SB Nation User Blog: vfettke

Dismissing Evans' potential was my single biggest column-related misfire this decade, and I'm the...

vfettke — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:47:02 -0000

Dismissing Evans' potential was my single biggest column-related misfire this decade, and I'm the same guy who thought Orlando was crazy for taking Howard over Okafor. In my draft diary, I wrote the joke, "(Stu) Scott on Evans: 'His nickname is 'Hugo' because he was born during Hurricane Hugo.' That pick was a natural disaster. Literally." The whole debacle mortally wounded my chances to become a GM someday. I'm not gonna lie. Evans has a chance to be a top-10 player some day. Although I still believe I was correct with one thing: In no way, shape or form is he a point guard. You will never sell me on that one

Bill Simmons' Trade Column

Kevin Martin & Thomas' expiring for Kirilenko (exp. 2011) + rights to NYK's unprotected 2010 No. 1....

vfettke — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:26:42 -0000

Kevin Martin & Thomas' expiring for Kirilenko (exp. 2011) + rights to NYK's unprotected 2010 No. 1. Who says no: Utah or Sac?

Bill Simmons' Twitter

The Real Question Regarding Tyreke as a "True" PG

vfettke — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:34:31 -0000

I'm a fairly active commentor here. However, I've never done a fan post. But with the overabundance of posts and comments questioning Tyreke's "true" point guard status I feel as if I must speak up. Every time I see the phrases "true PG" or "NaPG" a small part of me dies inside and I feel like stabbing myself in the eyes. So rather than just suck it up and accept it I'm going to add to the glut of useless Fan Posts. Why? Because I'm rude prick, that's why. On the plus side, I'm doing it in list form, and everyone loves lists.

So let's compare, shall we?

A "true" PG:
1. Limited in size and strength so they rely on quickness, great passing skills, and shooting.
2. Get to the basket and finish or kick it to a teammate
3. Find the cutting teammate for the easy hoop
4. Use some ballhandling to break their man down for a shot.
5. Have a high number of assists, usually averaging 10+ per game (just my opinion, though)
6. Solid assist to turnover ratio
7. Can lead a team and make all around good decisions.

How Tyreke matches up:
1. Not limited by his size at all. He's probably just as quick as most guys that are much smaller, thus his size and strength give him a huge advantage. Don't take it from me either. Brandon Roy and Gilbert Arenas (two All Stars) have praised him for this. His passing and shooting have improved greatly in his short time as a pro and he's only 20 so I'm pretty sure we'll see at least a little more improvement. And aren't "true" point guards given a few years to develop anyway since its the "hardest" position to learn? Can't Tyreke have a few years to learn and improve as well?
2. He's getting better at dishing to teammates, but he also doesn't need to too much since he can finish so well at the rim
3. His passing skills are getting better and he does find cutting teammates. He'll be even better at it when Kevin returns and he has an open man to pass it to for the easy shot.
4. He doesn't break ankles, but when you're as strong and fast as him do you really need to?
5. 5 per game isn't great, but it's not terrible. The highest average of assists per game for a Sacramento PG since the glory days was 7.3 by Jason Williams. 'Reke's averaging 5 as a 20 year old rookie? I'm pretty confident he can average at least 7.3 at some point in his career. Which makes me wonder, why do Kings' fans all of a sudden care whether our PG is "true" or not?
6. Tyreke's assist to turnover ratio of 1.74 is a little low. However, he handles the ball quite a bit which leads to higher turnovers and doesn't notch a ton of assists because he's too busy destroying whoever's guarding him on his way to the basket.
7. Last season's worst team added some rookies and lost it's best player and somehow we're hovering just below .500? Coaching has a lot to do with it, but how much worse would this team be if Westphal had last year's crew and no Tyreke? Our top pick is lauded for his maturity and poise for such a young age. I'd say we have a leader who makes good decisions, wouldn't you?

I'm sure there are other characteristics of a "true" point guard that I missed. But, I don't care because I'm using the ones that best prove my point. What can I say, I read a lot of Simmons, sue me! Just know that if you question Tyreke's "true" point guardiness or use the acronym "NaPG" then I'll probably want to punch you in the neck.

My point is this: Maybe the question shouldn't be "Is Tyreke Evans a 'true' point guard?" Maybe it should be "Is <insert name of "true" PG> like Tyreke Evans?"

How much I love this game (and want to see Tyreke Evans live): making 3 1/2 hr drive to Sacramento...

vfettke — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:50:52 -0000

How much I love this game (and want to see Tyreke Evans live): making 3 1/2 hr drive to Sacramento to see Kings-Knicks Thanksgiving Eve.

Ric Bucher's Twitter

Not expecting the Okafor-Thomas discussions to go anywhere. Sounds like more Kings-Hornets ideas...

vfettke — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:25:23 -0000

Not expecting the Okafor-Thomas discussions to go anywhere. Sounds like more Kings-Hornets ideas thrown around beyond that one.

Sam Amick's Twitter

Ball Don't Lie's Sacramento King's Preview

vfettke — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:14:37 -0000

Ball Don't Lie's Sacramento King's Preview

I'm mostly posting this because it's Kings related. As I read through it I'm finding a few inaccuracies. Dwyer says we're over the salaray cap even though we're not. He also thinks Kevin phoned it in last year despite a constant nagging injury.

Then he goes on to predict a record of 12-70 for us

3 Points, Tracy McGrady's documentary on Darfur

vfettke — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:14:40 -0000

3 Points, Tracy McGrady's documentary on Darfur

Check out Donte Greene and Tyreke Evans in Gunnin' For That #1 Spot

vfettke — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:43:33 -0000

Check out Donte Greene and Tyreke Evans in Gunnin' For That #1 Spot

Check out this basketball documentary by Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys about 8 high school basketball players competing in the Elite 24 Tournament a few years ago. Starring our very own Donte Greene and Tyreke Evans. And its free to watch on Hulu.

Video Q&A with Stephen Curry

vfettke — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:48:38 -0000

Video Q&A with Stephen Curry

I've loved this kid since last year. Tell me it wouldn't be exciting to see him and Kevin Martin go off for a combined 50 points a night.

Just finish working out with ref... bout 2 lift wit spence and jt.... ya boi 240 now..gotta keep da...

vfettke — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:54:29 -0000

Just finish working out with ref... bout 2 lift wit spence and jt.... ya boi 240 now..gotta keep da weight up

Donte Greene's Twitter