Veteran leadership...

[Showtime]

A few thoughts:

The team is rebuilding, and the kings are basing the future of the franchise on these young guns. If that is to work, I believe that there needs to be a strong veteran leadership presence to guide them. Some guys like Billups attribute much of their success to those early influences that helped them become the player they became and be so successful.

And I don't just mean on the bench in a suit. I think having the guy in a jersey is different, because they show the guys first hand how a pro conducts himself. Coming in to practice, working hard every day, etc is a valuable asset that I no longer see on this team. Guys like Corliss and Bobby J could do that when they were here, but they are in other areas now and the team doesn't have that kind of presence on the team during a time where I think they need it most. They have a lot more youth and potentially an all start level talent that they haven't had in some time.

So I guess I'm saying I like Bobby joining the organization, but I would rather see him in a jersey mentoring Evans. Not just Jackson though. But maybe that's what GP had in mind with Mason...

...but then again I need to stop trying to figure out what GP is thinking.

 

[Bricklayer]

No we still don't have it. Maybe a tad from Noc, but al in all I get the feeling he'd rather be playing with a bunch of guys who already know what they are doing rather than having to teach a bunch of kids. Funny thing is that back in the day we probably had at least, and I do mean at least, 4 vet leaders better than our very best nowadays (Vlade, Webb, Doug, Bobby).

Not a vet, but am interested to see whetehr Tyreke can develop into a tough minded leader. Even without a vet, having a guy who has a cahnce to maybe be the best player on the team also emerge as its leader could be huge.

 

[PurpleHaze]

I think Coach W may be the best leader of this team at least this season by default - and that's not all bad. Obviously, he's not a "veteran player" on the roster but he can help mold a future leader. Last season some were saying Garcia had leadership qualities and then after Nocioni came on board he got similar hopeful tag. Kind of ironic that both speak Spanish as a first language and now they can chat it up even more with Rodriguez. If only Coachie spoke Spanish It seems that there are some players (a lot of players) on the roster who will never step forward in that role and they're easier to point to than any possible future Kings team leader.

 

[Showtime]

Not a vet, but am interested to see whetehr Tyreke can develop into a tough minded leader. Even without a vet, having a guy who has a cahnce to maybe be the best player on the team also emerge as its leader could be huge.

Personality makes great leaders, not talent. Kevin Martin should have taught Kings fans that by now. From the interviews and games I've seen, I don't know of Evans can be that leader yet.

 

[fnordius]

Personality makes great leaders, not talent. Kevin Martin should have taught Kings fans that by now. From the interviews and games I've seen, I don't know of Evans can be that leader yet.

I've been thinking about that stuff as well...

Hawes is notoriously ready to debate. Evans is said to be shy, and sparing with his words. I don't think it's something we've been drafting for.

 

[beb0p]

That's right, we dont have sufficient veteran leadership. Garcia is the strongest leader on this team but his impact will be reduced sitting on the sideline. Hoping Mason will fill in some gap. Noc does give the vibe that he'd rather be contending than teaching. Perhaps Sergio will emerge.

 

[vikinginferno]

A player can be shy and also be a great leader. Evans seems like the kind of player that can lead by example and personally I think that is the best kind of leadership.

 

[Jespher]

Don't forget Kenny Thomas. The ultimate veteran leader...Cheerleader that is .

 

[mac]

Don't forget Kenny Thomas. The ultimate veteran leader...Cheerleader that is .

Kenny Thomas is an absolute role model to follow for those who want to earn big bucks without doing a thing

 

[Kingster]

It's hard to have veteran leadership when the veterans are guys that everybody and their mother know will not be long with this team. Noc is a stopgap. Mason is a stopgap. Stopgaps don't provide leadership. They just fill the slot until the young guys takes their place. Right now the best shot the Kings have for a leader is Thompson. He brings it every night, has a good work ethic, can't stand to lose, and he's pretty articulate in his opinions. But to exert any leadership, Thompson is going to have to blow off the notion that he's only in his second year and start to think of himself as a vet.

 

[AriesMar27]

sergio... the silent leader. just get open and he'll find you.

 

[bajaden]

It's hard to have veteran leadership when the veterans are guys that everybody and their mother know will not be long with this team. Noc is a stopgap. Mason is a stopgap. Stopgaps don't provide leadership. They just fill the slot until the young guys takes their place. Right now the best shot the Kings have for a leader is Thompson. He brings it every night, has a good work ethic, can't stand to lose, and he's pretty articulate in his opinions. But to exert any leadership, Thompson is going to have to blow off the notion that he's only in his second year and start to think of himself as a vet.

Thompson has also stated on many occasions the he wants to be the leader and thats how he see's himself. The thing is, leaders aren't leaders because they suddenly stand up and say follow me. They have to have the respect of everyone. They have to be the one in the huddle that, when the team is down by 10 with 2 minutes left on the clock, says, "lets do this, lets win this game", and everyone believes that its a done deal.

I don't know if thats Thompson or not, but I'd say he has a shot at it. Who knows, it may be Evans in the end. Or both of them. Its something that will have to work itself out.

 

[bajaden]

sergio... the silent leader. just get open and he'll find you.

What if I'm lost?

 

[dbfish]

I think that once Evans puts the team on his back a few times the rest of the team will see him as the team leader, because he can do many things well like score, defend, dish. If it was just scoring Martin would be a leader and we know that doesn't work.
Noc could be a leader, short term but in the end it has to be Evans IMHO.

 

[Telemachus]

A player can be shy and also be a great leader. Evans seems like the kind of player that can lead by example and personally I think that is the best kind of leadership.

I remember a coach talking about Evens prior to the draft about leadership. He mentioned that even though he came to an experienced team in Memphis, he was looked to as the leader by the time they played their first game. Some people are just natural leaders who other WANT to follow. All indications I have heard about Evens is that he is that type of person.

 

[sono]

Kenny Thomas is an absolute role model to follow for those who want to earn big bucks without doing a thing

He's my role model!

 

[AriesMar27]

What if I'm lost?

just be ready, if you are lost he'll probably throw a behind the back pass to you. if you arent ready you'll drop the ball quicker than mikki moore playing catch at the park... or trying to catch anything i guess, he probably couldnt catch a cold...

 

[bajaden]

just be ready, if you are lost he'll probably throw a behind the back pass to you. if you arent ready you'll drop the ball quicker than mikki moore playing catch at the park... or trying to catch anything i guess, he probably couldnt catch a cold...

I believe I was just compared to Mikki Moore.. The surpreme insult. I'd rather be compared to a cold. On second thought, I'd rather stay lost..

 

[AriesMar27]

I believe I was just compared to Mikki Moore.. The surpreme insult. I'd rather be compared to a cold. On second thought, I'd rather stay lost..

i didnt compare you to mikki moore, i just warned you to be ready when sergio finds you. keep in mind you were hypothetically lost...

 

[Kingster]

Thompson has also stated on many occasions the he wants to be the leader and thats how he see's himself. The thing is, leaders aren't leaders because they suddenly stand up and say follow me. They have to have the respect of everyone. They have to be the one in the huddle that, when the team is down by 10 with 2 minutes left on the clock, says, "lets do this, lets win this game", and everyone believes that its a done deal.

I don't know if thats Thompson or not, but I'd say he has a shot at it. Who knows, it may be Evans in the end. Or both of them. Its something that will have to work itself out.

I think also a leader has to be fearless. He's got to be able to get into someone's grill and tell them he's not doing the job and to step it up. He can't be so concerned with being liked. He has to be much more concerned with winning and to hell with the popularity contest. Garnett is an excellent example in that regard.

 

[bajaden]

i didnt compare you to mikki moore, i just warned you to be ready when sergio finds you. keep in mind you were hypothetically lost...

Just as long as someone finds me. I hate being lost...

 

[CruzDude]

It seems Kevin Martin is a defacto leader whether he is in fact the "leader" of the team. His personality is not necessarily what a "leader" would be but among starters, for the moment, it is Kevin by default. Cisco was a good leader and key 6th man. But being out until the all-star break (my opinion) makes that role a bit difficult.

So among starters other than Kevin, we have 1 rookie Evans, 1 vet/rookie in May, 1 true vet in Mason, 1 hot headed emotional 3rd yr guy in Hawes and a great personality, hustle, all-around 4-yr college guy in JT. If I had to vote It would be JT out of that bunch. Maybe not the best choice due to he being only a 2-yr NBAer. Mason appears invisible so far but doing a very good defensive job on other teams top scorer. Evans will have too much on his mind learning the NBA.

Off the bench the obvious (to me) leader is Cisco but........ Noce? nope. Beno? nope. Omri? nope. who then? Beats me. I'm going to wait and see who does what and how they each contribute then revisit this topic in Jan-Feb.

 

[Kingsguy881]

Got this comment from Amicks twitter....Evans is the latest to grow tired of Nocioni's style. Pretty chippy between the two....

Evans is your future leader ladies and gentlemen.

 

[kennadog]

I did only go to one game, but from that and what I read, Evans will be the leader sooner than later. He just has presence. There is just an aura of never-ruffled confidence, power under control, strength of mind as well as body.

 

[Kingster]

Got this comment from Amicks twitter....Evans is the latest to grow tired of Nocioni's style. Pretty chippy between the two....

Evans is your future leader ladies and gentlemen.

What do you mean, "Nocioni's style"?

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

It better be Evans. I'm expecting big things from him, and he's in my fantasy league.

 

[Kingsguy881]

What do you mean, "Nocioni's style"?

Not me.....its from Amicks twitter. Found it on hoopshype.com.

 

[VF21]

Got this comment from Amicks twitter....Evans is the latest to grow tired of Nocioni's style. Pretty chippy between the two....

Evans is your future leader ladies and gentlemen.

I'm sorry but I'm not gonna buy into anything solely because Sam Amick tweeted it... people need to remember he's not reporting facts, he's reporting opinions and a lot of people find very little to agree with in most of his assessments of the Kings.

 

[Bricklayer]

What do you mean, "Nocioni's style"?

I would imagine this is a reference to Noc's roughhouse style, and presumably would stem from him being physical with Reke in practice.

 

[Kingster]

I would imagine this is a reference to Noc's roughhouse style, and presumably would stem from him being physical with Reke in practice.

Ahh. Not enough info to go on. Sounds too similar to the Tyreke-Martin non-relationship