Kings need to sign a Free Agent NOW!!!

[thedofd]

RA uses short rotation regardless of his contract situation. That is the way he operates. Except Pedja I do not remember a rookie who played a lot in a team coached by RA. That includes Drazen Petrovic

Fair enough, but my point remains: Don't expect one of the guys at the end of the bench to become a factor, because RA -- and this isn't a knock, mind you -- prefers to play veterans.

I've said since the start of the season that the Kings need one more NBA-proven player. While you can't complain about their results so far, I still feel that way. At some point, whether it's because guys wear down or get hurt or whatever, they're going to need another contributor.

Malone certainly could be that guy, but a lot of other contenders seem to be ahead of the Kings in wooing him. Smith, I think, is the kind of guy who could come in late in a game and knock down a 3-pointer or a couple of foul shots and win you a game or three. The way the West is this year, that's a big deal.

 

[Bricklayer]

RA uses short rotation regardless of his contract situation. That is the way he operates. Except Pedja I do not remember a rookie who played a lot in a team coached by RA. That includes Drazen Petrovic

JWill.

BTW, Drazen couldn't really play because he was pinned behing a HOF OG in his prime. Not a great situation for a rookie when the guy ahead of you at your position is the franchise player.

I think almost all coaches get very shy of rookies once their teams move into contention. Pat Riley was notorious for avoiding rookies like the plague. Not sure I ever remember a major-minutes rookie with PJ after things started rolling for him. You can see how enamored Larry Brown is with giving Drako minutes etc. Pop's done a nice job with Parker and Manu, but then again those posistions were more or less cleared out for those guys. And lest we forget, our rookies aren't exactly lottery picks that you just have to play (and likely an underlying reason why contending teams rarely play roks -- their rooks just aren't that good as a rule).

 

[sloter]

Drazen >>>>>>>>>>>>> Ginobili, Parker and Milicic together.

I talked to a friend of mine from Croatia who is a little older than me and remembers the days when Drazen was in Portland very well. He said that Drazen had stated that he was "very disappointed that he was never even given a chance to show what he can do".

 

[piksi]

Drazen, Sabonis >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Pedja, Dirk>>>>>>>>>>>>>everybody else.

Drazen played 1 season as a starter for the Nets and look at his numbers. I do not care who was in front of him - RA was out of his mind for not playing him. I have started watching BB about when drazen started playing. He is the best player I have actually seen playing (in person). All he need was a chance. When he finally got it it turned out to be too late. Main reason Bodiroga did not want to play in the NBA.

 

[bozzwell]

Drazen, Sabonis >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Pedja, Dirk>>>>>>>>>>>>>everybody else.

Drazen played 1 season as a starter for the Nets and look at his numbers. I do not care who was in front of him - RA was out of his mind for not playing him. I have started watching BB about when drazen started playing. He is the best player I have actually seen playing (in person). All he need was a chance. When he finally got it it turned out to be too late. Main reason Bodiroga did not want to play in the NBA.

I remember Drazen when he was 15 year olf rookie for Sibenka. No European player comes even close to him. Drexler or no Drexler he could have been given more then Darko minutes at Portland - I'll second that.

I actually think Drazen's career was really heart by Portland experience and he never looked 100% even at NJ.

I remember being shocked with his older brother's work ethic - hours and hours of extra practise - when he was serving in the Army near my hometown so he would come to our practices 2-3 times a week. When we asked him about it he said that is nothing compared to Drazen who would routinely work on his game whole friggin' day! That's when I decided it's better I hit the books...hard.

 

[sloter]

I remember being shocked with his older brother's work ethic - hours and hours of extra practise - when he was serving in the Army near my hometown so he would come to our practices 2-3 times a week. When we asked him about it he said that is nothing compared to Drazen who would routinely work on his game whole friggin' day! That's when I decided it's better I hit the books...hard.

Oh, absolutely. It wasn't just passion that was driving Drazen to practice and play hard, what made him different was that he was a basketball maniac.

 

[HndsmCelt]

http://www.hoopshype.com/rumors.htm


Saw a story from the Charlotte Observer on the site above saying that the Bobcats would send Steve Smith to a contender, if he wished. He wouldn't be a bad guy to get if all the Kings had to give up was a couple of 2nd-round picks or even a first (saving the guaranteed salary of someone who'd never get on the court). He's a veteran, so Adelman wouldn't hesitate to use him, if necessary, and he'd probably be happy with a limited role on a contending team. At 6-8, he can play both 2 and 3. Most importantly, he's another outside threat -- 44 percent field goals, 36 percent 3s and 85 percent FTs over a long career.

The other night in Indy, after Peja got hurt, the Pacers were in an obvious fouling mode at the end of the game. Adelman had to go with Matt Barnes. I'm not knocking Matt, but that's the type of situation where a good team pulls out a Kerr or a Hoiberg, to have one more shooter who's been around the block on the floor.

As for some of the other suggestions, why not Malone? He may not be a great athlete, but where do you go get one at this stage, short of a trade? While Malone isn't what he once was, he might come in handy come playoff time. You can never have enough big guys, enough playoff-saavy guys, enough guys who can get a rebound or get to the foul line. And, God forbid, if C-Webb gets hurt again, a combo of Darius and Malone probably could hold down the fort. I have to believe that Malone would be a bigger asset than Eric Daniels or some of the other young guys at the end of the bench.

Some folks on this board seem to think that the Kings would be better off giving their young guys more PT rather than going out and getting free agent help or making a minor trade. I wouldn't argue that point. But Adelman wants a contract extension, so he's going to play whoever he's most comfortable with, and that means veterans.

Steve Smith is an interesting idea, he would give Adelman a comleet second team composed of guys who are good at one spot and one spot only. I'd rather see someon more athleticand versitle but not likely at this point. (Does any one know if Haislip has a gaurenteed contract in Indy?)

As for Malone, it's hard to say no to a player of his caliber even at his age, but as noted earlier I am not shure he brings much over Darius, and if there is a honest concern on this board about developing young tallent, the mans name is Darius. Sure Webb might get hurt again, or Brad may need time off, but the only thing we know for shure taht will happen with Malone on the team is that Darius will loose min. Besides I don't think Malone has much interest in Sac. He wants a ring but he also wnats to start. This is one of the reasons I doubt if his first option is likely to SA UNLESS TD is willing to move to center. As for Minny, given their weakness at cener and Garnets ablities and hunger I would not be suprised to them more willing to adjust to acomadate Malone. Regardless I just don't see him in Sac.

 

[Bartking]

If Steve Smith plays on the second unit while BJax is on the floor, his shooting skills are useless. We need a rebounder, a mucker, like Danny Fortson, but not dirty.

 

[SacKings384]

I would LOVE to have Steve Smith... A winner... A veteran... A shooter... Bring him on over!

 

[Bricklayer]

I would have called Steve Smith entirely done a couple of years ago, but he seems to be experiencing some sort of renaissance this year. We could certainly do worse, and he is a guy with the sorts of skills to play within our system. Thing is that swapping in Steve Smith at this stage of his career means you actually get WORSE on the hustle board. Can we afford that?

BTW, any big rebounding guy would have to be a significantly better player than Darius and Tag to make a difference for us. We're unlikely to find that (actually Tag over his career has been one of the best per minute rebounders in the league, but he can't board from the bench, and doesn't seem to have the skills to consistently get off of it).

P.S. Drazen actually started two years while in New Jersey. He was very good there. He also was still never as good as Drexler. He came over, was the primary backup to a great player, did not like it. The year before his arrival Drexler averaged 27.2pts on .496shooting, 7.9rebs 5.8ast -- of course Drazen was going to be the backup. Great scorer. Terrible defender. Huge ego.

 

[WhyNotUs?]

so the question still remains. for better or for worse, RA is committed to a short bench. even if Petrie could work some magic ......... who do you pull? Barnes? Bobby? Songalia? Tag?? under Ricks system, the "best" FA out there means someone get's sent as a cheerleader basically until catastrophic injury or occassional garbage time. Our bench may not be pretty, but it seems to work - at least most of the time.


For me, my Kings Holiday wish list #1 is a commitment to rebounding, not more non-playing talent on the bench for improved practice fodder.

 

[Folsom Al]

Does He Have One More Year In Him ???

Malone is looking to leave LA ....

 

[piksi]

The year before his arrival Drexler averaged 27.2pts on .496shooting, 7.9rebs 5.8ast -- of course Drazen was going to be the backup. Great scorer. Terrible defender. Huge ego.

How many years did Drexler need to get to these numbers ?

He never needed defense so he never worked at it. Look at Pedja now. Drazen was much harder worker. His ego as big as it was - not even close to the egos of American players of his caliber and "better" ( back then and now ).

 

[bozzwell]

P.S. Drazen actually started two years while in New Jersey. He was very good there. He also was still never as good as Drexler. He came over, was the primary backup to a great player, did not like it. The year before his arrival Drexler averaged 27.2pts on .496shooting, 7.9rebs 5.8ast -- of course Drazen was going to be the backup. Great scorer. Terrible defender. Huge ego.

I think we can all agree on that. That's why I said that I do not believe that Drazen was ever able to fulfill his potential in NBA (slow years at Portland maybe?). For whatever reason. I also believe that if he wasn't killed in the car accident that he was going to return to Europe anyway - though I could be wrong.

It must be a huge obstacle to overcome when you get to be seldom used rookie in your prime especially for someone who made it to the pros at 15 and became a superstar before he was eligable for driver's licence (18).

 

[thedofd]

Steve Smith is an interesting idea, he would give Adelman a comleet second team composed of guys who are good at one spot and one spot only. I'd rather see someon more athleticand versitle but not likely at this point. (Does any one know if Haislip has a gaurenteed contract in Indy?)

Yeah, the Kings have a lot of guys who can play 2 and/or 3. The problem is, as noted, that Rick isn't willing to play any of them. Who knows? Maybe they don't deserve to play. I don't see practice, so I don't know. As has been stated by several people, Rick is one of those coaches who prefers to play veterans. So if the Kings are going to get any meaningful help off the bench, it's likely going to be in the form of a veteran they bring in. Maybe Smith isn't the right guy, but we know that he's available and can fill a need.

As for Malone, it's hard to say no to a player of his caliber even at his age, but as noted earlier I am not shure he brings much over Darius, and if there is a honest concern on this board about developing young tallent, the mans name is Darius.

Your'e not sure what he brings over Darius? I am: experience in big games, the ability to get to the free throw line practically at will, respect from opponents and officials, supreme confidence, a physical presence, a post threat, a mid-range jump shot. The Kings are still a team that need more NBA players, and I don't think Malone -- even given his age and recovery from injury -- needs to show us his resume. That being said, I like Darius and think the Kings should develop him. I don't see why you couldn't play Darius and Malone together; Rick doesn't seem to have a lot of confidence in Ostertag, or at least the matchups he gets against most teams.

If Malone needs to be a starter or to log 30 minutes a game, you're right; this isn't the right place for him. But if he wants to be a great insurance policy and be part of a championship team, he needs to talk to the Kings.

 

[Bricklayer]

Malone would have to knock Darius right out of the rotation, and you know what? That would be ok. Darius is fine as a backup, but he's nothing you turn your back on a HOF over. He's Lawrence Funderburke. He's Gary Trent. He's not Karl Malone. Not even old Karl Malone. We would still need Tag for a few minutes even with Malone becuase Tag is the only guy on the whole team (with or without Malone) who can clog the middle (and would be a certain amount of irony to having Utah's old starting frontcourt from its Finals days as our backups). But if you're going to pick up a Karl Malone, he's just got to get just about every frontcourt backup minute there is available.


In any case though, sounds like Malone wants to go to the Spurs. Which saves me from the trouble of trying it muster up any enthusiasm for that carpetbagging turd as a King, but which could spell big trouble for us and the rest of the league. Turns out the Mailman is not only better than Darius or Tag, he's also a far better frontcourt backup than Malik Rose, Robert Horry, or Tony Massenburg too.

 

[CruzDude]

Dejan Bodiroga!!! Heck yes. His season is finished in Europe I think. He is one of the best players in Europe and a shooter-scorer. Likely not much of a defender but we need points off the bench. And we own his rights.

 

[Bricklayer]

Dejan Bodiroga!!! Heck yes. His season is finished in Europe I think. He is one of the best players in Europe and a shooter-scorer. Likely not much of a defender but we need points off the bench. And we own his rights.

Yeah, the thought had occured to me, as I think it does to many Kings fans about every year at this time. Keep on waiting for Petrie to pop up with him at one of these years. But I think he's been pretty much written off at this point, is aging, would have to make an adjustment to the NBA in mid-season which would be very tough etc. Just gets less liekly with eveyr passing year. Think his NBA window is probably just about closed.

 

[Bricklayer]

BTW, just as a point of interest, Dec 15 (tommorow) is the first day in which guys signed as FAs over the summer can be dealt in trades. So it opens up a few possibilities that perhaps were not there before, if we were actually going to go down the trade route.

 

[thedofd]

carpetbagging turd

Hey, he's a Hall of Fame carpetbagging turd!

 

[HndsmCelt]

Although I'm tempted to back off of my position on Malone and Darius I think I'll stand my ground any way. With out wasting too much time and space on a situation that is NOT going to happen anyway, I would like to point out that Darius (a second year player) while not destined for greatness could well develop into one of those reliable second tier players and could well start in a line up next to a dominat center. I honsetly think of him as Min-Brad h dives for loose balls, capitalizes on oponents who underestimate him, can score and does a decnet job on defense. He is a throw back to the days before taller faster power forwards when the Ceter drew the attention and needed a finsher near by, and yes that may mean he will never be starter materail in the NBA but his play with Tag and Brad has impressed me and I think he could develop in to a even stronger more versitle player that can play the 3 would help. Maybe some kind of speed/quickness drills like Rocky catching chicken or trying to catch a greased Pedja or soemthing.

As for Malone I have to conceed that if the stars aline and he were wiling to come and play back up behind Webb he is a better choice, but it will slow donw Darius's development. Having Tag here might b the one thing that ruled Sac out for the carpetbagging turd, his discust with Tag was prety well known. Oh well like I said not going to happen but I felt the need to defend Darius.

 

[thedofd]

Oh well like I said not going to happen but I felt the need to defend Darius.

I hope you didn't think that I was attacking Darius. He's been a great find, more helpful than anyone could have guessed. But I don't think any amount of playing time will cause him to rise above the level of role player. That's not a diss; his role is important. But the competition at 4 in the Western Conference is too intense to see him any other way.

Darius will be around and a valuable backup long after Malone is gone (and you're right, the chances of the Kings signing Malone are about nil). I'm just saying that the benefit of signing Malone -- increasing the Kings' chances of winning a championship THIS SEASON -- outweighs the benefit of further developing Darius, at least in the short run. And thinking in terms of the short run, I think, is perfectly legitimate the way the Kings currently are constructed.

 

[kingsofnba]

bobby jax injury has really bad timing... eddie house would have been a great pick up for the kings to replace bobby, but he was just signed by the bucks just 4 days ago... the kings are going to need a backup ballhandler.. the pickings are slim at this point... look for petrie to pick up a veteran for backup minutes... i wouldn't be surprised if they signed someone like rod strickland or mark jackson to fill the backup PG void... otherwise, they may do like last year and slide DC to backup point and sign someone like courtney alexander to fill in the scoring void...

the kings are going to need someone to fill bojax void and fast... this injury may open the door for martin, evans or barnes, but i'm sure adelman would hate to hand over the bench to players with so little experience... petrie better get someone fast, before everyone is off the market!!!!

GO KINGS!!!

 

[kingsofnba]

a couple of other names that petrie may consider for backup point guard is shammond williams, anthony goldwire, darrick martin, j.r. bremmer... the pickings are pretty slim at this point, but who knows, one of these guys may be a pleasant surprise ala damon jones a few years ago...

GO KINGS!!!

 

[RaY Z]

a couple of other names that petrie may consider for backup point guard is shammond williams, anthony goldwire, darrick martin, j.r. bremmer... the pickings are pretty slim at this point, but who knows, one of these guys may be a pleasant surprise ala damon jones a few years ago...

GO KINGS!!!

id go for shammond williams or jr in your picks... both pretty young and fresh... but they are unreliable the fact that there inconsistent and are still pretty young...

mark jackson and rod strickland are proven plamakers so i wouldnt mind those veterans...

 

[nAj jAn™]

By the way, why did the Kings let go Damon Jones?

 

[grun]

can anyone tell me any information about this guy?

lazos papadopoulo

yeh i saw him playing in the olympics for Greece. I woke up at 5am to watch him absolutely torch Australia (im from sydney). he was really impressive in the post and has pretty good size. From memory he put up about 14 and 7 vs "the dream team" as well.

 

[Ryle]

Kings might end up bringing back Minard as well. He's playing really well in the NBDL and the Kings were extremely high on him before the draft. He got beat out for a roster spot by Evans who has more experience and at this point is a better player.

 

[piksi]

Would be nice to know how high is the buyout of Sarunas Jasikevicius from Maccabi Tel Aviv ? He would fit perfectly.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Heres some people I really think the Kings should give a chance to deepen the bench.

PG:
Minard- 20.8 pts, 3.2 assist, 4.8 Rebs, 1.7 stls, 2.6 T/o, 0.7 Blks (NBDL)

Roger Mason Jr- Can play! Average 7-8 points a game in 10 minutes this pre-season with the raps, and looked great doing it.

Troy Bell, Quick, Explosive Scorer, High Leaper.

JR Bremer- Shooter, Fast, Can Pass.

Dajuan Wagner- Cavs are shipping him, they want draft picks and Vets.

Nick Van Exel- He stated this was his last season and this may be leverage for an easy trade. Explosive like Bobby (Remember playoffs verses Dallas a cuple seasons ago, Knows his role on a team)

And if we get desperate, Strickland, Tabuse...

SG

Alexander- Proven scorer in the NBA, the question is, is he healthy.

Dion Glover- Can Score & Rebound, but is a little undersized.

Felipe Lopez- Was a good player for his minutes.

Mitchell Butler- Great Defender

SF-

Darius Rice- Hes underrated as a player, I think if given a chance he could fit in. Can shoot and rebound.

Chris Jefferies- A Gamble but could turn out to be something.

John Wallace- Can bring some Scoring off the Bench.

PF-

Malone- If we could convice him that we could win with him He would be a great addition.

Trent- Rebounds, Defence, Toughness

Antonio Meeking- Ripping up the NBDL. Can Score.

Cherokee Parks- Rebounds, Scores a bit.

Corie Blount- Scrub

C-

Oliver Miller- Can bang & Rebound. We have OTag.

Bateer- Big Body Rebounds, soft touch arond the net.

Just some players that came to mind at the moment feel free to add to my list.