Sacramento signs Jamal Sampson

[BigSong]

I think a little too much is being made of this signing. This is a very minor move, even less so than the Hart trade. I'm not jumping for joy because Geoff signed Jamal Sampson. Of course, I'm also not criticizing Petrie since this does nothing to affect the Kings ability to make other moves. What this is, is a very low risk gamble on a young, athletic big man with some potential left.

IMO, the best case scenario for Sampson would be for him to have a similar impact as other low budget pickups like Mo Evans or Scot Pollard. If Sampson could ever provide solid minutes as a backup/spot starter the way those guys did, I'd be ecstatic. At worst, he is training camp fodder. Either way, he is certainly worth taking a flyer on.

I don't think the impact that Pollard and Evans had is either/or. Pollard had an impact, where as Evans didn't.

 

[uolj]

It seems that GP has not been able to get what he wanted. He is now just trying to fill up holes.

Why would you say that? He has to fill up the bench regardless of what he does with the top 8-10 spots on the team. Why would he wait until after he finishes the other things? It would make sense to sign guys when you can before they go elsewhere.

 

[hrdboild]

I don't think the impact that Pollard and Evans had is either/or. Pollard had an impact, where as Evans didn't.

Pollard also played more than one season. From what I've seen, Evans has more potential than Pollard did. He was your typical 'grab rebounds and bang guys' backup big man. He had no potential as a starter. (Too bad for them that Indiana realized that too late) Evans, on the other hand, has shown a lot of potential. He would be a very solid backup if the Kings chose to resign him with the potential of being something more. Well, that's in my opinion anyway. Maybe if given an opportunity he would just prove that he isn't starter quality either.

 

[GreenKing]

I hope Jamal Sampson has better knees than his cousin and former Kings Ralph Samplson or Ralf whatever.

 

[Kings113]

I'd absolutely love to see Mo back with the Kings, and he would be the back-up for Bonzi. He'd by my ideal choice for that spot. He made the most of his starts, and had a whole bunch of impressive games all together.

 

[VF21]

Why would you say that? He has to fill up the bench regardless of what he does with the top 8-10 spots on the team. Why would he wait until after he finishes the other things? It would make sense to sign guys when you can before they go elsewhere.

Exactly.

I may be crazy but seeing this minor acquisitions leads me to believe Petrie is shoring up NOW before he makes a block-buster trade because afterwards the price tag on everybody will go up...

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[VF21]

I'd absolutely love to see Mo back with the Kings, and he would be the back-up for Bonzi. He'd by my ideal choice for that spot. He made the most of his starts, and had a whole bunch of impressive games all together.

Aren't there enough other threads that are talking about Mo Evans? Let's not derail this one. Jamal Sampson should be entitled to one thread...

 

[bibbyweb]

Why would you say that? He has to fill up the bench regardless of what he does with the top 8-10 spots on the team. Why would he wait until after he finishes the other things? It would make sense to sign guys when you can before they go elsewhere.

Just a gut feeling. Just like many others feel that this might be a precursor of bigger trades to come. I hope that I am wrong but to me it seems like we are running out of options.

But, yeah, you are right that he does have to fill up the bench.
Lets see what happens next though.

 

[Bricklayer]

As a 5th big man -- fine. Long, tall, athletic, rebounds, blocks shots -- all the basics where we need help. But also very raw and just hanging on on the fringes of the league. Not much offesnive skill. As long as he's not a rotation player, I think this is a solid little deep bench move for a guy who fills our needs and is young with potential to get better. I do hope this isn't the "move to get more length" up front that Elston Turner was referencing though.

 

[captain bill]

As a 5th big man -- fine. Long, tall, athletic, rebounds, blocks shots -- all the basics where we need help. But also very raw and just hanging on on the fringes of the league. Not much offesnive skill. As long as he's not a rotation player, I think this is a solid little deep bench move for a guy who fills our needs and is young with potential to get better. I do hope this isn't the "move to get more length" up front that Elston Turner was referencing though.

twenty-two. that answers all of your criticisms nicely.

 

[Yoda]

twenty-two. that answers all of your criticisms nicely.

I thought it was 42, that is the answer to all, right.

 

[AriesMar27]

i love the signing now that i think about it... he is one of those players that as long as the other players arent having an off night(peja) he'd be great against someone like amare..... someone that no one on our rstarting roster could guard.... though i think peja could do it also, lol....

 

[ParniValjak]

He basically takes up Ostertag's spot on the team (Cheerleader at end of the bench) and at much cheaper price too

 

[Kings113]

Aren't there enough other threads that are talking about Mo Evans? Let's not derail this one. Jamal Sampson should be entitled to one thread...

k.

I just saw hrdbloid's thoughts and wanted to share mine.

 

[CruzDude]

I don't think Sampson will cause the removal of Skinner. I would play Skinner over Sampson any day. Sampson has played a total of 53 games in 3 years.

Unfortunately it was only 38 games in 3 years: 5 at MIL the first year, 10 at the Lakers the 2nd year and 23 at Charlotte last year.

 

[Bricklayer]

Unfortunately it was only 38 games in 3 years: 5 at MIL the first year, 10 at the Lakers the 2nd year and 23 at Charlotte last year.

But you see -- the good news is that he's doubling every year! At that rate he should get in 40+ for us this year, and be a full time 80 gm starter by next season!

 

[CruzDude]

Well the good news on JS:

NBADRAFT.net rated him a 96 over 12 categories with a 9 or 10 in:
Athleticism
Defense
Quickness
Rebounding
Size
and a 10 in the "P" word

The bad news:
Injury history according to Fantasybasketball.usatoday.com:
Dec 11, 2004: Bobcats IR Nov 29 to Dec 11 with right ankle sprain
Dec 29, 2004: Bobcats place him back on IR with left ankle sprain, reactivated Jan 6
Feb 4, 2005: Jamal missed game due to back spasms, out for days

Feb 8, 2005: When he was waived Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff said: "Jamal is a wonderful young man ... but it just didn't fit the profile, so we have moved on and we wish him well and that he reaches his potential. That's the conclusion."

Our wizard GM Geoff sure must know something. Maybe it busted a gut this summer to get back in shape. We can hope..........

 

[y2kings]

i saw him at the Airport in Seattle

There was a HUGE delay in the Alaskan Airlines section at SeaTec...and i recognized Sampson because i go to Berkeley...he was a freshmen when i was a freshmen and I remember how stupid he was to declare for the draft just after one year of college. Anyways, i saw him walking around and i was wondering where he was going...i guess it was to Sacramento to sign his contract, haha. this was Sunday night by the way.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Jamal Sampson...Yogi Stewart...pretty good comparison, IMO. Sampson is a bit bigger, though.