passing on Monk = proof that Vivek isn't meddling?

#1
It is very hard for me to imagine Vivek passing up an electric young gunner no matter how many he already has on the roster. Fox + Monk would have been oh so sexy.

I know it's a leap but I see this as evidence that Vlade & his staff are really free from Vivek's goofball meddling (Stauskas? Stauskas?? what about Stauskas??? I say Stauskas... STAUSKAS!!).

I admit I actually was gonna be excited if we DID grab the whole KY backcourt but passing on it is pure discipline and planning.

My hat is off to you Vivek for learning as you go. Stay this course with Vladfather!
 
#4
I honestly would have loved having Malik Monk, but it just wasn't a good fit since the Kings have so many 2-guards and they already drafted a PG in Fox (if they wanted to convert to a PG).

I see Monk being a cross between J.R. Smith and Jamal Crawford, albeit a bit shorter version. If he can be developed into a reliable ball handler and distributor -- look out!

All that said, I do agree that passing on him doesn't necessarily mean that Vivek is completely out of the picture because of reasons already stated.
 
#7
Justin Jackson is not a bad pick - he is going to fill the role of shooter along with Hield. He should get alot of minutes and probably start immediately. Will he be a better player than Monk? I doubt it, but the Kings sorely Jackson's positional play, so its not a bad trade-off. They are completely gambling with Giles. I wasn't too enamored with his lack of mobility, but who knows.....at the very least the move was a calculated risk and more practical.

If Justin Jackson can contribute in the mid-to-high teens as a scoring average within a year or 2, mission accomplished. Clearly the Kings wanted another outlet target for Fox. Some fans are saying the Kings will regress back, but if the existing crowd mixes well with rookies, there is hope they can have a good rebuild-rookie season this season - probably not the playoffs but at least scrappy. There is no reason to restrict the bench for Jaeger....there ought to be plentiful minutes for all young guys to give them their chances.

Fox/Lawson/Mason
Hield/Richardson/Bogdan/(McClemore?)
Jackson/Temple
Cauley-Stein/Labissiere
Koufos/ Papagiannis

If you look at the above supposed lineup and roster, you could probably make a case the Kings could (and should) play most 12 players - at the very least in the Pre-Season, and if not, 10-11 player rotation at minimum. I would put most players through the paces.
 

Kingster

Hall of Famer
#10
I don't get any indication that Vivek has been meddling in the draft decision making process, either this year or last year. I doubt that Vivek would have been interested in trading down for Papa last year, and I doubt that he'd be interested in Giles this year.
 
#11
I like Malik Monk offense until I see his weakness. His weakness is his driving ability and avoiding contact or inability to absorb contact and finish. Also he doesn't defend well. He's like JR Smith.