If it wasn't for those meddling kids...

by longtimelistenerfirsttimecaller on Jun 23, 2009 2:00 PM PDT

So what if Chad Ford's sources are correct and the basketball people within the organization are not sold on Ricky... would the Maloofs step in and insist that GP turn in his card to the Commish? In other words, we all assumed that during the coaching search that the boys had learned their lesson and stayed out of the final hiring decision. Would they be smart enough to stay out of the draft selection process too? My sense is that until this year, they probably had no reason to involve themselves in the draft decision-making process, but this pick is clearly different. We've all discussed the immediate marketing/financial benefits choosing Ricky would bring the Kings... and I believe that those benefits are significant. Are they significant enough to have the boys veto GP's preferred selection of say Flynn or Evans? I raise this, because I get the feeling that the basketball people think maybe Brandon Jennings had it right... RR might be more hype than talent. (See Hollinger analysis posted today). That is not to say he isn't talented, he clearly is. I just don't believe there is a smoke-screen out there designed to secure RR to us at #4, I think there is real indecision.

If this is the scenario facing GP right now (i.e. he feels strongly that taking Ricky is a mistake) what might he do?

1) convince the boys to go with Curry as "Ricky-lite" from a marketing perspective?

2) make the pick and walk after his contract expires?

3) try to make a trade either involving the pick or getting an established PG so that he can sell that the trade result is better than getting RR (any reason to believe that GP sniffing around the Boston Rajon Rondo rumors is part of this strategy?)?

4) hand the Flynn/Evans card to the Commish and dare the boys to fire him?

(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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I'd say door #2, Bob.

Only because I think there’s a good chance Petrie’s gone after this year anyway.

Even with his poor shooting Rubio is still the best pure PG with the most upside. Add to that the national buzz and world-wide interest he’d bring to the Kings and he’s a no-brainer.

Teh Dego Dagger

by BPaoliano on Jun 23, 2009 2:08 PM PDT reply actions

I think you're missing a key point on Hollinger's take

He’s not saying that Ricky wouldn’t be a good PG. In fact he’s not saying Ricky wouldn’t be an amazing PG. He is saying Rubio is not a good shooter at the age of 18. My question is, do we need our PG to be a lights out shooter? Beno is a great shooter. Bibby was still a great shooter when we traded him. I’d like Rubio do be at least a decent shooter. But most of all, I want a point that will get the rest of the team easy shots.

That being said, I honestly don’t see GP drafting someone he doesn’t believe will be a great player—especially not with the 4th pick when there are so many options. And say what you want about Rubio putting butts in seats, if he ends up sucking people will not fill the seats because of his buzz. Winning more games, playing more exciting ball, and a glimpse of a great future will fill the seats—whoever that might include.

"Shut up and Coach!"
Vfettke

by SavageBeast on Jun 23, 2009 2:09 PM PDT reply actions

If Petrie feels that there are better picks at the #4 than Rubio

But he doesn’t force his will on the Maloofs, I’d be ok with him leaving.

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 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree with second point to a degree...

and why I posted the question… (I could care less what Hollinger thinks, just used the recent post to support the point that choosing RR at 4 is not a consensus choice in the blogosphere, thus it is possible that its not a consensus choice within the FO). I don’t think RR will suck, but I wonder if GP thinks he’s not worthy of a #4 selection. If the boys are bleeding money (not a stretch), putting “butts in the seats” if only for next year, combined with the chance that RR turns out to be really good, might be worth the risk of overriding the basketball people…

by longtimelistenerfirsttimecaller on Jun 23, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

You have to believe

there is some pressure from the accounting department to pick Rubio, because there will be an immediate surge in season ticket sales. They’re dying.

Rubio will become enough of a threat to keep defenses honest, if not right away. And we will have to accept a LOT of early turnovers. The point is well-taken, though, about shooting. The point guard will have a very difficult time getting the rest of the players shots if the ball is (presumably) in his hands and he is no real threat to score. That’s an NBA reality.

Lower their expectations and rise to met them

by left hand on Jun 23, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I think that's what I'm questioning

Yes, RR will put butts in the seats at first. But if he ends up being lousy and this is a laughing stock pick, how long do those butts stay? Whereas if we took someone with less upfront appeal who made the team better, wouldn’t you sell more tickets over the course of a year? Sports fans can be fooled for a while, but the backlash is pretty severe.

"Shut up and Coach!"
Vfettke

by SavageBeast on Jun 23, 2009 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions

He will struggle

in the classic rookie style. He’ll have to adjust to NBA play. He won’t be a bust, even if he doesn’t turn out to be the best point guard over time from this draft.

Lower their expectations and rise to met them

by left hand on Jun 23, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Very, very few players will be able to come in right away and succeed

But I don’t know that you can guarantee and player won’t be a bust for sure, even if they are a top ten pick.

"Shut up and Coach!"
Vfettke

by SavageBeast on Jun 23, 2009 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions

"So what if Chad Ford's sources are correct..."

Sure…when monkeys start to fly out of my butt.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jun 23, 2009 3:06 PM PDT reply actions

Ok, I'm done

I’m officially done parsing what the “experts” and “insiders” think will happen on Thursday. Nobody knows, so until I see a real piece of news (i.e. Petrie sends Sra. Rubio a seat cushion for her courtside seats, Jonny Flynn buys a house in Natomas), I’m going to figure I know the situation as well as anybody else.

I’m going to go find something to do.

The draft lottery has reinforced my belief that there are not enough bad words in the English language.

by LeaguePassAddict on Jun 23, 2009 3:21 PM PDT reply actions

You've reached the breaking point?

Actually, this soap opera did get dull a few days ago. But just when you think that, OKC goes and hires a Spanish attorney!

The only thing this story is missing is a juicy sex scandal. When it happens, I’m just hoping Geoff Petrie or Aileen Voision aren’t involved.

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 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Can I buy that house with you LPA?

I need someplace to hide until Thursday.

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 23, 2009 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I think

that if Petrie sees the potential in Rubio and feels that he will be a great player even though he’s not right away, he’ll draft him. If that’s the case then Petrie knows what Rubio brings in the short term (ticket/merch sales) and and in the long term (star power). Right now, an infusion of cash in this franchise will allow him to do more in the future with free agents and trades. He knows he has to spend money to make money, but right now there is no money to spend. Rubio might bring some along with him.

www.mancancook.net

by vfettke on Jun 23, 2009 3:58 PM PDT reply actions