POLL: Who do you WANT the Kings to pick #4?
- Thread starter ockingsfan
- Start date
I'm going with Thabeet (even though I don't think there's any way he'll be there at #4), because what we really need are a defensive big and a decent PG. There will be decent PGs available at #23 and even #31, but after Thabeet, there's really nothing until you get to the borderline undrafted types. So that forces my vote, despite its near impossibility.
In this order:
Ricky Rubio
Hasheem Thabeet
Brandon Jennings
James Harden
Stephen Curry (although preferably trade down if we're to get him)
Tyreke Evans
The rest aren't worth getting this high, if we are even to get them in the first place--I've spouted so much vitriol about Holiday it's not worth getting into anymore, and Flynn while he's interesting as a TJ Ford of sorts I'm not sure he's all that to trade down for. DeRozan is a bust waiting to happen (we'll see, but...), and we don't need a big so Hill's out of the equation (we drafted Hawes and JT in our last two drafts).
Ricky Rubio
Hasheem Thabeet
Brandon Jennings
James Harden
Stephen Curry (although preferably trade down if we're to get him)
Tyreke Evans
The rest aren't worth getting this high, if we are even to get them in the first place--I've spouted so much vitriol about Holiday it's not worth getting into anymore, and Flynn while he's interesting as a TJ Ford of sorts I'm not sure he's all that to trade down for. DeRozan is a bust waiting to happen (we'll see, but...), and we don't need a big so Hill's out of the equation (we drafted Hawes and JT in our last two drafts).
The offense versus defense dilemma in this draft got me thinking... every year lately I've posted a breakdown of some of our stats, with a focus on defense. But not yet this year, so here we go...
Offensive stats:
points made: 12th
FG%: 25th
3-point %: 14th
FT %: 6th
assists: 27th
So, for offense, we need to work on the 2-point % for sure, and we desperately need a pass-first PG, but everything else is above average. Scoring isn't a big problem area.
Now for stats that're both defensive and offensive. Once you add in D, it turns to utter rubbish:
rebounds: 29th
point differential: 29th
rebounding differential: 29th
blocking differential: 26th
steal differential: 30th
FG % differential: 30th
3-point % differential: 30th
And the purely defensive:
steals: 23rd
blocks: 24th
points allowed: 29th
FG % allowed: 30th
3-point % allowed: 30th
Offensive stats:
points made: 12th
FG%: 25th
3-point %: 14th
FT %: 6th
assists: 27th
So, for offense, we need to work on the 2-point % for sure, and we desperately need a pass-first PG, but everything else is above average. Scoring isn't a big problem area.
Now for stats that're both defensive and offensive. Once you add in D, it turns to utter rubbish:
rebounds: 29th
point differential: 29th
rebounding differential: 29th
blocking differential: 26th
steal differential: 30th
FG % differential: 30th
3-point % differential: 30th
And the purely defensive:
steals: 23rd
blocks: 24th
points allowed: 29th
FG % allowed: 30th
3-point % allowed: 30th
I put Flynn...
..I'm kinda going the safe pick route on the assumption that we'll get another chance at a home run next year in a much stronger draft. Rubio has the higher ceiling though. I kinda view it like Flynn has a better chance to reach his potential as a 16/8 guy then Rubio of reaching his potential as a 16/12 guy.
That being said, I think I'd be happy with anyone not named Jennings (questions on his 'tude and brainpower) or Curry (good prospect, but I still got the combo guard yips from the Douby fiasco).
..I'm kinda going the safe pick route on the assumption that we'll get another chance at a home run next year in a much stronger draft. Rubio has the higher ceiling though. I kinda view it like Flynn has a better chance to reach his potential as a 16/8 guy then Rubio of reaching his potential as a 16/12 guy.
That being said, I think I'd be happy with anyone not named Jennings (questions on his 'tude and brainpower) or Curry (good prospect, but I still got the combo guard yips from the Douby fiasco).
Rubio, this is a time and situation to swing for the fences. Rubio is one of the few players in this draft with star potential. He definitely has bust potential as well, but there's enough uncertainty with the other players that this is the year to roll the dice a bit. We shouldn't be looking to score a role player with the #4 pick in the draft.
Defense wins championships, so I have to go with Hasheem Thabeet.
But I'll be happy too if we get a phenomenal kid like Rubio who's going to be fun to watch, or the likes of Tyreke Evans and James Harden who might be the next Dwane Wade, so we could have some hope and chance to upgrade our one-dimensional shooting guard Kevin Martin.
But I'll be happy too if we get a phenomenal kid like Rubio who's going to be fun to watch, or the likes of Tyreke Evans and James Harden who might be the next Dwane Wade, so we could have some hope and chance to upgrade our one-dimensional shooting guard Kevin Martin.
In an ideal world, I would love for Rubio to slip and be picke dup by us at 4. I still think this is unlikely.
I would love to see the following outcome
Pick 4: Ricky Rubio
Pick 23: Omri Casspi / Darren Collison
Pick 31: Slava Kravtsov - His sheer size, athletic ability and shot blocking ability should see us be at least a bit interested.
I would love to see the following outcome
Pick 4: Ricky Rubio
Pick 23: Omri Casspi / Darren Collison
Pick 31: Slava Kravtsov - His sheer size, athletic ability and shot blocking ability should see us be at least a bit interested.
It is quite simple, really... KINGS draft...
A) If Rubio is there - you take him at #4
B) If Rubio is not there, but Thabeet is, you take Thabeet. That still leaves you with a need at PG and SF, but there are more than enough PGs in the draft. At least by drafting Thabeet, you finally have your much needed big man. Look to take Lawson, Collison, etc. at #23.
C) If Rubio and Thabeet are NOT there - you take Evans. Evans, imo, merits a #4 pick and is less of a gamble than Flynn. There is nothing I want more than a PG that can score, has size, and can guard other big guards. I like Flynn, but let's face it, he is NOT a #4 pick.
D) If the Kings LOVE Flynn so much and need him, then look to trade down with the #6-10 spot teams. Ideally, I would love to swap the #4 and #23 to Minny for the #6 and #18.
With the 2 other picks, I want a SF and some toughness. Sam Young looks good with the 2nd pick. Then I am thinking Petrie uses his Euro skills to draft a tall sharpshooting SF for the 3rd pick.
A) If Rubio is there - you take him at #4
B) If Rubio is not there, but Thabeet is, you take Thabeet. That still leaves you with a need at PG and SF, but there are more than enough PGs in the draft. At least by drafting Thabeet, you finally have your much needed big man. Look to take Lawson, Collison, etc. at #23.
C) If Rubio and Thabeet are NOT there - you take Evans. Evans, imo, merits a #4 pick and is less of a gamble than Flynn. There is nothing I want more than a PG that can score, has size, and can guard other big guards. I like Flynn, but let's face it, he is NOT a #4 pick.
D) If the Kings LOVE Flynn so much and need him, then look to trade down with the #6-10 spot teams. Ideally, I would love to swap the #4 and #23 to Minny for the #6 and #18.
With the 2 other picks, I want a SF and some toughness. Sam Young looks good with the 2nd pick. Then I am thinking Petrie uses his Euro skills to draft a tall sharpshooting SF for the 3rd pick.
Ok, as true as that is... the Kings have a LONNNNNNG way to go before they start thinking about making a championship run. The Kings need a strong combination of a go-- GREAT draft pick and good trades to get a championship caliber defense, the offense will fall in, especially if Rubio is picked up, but there needs to be a defensive veteran.