The Plan for the Future! What do you think the plan is...

[sactownfan]

Well Petrie said himself that Thompson has a lot of 3 (SF) skills so what if we dont resign Beno... Play all the kids this year and actually get ourselves high enough in the lottery to draft Blake Griffin...

so then

C Hawes
PF Griffen
SF Thompson
SG Martin
PG FA

just a random though... with Kevin Durant playin the 2 it doesnt seem that crazy to put Thompson at the 3...

just a random thought

what you guys thinkin?

 

[BMiller52]

If we suck that badly next year I rather get Brandon Jennings or Ricky Rubio.

 

[Vlade4GM]

If we suck that badly next year I rather get Brandon Jennings or Ricky Rubio.

Heard that.

 

[Lafayette]

Its so funny how you people look at the upcoming season. Did no one watch last season? The Kings weren't fair from the playoffs and the team is better with these young kids and with the same guys comign back the team will be good to go. Stop thinking about next years draft, think about the NOW! The Kings are just fine, they still have some players to bring in and I'm sure Petrie is trying to dump Artest and Miller before the 1st, you never know what's going to happen. I don't see Thompson as a 3 because at 6'11 and the body of most PF in the NBA he'll fit in nicely.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Its so funny how you people look at the upcoming season. Did no one watch last season? The Kings weren't fair from the playoffs and the team is better with these young kids and with the same guys comign back the team will be good to go. Stop thinking about next years draft, think about the NOW! The Kings are just fine, they still have some players to bring in and I'm sure Petrie is trying to dump Artest and Miller before the 1st, you never know what's going to happen. I don't see Thompson as a 3 because at 6'11 and the body of most PF in the NBA he'll fit in nicely.

Yup, we'll be in the finals in no time at all.

 

[BMiller52]

Its so funny how you people look at the upcoming season. Did no one watch last season? The Kings weren't fair from the playoffs and the team is better with these young kids and with the same guys comign back the team will be good to go. Stop thinking about next years draft, think about the NOW! The Kings are just fine, they still have some players to bring in and I'm sure Petrie is trying to dump Artest and Miller before the 1st, you never know what's going to happen. I don't see Thompson as a 3 because at 6'11 and the body of most PF in the NBA he'll fit in nicely.

How are we supposed to do well without Brad and Ron? I mean I actually think Spencer could step in for Brad fine, but Ron leaving would make us a lot worse IMO. If we lose Ron+Brad IMO we might as well look at next year's draft, especially if we trade them for picks and young players.

I'm not counting this team out while we still have Ron but we have no PG besides Singletary and I don't think starting a rookie 2nd rounder is a good idea, heck most rookie PGs don't start unless they're top 5-10 picks.

We still need to find a young PG in trade or FA, or if we don't then we look ahead to trying to get a PG like Jennings or Rubio or whomever. Also depends on who we trade Brad/Ron for I guess?

 

[Entity]

Yup, we'll be in the finals in no time at all.

LOL no we won't be in the finals. But unless a major talent bleed happens we won't be seeing a top 10 pick for a while. you can't be that bad with players like Martin, Garcia, Artest, Salmons, and Miller having a good year like he did. Not to mention Hawes will be better Thompson coming in. If Beno returns more chemistry from him with the others and Reggie with a year to see how things work under his belt. No top 10 pick for us next season not even if Artest opts out maybe not even with Miller traded for picks.

 

[steelevt]

LOL no we won't be in the finals. But unless a major talent bleed happens we won't be seeing a top 10 pick for a while. you can't be that bad with players like Martin, Garcia, Artest, Salmons, and Miller having a good year like he did. Not to mention Hawes will be better Thompson coming in. If Beno returns more chemistry from him with the others and Reggie with a year to see how things work under his belt. No top 10 pick for us next season not even if Artest opts out maybe not even with Miller traded for picks.

after this draft ive really been thinking about the kings future and i really agree with you. we have a avg/good team. not good enough to go far in the playoffs, if we make it. not bad enough for a top 10 draft pick. this year we picked a solid player (i hope). lets say he makes a somewhat decent impact and contributes adding a few wins. what does that do for a team that needs to rebuild? if we keep doing well enough to just miss the playoffs or at best barely make the first round, all we get is a mid-late round draft pick. then we draft another solid player and repeat. i know top 10 drafts aren't sure things, but id bet they'd have a bigger chance of becoming a star and turning a team around. all these mid round picks do is add a couple more wins to our mediocre team. that was one of the main reasons i was torn between drafting potential vs a good nba ready talent left in the middle of the first. basically what my question is...how does a team stuck where we're at, get out? the closest thing i can come up with is that magical 2010 everyone mentions, when a crap load of contracts come off our salary. hopefully we can grab an allstar to turn our avg/good team into a great one.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Its so funny how you people look at the upcoming season. Did no one watch last season? The Kings weren't fair from the playoffs and the team is better with these young kids and with the same guys comign back the team will be good to go. Stop thinking about next years draft, think about the NOW! The Kings are just fine, they still have some players to bring in and I'm sure Petrie is trying to dump Artest and Miller before the 1st, you never know what's going to happen. I don't see Thompson as a 3 because at 6'11 and the body of most PF in the NBA he'll fit in nicely.

oOOOoohhhh yeah, we'll be moving on up to the 2nd round after sum experience w/ this squad..

 

[NyfdRIP343]

As much as it would be nice to get another decent draft pick next year, I have to say I would much rather have the playoffs here at Arco again. It would bring back some excitement, and the playoffs are great. Even if we dont go far, or just win ONE game in a series, I would be happy with that. We are a solid team, who did decent last year, and there's no question there's going to be hard-competition in the West again, but why cant we rise to the occasion?! We played hard everynight and thats all we can ask for. Im not saying we will be in the playoffs, but I'm hoping for a round one exit from the playoffs rather than a number 12 selection again.

 

[Semi]

As much as it would be nice to get another decent draft pick next year, I have to say I would much rather have the playoffs here at Arco again. It would bring back some excitement, and the playoffs are great. Even if we dont go far, or just win ONE game in a series, I would be happy with that. We are a solid team, who did decent last year, and there's no question there's going to be hard-competition in the West again, but why cant we rise to the occasion?! We played hard everynight and thats all we can ask for. Im not saying we will be in the playoffs, but I'm hoping for a round one exit from the playoffs rather than a number 12 selection again.

YEAH! That's what I'm talkin about baby! 1 win in a playoff series! That would be awesome!

 

[Dime Dropper]

I have to say, I'm absolutely mind-boggled at the fact that some people want us to make the POs next year, let alone think we can do it. I'm seriously at a loss for words.

Could there be a more pointless outcome than making the POs next year and getting swept in the first round? Is that really what people want? To continue this mediocrity for years to come?

Blow it up (trade Ron, Brad or whoever for youngs and picks), get a few high picks in the lottery, and boom. In 5 years time we should have a quality product. Look at what Portland did. Have some patience for Christs sake, this organisation is going to continue to be one huge mess if it continues to aim for the POs with a below average (and not even young) team.


EDIT: BTW, who the hell is Griffin? And Thompson is not a 3, he's a 4, period.

 

[SacKings7]

I have to say, I'm absolutely mind-boggled at the fact that some people want us to make the POs next year, let alone think we can do it. I'm seriously at a loss for words.

Could there be a more pointless outcome than making the POs next year and getting swept in the first round? Is that really what people want? To continue this mediocrity for years to come?

Blow it up (trade Ron, Brad or whoever for youngs and picks), get a few high picks in the lottery, and boom. In 5 years time we should have a quality product. Look at what Portland did. Have some patience for Christs sake, this organisation is going to continue to be one huge mess if it continues to aim for the POs with a below average (and not even young) team.


EDIT: BTW, who the hell is Griffin? And Thompson is not a 3, he's a 4, period.

Blake Griffin, a really good PF who dropped out of this draft early. Currently pegged as the #1 pick of next years draft (even though that means nothing). And I really can't believe people want us to make the playoffs next year either. If we ever want to be great again, we have to rebuild properly...and do it through the draft the way Portland did it

 

[Dime Dropper]

Blake Griffin, a really good PF who dropped out of this draft early. Currently pegged as the #1 pick of next years draft (even though that means nothing). And I really can't believe people want us to make the playoffs next year either. If we ever want to be great again, we have to rebuild properly...and do it through the draft the way Portland did it

Oops, I didn't read the top of the OP. Griffin would be a good choice, but if we get a top pick, I will be extremely annoyed if we don't take Rubio (if he enters), no matter who is on the board. I can't stress how good this kid is. He's only 17 and one of the better PGs in Europe. He's a magician.

Note: The following is unrelated - note about Rubio.
Yesterday, I was lucky enough to meet Spains under 16 coach. I didn't catch his name, Alberto or Aberta something or other. Our normal coach got him to coach us for just one session since he was over here and they know each other. He's an amazing coach (his Spanish team were European champs last year). Anyway, he knows Rubio pretty well (I presume he's coached him) and he said he's just unbelievable. He films him playing and gives it to his players to learn.
He spoke of one instance where Rickys team was up with about 30 seconds to go. His team had to take the ball in. He was thrown the ball from the sideline, but he didn't catch it. He let the ball hit his chest and bounce beside him. He let some time elapse, until their was less than 24seconds left. At that point he picked up the ball. All the while he was explaining to the refs that the normal clock starts one the ball touches a player inbounds. However, the shot clock doesn't start until a team is in possession of the ball. Since he wasn't in possession of the ball until under 24 seconds were left, they could dribble it out.

He's a really smart player. Knows every trick in the book. He could be the best Euro ever.

 

[Lafayette]

People, you need to see the BIG picture. This team is a run and gun squad like the Warriors who after one bad season they learned to play together with some nobody players and just turned it up a notch and BAM right into the playoffs and making a push to almost... almost making the finals. All they had was one superstar and everybody else just stepped in and stepped it up. I think the Kings have a good C-SF-SG and to get Beno back along with having a young PF backup or start is a good thing. STOP looking to next season and losing and so forth, if you keep wanting draft picks your going nowhere as a team. It's about winning not always presuming we'll be bad so lets look passed this year and onto next. A good example of a team with good players but went nowhere is the BULLS whom got lucky with the first pick. They're not exactly rebuilding, they're not looking to next year to get another pick, they already have the players there. Like the Kings, the players are good enough just need to put it all together. Can't say that about every team but this team is a prebuilt machine that needs some bolts and nuts tightened so it runs smoothly or.... NEW PICK NEW COACH! LOL!

 

[VF21]

No offense whatsoever, but I cannot believe how some have to always be looking past the present towards the future. Is there no excitement about the coming year and what our younger players may be able to do?

If the only reason to play is to lose so you get a better draft pick, I know I wouldn't bother going to any games. Those of you who are already looking at next year's draft won't understand this, I know, but there are a lot of fans who want the team to be fun and exciting THIS year and will hope for the very best. If you don't happen to agree, that's perfectly fine but WHY do you almost always have to resort to sarcasm in your response?

Okay, you don't think the playoffs are a goal and you don't want to see the Kings do anything to jeopardize a great pick. That is certainly your choice to make. But please, just once in a while, realize that yours isn't the only possible opinion on the subject.

Some of us - and I think it's probably a pretty good-sized number - actually want to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. When someone starts a thread like this, it seems that almost immediately anyone who actually says anything hopeful is attacked from all sides. That's not fair IMHO. Everyone should be entitled to express what is a completely hypothetical opinion without ridicule, especially when asked.

 

[Emma]

I can't say I like the Kings being in the lottery, nor should it be an achievement goal for this team. I would be ecstatic if this team reeled off 46-50 wins and took a bow in the first round. At least I wouldn't get "the Kings suck they can't make the playoffs" at work and school, which is a real goal, and a measure of success and respectability.

The longer you lean on the draft for talent, the higher your chances of having a team full of unproven scrubs. Watch, Portland will fail to make the playoffs this year again after trying to acclimate to Oden. The draft is good for only one thing: picking up potential.

The team should just shed contracts and pay the luxury tax for one year to land Arenas. Screw it. I want to see a winner right now!

 

[fnordius]

Well Petrie said himself that Thompson has a lot of 3 (SF) skills so what if we dont resign Beno... Play all the kids this year and actually get ourselves high enough in the lottery to draft Blake Griffin...
[......]
what you guys thinkin?

I think that any team has room for 3 bigs in its rotation, without needing to put one at SF, so I don't see any problem with adding another young big.

However, after fans hoping for Oden a couple of years ago, and Rose a year ago, only to end up with #10 and #12, I'm not about to expect #1 in the next draft. Barring massive changes, I'm thinking somewhere in the #11-#14 range.

 

[sactownfan]

No offense whatsoever, but I cannot believe how some have to always be looking past the present towards the future. Is there no excitement about the coming year and what our younger players may be able to do?

If the only reason to play is to lose so you get a better draft pick, I know I wouldn't bother going to any games. Those of you who are already looking at next year's draft won't understand this, I know, but there are a lot of fans who want the team to be fun and exciting THIS year and will hope for the very best. If you don't happen to agree, that's perfectly fine but WHY do you almost always have to resort to sarcasm in your response?

Okay, you don't think the playoffs are a goal and you don't want to see the Kings do anything to jeopardize a great pick. That is certainly your choice to make. But please, just once in a while, realize that yours isn't the only possible opinion on the subject.

Some of us - and I think it's probably a pretty good-sized number - actually want to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. When someone starts a thread like this, it seems that almost immediately anyone who actually says anything hopeful is attacked from all sides. That's not fair IMHO. Everyone should be entitled to express what is a completely hypothetical opinion without ridicule, especially when asked.

What im looking forward to is see Miller, Artest, Kenny Thomas, SAR, and Moore back there bags and seeing pieces for the future coming in return...

BUT MOST OF ALL im looking forward to seeing our newest 3 Kings actually play big mins along with Garcia, Hawes, Martin, and maybe even Douby... That to me will be really exciting...

 

[Bricklayer]

The ONLY people who are actually saying anything hopeful are the ones looking toward the future.

And when a thread is started about "plan for the future" anybody so shortsighted that they consciously do not WANT there to be a plan for the future should probably stay out -- or accept that such foolishness is going to be torn to shreds.

I would not want us to have a plan for the future either...if I were a Lakers fan. Let 'em wallow in their delusional filth and pine for the good ole days. However I am not a Lakers fan, I am not shortsighted, and I am not delusional. And just about every result of our stupid lack of a plan for years and years has occurred exactly as I predicted it would. We miss the playoffs, do not get high picks, were 27th in the league in attendance...the intial ignorance that made the non-plan palatable to people was bad. It pandered to their wekaness and need for instant gratification the same way a casino or supersized double whopper meal does. But to hear the same junk repeated again and again TODAY has gotten to the point of insanity. It failed. Miserably. It is enough.

Time for A PLAN. The same plan that everybody uses. The same plan that Portland is just wrapping up. That rebuilt moribund franchises in Cleveland, Orlando, Miami (and they are doing it again down there). Picks, kids, cap space and short term losses. Nothing more exciting to watch except the elite team that may one day result.

Hawes, Thompson, Cisco, Martin + maybe Beno and Sheldon. That is the excitement on the team. That's what there is to look forward to.

 

[Dime Dropper]

It's not about the team and coach going out their next year and purposefully losing. That's not gonna happen. It's up to the GM to make sure the team is not in a position to win the worst amount of games possible (what we've been doing the last two seasons). Geoff hasn't done that. He's still in no mans land.

You say you want excitment? I'm willing to bet watching a bunch of young guys hustle and grow together is far more exciting than watching Ron jack up shots, than watching Mikki Moore get far more minutes than he should etc. I want to enjoy the journey as well as the destination, too. But as of now we haven't even started the journey. I want us to start it, that's what I'm saying.

I mean really, how many years does this have to go on before people finally realise it's never going to work? Do you not want something more to look forward to in coming seasons than a 35-40 win season? 'Cause that's what you're aiming for by wanting another season like this. This team is not very talented. It's not going to make the POs next year. The rebuilding process will have to start eventually. Why put it off?

Watching the job Portland are doing just makes me envious. They got on with it and now they're going to be a force for the next decade. Do we really want to become the Clippers? We will be the laughing stock of the NBA if we don't actually do anything. And the last two years we haven't done anything of any real significance.

And no, I'm not bashing anyones opinion. Nor am I pessimistic. I just want to do things the right way. Based on pretty much every other team whose won a 'chip, they all did it the right way. People still ignore this. They think the Kings will go deep in the POs just because they want them to. Wake up, it won't happen.

 

[Vlade4GM]

No offense whatsoever, but I cannot believe how some have to always be looking past the present towards the future. Is there no excitement about the coming year and what our younger players may be able to do?

If the only reason to play is to lose so you get a better draft pick, I know I wouldn't bother going to any games. Those of you who are already looking at next year's draft won't understand this, I know, but there are a lot of fans who want the team to be fun and exciting THIS year and will hope for the very best. If you don't happen to agree, that's perfectly fine but WHY do you almost always have to resort to sarcasm in your response?

Okay, you don't think the playoffs are a goal and you don't want to see the Kings do anything to jeopardize a great pick. That is certainly your choice to make. But please, just once in a while, realize that yours isn't the only possible opinion on the subject.

Some of us - and I think it's probably a pretty good-sized number - actually want to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. When someone starts a thread like this, it seems that almost immediately anyone who actually says anything hopeful is attacked from all sides. That's not fair IMHO. Everyone should be entitled to express what is a completely hypothetical opinion without ridicule, especially when asked.

No one is being attacked, quit exaggerating.

I don't see why if someone doesn't believe the team can make the playoffs or should then that means they're not exciting about the upcoming season.

 

[RunNGun]

Is it just me or is anyone else getting a little tired about hearing how great Portland's rebuilding these past few years. I am very impressed with the talent that has accumulated in Portland, but I can't stand hearing how Portland is doing things the "right" way and anyone else who is doing it another way is "wrong". Despite all this talent Portland has yet to make the playoffs and there is a certain timeline on their rebuilding strategy. Because Portland accumulated all this talent in a short time all of these talented players are going to have to be resigned to large contracts very soon. By the time that Oden will need to be resigned Portland will have 3 very large contracts in Oden, Aldridge, and Roy. Not to mention the contracts of players like Outlaw and now Bayless when their resigning comes.

How long can Portland hoard youth before they have to make a move for a big name veteran? I really expected Portland to make a move on draft day, but again their office seems hesitant to bring in a veteran. Perhaps when the opt out period ends they will make that move. But as I see it right now, Portlands move have brought a lot of hope and flash to the city. However I haven't seen the results yet. So please, can people stop referring to Portland as the model for rebuilding until they are in the playoffs at least?

 

[VF21]

The ONLY people who are actually saying anything hopeful are the ones looking toward the future.

And when a thread is started about "plan for the future" anybody so shortsighted that they consciously do not WANT there to be a plan for the future should probably stay out -- or accept that such foolishness is going to be torn to shreds.

I would not want us to have a plan for the future either...if I were a Lakers fan. Let 'em wallow in their delusional filth and pine for the good ole days. However I am not a Lakers fan, I am not shortsighted, and I am not delusional. And just about every result of our stupid lack of a plan for years and years has occurred exactly as I predicted it would. We miss the playoffs, do not get high picks, were 27th in the league in attendance...the intial ignorance that made the non-plan palatable to people was bad. It pandered to their wekaness and need for instant gratification the same way a casino or supersized double whopper meal does. But to hear the same junk repeated again and again TODAY has gotten to the point of insanity. It failed. Miserably. It is enough.

Time for A PLAN. The same plan that everybody uses. The same plan that Portland is just wrapping up. That rebuilt moribund franchises in Cleveland, Orlando, Miami (and they are doing it again down there). Picks, kids, cap space and short term losses. Nothing more exciting to watch except the elite team that may one day result.

Hawes, Thompson, Cisco, Martin + maybe Beno and Sheldon. That is the excitement on the team. That's what there is to look forward to.

My only complaint is the lack of respect for alternative opinions. If people want to post their feelings and they tend to be in the same vein as mine, for example, why should they be subjected to sarcasm at every juncture? The idea of a plan for the future thread is intriguing but isn't a valid opinion to plan to make the most of what we have, see what happens and go from there?

Sorry, Brickie, because I know you hate this, but FANS who actually plunk down hard-earned cash to see a competitive team right now are just as rabid about the Kings as those who are already thinking about the 2009 draft selection. There should be room for rational discourse without the immediate sarcasm by a few.

 

[VF21]

It's not about the team and coach going out their next year and purposefully losing. That's not gonna happen. It's up to the GM to make sure the team is not in a position to win the worst amount of games possible (what we've been doing the last two seasons). Geoff hasn't done that. He's still in no mans land.

You say you want excitment? I'm willing to bet watching a bunch of young guys hustle and grow together is far more exciting than watching Ron jack up shots, than watching Mikki Moore get far more minutes than he should etc. I want to enjoy the journey as well as the destination, too. But as of now we haven't even started the journey. I want us to start it, that's what I'm saying.

I mean really, how many years does this have to go on before people finally realise it's never going to work? Do you not want something more to look forward to in coming seasons than a 35-40 win season? 'Cause that's what you're aiming for by wanting another season like this. This team is not very talented. It's not going to make the POs next year. The rebuilding process will have to start eventually. Why put it off?

Watching the job Portland are doing just makes me envious. They got on with it and now they're going to be a force for the next decade. Do we really want to become the Clippers? We will be the laughing stock of the NBA if we don't actually do anything. And the last two years we haven't done anything of any real significance.

And no, I'm not bashing anyones opinion. Nor am I pessimistic. I just want to do things the right way. Based on pretty much every other team whose won a 'chip, they all did it the right way. People still ignore this. They think the Kings will go deep in the POs just because they want them to. Wake up, it won't happen.

The only real difference in our opinion is you think last year is a blueprint for next year. I disagree.

With the trade of Mike Bibby, and what I firmly believe will be some movement over the summer, I don't think the 2008-2009 Kings are going to be a repeat of last season.

And for the record? I'm not thinking the Kings will go deep in the playoffs next year but I do think they'll be exciting and fun to watch. Rome wasn't built in a day; a team cannot be rebuilt over night. I don't think the front office (and that includes the Maloofs) was truly committed to rebuilding until they finally saw the writing in the sky and moved Bibby.

It's going to take more moves, but I'm encouraged and hopeful.

What im looking forward to is see Miller, Artest, Kenny Thomas, SAR, and Moore back there bags and seeing pieces for the future coming in return...

BUT MOST OF ALL im looking forward to seeing our newest 3 Kings actually play big mins along with Garcia, Hawes, Martin, and maybe even Douby... That to me will be really exciting...

Exactly.

 

[Bricklayer]

Is it just me or is anyone else getting a little tired about hearing how great Portland's rebuilding these past few years. I am very impressed with the talent that has accumulated in Portland, but I can't stand hearing how Portland is doing things the "right" way and anyone else who is doing it another way is "wrong". Despite all this talent Portland has yet to make the playoffs and there is a certain timeline on their rebuilding strategy. Because Portland accumulated all this talent in a short time all of these talented players are going to have to be resigned to large contracts very soon. By the time that Oden will need to be resigned Portland will have 3 very large contracts in Oden, Aldridge, and Roy. Not to mention the contracts of players like Outlaw and now Bayless when their resigning comes.

How long can Portland hoard youth before they have to make a move for a big name veteran? I really expected Portland to make a move on draft day, but again their office seems hesitant to bring in a veteran. Perhaps when the opt out period ends they will make that move. But as I see it right now, Portlands move have brought a lot of hope and flash to the city. However I haven't seen the results yet. So please, can people stop referring to Portland as the model for rebuilding until they are in the playoffs at least?

Again..if you can't see what is happeneing in Portland because oh no! they have to made the playoffs yet with a team full of 21 yr olds...I mean come on. I have to assume that you are being willfully obtuse there. Its not really analysis if you have to actually be hit on the head by apple before you realize its falling. And the absolute beauty of what they have done is that they do not NEED a vet. They have already passed us up wihtout one. They march forward now with absolutely no ticking clock. They literally have a full decade before ANY of their important pieces is going to start showing any age. They are absolutely primed for a big big run. And THAT is why the rebuild is perfect. That's what you aiming for. I've been watching the league for a long long time, and there have been few if any teams I have seen poised for a better future than the Blazers. The Celtics won the title this year, but they would trade their future in a second for that of the Blazers.

And as an aside -- the fans know it too. They are sold out again this year, have less than 400 season tickets remaining. You get that youth together, that incredibly bright future, the people WILL fill the building just to watch it grow, regardless of whether you "make the playoffs" (yippee!) this year or not. They probably will. But that's not really important. Every year they get stronger, and sometime very very soon...

 

[bajaden]

Anyone who can't see what Portland has accomplished is just plain blind. To a degree, they were forced into doing what they did. Their fan base was going south, along with a lot of their players pictures on the post office wall in the wanted section.

But, what ever the reason for the rebuild, they have done a good job. If the Kings were in the east, I would say they had more than an even chance to make the playoffs. But they're not, and Thompson would have to be the second coming of Karl Malone out of the box for us to make the playoffs in the west. If they can be entertaining and competitive, thats all I ask for now.

The future lies after the 2009/2010 season. If the Kings look like an up and coming team with a future, I don't think they will have a problem attracting a big time free agent. Playing on the west coast is attractive in of itself, and besides, money talks.

I personaly think that the Kings have started their rebuild. As for who was responsible for the delay? I have no clue. If I were to guess, it would be the Maloff's, beause of their concern for the box office receits. Whether you agree that Petrie is brilliant or just run of the mill, he does know basketball, and I'm sure he's able to recognize when a team is in decline, and bandaids are of no futher use.

Before heaping any more praise or condemnation on the Kings, I think we should wait and see what happens over the span of the summer. At that point we'll have a better idea where were headed....

 

[RunNGun]

Again..if you can't see what is happeneing in Portland because oh no! they have to made the playoffs yet with a team full of 21 yr olds...I mean come on. I have to assume that you are being willfully obtuse there. Its not really analysis if you have to actually be hit on the head by apple before you realize its falling. And the absolute beauty of what they have done is that they do not NEED a vet. They have already passed us up wihtout one. They march forward now with absolutely no ticking clock. They literally have a full decade before ANY of their important pieces is going to start showing any age. They are absolutely primed for a big big run. And THAT is why the rebuild is perfect. That's what you aiming for. I've been watching the league for a long long time, and there have been few if any teams I have seen poised for a better future than the Blazers. The Celtics won the title this year, but they would trade their future in a second for that of the Blazers.

And as an aside -- the fans know it too. They are sold out again this year, have less than 400 season tickets remaining. You get that youth together, that incredibly bright future, the people WILL fill the building just to watch it grow, regardless of whether you "make the playoffs" (yippee!) this year or not. They probably will. But that's not really important. Every year they get stronger, and sometime very very soon...

I'm not saying what they are doing is wrong, I am just saying lets not hand them the trophy just yet. And it might be just a difference in opinion, but I would argue that the need of a veteran is essential to any great competitive team. Though Roy is mentally years ahead of his age, he's still not likely to grow into a superstar. And lets not forget that they have had the benefit of a number 1 overall pick to make their teams future look a lot brighter.Think about Portlands future sans Oden, it looks decent but nothing to contend for a title. If we had added Rose to our roster our future would instantly look a lot brighter and Arco would probably start to sell out again. But because we are the Kings and apparently have upset the basketball gods (Stern as Zeus) we don't get that kind of luck. We probably could never even scrap up enough luck to get the 3rd pick.

And I would argue that a team does need experience and mental toughness that veterans usually provide for any hope at a championship. Everyone knew that the Kings without Vlade was never going to be a contender again because he brought something that no kid could ever bring. If Portland is gonna try to be a contender with the kids they've got now then they will have to wait a long time and lose a lot of playoff series just to get Oden, Aldridge, and Roy up to that level.

 

[Jerryaki]

Those of you who are already looking at next year's draft won't understand this, I know, but there are a lot of fans who want the team to be fun and exciting THIS year and will hope for the very best. If you don't happen to agree, that's perfectly fine but WHY do you almost always have to resort to sarcasm in your response?

Its so funny how you people look at the upcoming season. Did no one watch last season? The Kings weren't fair from the playoffs and the team is better with these young kids and with the same guys comign back the team will be good to go.

those in the rebuilding camp didn't start this argument. but come on VF, it's TDOS, which means we're right on time for the annual "rebuild or playoffs" bickering.

 

[Jerryaki]

And it might be just a difference in opinion, but I would argue that the need of a veteran is essential to any great competitive team.

if you were a veteran FA, would you rather play with the roster in portland, or the roster in Sac? that is a rhetorical question, of course the answer is portland, and that again underscores why they are way ahead of us.