06.27.08
Kings draft grade: A++
Normally I think it’s a little ridiculous to grade a draft five minutes after it ends. The true value of a team’s draft probably won’t be known for years. But who can wait years?! Besides, I need to kill some time at work, so here we go…
Why an A? Why an extra +? Cause I’m being optimistic. That doubles as my optimism grade. Plus, as of today, none of the three players the Sacramento Kings drafted have pissed me off. I’ll leave the booing to New York, the ultimate pack of morons. How much did it cost you to get in there and boo your team’s future? Do you even wait to hear the name anymore?
It could’ve been better I’ll admit. It seemed like Arizona point guard Jerryd Bayless would drop to the Kings and be a huge steal at No. 12, but of course the Pacers took him at No. 11 and ruined my life. I was also hoping Memphis guard Chris Douglas-Roberts would fall into the Kings’ laps at No. 42, but guess what? Gone at No. 40.
Instead the Kings get power forward Jason Thompson from Rider in the first round. Never heard of him. Never even heard of his school. Frankly they both sound made up. But I trust GM Geoff Petrie, who’s first round draft history includes Peja Stojakovic (14th), Jason Williams (7th, uhh, turned into Mike Bibby), Hedo Turkoglu (16th), Gerald Wallace (25th), Kevin Martin (26th, Western Carolina), Francisco Garcia (23rd) and two guys I’m hopeful for - Quincy Douby (19th) and Spencer Hawes (10th). Pretty much nobody but Petrie and the Kings scouts liked this year’s pick.
“He is a 6-11 power forward with some three skills who averages 20 points, 12 rebounds, three assists per game and is a tremendous all-around player for a big guy,” Petrie said of Thompson. “What really impressed us was his ability to dribble the ball, pass the ball and run the floor with his size. We think again that he will be a multi-dimensional type player for us.”
Head coach Reggie Theus pointed out that Thompson began his high school career as a guard before outgrowing the position as another positive.
“The fact that he grew slowly (means) he handles the ball for a big guy extremely well,” Theus said. “(It also) means that after he can rebound the ball he can also become a ballhandler on the break. He runs the floor really well, and just gives us some size and athleticism around the basket, which we really need.”
So there. It’s a scientific fact. In the second round, Sac grabbed Virginia guard Sean Singletary, who I’ll assume is the next Chris Paul, and Georgetown bench warmer/towel boy Patrick Ewing, Jr. I’ve seen Ewing play and … he seemed kind of crappy. But when you look at his stats … they’re pretty crappy too: 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds in 21.7 minutes. But hey, that’s in the past. Let’s hope he turns into his dad and the Kings hit on all three draft picks.
Stumble it!
Share
