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Around SBN: The Gift Of The 2003 Tigers

The Book on Mike Wilks

by Tom Ziller on Jul 24, 2007 7:12 AM PDT in Commentary

As it appears Mike Wilks is the likely choice to back up Mike Bibby, it was time for some research. Sadly, there's no blog titled 'I Heart Mike Wilks.' Terrible news, I know.

But as Wilks spent the 2006-07 season with Seattle, I knew we could find someone with great insight on the player: Sonics.com writer Kevin Pelton.

Pelton penned a great feature on Wilks back in April, one which I encourage you to read in its entirety. Yesterday, we looked singularly at offensive statistics, which tell us Wilks is a bit better (and older) than Ronnie Price. But this story delves into things you can't yet quantify, but things which are important just the same.

"It's invaluable," [ex-coach Bob] Hill says. "He's great in the locker room. He leads a lot of the team prayers before we take the court and gives perfect prayers. He articulates and his message is good. His locker is organized clean and straight. He's on time. He presents himself in a professional way, wears suits all the time on the road.

"I don't know what else to say to you. He's great in every way, shape and form. He's got a great attitude. He's a pro. He understands his role. He's also very good with his teammates. He's a great teammate. He reaches out to them and counsels them and consoles them - everything. He's really special."

Compare this with last year's backup point guard, Jason Hart... a guy who while the franchise was struggling to keep its head above water tried to force a trade by setting the coach against the management. Based on Pelton's reportage, I don't see that happening with Mr. Wilks.

Pelton added some more notes on Wilks in an email.

So all of a sudden Wilks was the team's starting point guard the last four or five games and he was brilliant. Controlled games, made shots. Clearly there is talent there.

Wilks has worked at his game, I mean worked at it. [...] He's not going to make mistakes on the floor, he's going to get into his man on defense (possibly even applying full-court pressure) and he's generally better in smaller doses.

I can't see a team regretting signing Mike Wilks. The Kings seem like a good fit in that, if he did beat out Shakur/Jeter, he wouldn't necessarily be counted on but also could find minutes if he played well. Wilks has earned the right to be in that position at this point.

When Reggie Theus talks about changing the culture of the Kings, we know it's all just words, we'll believe it when we see it. Geoff Petrie's moves so far (if he does sign Wilks, as expected) would bear that out -- Mikki Moore and Mike Wilks aren't going to dazzle you on the court, but they'll work their asses off and provide leadership backstage. That's good for the rebuilding effort, whether those players see the eventual benefit or not.

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Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

Guy sounds like the perfect kind of back-up. Plus, some point guards develop late. If we had a PF that scored 15-20 a game who would care if our point only scored 10. I just hope he passes the ball well and gives spirited effort. I enjoy rooting for underdogs who play hard. When they lose, you can still appreciate the drama their effort makes. Watching premadonnas lose is the kind of drama that depresses me.

by NYCFan @ Sactown Royalty on Jul 24, 2007 8:21 AM PDT reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

I'll take energy and effort at this point as well. Nothing irritated me more about last year's squad other than my percieved lack of focus and effort by the team. Hopefully with the addition of Wilks and Moore their passion for basketball will rub off on the big money players. Fat chance, but as I seem to be saying frequently these days, you never know.

by Mityt on Jul 24, 2007 8:25 AM PDT reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

I agree about the lack of focus, which I think was one of the big problems with the midget. His team simply was rarely played smart basketball and lacked discipline. However, I think last year's team played damn hard. We were a lousy team that almost never got blown out.

The guys played hard but not smart.

So, with that in mind, I'm glad to read that the report on the guy is that he makes good decisions. We need better basketball IQ on this team.

by Kusian on Jul 24, 2007 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

I agree with you Kusian on the effort of last year's squad. While they terribly incohesive, they played pretty hard for Muss for the most part. I think a large part of the reason the Kings might be looking to sign Wilks from all reports of his character is to replace the leadership void left by Corliss' departure. Lord knows with malcontents like K-9, loose screws like RonRon, and incapable team captains like Mike and Brad this role is much more important than the small amounts of minutes a backup point is going to get on this team...

Damn you Robert Horry!!!

by chupacabra on Jul 24, 2007 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

On other news: Philly Inquirer reported today that Donaghy is flipping on other refs and players who gambled on their games.

by NYCFan @ Sactown Royalty on Jul 24, 2007 8:41 AM PDT reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

Have they offically signed him?

by rimrock101 @ Sactown Royalty on Jul 24, 2007 8:42 AM PDT reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

When it comes to occupying the last couple seats on the bench, it's more about attitude than talent. Give me less Jason Hart and more Ty Corbin.
It's a tough job. We joke about these guys making big money and not playing, but at one point in their lives they were the man on their respective high school or college teams. Revered, adored, idolized. It has to be a tough to adjust to a back up (or back up's back up) role. If Wilks is that type of guy then go get him. The extra $1 million we pay him will not drive up ticket prices or hamstring us from a salary cap standpoint.

by section214 on Jul 24, 2007 9:00 AM PDT reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

So we're signing a backup point guard whose #1 attribute is that he leads one heck of a good prayer? Fantastic. Man, we are going to be terrible.

Freakin' Kings.

by DB on Jul 24, 2007 10:16 AM PDT reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

I can see where you are coming from on that, DB. Still, I definitely believe in team chemistry and the importance of a couple of guys that are willing to lead, mentor, and model good behavior. They don't even have to be the best players (although it is even better when this is the case.) Athletics is very much a mental exercise and good chemistry certainly helps. It's not everything - Corlis didn't get us to 40 wins - but an important ingredient.

So, yes, I kinda rolled my eyes when I read that quote as well. But, then I took a step back and tried to think about what the guy was really getting at with the comment.

by Kusian on Jul 24, 2007 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

What about since you got Wilks, almost certainly, that you trade Reef for Sura/Snyder? The trade works money wise and it gives the Rockets some front line depth. And it relieves them some of the log jam in the backcourt while giving them another decent front line player.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jul 24, 2007 10:36 AM PDT reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

And Sura's off the books at the end of the year and you have the option on Snyder...I like it, pookey.

by section214 on Jul 24, 2007 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

I knew you would. Any tips for cleaning walls?(joking)

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jul 24, 2007 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions

I know it's just me

But his take on Mike Wilks means nothing. He claims Wilks is articulate yet Hill himself is hardly succinct. Just an amusing irony of a guy who knew he was on the way out ,and deservedly so, and just rambled on anyway. Bob Hill is a dope but if you believe the piece Pelton wrote Wilks might not be the bad pickup i was originally thinking that it probably would be yesterday.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jul 24, 2007 10:49 AM PDT reply actions

Re: The Book on Mike Wilks

Muss deserves his share of the blame but you need your best players to lead and set an example, with the Kings you have Bibby who was hurt last year, can be clutch at the end of games, but is an awful defender, Miller who is either injury prone or just collecting/stealing money and Artest who is talented and wants to win but sadly can't seem to get out of his own win. Guys like Corliss are much needed but they can only do so much

by Murf on Jul 24, 2007 11:13 AM PDT reply actions

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