SB Nation User Blog: section214

K-9 Fund Drive - Four Months To Reach Our Goal!

section214 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:51:04 -0000

This is what happens when your pet hangs with E-Muss.

We enter July and we continue in our efforts to raise hundreds of dollars for the SPCA. My donation this month is in honor of our newest Kings and their jersey numbers - Jason Thompson (34), Sean Singletary (7) and Patrick Ewing, Jr. (0). This is a far better deal than using their college jersey totals, which would have come to $78. That's a savings of $37, so what are you waiting for? Act now! This low price can't last forever.

I know that I'm asking a lot here. Gas prices, milk prices, everything is just getting to be outrageous. One of the nice things about StR is that it has not been impacted by these price increases. It's still free (and well worth it!). Don't sweat it if you can't donate, as times are tough. We're fortunate that our dogs gladly agreed to sacrifice their Christmas presents this year so that we could make our donation. Actually, Sasha was all for it. But Jade (seen below) is still trying to get into the spirit of things.

Ho-Freakin'-Ho!

Wearing Floaties In The Shallow End Of The Free Agent Pool

section214 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:28:21 -0000

I was thinking about the Beno Udrih situation yeserday and it struck me - never has so much been made over a potential MLE signing. And that's justified, given the fact that Sean Singletary is our most experienced PG (once he signs) because he has been in the Kings' practice facility once. Nevertheless, it is ridiculous unfortunate a testament to where we are right now in the rebuilding process that we have to go bargain shopping for a short term solution for perhaps the most important position on the floor.

When I peruse the list of unrestricted free agents, my loins do not exactly well up in excitement (visualize, everybody!). It is a veritable "who's not who" of NBA journeymen. But I think that is where our next floor leader may come from, as we do not want to overpay by bidding on a restricted free agent. For example, I like a guy like Louis Williams from Philly, but they have already tendered him a qualifying offer. My fear is that the only offer that won't be matched by the 76ers would be one that is far too expensive. I would prefer seeing Garcia and Singletary at the point this year than paying too much money for a guy. And point guards are at a premium this year, so expect the best of the free agent bunch to get overpaid.

Also, for our purposes here let's figure that we are not going to be trading for guys like Felton, Lowry or Hinrich. Not that it won't happen, just that it most likely won't happen.

OK, let's take the lids off of these buffet entrees and see what we have to choose from:

Darrell Armstrong
Carlos Arroyo
Earl Boykins
Anthony Carter
Dan Dickau
Keyon Dooling
Chris Duhon
Eddie House
Lindsey Hunter
Anthony Johnson
Shaun Livingston
Tyronn Lue
Jannero Pargo
Sebastian Telfair
Beno Udrih
Jason Williams

Mmm, mmm. Who's hungry?

Now, let's systematically eliminate some of these guys and really get down to brass tacks. Armstrong is 40, Boykins is 5-5 and thinks he's worth more money than he really is, Dickau only scores points against us, Dooling and House both average 4 assists per 40 minutes, Hunter is 37, and Telfair is smaller than the gun he packs.

So, we're down to Arroyo, Carter, Duhon, Johnson, Livingston, Lue, Pargo, Udrih and Williams.

My bet is that someone is going to offer Beno a five year MLE and we won't. I also think that someone (Clippers or Knicks) will offer Duhon more money than we would want to pay him. New Orleans will resign Pargo (that's part of the reason that they sold their #27 draft pick).

At this point I'm also going to eliminate Shaun Livingston. I wouldn't mind taking a $1-2 million flier on Livingston for the next couple of years, but we are talking about signing an opening night point guard. Livingston has 60 career starts under his belt, has not played in over a year, and there is no proof that he can still be an NBA point guard. Had there been any proof the Clippers would have at least tendered him a qualifying offer, as they will need to spend at least that much money securing another PG.

Next to go is Jason Williams. Sorry J-Will, but your inability to play anything even resembling defense will be more than Reggie Theus can handle.

Alrighty then. Our search has been narrowed to four candidates. Wow, this is a lot like "Hell's Kitchen." No one can cook but someone has to win. Let's continue. Our remaining choices are Carlos Arroyo, Anthony Carter, Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue.

For what it's worth, Carter and Johnson will both be 34 at the beginning of the season. Johnson knows the Kings system. The Kings waived Lue (he'll be 32) as a favor last year, something that Lue and his agent would hold in high regard should the Kings be interested in signing him as a starter. Arroyo, at age 29 looks like the best overall fit. What I don't know about Arroyo is how he would feel about signing a short term contract with a rebuilding team, nor do I have any idea as to whether or not he would consider going back to Puerto Rico to play. But, because ignorance is bliss (and in my case standard operating procedure), I've made my decision and I'm sticking with him.

Please join me in welcoming your newest Sacramento King and opening night point guard - Carlos Arroyo.

Press Conference For The New Guys

section214 — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:12:01 -0000

Press Conference For The New Guys

From Kings.com.

Drafting For The Real World In The 2nd Round

section214 — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:11:25 -0000

With the possible exception of Ball In Cup, I don't think that anybody here saw (or particularly liked) our 2nd round picks at the time that they were made. Sean Singletary received a collective "Meh!" at best, and Patrick Ewing Jr. brought down the house (and damn near the SB Nation server).

The 2nd round of the NBA draft is a romantic place, where conversation of the legends of Carlos Boozer and Michael Redd and Gilbert Arenas take place regularly. European players are squirreled away until they are needed, at which time their wrath is unleashed on the NBA. Of course we know these to be the exception of the rule. That's why the "legend" part applies.

The NBA is also a place where the Kings have drafted (under Geoff Petrie) Tyus Edney, Dejan Bodiroga, Jason Sasser, Anthony Johnson, Jerome James, Ryan Robertson, Jabari Smith, Maurice Jeffers, Corsley Edwards, and Ricky Minard. There are a few years where we had no picks, the residue of Geoff Petrie somehow dealing those picks in spite of the fact that he doesn't make deals.

There are some hits and misses on that list. Edney was decent until injuries got the better of him, Johnson has had a solid career, James made the most of playing a few good games against us in the playoffs, and Smith has earned several NBA paychecks. Sasser, Robertson, Jeffers, Edwards and Minard never panned out, and Bodiroga chose to stay in Europe his entire career.

As 2nd round picks go, that' not a bad track record. If you look at those picks by year, some were made in the hopes of filling an immediate need (Edney), while some were project picks (James), while others were a roll of the Euro dice (Bodiroga).

This year it appears that Petrie went for need, twice. In Singletary, the Kings drafted a true point guard. He is no more ready to be a starting NBA point guard than Tyus Edney or Anthony Johnson when we drafted them, but the KIngs need a starting and a backup PG at the moment, as well as a 3rd "emergency" PG. The Kings hope that Singletary can fill part of that bill.

In Ewing Jr., the Kings select...well, I think they selected a slighlty bigger Dahntay Jones. Should Ewing Jr. make the team, he will probably wind up in the D-League, unless the glut of wings currently on the roster is addressed. But Ewing Jr. is big, strong, fast, and has great leaping ability. He is a "pro," he is a team player. Should he make the roster, Ewing Jr. can fill the 12th chair on a bench without bitching and moaning about it (Jason Hart, hello! - Tony Massenburg, hello!), and he will give his all at every practice, driving to make his team and teammates better. And maybe, just maybe he'll be given the opportunity to use some of his fouls on Kobe Bryant. He will play his role, and that can not be underestimated.

So Petrie chose to fill needs as opposed to drafting even more big man prospects (or is that "projects") like Richard Hendrix or DeVon Hardin, or stashing Euro's like Ante Tomic or Goran Dragic, or taking a chance on an injury riddled talent like Bill Walker, or a talented youngster with past discipline issues like Mike Taylor. Petrie chose players that might contribute to the bigger picture here, guys that might help the Kings take the next small in the right direction.

Sean Singletary and Patrick Ewing, Jr. May their stays (however long) be beneficial to them and to us. I welcome them both to Sacramento.

Kevin Likey Jason

section214 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:02:19 -0000

Kevin Likey Jason

From Sam Amick.

Ball In Cup Wins StR Draft Contest!

section214 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:19:46 -0000

Thanks to the shrewd selection of Sean Singletary in the 2nd round, Ball In Cup has won the StR Draft Contest. Honorable mention to darknight and LPKIngsFan for selecting Jason Thompson, even though they took him with the bonus 1st round pick.

I am amazed that nobody had Patrick Ewing Jr. on their list.

Ball In Cup, you just won a brand new Chrysler Cordova and you can pick it up at Morty's office yet to be designed StR t-shirt, which TZ will send you as soon as it is available.

Congratulations, Cup. And thanks to everyone that participated.

King's Press Release for Jason Thompson

section214 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:08:59 -0000

King's Press Release for Jason Thompson

Reminder - Sactown Royalty Draft Contest

section214 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:51:06 -0000

With all of the information over the past two days, the information for the draft contest has already been pushed to page 3. If you have not yet entered, all of the information can be found right here. Deadline to enter is Thursday, June 26th, noon PST.

I will keep everyone updated during the draft thread that TZ is sure to set up.

UPDATE - The betting window is closed, with Ridnour8 getting in in spite of being 40 minutes past the deadline. 29 contestants, plus TZ and me just for grins.

Big Round Of Applause

section214 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:27:56 -0000

OK, everybody take a deep breath, shake out those fingers, loosen up those neck muscles and exhale.

Today was amazing. The information came in from every direction and from several sources via many StR members. Tomorrow (and the following days) promises to be even more tense and exciting. I can hardly wait.

I spent some time tonight reviewing the mass of information in the posts and the myriad opinions in the threads. The intelligence and passion is staggering. I know this is corny as hell, but I am both proud and humbled to be a part of it. This is the most fun that I've ever had as a Kings fan, and I have all of you to thank for it.

I look forward to spending tomorrow afternoon and evening with you. Mrs. section214 has already been advised that I will be unavailable throughout the evening, as I will be spending it with good friends, discussing my favorite subject.

Thanks again - you all rock!

Bye Bye Beno?

section214 — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:27:19 -0000

Bye Bye Beno?

According to our friend Sam Amick, Beno Udrih's agent (Marc Cornstein) considers the full MLE of $6 million annually a "bargain" price for Beno Udrih. The KIngs would really be flirting with the a little luxury tax (which also means not getting luxury tax revenue from other teams) if they pay Beno the full MLE.

Also, Mark Stevens mentions that nothing has changed and that Ron Artest should be here for one more season.