What are our future needs?

Championships and other hardware like FINALS MVP cannot be argued against. You are wrong about Tony Parker, you don't need to admit it, but i would recommend not arguing against it.
Sorry, but Parker has never been better than the 3rd best player on his team. That doesn't scream superstar to me. Personally, I think that term is way over used as it is. IMO there are usually about 2 - 5 legitimate "superstars" in the league at any given time. The only one I see in SA is named Tim Duncan.
 
how many pg's can you name that are more athletic than parker? true he's not as athletic as gerald wallace (not a pg but still very athletic) but damn.... i really cant think of that many if any pg's that are more athletic than parker.... he can do just about anything that anyother pg can do physically... unless jumping really high is your definition of nba athleticism. because he can do everything else, he probably could dunk i havent seen him do it but im sure he can.

nevermind....

take that back, i just saw a clip of parker dunking during a rockets game on youtube....

Just off the top of my head here are some, that a couple may be more athletic than Parker, and the others just as athletic in some way or another. Chris Paul, T.J. Ford, Monta Ellis, Allen Iverson, Deron Williams, Mike Conley Jr., Maurice Williams, Derrick Rose, and though the jury is still out as to his true position O.J. Mayo.
 
Sorry, but Parker has never been better than the 3rd best player on his team. That doesn't scream superstar to me. Personally, I think that term is way over used as it is. IMO there are usually about 2 - 5 legitimate "superstars" in the league at any given time. The only one I see in SA is named Tim Duncan.

I agree completely. I also think the term superstar is overused. But if one is to define it, at the very least, it would be the one player you think of when a team is mentioned. In the case of the Spurs, I think of Duncan, not Parker. If I think of Cleveland, I think of James. Anyway, I think you get the point, and thats not to say that because you think of a player in connection with a team, that it makes that player a superstar. I just think that would be a minimal requirement.

Whereas I started this thread on future needs, I guess I should at least air my thoughts on it. I beleive that through the draft out thoughts should be back-up PF and back-up Center. I think we should see how the point guard situation plays out this year. By 2010 we should have a pretty good idea (hopefully) what it will take to get us over the hump, and those are the players we should try to obtain.

I realize that a lot of things can change between now and then. But all we have is the now, and the lousy four weeks left before training camp.
 
Just off the top of my head here are some, that a couple may be more athletic than Parker, and the others just as athletic in some way or another. Chris Paul, T.J. Ford, Monta Ellis, Allen Iverson, Deron Williams, Mike Conley Jr., Maurice Williams, Derrick Rose, and though the jury is still out as to his true position O.J. Mayo.

how are mo, iverson, deron, ford and paul athletic but parker isnt? what can either one do that parker cant? deron is bigger but thats about it.

i agree about ellis and conley....
 
how are mo, iverson, deron, ford and paul athletic but parker isnt? what can either one do that parker cant? deron is bigger but thats about it.

i agree about ellis and conley....

Dude, you've got to pay attention to what I say. Where did I say that Parker wasn't athletic. I simply agreed that he's not the most athletic player. Do we need to go over again what we were talking about. That quickness is just one part of athleticism, and that Parker is lacking in some other areas. That doesn't mean he's not athletic, it just means his athleticism is limited in some areas that others are not.

There's no way to prove it, but I would imagine that Parker would be quicker than David Thompson was when he played for Denver. However, Thompson had a 48 inch vertical. Something that Parker would never be able to match. Both guys are athletic, but in different ways. When Causwell was with the Kings, most people would have agreed that he was a pretty athletic center. He also happened to have absolutely terrible hand / eye coordination. So all of his athleticism was just a waste. When you have it all. The hand/eye coordination. The full court speed. The lateral quickness and the jumping ability. Plus a brain. Then you have Jordan, Akeem, Dr. J. etc. But all that being said, you don't have to have all those qualities to be a great player. I wouldn't call Parker great. Not yet. But he's pretty damm good. And there's nothing wrong with that.
 
you have a point i wasnt really paying attention, you never said that he wasnt athletic... my bad....
 
Franchise player at POWER FORWARD position

I believe that the best-ever assembled team in the NBA was that team by Chris Webber and Vlade Divac. It was the most "balanced" team and most fun-to-watch team that ever played in the NBA. Sad to say it was robbed of the Championship and never got to be Champions, because of injury of Chris Webber.

If I am to continue to build the Kings, I will pattern it to that old Kings roster led by Webber/Divac. It was a pretty tall team and not wanting much of superstar talent. Actually, the only superstar was Webber, but his superstar status had always been debatable.

#5 - Divac ( 7' 0" )
#4 - Webber ( 6' 10" )
#3 - Peja ( 6' 10" )
#2 - Christie ( 6' 6" )
#1 - Bibby ( 6' 2" )

At #5, the present team is already comparable to the old team. Divac was an aging center during the old team, as is Miller now. Both have excellent passing and play-making skills, good size as a center, but relatively poor in defense. Actually, the present team has a better aging-center on Miller, since Miller had shown last season that he can still average double-double ( 13.4 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game ), as compared to Divac who never averaged close to a double-double as a King. Plus, this present team has the advantage of having an "almost-ready" and youthful back-up center in the name of Hawse, who can start instead of Miller.

At #4, Jason Thompson?

At #3, At 6' 10, Greene can be groomed as the next Peja or Hedo. As we all know, Peja's and Hedo's height were pluses on the old team. It gave the old team a little bit more of defense - may it be physically or just plain psychologically. Take note of the height of Greene, which is the same as Peja and Hedo. Greene is mobile, has good shooting touch especially at the 3-point area. If Greene can grab at least 5-6 rebounds a game, then the team is really all set at #3.

At #2, there is no doubt we have a solid player at this position in the name of Martin, especially with regards to offense. He can compensate for the lack of offense at #3 if ever. Martin does not have the defensive skills of Christie, but with his quickness and athleticism, I don't think he will never learn defensive skills. I honestly think Martin is just playing lazy on defense for now.

At #1, we presently have Udrih who I believe is an upgrade, because he has more defensive skills than Bibby. Offense-wise, he is a little bit behind Bibby, but that is because Bibby has the tendency to shoot more than him.

Douby can be the spark plug coming off the bench as the 6th man, just like Bobby Jackson was to the old team. Garcia will provide the energy from the bench that Hedo Turkoglu brought for the old team.

Now, what do we need in the future?

Obviously a franchise player at #4 ( POWER FORWARD ) position.

I hope Jason Thompson develop POWER FORWARD skills comparable to Webber. If not, I would suggest we spend the $26-28M ( from expiring contracts of Abdur-rahim, Kenny Thomas, and Brad Miller ) that will come off the salary book comes 2010 in getting at least one of these young potential franchise players who are capable of giving double-double stats and excellent defense:

1.) Al Jefferson
2.) Chris Bosh
3.) Carlos Boozer
 
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I believe that the best-ever assembled team in the NBA was that team by Chris Webber and Vlade Divac. It was the most "balanced" team and most fun-to-watch team that ever played in the NBA. Sad to say it was robbed of the Championship and never got to be Champions, because of injury of Chris Webber.

If I am to continue to build the Kings, I will pattern it to that old Kings roster led by Webber/Divac. It was a pretty tall team and not wanting much of superstar talent. Actually, the only superstar was Webber, but his superstar status had always been debatable.

#5 - Divac ( 7' 0" )
#4 - Webber ( 6' 10" )
#3 - Peja ( 6' 10" )
#2 - Christie ( 6' 6" )
#1 - Bibby ( 6' 2" )

At #5, the present team is already comparable to the old team. Divac was an aging center during the old team, as is Miller now. Both have excellent passing and play-making skills, good size as a center, but relatively poor in defense. Actually, the present team has a better aging-center on Miller, since Miller had shown last season that he can still average double-double ( 13.4 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game ), as compared to Divac who never averaged close to a double-double as a King. Plus, this present team has the advantage of having an "almost-ready" and youthful back-up center in the name of Hawse, who can start instead of Miller.

At #4, Jason Thompson?

At #3, At 6' 10, Greene can be groomed as the next Peja or Hedo. As we all know, Peja's and Hedo's height were pluses on the old team. It gave the old team a little bit more of defense - may it be physically or just plain psychologically. Take note of the height of Greene, which is the same as Peja and Hedo. Greene is mobile, has good shooting touch especially at the 3-point area. If Greene can grab at least 5-6 rebounds a game, then the team is really all set at #3.

At #2, there is no doubt we have a solid player at this position in the name of Martin, especially with regards to offense. He can compensate for the lack of offense at #3 if ever. Martin does not have the defensive skills of Christie, but with his quickness and athleticism, I don't think he will never learn defensive skills. I honestly think Martin is just playing lazy on defense for now.

At #1, we presently have Udrih who I believe is an upgrade, because he has more defensive skills than Bibby. Offense-wise, he is a little bit behind Bibby, but that is because Bibby has the tendency to shoot more than him.

Douby can be the spark plug coming off the bench as the 6th man, just like Bobby Jackson was to the old team. Garcia will provide the energy from the bench that Hedo Turkoglu brought for the old team.

Now, what do we need in the future?

Obviously a franchise player at #4 ( POWER FORWARD ) position.

I hope Jason Thompson develop POWER FORWARD skills comparable to Webber. If not, I would suggest we spend the $26-28M ( from expiring contracts of Abdur-rahim, Kenny Thomas, and Brad Miller ) that will come off the salary book comes 2010 in getting at least one of these young potential franchise players who are capable of giving double-double stats and excellent defense:

1.) Al Jefferson
2.) Chris Bosh
3.) Carlos Boozer

As much as I would love to endorse your pick of the most exciting team of all time, I can't. Don't get me wrong. I loved that team. But having watched NBA basketball for over 40 years, I may have seen a couple of teams that were better and, just as, if not more exciting. The Celtic team of Bird, Mchale, Parrish, Ainge, Johnson etc. was one exciting team and a team that would have won every series against our old team.

How can we forget the Magic Johnson team. The Rick Barry team that came out of nowhere to win the world championship wasn't as glitzy, but was certainly exciting to watch. The New York Knick's team of Pearl Monroe, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley etc was a great team. I could go on and on. I haven't even gotten to Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlin, or the teams of Bill Russell, Bob Cousey, Nellie, Heinson, Green.

It would take way too long to list all the great teams, and I'm sure someone will take umbrage with me, if I don't mention Jordan or Isaiah. Anyway, I'm sure you get my point. This isn't meant to be a critizism. Its just too easy for people to see only the recent past and forget how great some of the old teams were. The Kings team was a very good team, but it fell just short of greatness by coming up short. Were they robbed in one game? Yeah they probably were. But in the end, they could have still won if they had just hit their free throws in the last game. A great team would have won. They didn't, and maybe they didn't because they just didn't have that one player, with the iron will that refused to lose. A Jordan, a Magic or a Bird. It does make a difference.
 
As much as I would love to endorse your pick of the most exciting team of all time, I can't. Don't get me wrong. I loved that team. But having watched NBA basketball for over 40 years, I may have seen a couple of teams that were better and, just as, if not more exciting. The Celtic team of Bird, Mchale, Parrish, Ainge, Johnson etc. was one exciting team and a team that would have won every series against our old team.

How can we forget the Magic Johnson team. The Rick Barry team that came out of nowhere to win the world championship wasn't as glitzy, but was certainly exciting to watch. The New York Knick's team of Pearl Monroe, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley etc was a great team. I could go on and on. I haven't even gotten to Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlin, or the teams of Bill Russell, Bob Cousey, Nellie, Heinson, Green.

It would take way too long to list all the great teams, and I'm sure someone will take umbrage with me, if I don't mention Jordan or Isaiah. Anyway, I'm sure you get my point. This isn't meant to be a critizism. Its just too easy for people to see only the recent past and forget how great some of the old teams were. The Kings team was a very good team, but it fell just short of greatness by coming up short. Were they robbed in one game? Yeah they probably were. But in the end, they could have still won if they had just hit their free throws in the last game. A great team would have won. They didn't, and maybe they didn't because they just didn't have that one player, with the iron will that refused to lose. A Jordan, a Magic or a Bird. It does make a difference.

While I agree those teams very well may have been better, the NBA was also a lot more condensed then. There were less than 25 teams during those eras. Today's teams have a more dilute product.
 
While I agree those teams very well may have been better, the NBA was also a lot more condensed then. There were less than 25 teams during those eras. Today's teams have a more dilute product.

No argument there. I was merely responding to the statement that the Kings were single best most exciting team in the history of the NBA. I don't think he really meant it that way. At least I hope not. The King's were certainly one of the most exciting teams of their era. But not in the history of the NBA.
 
I believe that the best-ever assembled team in the NBA was that team by Chris Webber and Vlade Divac. It was the most "balanced" team and most fun-to-watch team that ever played in the NBA. Sad to say it was robbed of the Championship and never got to be Champions, because of injury of Chris Webber.

If I am to continue to build the Kings, I will pattern it to that old Kings roster led by Webber/Divac. It was a pretty tall team and not wanting much of superstar talent. Actually, the only superstar was Webber, but his superstar status had always been debatable.

#5 - Divac ( 7' 0" )
#4 - Webber ( 6' 10" )
#3 - Peja ( 6' 10" )
#2 - Christie ( 6' 6" )
#1 - Bibby ( 6' 2" )

At #5, the present team is already comparable to the old team. Divac was an aging center during the old team, as is Miller now. Both have excellent passing and play-making skills, good size as a center, but relatively poor in defense. Actually, the present team has a better aging-center on Miller, since Miller had shown last season that he can still average double-double ( 13.4 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game ), as compared to Divac who never averaged close to a double-double as a King. Plus, this present team has the advantage of having an "almost-ready" and youthful back-up center in the name of Hawse, who can start instead of Miller.

At #4, Jason Thompson?

At #3, At 6' 10, Greene can be groomed as the next Peja or Hedo. As we all know, Peja's and Hedo's height were pluses on the old team. It gave the old team a little bit more of defense - may it be physically or just plain psychologically. Take note of the height of Greene, which is the same as Peja and Hedo. Greene is mobile, has good shooting touch especially at the 3-point area. If Greene can grab at least 5-6 rebounds a game, then the team is really all set at #3.

At #2, there is no doubt we have a solid player at this position in the name of Martin, especially with regards to offense. He can compensate for the lack of offense at #3 if ever. Martin does not have the defensive skills of Christie, but with his quickness and athleticism, I don't think he will never learn defensive skills. I honestly think Martin is just playing lazy on defense for now.

At #1, we presently have Udrih who I believe is an upgrade, because he has more defensive skills than Bibby. Offense-wise, he is a little bit behind Bibby, but that is because Bibby has the tendency to shoot more than him.

Douby can be the spark plug coming off the bench as the 6th man, just like Bobby Jackson was to the old team. Garcia will provide the energy from the bench that Hedo Turkoglu brought for the old team.

Now, what do we need in the future?

Obviously a franchise player at #4 ( POWER FORWARD ) position.

I hope Jason Thompson develop POWER FORWARD skills comparable to Webber. If not, I would suggest we spend the $26-28M ( from expiring contracts of Abdur-rahim, Kenny Thomas, and Brad Miller ) that will come off the salary book comes 2010 in getting at least one of these young potential franchise players who are capable of giving double-double stats and excellent defense:

1.) Al Jefferson
2.) Chris Bosh
3.) Carlos Boozer
What you are seriously under-rating with this comparison is pure leadership!

You compare Vlade stats wise to Miller and with all due respect, Miller never has and never will bring the same sort of impact Vlade did. Vlade was a great leader, a glue guy. A great link between the coaching staff and the playing group. Everyone respected him, from janitor to the owners and he was one player that could get everyone on the same page. No one on our current roster comes close to being that sort of leader.

He was better defensively than Miller due to his genuine size. Even as a slowed down, old, ground bound player, he was still a presence with his sheer size that allowed him to alter and blick shots at a better rate than Miller.

Then we move to SG. Martin is a one way player. Christie was our defensive general. A player who was not a dud on offence but took great pride for playing a great defence and did what he had to. If he had to score, he did. If he had to knuckle down and play defence, he did that.

Quite simply, the current team is SO far off being anywhere near the Kings team of "golden era", its not even worth discussing. The great Kings team had charisma, leadership and 2 way players. That team had players that were also great leaders. They had a coach that always brings the best out of his players. Current version of the Kings is not even in the same stratosphere. We have some nice talented kids on this team which I think is great and exciting. But there is not a 2 way player between them. There is not a true leader and a glue guy between them. It just doesn't even have any similarities.
 
I believe that the best-ever assembled team in the NBA was that team by Chris Webber and Vlade Divac. It was the most "balanced" team and most fun-to-watch team that ever played in the NBA. Sad to say it was robbed of the Championship and never got to be Champions, because of injury of Chris Webber.

The above may sound like a joke to most of the not-so-die-hard fan of the old Kings team. I know it is debatable, but I still stand by it.

The pronouncement was not meant to denigrate the accomplishment and excitement generated by other great teams, but rather it was meant to glorify the great Kings team of the past. This is a Kingsfans forum anyways.

If you don't agree, just take the statement as personal opinion coming from a very die-hard fan of the old Kings team.


Quite simply, the current team is SO far off being anywhere near the Kings team of "golden era", its not even worth discussing. The great Kings team had charisma, leadership and 2 way players. That team had players that were also great leaders. They had a coach that always brings the best out of his players. Current version of the Kings is not even in the same stratosphere. We have some nice talented kids on this team which I think is great and exciting. But there is not a 2 way player between them. There is not a true leader and a glue guy between them. It just doesn't even have any similarities.

I agree with most of your statements, especially when it comes to the intangible qualities this current roster is lacking. And I agree we can really never have an exact replica of that old great Kings team with our current roster of young players. But these current roster we have is young combined with few old talents more or less comparable with the great Kings of the past. This current roster is still flexible and does not have an identity - which only means it can still be molded to resemble the past great team.

My main point was we can use that past roster of Webber/Divac team as a PATTERN as we rebuild our team.

To accomplish that roster-wise, what we probably only need now is a young, franchise-type player with awesome defense in the POWER FORWARD position. Then we can start the journey to the playoffs and onwards to being a Championship team again.

-------------

My pick for POWER FORWARD position for all the money we can spend on 2010 is in the following order:

1.) Al Jefferson
2.) Chris Bosh
3.) Carlos Boozer

Or, I could settle for these guys ( if coupled with one other starter player who is NBA-ready to start at any position ):

1.) Emeka Okafor
2.) Lamarcus Aldridge
3.) David West
4.) Michael Beasley
 
I forgot to include Lamar Odom. He will be an honest-to-goodness UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT on 2009. It will be fantastic if we could have him without losing Miller, Martin, and/or Udrih.

My pick for POWER FORWARD position is in the following order:

1.) Al Jefferson
2.) LAMAR ODOM
3.) Carlos Boozer
4.) Chris Bosh
 
I forgot to include Lamar Odom. He will be an honest-to-goodness UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT on 2009. It will be fantastic if we could have him without losing Miller, Martin, and/or Udrih.

My pick for POWER FORWARD position is in the following order:

1.) Al Jefferson
2.) LAMAR ODOM
3.) Carlos Boozer
4.) Chris Bosh


My pick is Justin Thompson.. Then if he doesn't do well any of those that you listed. Except Odom. He's really a SF, but does well in a PF role imo.. It will be interesting to see him with Gasol, and Bynum.. Now Bynum/Gasol/Odom/Bryant/Fisher is a nightmare match up for any team.
 
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