Kings Select in the 2008 NBA DRAFT??
- Thread starter =LarryLegend=
- Start date
By the way, on McGhee, check out the highlights from the recent Louisiana Tech game, which is up on the Nevada Team page on ESPN (they're about halfway through the video): http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=2440
You can see why I'm making the Bosh comparison.
You can see why I'm making the Bosh comparison.
McGhee looks like a smooth player with good athleticism and big upside. Unsure about whether he'll declare, but I hope he does. It pushes another player up in the draft and increases the chances of someone falling to us. The more prospects declaring the better. He'd be one of the better looking prospects at our pick.
Darren Collison is just playing an amazing game tonight against Stanford. I really think he's my favorite realistic pick for us at #12. I'd love to get Brook Lopez, who has also been awesome, but I figure he'll be gone.
Love.... enh.
PS: And apparently the refs want UCLA to win this one. UTTER BS call with 2.5 seconds left to send it into overtime. One of the worst I've ever seen.
Love.... enh.
PS: And apparently the refs want UCLA to win this one. UTTER BS call with 2.5 seconds left to send it into overtime. One of the worst I've ever seen.
Last edited:
To be honest I don't really like Collison. There doesn't seem to be anything in his game that jumps out at me, like a skill he's really good at. He seems like a solid overall player but I like his teammate Russel Westbrook more. I mean Augustin is a great offensive player in general(shooting/passing/handling) and Lawson has his speed and athleticism. Those are skills they are might be the best in at their positions in the NCAA. Lawson could be the quickest/most athletic PG and Augustin might be the most offensively skilled. Collison? He's not the best at anything IMO. I've seen plenty of his games and I'm not impressed really.
His teammate Westbrook is amazing though. He's not even their main ball handler and he gets close to 5 assists, he's got great athleticism and length, nice passer, great defender, I really like his game.
The safe pick to me is Jason Thompson, if I here his name i am totally fine. i think we need a big, I like shelden always have, but we need insurance.
i hope of course beno doesnt walk. and i hope we actually have some luck draft day and can get atleast the 3rd pick and get Bayless but......
Jason Thompson.
i hope of course beno doesnt walk. and i hope we actually have some luck draft day and can get atleast the 3rd pick and get Bayless but......
Jason Thompson.
I like Westbrook too, but even though he's a good passer I don't really see him as a point guard, more like a slashing 2. He's more in the Dwyane Wade/Brandon Roy mold, although not nearly there yet, obviously. And while I like them both, I think Collison is a better fit for the Kings, assuming Kevin Martin is the future at the 2.
Here's why I like Collison more than Lawson and Augustin -- you're totally right, he's not flashy. He plays within the offense, he gets the ball down into the post, he makes his teammates better. That's my main complaint about Augustin and Lawson -- sure, they're gifted offensively, at least in terms of slashing, and they get their assists, but do they really make the players around them better? I don't see it in quite the way I see it with Collison.
Meanwhile, Collison can still take over games. You saw it last night -- Love went to the bench, UCLA needed a lift, Collison simply took over the game with his shooting and driving. He has a killer outside shot (almost 50% from three!), and he's good in the lane. He's got the whole package, he's just a team player and so you don't see him take over games as often.
And I like how his game translates to the NBA better than Lawson and Augustin. He's a better outside shooter than they are, meaning he'll probably adapt to the NBA three better. He'll run your offense and be a true point. The skill he's really good at that he can always fall back on is that he's a better defender than both of them combined. Worst case in the NBA he's a more-athletic Earl Watson. In the best case I really think he could be just a notch below Paul and Deron Williams -- and at #12 I think that's pretty solid.
Here's why I like Collison more than Lawson and Augustin -- you're totally right, he's not flashy. He plays within the offense, he gets the ball down into the post, he makes his teammates better. That's my main complaint about Augustin and Lawson -- sure, they're gifted offensively, at least in terms of slashing, and they get their assists, but do they really make the players around them better? I don't see it in quite the way I see it with Collison.
Meanwhile, Collison can still take over games. You saw it last night -- Love went to the bench, UCLA needed a lift, Collison simply took over the game with his shooting and driving. He has a killer outside shot (almost 50% from three!), and he's good in the lane. He's got the whole package, he's just a team player and so you don't see him take over games as often.
And I like how his game translates to the NBA better than Lawson and Augustin. He's a better outside shooter than they are, meaning he'll probably adapt to the NBA three better. He'll run your offense and be a true point. The skill he's really good at that he can always fall back on is that he's a better defender than both of them combined. Worst case in the NBA he's a more-athletic Earl Watson. In the best case I really think he could be just a notch below Paul and Deron Williams -- and at #12 I think that's pretty solid.
Last edited:
I agree with most of what you said nbrans. I think the key point for Collison is how under control he is at all times. He doesn't need to dominate the ball, he doesn't need to score, he just runs the offense competently all the time. And then on top of that, he seems to take real pleasure in playing defense. I never see him slacking on defense. He's quick but not jaw dropping quick, he's got a good jump shot but he needs space to get it off and he can't always create the space himself, and he's definitely got size working against him. I'd say those three things limit his potential -- which is why he's unlikely to be picked in the top 10 -- but I really like him as a player. I'd probably pick him over Augustin or Lawson. I don't know if he's Deron Williams/Chris Paul good, or even close to it. That's a pretty lofty standard. But he's at least similar with respect to his court demeanor. Collison is a player I would trust to run my offense, no problem.
Oh and in related matters, I haven't been impressed with Derrick Rose this year at all. Granted I've hardly seen him play, but he hasn't looked like the Wiz-kid passing maestro he was hyped to be. His athleticism is no joke, for sure. But if he's supposed to be the next Jason Kidd, I don't see it.
Oh and in related matters, I haven't been impressed with Derrick Rose this year at all. Granted I've hardly seen him play, but he hasn't looked like the Wiz-kid passing maestro he was hyped to be. His athleticism is no joke, for sure. But if he's supposed to be the next Jason Kidd, I don't see it.
I only saw one Memphis game (the Memphis/Tennessee showdown) and while Rose was impressive as a scorer, he didn't look much like a point at all. I kept wondering where the pass-first PG was when he kept attacking the rim. Not that that's a bad thing, but he had about 5 assists in the game, and maybe one or two were off of passes that weren't of the kick-it-around-the-arc type where the recipient just happened to shoot and hit a three. I didn't feel so bad about the Kings basically having no chance at him after that.
We may be fortunate in that several players that are likely to go ahead of our presumptive #12 pick are guys we shouldn't be interested in anyway. At the least Budinger and Gordon, as well as possibly Batum and Gallinari seem to be a bit redundant, and Mayo, Bayless, and Rose may all be leaning towards combo-guard-ness, where we would prefer a true point. I'm not saying that they aren't better players than what will be available for us, but one of our top 4-5 guys based on NEED might still be around when we pick.
On a side note, I also caught about half of a Texas A&M game recently and was unimpressed by DeAndre Jordan. I saw no competitive fire in his game at all. Brook Lopez, on the other hand...I'm beginning to wonder whether, all Rose/Beasley hype aside, Brook might end up the best player in the draft. Too bad we don't have a shot at him.
We may be fortunate in that several players that are likely to go ahead of our presumptive #12 pick are guys we shouldn't be interested in anyway. At the least Budinger and Gordon, as well as possibly Batum and Gallinari seem to be a bit redundant, and Mayo, Bayless, and Rose may all be leaning towards combo-guard-ness, where we would prefer a true point. I'm not saying that they aren't better players than what will be available for us, but one of our top 4-5 guys based on NEED might still be around when we pick.
On a side note, I also caught about half of a Texas A&M game recently and was unimpressed by DeAndre Jordan. I saw no competitive fire in his game at all. Brook Lopez, on the other hand...I'm beginning to wonder whether, all Rose/Beasley hype aside, Brook might end up the best player in the draft. Too bad we don't have a shot at him.
Last edited:
Yeah, the DeAndre Jordan hype seems to be mostly on "potential" ie the guy is tall and athletic and can play a little bit. That Andrew Bynum is starting to deliver on his potential probably helps his case too because everyone wants a young, athletic center on their team. With the questions about relatively unproven big guys like Amare and Dwight around draft time proving to be over-emphasized as well, I think DeAndre Jordan is a virtual lock for the top 5 regardless of what he shows or doesn't show between now and draft day.
A lot of good posts here. I think people are starting to watch some games. On Rose, I've also watched about 6 Memphis games. He's the real deal. Lets all remember, were talking about kids that are 18 or 19 yrs old and were comparing them to NBA players. Hardly fair.
I'm glad to see some people recognizing the talents of Brook Lopez. And yes I think he could easily be the best player in the draft.
I agree on Connely to a pt. He's slight of build and has a small history of injury. But he is a darn good defensive player. His outside shot has improved, and in any other year he would be considered quick.. I just don't think we have as great a need at the pt as the PF position.
I'm still going to go with Jason Thompson right now. Its still a long way to the draft, and who knows what will change. Ahh March Maddness is almost upon us.
I'm glad to see some people recognizing the talents of Brook Lopez. And yes I think he could easily be the best player in the draft.
I agree on Connely to a pt. He's slight of build and has a small history of injury. But he is a darn good defensive player. His outside shot has improved, and in any other year he would be considered quick.. I just don't think we have as great a need at the pt as the PF position.
I'm still going to go with Jason Thompson right now. Its still a long way to the draft, and who knows what will change. Ahh March Maddness is almost upon us.
He's not coming out this year.. Or at least I am about 90% sure he isn't. I watched 2 UNR games this year and only because I was visiting Reno, and they were replaying the games in my room when I was at the casino.
He is so-so.. Only reason he is ranked so high is because his height/athleticism nothing more. He is VERY raw.. Wouldn't help a team for about 3 years minimum if at all. One game he was all over the place, and the other he didn't do much. Very inconsistent right now. I think he should stay in college another year to improve his draft status. because nbadraft has it wrong. I would put him about 20-25 right now based on potential.
He is so-so.. Only reason he is ranked so high is because his height/athleticism nothing more. He is VERY raw.. Wouldn't help a team for about 3 years minimum if at all. One game he was all over the place, and the other he didn't do much. Very inconsistent right now. I think he should stay in college another year to improve his draft status. because nbadraft has it wrong. I would put him about 20-25 right now based on potential.
I'd trade everyone on the Kings except for Hawes and Martin to get B. Lopez. They could play with just those three guys next year if that's what it would take. Lopez is the IDEAL compliment to Hawes. I like Collison also, but it's sooo hard to evaluate him for the next level.
As for the foul, too much emphasis on one foul calls. U - C - L - A!!!!
As for the foul, too much emphasis on one foul calls. U - C - L - A!!!!
Who should we eye in this year's draft?
Obviously we aren't going to make playoffs, we will probably have a similar record as last year, hopefully worse. But In all likelihood, we will get left with a 10-13th pick because I just can't see us finishing out the season as bad as last year. We probably won't be getting someone like Michael Beasley or Derek Rose, but I've been hearing this draft class is going to be a strong one. Now that we have Sheldon as a young PF and Spencer Hawes as a young center, do you guys stilll believe we should go for a big man? I don't know, I just feel it's something to discuss.
Obviously we aren't going to make playoffs, we will probably have a similar record as last year, hopefully worse. But In all likelihood, we will get left with a 10-13th pick because I just can't see us finishing out the season as bad as last year. We probably won't be getting someone like Michael Beasley or Derek Rose, but I've been hearing this draft class is going to be a strong one. Now that we have Sheldon as a young PF and Spencer Hawes as a young center, do you guys stilll believe we should go for a big man? I don't know, I just feel it's something to discuss.
I think the two biggest needs on the Kings in the draft are a solid back-up PG or possible starter over Beno and a tall, banging, PF who will give the team a stronger inside presence. Shelden Williams is more like 6'7 than 6'9 from what I see. Hawes has shown he's not a banger, shot blocker inside, but has the potential to develop more of a game down low. They have enough wing players which are a dime a dozen in the NBA anyway. If one or both of the above can't be obtained in the upcoming draft, hopefully something develops via free agent market.
Last edited: