Vlade interview

[VF21]

Here's what Vlade had to say during the pre-game show before the Pelicans game:

Guy: I think I'm sitting next to two of the most beloved Kings. Vlade Divac, Welcome.

Vlade: Thank you.

Guy: What do you think of your old friend Bobby Jackson here?

Vlade: Well, I just told him, I'm so proud of him. I think he's doing a great job. I moved here a month ago and I'm watching him and your show and Bobby ... (Vlade gives Bobby a thumbs up sign). You're great!

Bobby: Thank you, man! Appreciate it. That means a lot. Cause I know if I was bad, you would tell me. (Grins)

Vlade: I would. (Smiling). I'm straight-forward.

Guy: How are you acclimating to your role in the front office as Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations?

Vlade: It's a process of learning. I think we have a great team and we should be a service to help those guys make sure they reach their own potential. I'm sure that next year is gonna be a different story.

Bobby: What made you, out of all those years out of basketball, come back to the city of Sacramento? What changed your mind or what drove you to come back and help this organization?

Vlade: Well, it's a great question... Vivek. We talk for the past year and a half, very much about basketball, the city and the organization. Obviously my six years, your 7 or 8, most of the guys who played here, it was the best years of our lives. Time for us to do something for this team and the city to bring that excitement back and I'm sure we are now on the right track.

Guy: This season we've heard plenty from Bobby on just how instrumental you were in that team having a lot of fun, we've played videos of all kinds of things that happened over the course of the season. When you think...

Vlade: (Looking at Bobby) I hope you didn't say everything, right? (Bobby and Vlade both laugh.)

Guy: When you think of those teams, what stands out to you?

Vlade: The camaraderie that we had in the locker room. We are like a true family. We really care about each other. Even today, we live all over the world but we follow each other - even the kids, the families - we want to do well. I'm glad I was part of that team and it's gonna stick with me for the rest of my life.

Bobby: Now, I've got a question for you. I'm talking moving forward - moving forward towards the draft. We may have a top 5 pick. What type of pick do you think we need that's gonna help improve this team?

Vlade: Well, we've got everything. We don't have time so we have to go and see who can play immediately in the NBA and be an impact. This team should help those guys to reach their full potential because when you see how they play, with some support to be a playoff team.

Guy: How does DeMarcus compare to you as a passer?

Vlade: You can see the last couple of games, especially Houston, I watched the game - he makes nice passes. You know, obviously it's up to his teammates. Can they move and play without the ball like Bobby could, like Doug Christie and Peja and it was easy for me and Chris to find those guys because they knew how to play without the ball.

Bobby: So what's the biggest adjustment coming into this front office that you see this team has to make moving forward?

Vlade: Well, this was a hard season. As a player, we know, 2 - 3 coaches... We need stability. Obviously with George Karl we've brought that stability and I'm sure next year is gonna be a totally different story.

Guy: There's a lot of attention tonight to Sim Bhullar. Tonight he might be the first player of Indian descent to play in an NBA game. What have you seen from him and what do you think tonight has been like for him?

Vlade: Well I saw him before the season in China. He's huge. When I say huge I mean he can have an impact definitely on defensive end right now. On the offense, he has a nice touch. He's big, he can't move as fast as other guys but that's something he can improve.

Bobby: Do you see him lasting and staying and possibly having a roster spot for next year?

Vlade: Well, you know, it's up to him. He improved very much in D-league. I watched a couple of games. He scores 15, 20 points. He has like 10 rebounds. He has 5, 6 blocked shots so I'm sure he can be part of the NBA.

Guy: What's your favorite Bobby Jackson story that you can tell?

Bobby: Come on, man. (Vlade puts his arm around Bobby and they both smile).

Vlade: That's my boy.

Bobby: We don't talk about that on the air.

Guy: I'm not asking him to say anything bad. (Smiles)

Vlade: (Still smiling) It's between us.

Bobby and Vlade both laugh.

Guy: Will you still pay his fines?

Vlade: Always. (Bobby is laughing even more now.) I'm always gonna have his back.

Guy: What about the Tracy McGrady fight?

Bobby: He paid my fine!

Vlade: I was fined too...because of him (pointing at Bobby).

Bobby: Yeah, cause he was on the bench and he stepped on the floor.

Vlade: I tried to act like I was trying to protect...

Bobby: He was trying to act tough...

Vlade: David Stern called me and said "Nice try. Two game suspension."

Guy: Okay, four home games remain. As you watch this team tonight, what do you look for when you watch this team?

Vlade: Well, I like the way we play right now. We move the ball well, we are more aggressive. What I don't like right now is turnovers and defensive effort. I think those two things we have to pay attention in our pre-season games.

Bobby: So, go back to the players. Ben McLemore as a basketball player. What do you see in him and how do you think he should approach the game going forward because he's been an up and down player all season.

Vlade: Well Bobby, you know it's all confidence. He has to have confidence in himself and his shooting because that's his job, to make shots. He's very athletic, he can do a lot of different stuff but he has to play with confidence. Right now, I don't think he plays with the confidence. That's why we have the up and down thing (he makes a roller coaster motion with his hand) with McLemore.

Guy: It's great to have you. Thanks for stopping by.

Bobby: Congrats, man. I'm glad you're here.

Vlade: Thank you. (To Guy) If you have any problems with him (meaning Bobby), let me know.

 

[gunks]

Thanks for doing this VF21!

Love that he addresses defensive effort. Lets hope the FO puts their money where their mouth is over the summer.

 

[206Fan]

Vlade: Well, we've got everything. We don't have time so we have to go and see who can play immediately in the NBA and be an impact. This team should help those guys to reach their full potential because when you see how they play, with some support to be a playoff team.

This is going to be important for the draft. It crosses off a lot of the raw prospects. I think its a no brainer that the Kings will draft WCS if he's available.

 

[Tetsujin]

This is going to be important for the draft. It crosses off a lot of the raw prospects. I think its a no brainer that the Kings will draft WCS if he's available.

Yep. As much potential as most of the other projected lottery picks have, WCS is probably the guy who's most primed to help out the team immediately (Aside from a Towns or Russell of course) with his ability to defend multiple positions and generally not drop routine passes.

That statement could also mean that we'll see at least one of Ben/Nik/Ray get shipped off in the offseason.

 

[IfAt1st]

I do not want another rookie on this team.
Not when that pick is highly coveted by other franchises, who will likely trade a starting SG or PF for it, who is sure to contribute right away.

But that interview read funny as hell. Thanks for transcribing it!

 

[Tetsujin]

I do not want another rookie on this team.
Not when that pick is highly coveted by other franchises, who will likely trade a starting SG or PF for it, who is sure to contribute right away.

But that interview read funny as hell. Thanks for transcribing it!

Name some names.

 

[pshn80]

I've read that Divak has spent time with Ranadive and Karl and Cuz (I think). Has anyone heard if he has spent time with PDA or Bratz or any other of the key people OR Granger and any others on the business side? (Franchise Operations)? Just looking for clues.

 

[VF21]

I've read that Divak has spent time with Ranadive and Karl and Cuz (I think). Has anyone heard if he has spent time with PDA or Bratz or any other of the key people OR Granger and any others on the business side? (Franchise Operations)? Just looking for clues.

There are two distinct sides to the organization, the basketball side and the business side. Vlade Divac is the VP of Basketball and Franchise operations. Chris Granger is the Executive Vice President of Team Marketing and Business Operations.

 

[pshn80]

There are two distinct sides to the organization, the basketball side and the business side. Vlade Divac is the VP of Basketball and Franchise operations. Chris Granger is the Executive Vice President of Team Marketing and Business Operations.

VF21, take a look at the listing on the Kings site designated "Contact Us". It shows the basketball/business split you speak of. Some interesting things there. Granger = President, then under "Business" it shows what's-her-name kolokonis as President, business side. The most interesting thing to me is the order of the listing on the basketball side:

PDA GM
Bratz Asst GM
Richmond Spec asst to GM
Divak VP, BO and FO

Had not seen that before. Leaves the answer to my questions up in the air.

 

[VF21]

Let's read between the lines just a bit, shall we?

Vivek did NOT name a Vice-President of Basketball and Franchise Operations when he bought the team, even though it would have been normal for him to do so.

Vlade says he and Vivek have been talking for a year and a half.

Isn't it possible Vivek and Vlade had been talking about him coming to the Kings the whole time (which coincides with a couple of rumors I heard early on but didn't think too much of) but that Vlade had to complete various other duties before he could do so?

I'm not sure what your questions really are at this point. I honestly think you're trying to read too much into some listings on a website.

 

[kingsboi]

The only thing I want to take away from this interview is his displeasure with the defensive effort...meaning he should be in Vivek's and Pete's ear all summer long about acquiring some defensive players.

 

[pshn80]

Let's read between the lines just a bit, shall we?

Vivek did NOT name a Vice-President of Basketball and Franchise Operations when he bought the team, even though it would have been normal for him to do so.

Vlade says he and Vivek have been talking for a year and a half.

Isn't it possible Vivek and Vlade had been talking about him coming to the Kings the whole time (which coincides with a couple of rumors I heard early on but didn't think too much of) but that Vlade had to complete various other duties before he could do so?

I'm not sure what your questions really are at this point. I honestly think you're trying to read too much into some listings on a website.

My questions surround the issue of who s in charge, which side of the house does Vlade fit in if not both, are these questions not yet resolved, if there is another screw op on the basketball side is it Vlade's fault instead of PDA's, etc. I'm not reading anything into the lists. Why should I care about the answers to my questions? Why do I watch or go to Kings games?

I'm just a little impatient about these open issues on who's running the basketball operations.

 

[IfAt1st]

Name some names.

Not my job.

PDA is paid by the Kings to keep up with other teams and know who would fit this team and who might be available for a #6 draft this year. He even has teams of people paid to do that, too.

Are you suggesting there are no veteran SGs or PF (or SFs if Rudy moves to the PF) to get in trade for a #6 pick?

 

[Tetsujin]

Not my job.

PDA is paid by the Kings to keep up with other teams and know who would fit this team and who might be available for a #6 draft this year. He even has teams of people paid to do that, too.

Are you suggesting there are no veteran SGs or PF (or SFs if Rudy moves to the PF) to get in trade for a #6 pick?

Well sure players are available but are they really equivalent to the value of the #6 pick in this year's draft? Hence me asking you for players you had in mind.

 

[dude12]

The pick at 6 will have great value once the underclass men declare for the draft. Looking potentially deep with bigs and then potentially the 2 PGs.....that can only increase the value.

 

[gunks]

Not to mention 2 stud wing defenders.

I think as long as we're picking top 8 or so, we can get a good player.

 

[jcwkings]

PDA will be gone very soon imo. He has been brushed to the background since the hiring of Karl, I mean I haven't seen the guy give an interview or make any appearance in a long time. Also I was listening to the Cowbell Kingdom Podcast and those guys said to watch out for the end of the season, before the playoffs start, something will go down. They seem to know some inside info that they don't want to let out.

 

[Albatros]

I think Pete is on borrowed time. If he is given the chance to redeem himself it appears that will be with vlade looking directly over his shoulder.

His botching of the Karl hire was a disaster he's lucky he's still here frankly.

They desperately need to streamline this operation, I don't want anymore vice vice vice deputy leader of the comittee gm operations to the president. I want a GM and a deputy. The end.

 

[IfAt1st]

Well sure players are available but are they really equivalent to the value of the #6 pick in this year's draft? Hence me asking you for players you had in mind.

Well, AFAIK there have been every year previous to this, so I don't see why this year would be any different...

(At least) The last 4 years, people have been saying "this draft class is deep! Some great players in this class!"
Go back and look at the typical #6 player the past 4 years, and see if they are as good as a veteran starting player that could be plugged into the starting lineup, fill a gaping hole for the Kings, and hit the ground winning next season.
There are always good players available - teams trade vets for high draft picks pretty often.

The Kings simply cannot afford to have another T-Rob, another Jimmer, another BMac or Stauskas on their hands next year.
The odds simply are not in their favor - and every year so many people want to try their luck again.

 

[One and Done]

Here's what Vlade had to say during the pre-game show before the Pelicans game:

Bobby: Now, I've got a question for you. I'm talking moving forward - moving forward towards the draft. We may have a top 5 pick. What type of pick do you think we need that's gonna help improve this team?

Vlade: Well, we've got everything. We don't have time so we have to go and see who can play immediately in the NBA and be an impact.

This is quite telling of the FO draft strategy - they're not necessarily looking for the best player available five years from now, they're looking for year 1 impact.

 

[Amit149]

Well, AFAIK there have been every year previous to this, so I don't see why this year would be any different...

(At least) The last 4 years, people have been saying "this draft class is deep! Some great players in this class!"
Go back and look at the typical #6 player the past 4 years, and see if they are as good as a veteran starting player that could be plugged into the starting lineup, fill a gaping hole for the Kings, and hit the ground winning next season.
There are always good players available - teams trade vets for high draft picks pretty often.

The Kings simply cannot afford to have another T-Rob, another Jimmer, another BMac or Stauskas on their hands next year.
The odds simply are not in their favor - and every year so many people want to try their luck again.

Actually the sixth pick in the last 3 drafts has been kinda great: Marcus Smart, Nerlens Noel and Damian Lilard.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

what happened? vivek doesn't trust the 6 steps ahead gerbil gave him?

 

[Tetsujin]

Actually the sixth pick in the last 3 drafts has been kinda great: Marcus Smart, Nerlens Noel and Damian Lilard.

Of course, the three years before that featured such luminaries as Jan "Already out of the NBA" Veseley, Ekpe Udoh (one pick after Boogie!), and Jonny "So bad he wasn't worthy of the 'H' in Johnny" Flynn so really the draft's a total crapshoot.

 

[IfAt1st]

Actually the sixth pick in the last 3 drafts has been kinda great: Marcus Smart, Nerlens Noel and Damian Lilard.

That's why I said "typical #6 pick".
Typically, a #6 pick is a talented, but flawed player who more often than not isn't an impact player in the NBA.
(Jan Vesely, Galinari, Jianilian Yi, Martell Webster, Josh Childress, Dejuan Wagner, Demarr Johnson, etc)

If the draft is in a really deep year (like 2001, 2003) than by all means keep it - but is this draft class any deeper than any of the past 10 years?

One could argue that in the past 4 years, there are less than 5 players drafted in the top 6 (that's the top 24 players) that are any better than a typical starting player in the NBA (that are frequently available by trading high draft picks). Plus, we have the advantage of seeing exactly what they can do on the court, and trade for someone who fits this team's needs instead of gambling and hoping.

I mean - why repeat the same thing we've failed at for 4 years, expecting a different result?

 

[Prince_XY]

The only thing I want to take away from this interview is his displeasure with the defensive effort...meaning he should be in Vivek's and Pete's ear all summer long about acquiring some defensive players.

Love that he addresses defensive effort. Lets hope the FO puts their money where their mouth is over the summer.

Defensive effort.

I think this is on the players and not on the FO/Vivek, unless we want to irrationally put the blame everything going wrong to the FO/Vivek. WE have seen players are capable to give adequate defensive effort under Malone. There is no reason why they cannot give the same effort under Karl. Effort should come from the players themselves no matter who the coach is. Laziness on defense should stop.

This is one thing that Karl's ability as a coach will be tested. I hope he will be able to make the players increase their effort in defense the same way Malone was able to do it. If he does, playoffs will be slam-dunk next season.

 

[Gilles]

That's why I said "typical #6 pick".
Typically, a #6 pick is a talented, but flawed player who more often than not isn't an impact player in the NBA.
(Jan Vesely, Galinari, Jianilian Yi, Martell Webster, Josh Childress, Dejuan Wagner, Demarr Johnson, etc)

If the draft is in a really deep year (like 2001, 2003) than by all means keep it - but is this draft class any deeper than any of the past 10 years?

One could argue that in the past 4 years, there are less than 5 players drafted in the top 6 (that's the top 24 players) that are any better than a typical starting player in the NBA (that are frequently available by trading high draft picks). Plus, we have the advantage of seeing exactly what they can do on the court, and trade for someone who fits this team's needs instead of gambling and hoping.

I mean - why repeat the same thing we've failed at for 4 years, expecting a different result?

Challenge accepted:

• Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker
• Victor Oladipo, Nerlens Noel
• Anthony Davis, MKG, Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard
• Kyrie Irving, Jonas Valanciunas

I assumed typical starting player means low-level 3rd option with some defense/good role player with solid defense.

 

[Amit149]

That's why I said "typical #6 pick".
Typically, a #6 pick is a talented, but flawed player who more often than not isn't an impact player in the NBA.
(Jan Vesely, Galinari, Jianilian Yi, Martell Webster, Josh Childress, Dejuan Wagner, Demarr Johnson, etc)

If the draft is in a really deep year (like 2001, 2003) than by all means keep it - but is this draft class any deeper than any of the past 10 years?

One could argue that in the past 4 years, there are less than 5 players drafted in the top 6 (that's the top 24 players) that are any better than a typical starting player in the NBA (that are frequently available by trading high draft picks). Plus, we have the advantage of seeing exactly what they can do on the court, and trade for someone who fits this team's needs instead of gambling and hoping.

I mean - why repeat the same thing we've failed at for 4 years, expecting a different result?

One could argue that, and be wrong.

2011 draft: 2 guys obviously better than a typical starter (Kyrie and Valančiūnas), 2 guys that might meet the criteria (Kanter, Tristan Thompson) and 2 Bust's (D-Will and Vesley).
2012 draft: 4 guys obviously better than a typical starter (AD, Lilard, Beal and MKG), a guy to weird to call (Dion Waiters) and a BUST (T-Rob, Courtesy of Sacramento).
2013 draft: 3 guys obviously better than a typical starter (Oladipo, Len and Noel), 2 guys that are to hard to tell (Porter, Zeller) and a BUST (Bennett).
2014 draft: 1 guy obviouslt better than a typical starter (Wiggins), another one that will almost certainly be one (Marcus Smart), another project that can become something special (Exum) and 3 guys that got injured but to say two of them will be above average starter will be conservative (Jabari, Embiid and Gordon).

All in all you got 10 definites, 7 maybe's (Smart and Exum included), 3 guys that got injured but will probably join that group and 4 bust's.

what you don't take into account is that if you draft a guy you have him for cheap for 4 years than can extend him if he is good at RFA- that is much more valuable than a guy on a bigger contract that when he expires can just leave. you aren't getting a star with the pick you have right now and I don't want to trade a pick to get an OK player if there are prospects i like left on the board.

 

[rhythmless]

This is quite telling of the FO draft strategy - they're not necessarily looking for the best player available five years from now, they're looking for year 1 impact.

I don't think it's telling at all. From previous interviews, they were also looking for a ready to go player last draft. Remember the whole, "this season is about wins. We're looking to win now" business? Where they went and grabbed a good sized shooter to space the floor for DMC, eschewing pgs that would take time to learn the game and bigs that were raw?

They can talk all they want. But we really just have to hit this draft. We don't have a lot of talent, and we have even less in the form of assets that teams want. Clock's ticking on the DMC train.

 

[hrdboild]

This whole discussion is really missing the point I think. Absolutely it would be to our benefit to trade our pick for a veteran. That's my preference as well, but that doesn't mean a trade is going to be there. If you can't get a better player by trading the pick than you can pick up 2 weeks later in free agency then what's the point? My goal going into this draft would be to find a starting PF that compliments Boogie and solidifies our playoff standing. I would put the pick on the trading block along with Stauskas or McLemore and Thompson or Landry (not sure that Landry actually adds value at this point, but he could help to match salaries). We might also have to include Darren Collison or Ray McCallum. In other words, I'm not looking for a small upgrade. I want to get the 3-5 positions locked in.

The unfortunate fact is that there aren't a lot of veterans who are young enough and good enough to fit the bill. And then you need to convince their current team to part with them. Sure you could trade your top 10 pick for an aging vet like Brooklyn did when they traded the Lillard pick for Gerald Wallace, but more often than not you end up overpaying for a mediocre player as the natural cycle of decline sets in and they never play up to the level you're paying them for. Wallace was 29 when he signed his current contract. The decline phase typically sets in quickly for NBA players (though Wallace is a bit of an exaggerated case because of his reckless style of play). It has to be someone with clear starter potential and someone 27 or younger as far as I'm concerned. If you can't find that player, than pick the best prospect left on the board, develop that asset, and look for a different trade down the line. Top 10 picks aren't disposable assets. Use it to make a trade if you can but only if it's a smart trade.

 

[pshn80]

This whole discussion is really missing the point I think. Absolutely it would be to our benefit to trade our pick for a veteran. That's my preference as well, but that doesn't mean a trade is going to be there. If you can't get a better player by trading the pick than you can pick up 2 weeks later in free agency then what's the point? My goal going into this draft would be to find a starting PF that compliments Boogie and solidifies our playoff standing. I would put the pick on the trading block along with Stauskas or McLemore and Thompson or Landry (not sure that Landry actually adds value at this point, but he could help to match salaries). We might also have to include Darren Collison or Ray McCallum. In other words, I'm not looking for a small upgrade. I want to get the 3-5 positions locked in.

The unfortunate fact is that there aren't a lot of veterans who are young enough and good enough to fit the bill. And then you need to convince their current team to part with them. Sure you could trade your top 10 pick for an aging vet like Brooklyn did when they traded the Lillard pick for Gerald Wallace, but more often than not you end up overpaying for a mediocre player as the natural cycle of decline sets in and they never play up to the level you're paying them for. Wallace was 29 when he signed his current contract. The decline phase typically sets in quickly for NBA players (though Wallace is a bit of an exaggerated case because of his reckless style of play). It has to be someone with clear starter potential and someone 27 or younger as far as I'm concerned. If you can't find that player, than pick the best prospect left on the board, develop that asset, and look for a different trade down the line. Top 10 picks aren't disposable assets. Use it to make a trade if you can but only if it's a smart trade.

Fortunately the FO knows all this and more. You can see how tough it is toget what you want no matter how much you pay. The nine players: Cuz has it locked, JT is a good PF OR a backup C, Gay is THE SF, Ben is an inadequate SG, Collison is a decent PG, Stauskas should do as back up SG, fnd a new home for DWill, Casspi is set at back up SF, Ray stays in the first nine. Keep Reggie.

Landry, Bhular, Hollins, Moreland need to prove something to be kept.

Need to get a starter at SG and a big to either start at PF or back up Cuz. Just to ask for a little more, upgrade one of the 6-9 rotation. Keep Miller.