a first round given for a future second rounder.

So this year let's see how well CDR, Chalmers, and Jordan do. These are players we could have had. What's going to happen is that if Thompson turns out to be a success that will be Petrie's "smoke screen". If Thompson averages 50ppg, and 30rpg and Jordan/Chalmers/CDR turn into good NBA players then I will call this an unsuccessful draft.

This is a catch 22 - a proverbial chicken and the egg. Eventually (2010-2011 to me when we have cap space) Petrie will be judged by his results. However, to assume that the Maloofs who have been trying to cut costs since 2002 would have paid money to get an extra pick seems wrong. What is that based on? Do you have inside info?

It is easy to be dissapointed since Paul Allen let his GM do it, but to assume that Petrie simply decided he did not want to spend someone else's money on a free player that could save his job seems wrong.

 

[Vlade4GM]

i have a sad feeling randolph wont get a chance to live up to the potential you speak so highly of and support your argument now that he was drafted by the Ws. Nellie is notorious for not playing rookies. he might have to pull up a seat next to brandan wright, cj watson and marco belinelli

Yea, it's upsetting. Three guys that I've loved in the last two drafts (wright, randolph, and hendrix) probably won't get the shot they should be getting. So not only do the kings not get their hands on any of these guys, but their talent ultimately goes to waste. I don't get that organization, it seems Mullins and Nellie are on completely different pages. Hell, I don't even know if they're reading the same book.

 

[Jaylee209]

Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled! So you guys wanted Randolph (Jon Bender), Jordan ( Sere Sene) or Arthur ( a mix of SAR on his downside and Kenny Thomas)!?!?!

You arm-chair GM's think you can do better than Petrie? Who has a 90% track record of getting decent to great draft picks? Yah, you can question his recent aquisitions lately. but would you have done differently? Keep a one-legged Webber and a busted up Christie and Jackson ( even though I loved them all) until they break down on us ( which they all have done when we traded them), or try to get the best you can while their stock are at a decent high?

Again, look at GP's draft selections for the past 10 years. I Say only one of them was a bust...and the rest are either solid rotation guys, or solid starters. Question him all you want...but you weten't there for the workouts, you don't know what the Kings organization saw. Be pissed off, but I know for sure, you'll be eating your words come next season.


Heh..."What have you done for me lately"?

Pathetic!

 

[Vlade4GM]

Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled! So you guys wanted Randolph (Jon Bender), Jordan ( Sere Sene) or Arthur ( a mix of SAR on his downside and Kenny Thomas)!?!?!

You arm-chair GM's think you can do better than Petrie? Who has a 90% track record of getting decent to great draft picks? Yah, you can question his recent aquisitions lately. but would you have done differently? Keep a one-legged Webber and a busted up Christie and Jackson ( even though I loved them all) until they break down on us ( which they all have done when we traded them), or try to get the best you can while their stock are at a decent high?

Again, look at GP's draft selections for the past 10 years. I Say only one of them was a bust...and the rest are either solid rotation guys, or solid starters. Question him all you want...but you weten't there for the workouts, you don't know what the Kings organization saw. Be pissed off, but I know for sure, you'll be eating your words come next season.


Heh..."What have you done for me lately"?

Pathetic!

 

[Gary]

Again, look at GP's draft selections for the past 10 years. I Say only one of them was a bust...and the rest are either solid rotation guys, or solid starters. Question him all you want...but you weten't there for the workouts, you don't know what the Kings organization saw. Be pissed off, but I know for sure, you'll be eating your words come next season.


Heh..."What have you done for me lately"?

Pathetic!

This is what I saw... The Kings organization not going after three players that could have fell into their lap (Jordan, Chalmers, CDR) who are all first round talent/potential. Thompson could do well, but if any of those three above mentioned players make it in the NBA the Kings should kick themselves because they had a chance to get any one of those three if not all of them.

So yah... I will give Petrie at best a C if Thompson turns into a 20-10 guy and either Jordan, Chalmers, or CDR make it because it was so obvious that we could have used any of them (with the slight exception to CDR because he is a tweener) and had the chance to pull the trigger.

Unfortuneately most people will forget about the players Petrie had a chance to get if Thompson turns into an all-star.

The thing I actually am most pissed about is taking Patrick "fuggin" Ewing Jr. when there was pretty talented Euros we could have stashed in Europe for a couple years. Ewing wasn't going to be drafted, so I have no idea what he was thinking.. That was just a retarded pick.

 

[Aenadin]

i agree with the not drafting randolph... what we need right now is SIZE, potential rebounding and shot blocking on the bigs...

potential
randolph: yeah he's got it
Thompson: got the potential too

Athlethiscism
randolph: hes got it
Thompson: runs well and is explosive for aguy his size

shot blocking and rebounding thompson is better than randolph... forget what conference or league they both play.. if you can rebound good or bad conference you have to have great numbers and thompson did prove it...


lets say randolph gains 20 pounds... still 225 right... he gains more and more and he reaches 250 or so... the question would be... will he be effective? will his body take it? will he be able to move as fast as he did before and stuff like that

i remember bibby bulking up, he had a good shot but he was slow for a guard... he tried losing that weight and it kinda messed things up

but thompson at 6"10 250 pounds.. he gain more muscle he will manage.. hes already strong IMO... if he loses more pounds he will be faster his strength probably wont be diminished that much..

im not saying randolph is a bust.. im saying moving up to a "4" type body for him would be very difficult and he will have to adjust his game..

 

[Rookie]

First off he hardly played against anyone. Second ATLEAST TRADE DOWN IF YOU WANT HIM. My god the guy would've been available at 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20. You want to tell me he couldn't have gotten SOMETHING by trading down? Hell we could've picked up another 2nd or something.

We still could've gotten him later on and gotten more value, or stopped Portland from getting their dream PG who we ALSO COULD HAVE USED. Just blown opportunities all around on our end.

Could of, would of....

Are you 100% guaranteed that our 12th pick and be traded down to get Thompson? If this guy impresses JP enough to want him at 12 but if he plays by your game of trading down, wouldn't that be a risk? And I have no doubt that JP have looked at the option and decided it wasn't a risk he's willing to take.

 

[allrightythen]

he was tested again in washington and the tests turned out fine

3 years ago my kidneys tested fine as if nothing was wrong. Now they''ve failed.

 

[fnordius]

My feelings: I wanted at least one big, who was not slow or unathletic, and we obviously need at least one PG, too. In neither case did we get the particular guys I hoped for, but we did get a couple who fit the right general descriptions, and who I don't have any reason to believe won't make it in the NBA. Ewing is a big question mark, but let's face it, Geoff absolutely stinks when it comes to second rounders, the only one he has ever picked that worked out was AJ, and that was a LONG time ago. Maybe he's trying to get us a legendary big man coach. Maybe he thinks Ewing's athleticism will go somewhere, or at least please the crowd. I don't really know what he's thinking, but if Singletary makes it and Ewing doesn't, this will still have been a good second round for Geoff Petrie.

Does this draft look like a great victory to me? No. But it also doesn't look like an obvious failure. A year from now, I'll be more willing to listen to arguments that it was either of those, because there will be some actual evidence to look at. Until then, I'm not ready to jump to any extreme conclusions.

Trading up or down might have been good, getting SA's pick definitely would have been. Working the draft like Portland's been doing would have been fantastic, but Geoff has never traded up or down, or bought a pick, so I don't expect him to. I don't expect a lot of activity, or brilliant moves, or anything very special at all, anymore. Whatever combination of mojo and luck got us that great team, is over with. But the Maloofs like Geoff, and if it wasn't him, it might be Whisenant. That really is the crux of the matter, isn't it? Geoff hasn't been the best lately, but do you trust the Maloofs to find someone who is a lot better? I wish I could say yes to that question, but I can't.

 

[nbrans]

The part I am NOT OK with is that we could have bought a 1st rounder. I am 10000000% sure if Petrie said to the Maloof's that it would have been worth it they would have given Petrie the green light to go ahead. SO.... The Kings could have very well walked out of this draft with;

I still really don't understand why people think the decision to buy a first round pick is Petrie's. When the Maloofs gave the green light for a huge payroll early in the decade, Petrie spent the money. When the order came down to cut payroll we gave away Jon Barry and a first rounder for Mateen Cleaves to cut payroll.

You really honestly think that a GM wouldn't do every single thing they could do with whatever leash they have to improve the team?

The Portland Trailblazers represent a unique confluence of events. You have 1) a fanbase so scarred by the JailBlazers era that they're willing to be patient during a proper rebuild, 2) a gagillionaire owner who loves the excitement of draft night and is willing to pay $3 million on top of a rookie contract to give his GM as many chips as possible, and 3) a creative GM who loves mixing it up.

Look, the Kings are not in a free-spending era. Yes, the Maloofs are willing to have payroll near the tax, but they are not Paul Allen or Mark Cuban. Petrie definitely suffers from too much caution at times, but to put an inability to acquire another first rounder on him doesn't make any sense.

 

[Warhawk]

Look, I'm not going to keep arguing this, I just think some here are being unduly harsh when the Kings got exactly what we needed at one of the main positions we were lacking.

We got a 20-12-2.5-2.5 guy with an NBA body who can, in all probability, truly fill the 4 position with his size and speed. He has no known character flaws, etc, or off-the-court issues. And folks are complaining because we didn't take a shorter, super skinny guy who *at this point* appears to be nothing more than a tweener with worse stats - like we don't have enough experience with those already.....

From DraftExpress (Thompson):

He has length, is a good athlete, has a good body, and can take contact. He will be a very solid 4-man in the league. I can see him being a Channing Frye type. He can make shots, he’s great from 17 feet. He can run, and he rebounds at a very high rate. He can defend multiple positions in the league, but is more of a 4. He has a body that can put on weight. I think he can be a starting post player in time. He’ll have some growing pains initially, but he’s a very talented offensive player. He can pick and pop, he can turn to either shoulder. He’s a very serviceable, very skilled post player. A tough kid. Just a meat and potatoes type player that makes shots.

Yes, Randolf is younger. Who knows, he may bust out and become a star. But he could also just be an athletic tweener who bounces around a while and fades away. Hard to say. But Thompson is a fairly known talent. And who knows how good he can become, either? We filled a need with what appears to be a pretty good player whose stock was shooting up right before the draft. At #12, I like the pick. Now it is up to him to show what he can do at this level.

Now you can be plenty upset that we were stuck with the 12 pick, and I am not really happy about that either. I really would like to see some movement on draft day to move up (or down, if necessary) and get extra picks, etc. But that is completely different than being upset with his pick of Thompson at this location.

And everything with Randolf was "potential" and "upside". Which is nice and all, but all that means is the guy may or may not actually be able to play in the NBA. As he is now, he'd probably get pushed around an awful lot, and who knows if he'll still be as athletic if he starts putting on 30-50 lbs?

The draft is usually pretty questionalble after the first 5-10 picks - this one is no exception. Everyone has flaws. Let's see how this choice plays out.

 

[NoBonus]

My feelings on this draft are this:

I am glad we picked NBA-size players that can play their position properly. Douby is an undersized SG that we hoped could play PG... that really hasn't been successful. Undersized bigs like Kenny Thomas do not tend to offer much at the 4 position unless they have crazy skill.

Randolph's build immediately makes me wonder about how exactly he plans to compete with the likes of the Amare's, Shaqs, Duncans, etc. It works for run and gun Golden State, but the Kings need a full size PF to play the current incarnation of Kings basketball. I feltThompson is a sloid pick here. Also, the Kings need life at the PF position now and I hope Thompson can provide that.

I just do not like undersized players... they add a layer of uselessness to their game they may never overcome.

 

[SacKings7]

Look, I'm not going to keep arguing this, I just think some here are being unduly harsh when the Kings got exactly what we needed at one of the main positions we were lacking.

We got a 20-12-2.5-2.5 guy with an NBA body who can, in all probability, truly fill the 4 position with his size and speed. He has no known character flaws, etc, or off-the-court issues. And folks are complaining because we didn't take a shorter, super skinny guy who *at this point* appears to be nothing more than a tweener with worse stats - like we don't have enough experience with those already.....

From DraftExpress (Thompson):



Yes, Randolf is younger. Who knows, he may bust out and become a star. But he could also just be an athletic tweener who bounces around a while and fades away. Hard to say. But Thompson is a fairly known talent. And who knows how good he can become, either? We filled a need with what appears to be a pretty good player whose stock was shooting up right before the draft. At #12, I like the pick. Now it is up to him to show what he can do at this level.

Now you can be plenty upset that we were stuck with the 12 pick, and I am not really happy about that either. I really would like to see some movement on draft day to move up (or down, if necessary) and get extra picks, etc. But that is completely different than being upset with his pick of Thompson at this location.

And everything with Randolf was "potential" and "upside". Which is nice and all, but all that means is the guy may or may not actually be able to play in the NBA. As he is now, he'd probably get pushed around an awful lot, and who knows if he'll still be as athletic if he starts putting on 30-50 lbs?

The draft is usually pretty questionalble after the first 5-10 picks - this one is no exception. Everyone has flaws. Let's see how this choice plays out.

I have no problem with Thompson as a player, but I agree with others that think we at least should've traded down to get him while possible getting another 2nd or something. But I sure hope Thompson turns out better than the player DX compared him to (best case)...Mark Blount

 

[Section 101]

On the positive side, JT's stats improved every year except his FT % went down in the last year. At least this shows he progressed.

I was hoping we traded up with our 2 2nd rounders for chalmers in the 2nd round, but it looks like the heat beat us to it.

The Ewing pick was a waste. There were a few more centers that would have been good for the D-League, something the Kings need to start using.

 

[Kev.in]

When Stern said the name Jason Thompson, I was shocked. I had just heard of him a couple of days ago and didn't know anything about him. So the first thing I did was just read up on him, instead of watching at the rest of the first round.

The first impression I got is: OK, the kid is big he's got legit NBA size for the position but he sounds soft. I saw DX's comparisons, names like Mark Blount, Malik Allen, Channing Frye and Juwon Howard.
But he's kind of a mystery man so I don't think it's fair to label him unless you've got an extensive look at him in games. We'll learn a little more about him in the Vegas Summer League and going on through training camp.

I think the positives are:
- Legit physical specs for the NBA 4 spot, unlike Arthur who is more in that Kenyon Martin with less muscle mold, or a sloppy kid who can't really get up and down the court and has never been in legit basketball shape like Speights or DeAndre Jordan, or Randolph - a 4 man who plays like a 3 at times and weighs less than our skinny 2-guard.

- Skilled player, unlike some of these guys who have bad footwork or can't shoot or think they can shoot. My impression is of a guy who can fit into a team concept. With the 12th pick in a weak draft we're not going to find a future star, but we could find a dependable role player.

- Somewhat experienced, He is coming from playing against lower-level competition but he stayed 4 years and he's matured. This is different from some Kendrick Brown type of guy who had the physical tools but was 20 years old and coming from Junior College level competition. There will be an adjustment period but he's not some teenager that'll get down on himself and pout when he's not putting up double doubles and getting touches right off the bat.

Negatives:
- Probably kind of a softie, but looking at video of him at least not as soft as Pau Gasol.

- Probably not going to be able to score in the post in the near future. Physically he looks like a Joe Smith type of power forward who's going to get most of his buckets facing the basket. It will take him at least a year to adjust to the strength of the defenders he'll face. He's going to have to learn how to establish and hold position and then use his length to get good shots.



As I'm trying to learn more about the kid a name came to mind as a comparison: David West. I think it's realistic (but optimistic) that his early career could follow a similar path of development. West worked on his body, got stronger over the years and he's become a master at getting to "his spots" and getting buckets in places where his team needs him.

 

[beb0p]

I don't remember names very well, but it wouldn't surprise me that some of the posters dissing Thompson are the same ones who went ga-ga over Darrell Arthur, who told me no way would Anthony Randolph fall to us, and probably the same bunch who last year rated Darren Collison over Mike Conley.

I think some of us are putting WAY too much stock in some mock draft site. The same sites who wrote that Marciej Lampe is a stud but Chris Kaman is gonna suck because he, er, has a short wingspan.

Come on folks. How in the world can a 6-11, very athletic PF with skill and a proven college record be a reach at #12? Where do you think skillful and athletic 7-footer goes in the draft?

All I'm saying is if Channing Frye was once a #8 pick then Thompson at #12 is about right. In fact, it may be a steal.

I've already said Arthur, Randolph, Hibbert, Jordan, and others are nothing but career journeymen. So I like this pick. I wanted Petrie to think outside the box (or at least outside the conventional wisdom) and he did!

I see Thompson as a Channing Frye in a worst-case scenario and Cliff Robinson as best-case.

And Singletary, I've always thought the kid can play in the NBA. Very nice pick. Ewing Jr, I'm baffled.

I guess time will tell. But I think this draft could turn out much worse at the hands of a lesser GM. We could have ended up with Arthur, imagine the horror!!!!!!

 

[Kev.in]

I guess time will tell. But I think this draft could turn out much worse at the hands of a lesser GM. We could have ended up with Arthur, imagine the horror!!!!!!

yeah, at least we didn't waste the 6th pick on Gallinari! lol

 

[Kingster]

At 12, Petrie probably got as good as he could get. The Singletary pick looks intriguing. The Ewing pick makes no sense to me.

My beef with Petrie has nothing to do with his ability to assess talent. It has everything to do with being incredibly passive - never getting extra picks, never trading up, never trading down for that matter, and of course doing the "refurbish" route rather than the blow it up route. Petrie is a plodder. Until we trade Salmons, Miller, Artest (if we have rights to him) and get some high picks, I will continue to remain pissed at Petrie.

 

[91sickness]

My beef with Petrie has nothing to do with his ability to assess talent. It has everything to do with being incredibly passive - never getting extra picks, never trading up, never trading down for that matter,

I agree 100% I think Petrie is a great gm and we r very lucky to have him in charge. I just wish he would "grow a pair" every once in awhile and make a move. How could you not offer 12 and 43 to move up a spot or two to get Bayless?? Im sure we didnt work him out because he was supposed to go in the top 6 or 7. But by the time the 10th pick came around and he was still on the board, I dont understand why he didnt make a move. Send a pick and a player or some sort of combo but do something to get Bayless. We have players on the team we "want to move" but it looks like Petrie is just going to let everyone finish out their contract. At the end of the day im sure there is a logical reason but when you have a talent like Bayless within reach you gotta make the move. Bayless and Martin would be a legit backcourt together. Oh well though, I guess we will have to settle for Jason "who is not here tonight" Thompson. I do like the pick because at least it fills a need but man....we kinda blew that one....

 

[Big Cuz 15]

solid pick for us w/ j thompson. i don't mind the pick at all, he has all the characteristics of a decent player. 6'11 240+lbs with a set of skills. only knock on him is that hes a senior and that his ceiling isn't high. btw, has anybody come up w/ a nick for this guy yet?

sean singletary.. i was hoping the kings would roll the dice, go foreign w/ potential. after seeing some youtube highlights of this guy, i'm happy with the pick.

patrick ewing JR.. human highlight film? bring some excitement to arco? i don't understand this pick besides getting some JWill kinda excitement in arco again..

 

[Big Cuz 15]

I agree 100% I think Petrie is a great gm and we r very lucky to have him in charge. I just wish he would "grow a pair" every once in awhile and make a move. How could you not offer 12 and 43 to move up a spot or two to get Bayless?? Im sure we didnt work him out because he was supposed to go in the top 6 or 7. But by the time the 10th pick came around and he was still on the board, I dont understand why he didnt make a move. Send a pick and a player or some sort of combo but do something to get Bayless. We have players on the team we "want to move" but it looks like Petrie is just going to let everyone finish out their contract. At the end of the day im sure there is a logical reason but when you have a talent like Bayless within reach you gotta make the move. Bayless and Martin would be a legit backcourt together. Oh well though, I guess we will have to settle for Jason "who is not here tonight" Thompson. I do like the pick because at least it fills a need but man....we kinda blew that one....

i think theuss played a factor in drafting thompson. theus was saying this team needed size and athleticism at the end of the year. well, he has both in thompson. lets hope petrie makes a few more moves to position us for the following lottery. i'm gonna be really ticked off if he doesn't and we end up in teh SAME DAMM DRAFT POSITION AGAIN-

 

[chasen4r1]

I wish everybody bashing Thompson would sit back for a moment and realize that this kid has never played a single minute of NBA basketball. I think that before he's regarded as a reach or a wasted pick, he should be given a chance to prove himself to us. He could be a gem, he could also be a bust, but time will only tell and I think we should take that into account before we form an opinion against him. I also was shocked when I heard his name, but let's just see what he can do for us.

 

[hammystyle]

I agree 100% I think Petrie is a great gm and we r very lucky to have him in charge. I just wish he would "grow a pair" every once in awhile and make a move. How could you not offer 12 and 43 to move up a spot or two to get Bayless?? Im sure we didnt work him out because he was supposed to go in the top 6 or 7. But by the time the 10th pick came around and he was still on the board, I dont understand why he didnt make a move. Send a pick and a player or some sort of combo but do something to get Bayless. We have players on the team we "want to move" but it looks like Petrie is just going to let everyone finish out their contract. At the end of the day im sure there is a logical reason but when you have a talent like Bayless within reach you gotta make the move. Bayless and Martin would be a legit backcourt together. Oh well though, I guess we will have to settle for Jason "who is not here tonight" Thompson. I do like the pick because at least it fills a need but man....we kinda blew that one....

12 and 43 <<<<<< 13 and Jarret Jack. They probly would have taken Rush with or pick anyways, and Jack is a hell of a lot better than what you get at 42.

I'd have loved to move up too, but we didn't have an asset comparable to Jack.

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

Jason Thompson is a nice pick. Having played 4 yrs in college will make him a solid player in the NBA for sure with his skill set and size. Its just a matter of whether he will have a chance to be an all star. He has a good chance if he works hard on his game.

Too many people draft for potential sometimes and a huge majority of those "upside" picks never comes through. Wasn't Darko an upside pick? Look what happen. Some people say its not good to pick seniors because they must suck if they are not good enough to get drafted until the 4th yr. Well some people are still developing. I much rather have a senior that can come in and contribute right away as oppose to drafting a freshman "upside" guy like Anthony randolph and have to wait 3 yrs before AR can contribute. I rather have the guy develop his game in college rather than 3 yrs on a pro team and have to pay them while they sit on the bench.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Jason Thompson is a nice pick. Having played 4 yrs in college will make him a solid player in the NBA for sure with his skill set and size. Its just a matter of whether he will have a chance to be an all star. He has a good chance if he works hard on his game.

Too many people draft for potential sometimes and a huge majority of those "upside" picks never comes through. Wasn't Darko an upside pick? Look what happen. Some people say its not good to pick seniors because they must suck if they are not good enough to get drafted until the 4th yr. Well some people are still developing. I much rather have a senior that can come in and contribute right away as oppose to drafting a freshman "upside" guy like Anthony randolph and have to wait 3 yrs before AR can contribute. I rather have the guy develop his game in college rather than 3 yrs on a pro team and have to pay them while they sit on the bench.

Yea, because we're in a situation where we got to win now.