| Kings Make Right Choice In Evans Authored by Bryant West - June 30, 2009 - 8:07 pm
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The attention Sacramento did receive focused mainly on who the Kings didn't pick, rather than who they did.
Fans and experts alike disapproved of the team's decision to pass over Ricky Rubio, the 18-year old Spanish point guard. For a team in desperate need of a point guard selecting Evans, highly thought of as a score-first shooting guard with moderate passing skills, seemed by many to be a mistake.
Still, Evans is now a King and Rubio a member Timberwolves. The two have been set up for a future of comparisons, but in the end, Evans was the smarter pick, the higher potential pick, and the one who can help resurrect this struggling franchise.
General Manager Geoff Petrie has his faults, but if there is one area he has excelled in, it's drafting. He has an exceptional history and has made strong selections with all of his first round picks not named Quincy Douby.
Given his history, the last thing that should be surprising to fans is that he's made a surprising pick. Peja Stojakovic was a head-scratcher when selected in the 1996 draft, but was fourth in 2004 MVP voting. Last year no one expected Jason Thompson at the #12 pick, but Thompson ended up one of the season's top rookies. If there is one thing that Petrie has completely proven himself in, it's judging young talent and making the right selection.
Many are quick to pass Evans off as a shooting guard that can eventually transition to the point. Certainly, point guard skills are one of the concerns surrounding Evans, but it's obvious that he has potential. He played point guard most of his freshman season with Memphis, averaging 17.1 points and 3.9 assists –- but more telling, the Tigers went 27-1 when Evans played the point.
Point guard skills (or lack there of, depending on who you ask) aside, Evans was one of the most coveted players in the draft. He dominated during individual workouts, so much so that one report claimed no one wanted to face him. Scouts praised his athleticism, toughness and ability to go to the basket. Some even called him the second most intriguing prospect behind Oklahoma's Blake Griffin.
Potential aside, Petrie would not have taken Evans if he wasn't convinced the youngster could translate over to point guard. He knows newly hired head coach Paul Westphal needs his point guard and floor leader now, and with a logjam of players at the shooting guard and small forward spots, Petrie wouldn't have taken Evans unless he planned for him to play point.
If Evans can't play the point, it would leave the ball in the hands of disappointing Beno Udrih or newly acquired Sergio Rodriguez –- Petrie wouldn't have taken Evans unless he felt he'd fit.
Chad Ford said in his Draft Grades that the Kings chose Evans over Rubio because Rubio was a greater risk. While this is certainly true in some sense, Evans in a way poses a much greater risk for owners Joe and Gavin Maloof -- and the fact that the owners apparently supported the selection of Evans shows they bought into his potential as well.
The Maloofs are businessmen first. Over the history of the franchise, they have forced trades to help lighten the teams wallet –- trading Chris Webber to Philadelphia, trading Mike Bibby to Atlanta, and last season's Chicago trade with John Salmons and Brad Miller.
The Rubio pick would have been much better for Joe and Gavin. Sacramento has, over the past few years, seen a drop in attendance and the threat of a possible relocation still hangs over Arco Arena. Rubio was the fan's pick in Sacramento and has obtained an international name -– picking Rubio would would fill seats and bring attention back to the Kings.
Instead the Maloofs' agreed with Petrie and took Evans, who unlike Rubio, won't fill seats with his name alone. Evans is the riskier pick, if only because he won't bring back the fans –- unless, of course, the team starts winning. Gavin and Joe's support signifies that they also believe Evans is that kind of player -– the missing piece that is talented enough and shows enough potential to put them back on the winning track.
The Evans' pick is more risky for Sacramento. The fact that Petrie and the Maloofs passed over the flashy fan-favorite means Evans convinced both that he can be special. Give Evans the ball, let him work with his new team and coach, and wait –- wait for Evans to win over the doubters.
Petrie and his staff have dealt with draft doubters before, but not on this scale. He passed on Rubio, forgoing the flash and style for the grit and high-flying skills of Evans.
In a time when the team desperately needs to fill the seats, the team passed over the sensation of Rubio and instead took Evans. If Rubio outperforms Evans, the Kings will have sacrificed both talent and national attention.
But the Kings picked Evans, passing over an European sensation who seemed, on paper, to fit the team's needs perfectly.
If that isn't an indication of how highly they covet Evans, nothing is. |
