We're #8...

[ockingsfan]

my moneys on the lakers getting #1

Funny how the Lakers are in the Lottery for 3 years and they get the #2 pick twice.

The Kings have been in the Lottery 10 years and has NEVER got a top 3 pick!

 

[KingsFanSince85]

Funny how the Lakers are in the Lottery for 3 years and they get the #2 pick twice.

The Kings have been in the Lottery 10 years and has NEVER got a top 3 pick!

It's the way the world just seems to work. I also don't like that the Sixers were rewarded for tanking yet again. I just hate the freaking lottery to begin with. I know it's not going anywhere, but it's not at all preventing the tanking mentality. If it doesn't dissuade teams from the practice, what's the point? All it does is potentially screw bad teams that are actually trying. The other pro sports don't have it and seem to function just fine.

If nothing else, getting rid of the lottery would remove doubt over whether the process is legit -- which certainly looks more and more suspicious with what Dikembe Mutombo did today....

 

[kingsboi]

It's the way the world just seems to work. I also don't like that the Sixers were rewarded for tanking yet again. I just hate the freaking lottery to begin with. I know it's not going anywhere, but it's not at all preventing the tanking mentality. If it doesn't dissuade teams from the practice, what's the point? All it does is potentially screw bad teams that are actually trying. The other pro sports don't have it and seem to function just fine.

If nothing else, getting rid of the lottery would remove doubt over whether the process is legit -- which certainly looks more and more suspicious with what Dikembe Mutombo did today....

Dikembe is the modern day nostradamus, I might have to tweet him if I want to know the winner of next years NBA Lottery.

 

[nebs]

It's the way the world just seems to work. I also don't like that the Sixers were rewarded for tanking yet again. I just hate the freaking lottery to begin with. I know it's not going anywhere, but it's not at all preventing the tanking mentality. If it doesn't dissuade teams from the practice, what's the point? All it does is potentially screw bad teams that are actually trying. The other pro sports don't have it and seem to function just fine.

If nothing else, getting rid of the lottery would remove doubt over whether the process is legit -- which certainly looks more and more suspicious with what Dikembe Mutombo did today....

I'd just like to add that we tanked too and were rewarded for it. If we didn't do what we did by sitting all those guys at the end of the season we very likely would not have a 1st round draft pick this year.

 

[Gargamel]

Lamar Odom was a better shooter coming out of Rhode Island. LO took 3 threes per game and hit them at a 33% clip (33/100 for the year). Ben Simmons also averaged 33% on threes. But he was 1 for 3 on the season. That's 0.1 attempts per game. And he only averaged about 1.5 jump shots per game. There are some who wonder if he's not even shooting with the correct hand since he finishes almost all his drives with his right but shoots jumpers as a lefty.

That said, there's nothing in Simmon's motion that looks broken and he's a very young kid. There have been a LOT of college players that were terrible shooters and became consistent shooters in the NBA.

And FWIW, Kidd had a "broken" jumper for years and it didn't really matter. He became functional toward the end of his career. Magic had a functional perimeter shot from about 79-84. After offseason work beyond that, you couldn't leave him open or he'd hit anything, guaranteed. He had developed a pretty good trey by 1989, too. So anything's possible given the work ethic.

I'm not seeing the Odom comparison to Simmons. He reminds me more of Ingram as far as his perimeter drive and handles and height (6'9") go. As a Laker fan (boo, hiss!), I know Lamar became a rebounding fiend when he had his head on tight. Unfortunately that good period didn't last for more than a few years, but Ingram will have to bulk up over time like Odom did. I think it'll happen.

From my perspective? Whew... Dodged a bullet. Ay, I'm happy with either, but I think Philly takes Simmons. Ingram though is a PEACH of a draft pick. I'm looking at his highlights on YT and goin, "Dayum". Very Swiss Army knifey. Lakers need err thang, there's nothin they don't need. I'll take Ingram and run. This ain't 2015. Russell took his lumps, but I'll be honest. Last year was a 1 man draft, 2016 is a 2 man draft. Ingram could be a top pick in a different season, easily. The 3rd pick would've truly sucked. It would've been an absolute buzzkill. Mm... Anyway, fun to drop by, been a long while. I've been here since 2002.

Where's VF21?!?!?! Shout out!

 

[Gargamel]

I think we had one #1 pick and that didn't work out well for us. Never Nervous Pervis didn't turn out so hot nor did any in that draft. May be wrong on that last comment.

Here's a zinger from a s-head LA fan. In 89, Lakers got Vlade at the end of the 1st round, haha. Vladimir was a great find by West. Sorry about Perv. You got Vlade eventually, at least.

 

[Blob]

1-2 is going to be Simmons and Ingram in some order. Then you have 5 teams drafting above us who need bigs. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the big guys projected to go a little later like Ellenson, Poetl, and maybe even Chriss or Labissiere sneak up there. They all measured out very well at the combine. The Celtics have so many guards already they almost have to go big here. Who knows with Phoenix - they may just scrap everything but Booker and start over. Minnesota could take pretty much anything. Finding a frontcourt partner for Towns seems likely but I expect them to take Dunn if Phoenix doesn't. LaVine at PG didn't work and they're stacked with young guys most everywhere else. The Pelicans need a SG, SF, or C. Buddy Hield would be great for them or Jaylen Brown. The Nuggets have Mudiay but Dunn could play SG and they swap defensive assignments. I would be very jealous of that backcourt too. Tough to predict. I would be pleasantly surprised if we have a shot at either Dunn or Brown but we need 5 teams to pass on them and I expect Denver to pick whichever one is still on the board. At that point it would be Luwawu or the best of the bigs for me.

Luwawu is too skinny, can't create his shot, won't defend well. He's a project I don't want any part of. Henry Ellenson is a Top 7 guy to me. He's got size and skill and more than conventional plodder. Poetel is a mid first rounder as far as I can tell. Mediocre athlete and body needs work. Depending on pre-draft measurements (Is he 250 and legit 6'10"?) Sabonis is a Top 10 pick (For some reason, he was not at the combine). Dragon Bender will be off the board, though I am not crazy about him. Hield will be off the board, going as high as #3 .

So you have in no particular order:

(1) Simmons
(2) Ingram
(3) Bender
(4) Ellenson
(5) Hield

I think these above five will definitely be picked ahead of us, with Ellenson gone because of team need, like you said. Then based on cursory review so far I think these guys go next in no particular order:

(6) Jamal Murray
(7) Jaylen Brown
(8) Marquese Chris
(9) Kriss Dunn
(10) Sabonis

So unless we work a trade the newest King will be one of the above five. My favorites are Dunn, Brown and Sabonis. If Murray goes ahead of Dunn, which is possible due to his age advantage (19 vs 22), and another team goes big ahead of us (Sabonis, Chris) or wing (Brown), I think Vlade will gladly scoop up Dunn.

I am trying to envision scenario in which Brown or Dunn is not available, and while of course it is possible, I think there is a good chance one of these guys will be on the board.

Jaylen Brown is a beast and fills a need (wing defender)
Kris Dunn is tenacious and fills a need (combo guard, defender)
Sabonis is ferocious and fills a need (low post PF, high post passer)

Any of these three will be very good for us. And if we draft Sabonis it opens up my Boogie to BOS trade (with Ben) for #3 (Hield), Olynyk, Smart and Croeder and the #16.

 

[gunks]

You had me excited until you got to "Boogie trade".

 

[hrdboild]

Luwawu is too skinny, can't create his shot, won't defend well. He's a project I don't want any part of.

All I can say is you're definitely watching a different player than I am. I think he could end up being the best wing defender in the draft (Jaylen Brown is right up there too) and while he's not a standout ball handler, he'll be fine at shooting guard. I'd rather have a great spot-up shooter than a great off-the-dribble shooter at that position anyway. One of them needs the ball in their hands to be a scorer while the other is always a threat off the ball. In terms of what I'm looking for at the SG position, he's a perfect fit. I really like Dunn and Brown too but if you're going to call Luwawu a project than so are both of those guys. I only use that term for players who have excellent physical tools but don't really know how to play the game yet.

 

[pdizo916]

Trade the pick

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

And FWIW, Kidd had a "broken" jumper for years and it didn't really matter. He became functional toward the end of his career. Magic had a functional perimeter shot from about 79-84. After offseason work beyond that, you couldn't leave him open or he'd hit anything, guaranteed. He had developed a pretty good trey by 1989, too. So anything's possible given the work ethic.

I'm not seeing the Odom comparison to Simmons. He reminds me more of Ingram as far as his perimeter drive and handles and height (6'9") go. As a Laker fan (boo, hiss!), I know Lamar became a rebounding fiend when he had his head on tight. Unfortunately that good period didn't last for more than a few years, but Ingram will have to bulk up over time like Odom did. I think it'll happen.

From my perspective? Whew... Dodged a bullet. Ay, I'm happy with either, but I think Philly takes Simmons. Ingram though is a PEACH of a draft pick. I'm looking at his highlights on YT and goin, "Dayum". Very Swiss Army knifey. Lakers need err thang, there's nothin they don't need. I'll take Ingram and run. This ain't 2015. Russell took his lumps, but I'll be honest. Last year was a 1 man draft, 2016 is a 2 man draft. Ingram could be a top pick in a different season, easily. The 3rd pick would've truly sucked. It would've been an absolute buzzkill. Mm... Anyway, fun to drop by, been a long while. I've been here since 2002.

Where's VF21?!?!?! Shout out!

Man, they'll just let anybody in here nowadays...

 

[Glenn]

Here's a zinger from a s-head LA fan. In 89, Lakers got Vlade at the end of the 1st round, haha. Vladimir was a great find by West. Sorry about Perv. You got Vlade eventually, at least.

Hilarious.

You guys had to trade Vlade. How'd that work out for you?

 

[King Baller]

IMO Vlade should just take the best player left at 8. I prefer a big guard who is a + defender since that is the position of the most need for the Kings. I could see Vlade doing a trade on draft night and moving up in the Draft to get Buddy Hield or simply trading a drafted player for a Veteran.

 

[King Baller]

Hilarious.

You guys had to trade Vlade. How'd that work out for you?

You know Vlade was traded for Kobe, right? Or am I missing something?

 

[Glenn]

You know Vlade was traded for Kobe, right? Or am I missing something?

Yes, I know and I am quite sure Gargamel knows that I know. Just a little chit chat.

 

[Blob]

All I can say is you're definitely watching a different player than I am. I think he could end up being the best wing defender in the draft (Jaylen Brown is right up there too) and while he's not a standout ball handler, he'll be fine at shooting guard. I'd rather have a great spot-up shooter than a great off-the-dribble shooter at that position anyway. One of them needs the ball in their hands to be a scorer while the other is always a threat off the ball. In terms of what I'm looking for at the SG position, he's a perfect fit. I really like Dunn and Brown too but if you're going to call Luwawu a project than so are both of those guys. I only use that term for players who have excellent physical tools but don't really know how to play the game yet.

I was being generous RE: Luwawu before. I think this kid will be lucky to go Top 20. He has no breakdown dribble penetration moves and weak footwork. I don't think he's better than Ben McLemore. No way. Maybe I am wrong and you see something I don't. We'll see but in no uncertain terms do I think our Kings should consider this kid at #8.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Trade the pick

trade down and get 2 picks

 

[jcwkings]

I don't think trading the pick is worth it. Rookie pay scale will not change, meaning rookie contracts will be even more valuable. There are some good players available at eight and some NBA ready ones too if you want results asap. Yes the top two players are clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the field but after that the rest of the field is really neck and neck, there will be a good player available at eight.

1. Simmons
2. Ingram
3. Bender
4. Hield
5. Dunn
6. Murray
7. Brown
8. Ellenson

Those seem to be the early consensus top eight, meaning if one of the teams above us goes for a big like Ellenson, a guard will fall to us. Still Ellenson is a good pick that rounds out our frontcourt, really skilled big with length, potentially a good stretch 4. Maybe a more agile Brad Miller from my early research.

 

[Livinthedream]

Buddy Hield is overrated. That is all....

 

[KingsFanSince85]

I'd just like to add that we tanked too and were rewarded for it. If we didn't do what we did by sitting all those guys at the end of the season we very likely would not have a 1st round draft pick this year.

There's a huge difference between what the Kings did, possibly tanking a few games at the end of a season, and tanking for an entire season by fielding some ridiculous rosters. This has gone on for several seasons now.

There's absolutely no comparison. I have no idea how somebody would believe that there is.

 

[sactownfan]

the SADDEST part is that the LAKERS... the mutha freaking LAKERS!!!!!

they even LOSE BETTER THAN US!!!!

we have sucked for so long and just never went all out rebuild... all those crappy coaches trying to eek out a few extra wins... what a total franchise fail... I can only feel slightly less crappy with some hope that Vlade is still batting 1000% and just CRUSHED with drafting WCS! Simmons and whoever ... theres no guarantee that anyone is gonna be great. This draft seems to be harder than usual to predict so maybe Vlade's eye can pick out a winner again. Or make a solid trade.

 

[Glenn]

Buddy Hield is overrated. That is all....

At 8 he may not be over rated.

 

[biltalent]

I was being generous RE: Luwawu before. I think this kid will be lucky to go Top 20. He has no breakdown dribble penetration moves and weak footwork. I don't think he's better than Ben McLemore. No way. Maybe I am wrong and you see something I don't. We'll see but in no uncertain terms do I think our Kings should consider this kid at #8.

You are right that he is not very strong and he doesn't have an advanced handle. His skill level offensively right now is more that of a SF than a SG if we are talking about ball handling and shooting of the dribble.
But in contrast to Ben Mclemore he has oustanding physical tools for either the SG or SF position. Mclemore is barely 6'5'' in shoes with a 6'8'' wingspan. Luwawu is 6'7'' with a 6'11'' wingspan. He is also very fast and explosive. He will physically dominate any SG out there if you play him at SG. He will probably need to gain some weight to play SF against Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony but so does Kent Bazemore and he can play SF for a few minutes at 6'5'' as well because there aren't that many post up SFs anymore. So you can play Luwawu at SF as well for the most part and suddenly his ball handling is just fine.
Defensively Luwawu is on another level than Mclemore. His footspeed and coordination allow him to defend every guard or wing and he has already shown that this is not just potential but that he actually does that (he often defended at the top of their press). He has a bit trouble fighting around screens but he is a very willing help defender as well.
To sum it up I think what I like most about Luwawu is his versatility driven by his physical tools, especially compared to Hield or Murray. Depending on your personell you can start him at the 2 or the 3. For example if we go forward with Rondo at PG and Gay at SF you could easily slide him at the 2 and let him spot up and defend the opponents best guard or wing all day. If we move forward without Rondo and Gay and we go with Collison at PG I could see the argument that you want a better and more experienced ballhandler at the 2. Well then just sign such a guy and play Luwawu at the 3.
I see why you compared him to Ben Mclemore. They share some similar weaknesses (ball handling, strenght) but Luwawu makes more than up for it with his physical tools. If you want to indeed compare him to an NBA player I think Kent Bazemore is a better benchmark.

 

[ockingsfan]

Amazing how for the FIRST time in Lottery history, the 1-2-3 spots went in exact order of worst records and guess what were those 3 spots?

1) Philly
2) Lakers
3) Celtics

I guess it would have been too obvious if it was 1) Lakers 2 ) Celtics 3) Philly

 

[Livinthedream]

At 8 he may not be over rated.

Maybe I'm wrong and he's the next Steph Curry. We shall see.

 

[Glenn]

Ok. I'll put it this way. He's going to be a role player. A one trick pony. He doesn't provide anything more than a Marco Bellineli would. He might be a lottery pick in this draft, but I'd rather get a guy who has more ability to be an all around player.

I know what you mean. I just hope we get a guy with at least one usable skill. I'm not that confident to get the whole package.

 

[Glenn]

Maybe I'm wrong and he's the next Steph Curry. We shall see.

I think this draft is full of unknowns. I'd settle for less than Steph but there are so many that I cannot pin point - as if I ever could.

 

[206Fan]

I don't think you can put Luwawu at the 2 right now. His jumpshot is still a weakness because he's still inconsistent with it. This year, he's shooting it at 35.7% . The previous year, he shot it at 28.7%(Pro B, weak competition). It'll take him time to get adjusted to the NBA, so we could possibly see him hovering right around 29% for his first few years. I think he's strictly a SF until he can improve his shot.

He's also not a very good finisher at the rim (from what I've watched). I think this could be supported by his overall FG%. It was 40% this year, and 40% last year too(Pro B).

I was being generous RE: Luwawu before. I think this kid will be lucky to go Top 20. He has no breakdown dribble penetration moves and weak footwork. I don't think he's better than Ben McLemore. No way. Maybe I am wrong and you see something I don't. We'll see but in no uncertain terms do I think our Kings should consider this kid at #8.

He's the SF version of McLemore who can pass better, but not shoot better.

You are right that he is not very strong and he doesn't have an advanced handle. His skill level offensively right now is more that of a SF than a SG if we are talking about ball handling and shooting of the dribble.
But in contrast to Ben Mclemore he has oustanding physical tools for either the SG or SF position. Mclemore is barely 6'5'' in shoes with a 6'8'' wingspan. Luwawu is 6'7'' with a 6'11'' wingspan. He is also very fast and explosive. He will physically dominate any SG out there if you play him at SG. He will probably need to gain some weight to play SF against Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony but so does Kent Bazemore and he can play SF for a few minutes at 6'5'' as well because there aren't that many post up SFs anymore. So you can play Luwawu at SF as well for the most part and suddenly his ball handling is just fine.
Defensively Luwawu is on another level than Mclemore. His footspeed and coordination allow him to defend every guard or wing and he has already shown that this is not just potential but that he actually does that (he often defended at the top of their press). He has a bit trouble fighting around screens but he is a very willing help defender as well.
To sum it up I think what I like most about Luwawu is his versatility driven by his physical tools, especially compared to Hield or Murray. Depending on your personell you can start him at the 2 or the 3. For example if we go forward with Rondo at PG and Gay at SF you could easily slide him at the 2 and let him spot up and defend the opponents best guard or wing all day. If we move forward without Rondo and Gay and we go with Collison at PG I could see the argument that you want a better and more experienced ballhandler at the 2. Well then just sign such a guy and play Luwawu at the 3.
I see why you compared him to Ben Mclemore. They share some similar weaknesses (ball handling, strenght) but Luwawu makes more than up for it with his physical tools. If you want to indeed compare him to an NBA player I think Kent Bazemore is a better benchmark.

Luwawu from a physical standpoint would be great for the NBA. I think it's up to the rest of his game to fill out. I think Thabo would be a good comparison too. He's intriguing.

 

[VF21]

And FWIW, Kidd had a "broken" jumper for years and it didn't really matter. He became functional toward the end of his career. Magic had a functional perimeter shot from about 79-84. After offseason work beyond that, you couldn't leave him open or he'd hit anything, guaranteed. He had developed a pretty good trey by 1989, too. So anything's possible given the work ethic.

I'm not seeing the Odom comparison to Simmons. He reminds me more of Ingram as far as his perimeter drive and handles and height (6'9") go. As a Laker fan (boo, hiss!), I know Lamar became a rebounding fiend when he had his head on tight. Unfortunately that good period didn't last for more than a few years, but Ingram will have to bulk up over time like Odom did. I think it'll happen.

From my perspective? Whew... Dodged a bullet. Ay, I'm happy with either, but I think Philly takes Simmons. Ingram though is a PEACH of a draft pick. I'm looking at his highlights on YT and goin, "Dayum". Very Swiss Army knifey. Lakers need err thang, there's nothin they don't need. I'll take Ingram and run. This ain't 2015. Russell took his lumps, but I'll be honest. Last year was a 1 man draft, 2016 is a 2 man draft. Ingram could be a top pick in a different season, easily. The 3rd pick would've truly sucked. It would've been an absolute buzzkill. Mm... Anyway, fun to drop by, been a long while. I've been here since 2002.

Where's VF21?!?!?! Shout out!

OMG! Gargamel!!!! One of my two favorite Laker fans from the olden times. So glad to see you drop by. I've just got one question though...now that the brave little soldier has retired what will we talk about????

Don't be a stranger. Laker fan or not, God help me I like you.

 

[Bricklayer]

OMG! Gargamel!!!! One of my two favorite Laker fans from the olden times. So glad to see you drop by. I've just got one question though...now that the brave little soldier has retired what will we talk about????

Don't be a stranger. Laker fan or not, God help me I like you.

Lakers fans don't age as well as Kings fans.