Kings 2009-2010 NBA Draft:

[Gilles]

Against UWV, UNC and Tulsa - teams, that have NBA caliber big men - Whiteside had 5r+3,5b+3,8PF in 27 min, his averages 9r+5,5b+2,7PF in 26 mins.
Favors against UWV, UNC, Duke, Clemson, FSU - 8,3r+1,7b+2,9PF in 26 min, averages 8,4r+1,9b+2,6PF in 26 min.
Favors is 25 months younger.

 

[Gilles]

Well I think its a little bit of apples and oranges. By that I mean Cousins is a center and Favors is a Power forward. So first I think you have to address which of those positions has the most need. Assuming that Thompson improves over the next year and a half and that the Kings intend to keep him at the power forward position, then our need would be at the center position.

But, If they decide to move Thompson to the center position, then our need would be at power forward. In which case I would lean toward Favors. Not being a mind reader I can't answer those questions. But I believe those questions are the ones that will influence their decision.

If Kings can land Favors with their own pick, I think they should move Thompson for a pick to get Aldrich.
Aldrich, Favors, Green, Evans, whoever - that's the best defensive team in the league in 3-4 years.
Rotation of Aldrich, Favors, Landry and Hawes should be able to get the job on the other end of the floor as well.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

If Kings can land Favors with their own pick, I think they should move Thompson for a pick to get Aldrich.
Aldrich, Favors, Green, Evans, whoever - that's the best defensive team in the league in 3-4 years.
Rotation of Aldrich, Favors, Landry and Hawes should be able to get the job on the other end of the floor as well.

As far as moving Thompson for Aldrich goes, you have to find a taker.

As far as the potential defense...you're looking at two rookies, a second-year player, and a third-year player (with fewer career minutes than the second-year player). That team has defensive potential, but it would be far too early to anoint it defensively great.

 

[Kingster]

Reke, Turner and a conditioned Cisco would be sick.

We wouldn't be complaining about our bigs on D because the other team would never be able to get it past half court.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Well I think its a little bit of apples and oranges. By that I mean Cousins is a center and Favors is a Power forward. So first I think you have to address which of those positions has the most need. Assuming that Thompson improves over the next year and a half and that the Kings intend to keep him at the power forward position, then our need would be at the center position.

But, If they decide to move Thompson to the center position, then our need would be at power forward. In which case I would lean toward Favors. Not being a mind reader I can't answer those questions. But I believe those questions are the ones that will influence their decision.

Interesting you make no mention of Landry. Do you not see us keeping him around, or is he ideally 6th man?

To finish my thought, given that I prefer we go big and play JT at the 4, and that we have Landry in the mix, I'd say center is a much more pressing need.

 

[KevinSalvadori]

I will never pretend to be a draft expert, but there is a player I think would: a.) be a perfect fit for this team; b.) allow us to trade down; and c.) not break the bank on a big bonus.

Hear me out, but the player I think would be a great fit for this team is Stefan Markovic from Serbia. Older than most, he is a more "complete" PG, and has a decent shot with solid defense and great court instincts. He's no JWill, but he moves the ball better than most his age. He doesn't shoot many threes, but if he's on the court with Casspi, Hawes, and Evans, there really won't be that big of a need.

There is limited footage on YouTube, but check his Serbian Cup highlights. A commanding and calming presence, and although a totally worlds-apart league, he wouldn't overpower 'Reke and could be an ideal complement. Great thread as well, guys.

 

[hrdboild]

Got to see Evan Turner play against Michigan on Saturday. He definitely lived up to expectations I'd say...and then some. Very smooth with the ball and in control. One possession in particular I remember where he faked the drive to draw the extra defender and then threw a perfectly timed left-handed bounce pass for a wide-open layup. Somehow he was involved in almost every play without ever looking like he was scrambling or working hard. I've heard other people describe players who play within themselves or that they know what they do well and stick to their strengths. That's how I would characterize Turner's play in that game. (Which is even more impressive when you look at the final stats) At one point I think he was 6 for 6 before he missed a shot. He's so automatic with that pull-up mid range J that I was surprised on the few occasions he actually missed.

I didn't get to watch the whole game -- I had to meet somebody about midway through the second half, but I saw enough to get excited about Evan Turner as a prospect for sure. Someone mentioned Pierce as a comparison. That sounds like a pretty good one to me, and it's interesting that Pierce started out as SG and eventually moved to SF in the NBA. I was thinking of Caron Butler as I was watching because of the midrange game and length on defense so that's another SF in the NBA. I suppose the wing positions are pretty interchangeable really, but it could be another vote in favor of Turner over Wall if he can play the 3 position as well. It gives you more options for improving your roster in the future. We seem to be set at SF right now anyway, but you never know.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I think I take Turner over Wall.

 

[bajaden]

Interesting you make no mention of Landry. Do you not see us keeping him around, or is he ideally 6th man?

To finish my thought, given that I prefer we go big and play JT at the 4, and that we have Landry in the mix, I'd say center is a much more pressing need.

I didn't mention Landry because he's a power forward, and yes, I see him on the team for the forseeable future. I mentioned Thompson because he can go either way, and depending on which way the team see's him on a permanent basis might determine what they think their needs are. Knowing Petrie he'll take the BPA. But if you get into a situation where you have to choose between Cousins and Favors, then its a pretty even choice. So basicly your choosing between a center and a power forward.

I will admit that Gilles suggestion of trading Thompson for a pick to get Aldrich if we could get Favors with our own pick is an inticing thought. I'm reluctant to part with Thompson just yet because he's still just in his second year. But Favors is a very good talent whose been somewhat surpressed at Georgia Tech.

 

[bajaden]

I think I take Turner over Wall.

As I've said. Right now, Turner is the best player in college basketball. Wall may become the better player down the road, but as they say, a bird in hand....

 

[Vlade4GM]

As I've said. Right now, Turner is the best player in college basketball. Wall may become the better player down the road, but as they say, a bird in hand....

The more I watch Wall, the more raw he seems to me. I think Rose was a more polished prospect than Wall is, Rose just didn't have the offensive talent around him that Wall has. Wall seems to have a little better size/length and defensive intensity than Rose, but other than that I don't see what makes him stand out. His drives are predictable and his ball handling is not what you'd expect from a prospect that is being lauded as a franchise PG. Turner is a special player right now and if we were to get the number 1 pick I hope we'd take him.

 

[bajaden]

I will never pretend to be a draft expert, but there is a player I think would: a.) be a perfect fit for this team; b.) allow us to trade down; and c.) not break the bank on a big bonus.

Hear me out, but the player I think would be a great fit for this team is Stefan Markovic from Serbia. Older than most, he is a more "complete" PG, and has a decent shot with solid defense and great court instincts. He's no JWill, but he moves the ball better than most his age. He doesn't shoot many threes, but if he's on the court with Casspi, Hawes, and Evans, there really won't be that big of a need.

There is limited footage on YouTube, but check his Serbian Cup highlights. A commanding and calming presence, and although a totally worlds-apart league, he wouldn't overpower 'Reke and could be an ideal complement. Great thread as well, guys.

First off, has he thrown his hat into the ring. What is his contract status. And I doubt we would have to trade down to get him. He would probably be a second round pick at best. Here's a write up on him in an article from Draftexpress.

http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/In...ing-Trip-Part-Two-Second-Round-Prospects-3403

Here are his career stats:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Stefan-Markovic-1267/stats/

 

[hammystyle]

The more I watch Wall, the more raw he seems to me. I think Rose was a more polished prospect than Wall is, Rose just didn't have the offensive talent around him that Wall has. Wall seems to have a little better size/length and defensive intensity than Rose, but other than that I don't see what makes him stand out. His drives are predictable and his ball handling is not what you'd expect from a prospect that is being lauded as a franchise PG. Turner is a special player right now and if we were to get the number 1 pick I hope we'd take him.

Even in his off games it seems like I can't watch two minutes of game action before Wall does something spectacular. I don't even think of him as that raw. He really runs the offense pretty soundly I think. Then when its winning time, he can take over.

I think his quickness and speed with the ball is somewhere between D-Wade and

 

[Vlade4GM]

Even in his off games it seems like I can't watch two minutes of game action before Wall does something spectacular. I don't even think of him as that raw. He really runs the offense pretty soundly I think. Then when its winning time, he can take over.

I think his quickness and speed with the ball is somewhere between D-Wade and

He's a very good prospect, but he gets away with a lot because of his great athleticism and very good supporting cast. A lot of his weaknesses get glossed over and they'll be exposed greatly on the next level.

 

[hammystyle]

He's a very good prospect, but he gets away with a lot because of his great athleticism and very good supporting cast. A lot of his weaknesses get glossed over and they'll be exposed greatly on the next level.

I don't think his weaknesses will be exposed. Or, I'd just say that they'll still be greatly overshadowed by all the good things he does. To be honest, I think he's a better athlete and a more polished player than Rose was as a freshman.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I don't think his weaknesses will be exposed. Or, I'd just say that they'll still be greatly overshadowed by all the good things he does. To be honest, I think he's a better athlete and a more polished player than Rose was as a freshman.

I think Rose had better ball handling and was a more creative slasher to the basket. I'm not trying to argue that Wall isn't a very good prospect, but rather not as slam dunk as everyone is making him out to be.

 

[bajaden]

I think Rose had better ball handling and was a more creative slasher to the basket. I'm not trying to argue that Wall isn't a very good prospect, but rather not as slam dunk as everyone is making him out to be.

I guess its a matter of how you want to define ballhandling. I think Wall is just as good a ballhandler as Rose was. I think Rose was a more careful ballhandler. Wall has a tendacy to play out of control at times, thus his turnovers. While Wall does have a good supporting cast, I think Memphis had a better overall shooting backcourt than Kentucky does. As a matter of fact, thats Kentucky's main weakness as a team.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I define ball handling as taking care of the ball. Wall dribbles very well, but he's not that good of a ball handler yet IMO.

 

[beb0p]

I think Rose had better ball handling and was a more creative slasher to the basket. I'm not trying to argue that Wall isn't a very good prospect, but rather not as slam dunk as everyone is making him out to be.

There is always a chance of bust in every prospect but Wall is about as sure a thing as you'll ever going to get and about as obvious a future star as anyone will ever appears to be. He does rely a lot on his speed and athleticism, without which he may not even be first round material. And yes, I do wonder if his lean body can take all the pounding and what not but at the end of the day, this kid is going to be special barring injury. I was high on Rose coming out of college, so much so that I said I'd pick Rose #1 back when Beasely was the front runner. But Wall is just a monster. If I have to choose between Rose and Wall, I'd pick Wall.

.

 

[bajaden]

There is always a chance of bust in every prospect but Wall is about as sure a thing as you'll ever going to get and about as obvious a future star as anyone will ever appears to be. He does rely a lot on his speed and athleticism, without which he may not even be first round material. And yes, I do wonder if his lean body can take all the pounding and what not but at the end of the day, this kid is going to be special barring injury. I was high on Rose coming out of college, so much so that I said I'd pick Rose #1 back when Beasely was the front runner. But Wall is just a monster. If I have to choose between Rose and Wall, I'd pick Wall.

.

I had Rose as my number one as well. I just wasn't sure about Beasley's game translating to the NBA. I'm still not sure. Not sure who I would take between Rose and Wall. You already have a proven product in Rose, while Wall still has to prove himself. I'd take Turner over both of them. You couldn't go wrong with any of them..

 

[Vlade4GM]

There is always a chance of bust in every prospect but Wall is about as sure a thing as you'll ever going to get and about as obvious a future star as anyone will ever appears to be. He does rely a lot on his speed and athleticism, without which he may not even be first round material. And yes, I do wonder if his lean body can take all the pounding and what not but at the end of the day, this kid is going to be special barring injury. I was high on Rose coming out of college, so much so that I said I'd pick Rose #1 back when Beasely was the front runner. But Wall is just a monster. If I have to choose between Rose and Wall, I'd pick Wall.

.

As far as pure upside goes between the two I probably lean towards Wall. As far as polish goes between the two at the same stage, I lean towards Rose. There's no doubt he's a great prospect and will probably be a very good player. It's just that he's not so polished to the point where I can give Wall the edge over Turner because of upside. Turner is going to be a pretty darn good player IMO and I think he has a better chance of reaching his upside than Wall does, even though Wall's upside is probably better. From what I've seen, Turner is without a doubt the best player in college basketball.

 

[hammystyle]

As far as pure upside goes between the two I probably lean towards Wall. As far as polish goes between the two at the same stage, I lean towards Rose. There's no doubt he's a great prospect and will probably be a very good player. It's just that he's not so polished to the point where I can give Wall the edge over Turner because of upside. Turner is going to be a pretty darn good player IMO and I think he has a better chance of reaching his upside than Wall does, even though Wall's upside is probably better. From what I've seen, Turner is without a doubt the best player in college basketball.

Well, I'm with you on Turner. Wall's without a doubt the better athlete, but I'm not sure that his upside is any higher than Turner's. Turner's is just harder to decipher because its not based off athleticism. He's probly the best passer and ballhandler in college basketball, so smart, so big, so tough, he seems so driven and focused. And of course, he's a very good athlete too, just not in that Wall stratosphere.

I called Turner's upside Paul Pierce with better handles and passing. So take one of the top ten players of the last decade and make him better. Bill Simmons called him the next Dwyane Wade.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Pierce had better strength and much better range coming out of college than Turner does though, so perhaps not quite the scorer Pierce has been.

 

[bajaden]

Just thought I would post the stats of a player I like, but can't say how his game will tanslate because the conference he plays in. But one thing is for sure, he's consistant, and thats all you can ask of a player. When he's played against a big time school he still put up the numbers. Of course I'm talking about Art Parakhouski. He's a guy that if he's there in the second round, I would take a big time flyer on.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=41147

 

[hammystyle]

Just thought I would post the stats of a player I like, but can't say how his game will tanslate because the conference he plays in. But one thing is for sure, he's consistant, and thats all you can ask of a player. When he's played against a big time school he still put up the numbers. Of course I'm talking about Art Parakhouski. He's a guy that if he's there in the second round, I would take a big time flyer on.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=41147

Wow...up to 13 boards a game. I know the draft sites don't reflect it, but I think he ends up in the late teens early 20's. Someone's going to take a chance on the big guy averaging 22 and 13.

 

[KevinSalvadori]

First off, has he thrown his hat into the ring. What is his contract status. And I doubt we would have to trade down to get him. He would probably be a second round pick at best. Here's a write up on him in an article from Draftexpress.

http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/In...ing-Trip-Part-Two-Second-Round-Prospects-3403

Here are his career stats:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Stefan-Markovic-1267/stats/

Conflicting reports, but he might be sure to since his teammate and main feed target- Bjelica- is likely coming out. I think he would most definitely be a mid-late 2nd rounder, but if we go big in the first round based on the best player likely available, couldn't hurt to grab another PG for depth- particularly one that is more of a distributor and thinker than shooter.

As to style, think a younger, cheaper, more creatively passing Beno with less shooting range- although its improving. And to clarify the DE report, he isn't a poor shooter so much as he's streaky. He takes smart shots, however, and gives more often than he forces a bad shot. Just an idea.

By the way, I love the C from Radford. He is fantastic.

 

[CruzDude]

All this well and good but if Kings improve to say 30 games this year they could end up in the 9-11 spot in the draft, making the prognostications all the more off-the-wall. March Madness will showcase talent where we can start to see who are the top 15 potential. Then the real fun begins

 

[bench_blob]

Its a matter of whether you think Evans is our point guard of the future or not. If not, then Wall is the choice. If yes, then Turner is the perfect fit next to Evans. Both Wall and Turner are terrific players. For some reason I happen to like Turner more than Wall. Both players are going to be stars in the NBA. Both have similar talents. Both are good passers. Both are good ballhandlers. I think Turner may be one of the best ballhandlers I've ever seen. Both are athletic. I give the edge to Wall here. Both have a suspect outside shot.. Defensively I give the edge to Turner, who is terrific defender. You really can't go wrong with either one. And depending on your need, each one has equal value. It all comes down to whether Evans is our point guard or not. And if he is, I choose Turner.

I agree with all this, and with Evan Turner you maintain the size advantage you have in the backcourt with Tyreke. With Wall and Tyreke, teams can shift their '2' guard to Tyreke and guard wall with a PG. A 6'7', teams won't be able to guard Turner with a PG. Or Tyreke for that matter.

Turner is averaging a TON of rebounds too. Something like 8 or 9 which is incredible, because games I have seen, he is basically playing PG. Kings will need strong defensive and rebounding from all positions if our frontcourt is going to include Hawes and Landry for the long term. Those two need all the help they can get.

 

[bench_blob]

The more I watch Wall, the more raw he seems to me. I think Rose was a more polished prospect than Wall is, Rose just didn't have the offensive talent around him that Wall has. Wall seems to have a little better size/length and defensive intensity than Rose, but other than that I don't see what makes him stand out. His drives are predictable and his ball handling is not what you'd expect from a prospect that is being lauded as a franchise PG. Turner is a special player right now and if we were to get the number 1 pick I hope we'd take him.

John Wall doesn't look the least bit raw to me. His mistakes are to be expected in the course of his development for his age, experience, and quality of competition. I am impressed with his poise and ability to dribble with his left hand too. Watch this next time, he can drive left or right with equal skill. He may favor going left.

Wall reminds me of the guy I saw tonight for OKC, Russell Westbrook, but with more upside. And Westbrook is going to be an all-star in the NBA, likely by next year. Both these guys have speed and athleticism to get anywhere on the floor and get into the lane. I didn't see Westbrook in college but would doubt Wall is any less polished than he was.

I agree Turner is a helluva player but I don't think Wall is any less NBA ready.

 

[SacTownGrantFan]

I don't think his weaknesses will be exposed. Or, I'd just say that they'll still be greatly overshadowed by all the good things he does. To be honest, I think he's a better athlete and a more polished player than Rose was as a freshman.

Whatever weaknesses Wall may have, you can bet that those weaknesses will be exposed at the next level. That's part of the game. NBA teams always adjust and re-adjust to rookies so that the player is less effective.