With the 7th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select .....

[Glenn]

I don't think we need Biyombo when we already have Whiteside.

 

[Gary]

How would you define bust in regards to Biyumbo? I think he is one of the safer international players in this draft.

What is he at worst? Joel Anthony? and look at how much he is helping Miami just being able to defend and rebound. Biyumbo has a much better body than Anthony, and is a much much much better athlete.

Dont watch the videos for the dunks. I could care less about those, but look at his lateral quickness and foot speed. Its not even comparable to guys like Saer Sene and Thabeet. Thats what killed those guys.. they were billed as defensive players, but they were just too stiff and slow. Biyumbo has that speed those guys lacked.

I dont LOVE Biyumbo. He's not one of those guys I'd bet on .. but compared to the other international players aside fron Kanter, I think he is about as sure a thing as you'll find.

And in no way do I think we should draft him if we can get Dalembert to stay. Hopefully we will have some indication from him by draft time ... but if he tells us he wants to go chase a ring somewhere, you bet I'm giving Biyumbo a long look.

You're right.. that's the main reason I wouldn't draft the guy. I know nothing about him besides what I hav read and the highlights I watched. I have caught a couple games via torrent downloads from a well known sports site I cannot mention, but I didn't get through them. Quality was kind of bad hehe. Reminded me of a couple summers ago when those VSL games were broadcast online and looked terrible and pixelated.

Anyway, I don't know enough about him, and from what I read about him he basically sounds like every other athletic "defensive" big that comes out from another country. They tack on "defensive" to their name and GMs always go crazy. The sad truth is people always get excited about these players they never heard of with freak athleticism and 90% of the time these players are out of the league within 2-3 years.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Fair enough. Biyombo is not my number one guy, nor is he second or third or fourth. I'm just saying I wouldn't annoint him a bust just yet. I think he does have something to offer at the next level. That said, there are multiple guys I'd take ahead of him.

 

[rainmaker]

I don't think we need Biyombo when we already have Whiteside.

I tend to agree. Already took a gamble on a project in Whiteside, which won't pay off for a year or two, if at all. We're moving towards the playoffs, and don't need 2 projects, especially one without skill. That's not to take anything away from Bismack, I wish him the best, a generally love energy/effort players, and if Petrie takes him I'll root for him. I just don't think we need him, with such limited game on the offensive end. If I hear something different in workouts, I might change my mind.

Not at this point though. There are other players which more more skill, who can play both sides of the ball, and fill a bigger need. Of course if Dally leaves we have a gaping hole, but I'm not confident Bismack is ready to step in and play regular minutes, let alone do what Dally did for us. We don't need any kind of an offensive stud next to Cousins, but whoever is put there needs to be able to be enough of a threat that a double team isn't constantly coming over to Cousins.

Now if we do pick him, that will say a lot about how confident Petrie is in Dally returning. Up until this point we've only interviewd pg's and sf's. Looks like that is where Petrie wants to add.

 

[Kingster]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?name=nba_draft&id=6578427


So Chad Ford says Knight wont get past us. Interesting .. makes sense I suppose since if he drops to 7 he would most likely be the clear BPA. I still dont see how he fits on our team though .. It will take some movement among our guards... or the dreaded "move Tyreke to SF" Idea.

If Knight does drop to us, it leaves us with a good trade chip if we decide to go in that direction. Only problem being that teams like Philly(Iggy) or Pacers(Granger) already have young point guards they like. However, if the Jazz pick someone like Kanter they may be willing to move favors for a package involving Knight.

Knight is perfect for this team. He's a hybrid, and hybrids fit well with other hybrids. If the Kings had a "pure" pg, then that puts Tyreke in the position of being a "pure" SG, which he's not; and if the Kings draft a "pure" SG that puts Tyreke in the position of being a "pure" pg, which he's not.

 

[bajaden]

Knight is perfect for this team. He's a hybrid, and hybrids fit well with other hybrids. If the Kings had a "pure" pg, then that puts Tyreke in the position of being a "pure" SG, which he's not; and if the Kings draft a "pure" SG that puts Tyreke in the position of being a "pure" pg, which he's not.

I agree 100%! You notice I didn't say 110%! Thats because there isn't 110% of anything. Anyway, I agree. The problem of course is that Knight likely won't be there when we pick. I'm still hopeful, as my little minny mock showed. I think just how much love teams have for the euro's will have a huge effect on everything. It appears that Kanter is pretty much a lock for the top 5, and maybe top 3. But after that, its really hard to say. If a couple of those guys, like Vesley or Valanciunas end up going in the top 6, then likely Knight will drop to us. Its all a crap shoot at the moment, and no one is going to tell you the truth.

One thing I can guarantee, is that teams usually trust their own scouting dept. and pay little attention to draftexpress or any of the other mocks that are out there. The Kings spend a fair amount of money to send Petrie and whomever else over to europe to scout players. I know they have a full time european scout over there, as do most teams. Its just not for show. So it wouldnt surpirse me to see the Kings take one of the euro's. And of course you have the loose cannon, Kahn. Dealing with Kahn in the draft is like playing Risk with a new player that has no plan. He'll wipe himself out of the game, while at the same time wiping you out of the game. And then feel proud of himself. The man is an idiot.

 

[Hallama]

I really like Kemba Walker. What a little jolt of Red Bull he is - just super quick and relentless. Can break down defenses and create havoc, a coveted skill in today's NBA.

Check out this highlight mix, I'm only posting because there is a nice little surprise @ 3:25. A vision from the past for our backcourt of the future?

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

Knight is perfect for this team. He's a hybrid, and hybrids fit well with other hybrids. If the Kings had a "pure" pg, then that puts Tyreke in the position of being a "pure" SG, which he's not; and if the Kings draft a "pure" SG that puts Tyreke in the position of being a "pure" pg, which he's not.

I'll agree with you about the pure PG thing. Wouldnt work well on this team .. taking the ball out of Evans/Cousins/Thorntons hands and into a facilitator's just wouldnt work out.

And I like Knight. I really like Kemba Walker too .. I've said that multiple times, but I dont see how he would play on this team going forward. If we dont sign Thornton, sure .. If we trade Beno .. then fine, draft Knight, but that seems like a lateral move to me when we have the oppurtunity to get BETTER in this draft rather than make a sideways move.

Look around the league right now .. I see about 3 backups PG's that you could even argue are better than Beno as a backup (Felton, George Hill, JJ Barea). Is Brandon Knight going to come in and be better than Beno? I doubt it. And even if he is Beno's equal .. that would push our two biggest contracts (Garcia and Beno) out of the rotation to rot on the bench. It wouldnt be a good situation.

I briefly mentioned Garcia, who would hopefully return as a backup SG after we sign a better SF this offseason .. drafting Knight would push him deeper into the rotation.. we cant afford to have those contracts on the bench.

What it comes down to for me is that I think Brandon Knight is going to need minutes in order to get better. If he's getting minutes on our team then someone else isnt .. and that someone else is likely better than Knight right now anyway.

And If I thought Knight was lightyears better than some of the other guys in our range I would say screw the circumstances and draft him, but I dont. Remember how close we are too breaking through?? How close we are to finally turning it around?? I dont think Knight is good enough to wait for when we can get better THIS season and beyond by picking someone else who will come in and have minutes right away.

 

[Gary]

I really like Kemba Walker. What a little jolt of Red Bull he is - just super quick and relentless. Can break down defenses and create havoc, a coveted skill in today's NBA.

Check out this highlight mix, I'm only posting because there is a nice little surprise @ 3:25. A vision from the past for our backcourt of the future?

hahah nice... I do like Walker as well.. He's my number 2 choice for our pick (if available). I think he would do well with Evans in the lineup or backing up our guards.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

The problem of course is that Knight likely won't be there when we pick. I'm still hopeful, as my little minny mock showed. I think just how much love teams have for the euro's will have a huge effect on everything.

For Knight to be there when we pick, I believe the following things will have to happen:
1: Utah has to pass on him. If Kanter goes #2, Utah might well take Williams at #3. It's also possible that Utah takes Kanter at #3.
2: Toronto has to pass on him. This probably means that Toronto chooses Walker over Knight.
3: If Washington has traded up with Minnesota to grab Kanter, Minnesota has to pass on Knight.

Cleveland I'm not worried about, because Irving is going #1 and they won't take a PG with #4. Washington in the #6 slot won't take a PG either, but would probably grab Vesely or Leonard.

Still, I don't think he gets past Toronto. Bummer.

 

[SacKings7]

For Knight to be there when we pick, I believe the following things will have to happen:
1: Utah has to pass on him. If Kanter goes #2, Utah might well take Williams at #3. It's also possible that Utah takes Kanter at #3.
2: Toronto has to pass on him. This probably means that Toronto chooses Walker over Knight.
3: If Washington has traded up with Minnesota to grab Kanter, Minnesota has to pass on Knight.

Cleveland I'm not worried about, because Irving is going #1 and they won't take a PG with #4. Washington in the #6 slot won't take a PG either, but would probably grab Vesely or Leonard.

Still, I don't think he gets past Toronto. Bummer.

I have a feeling Knight is gonna go in the top 3 with Utah. If you're right about Toronto however, I'm trying to be optimistic in the fact that Bryan Colangelo really likes foreign players and might take Vesely or Valanciunas

 

[joemama]

Jeff Teague

7th pick for Teague straight up.

If both Knight and Walker are taken! Not impressed with Kahwi and Biyombo is too big a risk.

 

[Bricklayer]

7th pick for Teague straight up.

Stop.

 

[bajaden]

For Knight to be there when we pick, I believe the following things will have to happen:
1: Utah has to pass on him. If Kanter goes #2, Utah might well take Williams at #3. It's also possible that Utah takes Kanter at #3.
2: Toronto has to pass on him. This probably means that Toronto chooses Walker over Knight.
3: If Washington has traded up with Minnesota to grab Kanter, Minnesota has to pass on Knight.

Cleveland I'm not worried about, because Irving is going #1 and they won't take a PG with #4. Washington in the #6 slot won't take a PG either, but would probably grab Vesely or Leonard.

Still, I don't think he gets past Toronto. Bummer.

Yeah, I didn't say it would be easy. Just possible. I think the hard one will be Utah. They still have Harris, but obviously they're not sold on him if their looking PG. I still think there's an outside chance that Cleveland takes Williams at number one. And logically it would make perfect sense. They'd get one of the top two players thats not a PG, and then at number 4 they would have their choice of whichever PG thats left. If they were to draft Williams at 1, then you have to wonder what the heck Kahn would do at number 2. He still has Flynn, and he's trying to woo Rubio over to play. What would Rubio think if Kahn drafts Irving? Kahn just might be stupid enough to pass on Irving and take Kanter, who I think would help his team more than Irving anyway, or he might trade the pick at that point.

Anyway, Cleveland could really make the draft interesting by taking Williams number one. If I was their GM, I'd do it just to hear Kahn scream.

 

[SacTownKid]

Kemba walker

 

[Vlade4GM]

Okay, I've been debating this with myself, but I'm now convinced that we should take Burks. I think he's a huge sleeper and will end up being one of the best players in this draft. His biggest weaknesses are relatively easy to fix with time and coaching. He's got the frame, moves, solid-good athleticism, and ball skills to be a good 2-way wing in the NBA. Bad fit? Probably, but I think he's the likely BPA at our pick and I think with with some time he can be a combo 2/3. I think we need to stop looking at this draft pick like we need it to contribute to the team so badly, this is a weak draft, so you might as well just try to get the best talent there is on the board regardless of style and position, and worst comes to worst, just make some trades.

 

[bajaden]

Okay, I've been debating this with myself, but I'm now convinced that we should take Burks. I think he's a huge sleeper and will end up being one of the best players in this draft. His biggest weaknesses are relatively easy to fix with time and coaching. He's got the frame, moves, solid-good athleticism, and ball skills to be a good 2-way wing in the NBA. Bad fit? Probably, but I think he's the likely BPA at our pick and I think with with some time he can be a combo 2/3. I think we need to stop looking at this draft pick like we need it to contribute to the team so badly, this is a weak draft, so you might as well just try to get the best talent there is on the board regardless of style and position, and worst comes to worst, just make some trades.

I think one could make a good arguement that Burks might be the best player available at number 7. And I'm a BPA guy. I just haven't made up my mind yet. Burks has a lot going for him. He's a very good athlete. He handles the ball well, and is a good passer. One could argue that at times he looked more like the point guard at Colorado than the point guard did. So you might slide him uncomfortably into the combo guard slot, aka, Doug Christie, who I've compared him to. And of course, I'm seeing him as a PG/SG combo guard, with a sprinkling of SF thrown in.

He put up pretty good numbers against Hamilton, who, contrary to some others, I think is a pretty good defender. And its Burks that convinced me that Hamilton is best suited at the SF position, where he doesn't have to defend the quicker SG's. Burks is also capable of playing the SF position on occassion, against some of the smaller SF's in the league. Obviously his biggest weakness is his outside shot, where he's very inconsistent. So at the moment, as you said, he's not the best fit on a team thats trying to spread the floor to open up the lanes for Evans and Cousins.

So it would be a question of whether your looking toward the future, or for immediate help. Not being a mind reader, I have no idea of the mind set in the Kings front office. As I said, I haven't made up my mind yet. One could argue that Leonard or Hamilton have as much long term potential at the SF position as Burks does at the SG position. I do think we should take the best player available, but right now, personally, I don't think Burks just leaps off the board as that player. But he's certainly in the mix.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

I guess on June 23rd look what player has purple on! That's how Tyreke and Cuz rolled! Haha I am Knight, Kemba, Kawhi and Jimmer. I don't know why....but I kinda hope it's Jimmer prob because our team can't hit the long ball besides Thornton. Yet scared to see Beno and Jimmer play together!

 

[Livinthedream]

I think we need to stop looking at this draft pick like we need it to contribute to the team so badly, this is a weak draft, so you might as well just try to get the best talent there is on the board regardless of style and position, and worst comes to worst, just make some trades.

I'm beginning to agree with this. I've been saying that we need to fill our needs with this draft, but the more I look at the players, the more I see there is no guarantee that we can actually fill our needs with who's out there at our spot. What we need to do is sign Dally and Thornton. What we should do in the draft is go BPA. I'm more open to Walker, Knight or Burks when I look at it from this perspective. I have doubts that Walker or Knight will be there when we pick though.

 

[tevans13]

I couldn't find where that video of Biyombo was originally posted but just to comment on that, his quickness is impressive along with his desire. That can all be determined by watching that first 20 seconds of the clip, Do you know how many bigs would just quit after chasing his man to the other end of the court? He stayed with the play and got the block, very impressive. With that said I think he would be a great addition. Although I would be very hesitant to take him over Leonard and Walker (assuming knight was already taken). I think our best bet would be to go for Leonard, mainly because he brings great defense and hustle to our main position need. I have heard he has a tremendous work ethic and with that I believe he can develop a very respectable jump shot as well.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Anyway, Cleveland could really make the draft interesting by taking Williams number one. If I was their GM, I'd do it just to hear Kahn scream.

lol kahn does keep the league interesting. didn't kanter diss them by not interviewing with them? i wonder if kahn would do the same thing he did w/ rubio and draft kanter anyway.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

i'm not terribly impressed with biyombo. every year there is a player like him and the percentage of them making an impact is not high. we already have whiteside as a project that has shooting ability to go along with his other natural gifts. biyombo has only athletic ability. high risk at #7, medium or high reward? thats for the front office to determine at the workouts.

 

[Vlade4GM]

So it would be a question of whether your looking toward the future, or for immediate help. Not being a mind reader, I have no idea of the mind set in the Kings front office. As I said, I haven't made up my mind yet. One could argue that Leonard or Hamilton have as much long term potential at the SF position as Burks does at the SG position. I do think we should take the best player available, but right now, personally, I don't think Burks just leaps off the board as that player. But he's certainly in the mix.

I don't think either one of them can really create off the dribble like Burks can, and that's a big difference IMO. Burks' shot mechanics are workable too, that's a big part of why I think he's redeemable there. As long as he continues to work, I can see him being the Brandon Roy of this draft. I'm not necessarily saying he'll be as good as Roy, but he can be that type of surprise player in the mid to late lotto.

I'm coming around to Hamilton though (I liked his interview), I just don't know if he has a whole lot to improve on in his game. He seems to have a very awkward off the dribble game that I don't know will fly on the NBA level. I like DX's bcs of Stephen Jackson, they do have a lot of similarities, but I don't know if he'll be that good. I can see Hamilton as a good safety pick and a decent SF in the league, but not much more than that.

 

[Vlade4GM]

i'm not terribly impressed with biyombo. every year there is a player like him and the percentage of them making an impact is not high. we already have whiteside as a project that has shooting ability to go along with his other natural gifts. biyombo has only athletic ability. high risk at #7, medium or high reward? thats for the front office to determine at the workouts.

Wrong. He has good hands, a very good motor, defensive instincts, and elite length.

 

[hammystyle]

Wrong. He has good hands, a very good motor, defensive instincts, and elite length.

I agree. Plus an NBA ready body. I actually think if Biyombo were a college player he would be seen as a very safe prospect with maybe a lower upside because he's not going to be an all-star scorer.

He and Whiteside are not similar prospects and taking a flier on Whiteside in the 2nd round last year should have very little impact on what we do this year. Not saying we need to take Biyombo, but the prescence of Whiteside has zero bearing on the decision. Hassan didn't even look ready for the D-League this year let alone the NBA.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Wrong. He has good hands, a very good motor, defensive instincts, and elite length.

Biyombo's hands are average at best. And I like the guy.

 

[hiero]

I don't get the Hamilton hype. Shooters can almost always be had in free agency (e.g. Shawne Williams), you don't use up your draft picks for just shooting, especially when it's the most easiest to learn skill.

and who is starting for the mavs? Shawn Marion the same guy kawhi Leonard is being compared to. IMO defense trumps shooting. sure it would be fun to have a team like the warriors that chucks up a ton of 3's and can score but they never win for a reason. 3pt shooting can win games and sometimes even playoff games, but it's a gimmick and not a constant. good defense will always win games. we already have Thornton and, if we get Leonard/singleton at sf, we have casspi off the bench.

my board would look like this right now:

Leonard/Biyombo either way
singleton
Hamilton (athletic and long enough to play defense and improve) and has skills that can contribute immediately.

Honestly I would have Kanter near the top if not for all my worries about him. he's got knee tendinitis and he isn't going to participate in any workouts even though he hasn't played in over a year? that's a huge red flag to me.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I think Hamilton can be a decent defender since he's big and long, but he doesn't have much lateral quickness. I think I could actually make a better argument for Singleton if we want to go that route.

 

[kingsboi]

I can't believe some people on here are even thinking of drafting a Biyombo or Leonard. Neither of those players belong anywhere near the lottery, IMO. But since this isn't considered one of the stronger drafts in recent years, they happen to be projected lottery picks.

 

[bajaden]

I think Hamilton can be a decent defender since he's big and long, but he doesn't have much lateral quickness. I think I could actually make a better argument for Singleton if we want to go that route.

I think Hamiltons lateral quickness is fine at the SF position. But not fine at the SG position. As I pointed out, he was able to guard Barnes and other SF's quite well all season long. But when he had to guard the smaller and quicker SG's, thats where he had problems. For instance, he had trouble staying in front of Burks. Which once again, is why I say your fine if your drafting him for the SF positon. And by the way, I will definitely give the edge to Burks in the ballhandling area, but Hamilton handles the ball quite well, and had no problem creating his own shot. He has such a quick release that he only needs a glimpse of daylight.