What if the Kings Sign Raja Bell ????

[Prince_XY]

Bell and Ime are pretty much the same player and Ime hit alot of clutch baskets for us last year as well. I don't see really where the love for Raja Bell is randomly coming from sure he's a tough nosed defender and he can shoot but back when he was starting in the NBA it was definitely random then and it would be even more random now.

Ime already knows the system and the guys as well from last year he should get the first cheap look before anybody else IMO.

I think you are right that both players are similar. But unlike Udoka, somehow I find Raja Bell as the more credible and vocal veteran that our young guys would listen to. I did not see that aura or qualities in Udoka last season. He just doesn't have IT, otherwise Evans won't be asking for more veteran presence in the team. Udoka it seemed just played his best with the Kings just for the sake of playing - not that much leadership at all.

 

[Kingstime]

Idk when it comes to a guy I'd like to see here signed is a guy who will always be ready to get in the game and not gripe about his minutes. That always seemed like Ime to me last year, the exact opposite of Nocioni. Ime while made tons of mistakes(Like most of our guys) he also proved that he can be good for some solid D and a much needed bucket from time to time.

Raja Bell didn't really wanna play for GS last year after the trade as he opted for the wrist surgery instead of playing out the year, which he would of done had he stayed in Charlotte. I just don't see him as the mentor or vet guy these dudes would listen to. I also must admit I've never been a big fan of the guy always have seen him as a hot head out on the court, a less defensively skilled Bruce Bowen.

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

I guess it goes back to what I said before the draft: He's not gonna make that much of a difference to our team, And it's not like he's a reputed winner (we're not talking about a Derek Fisher type or even Ray Allen), so what is he going to bring to the table?


I'm looking at the picture from last season though, and I don't see it being any easier than it was. Maybe it doesn't take 50 wins this year, but even 45 is a huge leap for us. Portland won 50 games with a ton of injuries. We can hope the Thunder slide, but they're trending North, not the other way. The Spurs and even Dallas could fall off, but you still have Houston and New Orleans who fell off last year but anticipate being back in the playoffs. Memphis is trending North. The Nuggets are great or bust, but they broke in three years ago at 50 wins and haven't looked back. Utah should be good, if they keep Boozer (which they might not, but what if he goes to another team in the West?) It's tough sledding trying to make the playoffs in this conference. We won a total of 42 games the past two seasons combined, which wouldn't have been good enough in either season. We added a veteran shotblocking center and a rookie center, and we expect improvement from the rest of our guys, but to the tune of 20-25 games? I think that's a bit ambitious.

Unless we get a top grade SG, I don't think there are many better options out there. I don't think we are going to get Joe Johnson nor do I want him on this team. To me at this point, a John Salmons type player would be good. He can defend, score, not too old, has length. Only knock on Salmons is he is not a great catch and shoot type of guy.

But I don't think we are going to get a John Salmons type of player. Guys like him wants a big long term contract which I doubt the Kings would pay. Thats why realistically, to me, Raja Bell is a good option. He is only 33 and has at least 2 more yrs left.

We both know there are a lot of variables in the west. And thats the reason why a young team like the Kings have a chance. Its tough to make the playoffs because things changes almost every year in the west lately and its wide open.

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

I think you are right that both players are similar. But unlike Udoka, somehow I find Raja Bell as the more credible and vocal veteran that our young guys would listen to. I did not see that aura or qualities in Udoka last season. He just doesn't have IT, otherwise Evans won't be asking for more veteran presence in the team. Udoka it seemed just played his best with the Kings just for the sake of playing - not that much leadership at all.

Yes you're right, Bell is a better leader than Ime. Not that ime is a bad teammate or anything. But he is just one of the players that plays on the team and does his job. But he is not going to give advice to anyone.