Mayor Kevin Johnson and our Rookies

[ReinadelosReys]

Mayor Kevin Johnson and City Council Honor Kings Forward Omri Casspi

SACRAMENTO, CA, April 1, 2010 ---- At City Hall today, Mayor Kevin Johnson and City Council honored Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi for becoming the first Israeli-born player in the NBA.

Johnson also thanked him for his many contributions to Sacramento on and off the court.

“This is a great day for the City of Sacramento and the Jewish community. Omri has represented his country, his culture, and our city well in his first season in the NBA. I look forward to watching his continued successes and contributions to Sacramento for years to come,” Johnson said.

Born in Yavne, Israel, Casspi grew up in Hapoel Holon then moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv and played in his native Israel from 2005-2009. He was drafted in the first round by the Kings with the 23rd pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

“I want to thank Mayor Johnson for his leadership and the City Council for this recognition. I’ve enjoyed my rookie year with the Kings and the warm welcome I've received from the people of this community. I’m proud to represent both Sacramento and Israel every time I step out on the court and I will continue to work hard to make Kings fans proud,” Casspi said.

http://www.nba.com/kings/news/omri_casspi_release_040110.html


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He also met with Tyreke for lunch as part of an NBA initiative to serve as 'Reke's mentor

http://twitter.com/TyrekesTrainer/status/11450854148

 

[PurpleHaze]

Nice mentor to have - I think... Pretty much confirms the mayor is around 6'0-6'1 and Tyreke is around 6'5-6'6

 

[Tetsujin]

Nice mentor to have - I think... Pretty much confirms the mayor is around 6'0-6'1 and Tyreke is around 6'5-6'6

I thought KJ was 6'2"-6'3". Maybe he was wearing platform shoes back in the day.

But yes, KJ was a very good point guard in the 90's and I couldn't really see anything wrong with him giving Reke a few pointers.

 

[MoneyMike916]

I actually saw KJ honoring Omri, I was flipping through channels and all of a sudden I see a highlight reel of Omri and next thing you know he's walking up to the podium and giving a speech.

 

[D13]

I'm def 6-2 and have met KJ eye to eye... Reke has a good 3-4" on him....

 

[Bricklayer]

But yes, KJ was a very good point guard in the 90's and I couldn't really see anything wrong with him giving Reke a few pointers.

Yeah...pretty good.

Like maybe Top 10/15 all time pretty good.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Kevin Johnson was a smallish PG, but he was NBA all-star talented with excellent hops. He was and is listed at 6'1" 190 lbs on his official player page and by his old Phoenix Suns team. At Cal he was also listed at 6'1" but I recall that was "with shoes," so it is fairly clear the mayor of Sacramento is at least 4" shorter than big/tall PG Tyreke Evans - who is officially 6'4" w/o shoes and 6'5.25" w/shoes. Seems Kings are "stretching" it a bit by listing 'Reke at 6'6" - unless he's grown a bit more since draft day

 

[bajaden]

Kevin Johnson was a smallish PG, but he was NBA all-star talented with excellent hops. He was and is listed at 6'1" 190 lbs on his official player page and by his old Phoenix Suns team. At Cal he was also listed at 6'1" but I recall that was "with shoes," so it is fairly clear the mayor of Sacramento is at least 4" shorter than big/tall PG Tyreke Evans - who is officially 6'4" w/o shoes and 6'5.25" w/shoes. Seems Kings are "stretching" it a bit by listing 'Reke at 6'6" - unless he's grown a bit more since draft day

Its possible that he's grown. Ty Lawson grew almost an inch from his first year at the combine to the next when he was drafted. And by the way, I agree with Bricky that Kevin is one of the top 10 to 15 all time point guards. And back when he was drafted, 6'1" or 6'2" wouldn't have been considered smallish, but quite the norm..

 

[Kingsguy881]

KJ was a stud, I remember when he went baseline and dipped on Olajuwon....that was historic. Definitely top 10-15, him, Tim Hardaway, Mark Price and John Stockton were the top pg's of their day. Hard to believe Cleveland had both Price and KJ at the same time....