What's your take on Donte Greene?

[Andre87]

I think he had much better beginning of the season before we sent him to d-league after that he really out of sync for the remainder of the season.
I think we should keep him for another year and hopefully he will show signs of improvement. 6'10" very athletic guys who can handle like guards, drain 3point shots and possibly play at pf just can't be seen everywhere right now in the league. I see a lot of Kevin Durant potential in him. If Donte works out a lot this summer I gets more pt next season I think he will be fine.

 

[sactownfan]

This poll is ridiculous... i dont wanna talk trash but it really is a stupid poll..

He was the main star during his one year in college... hes the youngest on our team... has an NBA ready body NOW...and has potential all over the place!

He shoulda stayed at LEAST another year in college! but he didn't... and probably a good thing for us because lets be honest here and realize that in this draft Greene would probably be a lotto pick! so why the hell would we be so down on him already.

Yeah he was terrible like really terrible this year... but who wasn't on this team? i expected more from everyone minus JT. (Hawes came up a bit short in my eyes)

but he played great in the d-league! this kid was wasted all year by lame coaches. In fact I'd blame the coaches for him not growing also! He didn't play for over half the year at all!!! and then were down on him for not being great when he finally sees the floor...

Hes got 2-3 more years in my eyes till i feel he needs to be a solid player.

He showed real (quick) flashes on the glass and putting the ball on the floor... if that 3 ball starts going down and he gets a little more physical...this guy could be an absolute monster in this league ! ! ! thats on the real!

 

[Sptsjunkie]

No way we should give up on Greene early. When we got him, he was a long term project. He may take 3-4 years to fully realize his potential, but he can be a special player. Kind of a lesser version of Lamar Odom but with better outside shooting. We just need to be patient. He seems to have a good attitude and passion for the game.

 

[Larry89]

He is stuck on a team with an idiotic coach who plays him out of position and doesn't utilize his players because he runs no plays.

He gets barely any playing time also. And there are few if any great basketball minds in our Kings organization that can show him the ropes.. Natt isn't going to teach him anything Carril can work with him, but there is only so much he can learn from him.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Dontes jumper hasnt impressed me at all but what has is his defensive abilities. He's a good weak side shotblocker. Hes quick enough to guard 3 and 4's effectively. and he plays solid man to man defense.
I think he just needs to get comfortable that with jumper and know when to shoot it.we are going to have a pretty versatile player. Hes got the size and athletic ability to become a great player. Hopefully next year he can see close to 20-25 minutes game. ANd hes stilll sooooo young. i'm older then the kid, its wierd when you start to become older then nba players.. He has lots of time and is in a great situation to develop into a future starter for us.
Hopefully Donte takes some lessons from Kmarts book and gets to work in the offseason. Playing for team Germany would be great to.

 

[6th]

ANd hes stilll sooooo young. i'm older then the kid, its wierd when you start to become older then nba players...

Oh, this cuts deep. I'm older than most NBA players' mothers. NBA players coming into the league are just babies (age not temperament)......babies, I tell ya.

 

[ForlornKing]

He had the title "chucker" coming out of Syracuse...and did nothing to show us that they were false claims.


I really don't know if he will be able to snap out of the mentality of a chucker. He has so much potential with his size and quickness......but he doesn't really know how to use it to his advantage yet.


I question his bbal IQ.

 

[sactownfan]

He had to be a chucker in college... like Douby he was about all the offense for his team...

He missed alot of WIDE OPEN shots this year, and with his size like Peja he can shoot over people even if hes not wide open... I saw him take some bad shots but like all rookies thats bound to happen... I did't think it was that big an issue as him just badly missing OPEN shots!!! ugh!

 

[icp3425]

He's one of those raw guys that take years to develop. I dont think the kings will give up on him this soon, they're smarter than that.

 

[Bricklayer]

There was probably room here for more a somewhat more nuanced poll with numerous options. In a simple up and down vote like this, why would you not want him back? Even if you don't think he has much of a shot, on a young rebuilding team there is no real reason not to bring him back at least one more year and see if he improves.

 

[bajaden]

I think I would have expected this poll at the end of july or early august, when the lack of anything to talk about would prompt it. Kind of a shame to waste it now. Anyway, being it is now, I think Greene certainly should and will be back, barring a deal we can't refuse.

I've been a little tough on him lately about his immaturity. He has talent. Its just a matter of him getting his head on straight and putting in the work. I do think he's probably gotten a lot of mixed messages this year from the coaching staff. He's not playing at all. He's sent to the DL league for a few games and then is recalled, to not play at all. A coaching change and a new direction. Not sure what direction, but a new one. First he's a SF. Then he's a PF. He's a confused immature young man. I'm not sure going to play in Germany is the best thing for him. He may be better served staying in Sacramento and working out with his teammates and then going to the big man's camp. I'd rather see him play in the Kings summer league.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

Of course he deserves another chance--despite the fact that he didn't show much in way of NBA strengths this year and his supposed strength--his shot--appeared to be a weakness, but you have to take into account 1) he's only 20 years old; 2) "shooters" such as Roger Mason and Sasha Vujacic also put up sub 40% shooting percentages in their first several years in the league, but got it figured out later on, 3) the guy has height, athleticism and mobility, and with that comes defensive potential. So the guy can be far more than just an outside shooter. I actually fear that even if his shot comes out straight next year, it might actually encourage him in firing away even further and become a one-dimensional chucker (see Daequan Cook this year), and from looking at his general mentality, it seems that could be a problem; he's also the type of player who might not capitalize on all of his potential, a la Tim Thomas, unless he really develops a great work ethic (questionable at this point). So a lot of what ifs, and even if he succeeds in that one area he wants to do (shooting) there come more what ifs about taking advantage of his physical tools. But, he's still young, and potentially he can get things figured out with a bigger role/responsibility, so his improvement may come in small increments every year; he should focus on shooting well next year and making occasional intangible defensive/rebounding plays, and once he gets a firm grip on the shooting hopefully he'll consistently bring forth those attributes.

 

[HighTopKicks]

He had the title "chucker" coming out of Syracuse...and did nothing to show us that they were false claims.


I really don't know if he will be able to snap out of the mentality of a chucker. He has so much potential with his size and quickness......but he doesn't really know how to use it to his advantage yet.


I question his bbal IQ.

I question his IQ period, messin with BJax wasn't the smartest thing to do. But, to call him a chucker is unfair.

Where did Natt play all the SF's & not just Donte? Did Noc & Cisco take more 3pt shots than Donte when they played SF ? If your coach has you set up beyond the 3pt line foul line extended, and the ball is rotated around to you what are you supposed to do. Now, if you want to say his 3pt shot wasn't consistant and he was unsure. Yes, I'll agree. But, after 1 yr of college, 2 coaches, 2 systems, limited PT, no late draft choice is going to shine his 1st yr.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

he's also the type of player who might not capitalize on all of his potential, a la Tim Thomas, unless he really develops a great work ethic (questionable at this point). So a lot of what ifs, and even if he succeeds in that one area he wants to do (shooting) there come more what ifs about taking advantage of his physical tools. .

I was with you until this point. What gives you the impression he isn't a hard worker. I did not hear any negative stories about his work ethic. He was willing and eager to go to the D-League mid season to work on his game and get minutes. He's talking about playing for the German national team this offseason. He was always enthusiastic and into the games when he was on the bench. And he played hard whenever he was on the court. I don't know Donte and have no proof that he is a hard worker, but you are the second person here to question his desire and I don't see where that comes from.

 

[6th]

I was with you until this point. What gives you the impression he isn't a hard worker. I did not hear any negative stories about his work ethic. He was willing and eager to go to the D-League mid season to work on his game and get minutes. He's talking about playing for the German national team this offseason. He was always enthusiastic and into the games when he was on the bench. And he played hard whenever he was on the court. I don't know Donte and have no proof that he is a hard worker, but you are the second person here to question his desire and I don't see where that comes from.

I don't see it so much as lack of desire. He has the personality of a jokester/cut up. That could come across as not taking the game seriously. People have commented on that in game threads.

I think that not taking the game seriously (he is a very young kid) is being questioned as not being a hard worker.

Just a thought.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I don't see it so much as lack of desire. He has the personality of a jokester/cut up. That could come across as not taking the game seriously. People have commented on that in game threads.

I think that not taking the game seriously (he is a very young kid) is being questioned as not being a hard worker.

Just a thought.

I think you are right. I just think people may be making a snap judgement based off of his laid back/jokster personality. The indications we have are that he is a hard worker. Of course he would help fight that perception if he would always have that Kobe-esque intensity.

I think we'll really start learning about his work ethic next season if he comes back improved and has worked on his game. I question how hard of a worker Douby was because his base skills never seemed to improve season to season.

 

[Merdiesel]

Donte never had a play ran for him all season. Set him up with pick and rolls and see what happens. He has the height and speed to beat his man the majority of the time. He didn't get much respect this season. Definitely give the 20 year old kid a chance.

 

[bajaden]

I was with you until this point. What gives you the impression he isn't a hard worker. I did not hear any negative stories about his work ethic. He was willing and eager to go to the D-League mid season to work on his game and get minutes. He's talking about playing for the German national team this offseason. He was always enthusiastic and into the games when he was on the bench. And he played hard whenever he was on the court. I don't know Donte and have no proof that he is a hard worker, but you are the second person here to question his desire and I don't see where that comes from.

Donte was on Grants show for an entire hour. During that hour, he admitted that he had trouble remaining focused. He also said that he was working with coachie. He said that coachie told him, and I'm paraphasing, that he could be a very good player if he would just get his head out of his A$$. Its been reported many times that Hawes and Thompson stay after practice and put in the extra time. No word of Greene doing the same. He admits that he has a problem, and I think he knows that the reality of the NBA is different than the dream of the NBA.

We've all watched couples in movies live happily ever after. But we all know that its not reality. Its what we would all like our lives to be. Happy, simple and easy. But life is real, and it takes work to succeed in any endevor, whether its marriage, basketball or being an attorney. (threw that in for Bricky) Greene still appears to me to be a big kid, and hasn't come to grips with reality yet.

In my opinon, going to Germany and playing would be fun for him. Staying here and working out with teammates would be work. Going to the big man's camp would be work. Playing in the summer league under the eye of the Kings coaches would be work. Lifting weights, working on new moves, and shooting 500 jumpshots a day would be work. I'll put my money on Germany..

 

[Sptsjunkie]

Donte was on Grants show for an entire hour. During that hour, he admitted that he had trouble remaining focused. He also said that he was working with coachie. He said that coachie told him, and I'm paraphasing, that he could be a very good player if he would just get his head out of his A$$. Its been reported many times that Hawes and Thompson stay after practice and put in the extra time. No word of Greene doing the same. He admits that he has a problem, and I think he knows that the reality of the NBA is different than the dream of the NBA.

We've all watched couples in movies live happily ever after. But we all know that its not reality. Its what we would all like our lives to be. Happy, simple and easy. But life is real, and it takes work to succeed in any endevor, whether its marriage, basketball or being an attorney. (threw that in for Bricky) Greene still appears to me to be a big kid, and hasn't come to grips with reality yet.

In my opinon, going to Germany and playing would be fun for him. Staying here and working out with teammates would be work. Going to the big man's camp would be work. Playing in the summer league under the eye of the Kings coaches would be work. Lifting weights, working on new moves, and shooting 500 jumpshots a day would be work. I'll put my money on Germany..

Thank you for the insight, I hadn't heard some of this stuff. Although, I don't think it is fair to classify playing for the German national team as "fun" and not hard work. My guess is it involves a lot of practices and the rest of the team playing for their country wouldn't take kindly to some kid goofing around. Playing in the annual summer celebrity and charity all star games is what would be fun. Or drinking and fishing a la Brad Miller would be fun.

 

[king07]

Let him go so he can develop into another Gerald Wallace for some other team.

 

[VF21]

Let him go so he can develop into another Gerald Wallace for some other team.

Gerald Wallace had a raw athleticism that was obvious, even at the beginning. It was his focus and work ethic that were subject to question. Donte Greene has the ability to stand outside and lob bricks. I've yet to see even a glimmer of the athletic ability Gerald had...

 

[jdbraver]

His videos were the most entertaining parts of this season. If basketball doesn't work out the Kings should just let him take over for Angela Tsai.

 

[Aenadin]

its not fair to give him a bad evaluation cause he didnt get much time to play, nor is it fair to give him a good evaluation just cause he is funny.

ill give him next year if he can work his way into the line up, and if he really has that drive. cause right now i see him being happy being in the nba. he needs to get aggressive out there.

 

[D13]

The distractions might have something to do with he's only 20 and just had a kid also...

 

[bajaden]

Thank you for the insight, I hadn't heard some of this stuff. Although, I don't think it is fair to classify playing for the German national team as "fun" and not hard work. My guess is it involves a lot of practices and the rest of the team playing for their country wouldn't take kindly to some kid goofing around. Playing in the annual summer celebrity and charity all star games is what would be fun. Or drinking and fishing a la Brad Miller would be fun.

I wasn't implying that playing on the German team would be fun. I think in Donte's mind, it would be fun. It sounds sexier than hanging out at the practice facility and shooting jumpshots all day long. Best case senario, he actually would learn something by going to Germany. Worse case senario, he ends up at the end of the bench and doesn't play at all, or in the end, gets cut.

Whatever approach he takes, he needs to come back next year better than he left. He needs to improve over the offseason. NBA pickup games are important, because it gives a player a chance to practice the moves he's afraid to try during the regular season against other NBA players.

I just think that if your an established player and on the downside of your career aka Dirk N., then playing for your national, team isn't a big deal. But if your a rookie still trying to make your mark, then you need all the help you can get. I'm just not sure that would happen on the German national team.

 

[PurpleHaze]

The distractions might have something to do with he's only 20 and just had a kid also...

Distractions could very well be the reason but that excuse does not seem to affect Spencer Hawes one bit who is actually younger by a couple months.

Donte Greene needs to be very careful all the constant clowning does not become his distraction, his reputation instead of realizing the NBA is a serious business and hard work is only chance to make it in the league. For me, it's clear he has talent but it's extremely raw at this point. I'd say bring him back but if he is not improving, not seriously dedicated like Hawes or JT he'd be better off somewhere else (D-league, overseas, etc.)

 

[GameBall]

Donte Greene needs to grow up.

 

[vikinginferno]

With Donte Green, I didn't expect him to progress too much this year, but if he hasn't progressed at all by the end of next year and is still just chucking up bricks every time he gets his hands on the ball, there is a problem.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I wasn't implying that playing on the German team would be fun. I think in Donte's mind, it would be fun. It sounds sexier than hanging out at the practice facility and shooting jumpshots all day long. Best case senario, he actually would learn something by going to Germany. Worse case senario, he ends up at the end of the bench and doesn't play at all, or in the end, gets cut.

Whatever approach he takes, he needs to come back next year better than he left. He needs to improve over the offseason. NBA pickup games are important, because it gives a player a chance to practice the moves he's afraid to try during the regular season against other NBA players.

I just think that if your an established player and on the downside of your career aka Dirk N., then playing for your national, team isn't a big deal. But if your a rookie still trying to make your mark, then you need all the help you can get. I'm just not sure that would happen on the German national team.

I see your point. I agree, I'll be happy as long as he shows improvement and it's clear he has put in time to work on his game.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

With Donte Green, I didn't expect him to progress too much this year, but if he hasn't progressed at all by the end of next year and is still just chucking up bricks every time he gets his hands on the ball, there is a problem.

I am expecting some improvement. What I would like to see out of Donte is slightly improved shooting, better handles, and better movement without the ball. Donte clearly has moves, when he was in the D-League and Summer League he scored in a lot of different ways. In Sac when he was playing more off the ball, he obviously tended to drift out to the peremiter and try to spread the floor by being an outside shooter. Part of this was not knowing how to move effectively and part of it was that his handles were just a little too sloppy and he could not drive as effectively against NBA defenders. If he can improve these over the summer, then we should see a better but still inconsistent Donte next season. And you are right, it probably won't be until Green's third year that he would really bust out.