Pacific Division Report Card

[Warhawk]

By Marty Burns

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/marty_burns/08/31/pacific.reportcard/1.html

Sacramento Kings

What Went Right:
• They locked up Kevin Martin.
In a move for the long-term future, the Kings signed the popular shooting guard to a five-year extension worth a reported $50 million. Martin, a fourth-year pro, was one of Sacramento's few bright spots a year ago, as he averaged a team-leading 20.2 points on 47.3 percent shooting to go with 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. The Kings wanted to get K-Mart locked up so they wouldn't have to worry about him leaving as a free agent next summer.
• They signed Mikki Moore.
Hoping to improve on his team's dismal rebounding and shot-blocking, GM Geoff Petrie signed the 7-foot journeyman center to a three-year $18 million free agent deal. Moore, 31, averaged a career-high 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 26 minutes a year ago for the Nets, while leading the NBA in field goal percentage (60.9). His length, athleticism and ability to run the floor should provide some dimensions they lack with reigning starting center Brad Miller.
• Ron Artest stayed out of trouble.
It might not seem like a big deal, but Artest was on his best behavior this summer. The mercurial guard spent part of it touring Africa with fellow NBA players, where he impressed observers with his maturity and concern. The Kings hope it's a sign that Artest has put his difficulties behind him and that he's ready for a season without controversy.
What Went Wrong:
• They got played by Stan the Man.
While charismatic Reggie Theus might turn out to be a fine coach, he was not the Kings' first choice. Stan Van Gundy appeared to be the front-runner before he abruptly changed direction and signed with the Magic instead. Van Gundy's U-turn left the Kings scrambling. Sacramento can only hope Theus, who has no previous NBA coaching experience, can learn fast on the job.
• They failed to clear out dead weight
After last year's dismal campaign, one could argue the Kings needed to make a major shakeup. While their roster features some big NBA names in Mike Bibby, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Brad Miller and Kenny Thomas, those veterans just did not play up to their abilities in '06-'07. Petrie no doubt would have liked to move one or more for the right player(s) in return, but it didn't happen.
Grade: C
Locking up Martin was a good move, but it doesn't address their concerns for this season. They better hope Theus can inspire those vets.

 

[beb0p]

• They signed Mikki Moore.
Hoping to improve on his team's dismal rebounding and shot-blocking, GM Geoff Petrie signed the 7-foot journeyman center to a three-year $18 million free agent deal. Moore, 31, averaged a career-high 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 26 minutes a year ago for the Nets, while leading the NBA in field goal percentage (60.9). His length, athleticism and ability to run the floor should provide some dimensions they lack with reigning starting center Brad Miller.

I would put the Mikki Moore signing under "What Went Wrong." But I hope Marty Burn's right

 

[BMiller52]

I would put the Mikki Moore signing under "What Went Wrong." But I hope Marty Burn's right

He fits with what Reggie wants to supposedly do though. Mikki might not be a great player but he can run the floor well and he brings a lot of athleticism and height(which he doesn't use as well as he could but that's another story).

 

[macadocious]

Ummmmmmm.

How did we get a "C"? If you reamain average you get an average grade? We have done nothing to get higher that a D- at best. The only bright spot is that we resigned Martin, albeit for too much $$ IMO.

 

[HndsmCelt]

One of the problems here is Marty's vision is ALLWAYS focused on the immediate season ahead. The word "rebuild" has no real meaning to to him and therefor no value. He sees a Kings roster that underperformed last season, with some new big men where we were lacking last year and thinks... "not bad." So to him spending the MLE on MM was a good move.

 

[RunNGun]

Ummmmmmm.

How did we get a "C"? If you reamain average you get an average grade? We have done nothing to get higher that a D- at best. The only bright spot is that we resigned Martin, albeit for too much $$ IMO.

You say over pay now. But imagine if Martin averages 25 ppg next year (which he can) and then his contract expires. Then its good bye future or an even higher contract.

 

[SacTownKid]

With Mikki I am just happy to have somebody that can score without having to hog the ball! He will shoot set jumpers when open, and play the pick and roll. Plus he seems like a great energy guy!!! I am actually quite happy we signed him. I just hope 2 of the 3 other PF's we have don't get in the way of what I think is a pretty good young and vet group of Miller, Hawes, Moore, and Williams.

 

[Entity]

Ummmmmmm.

How did we get a "C"? If you reamain average you get an average grade? We have done nothing to get higher that a D- at best. The only bright spot is that we resigned Martin, albeit for too much $$ IMO.

I don't look at us getting Martin for 5 years 55 mil after this season I look at is as reward for last year and a freebie this year. The best way to look at it is that we got him last year for 7 years 58 mil. then it looks like a steal. Which it may well be a steal any way. Anyway nobody gets paid for what they are going to do in the league. Martin got paid for what he did last year and if he continues the SAME it is worth it. If he gets BETTER then hot damn.

 

[rhythmless]

Ummmmmmm.

How did we get a "C"? If you reamain average you get an average grade? We have done nothing to get higher that a D- at best. The only bright spot is that we resigned Martin, albeit for too much $$ IMO.

this is based on grades, and is subjective at best. but how would it be a D- "at best?" a C is "average" and on a curve, it means that there were about hafl who did better, and a half who did worse. giving a D- would imply that we did worse than 80 percent of the league.

another way you could do it would be how next season compares to last season. a C implies not doing better, or worse. i see this as genuinely plausible. we did not get better (in comparison to the league) and we did not get worse. were still lookin at the 30-35 win season. how does that turn into a D-?

i know were all frustrated at the lack of big moves, but that doesnt mean that anything short of a 5 team, 13 player trade is a D- grade.

 

[CruzDude]

The "C" sounds about right with the "dead weight" dragging down anything higher..... for now. If Brad suprises this year and Shakur can run and distribute and score when needed and Mikki adds defense and we can get rid of 1/2 to 3/4 of the dead weight, then they have a chance to be a spoiler this year, maybe even tease for the 8th spot.

 

[dude12]

The "C" sounds about right with the "dead weight" dragging down anything higher..... for now. If Brad suprises this year and Shakur can run and distribute and score when needed and Mikki adds defense and we can get rid of 1/2 to 3/4 of the dead weight, then they have a chance to be a spoiler this year, maybe even tease for the 8th spot.

No disrespect but I just don't understand the Shakur comment.

 

[BMiller52]

No disrespect but I just don't understand the Shakur comment.

Even though dude was undrafted he's the only PG on the roster with potential to become a pass 1st PG that plays defense. He's big and athletic enough to do that IMO and he's a really nice passer. I know he was undrafted but that was in a loaded draft, btw the year before he was thought of as a 1st round pick on mock drafts at the beginning of the college season.

I'm guessing that's what he was talking about anyway. If Shakur can contribute a couple dimes and defense in the minutes Mike doesn't play than that'd help a lot.

 

[macadocious]

I don't look at us getting Martin for 5 years 55 mil after this season I look at is as reward for last year and a freebie this year. The best way to look at it is that we got him last year for 7 years 58 mil. then it looks like a steal. Which it may well be a steal any way. Anyway nobody gets paid for what they are going to do in the league. Martin got paid for what he did last year and if he continues the SAME it is worth it. If he gets BETTER then hot damn.

I like that reasoning...it makes me feel better about, although changes nothing

 

[macadocious]

this is based on grades, and is subjective at best. but how would it be a D- "at best?" a C is "average" and on a curve, it means that there were about hafl who did better, and a half who did worse. giving a D- would imply that we did worse than 80 percent of the league.

another way you could do it would be how next season compares to last season. a C implies not doing better, or worse. i see this as genuinely plausible. we did not get better (in comparison to the league) and we did not get worse. were still lookin at the 30-35 win season. how does that turn into a D-?

i know were all frustrated at the lack of big moves, but that doesnt mean that anything short of a 5 team, 13 player trade is a D- grade.

You lost me abouut half way through, if you were a teached I bet you would have one of those confusing curves where you threw out the top 2 the bottom 4, average the middle six, took the mean of the top 20% percentile then discounted evryones grade by 6% and multipled it by an unkown factor.

 

[rhythmless]

You lost me abouut half way through, if you were a teached I bet you would have one of those confusing curves where you threw out the top 2 the bottom 4, average the middle six, took the mean of the top 20% percentile then discounted evryones grade by 6% and multipled it by an unkown factor.

lol. the only quantitative measures i mentioned were half, and 80 percent and youre lost. teacher? yeah, id probably take the mean, set taht as the B-/C+, and go off standard deviations from there. too complex for you? the point is, that you cant just throw out a D- without proper reasoning. the kings did not get WORSE. giving the proliferation of all teams in summer, the kings did not get better either. that in itself would garner a C grade.