I guess I don't understand hating on a young player, especially if that young player was taken/drafted over a guy you really wanted.
Perhaps if the guy we missed out on was family or something, I could see it poison the waters, but beyond that...I just don't get it.
Having watched a ton of college basketball I can say I'm definitely irritated with the Bobcats because they got my two favorite players in the draft (MKG & Taylor) for this Kings team. You all know that I was really down on Henson due to his weight/size/bulk issues and felt he'd never be able to compete heavy minutes at the PF position.
With that being said, if we were sitting at the 5th spot with both MKG and Robinson on the board, and we choose to trade down to pick up Henson + pieces, I'd be rooting for Henson to succeed, because his success should make the Kings better.
And I'm a fan of the team way before being a fan of any one player.
It's the same thing, but the reverse with IT. I'm thrilled that he had so much success last year.
The Kings got tremendous value out of the 60th pick due to how well IT played, which is a great thing for the team.
I don't believe he's a long-term solution at PG, and I don't believe he's more of a cornerstone guard when compared to Tyreke, but that doesn't mean that I'm a hater.
IT gives the Kings more flexibility due to his success, so there isn't any downside to his good play.
Like every piece on a team, it's up to the Coach to find the best combinations and up to the FO to bring in better fitting pieces if there isn't enough balance on the team, but there never is a down-side when you have a player come in and play above expectations.
If Salmons had come in and played anywhere close to his 1st-Kings-stint level, we would have been a much better team last year. I don't understand the mentality of having a player out on the court and hoping that they won't succeed.