Your Top 4 Draft List for Kings

[One and Done]

1. Rubio
2. Griffin
3. Harden
4. Lawson (reach, I know)

My philosophy on Blake at #2 is: size and versatility. What if he blows out a knee...he won't have a jumpshot to go to, and definitely won't be effective around the basket. I'm a Rubio fan, but I'm still not sure how his skills will transfer to the NBA game...plus, eat some food. Harden's really skilled, but we all know he's undersized and underathletic...but you never know. Lawson is about the same size as Jennings (probably 1/2 inch shorter) but can actually play.

 

[FakeInjury]

1.Griffin
2.Evans
3.Aminu
4.Evans
5. everyone else isn't that good, except some of the random PG prospects that are going to suprise even themselves.

 

[Dreadnought]

1. Griffin
2. Rubio
3. Harden
4. Jennings

 

[Rockmeister]

99999. Thabeet

That is too funny. I am not impressed with Thabeet.

 

[sniperfor3]

Why are you grading the players?

Do you really thin that Ricky Rubio will be any better than all othr point guards who will be drafted. You are very much mistaken. Sacramento kings team will get better with every season. I really believe that they will make to the playoffs next year. You got Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes, kevin Martin, Andres Nocioni, Beno Udrih. it cant get any better. The team is young and is evlving into a big structure of trust. So, why dont you gave it a break and left them to prove themselfs into next season. Stop blaming anyone. Just let them play the game, that they love.

 

[fnordius]

1./2. Rubio/Griffin, as best men available, and Rubio as an excellent fit
3. Thabeet as another excellent fit
4. Uncertain, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

 

[coolhandluke]

1. Griffin
2. Rubio
3. Harden
4. Monroe

Let me state this now: "Hasheem Thabeet is a BUST"

The guy is Dikembe Mutombo v.1.5. I don't believe he'll be effective in the NBA. Blair owns him btw.

Wow, if Thabbeet is a better version of Mutombo, he would be the unanimous top pick in the draft. Do you realize that Mutombo is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and is an all-time great shotblocker? Thabeet ain't that good.

Heck, I would take the current Mutombo on my team any day. Just ask Anthony Randolph about his nightmares trying to dunk on Deke.

 

[PurpleHaze]

1. Rubio (assuming he declares and no contract buyout problem)
2. Griffin (i have no problem with him on Kings but Rubio is more intriguing)
3. Thabeet (no way he's a total NBA flop but looks like a D-specialist at best)
4. Hardin (will be a better than average pro and soon - maybe very special)
5. Jennings (probably as good as little Aaron Brooks now - perhaps better later)

 

[sniperfor3]

Who do you want now

I am thinking not to draft Rubio. If he would be any good of a basketball player, he wouldnt go posing like a model. That is just stupid move. he is no good for sacramento kings team. Maybe he is good now in europe, but he will get bad in nba. he probably doesnt think so, but he will realize soon. I saw him at the game in spain on NBA europe. He was like talking with some girls and said. I hope that i dont end up in such bad team like washinon wizards are. he got no respect. he thinks that he is the best player in europe. Newsflash, the best point guard in europe is Jaka Lakovič. And for those who are still thinking that ubio was better at 11 tha nUdrih is now, you dont know ****. When Udrih was youing, he was in the shadow of his older brother Samo. he played only 10 minutes per game. When Samo got injured he evolved in the best player in the league, and so on. Udrih showed some good moves when he was little, while Ricky was just driving into the rim, to be fouled.

 

[Dime Dropper]

I am thinking not to draft Rubio. If he would be any good of a basketball player, he wouldnt go posing like a model. That is just stupid move. he is no good for sacramento kings team. Maybe he is good now in europe, but he will get bad in nba. he probably doesnt think so, but he will realize soon. I saw him at the game in spain on NBA europe. He was like talking with some girls and said. I hope that i dont end up in such bad team like washinon wizards are. he got no respect. he thinks that he is the best player in europe. Newsflash, the best point guard in europe is Jaka Lakovič. And for those who are still thinking that ubio was better at 11 tha nUdrih is now, you dont know ****. When Udrih was youing, he was in the shadow of his older brother Samo. he played only 10 minutes per game. When Samo got injured he evolved in the best player in the league, and so on. Udrih showed some good moves when he was little, while Ricky was just driving into the rim, to be fouled.

Yeah, that dude models way too much. It's also shocking that he was chatting to girls, what kind of an 18 year old does that? That joking around is a bad habit, too. I love the way you backed up your argument that he's going to suck once he comes into the NBA, you completely convinced me.

 

[Kings Faithful]

Yeah, that dude models way too much. It's also shocking that he was chatting to girls, what kind of an 18 year old does that? That joking around is a bad habit, too. I love the way you backed up your argument that he's going to suck once he comes into the NBA, you completely convinced me.

Hahaha, yeah... i agree that his argument was probably the best and most convincing i have ever witnessed.

 

[HighTopKicks]

1) Griffin
2) Rubio
3) Trade down

Hawes is a better center than Thabeet & Thabeet won't be able to play PF, so I'd pass on Thabeet. See if Minni would give up their first two 1st rounders to move up. Or, see if someone would be willing to give up a prospect & their pick to move up.

Since quality is suspect, I'll take quantity.

 

[J-WILL55]

1. Rubio
2. Rubio
3. Rubio
4. Rubio

 

[kennadog]

1. Rubio
2. Rubio
3. Rubio
4. Rubio

C'mon, quite hedging and tell us who you really want.

 

[sidney]

1. Rubio
2. Griffin
3. Thabeet
4. Find a way to trade up

 

[sactownfan]

1) Griffin
2) Rubio
3) Trade down

Hawes is a better center than Thabeet & Thabeet won't be able to play PF, so I'd pass on Thabeet. See if Minni would give up their first two 1st rounders to move up. Or, see if someone would be willing to give up a prospect & their pick to move up.

Since quality is suspect, I'll take quantity.

TOTALLY AGREED! Although I'd give Monroe a look

 

[TheRaven]

1. Rubio

2. Lawson, trading down a little if possible.

3. Thabeet

4. Jennings

Yes, you read correctly. No Griffin on my list.

 

[Kings Faithful]

1. Rubio

2. Lawson, trading down a little if possible.

3. Thabeet

4. Jennings

Yes, you read correctly. No Griffin on my list.

No you didn't! Your edgy...

 

[KF8]

1. Rubio

2. Lawson, trading down a little if possible.

3. Thabeet

4. Jennings

Yes, you read correctly. No Griffin on my list.

Are you joking?

 

[GeraldWallace#3]

1.Griffin
2.Thabeet/Hill
3.Rubio
4.Jennings

 

[Bricklayer]

1) Griffin
2) Rubio
3) Trade down

Hawes is a better center than Thabeet & Thabeet won't be able to play PF, so I'd pass on Thabeet. See if Minni would give up their first two 1st rounders to move up. Or, see if someone would be willing to give up a prospect & their pick to move up.

Since quality is suspect, I'll take quantity.

You need 3 bigs. And if JT and Hawes are the guys, big #3 has to be a defender.

 

[Padrino]

You need 3 bigs. And if JT and Hawes are the guys, big #3 has to be a defender.

i'm not sure that JT is "the guy," though, to be honest...

i think he's a great kid, and he'll probably have a good career, but he doesn't appear to have "it." as in, whatever "it" is that separates even the low-end of the nba's elite from everybody else.

JT is solid on the glass, but unspectacular. its well-documented how terrible his defense has been. offensively, he's shown some talent and some smarts, too, but i think he's been more effective as a scrapper than a legitimate offensive threat...

i absolutely agree that every team needs some kind of defensive anchor in the middle, but should the kings draft blake griffin with the intent to keep him, i wouldn't be opposed to a JT trade to fill in some of the defensive holes the kings so obviously need filled...

petrie just isn't a draft-day-trade kinda guy. he loves the draft. he loves scouting and courting his favorite player types. there's no way he swings a draft-day-trade to get thabeet. thabeet could be that defensive anchor for years to come, but he is most certainly not a petrie type of player. if the kings land #1, i actually could see petrie swinging an out-of-character draft-day-trade to get rubio at #2, should he be unimpressed with blake griffin's workouts. i could also see him simply taking rubio at #1, should rubio declare, though i imagine a trade is more likely, because the kings could bring back additional assets. rubio is unquestionably a petrie type of player, though, so, unless the kings pull #3 in the lottery, i don't see hasheem thabeet in the kings future. even at #3, i could see petrie drafting a more offensively "skilled" player...

 

[HighTopKicks]

You need 3 bigs. And if JT and Hawes are the guys, big #3 has to be a defender.

I'll assume your referring to Thabeet since I already eliminated him from my choices.

Have you ever seen Hawes or JT hussle back on defense and block a shot to break up the fast break? Where do you think Thabeet would be if he were on the court during those plays? Half court if he's lucky. He just doesn't hussle back. In fact, he just doesn't hussle.

Thabeet may be able to block shots, but NBA PF's are going to be able to screen off Thabeet. Hawes couldn't compete with Yao in the low post, but he could offset Yao's scoring by making shots from the outside. Thabeet isn't going to be able to draw anyone away from the basket or score away from the basket or score in the low post against stronger centers. And finally, the NBA game isn't like college. The outside shooters are better and the people finishing at the rim are going to go stronger with more dunks even from the guards. Thabeet isn't going to have as many chances to block shots even when he isn't screened off.

Give me a strong defensive guard to work with Martin in a system that doesn't switch our bigs onto guards, and I'll take my chances with Spencer, JT, & Griffin on defense inside.

 

[Kingster]

Teague
Evans
?*
Griffin

I say roll the dice on a player who could be a star** with either Teague or Evans. High risk, high gain. Griffin will never be a star in my opinion. Thabeet? Don't make me laugh. (If we pick either one, I hope I'm very wrong). So if you really want a guy who can be a star, or even superstar***, and you know you're not going to trade for him or get him in FA, then you better roll the dice on somebody who has that chance. ALL OR NOTHING.

Griffin is the "safe pick".

*The ? is for Rubio and Jennings, both of whom I have not seen, but have heard good things about.

**My definition of star is a 5+ time all-star.

***My definition of a superstar? I haven't figured out that yet, but safe to say, more than a five time all-star.

 

[bench_blob]

Jennings decision-making looks more dubious than Beno Udrih. Do we really want a PG who makes poorer decisions with the ball than Beno

Brandon Jennings looks like he has a lot of "street" and wasted motion to his game. This is problematic. Kenny Anderson had a lot of school yard tendencies and he was not an efficient player. Refs are very eager to call palming violations. From the mix tapes I have seen, Brandon Jennings carries the ball every time he touches it.

Also, Jeff Teague was a bust at the end of the season. He has a lot of holes in his game. He is totally unworthy of a Top 4 pick.

Hence my Top 4:
(1) Ricky Rubio
(2) Thabeet
(3) Blake Griffin
(4) No Opinion

Note: I put Rubio ahead of Thabeet only because he plays a more important position, no because he will necessarily be the better pro.

 

[bench_blob]

I'll assume your referring to Thabeet since I already eliminated him from my choices.

Have you ever seen Hawes or JT hussle back on defense and block a shot to break up the fast break? Where do you think Thabeet would be if he were on the court during those plays? Half court if he's lucky. He just doesn't hussle back. In fact, he just doesn't hussle.

Thabeet may be able to block shots, but NBA PF's are going to be able to screen off Thabeet. Hawes couldn't compete with Yao in the low post, but he could offset Yao's scoring by making shots from the outside. Thabeet isn't going to be able to draw anyone away from the basket or score away from the basket or score in the low post against stronger centers. And finally, the NBA game isn't like college. The outside shooters are better and the people finishing at the rim are going to go stronger with more dunks even from the guards. Thabeet isn't going to have as many chances to block shots even when he isn't screened off.

Give me a strong defensive guard to work with Martin in a system that doesn't switch our bigs onto guards, and I'll take my chances with Spencer, JT, & Griffin on defense inside.

You are totally underestimating Thabeets size and agility. A lot of the games UConn played this year the key was totally congested due to zone defenses and the play sets they run. When the game opens up for him in the NBA, his full array of talents will be on display.

Whos the guy on the Warriors who signed a 10 million dollar contract??? Andres Bedriens!!! Andres Bedriens is a 11/11/2 . Thabeet is a FAR superior prospect than Bedriens, and Bedriens can play. Thabeet also is far more impressive than Spencer Hawes in college, and Spence is doing fairly well for himself.

Thabeet is a game changer and difference maker. Period. We need this guy bad.

 

[Rose2Thomas]

1. Griffin (trade down for Rubio)
2. Rubio
3. Thabeet
4. Harden

But really, anything besides Griffin or Rubio and I might cry.

 

[bench_blob]

Great News!

UConn junior Thabeet entering draft


Comment Email Print Share
Associated Press


[+] Enlarge Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesTwo-time Big East defensive player of the year Hasheem Thabeet will enter the draft.



HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet has decided to give up his final year of college eligibility and enter the NBA draft.
The 7-foot-3 center from Tanzania said Tuesday that he made the decision after speaking to family, friends and coach Jim Calhoun.
"I have had a great experience at Connecticut and cannot thank my coaches and teammates enough," Thabeet said in a statement released by the school. "I look forward to the challenge of playing professionally and know that my time here at UConn has prepared me to be successful in the future."
Calhoun called Thabeet "one of the most dominant defensive players in the history of college basketball," and said he believes he is ready to make the move to the NBA.
"He is a special player and even more special as a person," Calhoun said. "He will truly be remembered as one of the great players in UConn history, not only for his accomplishments, but also because of the type of person he is."
Thabeet, the Big East co-Player of the Year with Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair, averaged 13.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.2 blocked shots per game in helping the Huskies to a 31-5 record and a Final Four berth.


Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

 

[hrdboild]

I would be fine with Griffin, Rubio, Thabeet, or Jennings. Considering we're picking in the top 4 for sure now, there's no reason we shouldn't be able to get one of those guys. If John Wall is actually in the draft, he jumps to number 1.

 

[HighTopKicks]

You are totally underestimating Thabeets size and agility. A lot of the games UConn played this year the key was totally congested due to zone defenses and the play sets they run. When the game opens up for him in the NBA, his full array of talents will be on display.

Whos the guy on the Warriors who signed a 10 million dollar contract??? Andres Bedriens!!! Andres Bedriens is a 11/11/2 . Thabeet is a FAR superior prospect than Bedriens, and Bedriens can play. Thabeet also is far more impressive than Spencer Hawes in college, and Spence is doing fairly well for himself.

Thabeet is a game changer and difference maker. Period. We need this guy bad.

Well, as long as you said Period, I guess I'd better change my mind. NOT.

Can Thabeet play, of course he can. But, is he the best option for the Kings, for their earliest draft pick in 20 years. I think not. So, I guess your glade that GP will make the decision and not me.