Pooh Jeter to training camp..

[BawLa]

No seriously, Justin Williams NEEDS to make this team. Just from watching two games in SL I know this. He was stuffing 7 footers like turkeys!

He looked awesome.

Anyone can wow you over a game or two.

I would like to see some consistency at higher levels first.

I'm not trying to knock his potential, because I definitely see that.

 

[Kings113]

I think that is hard to say. If this guy had what it takes he'd already be there. I would like to see him develop as well but realistically he's got a lot to learn. If anything it would be good to have him compete with Amundson to see which one rises up.

This draft was a very deep draft with solid/good prospects, rotation-type players, and role-playing types. The explosion of European big men in the 2nd round changed everything, and thus Amundson (who should of and was expected to be drafted) didn't get drafted, ditto Justin Williams. Same can be said for Mike Gansey.

That's why they went undrafted.

I think because of Williams incredible quickness, athleticism, length, and ability on defense (not just shotblocking), it can definitely translate over to the NBA. Sure he'll get fouls, but so does just about every rookie, and would likely be a third big man here.

I'd like to get both Amundson and Williams. Active, athletic, hustle, energy bigs off the bench sometimes.

 

[SacTownKid]

Anyone can wow you over a game or two.

I would like to see some consistency at higher levels first.

I'm not trying to knock his potential, because I definitely see that.

One or two games? The guy was the SECOND BEST SHOTBLOCKER in all of college basketball last year and I can definately see why. He is also extremely athletic and looks like he can become a very good rebounder as well. His offense is non-existent but he fits exactly what we need right now.

 

[BawLa]

Good points guys. But I still want to see more from him against NBA caliber players. We have all been desperately wanting a shotblocker for so long that we might be turning a frog into a prince.

His lack of offense shows his lack of understanding types of offenses. As long as he doesn't slow down our offense then I wouldn't mind seeing him in there with limited minutes. And the other factor is that I am on the Amundson bandwagon.

 

[Kings113]

He won't be out there for offense, he'll be out there for hustle points and defense and energy. While it was against lower-level opponents he showed a handful of times he can score in the post with a jumphook or a drive to the basket. He has big hands also.

Who says we can't get both Amundson and Williams?

 

[Bricklayer]

And the other factor is that I am on the Amundson bandwagon.

You can be on the Admundson bandwagon wihtout it necessarily having much effect on Williams. Admundson is a smallish 4 in the NBA -- probably would do well to develop some perimeter skills so he can play some 3. Williams is a PF/C type, albeit lacking in size. Admundson cannot be our shotblocking laneclogging solution no matter whether he makes the squad or not. Its doubtful Williams can be as well, but he at least might be able to help. They aren't really competing for the same spot/role, or should not be unless we really are clueless about interior defense as an organization.

 

[Kings113]

Indeed, Brick. Amundson could be the third SF/PF, while Williams the third PF/C.

 

[BawLa]

He won't be out there for offense, he'll be out there for hustle points and defense and energy. While it was against lower-level opponents he showed a handful of times he can score in the post with a jumphook or a drive to the basket. He has big hands also.

Who says we can't get both Amundson and Williams?

I was referring to him keeping the flow of our offense not his individual abilites. Not every possession is going to be an isolation situation. Passing has always been an integral part of Kings success and although we have a new coach, that won't change much.


As for all the talk about Amundson being a 3/4 and Williams a 4/5 is harder for me to understand. Williams is the same weight and one inch taller than Amundson. I guess Williams might play a little taller than Louis because he can jump higher but I wouldn't want to see him at C. If he can put on about 30 lbs and still jump as high then we can talk about him at C.

Were KT and Corliss gone then I would welcome both to the PF position and hope that one rises above the other. As for now I think we should let em duke it out at camp and keep the best man.

 

[Kings113]

Of course not every possession will be an isolation, but Williams won't even be out there a lot if he makes it, and he has big hands so can catch passes, and would mainly get hustle points and some points in the paint. That's what Amundson has been doing anyways. He can play C when we go smaller (for the future). I think it's a good possibility one or both of KT/Corliss are gone.

Well, I still disagree, and think we can have both. Especially considering what Williams and Amundson could and should bring.

 

[BawLa]

He can play C when we go smaller. I think it's a good possibility one or both of KT/Corliss are gone.

Well, I still disagree, and think we can have both. Especially considering what Williams and Amundson could and should bring.

I'd like to have SAR out there when we go small. I guess the one thing I like about having both of 'em is the huge upside for how cheap we can get 'em for.

 

[Kings113]

Well, SAR would be out there when we go small, since Justin Williams likely isn't gonna be anything more than a third guy on the team that plays sometimes during the year. For the future, I'd say he sticks around, and would obviously get promoted, so can be an option to go small with.

 

[Bricklayer]

I was referring to him keeping the flow of our offense not his individual abilites. Not every possession is going to be an isolation situation. Passing has always been an integral part of Kings success and although we have a new coach, that won't change much.

You're making a rather healthy leap there -- in fact there is really no particular reason that we will remain a top passing team anymore -- all those players are gone now, as is the coach and system which nurtured them. For all the similarity we have to the golden era Kings we might as well be the Jazz or Grizzlies. Everything's changed.

As for all the talk about Amundson being a 3/4 and Williams a 4/5 is harder for me to understand. Williams is the same weight and one inch taller than Amundson. I guess Williams might play a little taller than Louis because he can jump higher but I wouldn't want to see him at C. If he can put on about 30 lbs and still jump as high then we can talk about him at C.

To use the overused example, Ben Wallace is about 6'8". Peja Stojakovic is 6'9". Who plays taller? Admundson blocked 1.3 shots a game last year in college. That translates to a lot fewer when you hit the pros -- he's not going to be a significant factor in there. Williams though blocked something like 5.4 a game, which is just a remarkable number. Skinny, smallish, + we'll have to see how it plays out, but the possible comparison might be Theo Ratliff. Neither guy has the size you want in an NBA PF, but one guy plays the game very much with a center's goalie mentality.

 

[BawLa]

You're making a rather healthy leap there -- in fact there is really no particular reason that we will remain a top passing team anymore -- all those players are gone now, as is the coach and system which nurtured them. For all the similarity we have to the golden era Kings we might as well be the Jazz or Grizzlies. Everything's changed.

To use the overused example, Ben Wallace is about 6'8". Peja Stojakovic is 6'9". Who plays taller? Admundson blocked 1.3 shots a game last year in college. That translates to a lot fewer when you hit the pros -- he's not going to be a significant factor in there. Williams though blocked something like 5.4 a game, which is just a remarkable number. Skinny, smallish, + we'll have to see how it plays out, but the possible comparison might be Theo Ratliff. Neither guy has the size you want in an NBA PF, but one guy plays the game very much with a center's goalie mentality.

I agree everything is changed. I'm not saying we're gonna run the Princeton. Passing against the leagues best defenders is not an easy feat though. His ability to help run the offense affects him getting more than garbagetime minutes. And if we want to see him get a million blocks per game then he will have to accomplish that. And If this kid was such a laneclogging shotblocker then he probably would have been drafted. That is a commodity that is heavily sought after.

Bottom line: The guy needs more weight to play Center. He's gonna get tossed like carrots in a salad.

Lets be real here. He is closer to Jamal Sampson than Ben Wallace on the spectrum. Who did he average 5.4 blocks/game against? Was it Duke? UConn? Oh it must have been against Joakim Noah in the finals.

All joking aside, I like the kids potential, I just want to see more against better players before I go bonkers over him. And only at the PF position please.

 

[Kings113]

But he can play center when going small if that ever comes up for him. His frame suggests he can add a nice amount of weight to his upper body.

I think the guy is gonna be a good defensive, energy player that will impact the game. I already explained why he didn't get drafted, and that is the reason I've seen other people say as well.

 

[SacTownKid]

You're making a rather healthy leap there -- in fact there is really no particular reason that we will remain a top passing team anymore -- all those players are gone now, as is the coach and system which nurtured them. For all the similarity we have to the golden era Kings we might as well be the Jazz or Grizzlies. Everything's changed.




To use the overused example, Ben Wallace is about 6'8". Peja Stojakovic is 6'9". Who plays taller? Admundson blocked 1.3 shots a game last year in college. That translates to a lot fewer when you hit the pros -- he's not going to be a significant factor in there. Williams though blocked something like 5.4 a game, which is just a remarkable number. Skinny, smallish, + we'll have to see how it plays out, but the possible comparison might be Theo Ratliff. Neither guy has the size you want in an NBA PF, but one guy plays the game very much with a center's goalie mentality.

No questions about it Justin Williams can possible change the game with his blocked shots. He looks skinny but he really didn't look too undersized to me. And the Theo Ratliff comparison is about the closest you could come. Except Justin is so quick off his feet. Good timing as well.

Bottom line. I want to see Justin Williams AND Louis Amundson make this team and at least stick with this organization in the D-league.

 

[Kings113]

Agreed ^. He just needs to add some upper body bulk, and can.