[Game] Kings @ Nuggets - 1/3/17 - 6PT/9ET
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Sean Cunningham @SeanCunningham 3h3 hours ago
While Rudy Gay will not play in Denver tonight for Sacramento, Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson have been upgraded to probable.
While Rudy Gay will not play in Denver tonight for Sacramento, Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson have been upgraded to probable.
WCS had some red flags, but he was still a highly touted prospect pre draft.
With his athleticism, size and skill set, he was looking like a perfect frontcourt partner to Cuz, as well as fitting the prototype of a modern NBA big (defend, hustle, play off of guards).
It may have been a smoke screen, but there was talk that PJ wanted him, which would have left us with Porzingis (Vlade's rumored first choice).
So. .... hard to knock Vlade for that draft. It made sense at the time. I wouldn't have minded getting one of the SF options (Winslow or Johnson), but at the time Vlade was probably still hoping Rudy would work out.
Now, if you want to bash Vlade for drafting Papa this past summer? I'll have a much harder time defending THAT choice.
With his athleticism, size and skill set, he was looking like a perfect frontcourt partner to Cuz, as well as fitting the prototype of a modern NBA big (defend, hustle, play off of guards).
It may have been a smoke screen, but there was talk that PJ wanted him, which would have left us with Porzingis (Vlade's rumored first choice).
So. .... hard to knock Vlade for that draft. It made sense at the time. I wouldn't have minded getting one of the SF options (Winslow or Johnson), but at the time Vlade was probably still hoping Rudy would work out.
Now, if you want to bash Vlade for drafting Papa this past summer? I'll have a much harder time defending THAT choice.
Ah, the difference an emoji can make. 
These danged whippersnappers using their mobile phones and apps co-opting an already-created concept (faces representing emotions and actions)... grumble grumble grumble....
I was vehemently opposed to Willie before the draft, with Mudiay, Myles Turner, Justice and Johnson all on my board ahead of him. I started to be somewhat hopeful post-draft once I reviewed his Chicago pre-draft numbers and listened to interviews and he came across as a thoughtful intelligent guy.
But the warning signs at Kentucky were undeniable. Stagnant production over three years and propensity to disappear in key moments. He was invisible in the final game of his career. He deferred to KAT and was too cool for school. He was a non-assertive entity too often, and we are seeing that now.
In retrospect and at the time, picking him was the safe pick, because he had the pedigree from the top school and the team was in desperate need of defensive-minded player. But when you are drafting at #6, you need to go for the star. Willie did not show or project star potential. Unless there is a dramatic and an unexpected change related to strength, aggressiveness, confidence, shot blocking, rebounding and scoring prowess, drafting Willie was a mistake.
It may be better to cut our losses now instead of hoping for a miracle.
But the warning signs at Kentucky were undeniable. Stagnant production over three years and propensity to disappear in key moments. He was invisible in the final game of his career. He deferred to KAT and was too cool for school. He was a non-assertive entity too often, and we are seeing that now.
In retrospect and at the time, picking him was the safe pick, because he had the pedigree from the top school and the team was in desperate need of defensive-minded player. But when you are drafting at #6, you need to go for the star. Willie did not show or project star potential. Unless there is a dramatic and an unexpected change related to strength, aggressiveness, confidence, shot blocking, rebounding and scoring prowess, drafting Willie was a mistake.
It may be better to cut our losses now instead of hoping for a miracle.
When you start two lumbering C's and the rest of the league(roughly) plays mobile stretch 4's you lose defensive balance too easily. To compound it we dont even take advantage of our size. Koufos isnt good enough to take advantage of guys down low and Cousins (dont know if by design) floats on the perimeter a ton.
