Sacramento Kings Thread

[CKR13]

Jimmer Fredette had a great workout with the Kings. Fredette has impressed the staff with his physical condition and shooting.

[DonPugfâché]

Jimmer Fredette had a great workout with the Kings. Fredette has impressed the staff with his physical condition and shooting.

As much as I HATE Jimmer, I actually think he might be a good fit. He has some decent PG skills, and a guy who can shoot like that would make life a lot easier for Tyreke and DMC (particularly by forcing defenses to spread out and clearing up the lane). I see a lot of similarities to Steph Curry (great shooter/scorer in college, makes up for relative lack of athleticism with craftiness, deceptively solid PG skills, questionable defense).

I wouldn't mind having Jimmer on the Kings ... though I think he's a reach at #7.

[CKR13]

As much as I HATE Jimmer, I actually think he might be a good fit. He has some decent PG skills, and a guy who can shoot like that would make life a lot easier for Tyreke and DMC (particularly by forcing defenses to spread out and clearing up the lane). I see a lot of similarities to Steph Curry (great shooter/scorer in college, makes up for relative lack of athleticism with craftiness, deceptively solid PG skills, questionable defense).

I wouldn't mind having Jimmer on the Kings ... though I think he's a reach at #7.

I am also open to drafting Fredette as the young man has been very good so far since the NBA Draft Combine to the individual workouts with teams. Too bad Kemba Walker bailed out on yesterday's session where Walker and Fredette could have gone head to head.

[Ciscorlie Horford]

As much as I HATE Jimmer, I actually think he might be a good fit. He has some decent PG skills, and a guy who can shoot like that would make life a lot easier for Tyreke and DMC (particularly by forcing defenses to spread out and clearing up the lane). I see a lot of similarities to Steph Curry (great shooter/scorer in college, makes up for relative lack of athleticism with craftiness, deceptively solid PG skills, questionable defense).

I wouldn't mind having Jimmer on the Kings ... though I think he's a reach at #7.

Steph Curry was actually one of the most athletic guard coming out of college, and can run faster than no other, it just so happen that he looks like a wimp because he is not ripped so people assumed he is a bad athlete, but you can't judge a book by its cover.

I am also open to drafting Fredette as the young man has been very good so far since the NBA Draft Combine to the individual workouts with teams. Too bad Kemba Walker bailed out on yesterday's session where Walker and Fredette could have gone head to head.

the peeps over espn said that he didn't not want ot play against someone who was projectetd to be selected lower than him because he was afraid to be beaten by him and that affect his stock, so he was trying instead to play against Knight which is profjected to be selected higher than him because he thought he could beat Knight in a one-on-one and increase his strock doing so.

I personally think is inmature and a stupid strategy. It just show that he is nto confident on his abilities and is scare of failing, which is bad becuase people learn by failing, that's what makes you a better person.

[CKR13]

Another workout is scheduled for Monday, next week. Kings will workout draft hopefuls: Kemba Walker (UConn), forward-center Nikola Vucevic (USC), guard Justin Hurtt (Tulsa), forward Matthew Bryan-Amaning (Washington), forward DeAngelo Casto (Washington State) and forward Jordan Williams (Maryland).

[Raze Lupin]

Jimmer had a good work out for the Knicks. I think he's a winner. He has great athleticism. I beleieve his athleticism is a solid 8 on a scale of 1. being Kirk Hinrich, Darko Milicic to 10. Being freaks like Lebron James, young Shaquille O'Neal. I agree with people that compare him with Curry. I think in the Knicks camp Fredette was recorded at having close to a 40" vertical...

[CKR13]

Fredette has been impressive on other workouts as well. If the likes of Knight and Walker are gone by the time the Kings pick at #7, Fredette's name could be called.

[CKR13]

The Sacramento Kings have made a Qualifying Offer to restricted free agent Marcus Thornton. Also, the Kings have waived seldom used shooting guard Jermaine Taylor.

[DonPugfâché]

Tyreke + Thornton ... not a good combo? Impact on draft?

So I was excited about the Reke/Thornton combo and was one of the optimistic fans that looked at that ~.500 stretch at the end of the year where they played together as a positive sign of things to come (even though the bits and pieces I caught where they played together actually didnt look all that great).

But upon further analysis, it looks like the Reke/Thornton combo didn't actually play so well together when you look at the stats when they were on the court together. http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2011/6...ings?ref=yahoo

My questions/thoughts:
1) Does the Thornton/Reke combo work, and if so, how do the Kings make it work, considering neither guy is really an off-ball scorer (meaning they both need to have the ball in their hands to score)?

2) If the Kings keep Thorton (they just made a qualifying offer), how does that affect their draft, if at all? More specifically, does having Thornton affect whether we go Jimmer or Kemba ... or an entirely different route?

[CKR13]

So I was excited about the Reke/Thornton combo and was one of the optimistic fans that looked at that ~.500 stretch at the end of the year where they played together as a positive sign of things to come (even though the bits and pieces I caught where they played together actually didnt look all that great).

True. The Sacramento Kings went 8-8 on the final stretch of that season where the back court comprised of Evans and Thornton as starters. Evans was the point guard while Thornton had the shooting guard manned. On that stretch, both were actually adjusting with each other's presence on the floor. Thornton's shooting volume dropped as Evans also had share of the ball and the shot attempts. Their efficiency level was not that great as Thornton is a high volume shooter while Evans holds on to the ball most of the time as that what Evans have been used to. This was a reminiscent of the Evans-Martin lineup from 2009-2010.

But I did see some potential for both of those two on the floor. Primarily of that Evans having another passing option to stretch the defense where Evans loves to drive and he does have at times do find open shooters. Evans can defer to Thornton while Thornton cannot defer to Evans given that co-existence as Thornton is wired to shoot once given the ball; unlike Evans who does have passing skills at times.

But upon further analysis, it looks like the Reke/Thornton combo didn't actually play so well together when you look at the stats when they were on the court together. http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2011/6...ings?ref=yahoo

Indeed, Evans and Thornton's PPG average dropped a bit when they were paired on the back-court. Thornton shot more in less given minutes due to his nature of being a streaky shooter, meaning Thornton needs his shot attempts to get his offensive game going.

My questions/thoughts:
1) Does the Thornton/Reke combo work, and if so, how do the Kings make it work, considering neither guy is really an off-ball scorer (meaning they both need to have the ball in their hands to score)?

This may sound difficult and have a remote chance, but actually the Evans/Thornton pair could work. It starts with both the On-Court chemistry of Evans and Thornton that needs to be developed. Given their nature:

Tyreke Evans = Low Percentage Perimeter Shooter / Good Penetrator / 70% Tunnel Vision & 30% Court vision.

Marcus Thornton = High Volume Shooter / Streaky Shooter / Decent One on One scorer.

Given the nature of Evans and Thornton, it is imperative that they learn each other's tendencies on the court as a start.

Evans will drive towards the hoop given the chance and this is where Thornton can adjust by moving without the ball and go to a spot where Evans can find him if the opposing defense do collapse on Evans. It could go either way for Evans as well where Evans needs to learn on how to navigate the floor given what the defense gets and be ready for receiving the pass from Thornton or any other Kings player.

Evans dribbles and sizes his defender as a pre-cursor to his Dribble-Drive-Finish plays or Dribble-Drive-Pass plays on which defenses can just adjust to clog the driving lane. This is where Thornton can come in.

When Thornton goes One-on-One against an isolated defender, Evans could either (1) Go to the lane and help with the rebound if Thornton misses (2) Maneuver through the defense and be ready for a recipient pass from Thornton if Thornton converts the shot into a pass mid-air or (3) Be ready for the opposing team's transition offense by moving half-court. All three responses are better than Evans standing around, doing nothing and watching Thornton, go to work.

Symbiosis between Evans and Thornton will take time and perhaps losing games before they even be cohesive. Still, the risk and experiment will prove marginal to the benefits; hence, another scenario:

Evans will start and Thornton be the main sixth man for the Kings. Sacramento has been plagued by bench scoring and the lack of the key player off the bench to help with the scoring. Evident it is during last year where Sacramento goes on long scoring drought.

2) If the Kings keep Thorton (they just made a qualifying offer), how does that affect their draft, if at all? More specifically, does having Thornton affect whether we go Jimmer or Kemba ... or an entirely different route?

That question may have to wait but the Kings are expected to draft a guard as they recently waived Jermaine Taylor in preparation. On who to pick, it is Geoff Petrie's call. Most likely Knight and Walker may be gone when the Kings pick at #7 so I can see them pulling out quite a surprise of picking Fredette so early.

[CKR13]

Maloofs Give Up Controlling Interest in Palms Casino

[CKR13]

Forward / Center Jason Thompson has suffered a fractured bone on his right toe. Thompson is expected to recover in four to six weeks.

[CKR13]

Anaheim also pledges an NBA worthy Arena

Anaheim announces plan to make its Arena NBA Ready

Weeks after a failed effort to lure the Sacramento Kings to Anaheim, officials at that city's Honda Center arena announced today they will launch an upgrade project that will - among other improvements - bring the facility up to National Basketball Association standards.

The work, to start this fall, will cost "tens of millions of dollars," officials said, and be paid for by Henry Samueli, the billionaire operator of the center who has been attempting to land an NBA team.

Although Anaheim was unable in May to finalize a deal with the Kings, NBA officials said the city remains a possibility to host a basketball team at some point.

The current arena, home to the Anaheim Ducks, requires an estimated $25 million in improvements to be considered for basketball, officials have indicated.

"We are thrilled to unveil the most significant improvement project ever seen at Honda Center," said Tim Ryan, President and CEO of Anaheim Arena Management said in a statement issued today. "These multi-million dollar upgrades will have a dramatic impact on the overall fan experience and assure Honda Center stands up favorably next to any arena in the country, including those that house multiple sports franchises."

Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait said the improvements will "enhance the guest experience, but more than ever, Honda Center itself will be NBA-ready."

-Sacramento Bee

[CKR13]

The Kings finished the pre-drat workout with the following players:

Kawhi Leonard (SDSU)
Scotty Hopson (Tennessee)
DeAndre Liggins (Kentucky)
Mickey McConnell (St. Mary’s)
Kalin Lucas (Michigan State)
Jamine Peterson (Providence/NBDL’s New Mexico Thunderbirds)

[CKR13]

It is reported that Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette have made the most impression on their past workouts with the Kings. Most likely it will come down to who will be available come #7 when the Kings are on the clock.

Still, I will not discount the possibility of the Kings drafting the following:

Jan Vesely
Kawhi Leonard

Leonard has also been received well after his workout, but unlike the impression that Fredette and Walker have made. Vesely was also been on the radar for sometime as the Kings have sent scouts to see Vesely play overseas.