My favorite King is

[Warhawk]

Flexibility is the keyword. And I am sure glad Westphall is still mentally young he has not lost his flexibility in doing things/thinking. It is not the conventional way that always work, if you know what I mean.

It is not a bad thing to do on a young team, especially we don't have that much choice yet at the center position. This is a young team and as much as possible it is better if we can now find out if our kids can play ( or actually play better ) playing out of their "supposedly" natural position.

Flexibility doesn't do squat when you are trying to start a 4 at the 5 position against real centers. I don't want to turn this into a Nellieball team. In rare instances this might work OK against teams that are thin up front (like us!). In the real world, most of the time, it is a recipie for disaster.

 

[Löwenherz]

I haven't been able to answer this question without reservations really since DC was traded.

... that is until Evans came along.

 

[DocHolliday]

Flexibility doesn't do squat when you are trying to start a 4 at the 5 position against real centers. I don't want to turn this into a Nellieball team. In rare instances this might work OK against teams that are thin up front (like us!). In the real world, most of the time, it is a recipie for disaster.

However the Lakers won a championship with Magic Johnson...Center. It happens.

 

[stevetaebo]

Why wasn't John Brockman an option?

co-signed

 

[Prince_XY]

co-signed

I think the OP knows that Brockman will easily top the poll hands down. We don't have to include the guy who is clearly the fan's favorite right at the very beginning.

Seriously, have you heard anything bad talked about how Brockman play?

Mr. Peaches is the darling of a crowd!

 

[Warhawk]

However the Lakers won a championship with Magic Johnson...Center. It happens.

I included "rare instances" which I think covers Magic. JT isn't Magic, and Magic didn't play center on anything remotely close to a regular basis, did he?

 

[fnordius]

However the Lakers won a championship with Magic Johnson...Center. It happens.

I think that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would disagree, since he was on the roster with Magic every year that Magic got a ring (there was also AC Green for most of those titles, and a number of other backup Cs). Magic did fill in at PF sometimes in the last year or two of his career, but for a guy listed at 6'8" or 6'9" and 255 lbs, that wasn't really a stretch, and they didn't win any titles doing it.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

Hawes. He has shown the ability to block shots, go off for rebounding explosions, hit threes by the bushel, and he sports moves around the paint. Everything you want out of a big man.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Since it was multiple choice I voted for Tyreke, JT, Donte and Omri. These are the guys I will pay to see. I'd probably have thrown Brockman a vote too had he been a choice.

 

[Warhawk]

I think that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would disagree, since he was on the roster with Magic every year that Magic got a ring (there was also AC Green for most of those titles, and a number of other backup Cs). Magic did fill in at PF sometimes in the last year or two of his career, but for a guy listed at 6'8" or 6'9" and 255 lbs, that wasn't really a stretch, and they didn't win any titles doing it.

Well, according to wiki on the 1980 finals:

The 1980 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1979-80 NBA season.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the league's MVP. But in a Game 5 victory, the Laker center suffered a severely sprained ankle. Proud to lead the best-of-seven series three-games-to-two, the Lakers still had to travel to Philadelphia for a huge Game 6 -- without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
In game 6, Magic Johnson may have played the greatest game of his career. On May 16, 1980, in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, playing on the road, in Philadelphia, Magic (a 6'9" point guard) started the game at center and eventually played every position on the floor in a dominating performance. Scoring a game-high 42 points and grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds -- and handing out 7 assists -- Magic Johnson led the Lakers to the NBA crown.
Magic Johnson was named the 1980 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, though he appreciated Magic Johnson's play as much as anyone, expressed disappointment that he, Kareem, had not received the Finals MVP award.
What made Magic Johnson's performance even more remarkable was that he was an NBA rookie -- and, indeed, one who had left college after only two years. Thus, he was only 20 years old.

 

[BMiller52]

Jason Thompson.

 

[fnordius]

Well, according to wiki on the 1980 finals:

Point taken. I missed most of the '80 playoffs, so had forgotten about that.

I guess that most of us are okay with the idea of playing a guy out of position once every 11 years, especially when you have no choice, are one game away from a championship, and the guy you're subbing in is one of the greatest HOFers who will ever play the game.

 

[DocHolliday]

I think that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would disagree, since he was on the roster with Magic every year that Magic got a ring (there was also AC Green for most of those titles, and a number of other backup Cs). Magic did fill in at PF sometimes in the last year or two of his career, but for a guy listed at 6'8" or 6'9" and 255 lbs, that wasn't really a stretch, and they didn't win any titles doing it.

Kareem was on the roster but I beleive injured possibly. If I remember correctly it was Magic's rookie year? I was young, but following basketball then, so my memory is hazy, but I do know he played center in the finals, and I think it was his rookie year.

 

[DocHolliday]

I think that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would disagree, since he was on the roster with Magic every year that Magic got a ring (there was also AC Green for most of those titles, and a number of other backup Cs). Magic did fill in at PF sometimes in the last year or two of his career, but for a guy listed at 6'8" or 6'9" and 255 lbs, that wasn't really a stretch, and they didn't win any titles doing it.

And here is the proof:

http://www.nba.com/history/players/johnsonm_bio.html

In the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, Johnson's performance in the series-clinching sixth game was the stuff of legend. Abdul-Jabbar was sidelined with a badly sprained ankle sustained during his 40-point effort in Game 5. Up 3-2, the Lakers could wrap things up on the 76ers' home court. Enter Johnson, the 20-year-old rookie. Assuming Abdul-Jabbar's position at center, Johnson sky-hooked and rebounded the Lakers to victory with 42 points, 15 boards, seven assists and three steals. He even jumped for the opening tap. Johnson became the first rookie ever to win the Finals MVP Award. The stunning effort exemplified his uncanny ability to do whatever the Lakers needed in order to win.

 

[fnordius]

Kareem was on the roster but I beleive injured possibly.

Warhawk already scooped you WRT the one game Magic played at C in 1980, see the previous page.

Whether a great HOFer playing one game out of position justifies playing JT out of position indefinitely I still see as another matter, though. The British survived the Battle of Rorke's Drift outnumbered by at least 30 to 1, but that doesn't mean that being severely outnumbered is a good long-term strategic policy to adopt.

 

[modestodave]

I voted Tyreke, Donte, and Sergio.

Tyreke- Superstar in making. He has "it" (stardom) written all over him. Will have some growing pains but well worh it in 3yrs.


Donte- Tall, athletic, tallented, and has potential to be better than average defender,(something we sorely need on this team).

Sergio- young, energetic, as long as he plays within himself he provides us with our only true PG on the team. Until all the roles on this team are established we will need him to continue playing at current level of play he has displayed in last few games

 

[Larry89]

wow I didnt even know there were enough members on the board for that many votes

 

[Reggie Theus]

I had to go with my guy, Francisco Garcia...just for old-time's sake.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

wow I didnt even know there were enough members on the board for that many votes

1. It's a multiple choice poll.

2. You didn't know there were a hundred and thirty-two members on this board? We've got way more than that; a lot of them lurk, and some have even left, but hell, we had more than that many registered members logged on during the season opener. IIRC, we had over two hundred registered members online during the draft.

 

[Widowmaker2k]

Hard to chose.

Tyreke: Could be 'it', as other posters have intimated. 16 games into his rookie seasons, teams are planning their entire defensive scheme around containing him (NO), and doing so opens up shots for our perimeter guys. His perceived lack of jumping ability is a slight concern, but I think that's been overstated. Just look at how high he got up when he accidentally kicked Beno in the head (felt bad for Udrih, who's about my size...I can't imagine being kicked in the head by a 6'6 220+ lb guy, especially with my family watching).

Omri: I love the fact that the first player from Israel, a country with a reputation of being tough as nails, is in fact himself tough as nails. He also does some of those things that Euros (he's not) seem to be good at (shooting, passing). Seems to have swagger. I think he'll be a valuable piece for this team going forward.

Donte: Off the charts potential. Has more physical talent than 95% of the players in this league. Now that he's actually showing signs that he 'gets it' (which I was afraid he never would), I really want him to get more minutes so that we can see what he can do. If he were to get starter minutes, I think that he could very well get the occasional 5X5. Besides Tyreke, has the biggest chance of becoming a real star. The last time we had a player of his type was Gerald Wallace, except Wallace didn't have half the offensive potential Donte does (better defender, however).

Hawes: I'll get flack for this, but I still have a lot of hope for him. I didn't like the pick initially, but he's grown on me. When he goes to work down low, and actually uses those fancy post moves of his, it's a thing of beauty. Has actually shown some flashes on defense (shot blocking, at least), and I'd love to see him embrace that side of his game. It's also important to note that he is not Brad Miller 2.0, even if he thinks he should be, Hawes actually is decently athletic for a guy his size.

Thompson: If you can't have a star or a defensive beast at the PF spot, JT is the next best thing. He hustles, rebounds very well, and scores decently. He's also an excellent passer and shows signs of a developing post game, as well as a mid range J. Has solid athleticism, and above average size for the position in the modern NBA. Great attitude as well. Needs to work on those fouls, however.

Hey, it was a multiple choice poll, afterall .

 

[VF21]

Hard to chose.

Tyreke: Could be 'it', as other posters have intimated. 16 games into his rookie seasons, teams are planning their entire defensive scheme around containing him (NO), and doing so opens up shots for our perimeter guys. His perceived lack of jumping ability is a slight concern, but I think that's been overstated. Just look at how high he got up when he accidentally kicked Beno in the head (felt bad for Udrih, who's about my size...I can't imagine being kicked in the head by a 6'6 220+ lb guy, especially with my family watching).

Omri: I love the fact that the first player from Israel, a country with a reputation of being tough as nails, is in fact himself tough as nails. He also does some of those things that Euros (he's not) seem to be good at (shooting, passing). Seems to have swagger. I think he'll be a valuable piece for this team going forward.

Donte: Off the charts potential. Has more physical talent than 95% of the players in this league. Now that he's actually showing signs that he 'gets it' (which I was afraid he never would), I really want him to get more minutes so that we can see what he can do. If he were to get starter minutes, I think that he could very well get the occasional 5X5. Besides Tyreke, has the biggest chance of becoming a real star. The last time we had a player of his type was Gerald Wallace, except Wallace didn't have half the offensive potential Donte does (better defender, however).

Hawes: I'll get flack for this, but I still have a lot of hope for him. I didn't like the pick initially, but he's grown on me. When he goes to work down low, and actually uses those fancy post moves of his, it's a thing of beauty. Has actually shown some flashes on defense (shot blocking, at least), and I'd love to see him embrace that side of his game. It's also important to note that he is not Brad Miller 2.0, even if he thinks he should be, Hawes actually is decently athletic for a guy his size.

Thompson: If you can't have a star or a defensive beast at the PF spot, JT is the next best thing. He hustles, rebounds very well, and scores decently. He's also an excellent passer and shows signs of a developing post game, as well as a mid range J. Has solid athleticism, and above average size for the position in the modern NBA. Great attitude as well. Needs to work on those fouls, however.

Hey, it was a multiple choice poll, afterall .

I was reading your post, and nodding along in agreement...right until the end.

Jason has a real problem attitude-wise about the officials. He needs to learn NOW that pouting, arguing, making facial grimaces, shoulder shrugs, or bug-eyed stares is not going to get him the respect he'll need to continue in this league. He has potential and he has talent, but he also has a lot of trouble accepting the whistle. Does he get picked on? Maybe occasionally. But he also draws a lot of his own fouls because he's sloppy. He drives me nuts when he gets inside, puts his arms up and then either leans over or slides his feet. He's never going to escape getting whistled when he does those kinds of things.

 

[gunks]

I honestly dig our entire roster (sans May), but it wasnt even a tough choice..


Had to go with Reke. He's our ticket to being relevant.


For all his blown layups and whining at refs, I'm a huge JT fan. He gets second favorite. Its nice to have a rebounder on the Kings again.

 

[Widowmaker2k]

I was reading your post, and nodding along in agreement...right until the end.

Jason has a real problem attitude-wise about the officials. He needs to learn NOW that pouting, arguing, making facial grimaces, shoulder shrugs, or bug-eyed stares is not going to get him the respect he'll need to continue in this league. He has potential and he has talent, but he also has a lot of trouble accepting the whistle. Does he get picked on? Maybe occasionally. But he also draws a lot of his own fouls because he's sloppy. He drives me nuts when he gets inside, puts his arms up and then either leans over or slides his feet. He's never going to escape getting whistled when he does those kinds of things.

Actually, I'll concede that. By "great attitude", I meant that he seems to be okay playing his role, and is a hard worker. For whatever reason, I completely forgot about his ref complaining issues (bitter Brad face). He absolutely needs to stop doing that. I like that he doesn't give up on defense, but when he gets called for the foul, he needs to suck it up. I'd be pissed too...some of those fouls are almost certainly related to his reputation of being foul prone, but he really needs to just accept it for what it is, and try to make good with the refs.

 

[FromIsrael]

I might be little bit subjective, but as a Kingfan... i can say for sure, casspi is my favourite... his excitment after every shoot, the way he changed hes game in 3 months.. is amazing too..
casspi is the Best

Evans though..