Kings 2009-2010 NBA Draft:

[CruzDude]

Although it will say this post is from Cruzdude, its really from bajaden. I just happen to be using his computer. I thought I would give a quick review of Parakhouski. Its hard to really judge when a player is playing against smaller players and is being double teamed or triple teamed every time he has the ball. Just getting the ball to him was a problem. They did a very good job of denying him the ball.

They couldn't keep him from rebounding the ball though, and he did an excellent job. He's a pretty good man defender, although he was seldom challenged in the game. His lateral movement is surprisingly quick for a player of his size. My hope is that Radford makes the tournament so I can see him up against some of the better centers in college. He seems to run the floor well enough for a big guy, and he's hard to move in the post.

 

[asakkings]

Reeves Nelson is Brockness monster #2.

 

[bajaden]

Reeves Nelson is Brockness monster #2.

Well I would say that the only comparison to Brockman is his height and his toughness. Other than that, he's a very skilled player. He's a good shooter and a very good passer. He can score inside and out. He's also a very good rebounder for his size. I really like the kid. He's a classic overacheiver at the PF position. I could see him some SF, but I'm not sure he's quick enough to defend the position.

 

[asakkings]

I was watching the game tonight against Oregon and he does have better post moves than Brockman but his size and heart will make him into a Brockman type of player. Hopefully he stays with the Bruins for 4 yrs and brings us another championship.

 

[bajaden]

I was watching the game tonight against Oregon and he does have better post moves than Brockman but his size and heart will make him into a Brockman type of player. Hopefully he stays with the Bruins for 4 yrs and brings us another championship.

Yeah it would be nice if he stayed a while. They've got a young team with some talent. If they can keep what they have and have a good recruiting year next year, who knows? Right now Nelson isn't getting the press others are for a variety of reasons. One being that the Pac 10 is having a down year, and so is UCLA. Plus, if your an undersized PF you really have to stand out to get noticed nationally. But he's a fun kid to watch.

 

[Kingster]

Ha ha! You've got a point there. Its been a while. Perhaps thats why most of the big men I like are all juniors and seniors. I do sort of like Cousins. I think the kid has a big upside if he can get a hold of his emotions and get his head on straight. He certainly has the size and the potential for growth, both physicaly and skill wise.

I do think that if Favors played on either Texas or Kentucky he would be highlighted more because of their ability to get the ball inside.

Cousins reminds me of Drew Gooden. Strong. Pretty quick. Not a high flyer. I just don't know what his ceiling is. Have to see more of him.

 

[Kingster]

Ha ha! You've got a point there. Its been a while. Perhaps thats why most of the big men I like are all juniors and seniors. I do sort of like Cousins. I think the kid has a big upside if he can get a hold of his emotions and get his head on straight. He certainly has the size and the potential for growth, both physicaly and skill wise.

I do think that if Favors played on either Texas or Kentucky he would be highlighted more because of their ability to get the ball inside.

I really wonder if Favors declares this year. He's the type of guy who you have to weigh his work outs maybe even more than his games because he plays with terrible guards who create no space for him and who can't get him the ball. Some GMs might pass on him just because of his lack of production on his team, but that might mean he falls lower than where he should be in the draft.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Cousins reminds me of Drew Gooden. Strong. Pretty quick. Not a high flyer. I just don't know what his ceiling is. Have to see more of him.

For what it's worth, DX says best case scenario is "a taller Al Jefferson." That certainly sounds nice.

 

[bajaden]

For what it's worth, DX says best case scenario is "a taller Al Jefferson." That certainly sounds nice.

Doesn't quite have all the moves that Jefferson has, but then Jefferson probably didn't have them when he came into the league either. I think he has the ability to be a better defender than Jefferson.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Doesn't quite have all the moves that Jefferson has, but then Jefferson probably didn't have them when he came into the league either. I think he has the ability to be a better defender than Jefferson.

The next question is, then, how would he be available at #8?

 

[Capt. Factorial]

The next question is, then, how would he be available at #8?

I don't guess he will be when it's all said and done. But he's apparently got some attitude issues that might push him a little later than his talent would dictate. Wall, Favors, and Turner have a very good chance of going in front of him, and guys like Wesley Johnson and Aminu might tempt a team more in need of a wing than a big man. Add in Ed Davis, Aldrich, and Monroe as guys who might catch a GM's eye. Then you've got a wild-card in Motiejunas, maybe a team desperate for guard help taking a swing with Willie Warren, and add in the inevitable guy whose stock shoots sky high (like Flynn, who basically came out of nowhere last year after the 87-overtime game against UConn, maybe this year it's Parakhouski), and finish off with guys that might unexpectedly declare early (Whiteside, Avery Bradley?).

I don't see any way that all 13 of those guys could go in front of Cousins. He's probably off the board by #6 at the latest. But then again Brook Lopez lasted until #10, and it was completely inexplicable even at the time, so anything can happen.

 

[asakkings]

Right now I think Cousins and Aldrich would be perfect fit for the kings. I think I would prefer Cousins.

 

[bajaden]

I really wonder if Favors declares this year. He's the type of guy who you have to weigh his work outs maybe even more than his games because he plays with terrible guards who create no space for him and who can't get him the ball. Some GMs might pass on him just because of his lack of production on his team, but that might mean he falls lower than where he should be in the draft.

Thats why I was disappointed when Favors chose Georgia Tech. They always recruit highly touted bigs and in my opinion don't do a good job of developing them. Your absolutely right. Its really hard to get a good read on Favors because how he's being used and lousy guard play. He's also playing second banana to Lawal, who I like, but is more of a Patrick Patterson type of player. He's related to the energizer bunny.

 

[bajaden]

I don't guess he will be when it's all said and done. But he's apparently got some attitude issues that might push him a little later than his talent would dictate. Wall, Favors, and Turner have a very good chance of going in front of him, and guys like Wesley Johnson and Aminu might tempt a team more in need of a wing than a big man. Add in Ed Davis, Aldrich, and Monroe as guys who might catch a GM's eye. Then you've got a wild-card in Motiejunas, maybe a team desperate for guard help taking a swing with Willie Warren, and add in the inevitable guy whose stock shoots sky high (like Flynn, who basically came out of nowhere last year after the 87-overtime game against UConn, maybe this year it's Parakhouski), and finish off with guys that might unexpectedly declare early (Whiteside, Avery Bradley?).

I don't see any way that all 13 of those guys could go in front of Cousins. He's probably off the board by #6 at the latest. But then again Brook Lopez lasted until #10, and it was completely inexplicable even at the time, so anything can happen.

There's another kid that might sneak into the top of the draft thats not gettin a lot of press right now, but look for him to start climbing the boards. Thats Avery Bradley from Texas. Yeah, there will be the usual debate over whether he's a point guard or an undersized SG, but trust me, this kid can play. He has somewhere around a 40" vertical and is lightning quick. He has a good pull up jumper, and is a terrific defender with very long arms for a guy 6'3". Although he's not the point guard on the team he's a very good passer and has good handles. In other words, he's a pretty complete basketball player.

As far as who will be available at the 8 spot. I doubt Aldrich will. I think its highly possible that Cousins will be there. As will Pittman and Udoh. My gut tells me that someone will take a flyer on Alabi somewhere in the top 8. A big mistake, but then so was Thabeet.

I think both Turner and Johnson will go in the top five. They're just too talented to let slide. I don't care if need a wing player or not. As to who is the most talented, its a matter of picking your poison. Johnson is more of a Pippen type. A true high caliber complimentry player. Turner is more like, well, Evans. A disrupter of the defense, while being a very good defender at the same time. A very good ball handler and slasher. A good passer but known to make careless passes. Turner has star writen all over him. Johnson has, I'll make the star of the team look even better writen all over him.

 

[Gilles]

Bradley is 6'1" SG with some ballhandling skill. Either he or the team that drafts him high is gonna be disappointed.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Wall may be the best prospect in the draft, but I think Turner is without a doubt the best player in the draft.

 

[Gilles]

As far as who will be available at the 8 spot. I doubt Aldrich will. I think its highly possible that Cousins will be there. As will Pittman and Udoh. My gut tells me that someone will take a flyer on Alabi somewhere in the top 8. A big mistake, but then so was Thabeet.

I think both Turner and Johnson will go in the top five. They're just too talented to let slide. I don't care if need a wing player or not. As to who is the most talented, its a matter of picking your poison. Johnson is more of a Pippen type. A true high caliber complimentry player. Turner is more like, well, Evans. A disrupter of the defense, while being a very good defender at the same time. A very good ball handler and slasher. A good passer but known to make careless passes. Turner has star writen all over him. Johnson has, I'll make the star of the team look even better writen all over him.

I think it's time to forget about Pittman in the lottery.
Alabi is more polished and talented offensively but Thabeet is definitely more athletic.
Johnson is not a good ballhandler. He's ok at best in that department. So he's not Pippen, more like Marion. Turner is definitely top-3 at this point.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I think it's time to forget about Pittman in the lottery.
Alabi is more polished and talented offensively but Thabeet is definitely more athletic.
Johnson is not a good ballhandler. He's ok at best in that department. So he's not Pippen, more like Marion. Turner is definitely top-3 at this point.

More like Gerald Wallace with a 3 pt shot, but yeah. Johnson is just one of those guys that any team could use, he'll do his thing at a high level without getting in anyone's way.

 

[bajaden]

Bradley is 6'1" SG with some ballhandling skill. Either he or the team that drafts him high is gonna be disappointed.

I've seen listed at 6'1", 6'2" and 6'3". How tall he really is won't be known until he gets officially measured at the combine, and thats if he comes out. To say merely that he's a player with some ballhandling skill is understating his skills by a long shot. He reminds me more of Westbrook with a better shot. Sorry you don't like him, and I agree that if he goes in the top five that would be too high. I'm also not suggesting that the Kings take him. But I do think he has a very good chance of going in the top ten.

 

[bajaden]

I think it's time to forget about Pittman in the lottery.
Alabi is more polished and talented offensively but Thabeet is definitely more athletic.
Johnson is not a good ballhandler. He's ok at best in that department. So he's not Pippen, more like Marion. Turner is definitely top-3 at this point.

I wasn't implying that Pittman was a lottery pick. I was simply listing him as a big man that would be available when we pick. Same thing with Udoh. I doubt he'll be a lottery pick as well. I agree on Turner, who happens to be my favorite player in the draft. I don't agree on Johnson being Marion, not sure how you see that. Also Johnson isn't the ballhandler that Turner is, but he's not a bad ballhandler.

I would also like to point out that Turner appears to have free reign for Ohio St. I can't say the same thing for Johnson. I would like to see what he could do if he had the same freedom Turner has.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

There's another kid that might sneak into the top of the draft thats not gettin a lot of press right now, but look for him to start climbing the boards. Thats Avery Bradley from Texas.

Yeah, I mentioned him as a guy that I really wasn't sure was going to declare this year. Do you get the feeling he's a one-and-done at this point? I haven't seen but about one Texas game this year so I don't have a great feel for him.

 

[bajaden]

Yeah, I mentioned him as a guy that I really wasn't sure was going to declare this year. Do you get the feeling he's a one-and-done at this point? I haven't seen but about one Texas game this year so I don't have a great feel for him.

Here's your chance. Texas is playing Baylor right now on direct tv channel 681 Alt. As far as whether he comes out or not will probably depend what kind of feedback he gets from teams.

 

[bajaden]

By the way, Udoh plays for Baylor. You probably already know that, but I thought I'd throw it in just in case. So far Lucas one of the point guards for Texas is playing give away.

 

[bajaden]

Pitiful game by Texas so far. All the guards seem to have their heads stuffed somewhere. The only player thats playing well is Damion James, and it seems like he always plays well. So so game for Pittman. Looked good on a couple of plays then got beat by Baylors center under the basket. If I was Pittman I would be embarassed to get beat by him. Tweety Carter is the star for Baylor so far. My only knock on Carter is that he thinks too much about his own game instead of trying to get the ball inside to Udoh, or anyone inside for that matter. He is fun to watch though.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Here's your chance. Texas is playing Baylor right now on direct tv channel 681 Alt. As far as whether he comes out or not will probably depend what kind of feedback he gets from teams.

Whoops, stepped away from the computer. I'll see if the last few minutes are on...

 

[Gilles]

I wasn't implying that Pittman was a lottery pick. I was simply listing him as a big man that would be available when we pick. Same thing with Udoh. I doubt he'll be a lottery pick as well. I agree on Turner, who happens to be my favorite player in the draft. I don't agree on Johnson being Marion, not sure how you see that. Also Johnson isn't the ballhandler that Turner is, but he's not a bad ballhandler.

I would also like to point out that Turner appears to have free reign for Ohio St. I can't say the same thing for Johnson. I would like to see what he could do if he had the same freedom Turner has.

Well, Marion comparison is a bit extreme if we talk about handles but he's nowhere near Pippen now or at any point in his career. If you put Johnson in Turner's shoes he would average at least 6TOs, not 4 like Turner. Gerald Wallace? Johnson is not that athletic but he has a better outside shot.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

what do you guys think of Sherron Collins? He is a midget..but I have always liked this kid, maybe if he goes undrafted we can get him on our summer league team.

 

[bajaden]

Well, Marion comparison is a bit extreme if we talk about handles but he's nowhere near Pippen now or at any point in his career. If you put Johnson in Turner's shoes he would average at least 6TOs, not 4 like Turner. Gerald Wallace? Johnson is not that athletic but he has a better outside shot.

I by no means mean't that he had the skills that Pippen had. I was merely comparing styles of play. Pippen was always a complimentry player for the most part. I see Johnson as a similar type of player. A guy that can score if you need it. Rebound if you need it. And doesn't need to be the main guy. He's unselfish and just sort of takes whats there.

I certainly agree that he doesn't have the handles that turner has or the ability to penetrate like Turner. Turner excells at both those things. I think he's a better outside shooter than Turner though. I also think Johnson is a little underrated as a defender, but there's no doubt that Turner is a great defender.

 

[bajaden]

what do you guys think of Sherron Collins? He is a midget..but I have always liked this kid, maybe if he goes undrafted we can get him on our summer league team.

First off, pay no attention to this post. I guess I'm just tired of 5'8" skitter bug point guards. I swear there must be a million of them out there. Baylor has one named Tweety Carter. Sherron falls into that catagory. But OK, here goes. He would certainly be a good change of pace player. He loves to push the ball and has good handles. The downside is that he plays out of control at times and turns the ball over. His outside shot has improved, especially his midrange game. He still needs to improve beyound the three point line. Defensively he's decent. He steals the ball quite a bit, and also gets burned by going for a steal and missing, thus leaving his man open. He's not a bad finisher at the college level and has pretty good hops. I'm not sure how that will translate to the NBA where he'll face taller quicker players in the paint. He's listed at 5'11", but I have my doubts about that. I had my doubts about Flynn too and he ended up being taller than I suspected, so who knows.

 

[BMiller52]

I want us to pick Cousins or Aldrich. Either would help us out a ton in the paint.