SLAB
Hall of Famer
I have done this the past few years...With everything looking set in terms of who's under contract as of now, I thought I'd go ahead a do my annual write-up.
Point Guard
Starter: Mike Bibby --- Still tends to be one of the more underrated players in the league...Overall really good offensive player, but as usuall his defense is his achilles heel...Will he have a new role under Coach Musselman? Will he be more of a play-maker like his Grizzly days, or will he continue to be the shoot-first PG we all know...Without being the leader-by-default, I see a breakout year for Mike, where he can just sit back and do his thing.
Best Case: 23ppg, 5.5apg, 3rpg...Finally makes his first All Star Game.
Worst Case: 18ppg, 6apg, 3rpg...Game takes a hit with new coach.
Backup: Jason Hart --- I have a personal bias against Jason Hart...I think he was one of the worst players in the NBA last year...That aside, he still can get down into a defensive position, and attempt to guard you...Musselman stresses defense, and Jason provides...He hopefully will revert back to the distributor he was in Charlotte two years back...If not, I hope to see him unemployed by mid-season.
Best Case: 2ppg, 3.5apg, 1rpg...Plays solid defense in spurts.
Worst Case: 2ppg, 1apg, 1rpg...Defense fails him, and he's cut by mid-season.
3rd String: Quincy Douby --- The sharpshooter...Can he be our new Bobby Jackson? Can he come off the bench with a gunners mentality and drain threes, even though he is undersized and not a natural point guard? I sure hope so, because we have sorely lacked a player like pretty much since Bobby got all fragile on us...Will he do it? Probably not this year...Can he do it? Just maybe.
Best Case: 7ppg, 1apg, 1rpg...Shows signs of being our next Bobby Jackson.
Worst Case: 2ppg, 1apg, 1rpg...Maybe next year.
Best Case: 23ppg, 5.5apg, 3rpg...Finally makes his first All Star Game.
Worst Case: 18ppg, 6apg, 3rpg...Game takes a hit with new coach.
Backup: Jason Hart --- I have a personal bias against Jason Hart...I think he was one of the worst players in the NBA last year...That aside, he still can get down into a defensive position, and attempt to guard you...Musselman stresses defense, and Jason provides...He hopefully will revert back to the distributor he was in Charlotte two years back...If not, I hope to see him unemployed by mid-season.
Best Case: 2ppg, 3.5apg, 1rpg...Plays solid defense in spurts.
Worst Case: 2ppg, 1apg, 1rpg...Defense fails him, and he's cut by mid-season.
3rd String: Quincy Douby --- The sharpshooter...Can he be our new Bobby Jackson? Can he come off the bench with a gunners mentality and drain threes, even though he is undersized and not a natural point guard? I sure hope so, because we have sorely lacked a player like pretty much since Bobby got all fragile on us...Will he do it? Probably not this year...Can he do it? Just maybe.
Best Case: 7ppg, 1apg, 1rpg...Shows signs of being our next Bobby Jackson.
Worst Case: 2ppg, 1apg, 1rpg...Maybe next year.
Shooting Guards
Starter: Kevin Martin --- It's time to put up or shut up...With Bonzi gone, Kevin gets his shot to shine...He showed last year he has the ability to be able to do it...He can shoot it but can't score as Bonzi did...He can rebound good for a 2, but nowhere in Bonzi's league...In the end, we lose something going to Kevin this year, but he has a bright future, and the future begins now.
Best Case: 17ppg, 5rpg, 3apg...Most Improved Player? Makes us forget about Bonzi.
Worst Case: 12ppg, 4rpg, 3apg...Game does not explode, and fatigues as season goes on...Either way, development for next year is a good thing.
Backup: John Salmons --- 25 million...We got him when we couldnt get Bonzi...Im biased against him for that too...Everything says he is a middle of the road, nothing special, nothing terrible player...But maybe that was just under Iverson...Maybe without AI holding him down he can live up to his 25 million dollars...Sadly, I dont see it...I think he is what he is, and we will not get what we paid for...We get a middle of the road role-player that will not tremedously help or hurt us.
Best Case: 9ppg, 3rpg, 3apg...Scores some more without AI, provides marginal help everywhere else.
Worst Case: 5ppg, 2apg, 2rpg...We paid 25 mil for this? Loses key PT to younger guys.
Best Case: 17ppg, 5rpg, 3apg...Most Improved Player? Makes us forget about Bonzi.
Worst Case: 12ppg, 4rpg, 3apg...Game does not explode, and fatigues as season goes on...Either way, development for next year is a good thing.
Backup: John Salmons --- 25 million...We got him when we couldnt get Bonzi...Im biased against him for that too...Everything says he is a middle of the road, nothing special, nothing terrible player...But maybe that was just under Iverson...Maybe without AI holding him down he can live up to his 25 million dollars...Sadly, I dont see it...I think he is what he is, and we will not get what we paid for...We get a middle of the road role-player that will not tremedously help or hurt us.
Best Case: 9ppg, 3rpg, 3apg...Scores some more without AI, provides marginal help everywhere else.
Worst Case: 5ppg, 2apg, 2rpg...We paid 25 mil for this? Loses key PT to younger guys.
Small Forward
Starter: Ron Artest --- Comes into his fisr full season with the Kings...In my mind, is the unquestioned leader of this team...His tremendous defense will rub off on everyone else, while his offense will come from all over the place, and will include a number of shots that make you slap yourself on the forehead and mutter "What in God's name is he thinking?" But he is Ron Artest...The Tru Warier is here, and we will be in for a fun ride.
Best Case: 20ppg, 5rpg, 4apg, 2spg...Leads by example.
Worst Case: 20ppg, 4rpg, 4apg, 2spg...Explodes.
Backup: Cisco Garcia --- What do we expect from Cisco? Optimistically, he has learned under Ron Artest, and can use his length and athleticism to play defense, block shots, and makes some steals...He will shoot with his feet set, and not be a first option...Pessimistically, he can be the same wildly incosistant player that can show up one day, then give you zero's across the board the next day...A bad summer showing makes you lean to the pessimism...Some good sprinkled between lots of mediocre and bad.
Best Case: 6ppg, 3rpg, 2apg...Contributes across the board, learns from Ron.
Worst Case: 3ppg, 2rpg, 2apg...Will he pan out?
He's still here?: Corliss Williamson --- Who knows what he's going to provide this year...Maybe Musselman will find a use for his toughness inside? He seldom was used last year, but I think he seems like a Musselman type of player...Not decrepidly old, he could provide a nice spark, and honestly I happen to see that happening...Maybe not nightly, but for when the matchup calls for it.
Best Case: 7ppg, 2rpg, 1apg...Used in spurts, and provides energy.
Worst Case: 2ppg, 1rpg, 1apg...Seldom used...Cheerleading time! Traded by mid-season.
Best Case: 20ppg, 5rpg, 4apg, 2spg...Leads by example.
Worst Case: 20ppg, 4rpg, 4apg, 2spg...Explodes.
Backup: Cisco Garcia --- What do we expect from Cisco? Optimistically, he has learned under Ron Artest, and can use his length and athleticism to play defense, block shots, and makes some steals...He will shoot with his feet set, and not be a first option...Pessimistically, he can be the same wildly incosistant player that can show up one day, then give you zero's across the board the next day...A bad summer showing makes you lean to the pessimism...Some good sprinkled between lots of mediocre and bad.
Best Case: 6ppg, 3rpg, 2apg...Contributes across the board, learns from Ron.
Worst Case: 3ppg, 2rpg, 2apg...Will he pan out?
He's still here?: Corliss Williamson --- Who knows what he's going to provide this year...Maybe Musselman will find a use for his toughness inside? He seldom was used last year, but I think he seems like a Musselman type of player...Not decrepidly old, he could provide a nice spark, and honestly I happen to see that happening...Maybe not nightly, but for when the matchup calls for it.
Best Case: 7ppg, 2rpg, 1apg...Used in spurts, and provides energy.
Worst Case: 2ppg, 1rpg, 1apg...Seldom used...Cheerleading time! Traded by mid-season.
Power Forward
Starter: Kenny Thomas --- Honestly, I think there is no debate here...Kenny Thomas is the starter...He will provide you with a nightly near double-double, and his biggest strength is by far our biggest weakness...He is not nearly as bad as some of us tend to think...He is a role-player, and every successful team has some of those.
Best Case: 10ppg, 11rpg, 3apg...Double-double from the starter.
Worst Case: 6ppg, 7rpg, 1apg...Loses starting job, and becomes cancerous.
Backup: Shareef Abdur-Rahim --- He didnt have a typical SAR season last year...Is he mearly a good player on a bad team, and just a marginal player on a good team? Hmm...He showed he can still score inside, and can be a pesky man-to-man defender, but he was not a game changer...His rebounding took a hit, and started looking Peje-esq at times...Thats not good from out starting power forward...If he can play sixth man with a smile on his face, he definatly has the ability to be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Best Case: 14ppg, 7rpg, 2apg...Sixth Man consideration, rebounding improves.
Worse Case: 9ppg, 5rpg, 2apg...Did we sign a player on the downhill slide?
Another Backup: Maurice Taylor --- Signed after being cut by the New York Knicks...That is never a good sign...And the Kings continue to stockpile bodies that have the same purpose. It seems softess is the theme of this frontcourt...You know, Loren needs to learn through hs vetran peers that rebounding, shot-blocking, interior defense and those type of elements are rather pointless...As long as you can stand by the free throw line and hit a jumper, you are going to be fine...Will also back up the Center position...(shudder)...
Best Case: 8ppg, 4rpg, 1apg... Provides a nice spark, and plays with more energy after being cut by the Knicks...The ultimate insult.
Worst Case: 3ppg, 2rpg, 1apg...Shows why the Knicks cut him, benched early.
Best Case: 10ppg, 11rpg, 3apg...Double-double from the starter.
Worst Case: 6ppg, 7rpg, 1apg...Loses starting job, and becomes cancerous.
Backup: Shareef Abdur-Rahim --- He didnt have a typical SAR season last year...Is he mearly a good player on a bad team, and just a marginal player on a good team? Hmm...He showed he can still score inside, and can be a pesky man-to-man defender, but he was not a game changer...His rebounding took a hit, and started looking Peje-esq at times...Thats not good from out starting power forward...If he can play sixth man with a smile on his face, he definatly has the ability to be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Best Case: 14ppg, 7rpg, 2apg...Sixth Man consideration, rebounding improves.
Worse Case: 9ppg, 5rpg, 2apg...Did we sign a player on the downhill slide?
Another Backup: Maurice Taylor --- Signed after being cut by the New York Knicks...That is never a good sign...And the Kings continue to stockpile bodies that have the same purpose. It seems softess is the theme of this frontcourt...You know, Loren needs to learn through hs vetran peers that rebounding, shot-blocking, interior defense and those type of elements are rather pointless...As long as you can stand by the free throw line and hit a jumper, you are going to be fine...Will also back up the Center position...(shudder)...
Best Case: 8ppg, 4rpg, 1apg... Provides a nice spark, and plays with more energy after being cut by the Knicks...The ultimate insult.
Worst Case: 3ppg, 2rpg, 1apg...Shows why the Knicks cut him, benched early.
Center
Starter: Brad Miller --- Say what you want about him, he is still one of the more reliable centers in the league, in terms of numbers...However, his biggest assest isnt what we need at all...Provides none interior defense, and his rebounding has managed to slip in years past...As he gets older, this trend will probably continue as he starts staying outside more and more...Hopefully something will wake him up this year, and he can come out and be the thuggish player he was in Indiana...Just maybe...
Best Case: 16ppg, 10rpg, 3apg...Stops being passive, and regains his thuggish Indiana roots.
Worst Case: 10ppg, 7rpg, 3apg...Shys away from offense, timid on the boards...His downhill slide?
Backup: Loren Woods --- The man who lost his starting job to Rafeal Arujao...Ouch, saying that can never be good for someones career...However the guy is seven feet, and he does posess athleticism...HE will not be needed to score, but he will be wanted to rebound and provide everything BRad Miller, and the rest of our bigs, do not...HE has not done it on a consistant basis, but a Ron Artest can be just the kind of guy to put someones head on straight.
Best Case: 4ppg, 5rpg, 2bpg...A godsend, as hes our only interior presense on defense.
Worst Case: 2ppg, 2rpg, 1bpg...He continues to play like Loren Woods.
Just here because he has a contract: Vitaly Potopenko --- Honestly, I really see no playing time for him...Honestly, I dont see him playing...Hopefully traded by the start of the season.
Best Case: 2ppg, 3rpg, 0apg...Plays his heart out in garbage time.
Worst Case: N/A...Inactive all year.
Best Case: 16ppg, 10rpg, 3apg...Stops being passive, and regains his thuggish Indiana roots.
Worst Case: 10ppg, 7rpg, 3apg...Shys away from offense, timid on the boards...His downhill slide?
Backup: Loren Woods --- The man who lost his starting job to Rafeal Arujao...Ouch, saying that can never be good for someones career...However the guy is seven feet, and he does posess athleticism...HE will not be needed to score, but he will be wanted to rebound and provide everything BRad Miller, and the rest of our bigs, do not...HE has not done it on a consistant basis, but a Ron Artest can be just the kind of guy to put someones head on straight.
Best Case: 4ppg, 5rpg, 2bpg...A godsend, as hes our only interior presense on defense.
Worst Case: 2ppg, 2rpg, 1bpg...He continues to play like Loren Woods.
Just here because he has a contract: Vitaly Potopenko --- Honestly, I really see no playing time for him...Honestly, I dont see him playing...Hopefully traded by the start of the season.
Best Case: 2ppg, 3rpg, 0apg...Plays his heart out in garbage time.
Worst Case: N/A...Inactive all year.
The Questions
PG: Ronnie Price --- We now have a glut of point guards, but Petrie likes his talent...Can shoot the three, and shows he tries on defense...Could easily take Jason Harts place if Hart were to be dealt/cut...I think he will make this team.
SF/PF: Louis Amunden --- Played energized ball in the Summer Leagues...He was all over the place with his energy...Is that enough to warrent him a roster spot? Hopefully he can make it in after Potopenko gets waived/traded.
C: Justin Williams --- He can block shots...He can rebound...He is tall...He is an interior presense...He is someone that should make this team by default.
SF/PF: Louis Amunden --- Played energized ball in the Summer Leagues...He was all over the place with his energy...Is that enough to warrent him a roster spot? Hopefully he can make it in after Potopenko gets waived/traded.
C: Justin Williams --- He can block shots...He can rebound...He is tall...He is an interior presense...He is someone that should make this team by default.
The Final Fifteen
PG: Mike Bibby
PG: Ronnie Price (Inactive)
PG/SG: Quincy Douby
SG: Kevin Martin
SG: John Salmons
SF: Ron Artest
SF: Cisco Garcia
SF/PF: Corliss Williamson
PF: Kenny Thomas
PF: SAR
PF/SF: Louis Amundsen (Inactive)
C: Brad Miller
C/PF: Maurice Taylor
C: Loren Woods
C: Justin Williams (Inactive)
PG: Ronnie Price (Inactive)
PG/SG: Quincy Douby
SG: Kevin Martin
SG: John Salmons
SF: Ron Artest
SF: Cisco Garcia
SF/PF: Corliss Williamson
PF: Kenny Thomas
PF: SAR
PF/SF: Louis Amundsen (Inactive)
C: Brad Miller
C/PF: Maurice Taylor
C: Loren Woods
C: Justin Williams (Inactive)
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