With the 12th pick of the 2008 NBA draft, The Sacramento Kings select:

by section214 on Feb 10, 2008 2:01 PM PST in NBA Draft Comment 40 comments

Playoffs?

Trades?!?

The only sure things in this world are death, taxes and the NBA draft.

As of this moment, we are firmly positioned in the 12th slot of the upcoming draft, 4.5 games behind #11 Portland and 3.5 games ahead of Indiana and Philadelphia. Barring some sort of ping pong ball miracle we will probably be selecting somewhere between 11 and 14.

So, let's bid a fond farewell to Michal Beasley, Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo and DeAndre Jordan. Gone too will probably be the two guards and small forwards that we don't really covet, specifically Nicolas Batum, Danilo Gallinari, Eric Gordon and Donte Green.

So, if those elite eight are gone, who is left for us? It seems that there may be plenty. The following is a list of three players at each of three positions that we want to fill most - center, power forward and point guard. Sorry Chase Budinger, you will have to take your swing man abilities somewhere else. Yes, a few of these guys may be gone by our pick, and there is no guarantee that all of these guys will enter the draft this year. But at least one of these guys has to - has to be there for us.

Starting with the centers -

Roy Hibbert, 7-2, 280 lbs., Georgetown, Senior Yes, the same Roy Hibbert that either would be a King right now or would have been drafted before #10 last year, likely dropping Joakim Noah into our lap, for better or worse. Hibbert is a good rebounder and shot blocker. He has a relatively good shooting touch (including from the line) and is known as a smart player. He's not real fast (think Miller and Hawes) but with the growing number of bigs in the west (Shaq, Bynum, Oden, etc.) his size would be welcome.

Brook Lopez, 7-0, 250 lbs., Stanford, Sophomore See Roy Hibbert and subtract 2 inches and 30 pounds and you have Brook Lopez.

Kosta Kofous, 7-1, 250 lbs., Ohio State, Freshman Good shooter out to 20 feet and plays down low, too, but he has virtually no left hand. Effective defensively though not in the class of Hibbert or Lopez (yet he is younger). The Ilgauskas comparison is probably too easy, but I'll go with it anyway.

On to the power forwards -

Darrell Arthur, 6-9, 230 lbs., Kansas, Sophomore He has mad, mad hops, a tremendous finisher and shot blocker. A decent shooter but he could improve his range. He is a so-so rebounder and is a little foul proned at times, though these items may improve with discipline and maturity.

Kevin Love, 6-9, 260 lbs., UCLA, Freshman Think of a college level Tim Duncan on the offensive end, he has the complete package. Love is not a high flyer and there are questions as to whether or not his defensive game (he is currently a very good rebounder) can translate to the NBA level.

Serge Ibaka, 6-10, 220 lbs., Spain (via the Congo), 19 Tremendous athlete can jump out of the gym. A longer Gerald Wallace type. Raw but slightly more refined than other current Congo products Saer Sene and Desagna Diop. Probably the biggest project on this list.

And the point guards -

Jerryd Bayless, 6-3, 185 lbs., Arizona, Freshman He is lightning fast and does a pretty good job of controlling a game. A smart player and a pretty decent defender. A very good shooter but not selfish. More of a point guard than Douby but not as much as Udrih. You could most easily envision him in a Bobby Jackson or Monta Ellis role at this point in time.

D.J. Augustin, 5-11, 180 lbs., Texas, Sophomore A true point guard. Very quick. Decent from 3 point range and improving his mid-range game. If he were 6-3 or taller he would probably go much higher in the draft.

Darren Collison, 6-1, 170 lbs., UCLA, Sophomore "Oh My God!" fast. A big time competitor and a very good defender. Long arms for his size (Douby) allows him to play taller than he is. Needs to bulk up and become a more consistent shooter.

Of course there are others and those yet to make a name for themselves at this year's NCAA tourney. The list will expand and contract a few dozen times between now and late June. But for now, here are a few guys to keep an eye on for the next few months. And for grins, a little "eh, why not?" poll below -

Poll

Ooh - I like __________ the most.

Serge Ibaka

2 votes

Jerryd Bayless

13 votes

D.J. Augustin

4 votes

Darren Collison

9 votes

Other (not including the "elite eight")

5 votes

Roy Hibbert

24 votes

Brook Lopez

8 votes

Kosta Kofous

3 votes

Darrell Arthur

14 votes

Kevin Love

35 votes

117 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 40 comments

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Comments

This is awesome

Thanks - I don't follow college basketbal too closely, so it's good to know which players to watch out for when I do pay attention.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Feb 10, 2008 3:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Look out for Thabeet also.

He would have been a first round pick if he stayed in the draft and not it looks like he has found the aggressive streak that Hibbert and other bigs sometime lack. Some people have him in the mid-twenties but watch his stock climb as the season continues. 7'-3" shot blocker with soft hands....yes please!

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/hasheemthabeet.html

StR- Where Pookey is long, Otis is short and Section brings down the house.

by jjham15 on Feb 10, 2008 3:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Thabeet

I almost listed him. His offensive game looks a lot like Justin Williams, but you're right. 7-3 and a lot of upside. Kind of reminds me Mutumbo when he was at Georgetown.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Feb 10, 2008 4:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dude you watch alot of college hoop

to know this kinda stuff. (Or you're really talented at making a convincing argument about certain types of players.) Me thinks I must listen to you more in this area.

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 Feb 11, 2008 1:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ty lawson

if you're going to put collison on this list, you have to put ty lawson on if not ahead of him. ty is even more lightning quicker than collison and has a good jumper. he can hit the three ball too, he's hit from deep behind the college line a lot this year. his defense is excellent because he is so lightning quick too. he comes from north carolina and roy williams, both of which produce great NBA players. can you imagine that backcourt of ty lawson and kevin martin. that would be the fastest back court in the NBA by far. lawson is a sophomore this year and will probably come out, and if we happen to get brandan wright for ron, then wright would be reunited with his carolina mate lawson.

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Feb 10, 2008 6:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yep

I second this. Ty Lawson is better than Collison IMO

He can shoot, and he looks great in a suit. Hey, everybody - It's REGGIE TIME!

by dalt99 on Feb 11, 2008 3:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You mean

this Ty Lawson?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0dTOMGsBvo

Yeah, that would look pretty good in a Kings uniform.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Feb 10, 2008 7:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

What about...

J.J. Hixson? He's leaving NCSU after this year nearly guaranteed. And he is a manchild.

And I completely agree with dhk - Lawson is a stud...look no further than Carolina's inability to really be good when he's hurt.

by Brinson on Feb 10, 2008 7:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Love

will probably be pretty mediocre to bad his first year. He might not even get a lot of PT behind Moore and Hawes at the 4. But he's pretty much a lock to be a really really solid pro. You can tell from watching him play (and as a UCLA fan I watch him a lot) that he's not in fantastic shape aerobically, and he could stand to replace 10-15 pounds of fat with muscle. He's got a lot of room for improvement. He's strong already (in college play, he's almost like a man among boys), he's a fantastic rebounder for being 6'9", he's a fabulous passer for a big man, and he's got some range as well.

His main downside is that he seems to be pretty immature - the last two games he's called out his teammates, saying that he felt like he was open and his teammates didn't do a good enough job of getting him the ball. Which is ballsy for a freshman. But that's something he'd get over. You could lock him up for relatively cheap after three years and you'd be getting a really solid starter (at worst) and potentially a smaller Tim Duncan (at best).

Collison is tempermental...I wouldn't want to draft him in the lottery. Sometimes he's a really good shooter, sometimes he's horrible. Sometimes he plays great defense, today he let UW's backup point blow by him on numerous occasions (granted he was in foul trouble). I don't see him bringing that much to the table.

by coachtheus on Feb 10, 2008 8:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Love

Carlos Boozer replica?

If he develops into a Carlos Boozer-like player, I'd be ecstatic

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Feb 10, 2008 9:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You

Can count out drafting a C this year. Its not that I dont think highly of any of the bigs in the draft, but I doubt GP will draft 2 "young/unproven" centers in consecutive years

by Hoops916 on Feb 10, 2008 9:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Any Patterns?

Look at Martin, Kevin and Garcia, Francisco and even Douby, Quincy

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Feb 10, 2008 10:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

RE: You

Geoff will draft as many white big men as Geoff wants!!

by moproblemz on Feb 11, 2008 10:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Drafting

Versatile players such as the ones you mentioned above is alot different than drafting Centers. Especially those such as Hawes (Or Hibbert or Thabeet ect) who simple cany play the 4. I think every player you mentioned above (and your mention below of Salmons) has played at least 2 positions for the Kings, many times during the course of a game on any given night) So, with that being said, No, I dont really see any pattern. GP wont take a C again this year!

by Hoops916 on Feb 11, 2008 9:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Also the signing of Salmons, John

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Feb 10, 2008 10:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hibbert or Bayless.

I want Hibbert or Bayless...they are going to be studs, but I doubt they'll be around when we pick.

by Artestify on Feb 10, 2008 10:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

gotta be Love

Gotta be Love if he's on the board. We will live to regret passing up on him otherwise. Liked Hibbert last year too, but now as a Senior now shouldn't he be tearing it up? I just don't see much improvement from last year. Love's numbers as a Freshman are way better.

by henryclemente on Feb 10, 2008 10:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

While I'm a hardly a Hibbert believer

(still think he's too slow for the NBA), take note that many people were saying the same thing about Joaquim Noah last year.

Liked Hibbert last year too, but now as a Senior now shouldn't he be tearing it up?

The fact that he hasn't blown up is more an indication of him mastering the college-level game. When pressed to get to NBA-shape, I'll be more than surprised if he doesn't improve.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Feb 10, 2008 11:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I would like to change my vote to Kevin Love

I originally chose Hibbert but Love seems to be a better fit. The only problem I have with this pick is that our starting C and PF would have had surgeries while they were stll in HS. Hopefully, both of them have already healed

by kingme on Feb 11, 2008 12:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I voted Love

But I also have concerns about a Love-Shawes frontline. In a West of Yao/Shaq-Amare/Pau-Bynum-Lamar/Timmy/Boozer/GregOden-Aldridge/Chandler-West I'd be concerned with them banging with some very big and athletic men. They're both still young, so hopefully they can put on significant muscle without sacrificing their touch.

That being said, it'd be sweet to have Shawes pull-down the board, send a little outlet pass ot Love, who then air-mails it to Douby/Martin/Garcia/Salmons for the breakaway dunk. If all you've got is speed in the backcourt, having big men with the touch to find 'em ain't such a bad thing, eh.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Feb 11, 2008 12:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

am i narrow minded?

The only 2 players on that list I would want to draft at all would be Arthur and Bayless. I really think I'd be pissed if we took Hibbert, Love, or Koufos. On a side note, Arizona sure seems to develop more than their share of quality future NBA point guards

by joeytothelimit on Feb 11, 2008 1:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think of all the players the Kings have

Darrell Arthur might be the best fit (particularly if the Kings don't get Branden Wright). Since he's athletic and a good finisher around the rim he has time to grow on skills. Plus I think Reggie certainly puts a premium on young players who work. He also has said he prefers bigger guards which I think would make Petrie somewhat hesitant about picking a guard shorter than 6'3 (and leave Theus believing Beno is his best option regardless).

Let's say the Kings get Brandan Wright. Does that make Darrell Arthur more expendable or less? It's hard to say from here, but I think the decision, especially if Wright performs well if traded here, would make Petrie's a decision that adds talent to a group of talented players.

So I think that if a non Artest trade happens a player like Arthur is essential to moving this team forward and giving it much needed athleticism up front. If Wright is here than it makes it a total judgment call based on the best talent available. This is a conversation best served to be had when the season ends and we know where the team drafts.

Again section thanks for compiling the list.

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 Feb 11, 2008 1:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

With you Pookey in that I think the Kings need/will draft a 4. If it is Arthur I'd be happy, but Im looking to see who steps up as February closes out and March approaches!

by Hoops916 on Feb 11, 2008 9:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The tournament

is not necessarily an indicator of who is a strong pro. I'm sure you understand that, but look at all the pro's in the game today. Tim Duncan got what to the 2nd round? Shaq? The 2nd round? Steve Nash? 2nd round? I mean this is all relative. College Hoop success is different than Pro Hoop success, particularly in the last 20 years. I never take in any way the tournament as a way of raising stock. I think how players perform in June does that.

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 Feb 12, 2008 1:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

But..

Duncan and Shaq were 2 of the most dominant College players of our time....

And Nash was ONLY picked as high as he was cause of what he did in March. I remember watching #15 ranked Santa Clara (who NOBODY gave a sh*t about all year) beat top ranked Arizona...

You are right in your analysis but you used 3 horrible examples to prove your solid point...

Maybe you should have mentioned the Bryant Reeves ,John Wallaces and Miles Simon's of the world!

by Hoops916 on Feb 12, 2008 7:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Okay

You're right. Even though Nash was picked 15th in the 96 draft, and Duncan was pegged as the best player in the 3 drafts he was supposedly coming out of. Shaq was a dominate player all the way up until about 2003. Who said anything about their abilities? That wasn't the point. In the NBA, much more so than the college game, and this is applicable to every player, it's about the individual's ability to create mis-matches in unique ways that gets their stock sky high come June. Maybe I'm wrong on that. It wasn't to point out that Reeves who was bigger than most of the competition in college suddenly had a big problem with that in the pro's. Reeves is the obvious point. The fact that Duncan & O'Neal didn't have successful teams in college really proves mine. Tournament success is about getting hot, and great guard play. Which great guards played with Duncan @ Wake? And Shaq @ LSU?

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 Feb 13, 2008 1:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Okay, this doesn't really belong here

But as long as we're talking youngsters we covet, I'm going to bring up Sean Williams, again.

Rookie News for those with insider access, there is a scouting report in Chad Ford's latest weekly report (though, it's pretty weak. He points out that Sean Williams has a left hook, knows how to recognize the spacing for a rebound, a dunk or a shot, and needs to improve on his post play. wowza, I suddenly feel so enlightened by the genius of someone payed to state the obvious). What is super-nasty is the opening picture of him fighting for the ball with Gerald Wallace. That would make an awesome poster.

I've had a chance to see this kid play several times. I <3 Sean Williams. The kid is nasty. I'm sorry, I really am. But this is my pipe dream. TZ's got Calderon, pookey's got Wright, I got Sean Williams. Except for the fact that their dreams are in the realm of possibility. Still, Sean Williams next to Shawes, blocking the crap out of any pg that thinks he can slide past Beno? Aaaaahhhhhh, wishful thinking, how thee torment me so.

I should go back to work. No sense pulling an all-nighter if I spend half of it on StR.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming...

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Feb 11, 2008 3:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Just stay up all night & don't ever sleep

What do you need sleep for? Sleep is for the weak. (Which is why I'm now headed for 8 strong hours of it.)

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 Feb 11, 2008 3:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I tried that once...

Ended up in Deleware, without any socks, a quarter tank of gas, a dollar and seventy five cents to my name and a blood trail longer than a Clint Eastwood flick.

Saving grace? I was given a $20 dollar bill as change when I bought a gallon of water. Bought enough gas to get home. Went to bed. Never did it again.

Well, you know what they say... there's a second time for everything.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Feb 11, 2008 3:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I would watch that movie.

StR- Where Pookey is long, Otis is short and Section brings down the house.

by jjham15 on Feb 11, 2008 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I took Arthur

I like the way he would fit with Hawes. I do reserve the right to change my mind 1,360 times between now and the draft, or ten times per day.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Feb 11, 2008 8:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

My vote...

I took Love because he was leading the vote and I'm a lemming.

< / snark>

Love's a killer rebounder, and I think a few recent examples (Lee, Millsap, Craig Smith) bode well the translation to the bigs. We need a great rebounder next to Hawes (who is better than advertised in that realm, but still closer to Brad Miller than Chris Webber). Arthur, who I love as a Nene-type, doesn't have to "nose for the ball" Love does.

Collison's my favorite of the point guards. That's the one position I'm in favor of drafting older at. With bigs, I'm more willing to take younger risks since the deficiencies typically have to with size. With guards, it's about shooting and speed. Collison might be the fastest PG in the league as a rookie, and his shot's fantastic. Very good TS% on his college career (.581), 41% from three in college, turnovers good (maybe a touch high given assists). He's not the 'pure PG' Augustin is... but are there any more pure PGs in the league not named Kidd or Nash?

by Ziller on Feb 11, 2008 10:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Can't.....stop.....laughing......

StR- Where Pookey is long, Otis is short and Section brings down the house.

by jjham15 on Feb 11, 2008 11:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mmmm

Gots a question. You consider Webber in his prime to be a great rebounder? I smell a long winded diary over the All-Star break tackling this subject.

Either way I contemplated Love. I just think athleticism would find Arthur doing well on the Kings because there is less athletic players on the Kings front line than Arthur. Personal opinion. And I, like Section, reserve the right to change my opinion 1001 times a day between now & the draft.

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 Feb 11, 2008 12:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

KU @ Texas

Tonight (2/11) 6 PM PST on ESPN. Good opportunity to see Arthur and Augustin.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Feb 11, 2008 4:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If

... we can get an upgrade at the 4, like say David Lee or Brandan Wright then I think Hibbert could be interesting. He's freakin' huge, he bangs inside, rebounds, blocks and alters shots. Works hard, doesn't need a lot of touches to play his role. Not very athletic but he's not a big lug either, and seems to have a sense of where he is on the floor.

I guess I'm still concerned about how Hawes fits in since we've been so long without a center who can be a defensive presence in the paint, and because most of the scoring on the Kings should be coming from the 2 and 3 spots for the foreseeable future. Anyway, I have no problem with Petrie drafting another center. We need length and athleticism on this roster, dammit!

Love, I dunno. I can see he's got potential, but he'll need to work his ass off to translate what he's doing at UCLA to the NBA. And if he does he could be a David Lee type. But if he has some kind of attitude problem, who needs the headache? Which reminds me. Lopez seems like a real knucklehead. No thanks.

Thabeet, who's got the athleticism Hibbert lacks, intrigues me. Like Hibbert, Thabeet's a strong rebounder and he's a crazy shot blocker. He'd certainly give the KIngs a defensive presence inside and it seems like he can get up and down the court nicely.

Among the non-bigs, I checked out some youtube clips of Bayless and he looks like somebody who could be a truly great NBA player. Really gifted. But can he play the point? If Geoff thinks so, OK, I'm very good with that pick.

Lawson obviously is a jet, and it seems like he can nail his shot, but he's a bit small for my liking.

Oh, I also watched a couple of clips of this Serge Ibaka kid. Yeah, he's raw but you can tell he's very gifted athletically. He snares rebounds from waaaay up high in the air and makes some sharp outlet passes. Could be a very interesting pick if he develops this season.

Right now I'd say:
Bayless
Hibbert
Thabeet
Ibaka
Love

"When the Going Gets Weird, the Weird Turn Pro." (Hunter S Thompson)

by Mucho Moss on Feb 11, 2008 8:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Find me a player

who can defend block shots rebound score on the block & hit FT's @ 70%. Then we all can be happy yes?

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 Feb 12, 2008 1:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lopez

He screwed up and missed grades and missed the first part of this season, but all in all is a very grounded kid. He and his brother went to the same high school as my daughter, so I have followed them a little closer than most. He has a lot of upside and will continue to get beefier. You'd want to grab him if he's available. Plus he and Hawes can relive some of their Pac-10 freshman rivalry from last year.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 12, 2008 5:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kosta Koufos (sp)

I just spent a little more time checking out Koufos. He's very impressive, especially as an offensive player, but really his all around potential looks great. The kid can nail shots from 15 feet, but he's physical and quick, and makes stuff happen both away from and around the basket. At 7'1" 250, if he could develop as a passer he might remind Kings fans a bit of Vlade.

Unfortunately the commitment to Hawes probably rules out Koufos, but I'd prefer the latter in purple and black.

Also, while I still think Bayless is the most skilled talent on this list he just doesn't look like a point guard to me, and that's what we'll need, post-Bibby, not another 2.

revised version:
Hibbert
Kofous
Thabeet
Ibaka
Love

Ahh, if only we could slip a few notches down, grab a few more ping-pong balls, and draft Derrick Rose!

"When the Going Gets Weird, the Weird Turn Pro." (Hunter S Thompson)

by Mucho Moss on Feb 12, 2008 3:15 AM PST reply actions 0 recs