Kings interested in Russian guard Dmitry Kulagin (Yahoo)

[bajaden]

If that is truly his attitude, he can stay in Europe AFAIC. We just got rid of someone who too often put his own game and ego first. Sorry, Dmitry. You don't get guaranteed time on an NBA team. You fight for it and earn it.

Well, in that regard, the player you referred to, did fight for it, and he did earn it. However, at the time, he didn't have much competition. But that aside, I'm going to respectably disagree with you, just a tad. I don't think any player worth his salt is content to be the 14th or 15th player on the bench. If a player is content with that, then I don't want him on my team. However, if he does think he's good enough to warrant significant playing time, then sign the contract and prove it. Whether you liked or disliked I. Thomas or not, he went out and won the job. If Dimitry wants playing time, then earn it. Having said that, Kuligan is one of the few players were interested in that intrigues me. So from that perspective, I hope we work something out with him. He's definitely talented, and like Cousins, he plays with attitude. Maybe a little too much attitude at times, but that's better than none.

 

[VF21]

Well, in that regard, the player you referred to, did fight for it, and he did earn it. However, at the time, he didn't have much competition. But that aside, I'm going to respectably disagree with you, just a tad. I don't think any player worth his salt is content to be the 14th or 15th player on the bench. If a player is content with that, then I don't want him on my team. However, if he does think he's good enough to warrant significant playing time, then sign the contract and prove it. Whether you liked or disliked I. Thomas or not, he went out and won the job. If Dimitry wants playing time, then earn it. Having said that, Kuligan is one of the few players were interested in that intrigues me. So from that perspective, I hope we work something out with him. He's definitely talented, and like Cousins, he plays with attitude. Maybe a little too much attitude at times, but that's better than none.

You're certainly entitled to disagree.

But come on. We've both been around long enough to know that some kind of stupid diva clause in a contract before a player has even stepped on the court is just ludicrous. NOBODY deserves that kind of treatment and there's no way the guys on the team who did have to prove themselves to get any minutes at all are gonna think too kindly of it.

My comment about Isaiah was in relation to his attitude in regards to his worth after he had proven himself, not before. And I still maintain that IT put himself and his game ahead of the team too many times.

We're just gonna have to agree to disagree because I don't think anybody deserves to be given a pass for "too much attitude at times" on the assumption it's "better than none."

 

[arusinov]

Dmitry Kulagin: 'NBA is my goal, it is the reason why I play basketball. And I am sure that sooner or later I will end up there. Right now agents are in talks with Sacramento about my role on the team. It is a matter of principle for me what the final offer will be like. If I get guaranteed playing time, I will take the offer. But to go to the NBA and be a benchwarmer there – I don’t see a reason to do it. I don’t want just to make it to the league, I want to play there. I don’t rule out that in order to better prepare myself I will have to stay in Europe for some time longer.'

Q&A with his agent:
What is the possibility of Kulagin signing with the Kings this autumn?
'It’s 50/50. It all depends on Dima himself. He has to choose what he prefers: to play a decisive role on a strong European team or to fight for becoming one of the main players on an NBA team.'

When will it become clear?
I think, before the end of this week.'
source: Rush'n Hoops

As old joke states: "there're 50/50 chances to meet dinosaurus on the street - or you meet dinosaurus or not"

They didn't translate other parts of Kulagin's speach which could be intersting for Kings' fans in some... special way:

"Sacramento is one of weak teams in NBA? Sacramento is NBA team! It's what matter. But yes... I was fan of other teams when I was kid. I was fan of Lakers since Kobe was playing there. I was looking at his moves and tried to copy. But Kobe is injured most of the time recently so I've begun to like Miami..."

Ok. It's more on fun side of the story. There're much bigger problems with this guy than just ...strange simpathies.

I've read some russian fan sites... Some thinks that Kulagin is just delusional, or everything is a trick of his agent trying to improve positions in talks with some Euroleague team/s. But others remind that he's very gifted naturally - meaning he's quick and has exceptionally good vertical jump (at least for european player) and can both shoot (not that great) and pass (better) the ball. As I see the best could be concluded is that Kulagin is "raw talent". And he's so raw that he didn't suceed to get real role on average VTB team and Russian NT (which was unussually weak in the last Qual turnament). Now... "raw talents" in NBA don't get "guaranteed PT' (nobody except star players get guaranteed PT actually), as a rule they don't get any PT at all first seanson (or even more precise description - get guaranteed PT in D-league"). So if he's serious I don't think he's in sync with reality.

But it's not whole problem. "Problematic character" is kind of understatement when speaking of this kid... Multiple technical fauls because of fights on the floor is only part of story, he already was suspended for fight in pub by one VTB team, and waived because of attitude problems by other.
The only good part here is that it happen when he was 19-20 years old, maybe now at 22 his attitude improved... But I'm not sure.

 

[pshn80]

You're certainly entitled to disagree.

But come on. We've both been around long enough to know that some kind of stupid diva clause in a contract before a player has even stepped on the court is just ludicrous. NOBODY deserves that kind of treatment and there's no way the guys on the team who did have to prove themselves to get any minutes at all are gonna think too kindly of it.

My comment about Isaiah was in relation to his attitude in regards to his worth after he had proven himself, not before. And I still maintain that IT put himself and his game ahead of the team too many times.

We're just gonna have to agree to disagree because I don't think anybody deserves to be given a pass for "too much attitude at times" on the assumption it's "better than none."

But if he doesn't have a "diva" clause then I agree with bajaden, the attitude is great.

 

[Telemachus]

He signed a one year deal with a team in Russia.

 

[NoBonus]

He signed a one year deal with a team in Russia.

NOOOOO!!!!!! I wanted to see a contract with guaranteed playing time!!!

 

[bajaden]

You're certainly entitled to disagree.

But come on. We've both been around long enough to know that some kind of stupid diva clause in a contract before a player has even stepped on the court is just ludicrous. NOBODY deserves that kind of treatment and there's no way the guys on the team who did have to prove themselves to get any minutes at all are gonna think too kindly of it.

My comment about Isaiah was in relation to his attitude in regards to his worth after he had proven himself, not before. And I still maintain that IT put himself and his game ahead of the team too many times.

We're just gonna have to agree to disagree because I don't think anybody deserves to be given a pass for "too much attitude at times" on the assumption it's "better than none."

I think your misunderstanding me. I certainly don't advocate giving any player guaranteed playing time. All I was saying was that I understood Kulagin's point of view. He's playing on an important team in Russia in a major league, and he doesn't want to give that up to sit on the end of a bench in the NBA. I understand that. However, I don't think he should be given any guarantee other than he'll get an equal chance to win playing time, or even the starting job. I'd just try and convince him that very few positions on the team are guaranteed, and if he's the best choice, he'll get the job. Where we disagree is that I don't think I would call him a prima donna because of his attitude. Moving over here would be a huge lifestyle change for him, so I understand his wanting it to be worth his while.

Sometimes it comes down to whether you want to be a big fish in a little pond, or a little fish in a big pond. Sometimes little fish in the big pond get eaten.

 

[Bricklayer]

He signed a one year deal with a team in Russia.

Any news on Erkebulan Aitmukhambetov yet?

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Any news on Erkebulan Aitmukhambetov yet?

He's behind Nadguna Nokyirsoksov on the depth chart.

 

[Hallama]

He's behind Nadguna Nokyirsoksov on the depth chart.

He was arrested for inappropriate behavior with his step-daughter, Lolita.

 

[pshn80]

He was arrested for inappropriate behavior with his step-daughter, Lolita.

O'Toole.