Welcome, Alex Oriakhi!

[MizzouKing]

As the resident Mizzou Tiger, it seems appropriate for me to start this thread. I know it may not be a popular opinion, given who we've lost, but I'm thrilled that Alex will be with the Kings. It isn't often that one of my favorite college players goes to my favorite team...and yes, I was this happy when we got Anthony Peeler back in the day. ;-)

Alex is a hard worker, a defender at heart, and good locker room presence (though he did share Boogie's penchant for technical fowls during his time at Mizzou). He even almost got an official to give him five one time, before the official caught himself at the last second. Alex was popular with the fans, beloved by his coach, and well-regarded by his teammates. I hope he sticks with the Kings.

Disclaimer: It is true that Alex spent the first part of his college career at Connecticut, but his last year (at Mizzou) was the part he enjoyed the most. For both player and school, the only two regrets were that (1) he hadn't started there earlier, and (2) couldn't stay longer.

Mizzou King

 

[Bricklayer]

Welcome Alex, and thank god you arrived, because the one thing this team is severely lacking in is bodies at the PF position.

For those who don't know who/what he is:

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/alex-oriakhi


Slightly undersized grunt work frontcourt roleplayer. Bigger than Acy, but no jumper. Right attitude for Malone, but not the right size/talent at this level.

 

[Hallama]

Welcome...#22 is available.

 

[ockingsfan]

Welcome Alex, and thank god you arrived, because the one thing this team is severely lacking in is bodies at the PF position.

For those who don't know who/what he is:

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/alex-oriakhi


Slightly undersized grunt work frontcourt roleplayer. Bigger than Acy, but no jumper. Right attitude for Malone, but not the right size/talent at this level.

Thanks for the link.

I thought he was a European guy because of his name!

Well, Welcome!

 

[kingsboi]

Of course he is undersized, we love those type of forwards. Sigh. I won't lose any sleep over this, he won't see any playing time anyway.

 

[VF21]

Welcome to the Kings.

 

[Glenn]

How many more PFs do we need to get a full set of PFs?

 

[KingMilz]

6'9 255 is undersized?

Talented rebounder and shot blocker for his size thanks to a massive 7'3" wingspan

 

[sdballer]

6'9 255 is undersized?

Because he isn't really a pf. He's a very undersized center.

 

[KingMilz]

Because he isn't really a pf. He's a very undersized center.

That's ok next to Cousins but, since I remember he was very athletic when I watched him. I'm not saying he will play us or anything but.

 

[VF21]

Focus, guys. This is the Welcome thread.

 

[HndsmCelt]

More mean down low... good!

 

[MizzouKing]

LOL! I think Brick's assessment is pretty fair, but - just as most Kings commentators have never watched a full Kings game - it's important to know the stats don't tell the whole story. It wasn't until he got to Mizzou that he started realizing his potential, almost doubling his averages in PPG and RPG, and adding a couple of blocks per game in the process. He seems to be very fit-dependent, and if things go well with Malone I can see him surprising people and becoming a solid bench player. Or maybe he'll just wash out, but as a Mizzou Tiger I'll look forward to seeing him have the chance. He has a good motor and a big heart...let's see if this fit provides the necessary fuel.

Welcome Alex, and thank god you arrived, because the one thing this team is severely lacking in is bodies at the PF position.

For those who don't know who/what he is:

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/alex-oriakhi


Slightly undersized grunt work frontcourt roleplayer. Bigger than Acy, but no jumper. Right attitude for Malone, but not the right size/talent at this level.

 

[MizzouKing]

How many more PFs do we need to get a full set of PFs?

I think the plan is to eventually offer them with combo meals at Carls Jr's...it's a holdover requirement from the original Maloof contract.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

WE'RE GOING TO THE FINALS!

 

[TheBadGuy]

Because he isn't really a pf. He's a very undersized center.

Ben Wallace-type maybe?

 

[upinsmoke]

Ben Wallace-type maybe?

Man big Ben was such a beast one of my favorite role players of all time.

 

[CruzDude]

Well folks, you may want to take it easy with your enthusiasm about Alex. Three KF realistic pundits here at Summ League agree he may stay overseas and may not be NBA ready yet, if at all. Just a consensus message, so I'm gonna wait and see if he does come over.

 

[sdballer]

Well folks, you may want to take it easy with your enthusiasm about Alex. Three KF realistic pundits here at Summ League agree he may stay overseas and may not be NBA ready yet, if at all. Just a consensus message, so I'm gonna wait and see if he does come over.

Sad but likely true

 

[VF21]

Well folks, you may want to take it easy with your enthusiasm about Alex. Three KF realistic pundits here at Summ League agree he may stay overseas and may not be NBA ready yet, if at all. Just a consensus message, so I'm gonna wait and see if he does come over.

But in the event he does eventually come over, we'll hold his rights. And he'll know there are some Kings fans who already want him to feel welcome should he do so.

 

[kennadog]

Welcome Alex. I wish you all the best.

 

[Hoovtrain]

Who?

 

[Gilles]

Who?

Former teammate of Drummond, whose presence forced Drummond to play PF and be unspectacular during his one season at UConn, resulting in the draft slide.

 

[Flopi]

I would not be too optimistic about Oriakhi.
He began last season with Limoges, France.
He was cut after 4 games, averaging 2.8 pts, 1.8 reb, 7 minutes.
Limoges coach publicly criticized his rebounding and defensive IQ.

 

[King Baller]

I would not be too optimistic about Oriakhi.
He began last season with Limoges, France.
He was cut after 4 games, averaging 2.8 pts, 1.8 reb, 7 minutes.
Limoges coach publicly criticized his rebounding and defensive IQ.

France?

 

[Capt. Factorial]

One interesting note on Oriakhi - he is actually listed on the Phoenix roster for summer league. Presumably he's here in Vegas, but with the trade of his draft rights I kind of doubt he'll suit up for Phoenix. He might just swap rosters. I suppose we'll see if he plays today.

 

[Flopi]

France?

You know, one of these countries overseas ;-)
Not sure what is not understandable here.
As I said, he began this past season with Limoges in french pro league (which eventually won the championship) where he was quite ineffective and cut after 4 games.
I believe he finished the season in Israel.

 

[Bricklayer]

One interesting note on Oriakhi - he is actually listed on the Phoenix roster for summer league. Presumably he's here in Vegas, but with the trade of his draft rights I kind of doubt he'll suit up for Phoenix. He might just swap rosters. I suppose we'll see if he plays today.

I was actually wondering that very thing. Seemed a good candidate to be trying to showcase in SL. And hell, after watching our all 6'7" "big men" get pummeled inside again (you know you got problems when a large chunk of your regular season roster appears together in summer league and gets blown out) I say we just abduct him and start him tomorrow.

 

[Bricklayer]

You know, one of these countries overseas ;-)

 

[Flopi]

Ha ha ha ! Nice one :-D