James Harden

[bajaden]

To me it comes down to whether Harden is the best player available at number 4. If were going on skill level alone, then he probably is. If were going on athleticism and potential, and I'm not sure how you weigh that against skill level, then maybe he's not.

What I do know is that the Kings need a point guard and hopefully one thats a take charge leader. Harden is certainly a leader, but he's not a point guard. He's a shooting guard that has some pt guard skills. He actually would be a good compliment to a player like Bibby whose a shoot first Pt guard and likes to play without the ball a lot. You could run the offense through him after the pt guard brought the ball up. A role similar to that of Christie. Of course he's not the defender that Christie was.

Unfortunately, that still leaves us without a point guard of the future. So as much as I like Harden and what he might bring, I think I would pass on him at the 4 spot.

 

[jdbraver]

So if Mitch Richmond were available you would passs on him to get Bobby Hurley? We need to go with the BPA. Period.

 

[bajaden]

So if Mitch Richmond were available you would passs on him to get Bobby Hurley? We need to go with the BPA. Period.

To whom were you addressing this post?

 

[beb0p]

To me it comes down to whether Harden is the best player available at number 4. If were going on skill level alone, then he probably is. If were going on athleticism and potential, and I'm not sure how you weigh that against skill level, then maybe he's not.

Yes, it's tough to compare apples and oranges; skill vs athleticism. I'd wait for the combine to see how Harden fares. It may turn out he's more athletic than most think, it may turns out the athletic freaks really aren't that athletic. Then of course there's the question of how much weight you can put on the test. I still get a kick out of last year's result that has Kevin Love out leaping Darrell Arthur or Shelden Williams having a higher vertical than Justin Williams. Numbers do lie and the draft is more art than science.

As for the PG position, I see nothing wrong with having Beno hold that spot for another year. Beno is a mediocore player but he's not a bad fit for a bad team like the Kings. We draft the BPA, maybe take a PG with the #23, and then go for the John Wall sweepstakes next year. The thing is, I think we'll be in the John Wall sweepstake anyway.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Yes, it's tough to compare apples and oranges; skill vs athleticism. I'd wait for the combine to see how Harden fares. It may turn out he's more athletic than most think, it may turns out the athletic freaks really aren't that athletic. Then of course there's the question of how much weight you can put on the test. I still get a kick out of last year's result that has Kevin Love out leaping Darrell Arthur or Shelden Williams having a higher vertical than Justin Williams. Numbers do lie and the draft is more art than science.

As for the PG position, I see nothing wrong with having Beno hold that spot for another year. Beno is a mediocore player but he's not a bad fit for a bad team like the Kings. We draft the BPA, maybe take a PG with the #23, and then go for the John Wall sweepstakes next year. The thing is, I think we'll be in the John Wall sweepstake anyway.

Hopefully. Last thing this team needs is for a panic attack, meaning mediocre MLEs like a couple years ago. We need to see improvement on last season, but with young guys. No old signings.

 

[Pangloss]

Hopefully. Last thing this team needs is for a panic attack, meaning mediocre MLEs like a couple years ago. We need to see improvement on last season, but with young guys. No old signings.

This please.

 

[Kingster]

Yes, it's tough to compare apples and oranges; skill vs athleticism. I'd wait for the combine to see how Harden fares. It may turn out he's more athletic than most think, it may turns out the athletic freaks really aren't that athletic. Then of course there's the question of how much weight you can put on the test. I still get a kick out of last year's result that has Kevin Love out leaping Darrell Arthur or Shelden Williams having a higher vertical than Justin Williams. Numbers do lie and the draft is more art than science.

As for the PG position, I see nothing wrong with having Beno hold that spot for another year. Beno is a mediocore player but he's not a bad fit for a bad team like the Kings. We draft the BPA, maybe take a PG with the #23, and then go for the John Wall sweepstakes next year. The thing is, I think we'll be in the John Wall sweepstake anyway.

If we draft a pg in the first round, I have a sneaking suspicion that Beno ups his game...

 

[beb0p]

If we draft a pg in the first round, I have a sneaking suspicion that Beno ups his game...

LOL. Yeah, that wouldn't surprise me.

 

[KCKingsCountry]

If we draft a pg in the first round, I have a sneaking suspicion that Beno ups his game...

That would be nice.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

Harden's passing is an extra element of his game that comes with his scoring abilities, but he'll be a SG type passer--he'll get his assists the way ball dominant OGs like Vince Carter, TMac, Stack have all gotten them in the past. Forcing him into point guard would probably be a disaster--defensively, the guy's footspeed is not on par with the waterbugs in the league, and it's even questionable whether his height, speed, and athletic limitations would hinder his defense against OGs--and offensively, he's not even that great a passer, just a serviceable one who gets them within the flow of points (for reference, Jrue Holiday, Terrence Williams, and Greivis Vasquez are better passers). But ultimately the passing, while a good sign, isn't what will get drafted high--it's his ability to score efficiently and effectively, and at least in the college level, through a variety of herky jerky change of direction tricks that allow him to capitalize on his extremely diversified game. The passing is just another tool he can use to complement his game, much like Ginobili, but it's the offensive savvy that catapults him to the top.

 

[syadap]

I would rather draft Jennings than Harden...his speed and vision will really help this team! not to mention he would be a fan favorite due to his style of play and athleticism.