Vlade

Glenn

Hall of Famer
His name pops up frequently on this forum. Pardon me for hyperbole but I think it is highly likely that Vivek thought Vlade was THE BEST MAN to settle down this raucous franchise. If Vivek didn't know that about Vlade, he was told that. I could have told him that to be truthful. VF21 may have beaten me to it. :p When Vlade was hired and given the job of grand poo bah or whatever it was, I was very happy and even a tad hopeful that a corner had been turned in this franchise. At the least, if Vlade didn't work out, he was certainly the best choice and Vivek could not be faulted for that. Vivek was learning. It was clear Vlade was on top and he was given what many thought was an impossible job. Vivek hired a man who had never been in charge of a basketball team but HAD been in charge of what Serbs might even think was something bigger. Call it what you will but Vlade was running the biggest athletic organization in Serbia. He became used to leadership by learning on the job.

Vlade is truly a giant of a man and a powerful giant at that. He isn't the type of man whose power was physical but whose power was in his personality. He commanded respect. Certainly he commanded respect in Sacramento but also in the NBA and perhaps even in the word's basketball community.

He used his influence to try to put together a team in Sacramento using what knowledge he had. As he was a European, he focused on Europeans and because they knew him, he had an advantage. Amazingly, he put together a decent team. It was a team that was the best we had seen since the Adelman years. It wasn't perfect but it was a huge start. This team was in turmoil yet won more games than the year before. His next job is now to hire some people to do their jobs well without creating turmoil.

He just hired his assistant GM who understands the salary cap and the all those mysterious things that a man who simply wanted to play basketball probably wanted to ignore. I feel pretty confident that Vlade had a large size hole in his knowledge of these matters so he filled it. This was his man. Now he needs HIS coach. I think he has someone in mind.

Thank you Vivek for knowing when to get out of the way and thank you Vlade for being who you are.
 
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His name pops up frequently on this forum. Pardon me for hyperbole but I think it is highly likely that Vivek thought Vlade was THE man to settle down this raucous franchise. If Vivek didn't know that about Vlade, he was told that. I could have told him that to be truthful. VF21 may have beaten me to it. :p When Vlade was hired and given the job of grand poo bah or whatever it was, I was very happy and even a tad hopeful that a corner had been turned in this franchise. At the least, if Vlade didn't work out, he was certainly the best choice and Vivek could not be faulted at that. Vivek was learning. It was clear Vlade was on top and he was given what many thought was an impossible job. Vivek hired a man who had never been in charge of a basketball team but HAD been in charge of what Serbs might even think was something bigger. Call it what you will but Vlade was running the biggest athletic organization in Serbia. He became used to leadership.

Vlade is truly a giant of a man and a powerful giant at that. He isn't the type of man whose power was physical but whose power was in his personality. He commanded respect. Certainly he commanded respect in Sacramento but also in the NBA and perhaps even in the word's basketball community.

He used his influence to try to put together a team in Sacramento using what knowledge he had. As he was a European, he focused on Europeans and because they knew him, he had an advantage. Amazingly, he put together a decent team. It was a team that was the best we had seen since the Adelman years. It wasn't perfect but it was a huge start. This team was in turmoil yet won more games than the year before. His next job is now to hire some people to do their jobs well without creating turmoil.

He hires an assistant GM who understood the salary cap and the like. I feel pretty confident that Vlade had a large size hole in his knowledge of these matters so he filled it. This was his man. Now he needs HIS coach. I think he has someone in mind.

Thank you Vivek for knowing when to get out of the way and thank you Vlade for being who you are.
Glenn,

I like your optimism in this regards. I hope your right. Everything seems to be pointing in that direction. My only question is why is this in the personnel forums rather than the main one?

In terms of what lwc said, I.
 
Glenn,

I like your optimism in this regards. I hope your right. Everything seems to be pointing in that direction. My only question is why is this in the personnel forums rather than the main one?

In terms of what lwc said, I.

It can be put whereever the mods want it. I guess I considered Vlade and whatever he did as Personnel.

It's "aye." :)
 
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Still can't believe it when some people try to blame Vlade for last year's mess. He pulled off a hell of an off season imo. Not his fault that Karl effed it up, when Karl wasn't even his guy.

Now that all the PDA era trolls are gone, I think this team will finally be on the way up. I fully trust in Vlade to make this work. Vlade knows basketball and, most importantly, he has great people skills, which is especially important given the makeup of this team
 
It can be put whereever the mods want it. I guess I considered Vlade and whatever he did as Personnel.

It's "aye." :)
"aye" or as lwc put in quotes "I," irrelevant in terms of the awesome post don't want to use great (reminds me of some unnamed agitator). I do hope a moderator overrides your thought process and puts this in the main forum, I'm afraid it'll get lost down here. Although it is the time of year, traffic down here does pick up.
 
There have been some great things that have happened to this franchise. One of them was when Geoff Petrie signed FA Vlade to be part of that great run. I do believe another will be the resurrection of the franchise due to Vlade and his vision.
 
"aye" or as lwc put in quotes "I," irrelevant in terms of the awesome post don't want to use great (reminds me of some unnamed agitator). I do hope a moderator overrides your thought process and puts this in the main forum, I'm afraid it'll get lost down here. Although it is the time of year, traffic down here does pick up.

"I" will do. I get your point. ;)
 
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There have been some great things that have happened to this franchise. One of them was when Geoff Petrie signed FA Vlade to be part of that great run. I do believe another will be the resurrection of the franchise due to Vlade and his vision.
Not even remotely subtle as to who you give credit for the first grand lineup. ;) Now we hope it happens again. BTW, I give Vlade credit for the atmosphere that allowed the Adelman years to exist. Of course CWebb, Adelman, Peja, Bibby, Bobby, Doug and my favorite Survivor had a lot to do with it but Vlade was the man who set the tone of brotherhood that existed.

Will Cousins and WCS match what Vlade and CWebb did at the position manned by giants?
 
Not even remotely subtle as to who you give credit for the first grand lineup. ;) Now we hope it happens again. BTW, I give Vlade credit for the atmosphere that allowed the Adelman years to exist. Of course CWebb, Adelman, Peja, Bibby, Bobby, Doug and my favorite Survivor had a lot to do with it but Vlade was the man who set the tone of brotherhood that existed.

Will Cousins and WCS match what Vlade and CWebb did at the position manned by giants?
Per 36 they are almost certain to do better
 
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These are the players who are locked up for 2+ seasons:
DeMarcus (x2)
Rudy (x2)
Koufos (x3)
Belinelli (x3)
Willie (x3)

That is all. Koufos certainly has a role here and proved to play it well last season. He might be the perfect back-up to Boogie in the league. Great find and contract value, especially in this blowing up salary cap time. DMC and Rudy are All-Star/All-Star-caliber players. It is a GREAT thing that they are not on expiring deals. Marco at $6.3M is a GREAT value ..... if he can find his shooting. Willie is the perfect compliment to DMC. Vlade did incredibly well with the contracts and inherited a long-term Boogie/Rudy.

The biggest question he has to answer this off-season is what to do with Rondo & Collison. To be as poor of a team as we were, we have to of the highest value contracts in the league (Omri & Darren). Combined those two cost a whopping $8.2M COMBINED! They are going to ask for more and deserve more when their time comes next season. With the emergence of Seth, this is the perfect time to either lock-up Darren long-term or trade him. If you trade him, you have to find a PG or resign Rondo.

Rudy is the biggest ? for Vlade. Obviously, he is on a fair contract in this exploding cap time but does he fit the offense with DMC. Some samples say yes and others say no. Purely in terms of shooting he has never been more efficient that he has with the Kings. He had splits of 46/34/78 this season. Last season it was 45/36/86. Why did his free throw shooting drop off significantly? Probably from a lack of attempts. One of the hallmarks of Malone's offense (and mostly carried out by Ty Corbin) was driving to the rim and collecting fouls. Rudy and Boogie are masters at that. That is why the two combined for 15 attempts per game in Malone's final season but that rate was closer to 18 attempts in Malone's 24 game stretch that year.

Rudy fits perfectly in very few offensive schemes. However, under Malone, he played borderline great defense. His help defense was lacking but he was a solid 1-on-1 defender, especially as a combo 3/4. The question mark on offense is how can the team play to his dribble-drive strengths with a high usage player like Boogie and a ball-dominant 1 like Rondo. They cannot do it. That was the huge on-court issue for me this season. With Collison, that is not a problem. Darren is a good enough 3-shooter and a great driver that he can create space for Rudy and Boogie to work. Add an improved Marco or an even better Seth to that line-up and Rudy & Boogie will have tons of room to operate. With Rondo, the floor shrank and gave Rudy no room to work. I know Rudy and Rondo love each other but they are TERRIBLE together on the floor.

If this team wants to be a serious playoff team either Rudy or Rondo have to go. My preference? Let Rondo walk and give Darren the reigns at the 1.
Not to go far off topic but these are the players who are locked up for 2+ seasons:
DeMarcus (x2)
Rudy (x2)
Koufos (x3)
Belinelli (x3)
Willie (x3)

That is all. Koufos certainly has a role here and proved to play it well last season. He might be the perfect back-up to Boogie in the league. Great find and contract value, especially in this blowing up salary cap time. DMC and Rudy are All-Star/All-Star-caliber players. It is a GREAT thing that they are not on expiring deals. Marco at $6.3M is a GREAT value ..... if he can find his shooting. Willie is the perfect compliment to DMC. Vlade did incredibly well with the contracts.
 
I'd be okay with letting Rondo walk AND trading Gay.

The only issue with letting DC be the starting PG is that he's a free agent next offseason and will need to be paid like a starting PG under this crazy new salary cap.

I think if Dunn slips to the Kings in the draft then you absolutely let Rondo walk. Sign a starting SG, see what you can get for Rudy & Ben, try to bring back Curry & Acy and call it an offseason.
 
I'd be okay with letting Rondo walk AND trading Gay.

The only issue with letting DC be the starting PG is that he's a free agent next offseason and will need to be paid like a starting PG under this crazy new salary cap.

I think if Dunn slips to the Kings in the draft then you absolutely let Rondo walk. Sign a starting SG, see what you can get for Rudy & Ben, try to bring back Curry & Acy and call it an offseason.
Given that I am a huge Rondo fan, I still find myself agreeing with you. As talented and skilled as Rondo is, his inability to shoot continues to be a very large issue for us, as good teams leave him consistently to go double someone else (usually Cousins). In today's world of basketball and the style played, having such a large negative in your game really leaves your team at a huge disadvantage. The only way, and I mean the only way, to offset this at a moderate level is to have a lights out shooter from behind the arc. Not 36% -- 38%, at least .400 or higher. A JJ Redick type of player that's such a huge threat from outside it can offset your PG's inability to shoot (somewhat at least).

I do think it's time for Rudy to go, hopefully packaged with Ben (and others if needed) so we can bring back a real #2 option. Rudy is a wonderful 3rd option, but he can't take over games when Cousins is out or sitting in foul trouble. That's never been him and it's the reason Toronto traded him away. Ben is Ben and he hasn't changed much at all since Day 1. If Ben doesn't work for teams, I would trade Bellinelli instead if it meant getting back a better player. I trust Vlade to do what's needed, but our most important acquisition of this offseason will be our coach. Get it right, and even this roster as it stands would be better than what we saw this past season.
 
Vlade is dope. I have more faith in him than I had in a burnt-out Petrie, or that inept, twisted, scheming little **** of a rat, PDA.

As long as Vlade is able to keep Vivek in his corner with the dunce cap on, especially on draft day, we should be cool.
 
There is a remarkable consensus in what to do with this team. The #1 is to let Rondo go. Nobody mentioned his putrid defense but I will. That may open up a lot of cap space. The rest of the ideas depend a lot on what opportunities the rest of the league offers us but as I said in another note, there is no reason to panic. For example, as much as I agree that Rudy could be traded, there is no pressure to do so. When motivated, he plays defense and if I recall correctly, we need defense.

A starting lineup of Boogie, WCS, Rudy, Ben, and DC is a decent defensive lineup. It's pretty good on offense also.
 
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Given that I am a huge Rondo fan, I still find myself agreeing with you. As talented and skilled as Rondo is, his inability to shoot continues to be a very large issue for us, as good teams leave him consistently to go double someone else (usually Cousins). In today's world of basketball and the style played, having such a large negative in your game really leaves your team at a huge disadvantage. The only way, and I mean the only way, to offset this at a moderate level is to have a lights out shooter from behind the arc. Not 36% -- 38%, at least .400 or higher. A JJ Redick type of player that's such a huge threat from outside it can offset your PG's inability to shoot (somewhat at least).

I do think it's time for Rudy to go, hopefully packaged with Ben (and others if needed) so we can bring back a real #2 option. Rudy is a wonderful 3rd option, but he can't take over games when Cousins is out or sitting in foul trouble. That's never been him and it's the reason Toronto traded him away. Ben is Ben and he hasn't changed much at all since Day 1. If Ben doesn't work for teams, I would trade Bellinelli instead if it meant getting back a better player. I trust Vlade to do what's needed, but our most important acquisition of this offseason will be our coach. Get it right, and even this roster as it stands would be better than what we saw this past season.

My bigger issue with Rondo is actually his awful defense. He'll always be limited by his shooting, but you can surround he and Boogie with shooters and help alleviate that. Especially if the backup PG is a guy like Collison or Curry who CAN hit from outside. But you can't have a PG who can't shoot and who is also an awful defender. Love Rondo's passing, love his hoops IQ and every time I see a highlight video from 2016 I halfway talk myself into wanting him re-signed. But not if he's going to continue to be a turnstile on the defensive end.
 
There is a remarkable consensus in what to do with this team. The #1 is to let Rondo go. Nobody mentioned his putrid defense but I will. That may open up a lot of cap space. The rest of the ideas depend a lot on what opportunities the rest of the league offers us but as I said in another note, there is no reason to panic. For example, as much as I agree that Rudy could be traded, there is no pressure to do so. When motivated, he plays defense and if I recall correctly, we need defense.

A starting lineup of Boogie, WCS, Rudy, Ben, and DC is a decent defensive lineup. It's pretty good on offense also.

If Ben McLemore is the starting SG of the Kings next year I think Vlade will have failed to improve the team in the offseason.
The Kings may decide to trade Cousins and blow things up. In that case all bets are off. But if they don't deal Boogie there are three guys under contract that I definitely want to see back on the team next year:

DeMarcus Cousins
Willie Cauley-Stein
Omri Casspi (as a reserve)

Depending on what other moves are made I'd probably like to see Curry and Acy re-signed.

Outside of that I hope Vlade and his new assistant GM sit down with their new coach and craft an offseason plan and then execute on that plan.
 
If Ben McLemore is the starting SG of the Kings next year I think Vlade will have failed to improve the team in the offseason.
The Kings may decide to trade Cousins and blow things up. In that case all bets are off. But if they don't deal Boogie there are three guys under contract that I definitely want to see back on the team next year:

DeMarcus Cousins
Willie Cauley-Stein
Omri Casspi (as a reserve)

Depending on what other moves are made I'd probably like to see Curry and Acy re-signed.

Outside of that I hope Vlade and his new assistant GM sit down with their new coach and craft an offseason plan and then execute on that plan.

I was presenting that starting lineup as the worst we could have. It still was a decent defensive lineup if the players knew their rolls. I'm not that dull.
 
I was presenting that starting lineup as the worst we could have. It still was a decent defensive lineup if the players knew their rolls. I'm not that dull.

Oh, I wasn't assuming that's what you wanted, just that I'd be really upset to see it.

McLemore should absolutely be traded as he's a FA next offseason. Gay should definitely be traded if there's a decent deal out there.

Only one of Collison or Rondo should be back IMO. If Kris Dunn is on the board you grab him and let Rajon walk.

I like Koufos but I'd be fine with him being dealt. I'd prefer to see Belinelli traded but I don't see a market for him.
 
Oh, I wasn't assuming that's what you wanted, just that I'd be really upset to see it.

McLemore should absolutely be traded as he's a FA next offseason. Gay should definitely be traded if there's a decent deal out there.

Only one of Collison or Rondo should be back IMO. If Kris Dunn is on the board you grab him and let Rajon walk.

I like Koufos but I'd be fine with him being dealt. I'd prefer to see Belinelli traded but I don't see a market for him.


Would you trade up for Kris Dunn? Perhaps give up McLemore and our pick? Have Dunn play shooting guard until he is ready to start at PG?
 
Yup I'm in the group of Rondo being gone and if it's a good deal Gay too. I'd call Pheonix and offer Gay/8/Ben for Bledsoe/Tucker.
Bledsoe can be a #2 option and he can play SG and still have Collison at pg. and of course signing R.Anderson.
 
If Ben McLemore is the starting SG of the Kings next year I think Vlade will have failed to improve the team in the offseason.
The Kings may decide to trade Cousins and blow things up. In that case all bets are off. But if they don't deal Boogie there are three guys under contract that I definitely want to see back on the team next year:

DeMarcus Cousins
Willie Cauley-Stein
Omri Casspi (as a reserve)

Depending on what other moves are made I'd probably like to see Curry and Acy re-signed.

Outside of that I hope Vlade and his new assistant GM sit down with their new coach and craft an offseason plan and then execute on that plan.

another roster overhaul?
 
Would you trade up for Kris Dunn? Perhaps give up McLemore and our pick? Have Dunn play shooting guard until he is ready to start at PG?

Would I? Sure. Would the other team? Depends on how high the Kings need to move up. If Dunn is on the board at #7 would Denver take Ben to swap spots? Probably. Especially since they don't really need another young PG. To move up to #4 or #5? I doubt the deal gets done.

But I wouldn't have Dunn play SG. I'd let him be the 2nd (or ideally 3rd) PG until he shows he's ready for more responsibility.

And of course a lot depends on whether Vlade intends to re-sign Rondo or not. If he does, then there's not a ton of value in drafting a rookie PG if Rondo is signed to a big money deal for 3 or 4 years. I'd still take Dunn if he's there at 8 (assuming Hield is gone) but I wouldn't aggressively trade up for him in that scenario.
 
another roster overhaul?

Maybe, maybe not. It depends on what moves are made. If Vlade wants to bring back Rondo then I think you have to surround he and Cousins with shooters.

If Rondo walks then you hang onto DC and then maybe Gay makes more sense.

But Rondo/Gay/Cousins would be an expensive and ineffective trio based on all the evidence I've seen.
 
Maybe, maybe not. It depends on what moves are made. If Vlade wants to bring back Rondo then I think you have to surround he and Cousins with shooters.

If Rondo walks then you hang onto DC and then maybe Gay makes more sense.

But Rondo/Gay/Cousins would be an expensive and ineffective trio based on all the evidence I've seen.

That I don't doubt one bit. Would you really be willing to try the whole DC, Gay & Cousins starting unit again though? it worked in small spurts when Malone was here so that's all we can really base it off and maybe see how much those three played together this season, other than that....I don't see how you get to where you need to be with DC as your starting PG, hence why I always condone having him as a sixth man, which he is really good at.
 
I wouldn't bring back DC as a 6th man. If Rondo is resigned then I'd move Collison to fill other holes.

If Rondo walks then DC is the starter by default bearing additional moves.
 
There is a remarkable consensus in what to do with this team. The #1 is to let Rondo go. .

That is not at all clear. What is clear is that Cousins considers him his PG. It also seemed implied by Rondo himself that he was thinking of coming back. How that all plays out we will find out, but this amazing "ho hum, greatest passing season by a KINGs PG in Sacto history," let's dump him! thing amazes me.
 
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