Sam Amicks Twitter...Rubio at #4

[Vlade4GM]

If anyone of the #2 or #3 pick would need a PG more, its the Grizz.

OKC has Westbrook. While there are talks of them using him at the 2, westbrook had stated himself that he wants to play the 1. He has a size advantage against most PGs right now, but he would be smaller than most SGs. Why would Westbrook want to have to cover 6'7" guys everyday. They really need a good SG then they would have 4 promising young players in their starting line up. If they can trade for and sign a FA big man, they are the next Blazers.

Conley though that was his 2nd yr, did not play as well as westbrook. But he did improve in the last part of the season to show that he may turn out to be a decent player. Grizz used their #4 pick to get him. I don't think they are ready to give up completely just yet. 7'3" centers don't come along every yr. So I can see them taking Thabeet.

If Rubio does fall to #4, a few problems may occur. Will he have enough $ to pay his team in Spain for the buyout with the #4 pick salary? Remember, he still has to get taxed first. I know he'll get endorsements but its going to be close. Assuming this part works out, will GP really pick Rubio? He seems to like Holiday and it wouldn't be the first time GP picks someone that no one expects him to pick at their draft #.

I think he said, or someone in his camp said that he wouldn't enter the draft unless he was a guaranteed top 3 pick. I could be remembering wrong, but it would make sense. If that is the case, we'd likely discuss a preliminary deal with Oklahoma, and then draft for each other on draft night.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

If Rubio does fall to #4, a few problems may occur. Will he have enough $ to pay his team in Spain for the buyout with the #4 pick salary? Remember, he still has to get taxed first. I know he'll get endorsements but its going to be close.

Well, yeah, the idea is that endorsements will foot the bill, but even if they don't, lots of banks would be pretty happy to lend a couple of million dollars to a guy who has just walked into a virtually-guaranteed $14M. I wouldn't worry about that part, it will work itself out.

 

[Showtime]

I think it only sounds that way because people are excited at the prospect of getting probably the no.2 talent in the draft with the 4th pick. Rubio may not end up being a star, but he has a lot more going for him than many of the other lotto prospects.

That's exactly what I'm talking about. Why do you think he's the second best talent? How much have you watched him play? Is it because you hear this is a "weak" draft, and that RR is a stud? If he doesn't end up a star in this league, he's a disappointment, which is why the fans are setting themselves up for a letdown because they have high expectations that aren't exactly warranted IMO.

 

[gunks]

With his athletic woes he wont be a star.

With his length and BBIQ he should be at the least solid, very possibly an allstar. He'll be a great fit on our roster. I read somewhere that JT is an astonishing finisher on assisted plays (forget the exact %, but it was way up there)...He just doesnt have anyone to dish it to him.

Someone mentioned it above, and its true, Rubio isnt coming over if he's picked 4th. Due to the rookie salary scale he wont be able to pay his buyout (apparently, I think he'd be just fine with endorsement deals). Methinks we're going to be picking for either OKC or Memphis come draft day, and we'll probably have to give up a bit more too.

 

[Bricklayer]

He'll be a great fit on our roster. I read somewhere that JT is an astonishing finisher on assisted plays (forget the exact %, but it was way up there)...He just doesnt have anyone to dish it to him.

Er...not sure what the stat was you saw exactly, but I'm pretty sure the league field goal average on assisted plays would by definition be roughly 100%.

 

[Vlade4GM]

That's exactly what I'm talking about. Why do you think he's the second best talent? How much have you watched him play? Is it because you hear this is a "weak" draft, and that RR is a stud? If he doesn't end up a star in this league, he's a disappointment, which is why the fans are setting themselves up for a letdown because they have high expectations that aren't exactly warranted IMO.

I've seen him play about 7-8 games. Not much, but more than most people.

If you disagree he's the no.2 talent okay, but according to all the reports most scouts/gm's consider him the top 2 talent, at worst top 3. He's definitely the concensus top PG. On talent I'd put him up against any player in the draft, I really don't think this draft pool has that much star potential in it. Is Rubio a star/franchise type player? There's an outside chance, but probably not at that high of a level. His upside is probably a notch below Paul/Dwill. However, I don't think higher of any other player in the draft really.

 

[Jkbiker]

Someone mentioned it above, and its true, Rubio isnt coming over if he's picked 4th. Due to the rookie salary scale he wont be able to pay his buyout (apparently, I think he'd be just fine with endorsement deals). Methinks we're going to be picking for either OKC or Memphis come draft day, and we'll probably have to give up a bit more too.

I dont see why this would be an issue for Rubio

The payscale for #4 isnt that much diff than #3?

2009-10 NBA Rookie Scale ($000Ãs)

Pick

1st Year
Salary Pick 3 is $3,336,800
Pick 4 is $3,008,400


I dont see why $328,000 less salary make or break a deal for Rubio.

Yes I know he has to pay something like 6 mil buy-out in europe, but dont see why $328k would stop him, especially since he likes the Kings better that Mamphis and OKC.

 

[Vlade4GM]

http://www.82games.com/0809/08SAC14.HTM#pstats

 

[Kingster]

I've seen him play about 7-8 games. Not much, but more than most people.

If you disagree he's the no.2 talent okay, but according to all the reports most scouts/gm's consider him the top 2 talent, at worst top 3. He's definitely the concensus top PG. On talent I'd put him up against any player in the draft, I really don't think this draft pool has that much star potential in it. Is Rubio a star/franchise type player? There's an outside chance, but probably not at that high of a level. His upside is probably a notch below Paul/Dwill. However, I don't think higher of any other player in the draft really.

Is he going to be able to guard anybody?

 

[kennadog]

Yes I know he has to pay something like 6 mil buy-out in europe, but dont see why $328k would stop him, especially since he likes the Kings better that Mamphis and OKC.

Actually I read a few days ago that it's closer to $8 million.

The thing I worry about is some Kings fans expecting him to have a big impact in his rookie year. We are talking about an 18 year-old, who will need some time to reach his potential. That may take a couple of years.

Are the fans patient enough? I don't think so. There will proabably be more than a few fans calling him a bust after 2-3 games. Still, if the potential looks pretty good and the team drafts him, they'll probably have to grit their teeth for awhile, before they know if they made the right choice.

 

[bajaden]

I thought Westbrook was a reach last year at #4 (based on draft ranking, not talent), but that pick worked out real well for them so I can't be too critical. DeRozan might be the third best player in this draft potential-wise. I guess if you're getting the guy you want, it doesn't matter that much where other people have them ranked (see: Thompson, Jason). Position-wise it only makes sense if they see DeRozan as a SG not a SF. I don't know about that one. Size-wise he could play either position, but do guys who shoot less than 17% from the college three-point line really belong at SG? I think I'd rather have him closer to the basket. Durant and Green are both caught in the SF/PF range already and Westbrook is more of a combo guard than a pure PG. That's a lot of unconventional position assignments in one lineup. Harden seems like a better fit because he can take some of the playmaking duties from Westbrook.

As I've said before, the best fit for them if they want to go for need is Harden. He would be the perfect compliment to Westbrook. Westbrook could bring the ball up and then let Harden run the offense from there, which he's very good at. Taking Harden that high wouldn't be an embarrassment to them, as would DeRozan..

 

[hrdboild]

Actually I read a few days ago that it's closer to $8 million.

And increasing by the day.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Is he going to be able to guard anybody?

Staying in front of the quicker guards could be a problem, but it's a problem for most PG defenders. He'll give you great activity, smart team defense, and deflections with his length. He needs to get stronger obviously.

 

[bajaden]

I think he said, or someone in his camp said that he wouldn't enter the draft unless he was a guaranteed top 3 pick. I could be remembering wrong, but it would make sense. If that is the case, we'd likely discuss a preliminary deal with Oklahoma, and then draft for each other on draft night.

It strikes me that there's a little irony in that statement. If your desire is to be a top three pick or not at all, and then you try to convince the teams in the 2 and 3 spots not to pick you, that only leaves you with one spot available. #1, which is not likely. So does he just pack up an go home. He's already stated that Sacramento is one of his choices. I can't see his camp making a big deal out of one spot lower at #4.

I mean the money difference isn't that great between 3 and 4, and I doubt it would affect any endorsement deal he might make.

 

[kennadog]

And increasing by the day.

Well, I don't think anyone writing about it is privy to the exact amount. And of course, the exact amount will depend on if they can negotiate anything less and what the exchange rate is at time of actual payment.

Rubio can withdraw from the draft up until 6/15. So I imagine they want someone to step up and say they'll take him if he falls to them, except possibly Memphis, where he apparently does not want to end up. Of course, that "promise" can go out the window if someone even more prized by that team unexpectedly slips.

On the other hand, if he falls farther than he wants, he just stays in Europe and the team ends up with nothing to show for their high pick.

 

[bajaden]

Actually I read a few days ago that it's closer to $8 million.

The thing I worry about is some Kings fans expecting him to have a big impact in his rookie year. We are talking about an 18 year-old, who will need some time to reach his potential. That may take a couple of years.

Are the fans patient enough? I don't think so. There will proabably be more than a few fans calling him a bust after 2-3 games. Still, if the potential looks pretty good and the team drafts him, they'll probably have to grit their teeth for awhile, before they know if they made the right choice.

I also heard that the buy out is between 8 and 9 mil, or around 5 mil euro's. I agree that the fans will have to be patient with him, or any point guard we end up drafting. I would think that one of the hardest things to do is to be a 19 or 20 year old point guard, and walking onto an NBA floor with grown men some of which may be in their 30's and telling them where to go, and what to do.

Rubio does have some pluses here though. He's been playing with grown men for some time in europe, and that has to help. Also, lets not forget that they don't have a defensive three second rule over there. So bigs can just live in the paint, which makes driving the lane, dishing, or throwing up alleyoops more difficult. In some respects the NBA may seem easier to him. At least on offense. Defensively we'll see.

But as someone said at the combine, Larry Bird wasn't very fast, and he couldn't jump over a paper clip, but he was a good defender and a good rebounder. Sometimes its all about desire..

 

[Vlade4GM]

It strikes me that there's a little irony in that statement. If your desire is to be a top three pick or not at all, and then you try to convince the teams in the 2 and 3 spots not to pick you, that only leaves you with one spot available. #1, which is not likely. So does he just pack up an go home. He's already stated that Sacramento is one of his choices. I can't see his camp making a big deal out of one spot lower at #4.

I mean the money difference isn't that great between 3 and 4, and I doubt it would affect any endorsement deal he might make.

I don't know, maybe I'm not remembering right, but saying he doesn't want to go to a team doesn't mean he doesn't want to get picked by that team.

 

[bajaden]

I don't know, maybe I'm not remembering right, but saying he doesn't want to go to a team doesn't mean he doesn't want to get picked by that team.

I know what you mean by that, but there's also a danger in that for him, if he truely wants to play in the NBA this year. By the way, I don't think there's anything wrong with your memory. I remember it the same way. But it is possible to change your mind, especially if you end going where you wanted to go in the first place.

 

[Aenadin]

maloofs said they are going to be spending money on some one if its possible... could it be this moment?

its easy to give him endorsements... a few palms casino here.. some maloof sports entertainment there... etc.

about being one of the top 3 pick.. im pretty sure his agenda has changed.. his agent probably expected the kings to be at least in the lower 3..

 

[Gary]

With his athletic woes he wont be a star.

With his length and BBIQ he should be at the least solid, very possibly an allstar. He'll be a great fit on our roster. I read somewhere that JT is an astonishing finisher on assisted plays (forget the exact %, but it was way up there)...He just doesnt have anyone to dish it to him.

Someone mentioned it above, and its true, Rubio isnt coming over if he's picked 4th. Due to the rookie salary scale he wont be able to pay his buyout (apparently, I think he'd be just fine with endorsement deals). Methinks we're going to be picking for either OKC or Memphis come draft day, and we'll probably have to give up a bit more too.

It seems nowadays that people create stars more so than talent creating the star. You bring in a young Spaniard with a mop top and you will have all the tweens running to him especially if the Magoofs do their job to promote him.

I am sure the Magoofs would do everything in their power to make him the next big thing in the NBA if the Kings were to draft him. And if he's good then all the better.

 

[pkballr]

^My favorite radio commercial is when they try to draw the ladies to Kings games by advertising Martin, Garcia, and Udrih. lol

 

[kennadog]

^My favorite radio commercial is when they try to draw the ladies to Kings games by advertising Martin, Garcia, and Udrih. lol

Hey, I'm a lady er...a woman anyway and I think they are all cute.

 

[kennadog]

maloofs said they are going to be spending money on some one if its possible... could it be this moment?

its easy to give him endorsements... a few palms casino here.. some maloof sports entertainment there... etc.

about being one of the top 3 pick.. im pretty sure his agenda has changed.. his agent probably expected the kings to be at least in the lower 3..

Since they are the owners, they can't give someone on their team endorsements for their other business. The league would say it was an attempt to get around salary rules. That's why you've never seen a kIng do an endorsement for any of their businesses.

 

[Aenadin]

i see... darn i didnt know that..

at least were sure jerseys will sell

 

[bajaden]

Since they are the owners, they can't give someone on their team endorsements for their other business. The league would say it was an attempt to get around salary rules. That's why you've never seen a kIng do an endorsement for any of their businesses.

Thats true, but I'm sure the Maloofs can steer him to people outside of their organization for endorsements.

 

[kennadog]

Thats true, but I'm sure the Maloofs can steer him to people outside of their organization for endorsements.

I have no doubt of that. The certainly have lots of connections.

 

[Bricklayer]

Send him to one of your blackjack tables, whisper a little something to the dealer there, and voila! Instant buyout coverage.

 

[Aenadin]

problem with that is hes too young to go to casinos lol

if his manager plays then why not