Which Players Will Make The Final Cut?
- Thread starter quick dog
- Start date
I think that's probably about right, although I had heard that he actually had a good post game in college, which raised the interesting possibility of a combo three point bomber/post player. But haven't seen any of it so far in camp -- might be one of those things where he could post smaller less athletic guys in college but can't really can't do it effectively at this level.
Anyway, Peja obviously has problems creating his shot against top defenders too, but when you see a stationary guy like Blu out there it makes you respect all of the work Peja DOES do to get open.
Anyway, Peja obviously has problems creating his shot against top defenders too, but when you see a stationary guy like Blu out there it makes you respect all of the work Peja DOES do to get open.
I think Barnes would be a great player to pick up, he does all the little things, Ferguson would be a great project to work on for us and he might turn out to be something, he has the potential. I think the players that will make it now are.
Barnes, Bluthenthal, Ferguson, Alexander,,, Minard will be cut, he is not too impressive, I don't think he is NBA material yet!
Barnes, Bluthenthal, Ferguson, Alexander,,, Minard will be cut, he is not too impressive, I don't think he is NBA material yet!
that would give us 13.
starting 5
Bobby, Tag, Songaila, Martin
then room for 3 more.
A guy like Ferguson who showed well might be a better type of project player to stash on the IL than a limited skill thrasher like Ford or Parada, and so maybe that's how a 13th guy could make it.
-- Alexander is a proven pro. Bit redundant with Martin, but at least a true NBAer (our bench is going to be very young).
-- Barnes is probably the next most proven NBA player, and with an eneregetic all around game last night he might nab a spot.
But if both those guys make it, that's an OG and a swingman, and the 12th and perhaps 13th spot (if we use the IL) would logically go to either a fifth big man, or a player who can play some point. Which puts Blu in a difficult position unless he can claim to be a 3/4 swing guy. Not really sure he's shown enough anyway. If we hadn't offered him the contract over the summer, and just invited him to camp the way we did Parada or whoever, I don't think we'd have even noticed him and he might well have been gone first cut.
P.S. People have repeatedly referred to us this camp as having 11 contracts and 11 of the 12 spots already locked up, and only 1 up for grab. I'm not sure whether that's right or its not. If it is, are the 11 they are talking about the Top 8, Martin, Blu and Minard? Or Martin, Minard and Alexander? Or...? Anyway, I believe nobody but Martin has a guaranteed deal, so its effectively a scrum for the last three spots with no advantage to anyway. But if we actually do have 11 contracts, that changes things. Means much of this speculation is probably just that, and all but one of the guys was locked in before camp even started.
starting 5
Bobby, Tag, Songaila, Martin
then room for 3 more.
A guy like Ferguson who showed well might be a better type of project player to stash on the IL than a limited skill thrasher like Ford or Parada, and so maybe that's how a 13th guy could make it.
-- Alexander is a proven pro. Bit redundant with Martin, but at least a true NBAer (our bench is going to be very young).
-- Barnes is probably the next most proven NBA player, and with an eneregetic all around game last night he might nab a spot.
But if both those guys make it, that's an OG and a swingman, and the 12th and perhaps 13th spot (if we use the IL) would logically go to either a fifth big man, or a player who can play some point. Which puts Blu in a difficult position unless he can claim to be a 3/4 swing guy. Not really sure he's shown enough anyway. If we hadn't offered him the contract over the summer, and just invited him to camp the way we did Parada or whoever, I don't think we'd have even noticed him and he might well have been gone first cut.
P.S. People have repeatedly referred to us this camp as having 11 contracts and 11 of the 12 spots already locked up, and only 1 up for grab. I'm not sure whether that's right or its not. If it is, are the 11 they are talking about the Top 8, Martin, Blu and Minard? Or Martin, Minard and Alexander? Or...? Anyway, I believe nobody but Martin has a guaranteed deal, so its effectively a scrum for the last three spots with no advantage to anyway. But if we actually do have 11 contracts, that changes things. Means much of this speculation is probably just that, and all but one of the guys was locked in before camp even started.
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Hopefully Liu Wei doesn't get cut cuss he is pretty hot. 
Anyway, my sister and I was watching the game yesterday and it was sort of boring so we fell asleep. When she woke up, she told me Liu Wei was in her dream and that he came over to our place. He was so shy that he stood next to the front door the entire evening. LOL
He is gonna be missed though...
Anyway, my sister and I was watching the game yesterday and it was sort of boring so we fell asleep. When she woke up, she told me Liu Wei was in her dream and that he came over to our place. He was so shy that he stood next to the front door the entire evening. LOL
He is gonna be missed though...
I really don't know about keeping Alexander........he didn't play a game last season due to serious injury. the "what if he re-injuried again" question bothers me........plus we have Martin, kinda the same kind if you ask me.....
and by the way, everyone who watched last night Sac/LA game, how good is that Anwar Ferguson? I only know he got pretty good number last night.........
and by the way, everyone who watched last night Sac/LA game, how good is that Anwar Ferguson? I only know he got pretty good number last night.........
I think people are continuing to underestimate Alexander a little. He has never been my favorite player, largely because he just has never done enough of the "other" stuff. But he can be a potent NBA scorer.
Some comparisons for other backup OG/SFs we have had (career):
Bobby Jackson
22.3min 9.9pts (.430, .357, .796)
Anthony Peeler
25.3min 10.0pts (.429, .384, .798)
Hedo Turkoglu
21.5min 7.9pts (.415, .384, .744)
Courtney Alexander
21.7min 9.0pts (.422, .339, .813)
He's a very capable bench scorer. Hard to see us actually finding FOUR rookies out of the current crop more valuable off the bench.
Some comparisons for other backup OG/SFs we have had (career):
Bobby Jackson
22.3min 9.9pts (.430, .357, .796)
Anthony Peeler
25.3min 10.0pts (.429, .384, .798)
Hedo Turkoglu
21.5min 7.9pts (.415, .384, .744)
Courtney Alexander
21.7min 9.0pts (.422, .339, .813)
He's a very capable bench scorer. Hard to see us actually finding FOUR rookies out of the current crop more valuable off the bench.
Good shot blocker, blocked Kobe and Odom. Needs to gain some pounds, had his open dunk blocked by Kobe since he was'nt strong enough to throw it down. Limited offense, kind of like former Kings player Yogi Stewart (if you've never seen Yogi then ... I'm not sure who else I can compare him too)
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Wish I knew about the contract Double-K. Minard is our 2nd round pick, Martin our first. That SHOULD mean that Martin has a guaranteed contract (meaning even if we cut him we'd still have to pay him) while Minard has a non-guaranteed deal. In the NBA that should mean that Minard can be cut at any time before January (forgot exact day) without us having to pay the full season. If we keep him past that date, then the whole contract gets guaranteed.
Overall contracts...if I had to guess I would say:
Martin: guaranteed contract
Minard: non-guaranteed contract (can be cut before January)
Blumenthal: non-guaranteed contract (can be cut before January)
Alexander: ?? could be guaranteed contract, could be non-gauranteed
Barnes, Ferguson etc. etc.: no contracts
Overall contracts...if I had to guess I would say:
Martin: guaranteed contract
Minard: non-guaranteed contract (can be cut before January)
Blumenthal: non-guaranteed contract (can be cut before January)
Alexander: ?? could be guaranteed contract, could be non-gauranteed
Barnes, Ferguson etc. etc.: no contracts
Thanks for the info. Brick.
If that's the case, we should keep Alexander around with Martin to back up the aging Doug. (the "what if" question still bothering me though.....)
then I think we should at least sign 1 more big man..........if we could......dumb Bluthenthal I say, sign Barnes...........then maybe that Ferguson guy if he keeps on performing next couple games.......what do u guys think?
If that's the case, we should keep Alexander around with Martin to back up the aging Doug. (the "what if" question still bothering me though.....)
then I think we should at least sign 1 more big man..........if we could......dumb Bluthenthal I say, sign Barnes...........then maybe that Ferguson guy if he keeps on performing next couple games.......what do u guys think?
The contract situation is right. Minard being a 2nd round pick doesnt get a gauranteed deal. And He doesnt look like he is ready for the NBA at all. Seeing that he didnt play in either game in China and looked bad agianst the LAkers seems to tell the story with him. I suspect it will be Bluthenthal and Alexander and probably someone who is currently not even on the team now who is a big man. Ferguson while stuffing the stat sheet was abused down low by bad post players on the LAkers, and Chris Mihm looke dlike Shaq on one play the position he was able to get on his slender frame.
Minard looked MUCH better against Golden State. He looked pretty crappy against LA. He had a pretty impressive Summer League and the coaching staff still seems pretty high on him. Brick is right about the contract, he was a second round pick and his contract is non-guarunteed until Dec 10? or 12? For some reason, they actually gave him a two year deal, so if he makes it midway through December he's got some time to develop.
As far as I know Alexander has a gaurenteed contract and so does Martin which essentialy means that there are only rwo actual roster spots, with perhaps one or two opening on the IR. So the roster as is with back ups looks something like this:
C-MIller-Tag
PF-Webber-Song
SF-Pedja- ?
SG-DC-Alexander-K-Mart-(Bobby)
PG-Bibby-Bobby
Ok now that I have put the obvious into print, lets llok at the potentials by position:
Gaurds: (As you can see this is a position that the team is already well stocked at)
Minard -LOOOOOOng shot, since there are only 2 true pg's on the roster but honestly I would rather see DC at point with Alexander at SG if it came down to it.
Bland-Not a pg, not a chance
Evans -Not a pg, not a chance
Wei-Not a bad pg, might even take him over Minard, but the best bet is to get an option signed and send him back to Shanghi with a set of weights and a case of protien powder.
Forwards: Ok we obviously need another forward to back up Pedja but hear me out on this, we might already have him. Darius is 6-9, 248. Thast right one inch shorter but 20 lbs heaver than Pedja. So why is everyone sure he is the natural PF for the Kings? Beceasue he rebounds, plays hard inside and his shot drop off 15 feet out, and beceause he had to back up the ailing Webber last season while Pedja averaged 35-40 min a game. BUT With Webber, healthy and playing farther out every year, the Kings could easliy play the two together and improve the rebounding with Webber, Biby and DC spreading the floor with THIER out side shooting. Bearing that in mind, here is a look at the potential forwards:
Barnes- As a 6-7 natural sf, with some NBA experience he might be the early favorite to back up Pedja, but his outside shot blows and he just seems lost with out the ball.
Bluthenthal- Another 6-7 player that has an outside shot, but dam near useless down low and unalbe to create. NOT on my list.
Erick Daniels- Hmm at 6-8 another natural SF. I might keep this guy past first round only to see if he can fit in with starters. Not much of a shooter but actualy plays some defense and like to hustle down low. Bonus points for the Fro... would look great on the bench.
Alton Ford- another 6-9 SF who does not seem to have any distingusing traits. Did hustle but jacks up shots like JWill, so I would pass.
This would seem to be all the forwards, but I would offer up a suggestion.
Fergusion-At 7-0 he is seen as a centerbut hey weighing in at just two bills even, this guy is going to have to put on one hell of a lot of weight to play against any center in the NBA, as someon else pointed out he made Mhim look like Shaq. But if you look at him as a project for limited play at PF, ala Keon Clark, this guy could be a project worth keeping, espcialy if you can stash him on the IR. This guy can blaock shots, he has good low post moves, and he can rebound. Ok he looks compleetly lost with out the ball right in front of him and probaly can't even spell defense, but put on the end of the bench with some protien shakes and a ham sandwitch, let him practice with the team and play garbage time and then see what he can do.
Finaly this leaves us with Prada, another 7 footer who palys hard, but seems to be with out much of a shot and hands of stone... I say pass on this guy unless all you want is a warm body, but personaly I'd rather see Ferguson playing 3rd string behind Tag.
So who would I Keep?
I would give the two slots to Fergison, and Barnes, but I would try to stash someone on the IR and and then pick up Minard (or maybe even Wei) as a trainee to replace Bobby next season if contract negotiations go south this summer. If there is a second slot on the IR and Daniels contenues to show determination, keep him as well.
So here is the team as I would like to see it:
C-MIller-Tag-Fergy
PF-Webber-Miller (Shifting with Tag at C) Song-Fergy
SF-Pedja-Song-Barnes
SG-DC-Alexander-K-Mart-(Bobby)
PG-Bibby-Bobby-Minard
This means one player will need to be on the IR, but givne this teams history of injuries I think it is safe to say that the trainer will not have to be looking for hangnails to justify placeing someone.
C-MIller-Tag
PF-Webber-Song
SF-Pedja- ?
SG-DC-Alexander-K-Mart-(Bobby)
PG-Bibby-Bobby
Ok now that I have put the obvious into print, lets llok at the potentials by position:
Gaurds: (As you can see this is a position that the team is already well stocked at)
Minard -LOOOOOOng shot, since there are only 2 true pg's on the roster but honestly I would rather see DC at point with Alexander at SG if it came down to it.
Bland-Not a pg, not a chance
Evans -Not a pg, not a chance
Wei-Not a bad pg, might even take him over Minard, but the best bet is to get an option signed and send him back to Shanghi with a set of weights and a case of protien powder.
Forwards: Ok we obviously need another forward to back up Pedja but hear me out on this, we might already have him. Darius is 6-9, 248. Thast right one inch shorter but 20 lbs heaver than Pedja. So why is everyone sure he is the natural PF for the Kings? Beceasue he rebounds, plays hard inside and his shot drop off 15 feet out, and beceause he had to back up the ailing Webber last season while Pedja averaged 35-40 min a game. BUT With Webber, healthy and playing farther out every year, the Kings could easliy play the two together and improve the rebounding with Webber, Biby and DC spreading the floor with THIER out side shooting. Bearing that in mind, here is a look at the potential forwards:
Barnes- As a 6-7 natural sf, with some NBA experience he might be the early favorite to back up Pedja, but his outside shot blows and he just seems lost with out the ball.
Bluthenthal- Another 6-7 player that has an outside shot, but dam near useless down low and unalbe to create. NOT on my list.
Erick Daniels- Hmm at 6-8 another natural SF. I might keep this guy past first round only to see if he can fit in with starters. Not much of a shooter but actualy plays some defense and like to hustle down low. Bonus points for the Fro... would look great on the bench.
Alton Ford- another 6-9 SF who does not seem to have any distingusing traits. Did hustle but jacks up shots like JWill, so I would pass.
This would seem to be all the forwards, but I would offer up a suggestion.
Fergusion-At 7-0 he is seen as a centerbut hey weighing in at just two bills even, this guy is going to have to put on one hell of a lot of weight to play against any center in the NBA, as someon else pointed out he made Mhim look like Shaq. But if you look at him as a project for limited play at PF, ala Keon Clark, this guy could be a project worth keeping, espcialy if you can stash him on the IR. This guy can blaock shots, he has good low post moves, and he can rebound. Ok he looks compleetly lost with out the ball right in front of him and probaly can't even spell defense, but put on the end of the bench with some protien shakes and a ham sandwitch, let him practice with the team and play garbage time and then see what he can do.
Finaly this leaves us with Prada, another 7 footer who palys hard, but seems to be with out much of a shot and hands of stone... I say pass on this guy unless all you want is a warm body, but personaly I'd rather see Ferguson playing 3rd string behind Tag.
So who would I Keep?
I would give the two slots to Fergison, and Barnes, but I would try to stash someone on the IR and and then pick up Minard (or maybe even Wei) as a trainee to replace Bobby next season if contract negotiations go south this summer. If there is a second slot on the IR and Daniels contenues to show determination, keep him as well.
So here is the team as I would like to see it:
C-MIller-Tag-Fergy
PF-Webber-Miller (Shifting with Tag at C) Song-Fergy
SF-Pedja-Song-Barnes
SG-DC-Alexander-K-Mart-(Bobby)
PG-Bibby-Bobby-Minard
This means one player will need to be on the IR, but givne this teams history of injuries I think it is safe to say that the trainer will not have to be looking for hangnails to justify placeing someone.
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