Your personal PG draft board

by Scott Coleman on Jun 21, 2009 6:59 PM PDT

So it appears the Kings could go in a million different directions on Thursday. Maybe they'll jump all over Rubio just like the mock drafters think we will. Or maybe we'll take the PG who appears to be the one who will contribute the quickest, Jonny Flynn. Or maybe we'll go for the defensive stud in Jrue Holiday who might be a star one day. Maybe we'll choose the rangeless shooting machine known as Steph Curry and have one of the best offensive guard combos in the league. Or hell, maybe we'll trade down and go after a guy no one expects us to in Tyreke Evans or Brandon Jennings.

But that brings me to why im writing this post. Which point guard would you take in the draft? And for some reason your top choice isn't there, list the next 2 or 3 guys you would be happy with.

For example, my list would go:

1. Ricky Rubio 2. Jonny Flynn 3. Steph Curry 4. Tyreke Evans

Ricky Rubio has Tony Parker written all over him, IMO. Not a great shooter, not incredibly athletic, but a perfect pure PG to build around. How many times were we a play or two away last year, and Beno would totally miss a cutter through the lane or a shooter wide open in the corner? Im tired of that. RR might not drop 20 a night, but he'll make everyone around him better.

Flynn and Curry are pretty much tied for me, but i like Flynn's defense and passing just a little bit more than Curry's. Curry can shoot the lights out tho, and you can never turn away scoring. I think both guys will have long and successful NBA careers, and honestly, I'd be happy with either guy if Rubio goes to OKC, or gets taken by a team that trades up.

Evans is kind of a wildcard for us, but the kid is oozing with potential. He was a force in the tournament and has star written all over him. Not to mention he probably benches at least 50 pounds more than all the other PGs we're looking at. The main issue with Evans is he's too big to be a pure #1. I have nightmares of him matching up with Steve Nash or CP3 and getting beat all night long. But despite the size concerns, if we don't like who's on the board @ #4, i think trading down and drafting him around #7 or #8 wouldn't be bad at all, as long as we get something pretty nice for giving up our 4th pick.

But what do you guys think? What players are on your top PG draft board?

(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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My List

1. Rubio- He would be the personality and the star that we needed. I love his willingness to be a distributor and his love for the game. Plus his biggest weakness, his jump shot, is something that can be repaired with the right ammount of work, which I think he will put in. Obviously, the athleticism is another weakness, but I just don’t think he’s that unathletic that it will be is downfall.

2. Evans- His wingspan is ridiculous, it gives him the potential to be a great defender some day. He is a great scorer already, and with the right mindset, I think he can play the point. I just think his potential is too much to pass up on.

3. Jennings- I know we probably won’t pick him, but I think he’s a great prospect. He is a phenominal passer and ball handler, and like Rubio he has a pass first mentality. From what I read, he takes a great deal of pride in defense as well and he has the “cockiness” necessary to succeed in the NBA. Obviously, that cockiness could also be his downfall.

4. Johnny Flynn- While I would be estatic with any of the first three, I could live with Flynn. He is a true point, plays d, and is a good leader with nice intangibles. I just don’t think he has the potential that the above three have.

5. Steph Curry- Obviously a great offensive player, I think he can play the point in the pros, and I think he will have a solid career wherever he ends up. I just do not want to see us giving up 120 points a game…

6. Jrue Holiday- He did nothing last year to show that he is deserving of a top five pick. Even a guy like Evans came into his own toward the end of last season, and showed flashes of excellence. The same can’t be said about Holiday.

So I would be excited about Rubio, Evans, or Jennings, I would be able to live with Flynn, and I would be dissappointed with Curry or Holiday.

But at this point it seems like Rubio, Flynn, Evans, and Curry are the only ones being considered.

by Big ZK on Jun 21, 2009 8:04 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

very well put ZK

"Nobody roots for Goliath"
Wilt Chamberlain

by Sactownking9 on Jun 21, 2009 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions

My List

1. Rubio
2. Evans
3. Holliday
4. Flynn
5. Curry
6. Jennings

Booyah!

by Dub_TC on Jun 21, 2009 8:20 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Here's mine

1. Rubio
2. Evans
3. Flynn
4. Curry
5. Holiday
6. Jennings

by bozotunes on Jun 21, 2009 8:49 PM PDT reply actions

mine

1) Rubio – With that passing ability and JT, K$, and Greene’s athleticism it will be fun to watch

2) Evans – K$ and Evans in the same back court would but a lot of pressure on defenders, and hopefully the length and athleticism would help on the defensive end

3) Holiday – Though didn’t do much in college, we don’t need our PG to score 10 points a game, just stop the other teams PG from getting into the lane.

5) Flynn – Glimpses of CP3

by shadowchicken on Jun 21, 2009 8:58 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

1. Rubio
2. Evans
3. Jennings

by Nick the Quick on Jun 21, 2009 9:13 PM PDT reply actions

Rubio, Evans, Flynn, Curry.

If we take into account point guards that aren’t in consideration at this point, I would put Jennings before Curry.

Father of the "Natt this!" movement.

by Aykis16 on Jun 21, 2009 9:18 PM PDT reply actions

....Evans won't be a point guard in the NBA.

1) Rubio
2) Jennings
3) Flynn
4) Jrue Holiday
5) Curry
6) Lawson
7) Teague
8) Maynor

I previously thought of Rubio and Jennings at the top and then everybody else in the distance, but if the Kings like Flynn as much as everybody seems to think, then maybe there’s more to him than I thought.

by Charlieb on Jun 21, 2009 9:27 PM PDT reply actions

Au contraire charlieb

I think that Evans, depending on the team he goes too, will be a point guard. If Sacramento picks him, he definitely will be leading the offense. On defense, he and K-Mart (who should have regained much of his lateral quickness after the summer’s rest) can swap roles and have Evans guard whichever the better player in the opposing backcourt is (For example if we’re playing the Lakers, have Evans guard Kobe and put Martin on Fisher, and if we’re playing New Orleans put Evans on CP3 and K-Mart on whoever plays SG in Nawlins nowadays). On offense, not many point guards will be able to guard Evans. He’s shown that in workouts. And if the other team switches their shooting guard on to him, that causes another problem in K$. It would be a nightmare for teams to figure out.

Father of the "Natt this!" movement.

by Aykis16 on Jun 21, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

He might play some point guard as a stop gap

and it’s nice to have a guy that can fill in at PG in a pinch, but eventually he’ll switch to his natural position (shooting guard) when whatever team that drafts him finds a more suitable player to run the point.

I’ll set the over/under for the percentage of minutes Evans plays at point guard in his career at about 20%. I’m picking the under. Does anyone really think he’ll play much more than that?

by Charlieb on Jun 21, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions

What the hell

what the hell

I have a nasty (in a nice way) feeling that Curry and KM in the backcourt would shatter the lighting. Very little D but lots of steals.

Flynn and KM would balance. Slightly better D

Rubio and KM? I just don’t know, but the other guys would get the ball more I guess.
Very little D, but more efficient offense all around. Not sure thats a running team though once you get past the halfcourt line.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Jun 21, 2009 9:29 PM PDT reply actions

K-Mart should be better at defense next year

Mainly because he’ll hopefully have regained a lot of his lateral quickness. I did NOT like what I saw in the workout vid of Curry getting consistently beat by whoever he was “guarding”. We’d have a lights out backcourt duo but our defense would have to be relying on the fact that our backcourt scores more than your backcourt.

Father of the "Natt this!" movement.

by Aykis16 on Jun 21, 2009 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Here goes...

Rubio
Flynn
Curry
Jennings
Holiday
Evans

by nothingbutnet on Jun 21, 2009 9:39 PM PDT reply actions

1.RUBIO
2.jennings
3.jonny flynn and steph curry are tied
4.tyreke evans
5.holliday

by 31_FLAVAS on Jun 21, 2009 9:49 PM PDT reply actions

1. Rubio

2. Evans
3. Flynn
4. Holiday
5. Curry

Teh Dego Dagger

by BPaoliano on Jun 21, 2009 9:53 PM PDT reply actions

Great and now appropriate fan post

1. Rubio – love him like most on here. Potential star, his hype might out exceed his game but could still later trade him for another star.
2. Holiday – he hasn’t been good in workouts but I have the feeling if he returned to college he would be next year’s Blake Griffin, another highly talented player that just needed the 2nd year to put it together.
3. Jennings – simply he has the most upside of any of the remaining PG
4. Evans – foremost he is not PG. I’d probably have him at #2 if we were not forced to cultivate him behind Martin which could be challenging.
5. Flynn – probably the most immediate impact out of the gate. However, 2-3 years from now I can see fans bemoaning him for his downfalls. Not to mention he simply is not a #4 level talent but merely a serviceable/probable low end starter
6. Curry – For the love of Adam Morrison, JJ Redick and Dick Vitale can we look past the years of college basketball hype and realize he is a limited, backup NBA SG. Really, I’d put him aroud 20th on my draft board.

by bignerd on Jun 21, 2009 10:01 PM PDT reply actions

I'll be brief

1. Rubio
2. Jennings
3. Evans
4. Lawson
5. Holiday

That’s who I’d want on the Kings, in that order.

"Greed is the inventor of injustice as well as the current enforcer." - Julian Casablancas

by submison on Jun 21, 2009 10:19 PM PDT reply actions

no point in my posting cuz you did it for me

my only question for you is how much higher do you have Rubio over Jennings? At this point why not take a chance? Everywhere they try out together Jennings blows the rest of the guys away. The only reason I didn’t put jenning first is that there is zero chance GP drafts him and there is still a chance for Ricky.

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

by Bluejohn on Jun 21, 2009 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Jennings is closer to Rubio than he was before

with Rubio off the board, he is the most talented player available in a position of need. I didn’t like Jennings before, but after some reading I feel that he has gotten much better fundamentally and mentally in Europe despite the interview he had here. Even if his attitude is a worry, PW has been able to deal with larger egos before, and a little bit of attitude won’t hurt the team much.

"Greed is the inventor of injustice as well as the current enforcer." - Julian Casablancas

by submison on Jun 22, 2009 12:28 AM PDT up reply actions

In addition to my top 4, i would put jennings 5th and a Bruin 6th...

But it’s NOT Jrue Holiday. It’s darron collison. The guy is a winner. He’s as much of a pure PG as anyone in this draft. He plays stingy D and has a great basketball I.Q. I watched the guy light my Arizona Wildcats up for 4 years and he wowed me everytime. I think he’s a Mario Chalmers type come Thursday, and whoever drafts him got a hell a steal. Let’s hope it’s the Kings

AB: Jeff Francoeur
Pitching: Any pitcher in MLB
Runners: Escobar at 3rd, Chipper at 2nd, McCann at 1st.

Pitch 1: In play, out(s)

by Scott Coleman on Jun 21, 2009 10:33 PM PDT reply actions

list

Rubio
Evans
Flynn
Teague
Jennings(2nd Marbury)
Holiday
Lawson
Curry

and somewhere way down the list is our great PG BENO…

by silverguy on Jun 22, 2009 12:09 AM PDT reply actions

Rubio, Evans, Flynn, Curry

"Even when I’m old and grey, I won’t be able to play it, but I’ll still love the game." — Michael Jordan

Go Kings!

by Panzerfaust on Jun 22, 2009 1:06 AM PDT reply actions

My list

1a. Rubio
1b. Jennings
1c. Evans
2. Holiday
3.Lawson
4. Teague
5. Flynn
6. Curry
Funny numbering, but I consider Rubio/Jennings/Evans about the same talent wise. I don’t want any part of Flynn/Curry at the four spot.

"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"

by aKingisBored on Jun 22, 2009 8:15 AM PDT reply actions

Trade out of it

Rubio will be gone by 4, taking the wind out of the Rubiofest. Trade down for anything, and pick up Ty Lawson. A few years from now, people are going to wonder why all these PGs were taken ahead of the most experienced collegiate PG. Lawson is quick, can score, and can defend. And he can lead an offense right now. If the Kings can move down and get him in the teens somewhere, it’ll be a coup.

Otherwise:
1. Flynn
2. Evans
3. Jennings
4. Rubio (should have quickness OR shooting, has little of either)
5. Curry (best shooter, questionable at PG)

by PurplePurple on Jun 22, 2009 8:44 AM PDT reply actions

Rubio, Evans, Flynn, Jennings, Curry

Although the Evans koolaid may be working on me…I wouldn’t be upset to see the Kings pick him even if Rubio is on the board. I couldn’t care less if people think he’s not a 1 – if he’s the best player available, you have to take him.

With the 4th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Rickeke Flynenningday, point guard from Europe, Memphis, Syracuse, UCLA and Parts Unknown.

by otis29 on Jun 22, 2009 8:59 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah can't agree with that at all

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

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 Jun 22, 2009 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions

And I would rather not argue

But, I’m anti-Otis in that position. To me you take the best player at a position of need IN THIS DRAFT. It’s entirely atypical that way.

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

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 Jun 22, 2009 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Yep

I know you aren’t down with Evans, but I think we agree – a 17 win team shouldn’t be taking positions into account when deciding who to pick.

With the 4th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Rickeke Flynenningday, point guard from Europe, Memphis, Syracuse, UCLA and Parts Unknown.

by otis29 on Jun 22, 2009 9:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree if this draft had better talent

I would totally agree.

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

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 Jun 22, 2009 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions

I am confused by this Evans = BPA

if you go BPA, then draft James Harden

by betweentheeyes on Jun 22, 2009 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Why?

With the 4th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Rickeke Flynenningday, point guard from Europe, Memphis, Syracuse, UCLA and Parts Unknown.

by otis29 on Jun 23, 2009 5:29 AM PDT up reply actions

assumption 1: no Rubio

going on best player available James Harden is considered a “Tier 2” player with Thabeet and Rubio (Tier 1 is solely Blake Griffin).

Curry, Evans, Flynn are considered Tier 3 or worse. He is a fundamentally sound, all around player- he can defend, he can handle a bit, he can shoot, he has athletecism (see combine). No glaring holes in his game, limitations and questions on his upside – if you had to pick, the second choice for most likely RoY after Griffin.

by betweentheeyes on Jun 24, 2009 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions

left is right

1. Rubio
2. Evans
3. Curry

Three totally different cats. Rubio is the one that keeps everyone alert and happy. Yes, what would it be like to have someone who sees and capitalizes on opportunities. Evans – too big? What’s that? I my memory serves me, Magic was a big piont guard. Evans is no magic, but Anfernee Hardaway? Curry – when a PG is smart and can shoot, the defense never has the upper hand.

Lower their expectations and rise to met them

by left hand on Jun 22, 2009 9:06 AM PDT reply actions

My wish list

1. Rubio
2. Holiday
3. Evans
4. Lawson
5. Flynn
6. Jennings
7. Maynor
8. Curry
9. Calathes
10. Teague

Man alive, there are some good point guards in this draft! If we dont get Rubio I dont see why we shouldnt trade down a bit. If we could trade down and get evans and also grab a late lottery pick to get lawson, that’d be pretty sweet. Also, I want Earl Clark.

by DustyG on Jun 22, 2009 2:23 PM PDT reply actions

sounds like the Suns are beating themselves over Clark. I doubt we get him. bummer cause i definately wanted him too

AB: Jeff Francoeur
Pitching: Any pitcher in MLB
Runners: Escobar at 3rd, Chipper at 2nd, McCann at 1st.

Pitch 1: In play, out(s)

by Scott Coleman on Jun 22, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Evans is not a PG

so I am not going to rank him here

1. Rubio
2. Curry
3. Jennings
4. Lawson
5. Flynn
6. Calathes
7. Teague
8. Maynor

by Ebomb on Jun 22, 2009 2:30 PM PDT reply actions

1. Rubio..

2. Evans
3. Curry
4. Jennings
5. Flynn
6. Holiday

by bxgrimm on Jun 22, 2009 2:52 PM PDT reply actions

1. Teague
2. Rubio
3. Curry
4. Jennings
5. Flynn
6. Lawson
7. Collison
8. Maynor
9. Mills
10. Holiday

by nbrans on Jun 22, 2009 2:57 PM PDT reply actions

im taking it you're a wake forest fan?

AB: Jeff Francoeur
Pitching: Any pitcher in MLB
Runners: Escobar at 3rd, Chipper at 2nd, McCann at 1st.

Pitch 1: In play, out(s)

by Scott Coleman on Jun 22, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Nope

by nbrans on Jun 22, 2009 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions

why do you like Teague so much? I like the guy too, but not before Maynor on your list

AB: Jeff Francoeur
Pitching: Any pitcher in MLB
Runners: Escobar at 3rd, Chipper at 2nd, McCann at 1st.

Pitch 1: In play, out(s)

by Scott Coleman on Jun 22, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions

I just think

he has the best combination of potential, athleticism, and scoring ability in the draft. He’s extremely quick, explosive, has good size, and is a terrific outside shooter. He can also take it into the lane to shoot floaters. He’s got a diverse array of moves. But most importantly, he has top-flight quickness, which will translate to the NBA.

He definitely has weaknesses, mainly that he hasn’t proven himself as a true point and he turns the ball over too much. He also faded down the stretch along with the Wake team (may have been bad coaching). But there are question marks about the other guys too: Rubio and Curry with their athleticism, and Jennings with his shooting and headspace. None of these guys are sure things, so to me, it’s a matter of picking what type of player you want.

I personally favor quick point guards, particularly with the way the league has been going lately, and I’m not overly concerned about true point ability since if you look at NBA champions, very few were led by true points. It’s just not that big a deal. More important to have someone who can shoot from outside, is quick enough to bother opposing points, and can get into the lane and make things happen.

by nbrans on Jun 22, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions

What makes Jennings a headcase?

The fact he couldn’t pass the SAT? (Which is completely bullshit.)Or he didn’t think highly of what Minnesota coaches were asking him to do? Obedience is not always how a player is judged in the NBA.

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

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 Jun 22, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm not saying he is

Just that questions have been raised about it.

Personally I’m more worried about his jump shot than his maturity.

by nbrans on Jun 22, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Me too

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

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 Jun 22, 2009 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions

all those skills and the lack of pg abilites translates to being a 6th man

If he’s at the AI level or even Jason Terry and Monta Ellis level he might be worth a #4 pick. However it’s more likely that he’s somewhere in the flip murray, jason terry, eddie house, or even bobby jackson level.

Most of those guys don’t get to start because they can’t run a team at an NBA level.

by ucla06 on Jun 22, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions

I think he has a good shot of reaching Monta Ellis level

But it’s not like Gilbert Arenas, Tony Parker, Devin Harris, Russell Westbrook, Mo Williams, Aaron Brooks, etc. etc. are all such great pure points either. Teague has plenty of team-running skills by that standard. He’s just going to be a scoring-oriented point in the NBA.

by nbrans on Jun 22, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions

i agree he will scoring oriented

i think parker and harris are pretty decent point guards…maybe not steve nash or jason kidd pure but they still have a knack at finding guys in space.

It’s tough to make the transition to a player maker and maybe teague can do it. Curry was smart in switching to play the point to show NBA scouts he has at least some ability in that area. The jury is still out on whether Westbrook will make the transition successfully but with him at least GMs knew they were getting a crazy athlete and elite on ball defender.

Mo Williams was another good comparison you brought up but I feel like he’s only able to start because of Lebron’s play making ability and the fact that Delonte West shares PG duty.

by ucla06 on Jun 22, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Teague is interesting

Not the least of the reasons why is how highly regarded he was for a good portion of the regular college season. As you mentioned, he faded down the stretch with Wake – which is bad for his draft status, but might be good for a team trying to grab a diamond in the rough.

With the 4th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Rickeke Flynenningday, point guard from Europe, Memphis, Syracuse, UCLA and Parts Unknown.

by otis29 on Jun 22, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions