Kings hire new VP of Professional Development

[ockingsfan]

Looks like Vlade is adding more quality people to the front office, to make sure the Kings kids develop correctly off the court too!

http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/kings-hire-vp-professional-development

 

[Iced Espresso]

Sounds like a babysitter to me.

Trying to think back to when I was young, would of annoyed me most likely.

 

[King Baller]

Sounds really valuable to me. The Team cares enough to hire a Professional to insure their young players have all the 411 on dealing with life in Pro Sports. The money management advice alone could be life changing.

 

[ockingsfan]

Sounds like a babysitter to me.

Trying to think back to when I was young, would of annoyed me most likely.

I'm sure Antoine Walker wish he had someone like this early in his career.

 

[kingsboi]

Professional Development. Sounds like an elective a student takes in community college.

 

[The Hammer]

Sounds really valuable to me. The Team cares enough to hire a Professional to insure their young players have all the 411 on dealing with life in Pro Sports. The money management advice alone could be life changing.

This.

The average person doesn't realize what fame does to the human brain. So it's not just the money, it's the fame. It can really warp your reality. Dealing with this stuff is commonly done among the players themselves, it's a part of pro-sports culture. But hiring a professional to address it (we apparently can't rely on Zbo) is a smart move.

 

[RichieInRocklin]

I applaud Vlade's hire of Mr. Galen Duncan, Phd. He comes with a lot of experience, just what the young Kings need. I hope he gets his "ring" this year!!

GO KINGS !!!

 

[Iced Espresso]

I'm sure Antoine Walker wish he had someone like this early in his career.

Yeah I was pretty fine to live my own life as soon as I could.

But nowadays everyone needs to be carried I guess.

I'd of been insulted.

 

[Sac.1989]

highly positive initiative - has worked with the NBA rookie transition program and since we are a young team this is a very very good move

"Duncan is responsible for implementation of the Kings Academy program, a developmental, player-centric curriculum aligning multi-faceted organizational philosophies and ideals to help athletes mature into well-rounded professionals. Under Duncan’s oversight, Kings Academy will augment on-court progress with access to practical material and experiences that help balance on-court priorities and personal responsibilities with opportunities to become impactful contributors in the community"

I could teach how to tie a tie better then him though XD

 

[King Baller]

Yeah I was pretty fine to live my own life as soon as I could.

But nowadays everyone needs to be carried I guess.

I'd of been insulted.

Well, one thing I have learned is that other people know stuff

 

[VF21]

Sounds like a babysitter to me.

Trying to think back to when I was young, would of annoyed me most likely.

Did you get access to hundreds of thousands of dollars virtually overnight?

This is an excellent idea. Lawrence Funderburke wrote a book ("Hook Me Up, Playa!") that warned about the dark side of professional sports and the limelight. I've actually got an autographed copy around here somewhere. I think it's very good that the Kings organization wants to help in every way they can to ensure that their young players have the best chance possible, on and off the court.

 

[gunks]

I couldn't imagine all the mess I'd get into at 19/20 if I scored a multi million dollar contract.

All the kids on the team seem like really solid individuals, but it's pretty cool of the franchise to hire someone on to help guide and mentor (sorry Z-bo, yah blew it) anyways.

 

[The Hammer]

I couldn't imagine all the mess I'd get into at 19/20 if I scored a multi million dollar contract.

All the kids on the team seem like really solid individuals, but it's pretty cool of the franchise to hire someone on to help guide and mentor (sorry Z-bo, yah blew it) anyways.

Sports has just changed, too. Much more focus on the celebrity of it, for everyone on the roster. And that focus comes from the team, the League, and your agent, trying to prop you up and get you promo deals. There was none of this for rookies 30, even 20 years ago (aside from maybe the top pick or two).

Yeah, 19, 20, making 2-5 million a year with every person above and around you pumping up your celebrity would be a challenge for anyone to deal with. Frankly it's similar to what Hollywood does with child stars. Sure they make a ton of money, but the system can chew you up and spit you out. The guys that can succeed in that environment usually have a few things on their side: great family support, possibly faith, they've been preparing for it for years, and a few coaches they can trust.

Getting a guy like Galen Duncan to help these guys is a caring thing to do for them, and good business, and it's necessitated by the changes the league has seen over the years. It's a trend that will continue.

 

[Iced Espresso]

Did you get access to hundreds of thousands of dollars virtually overnight?

This is an excellent idea. Lawrence Funderburke wrote a book ("Hook Me Up, Playa!") that warned about the dark side of professional sports and the limelight. I've actually got an autographed copy around here somewhere. I think it's very good that the Kings organization wants to help in every way they can to ensure that their young players have the best chance possible, on and off the court.

No not that much coin.

I understand where you are coming from.

But you wouldn't of been annoyed by this yourself back in the day?

 

[whozit]

No not that much coin.

I understand where you are coming from.

But you wouldn't of been annoyed by this yourself back in the day?

I think there is a difference between guidance and authority over. A babysitter has authority over you per parents instruction but this appears more as a resource for the player for the players benefit. And if utilized properly, both the team and the player benefits.

 

[The Hammer]

I think there is a difference between guidance and authority over. A babysitter has authority over you per parents instruction but this appears more as a resource for the player for the players benefit. And if utilized properly, both the team and the player benefits.

Exactly. It's someone in your corner that is explicitly not trying to get something out of you, unlike almost everyone else around them.

 

[kingsfan1984]

Anyone know how common this position is around the league?

 

[VF21]

No not that much coin.

I understand where you are coming from.

But you wouldn't of been annoyed by this yourself back in the day?

No, but then I don't see it as disciplinary or negative.

 

[Sac.1989]

Anyone know how common this position is around the league?

Not very id say though each team has a support structure which covers its context (somewhat), you just wouldn't find many with that job title

 

[LPKingsFan]

If I recall correctly, Dee Brown and Harold Pressley have served in player development roles here before. Is the difference here the focus on off-court development?

And good catch, VF, Funderburke came to mind for me as well.

 

[Sactown ExPat]

I wonder if this recent FBI investigation illuminates further the need for a Galen Duncan. We have drafted a lot of highly rated HS prospects over the past two years, and those guys likely come into the league with nefarious financial commitments through no fault of their own. Duncan, hopefully, can help these guys unwind these partnerships made under duress and help educate the family going forward, or shield our players from shady guardians....I mean, influences.

 

[The Hammer]

I wonder if this recent FBI investigation illuminates further the need for a Galen Duncan. We have drafted a lot of highly rated HS prospects over the past two years, and those guys likely come into the league with nefarious financial commitments through no fault of their own. Duncan, hopefully, can help these guys unwind these partnerships made under duress and help educate the family going forward, or shield our players from shady guardians....I mean, influences.

Far as I'm concerned they should be paying those kids a salary anyway. Most blue chip prospects are getting money. They should be. Back when there wasn't any money in college sports, no, it's just an extracurricular activity. But college sports are a multi-billion dollar industry. There should be profit sharing for players playing sports that have a TV contract connected to them. Set gate receipts aside for the school. But the TV money... they should at least be making as much as a high level minor league baseball player or mid level Euro league player. There should be a set salary for all scholarship players, and a smaller one for walk-ons. Something like 75-100K, on top of free tuition, and then maybe 35k for the walk ons, for all major conferences. Absolutely.

If that was in place, then yes, go after any corruption on top of that. A lot of these kids come from poor families and the money goes right to the family anyway.

 

[The Hammer]

If I recall correctly, Dee Brown and Harold Pressley have served in player development roles here before. Is the difference here the focus on off-court development?

And good catch, VF, Funderburke came to mind for me as well.

Harrold Pressley was (is) a great dude.