Ric Bucher
- Thread starter Kingsin07
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The latest from Ford
Analysis: The Kings are all over the place. One minute they are thinking Jonny Flynn. The next, Ricky Rubio. Then Tyreke Evans. And the latest hot name in Sacramento is Curry. So forgive me when I say I have no idea who the Kings are taking. Sources say that the Kings are pretty split between the four. Flynn brings vocal leadership, athleticism and an NBA ready body to the table. Rubio is less ready for the NBA physically, but he's a purer point guard who understands the game better than anyone else in the draft. Evans isn't a true point, but the Kings love his strength, toughness and size, especially since his second workout. Curry is the wild card -- he's a great shooter who would fit nicely in the backcourt next to Kevin Martin, but he wouldn't give them a defensive presence.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-090624
Analysis: The Kings are all over the place. One minute they are thinking Jonny Flynn. The next, Ricky Rubio. Then Tyreke Evans. And the latest hot name in Sacramento is Curry. So forgive me when I say I have no idea who the Kings are taking. Sources say that the Kings are pretty split between the four. Flynn brings vocal leadership, athleticism and an NBA ready body to the table. Rubio is less ready for the NBA physically, but he's a purer point guard who understands the game better than anyone else in the draft. Evans isn't a true point, but the Kings love his strength, toughness and size, especially since his second workout. Curry is the wild card -- he's a great shooter who would fit nicely in the backcourt next to Kevin Martin, but he wouldn't give them a defensive presence.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-090624
Welcome to the board Chad. Feel free to visit our who will the Kings draft thread here:
http://www.kingsfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32350
where you will amazingly find that Kings fans thus far think we are either going to take Ricky Rubio, Tyreke Evans, Johnn Flynn or Stephen Curry. Who knew huh?
http://www.kingsfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32350
where you will amazingly find that Kings fans thus far think we are either going to take Ricky Rubio, Tyreke Evans, Johnn Flynn or Stephen Curry. Who knew huh?
Chad Ford, yuck.
Where does Ford get his info? GP wouldn't tell his mother who he was going to pick. He probably wouldn't tell the Maloofs either, if he didn't have to.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draf...raft2009/insider/news/story?page=09DraftBuzz2
Here's what Chad Ford had to say:
POSTED: June 22 -- 11:32 p.m. ET Chad Ford: The Sacramento Kings finally got their wish on Monday … Ricky Rubio in their gym. Unfortunately for Rubio and the Kings, he was playing one-on-none after going a month without picking up a basketball. The results shouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone. Several sources surrounding the Kings said Rubio didn't blow anyone away. Of course he didn't. Rubio is a pass-first point guard who makes everyone around him better in a five-on-five game. In a one-on-none I wouldn't expect him to be great. He's not going to shoot the lights out. He's not going to put up highlight-reel dunks. He's just not that type of player. But they did get to see him live. They got his measurements (6-foot-5 in shoes with a 6-foot-7 wingspan). They got to check out his body language and English skills. Most importantly, the Kings got word that Rubio was making progress on a deal with his club in Spain DKV Joventut that will lower his buyout to roughly $4 million. When you factor in that Rubio will be allowed to make his payments over several years, there is no longer a huge financial impediment for Rubio to come to the draft. The question on everyone's mind right now? What will the Kings do? The answer? It depends. First there's a chance Rubio might not be there at No. 4. The word on Monday night is that it looks like Hasheem Thabeet will be the Grizzlies' pick at No. 2 if they don't trade the pick. With Thabeet gone, Thunder GM Sam Presti will decide between Rubio, James Harden and Stephen Curry. If they take Rubio … then the Kings will likely draft either Tyreke Evans or Jonny Flynn. If Rubio is on the board, it will be a pretty tough decision. As we've written previously, this is a debate about upside versus present value. Evans and Flynn are ready to play now. No question. Rubio? It may take him a while to adjust (though some in the league think he's actually more ready to play in the NBA after years of experience playing pro ball in Spain). I don't think there's any question that Rubio has the most upside of the group. Given the fact that the Kings are so dreadful at the moment, wouldn't they choose the best player for the long-term health of the franchise? It depends. Most of the Kings' front office staff is in the last year of their contracts. Do they want to stick their necks out for Rubio when they could take a safer pick like Evans or Flynn? You get the picture. If the Kings pass, a number of teams are trying to get Washington's pick at No. 5. Presumably Rubio is the target of at least some of the Wizards' suitors. The Timberwolves at No. 6 are also high on Rubio. So are the Knicks at No. 8."
NOTE 2: I've restored the original post. The article in question was posted on the main part of the board and not via Insider. Sorry for the confusion. My bad.
Here's what Chad Ford had to say:
POSTED: June 22 -- 11:32 p.m. ET Chad Ford: The Sacramento Kings finally got their wish on Monday … Ricky Rubio in their gym. Unfortunately for Rubio and the Kings, he was playing one-on-none after going a month without picking up a basketball. The results shouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone. Several sources surrounding the Kings said Rubio didn't blow anyone away. Of course he didn't. Rubio is a pass-first point guard who makes everyone around him better in a five-on-five game. In a one-on-none I wouldn't expect him to be great. He's not going to shoot the lights out. He's not going to put up highlight-reel dunks. He's just not that type of player. But they did get to see him live. They got his measurements (6-foot-5 in shoes with a 6-foot-7 wingspan). They got to check out his body language and English skills. Most importantly, the Kings got word that Rubio was making progress on a deal with his club in Spain DKV Joventut that will lower his buyout to roughly $4 million. When you factor in that Rubio will be allowed to make his payments over several years, there is no longer a huge financial impediment for Rubio to come to the draft. The question on everyone's mind right now? What will the Kings do? The answer? It depends. First there's a chance Rubio might not be there at No. 4. The word on Monday night is that it looks like Hasheem Thabeet will be the Grizzlies' pick at No. 2 if they don't trade the pick. With Thabeet gone, Thunder GM Sam Presti will decide between Rubio, James Harden and Stephen Curry. If they take Rubio … then the Kings will likely draft either Tyreke Evans or Jonny Flynn. If Rubio is on the board, it will be a pretty tough decision. As we've written previously, this is a debate about upside versus present value. Evans and Flynn are ready to play now. No question. Rubio? It may take him a while to adjust (though some in the league think he's actually more ready to play in the NBA after years of experience playing pro ball in Spain). I don't think there's any question that Rubio has the most upside of the group. Given the fact that the Kings are so dreadful at the moment, wouldn't they choose the best player for the long-term health of the franchise? It depends. Most of the Kings' front office staff is in the last year of their contracts. Do they want to stick their necks out for Rubio when they could take a safer pick like Evans or Flynn? You get the picture. If the Kings pass, a number of teams are trying to get Washington's pick at No. 5. Presumably Rubio is the target of at least some of the Wizards' suitors. The Timberwolves at No. 6 are also high on Rubio. So are the Knicks at No. 8."
NOTE 2: I've restored the original post. The article in question was posted on the main part of the board and not via Insider. Sorry for the confusion. My bad.