BigO wrote:Well said!
Draft time is a horrible period to take any comments at face value. The Kings may be hyping up Evans because they know Memphis would target him in a trade down. And they may similarly be downplaying their interest in Rubio to decrease the Grizzlies leverage. Or both of those rumors may be true. The point is that until Thursday you really can't believe anything.
What I believe, is that Evans is a bad fit for this Kings team and is not the superlative type of talent that makes it worth drafting him anyway.
Monday, June 22, 2009 (All Posts) (
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Posts: 3574 (06/22/09 14:41:54) |
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BigO |
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Posts: 97 (06/22/09 15:22:36) |
Another option is that the Kings really do like Evans but like him as a SG who can facilitate the offense somewhat. If so, it makes Martin available for a
trade. While I wouldn't do it for Harden or Thabeet, maybe the Kings deal Kevin to OKC for the 3rd pick and get Rubio AND Evans. I'm personally not
all that high on Tyreke but I'm struggling to find some reason for Geoff's interest in him.
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Posts: 3575 (06/22/09 15:25:08) |
Me too.
I do however like the scenario you just conjured up. 
Geoff? |
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king of the jungle |
Luke warm. | ||
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Posts: 1098 (06/22/09 15:37:36) |
Re: a pairing of Rubio and Evans. Both need the ball and neither are adept shooters.
Knowing Petrie, I would wager a combo. of Rubio and Curry a likelier preference--athough not mine. I am just fine with the Kings trading Martin, however, for a number of reasons. No need to go into them now. Oklahoma City could clearly use a second option to Durant and Martin fits the bill. I still like the Martin for #3 (Harden) and expiring Watson idea posted a couple weeks ago. Perhaps the Kings could find a way to include one of their problematic contracts, ahem, Beno Udrih. A backcourt of Rubio and Harden would seem more complimentary IMHO.
Last Edited By: king of the jungle
06/22/09 15:39:38.
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JB |
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Posts: 7984 (06/22/09 16:20:55) Mob Webmaster |
I get why Evans is liked in that workout scenario... but what is he going to do in a real game when the matchups are different and a real live big man is there
protecting the rim? And what is so different that we didn't see with John Salmons pounding the ball looking to call his own number? Add a tweener guard who
isn't a pass first guy and adding him to a team that isn't passing very well doesn't make for better ball movement. Just more standing. Works fine
if we are about to draft LeBron or Kobe... I'll bet my dwindling 401k that Evans isn't even on the same planet as those guys.
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Posts: 3576 (06/22/09 16:21:37) |
And you may very well be right, kotj.
I have already said ad nausea how I would like to see Kevin Martin traded and why and under what circumstances; so I will spare you. Since I am cheering on both the Kings and Thunder, in that order, I would hope that any trade between them improved the lot of both. If Westbrook is evolving into the point guard the Thunder need, well then Kevin might be the second option scorer to Kevin Durant, of course, who might help make them a playoff team. If the Kings are sincere about rebuilding and they could get the #3 and keep the #4 picks, and Ricky Rubio and James Harden were available, I could see Ricky picked #3 and James at #4, easily. Since I see no interest being expressed anywhere by the Thunder for in Kevin Martin, I do not see it happening; but I could see a draft pick swap more likely though - #3 and #25 for #4 and #23. But if the rumors that the Kings' interest in Ricky is waning has any validity, and not just posturing for the Grizzlies, it will not matter. And JB, while I can see why people are getting excited about Tyreke Evans based on how well he adapted to taking over the Memphis point guard position mid-season and his showing in competitive workout drills, I cannot see where he fills the Kings' point guard needs - unless the Kings are sold Beno Udrih will become a potent point guard and Tyreke would fit as a combo guard in a three guard rotation with Kevin Martin. Otherwise... I am mystified.
Last Edited By: i
06/22/09 16:28:38.
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Knicks think Rubio might fall and trying to trade up for Kings' #4 | ||
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Posts: 3577 (06/22/09 16:39:04) |
Just Donnie Walsh's wishful thinking? Or something more? Geoff Petrie has tried to get his hands on the Knicks' David Lee and Nate Robinson before; and if Geoff is sure he can get the Kings Jonny Flynn at #8, trade #4 (and Ricky Rubio) and Kenny Thomas' expiring contract and filler (or unload somebody like Beno) for #8 (and Jonny Flynn) and a sign-and-trade of David Lee and Nate Robinson, well... (though it would not please me overly much) it is not something I can easily dismiss as something Geoff would definitely not do. Then again... it could be bullshit.
Last Edited By: i
06/22/09 19:32:40.
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Posts: 7985 (06/22/09 17:51:08) Mob Webmaster |
Donnie Walsh
I wish Stern would issue a STFU order to the GMs this close to the draft. The bullshit factor is beginning to pollute the breathable air now. I think there's a lot to be said for Petrie and his quiet ways. |
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Posts: 6356 (06/22/09 19:54:46) Moderator |
This just in:
New Sacramento Kings coach Paul Westphal has hired Mario Elie, Jim Eyen and Leonard "Truck" Robinson as his assistant coaches. Westphal also retained 78-year-old assistant Pete Carril, the Hall of Fame coach from Princeton who has been affiliated with the Kings for much of the past 13 years. Kings could use a little more of what Truck brought to the floor. Nice. |
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king of the jungle |
Kings/Thunder Scenario if Grizzlies pick Thabeet. | ||
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Posts: 1099 (06/22/09 20:19:18) |
Martin and Udrih to Thunder for #3 and expirings (Atkins, Sefolosha, Watson, and White).
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sackingsfan4life |
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Posts: 68 (06/22/09 21:13:03) |
About the top 5 list in order for several categories- James Harden is listed as not athletic in several places, but when he was tested, his results in those
tests, suggest he is highly athletic. The problem is some of the major draft sites, NBAdraft.net in particular rarely update their scouting reports.
As for the rumors about the Thunder trade- I have been mostly gone today, and for most of this weekend dealing with a recent death in the family, so forgive me for being so out of it. Where did these rumors come from, and do they have any validity? If they do, they kinda make sense, as it frees up a ton of cap room beginning next season, makes us even younger, and when these kids come into their own, and grow up, and we start getting much better in say three seasons or so Kevin's best years may be behind him, however his salary will be up there. I really. REALLY like Kevin Martin, but like I said this frees up salary for both players over the course of several seasons, and assuming it was Rubio, and Harden, those are the two players aside from Blake Griffin that I like the most in the draft. I always liked Harden, but with Kevin, and Cisco, it did not make a whole lot of sense. Without Kevin though, that changes quite a bit. I am not saying that Harden is better than Kevin, or will be better down the road. I do like him a lot, and I think he will be a very good player. As for Rubio, I wanted him even more than Griffin, so if we get him third overall, and Harden fourth overall, then regardless of what happens in the rest of the draft, (even though I hope we draft assets that will help us, even if they go overseas for a year or more) I would be a very happy camper. I also hope we can move the Kenny Thomas contract finally this season, sooner or later for a significant piece. |
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Today's Rubio Workout (Chad Ford) | ||
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Posts: 1598 (06/22/09 21:25:13) Local user |
Chad Ford: The Sacramento Kings finally got their wish on Monday … Ricky Rubio in their gym. Unfortunately for Rubio and the Kings, he was playing one-on-none
after going a month without picking up a basketball. The results shouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone. Several sources surrounding the Kings said
Rubio didn't blow anyone away. Of course he didn't. Rubio is a pass-first point guard who makes everyone around him better in a five-on-five game. In a
one-on-none I wouldn't expect him to be great. He's not going to shoot the lights out. He's not going to put up highlight-reel dunks. He's just
not that type of player. But they did get to see him live. They got his measurements (6-foot-5 in shoes with a 6-foot-7 wingspan). They got to check out his
body language and English skills. Most importantly, the Kings got word that Rubio was making progress on a deal with his club in Spain DKV Joventut that will
lower his buyout to roughly $4 million. When you factor in that Rubio will be allowed to make his payments over several years, there is no longer a huge
financial impediment for Rubio to come to the draft. The question on everyone's mind right now? What will the Kings do? The answer? It depends. First
there's a chance Rubio might not be there at No. 4. The word on Monday night is that it looks like Hasheem Thabeet will be the Grizzlies' pick at No. 2
if they don't trade the pick. With Thabeet gone, Thunder GM Sam Presti will decide between Rubio, James Harden and Stephen Curry. If they take Rubio … then
the Kings will likely draft either Tyreke Evans or Jonny Flynn. If Rubio is on the board, it will be a pretty tough decision. As we've written previously,
this is a debate about upside versus present value. Evans and Flynn are ready to play now. No question. Rubio? It may take him a while to adjust (though some
in the league think he's actually more ready to play in the NBA after years of experience playing pro ball in Spain). I don't think there's any
question that Rubio has the most upside of the group. Given the fact that the Kings are so dreadful at the moment, wouldn't they choose the best player for
the long-term health of the franchise? It depends. Most of the Kings' front office staff is in the last year of their contracts. Do they want to stick
their necks out for Rubio when they could take a safer pick like Evans or Flynn? You get the picture. If the Kings pass, a number of teams are trying to get
Washington's pick at No. 5. Presumably Rubio is the target of at least some of the Wizards' suitors. The Timberwolves at No. 6 are also high on Rubio.
So are the Knicks at No. 8.
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BigO |
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Posts: 98 (06/22/09 21:53:33) |
Hey sackingsfan4life, sorry to hear about the death in your family.
As for the "rumor" of a deal with OKC, it has no basis in fact. Just something I threw out to the board as an idea. The fact of the matter is, outside of Blake Griffin I'm not sure there's a player in this draft worth Kevin Martin and if there is it will likely be a PG, of which the Kings will likely have their choice at #4 anyway. Of course, even as I'm saying that I know that this draft will likely be similar to 2006 draft with some major disappointments or outright busts near the top (Bargnani and Morrison) with a star taken later in the lottery (Roy). I don't think Griffin fails, but I don't think he's a star either. After that, who knows? So there likely will be a player better than Martin, but I couldn't tell you who it is. Anyway, back to Harden. He did test out surprisingly well, but he still plays "slow". That's not necessarily a bad thing (I think he could be like a small version of Paul Pierce) but despite his combine numbers he's not going to be blowing by defenders and dunking in people's faces. His game is his game and I think it will make him a very good role player at best. Which is why he makes sense to OKC at three. |
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Frank Isola reports that Donnie
Walsh and his Knick front office "remain optimistic that they can trade up" to select Ricky Rubio on draft night.
