I think that when one considers Vlade's impact as GM around these parts, that atrocious Philly trade remains his defining moment, because we're still haunted by it.
Last draft the pick swap cost us Tatum, who we were apparently high on. Tatum is a far better player than Fox now, and has just as much upside (if not more). Next draft, when Philly gets our pick outright, who knows who we'll miss out on.
As mentioned, he also bungled the Cuz trade.
But despite it all, we still aren't in a terrible place for this rebuild.
Vlade has gotten us a good young core, and I like the cap flexibility. If one of Fox or Giles breaks out as a star, we'll already have an awesome supporting cast around them. Picking 7 isn't as sexy as picking top 3, but this draft has a pretty deep and interchangeable tier of players from 4-10, so it's not all bad.
Next season is make or break for Vlade. If the kids improve and we make some strides towards the playoffs, he's a hero. If we are still around 30 wins, he could very likely be fired.
***(I can't be sure what actual say that Vivek has...though I suspect allot and furthermore, I would bet that he and Matina have to approve everything Vlade does)
Last paragraph absolutely untrue. Next years win total will gloss over the real truth. The kings have no reason to tank next year, since we unbelievable gave up next year's number 1. So we will not play the TANK. Instead, we will play ZBO and others, while others do the tank, not for our future but to show us as an up and comer and win as many as we possibly can. This will be to try to vindicate the Coach, ownership, Vlade and his selections. So say we win 34, similar to George Karl and they attempt to re-sell to those season ticket holders who are stuck on existing 3 year contracts. But are we truly any more likely to compete against the upper eshcelon of the NBA. Please remember, with Karl, they sat Boogie, and Rondo, and Rudy for rest so the final record doesn't actually reflect the truthful power ranking win total. However, for next year no reason too, so they will try to win as much as possible, get season ticket holders to renew 3 year club seats. Thus, no need for rest days next year.
PETRIE, WHEN HE WAS ALLOWED THE MONEY, TURNED IT AROUND IN ONE OFF SEASON.
Valde tired to make a team with Rondo, , boogie, bellinelli, koufos. and Rudy. I watched him talking to Vivek. He was diagraming what we needed and what would get us into the playoff picture right away. He failed. Why hire someone with 0 NBA gm experience?
Oh, that's right he can communicate with the players and get along with boogie up until he traded him. Get a grip fellas.
yesterday, I ran into a season ticket holder that I knew from the old, old arena. He told me...that if he has to hear "Rebuild" one more time, that's it. He has old 50% of his tickets last year to one and now selling out part of the remaining piece. I too am tired of the paint on the pig here. Look at the win totals years after year. Tell me when the last time we were even a playoff team. Tell me how Vlade gets us into the top 4 in the NBA. All else, is marketing hype, and drinking the Kool-Aid.
So I go back to my original question.
Is 27 wins fun to watch?