The Beno kool-aid

Actually, I think that Beno IS a better passer than his stats indicate. Even though he is the PG, most of the offense is run through post-ups and isolations by Artest and Salmons. That is why Artest has so many assists. When Beno does penetrate and dish, many times it's to Artest or Salmons on the perimeter. They then procede to try and go one-on-one instead of shoot the three or long two. Also the Kings don't play a wide open offense that teams like Denver, Phoenix and Golden State run. If Beno was on those teams and playing 35 minutes a game he would be averaging near 7 assists a game most likely.

I have not seen enough of Beno yet to determine whether his assist numbers are low because of him or because of the type of offense that The Kings employ. There is an awful lot of one on one play in our offense, and that's not always a bad thing when it's Kevin or Salmons taking his man off the dribble. But it seems that our overall offensive sets are formulated to run through Brad and Ron, and as a result they get a decent portion of our assist numbers. Put another way, we just don't run our offense like Utah or New Orleans or New Jersey or Phoenix, where the point guards handle the ball a ton more per offensive set. If there were a way to break down assists per seconds with the ball pehaps Beno would fare a little better statistically.

This is not to say that he is the long term answer at point guard. I'm just not ready to rule out the possibility yet. That said, if Rose or Mayo were available you'd have to grab them. But as I mentioned in an earlier thread, Udrih is probably good enough that you don't have to reach for Jarreyd Bayless, Darren Collison or Ty Lawson. Keep Beno and draft a big instead.

You could have posted a minute faster and then I could have just said "ditto."

I'd argue that Beno gives us closer to 100% of what Bibby would, maybe more.

Let compare Bibby last season with Beno this year:

Bibby: 34 mins, 5.7-14.2 FG, .404 FG%, .360 3P%, 1.1 STL, 2.4 TO, 4.7 AST, 17.1 PTS.

Beno: 35 mins, 5.7-12.6 FG, .455 FG%, .382 3P%, 1.3 STL, 2.4 TO, 4.1 AST, 14.9 PTS.

Pretty similar.

You might argue that Bibby just had an off year, but I see it as more of a continuation of a downward trend over the last few seasons.

But Bibby was coming off a preseason injury, as is Beno. Beno is also learning a new system and new teammates, so I'd expect his play to improve as the season goes on.

I also think Beno gives us more on the defensive end, if for no other reason than he has younger legs.

Is he our future, I don't know. Should we trade Bibby? Yes. I say move Bibby for any one or more of the following, Prospect, Cap space, draft picks.

I don't disagree with your diary, just wanted to add some punch to the Kool-Aid.

I think it's evident the Kings should look to move Bibby. For what kind of return that remains to be seen. However, that being said Beno remains a large reason why. Whether the Kings should hope to get Derrick Rose in the lottery, and they should, it's still obvious Beno has something to bring to the table regardless of who you draft. It is conceivable that Rose takes a year or two to make an adjustment before realizing his own talent. In the meantime you still have to try and win games I would think.

One of the positives is that Beno is scoring at a more efficent rate and with less shots. I don't think it's a coincidence other players scoring have gone up with Beno. He simply has gotten the ball to the other players in better spots than Bibby has in the past.

is that Artest & Bibby can't be fighting for control of the team. I think that's one reason the team lost so many close games at the end last season.

Beno is the second coming of Jesus...I know, but what if he goes down? There still is no viable backup at PG if Beno is proven to be a starter. Please don't tell me Douby or Garcia as they are not PGs. I suppose it is always easy enough to give guys like Orien a shot but we have had a revolving door lately at the backup point. Quite honestly I think we have solved that problem and his name is Beno Udrih. Now if we can only get a starter. I personally hope Mike comes back and tears it up (not too hopefull sniff sniff). Alternatively I would like to see him traded for J-Will and a pick. Either situation nets us a starting PG and, I think, will make Beno a stronger commodity off of the bench. Then, when Bib or JW gets injured (like they BOTH will gauranteed) he can come in and give servicable minutes.

The Spurs drafted Beno. That should be an indicator about how good this guy is. If you take a look at some of the Spurs previous drafts, starting with Beno and going back, you come across some straight ballers. And most were late first round picks too! Here's the list:

Beno Udrih
Leandro Barbosa
John Salmons(yup!)
Luis Scola
Tony Parker
Manu Ginobili

The Spurs know what they're doing! So I say stay with Beno, the Spur draft pick.