Pre-draft workout schedules (merged)
- Thread starter AaronPDX
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If it's not a smokescreen and indeed happened, I would say he looked bad dribbling the ball, failing some drills, i.e. doing everything bad, except shooting. Kid has a great stroke. No way he goes for only 55% on threes that Ford was congratulating MCW with.
This is much cooler interview
This is much cooler interview
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Loving the workout group today. I really like Kabongo as a 2nd round pick and I'm not exactly sure why some mocks have him as a late second rounder. I think he's great value there and could easily turn into a starter in the league, or a good PG off the bench. Glad we're getting a look at Adams too, he seems like the type that will impress the staff, though I'm still weary of him at 7, despite his type of game fitting here. I also like bringing in Grant Jerrett. He didn't play much but has some talent. I'd like to get a look at him in summer league if he goes undrafted. We all know about McCollum, who I think will be a solid player but I still can't get a good feel for him and I'm not sure he'd be the best pick for us.
Kabongo displayed bad decision-making and can't shoot. That's recipe to not being drafted in the first round, although it seems to work for MCW. Still Kabongo's a talent that can easily become top-5 player in this draft if he pans out.
Jerrett is an interesting prospect as maybe undrafted FA to stick in NBADL to monitor his improvement(not sure he's worth occupying roster spot). He's nowhere near to being playable and probably should've stayed for three more years, not declared after freshman season. Might be historically bad rebounder among players over 6'10". Played decent defense though.
Jerrett is an interesting prospect as maybe undrafted FA to stick in NBADL to monitor his improvement(not sure he's worth occupying roster spot). He's nowhere near to being playable and probably should've stayed for three more years, not declared after freshman season. Might be historically bad rebounder among players over 6'10". Played decent defense though.
The thing about Shabbazz is that he does most of his offensive work inside. Essentially, he's a very short three. He overpowers smaller guards inside. In the NBA that inside work is going to be much more difficult and he really could dissapoint. Add to that the fact he's not a good passer and doesn't have much else to his game, even though he was under a defense oriented coach. Throw in a somewhat questionable attitude and that doesn't paint a pretty picture. There's got to be someone better out there.
As usual, CJ McCollum killing it with the interviews.
He clearly is the most informed player in this draft. Was able to talk specifics about many players in the NBA and college. Had real answers for just about everything, and they seemed like answers that came from his own mind, not agent speak.
He's a great talker, that doesn't make him a great basketball player. I can say this with certainty though ... if we draft him he's going to talk the entire fan base on his side and then kill it in summer league. NBA is another story.
In theory, CJ McCollum is what we wanted Jimmer to be. Combo guard who can shoot and handle the ball, play off the ball with Evans, and defend a little. He has the same if not better 3P shooting ability. Much better handle and rim attacker, a much better defender, and a much better attitude. Not that Jimmer's attitude is bad, he's a great kid, but McCollum has the mentality of an NBA player, where Jimmer just hasn't been agressive enough.
If McLemore fell I'd have a hard time taking him over McCollum if we decide we want to take a guard. McCollum just seems better to me, and a MUCH better fit with Evans. That's important. McLemore could mean the end of Tyreke in Sacramento, and no pick in this draft is worth that to me.
Current top 11
Porter
Noel
Len
Oladipo
Adams
McCollum
McLemore
Bennett
MCW
Burke
Out of those players, the only guy I'd truly be upset about drafting is Bennett. I can make a case for any of those other players, and I have some I like better than others, but I hate Bennett and Cousins long term.
He clearly is the most informed player in this draft. Was able to talk specifics about many players in the NBA and college. Had real answers for just about everything, and they seemed like answers that came from his own mind, not agent speak.
He's a great talker, that doesn't make him a great basketball player. I can say this with certainty though ... if we draft him he's going to talk the entire fan base on his side and then kill it in summer league. NBA is another story.
In theory, CJ McCollum is what we wanted Jimmer to be. Combo guard who can shoot and handle the ball, play off the ball with Evans, and defend a little. He has the same if not better 3P shooting ability. Much better handle and rim attacker, a much better defender, and a much better attitude. Not that Jimmer's attitude is bad, he's a great kid, but McCollum has the mentality of an NBA player, where Jimmer just hasn't been agressive enough.
If McLemore fell I'd have a hard time taking him over McCollum if we decide we want to take a guard. McCollum just seems better to me, and a MUCH better fit with Evans. That's important. McLemore could mean the end of Tyreke in Sacramento, and no pick in this draft is worth that to me.
Current top 11
Porter
Noel
Len
Oladipo
Adams
McCollum
McLemore
Bennett
MCW
Burke
Out of those players, the only guy I'd truly be upset about drafting is Bennett. I can make a case for any of those other players, and I have some I like better than others, but I hate Bennett and Cousins long term.
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Well, its sort of a hard question to answer. Especially in this draft, where I think there will be some surprises. But lets assume that the draft falls the way most experts think it will. If I were choosing, I would like to take a gamble, and pick Adams. I don't think he'll be of any immediate help, and he'll probably have to spend time in summer league, but in a couple of years, I think we'll have a very good defensive player that can contribute enough on offense to be out there. By enough, I mean get baskets by running the floor, putbacks, alleyopps, setting screens, etc. Perhaps the fifth option, but he does enough to keep the other team honest.
Now, who do I think the Kings will choose. If he's there, which I think he will be, and no one else slides that they like better, and this is based on our keeping the 7th pick, I think they'll choose C. J. McCollum. Why you ask? Part of my assumption is based on our intending to resign Tyreke. McCollum plays off the ball very well. He's an excellent ballhandler as well. He's capable of bringing up the ball and starting the offense. He can help spread the floor, which is a neccessary commodity next to Tyreke, if were going to put the ball in his hands more. In other words, McCollum is a very versatile player capable of playing many roles, which makes him very valuable on a team like the Kings. He would add some size to the backcourt that it desperately needs.
I'll be pleasantly surprised if they take Adams, but I won't be disappointed if we take McCollum. Both guys are hard workers, and both players are very coachable, and many times, thats half the battle. Just my opinion which is worth what you paid for it.
Now, who do I think the Kings will choose. If he's there, which I think he will be, and no one else slides that they like better, and this is based on our keeping the 7th pick, I think they'll choose C. J. McCollum. Why you ask? Part of my assumption is based on our intending to resign Tyreke. McCollum plays off the ball very well. He's an excellent ballhandler as well. He's capable of bringing up the ball and starting the offense. He can help spread the floor, which is a neccessary commodity next to Tyreke, if were going to put the ball in his hands more. In other words, McCollum is a very versatile player capable of playing many roles, which makes him very valuable on a team like the Kings. He would add some size to the backcourt that it desperately needs.
I'll be pleasantly surprised if they take Adams, but I won't be disappointed if we take McCollum. Both guys are hard workers, and both players are very coachable, and many times, thats half the battle. Just my opinion which is worth what you paid for it.
Quite the contrary! McLemore was a surprise. At least to me, and I think to most of the scouts. A nice surprise. Although, he's considered a freshman, he should be a sophmore. He basicly had a year to work on his game, and he showed up with a picture perfect jumpshot that was going in. He's an elite athlete as well. I think I posted earlier in the year that he never seemed to be running, but he appeared to just be floating across the floor effortlessly. So he started with a bang, and as the season wore on, he started to struggle a little more. Not unusual! Same thing happened to Bennett. When other teams figure out who you are and what your capable of, they do their best to take that away. So then its up to you to adjust your game. Much easier for 30 year old veteran than it is for a 19 year old freshman.
McLemore has the ability to be a star. Once again, who knows if he'll ever acheive that. I do think that whoever picks him has to light a fire under his butt. He needs to be more aggressive.
McLemore has the ability to be a star. Once again, who knows if he'll ever acheive that. I do think that whoever picks him has to light a fire under his butt. He needs to be more aggressive.
I'm a big McCollum fan... just had to throw my two cents in on this one comment though-- he's not as good a 3pt shooter as Jimmer. Aside from that, agree with most everything else. I'll say this for Jimmer though... I'm expecting another big leap forward this season. He might be looking like a very solid player come the end of next year.
I think McCollum is a no-brainer if Malone/D'A/Bratz consider McCollum an NBA level PG.
He has two big question marks in my mind: Can he play NBA point? And can his game translate to NBA speed/size coming from a small school.
Otherwise, he's a perfect fit with Tyreke, imo. I like his halfcourt game, especially in PnR and decision making scenarios. And as a bonus, he's another guy who can be successful at the end of the shot clock/quarters with getting hoops/fouls/assists.
I like his shooting, but I'm not getting carried away comparing him directly with Curry. Curry is a once in a generation shooter. But I do like the comparison(s) to Curry's floor game, I think they are similar and both come from small schools. Yes, CJ did shoot 52% from 3 this season(!) but with a very small sample size, and he never shot over 40% before that...so, we'll see. He also is a very good rebounder and ball hawk.
Can he be selected before the Kings pick? Absolutely in this draft. I even think Zeller could be picked in the top 6. Going to be a fun day, Thursday.
He has two big question marks in my mind: Can he play NBA point? And can his game translate to NBA speed/size coming from a small school.
Otherwise, he's a perfect fit with Tyreke, imo. I like his halfcourt game, especially in PnR and decision making scenarios. And as a bonus, he's another guy who can be successful at the end of the shot clock/quarters with getting hoops/fouls/assists.
I like his shooting, but I'm not getting carried away comparing him directly with Curry. Curry is a once in a generation shooter. But I do like the comparison(s) to Curry's floor game, I think they are similar and both come from small schools. Yes, CJ did shoot 52% from 3 this season(!) but with a very small sample size, and he never shot over 40% before that...so, we'll see. He also is a very good rebounder and ball hawk.
Can he be selected before the Kings pick? Absolutely in this draft. I even think Zeller could be picked in the top 6. Going to be a fun day, Thursday.
By my count, the Kings have 10 players under contract for next season. If they were to amnesty Salmons, it would become 9. The team can carry up to 15 players, and I expect that under this new management, the Kings will invest more in their D-League team. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Kings carry up to 14/15 players, with several of them spending a year in the D-League to develop. Thats where players like Jerrett, who definitely should have stayed in school, could come into play. He's borderline being drafted, but if he isn't, bring him to summer league, and if he looks like a possible player of the future, then sign him to a minimun contract and let him play in the D-League.
If your looking for someone that can come in play right away, then you choose McCollum. He's definitely a better all around player than McLemore right now. With McLemore your betting on the future. Your betting he's going to be a star, perhaps a superstar. Whether he will of not is anyone's guess. Whats that old saying about a bird in hand? There's no doubt that in many areas, McLemore is a project. Let me put it this way. If he were in next years draft, he would probably get picked somewhere between 14 and 22. His only advantage over McCollum is that he's definitely a better athlete, and he's a little taller. He has a beautiful shooting stroke, but there's nothing wrong with McCollum's shooting. In ballhandling ability, if McCollum is a 10, then McLemore is around a 3 or a 4. when it comes to passing the ball, the edge goes to McCollum again.
McCollum can easily bring the ball up the court, but I doubt that McLemore could, under pressure. Despite having the ball in his hands a lot at Lehigh, McCollum seldom turned the ball over. McCollum has no problem creating his own shot, McLemore struggles big time creating his own shot. Actually, other than athleticism, McLemore comes closer to Fredette than McCollum does.
McCollum can easily bring the ball up the court, but I doubt that McLemore could, under pressure. Despite having the ball in his hands a lot at Lehigh, McCollum seldom turned the ball over. McCollum has no problem creating his own shot, McLemore struggles big time creating his own shot. Actually, other than athleticism, McLemore comes closer to Fredette than McCollum does.
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He was never taught the fundamentals. I'm a car guy. This will be a ground up restoration project. He needs to start from the beginning with a REAL coach. The comments by the scout are accurate as it is what I saw. The big question is why did he seem lost, why did he not seem to know the fundamentals? My answer is that he was never taught. He has played one season under a reasonable competent coach at Pitt. He improved quite a bit as the season progressed. Now he needs a few more years. Off to the big man camp a few times.
I think the dividends paid for being patient with him will be very large. Even now he can play a few minutes if given a limited amount of responsibility.
He needs to start from the beginning with a REAL coach. The comments by the scout are accurate as it is what I saw. The big question is why did he seem lost, why did he not seem to know the fundamentals? My answer is that he was never taught. He has played one season under a reasonable competent coach at Pitt. He improved quite a bit as the season progressed. Now he needs a few more years. Off to the big man camp a few times.I think the dividends paid for being patient with him will be very large. Even now he can play a few minutes if given a limited amount of responsibility.
There is a lot to admire about McCollum, personality and game.. but for me to support that pick at 7, I would personally like to believe he could be a facilitator and playmaker at starting point guard level. I'm sure if we choose him, the staff will believe that he can serve that role. We might not have Tyreke next year, or Tyreke might get injured, or CJ might be captaining the 2nd unit, I don't like drafting players based on who else is potentially playing with them.
Again Jimmer principle.
In recent years Curry and Lillard have made that jump, making it more fashionable. But just as often you get Jimmer or Ronnie Price, in particular when the PG skills are in question.
Have said before and will say again, the perfect player next to Reke is somebody like Beno who takes fewer than 10 shots a game. And the implication of that is you want to find the player who can make the biggest impact with 10 or fewer shots. And that means the player who can make an impact with something other than shot chucking. Defend, pass, create space with spot up threes. Do we have confidence in McCollum to do any of those things but spot up? And if spot up is it...well, Jimmer principle. There are far more interesting things to do in a draft full of project and defensive bigs than go down that road again unless you are dead sure. Because its real easy to swing and miss on that style player, and then you've blown 3 straight lottery picks and killed your rebuild fro no greater reason than wrong thinking around the draft.
In recent years Curry and Lillard have made that jump, making it more fashionable. But just as often you get Jimmer or Ronnie Price, in particular when the PG skills are in question.
Have said before and will say again, the perfect player next to Reke is somebody like Beno who takes fewer than 10 shots a game. And the implication of that is you want to find the player who can make the biggest impact with 10 or fewer shots. And that means the player who can make an impact with something other than shot chucking. Defend, pass, create space with spot up threes. Do we have confidence in McCollum to do any of those things but spot up? And if spot up is it...well, Jimmer principle. There are far more interesting things to do in a draft full of project and defensive bigs than go down that road again unless you are dead sure. Because its real easy to swing and miss on that style player, and then you've blown 3 straight lottery picks and killed your rebuild fro no greater reason than wrong thinking around the draft.
We definitely have to be careful about drafting a one-dimensional shooter (Jimmer Principle), but also be careful not to miss out on a good player by trying not to make the same mistake twice. Let's put things into perspective, Jimmer was a project that had no business being drafted near where he was. If he wasn't a potential good marketing asset he probably would have been taken in the mid to late twenties of the draft. He was a great shooter that likes to take the shot off the dribble. Unfortunately, he isn't a good ball handler so in the NBA he can never get his shot. Outside of that he didn't provide any other skills of note. Curry and Lilard were much more coming out of college than Jimmer as we can see and I think McCollum is more along those lines. Good shooter off the dribble and spot up, excellent ball handler, good passing potential, and in my opinion already a better defender than anyone already mentioned here, from what I've watched.
I do agree and always said that Tyreke works best with a Beno type player, a guy who can help Tyreke bring the ball up from time to time, a guy who can make open shots, a passer, and defense wouldn't hurt either even though Beno didn't really provide that. Point being, McCollum brings all of those things. He might not be the floor general that Beno was yet, but he can definitely get there or at least to the point of where he does it well enough to benefit Tyreke's game as well as others.
I do agree and always said that Tyreke works best with a Beno type player, a guy who can help Tyreke bring the ball up from time to time, a guy who can make open shots, a passer, and defense wouldn't hurt either even though Beno didn't really provide that. Point being, McCollum brings all of those things. He might not be the floor general that Beno was yet, but he can definitely get there or at least to the point of where he does it well enough to benefit Tyreke's game as well as others.
A few times in previous years, did not see any of his 12 games this season, just highlights. That too is a concern though. This is a guy who was a .440 type shooter, maybe .350 from 3pt land, then his senior year, in 12 games he shoots it great. But are those his real numbers? Or if he had played 30 games would they have settled back toward his normal production?
Not a great athlete, not a PG unless he's made into one. Decently clever scorer but not a brilliant handle, and they set a lot of picks for him. Small school scorer. Most impressive thing to me in years past was his rebounding for a smallish guard, although that probably wouldn't work as well at the next level. We've gotten burned twice taking that gamble, for no good reason in either case, on Douby and Jimmer. We once again don't have a good reason to take the chance this time unless we are dead sure. Not hopeful. Sure. Because you miss and you end up with a nearly worthless piece. Again. A 10th-12th man type at a position/description (small guard who may or may not be PGish and sure loves to chuck) where we absolutely do not need bolstering.
Not a great athlete, not a PG unless he's made into one. Decently clever scorer but not a brilliant handle, and they set a lot of picks for him. Small school scorer. Most impressive thing to me in years past was his rebounding for a smallish guard, although that probably wouldn't work as well at the next level. We've gotten burned twice taking that gamble, for no good reason in either case, on Douby and Jimmer. We once again don't have a good reason to take the chance this time unless we are dead sure. Not hopeful. Sure. Because you miss and you end up with a nearly worthless piece. Again. A 10th-12th man type at a position/description (small guard who may or may not be PGish and sure loves to chuck) where we absolutely do not need bolstering.
McCollum was a PG in high school. I think he's smart and flexible enough to be great next to Tyreke. I think he'll surprise people as a distributor if asked to be a full time PG for a team.
High BBall IQ + a strong work ethic and chip on his shoulder means I think he'll find a way to succeed.
High BBall IQ + a strong work ethic and chip on his shoulder means I think he'll find a way to succeed.
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Again, as Steph Curry being a comp, he will need some help, but not as much as Curry, imo. The question is does his offense make him worth his time on the floor? I'm not saying he's a bad defender, and I think his instincts are pretty good, but there's guys like Parker, Lawson, and Westbrook that will be a problem for him...but who can guard those guys?
There are some distinct differences between Jimmer and McCollum. McCollum is a far better ballhandler than Jimmer. He ran the pick and roll very well, and your right, he was very good coming off screens. But he never had a problem creating for himself, its just that he didn't go iso that much. He really is a team player. The one year they asked to help with rebounding, his shooting fell off a bit, but he averaged over 7 boards a game. Until he arrived at Lehigh, he had played PG his entire life, both in highschool and in all the AAU games he played. He's excellent at moving without the ball, and he seldom turns the ball over.
I'm not saying we should draft him, but drafting him doesn't scare me. If the Kings have the chance to draft McLemore, and think he can be a star, then fine, I just hope they're right. I don't see McCollum as a star, but I do see him as a solid role player, and thats something we need right now. On another website, in a pole of five NBA scouts, who only participated on the condition of anonymity, the scouts gave their opinion on all the revelant players in the draft. Ironicly, they picked McCollum as the best PG in the draft. He says he can play the point. He says he'll do anything thats asked of him. Of course I'd say the same thing if it moved me up the draft board. But the kid comes across as being very intelligent, and sincere. Not sure what we'd do with Jimmer if we were to draft him though.
I'm not saying we should draft him, but drafting him doesn't scare me. If the Kings have the chance to draft McLemore, and think he can be a star, then fine, I just hope they're right. I don't see McCollum as a star, but I do see him as a solid role player, and thats something we need right now. On another website, in a pole of five NBA scouts, who only participated on the condition of anonymity, the scouts gave their opinion on all the revelant players in the draft. Ironicly, they picked McCollum as the best PG in the draft. He says he can play the point. He says he'll do anything thats asked of him. Of course I'd say the same thing if it moved me up the draft board. But the kid comes across as being very intelligent, and sincere. Not sure what we'd do with Jimmer if we were to draft him though.
They're finally starting to upload stuff on the Kings's youtube page.
http://www.youtube.com/user/kingsflix/videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/kingsflix/videos
Of course Beno had/has problem bring the ball up the court under pressure, and he wasn't God's gift to defense. If you want that though, then maybe the #2 pick to Orlando might do the trick. It's not like he set the world on fire over there. Also, if you want defend, pass, create space with 3s, then Caldwell-Pope and McLemore and maybe some other 2-guards might fit the bill. Then Tyreke would then handle the ball under pressure; get the offense going, and all that good pg stuff. Seems to be some want to get a guy who's claim to fame is he doesn't shoot more than 10 shots a game (I can see the agents of future prospects touting the fact that their clients do not shoot more than 10 shots a game) ; others want a dead-eye shooter who puts up the rock to spread the floor (e.g. Jimmer & McCollum). Some want a legit pg; others want a combo guard because a legit point is going to be getting touches like a legit point guard; otherwise what's the point of having point guard skills and not using them? That leaves you with two combo guards in your backcourt, which may be redundant or not, depending on the precise nature of their respective combo skills. In the case of McCollum, an excllent shooter, I'm not too sure that he wants written into his contract that he won't take more than 10 shots a game.