"Cuz might become the heart of this team... now if we only had a brain." polotown.
Find that brain for us - Pleeeease!
Time to whip out that good trade you've been dreaming of through the blowouts, a few good wins, anger, frustrations and blind devotion to Kings basketball.
Sooooooooooo
This is also the place for all your pipe dreams, or for some wacky ill-advised nonsense just because the numbers match up in that Trade Machine Thingy.
Trade for players you love, trade away players you hate. Just trade to make the team better without regard to emotion - or make it all about emotion.
HINT:
NO HINTS!
Oh . . . OK.A Big time Stud - or short term enough so that you won't be crushed by "that kills our future flexibility!" comments.
Thats what this is here for, to keep other posts from wandering into 'I think we could still get LaBron!'.
Out-think Geoff Petrie!
Please out-think Mike Dunleavy David Kahn and anyone ever associated with the Clippers Timberwolves.
You never know, you may gain wide acclaim and Fame for your brilliant move!
ESPN Trade Machine: Click HERE
Surgeon's General Warning: Only abstinance provides full protection!
(Don't forget to 'save' the trade so you can share it and sum up the trade in text as well for those at office computers)
I hate to give up Tyreke this early but I feel that the trade below would make the Kings much better.
I don't know why Otis Smith would do it. I don't know why Petrie would do it. But I'm pretty sure GS will die to get this done. After reading fan's comments and watching Tyreke for several games this season, I think he's really not progressing at anything at all. So as an impatient fan, why not move him now while he can still be remembered as a 20-5-5 guy and ROY 2 years ago? I'm sure Petrie will give Tyreke a huge extension next year and worry that another Tyreke injury will blow up the Kings cap space. Same risk can be said to Curry but atleast he can shoot the damn ball and is willing to pass it to an open man.
Thoughts?
When a rookie enters the NBA, it is typically easy to identify his area for growth. For DeMarcus, it was conditioning and attitude. For Tyreke, it was his jumper and an optimal position. For Jimmer, it is adjusting to the speed of the game and a diminished, playmaking role.
Identifying an area for improvement for Isaiah Thomas proves somewhat more challenging.
As a Kings fan, this is genuine cause for excitement.
If I were to offer quick summation of Isaiah Thomas' strengths and weaknesses, the admittedly bias tally would look like this:
Plusses:
* Speed
* Leadership
* Confidence
* Passing
* Shooting range (i.e. effortless 3-point stroke.)
* Lefty (i.e. unorthodox style proves uncustomary to defenders)
* Pesky Defender (on-ball, off-ball)
* Midrange Game (i.e. pull-up jumper, one-footer floater)
Minuses:
* Size
The positives outweigh the negatives 8 to 1, but it gets even better, long-suffering Kings fans. The sole negative is a strength in disguise.
Being limited in stature, and according to Draft Express, Isaiah measured out at 5’8" and ¾ without shoes, or listed at 5’10" with shoes, which makes him the second shortest player ever drafted into the NBA throughout their measurement history (about 20 years, second only to Nate Robinson who measured one inch shorter), and would seem to be serious impediment to long-term success.
Yet lack of height is a detriment only when it is not compensated through favorably comparable strength, which enables a player to his hold position defensively, beat a player to ideal spot on both ends, play through contact, including the nudges and shoves that throw a lesser player off balance (see Pooh Jeter).
A skilled player that happens to be small, but sturdy in stature has a lower center of gravity, can turn the corner more readily on relatively slow-footed ‘bigs’, split double teams with less space needed, and find passing angles amid outstretched limbs with more regularity.
In short, being short in stature is an invitation to create havoc all over the court, if you can command your space amidst the tallest of timber.
In two games as a new starting PG, Isaiah Thomas is staking his claim with authority (18 PPG, 7.5 assists, 6 rebounds, 55% FGs, 2.5 TOs).
Diminutive in size, yet sizable in impact.
So there you have it. Lack of height is a strength in camouflage. Hence, Isaiah Thomas has no weakness.
New York has Linsanity. Sacramento has….Thomawesomeness?!? (Hey, they can’t all be gems.)
OK, wait, give me a break Blob, quit being an unapologetic homer…Isaiah is shooting 40%, and the team is 0-2 with him as a starter.
Aren’t you going overboard in your unadulterated praise?
Look, a player with special ability jumps off the TV screen. (At least it does mine, revealing of truth and wisdom. I can’t speak for yours, and you know who you are :p)
Isaiah looks ready to make an impact before he checks into the game. The look on his face definitively says "Put me in the game, coach. No, seriously. Put me in. What are you waiting for? Uh, like now, duh.". Isaiah seems perpetually happy. If you were in a place you knew you belonged, knew you could excel, knew you could succeed to considerable effect, you’d be apt to smile too.
Isaiah had the distinct look of a legitimate NBA player since his clutch play as a Washington Husky, during casual pick-up games during the extended lockout, including the Bench Mob Classic. The last two games as a starter are a continuation of the rationally expected.
Ultimately, lack of height is not a deterrent. It is a chip on the shoulder to spur achievement.
The question thus becomes: How good can Isaiah Thomas be?
Isaiah Thomas reminds me of Denver Nugget Ty Lawson. Bad-ass and ready to bring it. A sense of belonging, a commitment to force tempo, and no hesitancy to take (and make) a big shot. Able to deliver, and leave defenders grasping at air.
Ty Lawson is the starting PG of a plus .500 team. He has a PER of 18.2. He averages 15/6/3 on 47% shooting.
Can Isaiah be this good someday? Or better? I think he can.
Again, according to Draft Express, Lawson and Thomas are comparable physically and athletically.
At first, the comparison seems slanted unfavorably. Ty Lawson measures 2 inches taller (5’10".25 vs. 6’0".25). But guess what, long-suffering Kings fans? Isaiah has a wingspan 1 inch greater than Ty Lawson (6.1".75 vs. 6’0".75) Isaiah ranks better in agility (10.49 vs. 10.98), and in terms of speed they are virtually even (full court sprint: 3.14 seconds vs. 3.12 seconds). Isaiah concedes nothing to Lawson in any other strength or hops measure.
The conclusion is obvious. There is nothing physically or athletically to prevent Isaiah from being a player as accomplished as Ty Lawson.
Next question: How does this happen?
(1) Continue to nurture advantageous relationship with Coach Smart.
Gaining continued alliance with head coach will pay immeasurable dividends. Heeding words of the man who decides playing time will work to your favor, assuring minutes upon the court to spur growth for balance of the season, whether in victory or defeat. Do best to execute strategy, balancing shot distribution fairly, and playing time will be yours.
(2) Improve shooting percentage over 40%.
Isaiah has the quickness to get himself open for looks. His penetration, crossover and step back are tough to defend against most formidable of opponents. Now, make your shots at slightly higher rate. Isaiah has picture perfect form on his jumper. He has a smooth release, and excellent balance. This bodes well to an elevated shooting percentage near 45% FGs with increased playing time, rookie wall withstanding.
(3) Slow down the best guards in the league.
Isaiah likes to pick up near half-court. He likes to get physical. He likes to fight through picks. Keep doing this. Use your strength, quickness and footwork to harass non-stop.
Cue the post-game ice bath.
(4) Involve as many of your teammates as much as possible.
The Kings have a roster of underachievers not named Tyreke, DeMarcus or Marcus. The more that Isaiah can do to generate easy baskets for struggling teammates, the more he can jump start a subset of teammates who need facilitated assistance.
How good can Isaiah Thomas be?
As good as a 5' 8" and ¾ player without an identifiable weakness can be.
P.S. Jimmer rules.
Kings/Nets
Kings get Deron Williams, Future Second Round Pick
Nets get A Future 1st rounder, Marcus Thorton, John Salmons/ or Franscico Garcia, Jimmer Freddette, JJ Hickson
*Let me also mention the only way this trade will go through is if D-Will agrees to sign at least a two year extension if traded to Sacramento
Kings/Celtics
Kings get Rondo and Bass MAYBE KG
Celtics get Tyreke Evans and Jason Thompson/ JJ Hickson and Francisco Garcia
Kings/Magic
Kings get Jameer Nelson, Ryan Anderson, and Hedo
Magic get Marcus Thorton, JJ Hickson, Future Picks, John Salmons/ or Cisco
Kings/Cavs
Kings Get Sessions
Cavs get Thorton
Kings/Clippers
Kings get Bledsoe, future pick, Reggie Williams, Ryan Gomes
Clippers get Marcus Thorton, John Salmons or Garcia, and JJ Hickson
Kings/Hornets
Kings get Eric Gordon and Kaman
Hornets get Future pick Thorton, Jimmer, And Thompson/ or Hickson.
Kings/Pacers
Kings get Darren Collison and Granger or George, and Hansbrough
Pacers get pick Tyreke Evans or Marcus Thorton and Thompson or Hickson, Salmons or Garcia
Kings/Lakers
Kings get Pau Gasol, Matt Barnes, and Jason Kapono
Lakers get future pick, Tyreke Evans, JJ Hickson, and Jimmer Freddette
I got a question. On my roster my whole team has a yellow arrow next to their rating and a negative number. How do I get rid of these? Its annoying that I can't use my players to full strength! I have tyreke at 88 but he always has -7 on him for some reason and I have no idea what to do. The only player that doesn't have an arrow is deandre Jordan and he's useless on offense
So at this point I think it's safe to say that JJ Hickson has been a huge disappointment. Out of all the offseason moves, including the draft, this was the guy I was most excited too see this season. And despite giving up the 1st rounder at the time, I still thought it was a decent risk. Then again this is the Sacramento Kings, and things rarely work out the way we hope.
So now what? We have a guy who's not producing and a 1st round pick tied up for years. For a team that has to build through the draft and trades, this is incredibly frustrating. Judging by his performance here, his recent comments to the Cleveland newspapers, and the fact that he's a RFA, I don't see any chance that he's a King next season. Our options at this point seem to be: A. continue the season and hope things turn around, B. continue the season and let him walk, along with the draft pick, this offseason for nothing, or C. move him at the trade deadline.
My vote would be move him at the trade deadline, and hope to get back some kind of asset now. I still think JJ can and will be a good player, and with the right team and the right offense, would be much more productive. What his trade value is now is a question mark, but I think it's safe to say the Kings would be selling low considering all they have invested.
What do you guys think? If you were Geoff what would you do? What kind of trade value do you think he has? Or do you think there is enough there to continue the season and hope Smart can turn things around?
@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
The draft in 2009 was said to be a weak draft by most experts going into the draft, but a draft filled with PG’s. In fact 12 of the first 29 picks were PG’s, including the number 4 pick in the draft,Tyreke Evans. Now that they have all had time to settle into the league for 2 ½ years, I wanted to see the progress they have made and how they might be drafted now if was done all over again.
GEOFF PETRIE!!!!! PLEASE GO AFTER WILSON CHANDLER. HE STEPS OFF AIRCHINA NEXT WEEK! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET US AN ACTUAL SMALL FORWARD AND BENCH SALMONS!!!
We missed the boat on Caron Butler, Kenyon Martin, and David West as far as I am concerned (as impractical a statement that may be given the other teams involved in those deals), but I feel we have a legitimate chance at landing this guy. He brings consistency, blocks, field goals, hustle, and is a big mofo. PLEASE LAND THIS DUDE FOR US! He averaged something like 27 and 12 the last 6 months and is coming of a 17 and 6, with 1.5 block NBA year. PICK HIM UP PETRIE!!!!
Ok, I am done yelling.
Do you consider Lynsanity a major player in the FA market next year? And if so, do we go after him? For the first week or two, I kept telling myself that Lin wasn't the real deal. That teams would adjust to him. But with each passing (slight pun intended) game where teams focus on him and fail to stop him, I wonder more and more if he is the passing and shooting PG we need. I'm a fan of both IT and Jimmer, but Lyn seems to be in a while other class. I mean Dallas was doubling him right and left today, constantly trying to trap him and he puts up 28, 14, 5, and 4.
Obviously he is benefiting from D'Antoni's system, and equally obvious, the Knicks will do whatever they can to keep him. He is a huge fan favorite and a big reason they are winning. But they are well over the cap and don't have an easy way to get under it. Also, he is from Northern California, so might actually come to the Kings if the numbers were right. I know it's a big stretch having a player bolt New York for Sac. But we will have the money. And they wont.
So the question is, how much would you pay to sign Lyn as a free agent next year?
This could be really far-fetched or just wishful thinking on my part, but assuming we can get a new ESC in Sacramento, could the NBA decide to reward us with an all-star weekend in the capital city? Obviously, there are a lot of things that would need to be a lot of other things to consider (not enough hotels to hold all the members of the press, etc.). But this relocation drama has gotten national attention, and I feel like giving Sacramento a media blitz to showcase its new arena would be an amazingly satisfactory ending. Almost too good to hope for? What do you all think?
Showing 1 - 10 of 2,940 Older
