| Lottery Summit: Sacramento Kings Authored by Andrew Perna & The RGM Kings Forum - May 18, 2008 - 5:31 pm
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The Sacramento Kings:
2007-08 Record: 38-44
Difference From 2006-07: 5 More Wins
Chance Of Landing #1 Pick: 0.7%
Restricted Free Agents: None
Unrestricted Free Agents: Ron Artest (ETO), Kenny Thomas (ETO), Beno Udrih, Anthony Johnson, Lorenzen Wright
The Verdicts
1. What could the team have done different to make the playoffs?
Smills91: The main thing the Kings could have done to make the playoffs was stay healthy. Between Mike Bibby, Ron Artest, Kevin Martin and Brad Miller missing 100+ games, it was virtually impossible to make the playoffs in the stacked Western Conference.
a-rod: Our road record and health issues prevented us from making the playoffs.
UKF: The injuries hurt this team a lot, but with the talent that they have I don't believe this team could have made the playoffs in the very talented West.
2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Smills91: The Kings' biggest strength was their ability to get to the foul line and convert their free throws nearly eighty percent of the time. This kept the Kings in many games.
a-rod: A great home record, scoring and outside shooting, drawing a lots of fouls and making their free throws.
UKF: The Kings did a good job of getting to the free-throw line and when they did get to the line, they were very successful.
3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Smills91: Beno Udrih. I mean did anyone see him being as productive a player as he was all season long? He consistently gave us 13/6 off of a minimum contract after being cut midseason.
a-rod: Salmons, Miller and Udrih.
UKF: There were a few guys that surprised me, but overall I would say that I was most surprised with Miller. I thought his career was coming to an end, but he rebounded better than he ever has for the Kings, and still did the things he did in past years.
4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Smills91: Mikki Moore. After receiving a three-year, $17 million deal, could the guy grow a couple of hands? I don't know how many easy points the Kings missed due to the inability of Moore to catch a pass near the basket.
a-rod: Kenny Thomas and Quincy Douby.
UKF: Thomas, but honestly I’m not too surprised.
5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Smills91: I am very confident in the front office. Geoff Petrie is one of the best GM's in the league and he always grabs a talented player, who'll stick in the league, through the draft. With the twelfth pick, I think we'll add another starting caliber point guard or power forward to add to our very talented young core of Kevin Martin, Spencer Hawes, Francisco Garcia and Udrih (re-signed).
a-rod: Very confident. Geoff has track record of being very consistent.
UKF: Very confident. Geoff is the guy I want making the decisions for my team and luckily for the Kings, he has that power.
6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Smills91: The Kings need the most help at the four and one. Since no one is under contract at the point, I anticipate Petrie taking a point guard in the draft, unless someone far more talented slips to twelfth slot.
a-rod: Rebounding, interior defense and a pure point guard.
UKF: This team desperately needs a defensive presence down low and a guy that can grab rebounds.
7. Assuming the lottery plays out true, who would you like your team to select?
Smills91: Russell Westbrook looks like the best available point guard at number twelve. Kevin Love or Marreese Speights may be the best potential power forwards available when we pick.
a-rod: Darrell Arthur, DeAndre Jordan, Love or D.J. Augustin.
UKF: I would be happy if we could get Augustin, Arthur or Westbrook. There are a few other guys that I wouldn’t have a problem with, but those three are highest on my wish list.
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Andrew Perna is a Senior Writer for RealGM. If you’re a fan of one of the many teams that we have yet to feature, surf over to our forums and weigh in on what is happening within the organization. If you’d like to contact Andrew, shoot him an e-mail at Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
