Kings sign Sim Bhullar

That might be a priority for the owner and of course he can do as he pleases. As a fan it doesn't particularly move me that much. I'm not trying to come across as an ass but I hope players are put on the team for their ability and not their marketing potential. There were accusatory glances at the previous owners for something similar when we drafted Jimmer.

The big difference being, we gave up a lottery pick for Jimmer and we gave him almost 20 mins a game. Sim is an udfa who we're probably gonna stash in Reno for at least a year.
 
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You're looking at it in a vacuum. The pick, where he was drafted, in and of itself was not an incredibly terrible play. But you need to look at the entire scenario.

1. Leonard fell to our spot. There was a lot of support for him before the draft. You could say he was BPA at our spot and he filled a position of need. It was a no brainer.
2. We traded down, gave up a player that fit our team, for John Salmons and Jimmer. John Salmons. John Salmons.

John Salmons. After we tried so hard to get rid of him.

3. John Salmons. In Petrie/Maloof logic, John Salmons+Jimmer > Leonard+Beno

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/columns/story?page=threewaydeal-110623

See how bad it was at the time. It was even worse after we found out Jimmer couldn't dribble, couldn't score in traffic, couldn't even finish a fastbreak because you could catch up to him like he was running in mud.

They weren't setting the Kings up to fail. They just failed at thinking.

But what does that have anything to do with the whole "marketing vs ability" thing? I'm not saying that the Maloofs/Petrie/Westphal were successful, but to say they just picked Jimmer to sell tickets and nothing more is absurd. On draft day that year a bunch of us (myself included) were arguing against trading for John Salmons! There were a whole lot of others who were saying he brought a veteran presence bla bla bla ... But very few were complaining about drafting Jimmer, at least not anything out of the ordinary on draft day.

As VF has said, marketing and ability need not be mutually exclusive. Somehow in the case of the Maloofs drafting Jimmer, people make it sound like it was completely about marketing and nothing to do with fit and ability.
 
Marketing move...Cant see him making the team.

Best case, he gets in NBA shape and we get to watch him for 6 mpg as a deep bench big.

Props to Sim though, must feel good being the first person of Indian descent getting an NBA deal!
 
You're looking at it in a vacuum. The pick, where he was drafted, in and of itself was not an incredibly terrible play. But you need to look at the entire scenario.

1. Leonard fell to our spot. There was a lot of support for him before the draft. You could say he was BPA at our spot and he filled a position of need. It was a no brainer.
2. We traded down, gave up a player that fit our team, for John Salmons and Jimmer. John Salmons. John Salmons.

John Salmons. After we tried so hard to get rid of him.

3. John Salmons. In Petrie/Maloof logic, John Salmons+Jimmer > Leonard+Beno

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/columns/story?page=threewaydeal-110623

See how bad it was at the time. It was even worse after we found out Jimmer couldn't dribble, couldn't score in traffic, couldn't even finish a fastbreak because you could catch up to him like he was running in mud.

They weren't setting the Kings up to fail. They just failed at thinking.

teach me how to jimmer


i didn't think he was gonna be that big of a bust.
 
The big difference being, we gave up a lottery pick for Jimmer and we gave him almost 20 mins a game. Sim is an udfa who we're probably gonna stash in Reno for at least a year.

Doesn't really change the core part of my point, I don't care whether it's the #1 pick or a towel waver, I don't want someone signed simply because they have a big college following or are of a certain nationality. It might sting a bit less in this situation and I appreciate that and was aware of the differences I was highlighting the agenda more so.

I'm not going to lose any sleep over it, It just doesn't exactly fill me with glee.
 
He is 7'5" w/ basketball skills. He has not been signed "just because." Perhaps you missed 7'5". Anyway he will be in DLeague wish the guy luck.

I know exactly what he brings, like I detailed in my first post, he clearly has potential as a bench big, so no I didn't miss it. I'm speculating, as others have, that his nationality has perhaps played a weighty part in the interest in him. Not a particularly egregious point.

anyway....
 
He is 7'5" w/ basketball skills. He has not been signed "just because." Perhaps you missed 7'5". Anyway he will be in DLeague wish the guy luck.
It is very obvious that he was signed mostly because of his background despite the size of basketball skill.

Sadly, if Sim was any other functionality he would not have come close to getting a comtract. This is a maketing move with very little basketball logic.
 
It is very obvious that he was signed mostly because of his background despite the size of basketball skill.

Sadly, if Sim was any other functionality he would not have come close to getting a comtract. This is a maketing move with very little basketball logic.
7'5" but you see what you see.
 
It is very obvious that he was signed mostly because of his background despite the size of basketball skill.

Sadly, if Sim was any other functionality he would not have come close to getting a comtract. This is a maketing move with very little basketball logic.
What is "NBA cares" (not sure about the official name) about? Marketing. The NBA league management down to the last team does it as part of the business model.

What is more hypocritical? Vivek signing him because of Sim being Indian or us complaining about it because they both are Indian? Until he takes a roster spot of someone both better and willing to work for "cheap" more power to him.
 
He is 7'5" w/ basketball skills. He has not been signed "just because." Perhaps you missed 7'5". Anyway he will be in DLeague wish the guy luck.
Define "basketball skills", because clearly I think you and I have a difference of opinion on that subject.
 
You guys do realize you're arguing about an end-of-the-bench player, right? I think sometimes Kings fans have become so jaded that they have to find the downside to every single move the front office makes.
 
You guys do realize you're arguing about an end-of-the-bench player, right? I think sometimes Kings fans have become so jaded that they have to find the downside to every single move the front office makes.

This and the Omri thread have been really weird. Some in their act like we signed Omri to a 4yr/20mil deal. I just don't see how him on a vet min. deal for 1 year can be any sort of negative. It might not be a positive, but he's a vet experienced guy at a position we need depth at. Same goes for Sim. We have a real need for size behind Cuz and a back-up C who can play 10 MPG. Probably won't be Sim, but why not take the shot with him and get all the positive PR that goes with signing the first Indian NBA player? Again, no downside.

The only way these moves would be classified as "bad" is if we signed them in lieu of Moreland, who's max potential fills a huge need on the team.
 
You guys do realize you're arguing about an end-of-the-bench player, right? I think sometimes Kings fans have become so jaded that they have to find the downside to every single move the front office makes.
Of course. In my 5 years on here there is no mistaking downsiding everything is the rule. It's taken me awhile to stomach it and all the arrogance that goes with it. But if e didn't have it we would probably lose a good part of the upside views and, of course, all the "fun" of arguing.
 
As someone of Indian descent, I'm happy that the Kings signed him. The fact that he is big, and has some skills doesn't hurt either. However, I do agree that his ethnicity was the major reason for signing him.

That said, I don't see how this is a big issue. Neither will he cost much money, nor keep someone better off the floor (AFAIK). If the team thinks there is some diamond in the rough, who has a chance to contribute down the road, and give his spot to Sim purely for marketing reasons, it's a bad move. Else, the team (and even the NBA) getting additional exposure in a potentially large market is good. If it helps the owners make some money, they might be more willing to spend more down the line to help the team.
 
OK, my two cents. Oh wait, I found a nickel. First, much ado about nothing. Meaning, I'm not going to lose any sleep over the signing. He's going to be the 15th player, and that's if he does indeed make the team. If he does make the roster, he'll in all likelyhood, spend most, if not all of next season with the Reno team. At the moment, or at least at my last sighting, he was nowhere near being in NBA shape. I saw him up close and personal at summer league, and he needs to lose around 60 pounds and get down to at least 300 pounds. He was incapable of running the court. Two or more trips up and down, and he needed an oxygen tank.

He is a very large man, and he does have some skills. His problem is that his movements are very slow, and as a result, predictable. But he has a half hook with either hand, and he can hit the little 15 to 18 footer. I would suggest to him that he not put the ball on the floor. Dribbling isn't his strength. I certainly won't predict he'll make it in the NBA. It's up to him. If he can get into NBA shape, he has a chance. But I wouldn't bet a lot of money on it. As for the PR part. Duh, of course its mostly PR at this point. Let me see, Oh yeah, they're both from India. The bottom line is, its a great opportunity for Sim. I wish him luck, and he's going to need it.

PS. I know that there are some that are a little upset by this signing, but since Vivek forked over 400 plus million for the team, and saved it from going to Seattle, I think we can indulge him his little fantasy of an Indian player on the Kings. Temporary or otherwise.
 
I'm not sure I understand why anyone would have a big problem with signing either Omri or Sim. Both are super cheap. Omri fills a need at backup sf for a min contract. Sim almost definitely won't make the team. But he certainly has nba skills, and by that, I mean, he's 7'5. Work with him a couple years and maybe get a backup center out of it. If not, who really cares? We're likely arguing about the backup center on a d league team.

The nba is a business. If the Sim signing earns some fans in India, he's a super valuable investment that will bring returns well beyond his contract. Throw in he's 7'5 with extremely raw potential, it makes sense, for this team with this owner at this time. But Sim certainly won't be holding anyone else back. If that happens, then be critical.

This is NOTHING like taking jimmer about 15 picks early at 10 and picking up an older player (salmons) with a bigger contract than Beno to play out of position who was clearly washed up (if the FO had paid any attention at all to Salmons time with the bucks they would have known this). Jimmer made more in his first year than Sim will on the entire contract.
 
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via @laurabraden
 
I like this signing. He is a cheap big man project that won't cost us much money and may pay huge dividends if he can lose 40-50 lbs. He already is a big news maker for the kings and the PR dept.

If he can get down to 300-310 lbs I think he will be able to fill in the 10 min per game back up for DMC. I think he was already down to 340 lbs at summer league. He needs to cut out the carbs and work on the cardio. He already has NBA offensive and defensive skills.

This is a classic low risk- huge reward players that the kings FO said they are willing to take. Once the kings are in a position of power, like the Webber-led kings days, I expect them to be more stable with their moves. But for now, they need to swing for the fences.
 
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I'm not sure I understand why anyone would have a big problem with signing either Omri or Sim. Both are super cheap. Omri fills a need at backup sf for a min contract. Sim almost definitely won't make the team. But he certainly has nba skills, and by that, I mean, he's 7'5. Work with him a couple years and maybe get a backup center out of it. If not, who really cares? We're likely arguing about the backup center on a d league team.

The nba is a business. If the Sim signing earns some fans in India, he's a super valuable investment that will bring returns well beyond his contract. Throw in he's 7'5 with extremely raw potential, it makes sense, for this team with this owner at this time. But Sim certainly won't be holding anyone else back. If that happens, then be critical.

This is NOTHING like taking jimmer about 15 picks early at 10 and picking up an older player (salmons) with a bigger contract than Beno to play out of position who was clearly washed up (if the FO had paid any attention at all to Salmons time with the bucks they would have known this). Jimmer made more in his first year than Sim will on the entire contract.

This.

Its easy to make a big deal over the signing because Sim HAPPENS to be the same race as our owner....But honestly, who cares? His chunk of the cap is infinitesimal. This isnt a move that is going to set us back in any way shape or form if it doesnt work out. It probably wont work out. Signing Sim and the Magoofian Jimmer pick are about as similar as Ben McLemore and Kobe Bryant's impact as NBA SGs.

Just compare Sim's deal to Moreland's and you can see that the FO isnt just screwing around when it comes to this low dollar prospect signings.
 
I don't know how you can look at that picture up there and not see why he was signed. I mean, the guy is sorta big. And not completely without skill either. Sure, horribly out of shape. But guess what? I'd sure like to see what happens when he is in shape.
 
Id imagine about the best thing he could do is to start losing as much weight as possible right now with the goal of losing 50 lbs or so in 1 calender year's time. If he runs the floor efficiently and never dribbles the ball he he may see some playing time.
 
OK, my two cents. Oh wait, I found a nickel. First, much ado about nothing. Meaning, I'm not going to lose any sleep over the signing. He's going to be the 15th player, and that's if he does indeed make the team. If he does make the roster, he'll in all likelyhood, spend most, if not all of next season with the Reno team. At the moment, or at least at my last sighting, he was nowhere near being in NBA shape. I saw him up close and personal at summer league, and he needs to lose around 60 pounds and get down to at least 300 pounds. He was incapable of running the court. Two or more trips up and down, and he needed an oxygen tank.

He is a very large man, and he does have some skills. His problem is that his movements are very slow, and as a result, predictable. But he has a half hook with either hand, and he can hit the little 15 to 18 footer. I would suggest to him that he not put the ball on the floor. Dribbling isn't his strength. I certainly won't predict he'll make it in the NBA. It's up to him. If he can get into NBA shape, he has a chance. But I wouldn't bet a lot of money on it. As for the PR part. Duh, of course its mostly PR at this point. Let me see, Oh yeah, they're both from India. The bottom line is, its a great opportunity for Sim. I wish him luck, and he's going to need it.

PS. I know that there are some that are a little upset by this signing, but since Vivek forked over 400 plus million for the team, and saved it from going to Seattle, I think we can indulge him his little fantasy of an Indian player on the Kings. Temporary or otherwise.

And the true beauty of 7'6 is that if he keeps the ball high, there's no one in the NBA who's going to be able to alter the half-hook. And a lot like Yao was able to do, I imagine Sim won't have much trouble establishing position in the low post. Defensively, is the same thing. It doesn't matter that you can't jump when you're 7'6. Just stick the arms up and you're going to alter just about everyone's shot at the rim.

The good news is that getting in shape is the easiest thing for a basketball player to do and learn at the NBA level. Almost every rookie goes through conditioning troubles their rookie season adjusting to the NBA schedule. Sim will have access to some of the best fitness trainers and nutritionists in the world. It's up to him if he wants to get to a playing weight.

For not having a 2nd round pick, I think we made out pretty well with Sim and Moreland as developmental bigs
 
Sim has some fundamental skills. But he is so out of shape thay your can see that he won't be able to make those moves in a real game because he'll be out gas constantly.

He nreds to lose about 30 to 40 before he has a chance to stay in the league.
 
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