Poll: who will the Kings draft at #23?

[Andriod_KiNg]

Andray Blatche , a higher schooler but he is a 7 footer and has KG like potential. The one real knock on him is he thinks he can hit all the jump shots KG make... he could make a difference.

 

[4cwebb]

You're missing my point.

I DON'T CARE! I thought I made it clear by saying I didn't look at names, schools, etc. but simply looked for the tallest player.

I guess I should have made it clearer: We're drafting in the 23rd position. We aren't going to get a premiere player. We're going to get a player probably with potential and that's about all we can hope for. Since we're in desperate need of legitimate big men I would as soon go for the tallest guy around.

If he's shorter, then we pick someone else. (UNLESS the person is straight out of high school. Anyone left at 23 wouldn't be the next Kevin Garnett.)

We certainly won't get the next KG, but there's a decent chance the Kings could land the next Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli or Josh Howard at the #23 (or someone who could make a similar impact for the Kings at SG or PF), as each of those players was taken after pick #21 in their respective draft, I think.

As for those listed above, Simien's penchant for getting injured is troublesome, May's lack of size and athleticism is troublesome, and CV's youth and inexperience is troublesome. Doesn't appear that any of those players are diamonds in the rough, but if any of them were, I'd have to guess it is May. If he loses a little bit of weight, he could be another Elton Brand type player, especially if he's willing to give the effort Brand gives.

 

[Spanish-Kings-Lover]

Hello, I'm a Spanish KingFan and i have seen that someone's vote Rudy. Oh , here in Spain people has no faith on him because he is so weak to go to the NBA (about phisical of course), but in the other aspects,hi is a good ballhander and has good tecnical.

I've chosen CHarlie Villanueva, I like him a lot , and Warrick too.

 

[twocents]

Well, how about that Turkish kid, he's like 6-9/210 and shoots the lights out, Petrie loves the Euros, as we all know, and remember Hedo. My vote is for 'OTHER'.*L*

the problem with that is hidayet was already a well-known player in europe; probably the best player in the turkish team even back then. i don't know this ersan guy. that would be a huuuge gamble.

 

[tetsuo916]

I'd love to get Villanueva too, but it sounds like he'll be gone in the top 15 picks as teams are starting to get more and more interested in him. On the flip side there's Chris Taft. Scouts were saying he'd be a top 5 pick all year but in the past few weeks his stock has fallen like a rock because they question his heart (although they still cant deny his talent). I'd personally love to take a risk on him at 23 if he's still on the board (some critics seem to think we might be so lucky).

I think we can get him motivated... we've done a great job with head cases in the past, and I'd love to get someone with a talent like this. =P


Chris Taft
Power Forward (Rank: #8) | 6-10, 250 | Age: 20
Pittsburgh (Brooklyn, NY)

Draft Projection: Late lottery to late first round

Notes: Started the season as a consensus top-three pick, but played indifferently for most of the year. Some blame it on Pittsburgh's offense -- and point guard Carl Krauser, in particular. Others believe that Taft got a dose of "NBA-itus". He has hired Ben Gordon's agent, Billy Ceisler.

Positives: Taft has the rare combination of size, athleticism, strength and power that NBA scouts covet in a good power forward. And unlike many players who possess those abilities, Taft prefers to score with his back to the basket. His footwork is sound, he's patient in the paint and always is working for a good shot.

Negatives: He struggled this season. "He just looks like he's going through the motions," one NBA scout said. "Last year he had something to prove. This year, he seems like he's just trying not to get hurt." Another scout said that he's concerned that Taft has put on some bad weight, which might be hurting his athleticism and explosiveness. Scouts wish he was more assertive and question his motor. After a recent workout in Toronto, GM Rob Babcock wondered aloud about his heart.

"That's the toughest thing to measure," Babcock, told the Globe and Mail after the Taft workout. "Even the mind's easier to measure than the heart. It's difficult. It's very difficult." "I think Chris is still very raw and he would certainly be better served . . . by going back to school. He has a tremendous amount of potential, there's no doubt. But there's a lot of guys with a great amount of potential. It's what you can do with that and whether you can develop that, that's the key."

Summary: There's a dearth of athletic big men in college basketball. When one comes along, very few teams are willing to pass him up. A strong performance in the first round of the tournament (13 pts, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks) helped his stock but so far he's struggled in workouts to the point that he's slipping big time on most draft boards.

 

[tetsuo916]

23. SACRAMENTO KINGS
[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Chris Taft
[/font]

PITTSBURGH | SOPHOMORE | POWER FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-10 | WEIGHT: 250 | AGE: 20 Taft has the size and strength of a lottery pick and the heart of an NBDL player. He has the physical tools to replace Chris Webber on the Kings' front line. But will Rick Adelman, or whoever is coaching the Kings, ever be able to motivate him?

 

[hrdboild]

I keep hearng how is stock is falling, but I feel like somebody is going to take a chance on him. I doubt his stock has really fallen as far as #23. He's got more "upside" than any other PF in the draft.

 

[AleksandarN]

Here I thought you guys might be interested in the combine results on our draft hopefuls


Chicago Predraft Combine Results

The combine measures four key areas: strength (bench press repetitions of 185 pounds), vertical jump, lane agility (how fast a player moves laterally around the key), and speed (¾-court sprint). Then the league adds those up and gives an athletic ranking to each player in the draft.




Charlie Villanueva 11(Bench press ) 31"(Vertical jump ) 10.86(Lane Agility ) 3.3(¾-court sprint ) 42(Overall rank )

Rudy Fernandez 0(Bench press ) 35½"(Vertical jump ) 10.48(Lane Agility ) 3.33(¾-court sprint ) 56 (Overall rank )

Sean May 12(Bench press ) 33"(Vertical jump ) 11.04(Lane Agility ) 3.29(¾-court sprint ) 27 (Overall rank )

Hakim Warrick 11(Bench press ) 38"(Vertical jump ) N/A(Lane Agility ) 3.22(¾-court sprint ) 61 (Overall rank )

Wayne Simien 11(Bench press ) 27½"(Vertical jump ) 11.05(Lane Agility ) 3.35(¾-court sprint ) 49 (Overall rank )



P.S. if you guys want to know other player's results just say so and I will post them

 

[Venom]

Here I thought you guys might be interested in the combine results on our draft hopefuls


Chicago Predraft Combine Results



Rudy Fernandez 0(Bench press ) 35½"(Vertical jump ) 10.48(Lane Agility ) 3.33(¾-court sprint ) 56 (Overall rank )

Did this Fernandez guy not do any benches at all, or pass on the event? Anyway, I would prefer Villaneuva or May, or even Turiaf. I am not sold on Simien at all. Disappears too easily in big games. We have plenty of those already.

 

[SacTownKid]

After hearing Petries press conference I think I would change my pick. I said May but apparently he is looking for more 3 point shooting. Why I have no idea.

 

[SacTownKid]

Here I thought you guys might be interested in the combine results on our draft hopefuls


Chicago Predraft Combine Results

The combine measures four key areas: strength (bench press repetitions of 185 pounds), vertical jump, lane agility (how fast a player moves laterally around the key), and speed (¾-court sprint). Then the league adds those up and gives an athletic ranking to each player in the draft.




Charlie Villanueva 11(Bench press ) 31"(Vertical jump ) 10.86(Lane Agility ) 3.3(¾-court sprint ) 42(Overall rank )

Rudy Fernandez 0(Bench press ) 35½"(Vertical jump ) 10.48(Lane Agility ) 3.33(¾-court sprint ) 56 (Overall rank )

Sean May 12(Bench press ) 33"(Vertical jump ) 11.04(Lane Agility ) 3.29(¾-court sprint ) 27 (Overall rank )

Hakim Warrick 11(Bench press ) 38"(Vertical jump ) N/A(Lane Agility ) 3.22(¾-court sprint ) 61 (Overall rank )

Wayne Simien 11(Bench press ) 27½"(Vertical jump ) 11.05(Lane Agility ) 3.35(¾-court sprint ) 49 (Overall rank )



P.S. if you guys want to know other player's results just say so and I will post them

THanks for the info. YES PLEASE POST MORE!

 

[thesanityannex]

wow, hakim is quicker than i thought

 

[Gilles]

Did this Fernandez guy not do any benches at all, or pass on the event?

Hakim Warrick has N/A at Lane Agility, so I guess Rudy was unable to make even one.

 

[hrdboild]

Does that say Sean May out sprinted all of these guys except Warrick? That can't be, can it?

 

[Bballkingsrock]

I just hope Geoff can get as higher draft pick because this draft is very deep.

 

[BibityBobtyBoom]

what does the rank thing mean, is that in terms of physical ability? i got a question, who do you guys think we need, a defensive sg or a scorer with mobley out of the picture now? One of the mock drafts had us picking joey graham from OSU, he is a scorer and last year with the guy that boston drafted, i think it was tony allen or something, they went to the final four. I would perfer a defensive guy like christie used to be.

 

[Bricklayer]

what does the rank thing mean, is that in terms of physical ability? i got a question, who do you guys think we need, a defensive sg or a scorer with mobley out of the picture now? One of the mock drafts had us picking joey graham from OSU, he is a scorer and last year with the guy that boston drafted, i think it was tony allen or something, they went to the final four. I would perfer a defensive guy like christie used to be.

Graham may be able to score -- but what gets people excited about him is his strength and defensive potential. Draws comparisons to a sane version of Artest.

 

[CruzDude]

See updated comments a week after the original post of who we should take at #23.

 

[jcox477]

Can anyone tell me if we are getting a pick from detroit

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Can anyone tell me if we are getting a pick from detroit

Why would we get a pick from Detroit?

From the looks of all the mock drafts we only have a first rounder (#23).

 

[slugking50]

Can anyone tell me if we are getting a pick from detroit

No both teams owed eachother a pick and they called it a wash 2 years ago I think.

 

[jcox477]

thanks

 

[C4]

i like Turiaf & how about Ike Diogu? but if Villanueva's still around by 23rd he's worth a shot.

 

[Bricklayer]

i like Turiaf & how about Ike Diogu? but if Villanueva's still around by 23rd he's worth a shot.

So many good, but not great, PF prospects out there this year that its hard to imagine there not being several of them left by the time we pick. Just have no idea which ones are going to blossim and which ones are going to go bust.

 

[thesanityannex]

If Taft can pull his head and heart out of his ***, I think he's got the most potential.

 

[CaminoChaos]

i've read a few places that bobcats are taking villenueva at #13

 

[funkykingston]

i've read a few places that bobcats are taking villenueva at #13

I've read that too. But it doesn't make much sense to me. The Bobcats have only FIVE players under contract (I'm assuming they have/will pick up the option on Gerald Wallace) so they need help at almost every position EXCEPT for power forward. Okafor is their cornerstone, so where would that put Villaneuva?

In fact, the team seemed pretty happy with Primo Brezec's development and Melvin Ely filled in fairly well when he was forced to start this season.

The Bobcats really need two starters out of this draft, preferably one of them with a chance to be a star. A PG and a wing make a lot more sense to me.

 

[CaminoChaos]

yeah they'll probably go for a swingman or pg if they decide to part ways with brevin knight.

 

[Venom]

If Taft can pull his head and heart out of his ***, I think he's got the most potential.

I agree, and he's slipping pretty badly, should be there. With him it all depends on how he answers interview questions. He's never really had to live with criticism before, this could be his wake up call.

If I were Petrie I would draft the guy I felt most sure would be a solid pro, and most capable of doing at least one thing very well on an NBA level: rebound, defend, shoot, dribble penetrate, whatever. I'd be looking at guys like Maxiell, Hodge, Turiaf, Diogu, Graham. Guys who improved each year. We have been drafting on spec for the last 4-5 years, and it is time to find some Bruce Bowens and Ben Wallaces for this team. I would not want to use the phrases "If he develops. . ." or "He has the potential. . .". I want to be able to say that Player X will come in and average 7-8 boards off the bench, or hit 3-4 threes a game, or initiate the offense when Bibby needs a rest.

 

[*JW*]

Is the draft this Tuesday or next Tuesday?