Assessment of the Kings by a Nuggets Fan

by Missing Lynx on Jan 21, 2009 12:44 PM PST

It was disappointing watching the kings, A. because they are a team I used to root for when they clashed with the Lakers in playoffs battles 5 or so years back, B. I like a lot of the players on the team, and feel they aren't giving all they could, and C. Sacramento used to have THE LOUDEST fans in the NBA, and they know basketball - they deserve a better team.

Jason Thompson is a real player. I had heard he was good, but had to see it for myself. I don't think he quite played up to his stats - they were inflated because he had some wide open plays where the Nuggets switched on a pick and roll and he had a free dunk. Nevertheless, he hustles and plays bigger and stronger than his frame would suggest. He reminds me of Udonis Haslem down in Miami, but I think he has a higher ceiling and more potential.

Kevin Martin is great when he is healthy. He needs to get a little stronger, tougher, and more durable. He is a very good player now, but since he is at his best as a spot up shooter, I don't think he should be a team's first option on offense.

The Kings sorely need a pass-first point guard. I'm sure a lot of Kings fans are clamoring for this.

They also need a strong and physical interior presence that has some bulk. JT works hard, but it isn't enough to make up for big men who are better shooters than defenders, i.e. Brad Miller and Hawes. Mikki Moore is adequate at best. He is long and athletic, but even Chauncey Billups could probably knock him around in the post.

The Kings also need slasher-type players. I could see Garcia and Salmons filling this role by committee, as both are quite capable players. I like them a lot, and think they could be the solution if they could find a bit more consistency.

The Kings will be a perennial playoff team in 1-2 years if they do the following:

1) Grab up an experienced defensive minded coach (Jeff Van Gundy Please)

2) They use the draft to fill one of their holes with a pass first guard or a a powerful interior player (Ricky Rubio or Blake Griffin, please)

3) They dump some salary. If they decided to trade some expiring contracts to teams looking to bring in a big player in 2012, they could get rid of some bad contracts and bring in some great players in 2009-2011.

4) Players need to start playing up to their ability. Part of this is on them, part of this is on finding a coach that will encourage them to do so.

5) Through a combination of trades/draft/free agency, they need to bring in the afore mentioned pass first point guard, bruising big man, and a lock down defender/hustle player/glue guy.

Best of luck!

(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)

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Comments

Interesting points you bring up

I disagree with your comparison of JT to Haslem, and while I think the comparison is a decent one, I think JT will be better than Haslem. Personal opinion on that one.

As far as what the Kings need to do in the draft, I’ve been of the opinion that the Kings have to draft Ricky Rubio (if they’re first overall—which I’m hoping for—and can convince him there are minutes available for him) because he solves several issue’s the team currently has.

Now, as far as everything else, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Other holes can be filled with the 2nd 1st rounder (from Houston), and if the Kings dump enough salary in a Brad Miller trade, they might be able to sign that type of player through Free Agency over the summer.

Thanks for stopping by, and sharing your thoughts.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on.....

I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....

by pookeyguru on Jan 21, 2009 1:25 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Ru-by-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

by Aykis16 on Jan 21, 2009 2:53 PM PST up reply actions

Well said

Rec’d. I think that Houston’s first rounder could net the Kings a good reserve role player.

Kings rule! (They are royalty - right?)

by dalt99 on Jan 21, 2009 2:54 PM PST up reply actions

Another reason I'm not going to be pushed into a Thabeet debate

Ricky Rubio’s come along once a decade if that. The NBA is fortunate in that quality PG’s have come along rather quickly, and in bunches, so that a quality PG is easier to have. And, who cares if it’s not Thabeet. There are plenty of role playing defensive bigs who are effective, and aren’t 7’3.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 21, 2009 3:04 PM PST up reply actions

Well

If the Kings get the first pick, Petrie will take Stephen Curry. He just loves guys who lead the league in scoring (Martin & Douby) and love to shoot three’s (J-will, Garcia).

Hope I’m wrong.

Kings rule! (They are royalty - right?)

by dalt99 on Jan 21, 2009 3:49 PM PST up reply actions

Hope you are too

Cuz if you pass up Ricky Rubio for Stephen Curry, then there is something wrong with you.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 21, 2009 3:58 PM PST up reply actions

Big time

Petrie would be run out of town faster than Mikki Moore drops a pass in traffic.

Kings rule! (They are royalty - right?)

by dalt99 on Jan 21, 2009 4:21 PM PST up reply actions

This is just an exercise in devil's advocacy

How much better would the Kings be with Rajon Rondo given the franchise stability?

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 21, 2009 4:30 PM PST up reply actions

JT's "inflated" stats

Yes, he had some wide open looks. Yes, those looks were partially due to defensive rotations from Denver. But the dude was moving to the open spot on the floor, getting in a good position, calling for the ball, and finishing the play (often as defenders collapsed in because they recognized the lapse). These points are not inflating stats. These are stats as a result of a player playing good basketball.

A pass-first PG, on the other hand, I totally agree. At one point a defensive switch led to Brad Miller in the post being guarded by Anthony Carter (who wasn’t even fronting Miller), and yet no attempt was ever made to get him the ball.

Never forget: I am a complete idiot

by Exhibit G on Jan 21, 2009 2:36 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Draft

Point guard will most likely come from draft. Personally I was hoping for Westbrook this year, but I’ve been very pleased with Thompson. I agree with Pookey that we should draft Rubio, and if we have the draft position to take him, and he declares for the draft this year, that’s probably who we’ll pick. We’ve gone big for the last 2 years in a row, time to throw in a guard. And we also have the Houston pick too that we can use on a big, or even trade. Draft speculation is a little early though so we’ll see.

by Aykis16 on Jan 21, 2009 2:57 PM PST up reply actions

For the lower parts of the draft

But it’s not too early to speculate that Ricky Rubio, Blake Griffin, James Harden are probably the top 3 picks in the draft, with Greg Monroe and Jrue Holiday having the best inside shot at being top 5.

Now, with all that being said, I think it’s more important the franchise collect all their information on all these guys, and, even then, Petrie’s first goal should be to change the mix of the team before worrying about what will happen 6 months from now.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 21, 2009 3:06 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, IF If if

Whats the second option? Cause Rubio is probably not coming out. I’m a believer that strength in the middle is the hardest to find – and the most valuable trade bait.

This draft worries me top to bottom.

So imitate the action of the tiger!
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
- lend the eye a terrible aspect,

Now set the teeth....and teach them how to war.
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Jan 21, 2009 3:09 PM PST up reply actions

Nobody knows that

You don’t know that. Unless you’re a lawyer, and have read the CBA all the way through, there is no guarantee you know more about the salary cap than I do. And, to boot, you aren’t any more familiar with Rubio’s situation than anyone else. It’s all speculation at this point. Some places (like ESPN) have Rubio part of the draft, and places like DX don’t. There is no way anybody can say for sure, so until something is said one way or the other, I’m going to assume Rubio still wants to be part of the NBA next season.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 21, 2009 3:21 PM PST up reply actions

Such an ass

What do you not understand about the words probably and worries me

So imitate the action of the tiger!
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
- lend the eye a terrible aspect,

Now set the teeth....and teach them how to war.
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Jan 22, 2009 11:56 AM PST up reply actions

Well it's fat anyway

Oh, you mean my personality, Yeah, and?

I addressed your point. If you don’t like it, oh well. :)

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 22, 2009 12:12 PM PST up reply actions

Damn

I thought you guys called a truce…or were “on a break” or something. ;)

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

by otis29 on Jan 22, 2009 12:15 PM PST up reply actions

I want the truth! You can't handle the truth!

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 22, 2009 12:20 PM PST up reply actions

I suppose the truth is Otis with regarding to Rubio's buyout

I’ve heard 2 things. One is that his buyout lessens in 2010, making him more likely to declare for that draft. And the other is that his buyout is the same until 2012. Whichever I see be declared the winner, will probably affect Rubio.

But even then, if he’s the first pick overall, say if the Kings get first overall, then it probably won’t matter. (I would bet, just knowing that European teams structure these contracts to take advantage of players popularity, and advantage of the greater riches that the NBA can offer them, is why they get away with lowballing the young guys, like Rubio/Fernandez/Splitter, and then get that extra money by losing them to the NBA. It’s really an underrated business model, because unlike the Clippers, nobody minds.)

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 22, 2009 12:24 PM PST up reply actions

Anybody wanna guess the over/under that Rubio will be very popular for all of Sacramento?

Considering A) he’s Spanish, and speaks it fluently, but B) he’s also fluent in English as well (or speaks it well enough to be considered communicated by DX). These are called marketing opportunities he might not have in Spain. And while I realize he isn’t Mexican, these are all things that make Rubio far more attractive to a team in California, as opposed to a team in say, Memphis.

Also, anyone who thinks that the effect of having Spanish speakers around, has never seen any Eddie Najera sales pitch when he played for Dallas.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 22, 2009 12:26 PM PST up reply actions

I'd think the way Peja, Hedo and Vlade were welcomed into the community and team

would be we well known by the European players or at least their agents. You can say anything you want about Sacramento but it is in California and only 90 minutes from San Francisco

"We are in the business of kicking butt and business is very, very good." - Charles Barkley

by Bluejohn on Jan 22, 2009 5:17 PM PST up reply actions

I don't think that really matters

I think what matters is that, if nothing else, they will be welcomed yet.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 22, 2009 6:37 PM PST up reply actions

I tried, I tried

he always seems to invent something to attack me on…..

So imitate the action of the tiger!
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
- lend the eye a terrible aspect,

Now set the teeth....and teach them how to war.
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Jan 23, 2009 9:52 AM PST up reply actions