Are the Kings looking for a PG?

by Rambaldi on Jul 7, 2011 1:15 PM PDT

In the past year there have been many rumors that the Kings are looking for a point guard but are they just rumors? Sense the day that Tyreke Evans was drafted there has been a debate on whether he is a point guard or a shooting guard. A lot of Kings fans would like to move Tyreke to the SG position so they can bring in a more prototypical point guard. I am not sure the coaching staff and front office agrees. In the last year Aaron Brooks, Andre Miller, Baron Davis, Beno Udrih, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams, Devin Harris, Gilbert Arenas, and Raymond Felton have all been traded. The Kings have made three trades in this time and they did not end up with any of the above point guards that have been traded. In fact they traded away the most prototypical point guard on the roster in Beno. Also Geoff Petrie has a history of not having prototypical point guard systems. In the Kings glory years the point guards were Mike Bibby and Bobby Jackson. Neither of these players are known for how well they set up their teammates. Because of these facts I believe most of the rumors regarding the Kings and point guards are fan and media driven. I believe the Kings organization is not and never was looking for a point guard to take over for Evans.

(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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Makes sense

Beno was great next to Tyreke aside from his defensive incapability. Then we trade him to make room for a rookie who also has queationable defense & also aquire another ball handler. Then PW says Tyreke will start with MT23 most likely. So what are the Kings looking for?

I love beating dead horses.

by allbenji's on Jul 7, 2011 1:56 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

When free agency starts I think the kings will sign a starting center and a back up shooting guard.

by Rambaldi on Jul 7, 2011 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I dunno

I think with Reke, Jimmer, MT, Thomas, Garcia, and Salmons we probably have the backcourt rotation wrapped up.

And I think that Cousins should start at C, despite what some Maloof said. I think we should be looking for a PF – hopefully one that can block some shots that DMC and JJ wont.

by DustyG on Jul 8, 2011 1:08 AM PDT up reply actions

totally agree

You’ve said what i have thougth for some time. Even Westphal’s recent comments cement that fact in my mind when he explained his thoughts about using Salmons as a low-post threat so teams would not move their small PG off of Tyreke on defense. Westphal is planning on Tyreke being the PG. Thorton is the long-range threat and Jimmer is hopefully the first guard off the bench spelling both of them. So long as Tyreke, Thorton and Salmons can get the ball across the timeline in the half-court set, it seems that the PG duties are largely done. What i think is lacking under this system is an efficient fast-break team. Perhaps Jimmer, and to a lesser exent Thomas or Pooh offer that change of pace PG for short periods of time. The Tyreke PG experiment continues.

by longtimelistenerfirsttimecaller on Jul 7, 2011 3:13 PM PDT reply actions

And, why wouldn't they put their PG on Thornton or Jimmer?

put their best wing on Tyreke and cover Salmons with who’s ever left.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Jul 7, 2011 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I think they would be ok with that

Marcus Thornton would abuse most PGs except maybe Russel Westbrook & Rondo. Even they wouldn’t have it easy. Also I’d rather have Wade or Kobe covering Reke over guys like Lebron, Artest, & Battier. With Salmons you would have to respect his offense.

As far as Jimmer he is such a good shooter he can just take what the defense gives him. Taking advantage of other teams double teaming Reke, Cousins, & Salmons.

I love beating dead horses.

by allbenji's on Jul 8, 2011 8:14 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I don't wish to be a downer

but I think we all have a selective memory some times when it comes to our players. While Thornton had a marvelous time at the end of last season and hit some great pressure shots the truth is that he only shot 36.8% on his jumpers outside of 9 ft. And, while he does have the ability to get to the basket and finish, he’s not in the same class as Tyreke.

So yes, some guards having to defend Marcus will be a mismatch in his favor, but not all. And, the Mountain West Conference is light years below the NBA, so I’ll have to wait until Jimmer proves himself before I’ll concede that he has an advantage over any veteran NBA guards. It’s not going to be as easy getting open shots off the dribble as it was in college and he’s not going to get 21 shots a game like his final year at BYU.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Jul 8, 2011 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

You think you're all cool with your stats & facts High Tops

Serious though who knows what this front office & coaching staff is trying to do. I certainly don’t & I’m not sure anyone else does. I wish we knew that way we can stop trying to figure them out. Hopefully one day it all clicks so we all can go “ahhhhh……ok I get it now!” lol

I love beating dead horses.

by allbenji's on Jul 8, 2011 7:47 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Setting up teammates

Actually I dont remember the exact number but I believe Bibby was picking up 8 or 9 assists per game on a bad team when the Kings acquired him. So I dont think he lacked the ability to setup teammates I just think the offense worked much differently (ball movement from everyone) so his role changed a bit. Also they drafted J-Will who was known for his ability to get players the ball so I would disagree somewhat on their not having passers. But rather just agree as you said separately that some of the offenses they have run don’t rely as solely on the PG’s passing as others do.

But I think you are dead on in that none of the moves nor the comments to me have made me think they feel Tyreke cant be a PG. I also though think they know he isn’t a PG in the truest sense of the word but rather he is just a guard.

I think ultimately the bottom line is that he is their best player and will have the ball in his hands most often which in a sense makes him the PG by default regardless at least offensively. As you said the rumors more often than not are fan driven, also I believe them to be products of availability. Its much easier to speculate the need for a PG when Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Jameer Nelson, Andre Miller, Raymond Felton, Aaron Brooks, etc are on the block than it would have been to talk about adding a SG or for that matter a SF (until recently when more SF’s seemed to be rumored as available as well)

by WebberDynasty on Jul 7, 2011 3:22 PM PDT reply actions

Yes

They are absolutely looking for a point guard. A single rumor is one thing. But there have been dozens of rumors about them looking for a point guard. And, unless you think Jimmer is going to play an undersized SG, they just spent their lottery draft pick on a PG. The question is not whether or not the Kings are looking for a PG. It is whether or not the Kings are looking for a starting PG.

Much of that depends on Evans. Clearly he is a match-up nightmare for most point guards. But so are a lot of guys his size. He also appears to be able to guard most PG’s, although some of the smaller, quicker guys give him trouble. Right now, he is probably our best option on PG.

The problem is that this is—if not a five man game—at least a three man game. Yes, he was hurt last year, but also part of his efficiency drop off was that teams were focusing their defense on him. In the future we must become a team that moves the ball efficiently. Isolation plays can only take you so far. It’s not that Evans can’t pass. he can and does. It’s that he is not very good at seeing the floor and running plays. he doesn’t take the time to get guys the ball where they need it.

The fact of the matter is that if we get a point guard who can defend, distribute, and make the outside shot, Evans will move to the 2 in a heart beat. And frankly and don’t know why that bothers people. As so many have pointed out. There are two guards. It doesn’t really matter what you call them.

It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide

by SavageBeast on Jul 7, 2011 6:01 PM PDT reply actions

To play devils advocate

All these rumors have come has been put out by the media. We have to remember 99.9999% of the media thinks Tyreke is not a point guard & about 90% thought Beno is not a starting quality PG.

The only things we’ve heard from the Kings is they need PG “help” & a starting quality SF(pre-draft). Help could just mean a “change of pace” guy off the bench

I love beating dead horses.

by allbenji's on Jul 7, 2011 7:04 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Yes and no

True it comes from the media. But that’s where all news comes from. Again, I could buy bleacher report deciding we need a point guard and making something up. But, and this is just my opinion of course, when you have as many stories about us being involved in trade talks for ball handling point guards, that’s a lot of smoke for no fire. And even if you think the media really made it all up, they didn’t make up the part where we drafted a guy who is pretty clearly viewed as a PG.

It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide

by SavageBeast on Jul 7, 2011 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions

To be clear

I don’t think the media is just making stuff up. I just think there is a lot of assumptions based on what other people/media THINK we need. It also makes sense that other teams would put out that the Kings are looking at their PGs on the block to drive up value based on what everyone else Thinks we need. Or should be looking for.

I love beating dead horses.

by allbenji's on Jul 7, 2011 10:21 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Some more examples benefitting the authors post

Are the Kings trading for for MT23, a clear 2 gaurd. Maybe it was the beat available trade but maybe he was a target. Also curious the Kings seemed to be high on Alec Burks in the draft & not so high on maybe the only true point taken in the 1st round Brandon Knight.

I love beating dead horses.

by allbenji's on Jul 7, 2011 10:27 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I would argue that

BK is less of a true PG than Jimmer or Kemba. But that’s stil TBD, I guess. When we got MT23, we need an outside shooter, so it could have been an either or. I just don’t think Evans has proven he is a distributor. Might he? Sure, I could envision it happening.

It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide

by SavageBeast on Jul 11, 2011 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions

If the perfect trade fell in the Kings lap I think they would do it

but my point is that if they really wanted Evans to play shooting guard they would have traded for one of the many point guards that have been traded in the last year.

by Rambaldi on Jul 7, 2011 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't believe that they are specifically looking for a PG.

I think they are trying to upgrade the talent on the roster. Luckily our two best players are versatile enough to be able to play multiple positions.

This means we don’t have to get a PG, but if the best upgrade available happens to be a PG, we could use him and move Tyreke to the wing. If the best upgrade is a 2 or a 3, then Tyreke can stay at the point.

Have a similar situation with Cuz and the 4-5.

by Kfan in Korea on Jul 7, 2011 8:25 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Agree

Yeah if we could land Chris Paul or Deron Williams I am sure the Kings would make the trade but right now I don’t think it is any kind of a priority to get a starting PG.

by Rambaldi on Jul 7, 2011 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd trade Reke

For Paul or Williams….i think them next to DMC will would really be something sweet

by shadowchicken on Jul 11, 2011 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I like your opinion the best kfan

Upgrade the talent as long as Reke is not sent to the bench. It seems he is as of right now the franchises clear cut starting foundation piece with DMC a close 2nd.

I love beating dead horses.

by allbenji's on Jul 7, 2011 10:32 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

It's not just the media, it's also the FO

both GP and PW stated that the Kings needed improved ‘ball handling’. I don’t remember PW’s exact words but I believe it was from one of James Hams interview after the season.

And, we had too many 4th quarters when we couldn’t score to hold onto a lead, once the other teams defense stepped up pressure on the ball. Whether Jimmer is the answer, I don’t know but he does seem to be a decent ball handler as is Salmons. So, the FO may feel that they will get the improvement that they wanted from those two. Plus, Tyreke worked on his ball handling last off season, and I would expect that he hasn’t given up trying to improve.

But we do need to find someone who can beat the press and the double team traps when bringing up the ball.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Jul 7, 2011 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Jimmer is a point guard.

Give him a little while to learn the system and I bet he could start. Nobody thinks the former BYU guard can distribute the ball and they would be wrong on that notion.

by Mr. Rockie on Jul 9, 2011 12:56 AM PDT reply actions