Month: June 2017

Sac Kings Podcast: Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star talks lottery pick Lauri Markkanen

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

Pascoe

Bruce Pascoe is a Senior Sports Reporter for the Arizona Daily Star/Tucson.com. In that capacity, he had the opportunity to get up close and personal with Arizona Wildcat Lauri Markkanen who is projected to be a top 10 NBA Lottery pick.

Markkanen card

Many of the Mock Drafts have the big Finnish power forward going the Sacramento Kings with their number 10 pick in the draft. Since the big seven-footer from Finland could be one of the next members of the rebuilding Kings, we thought you would like to know more about him.

Bruce and I talk about:

  • His character
  • How Markkanen has adjusted to life in the USA
  • How involved his family is in his career
  • His strengths and weaknesses on offense
  • Markkanen’s defense
  • His ability to handle adversity
  • and more

Bruce has covered the Arizona program for years and has a real some insights that I am sure you will enjoy. It will be 15 minutes well spent.

I also got Bruce to comment on the rumors that Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller might be interested in the vacant head coaching job at Ohio State where he was once an assistant coach.

Hope you enjoy the show.

 

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: All things considered the A’s had a decent homestand with the Nats and Jays

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Oakland Athletics’ Trevor Plouffe hits a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

On the A’s Podcast with Jerry: The A’s really played well in this series against the Toronto Blue Jays with two wins to start the series and a third game that saw neither team budging after the A’s tied up the game at 4-4 in the last of the fifth inning. On Sunday they concluded a series with the Washington Nationals and making a valiant comeback in the bottom of the ninth with six runs scored the most runs scored by an A’s team since 1952.

Sonny Gray started that game on Friday and the A’s got him off the hook in the sixth inning and the Nats came in in first place in the NL East and their one of the best teams in the NL. The Nats had that lead in the Sunday’s game 11-4 but the A’s scored six runs in the ninth to cut Washington’s lead to one run and narrowly lost the game 11-10.

There’s more on the A’s podcast with Jerry below at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

Durant and Warriors one win away from title

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Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) passes around Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Cleveland, Wednesday, June 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

CLEVELAND, OH — Kevin Durant’s 31 points, including a clutch 3-pointer with 45.3 left in the fourth quarter propelled the Golden State Warriors to within 48 minutes of their second title in three years with a 118-113 win in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Durant signed with Golden State last summer after nine seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder for an opportunity to finally capture that elusive championship ring that he so desperately seeks.

Trailing by six with 2:45 left in the fourth quarter, Golden State closed out the game on a 11-0 run with Durant scoring 14 points in the final quarter. Golden State tightened up the defense during that stretch, holding Cleveland to 0-for-8 from the floor.

When you combine the 16-1 finish to the regular season, and the NBA-record 15 straight postseason victories (including tonight’s come-from-behind victory), Golden State is 30-1 in their last 31 games. Golden State owns the longest postseason winning streak among the four major professional sports.

That sounds great and all, but that is not the ultimate prize that the Warriors are playing for with a commanding 3-0 lead in hand over the Cavaliers in the best-of-7 NBA Finals.

If the Warriors can close out the series in Friday night’s Game 4, Golden State will become the only team in NBA history to finish the postseason unblemished at 16-0 and denying Cleveland their second-straight championship. Cleveland engineered the greatest comeback in NBA Finals’ history when they stormed back last year and won the title from Golden State after the Warriors claimed a 3-1 lead.

The Warriors haven’t forgotten that sickening feeling of seeing Cleveland celebrating on Golden State’s home floor in Game 7 last year. Cleveland denied Golden State (who also won an NBA-record 73 games) the opportunity of winning back-to-back titles after Golden State won the 2015 NBA Championship over the Cavaliers in six games.

Now, Golden State is looking to return the favor and drive a stake through the Cavaliers’ heart by potentially sweeping them this year. No team has ever come back to win the NBA Finals when trailing 3-0.

Durant finished 10-for-18 from the floor, to go along with 4-for-7 on 3s, and joined Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal as the only players in league history to average 25-plus points per game in their first eight games in the Finals according to ESPN Stats and Information.

Klay Thompson scored 21 of his 30 points in the first half and Stephen Curry finished with 24 for Golden State. Curry finished with six assists, and had 13 of the team’s 44 rebounds out-rebounding Cleveland (37) in the process.

Golden State knocked down a Finals’ record nine 3-pointers in the first quarter. After making a Finals’ record 18-of-43 3-pointers in Game 2, Golden State remained hot on 3s going 16-for-33 in Game 3. Thompson made a team-high six 3s.

Golden State shot 48-percent (40-for-83) from the floor on the night.

Ditto from the free throw line.

As in Game 2 when the Warriors shot 22-for-24  from the free throw line, Golden State hit the replay button and shot 22-for-24 in Game 3.

Cleveland finds themselves on the brink of a sweep after giving Golden State their best punch of the series in Game 3.

LeBron James, who is averaging a triple-double so far in the series, nearly had another triple-double with 39 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. James tied his personal best for points in a Finals half with 27 points, while Kyrie Irving resurfaced his game, scoring 16 of his 38 points in the third quarter.

James and Irving left everything on the court in Game 4 for Cleveland, combining to shoot 31-for-56 from the floor and helped Cleveland out-score Golden State 33-22 in the third quarter, but it still wasn’t enough for a Cavaliers team that shot a 44-percent from the field (40-for-90).

J.R. Smith added 16 points after scoring just three points total in the first two games of the series, while Kevin Love struggled in Game 3 mustering just nine points on 1-for-9 shooting.

Cleveland was an iceberg from the 3-point line, shooting a dismal 12-for-44 (27-percent) on 3s, and allowed Golden State to rack up 29 assists to Cleveland’s 17.

After winning the first two games of the series by a combined 41 points and not yielding a second half lead until Cleveland took a 71-69 in the third quarter, Golden State needed all 48 minutes to outlast Cleveland Wednesday night.

 

 

 

 

San Francisco Giants Wed game wrap: Giants keep spiraling downhill; Blach gives up five runs to winning Brewers 6-3

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Milwaukee Brewers’ Jonathan Villar celebrates his home run in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey during the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

By Jeremy Harness

 The Giants can’t seem to get out of their own way this year, and it has continued to show its ugly head time and time again.

 The latest installment of all that is wrong with this former perennial National League contender was Wednesday night, as the Milwaukee Brewers tagged with a 6-3 loss at Miller Park.

 The Giants have now lost seven of their last nine games overall, and they currently share the NL West bottom spot with the lowly San Diego Padres, as they sport a le4ss-than-stellar 24-37 record.

 Starter Ty Blach (4-3) did not have a very good outing at all. Although he did not walk anyone and struck out three, he gave up five runs on nine hits, and he only pitched six innings to do it.

 The setback snapped Blach’s four-start win streak, which started May 16 and saw him throw at least seven innings in each start. In fact, Blach was coming off his best start of the year, as he threw a complete-game, seven-hit shutout in a 10-0 win at Philadelphia five days ago.

 Meanwhile, Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson (4-3) also went six innings, but he surrendered three runs on seven hits, walking only one and striking out six in the process.

 After Milwaukee jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to a homer by Domingo Santana, the Giants responded with a three-run third inning that was highlighted by Buster Posey’s two-run homer, which game the Giants a 3-1 lead.

 The Brewers used a two-run fourth inning to tie the game, and Milwaukee utilized extra-base hits in innings five through seven to grab the lead for good.

 The Giants and Brewers, who are currently 32-28 and are at the top of the National League Central at this point, will play the final game of this four-game series tomorrow afternoon, as the Giants hope to earn a split, as they took Monday’s opener before losing the next two.

 

Warriors snatch Victory from the jaws of defeat 118-113; It could be all over in game five

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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) battle for a loose ball during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Cleveland, Wednesday, June 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

by Jerry Feitelberg

Cleveland- The Warriors, leading 2 games to none in the NBA Finals, knowing that Game three of the best-of-seven series was going to be a dogfight, had their work cut out for them. They knew that they lost game three last year, also in Cleveland. They entered the game with a lot of determination to not let that happen again. Last year Cleveland rallied from a 3-1 deficit to stun the Dubs and win the championship. With all of this on their collective mind, the Dubs outscored the Cavs 39-32 in the first quarter. They were hoping to get the jump on the Cavs and stun them. The Cavs, behind the play of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, kept the game close and did not let the Dubs sprint to a big half-time leads. The Cavs won the second quarter 29-28 and trailed by six 67-61 after 24 minutes of play.

In the third quarter, the Cavs took it to the Dubs. The Warriors usually own the third quarter but not on Wednesday night. Kyrie Irving was a force as was LeBron James  The Cavs outscored the Dubs by eleven 33-22 and led 94-89 at the end of the period. The Warriors tried to close the gap, but the Cavs seemed to have an answer for all the challenges. The Warriors’ ace defensive player, Draymond Green, picked up his fourth personal foul early in the quarter and had to leave the game.

The Cavs continued to play well, and the Warriors were not able to stop them on defense. Draymond came back into the game and picked up his fifth personal. One more and he would have to leave the game for good. Draymond did not foul out and he along with Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Steph Curry was able to stop the Cavs’ offense in the last three minutes of the game. The crowd was roaring as the Cavaliers answered every Golden State challenge. If the Dubs made a 3-pointer, Cleveland answered with a three-pointer. The Cavs led 113-107 with less than three minutes to play in the game. Kevin Durant and the Dubs shut the Cleveland offense down and went on an 11-0 run to finish the game and win 118-113 to take a 3-0 lead over Cleveland in the Finals. The Dubs are one game away from their second championship in three years. Keep in mind, no NBA team has ever come back to win the crown after trailing 3-0. The Warriors, however, know that Cleveland came back from a 3-1 deficit last year to win. The Warriors will not lose focus when they meet Friday night in Game Four.

Game Notes and stats- The Warriors extended their winning streak to 15-0 in the finals. If they win on Friday, they will be the first team to go undefeated in the playoffs. Another interesting fact is that the Dubs have won 30 of the last 31 games that they have played.

The Dubs’ big three of Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant all had big games. Klay, who had been in a shooting slump until last Sunday’s game, tallied 30 points. He had 6 rebounds and had to guard Kyrie Irving. As mentioned earlier, Irving was a force as he scored 38 in a losing cause. Klay did his best to contain him, but Irving plays better in Cleveland and averages 10 points per game more when he is on his home court. Kevin Durant ended the game with 31 points, 4 assists, 8 rebounds, and one blocked shot. Durant had 16 in the first half but was shut out for most of the third period. KD Got it going in the fourth quarter, and his three-point shot late in the game put the Dubs ahead for the first time since early in the third period. Curry had a double-double. Steph kicked in with 26 points, 6 assists, and 13 big rebounds. Draymond Green had 8 points, 7 assists, 8 rebounds and he, too, blocked a shot. The Warriors’ bench Led by Andre Iguodala, David West, and Shaun Livingston pitched in with seven, seven, and six respectively.

LeBron James led the Cavs almost had a triple-double. He scored 39 points, with 9 assists, and 11 boards. Kyrie Irving followed with 38. J.R.Smith, who had been ineffective, the first two games of the series, woke up and made five 3-pointers and ended the night with 16 points. Kevin Love had nine points and 13 rebounds. Tristan Thompson was held scoreless, and he has just 8 points in the first three games. He had just three rebounds. Kyle Korver pitched in with 8. The Cavaliers bench as a whole scored just 11 points. The Warriors depth was on display in game three.

The Warriors and Cavs meet Friday night again at the Quicken Arena in Cleveland. Game time is at 6 pm. Fans should watch this game as the Dubs have a chance to make NBA history with a win.

Blue Jays slam four home runs to down the A’s in ten innings 7-5

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Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Ryan Goins, from left, celebrates with first baseman Justin Smoak (14) and Josh Donaldson after a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 7, 2017. The Blue Jays won 7-5 in ten innings. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

by Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND– The Toronto Blue Jays hit four home runs Wednesday afternoon as they salvaged a win by beating the A’s 7-5 in ten innings. The A’s starter, Jharel Cotton, did not have a bad afternoon. He did, however, have one bad inning. The Jays scored four times in the second inning to take a 4-1 lead.Cotton settled down and did not allow a hit over the next four innings. The A’s came to his rescue as the were able to score single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings to tie the game. Toronto’s starter, Francisco Liriano left after the fifth inning.

Neither pitcher figured in the decision. Both bullpens were also very effective. John Axford and Liam Hendriks did not allow a hit in three innings of work. The Toronto bullpen did not allow the A’s a hit after the fifth. Then came the fateful tenth inning. A’s manager Bob Melvin brought in Frankie Montas to pitch. Montas had a terrible outing Sunday against the Washington Nationals and was hoping to redeem himself with a good outing.

That did not happen. Things went south immediately when he hit Kevin Pillar with a pitch to put the leadoff man on first with no out. The next hitter, former A’s third baseman Josh Donaldson, took Montas deep to give Toronto a 6-4 lead. Montas gave up another homer to Justin Smoak. It was Smoak’s second home run of the game, and the Jays led 7-4. Montas was finished, and he may be heading for Triple-A as he has not been doing the job. The A’s tallied a run in the bottom of the tenth, Rajai Davis doubled with two out and scored on a Matt Joyce single to make it 7-5. Toronto closer Roberto Osuna struck out Jed Lowrie to end the gameThe A’s took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Rajai Davis doubled over Kevin Pillar’s head in center field. With two out, Khris Davis, serving as the designated hitter, doubled to left to drive in Rajai.

The A’s took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Rajai Davis doubled over Kevin Pillar’s head in center field. With two out, Khris Davis, serving as the designated hitter, doubled to left to drive in Rajai.

The lead didn’t last long as the Blue Jays plated four runs in the second inning. Justin Smoak smoked (pun intended0 his sixteenth homer of the run to tie the game. Former Athletic Chris Coghlan reached as did Ryan Goins to put two men on. Kevin Pillar blasted his eighth of the year to give Toronto a 4-1 lead.  The A’s tallied a run in the bottom of the third. Rajai Davis singled to lead off the inning. He went to second on an error by Troy Tulowitzki. Jed Lowrie hit into a fielder’s choice and  Davis advanced to third. Davis scored when Khris Davis also hit into a fielder’s choice. The A’s trail 4-2 after three complete.

In the bottom of the fourth, Trevor Plouffe, mired in a 0-for-25 slump, blasted a solo home run about six rows deep in the left-field bleachers. The A’s tied the game in the fifth. Rajai Davis led off the inning with a triple to left. the Jays’ left-fielder, Chris Coghlan had trouble finding the ball and it looked for a moment that Rajai was going to try for n inside-the-park home run. He was running full at full speed but A’s third base coach wisely held him up at third. It was Rajai’s third hit of the game. So far, he has a single, double, and triple. He needs a home run to complete the cycle. The score is 4-4 after five innings of play.

There was no more scoring until the tenth innings. The Jays outscored the A’s 3-1 in the inning to win the game.

Game Notes- With the loss, the A’s fall to 25-33 and after the game they are flying to Tampa to face the Rays for a four-game series starting Friday night. Saturday will feature a rare double-header and then the A’s finish on Sunday before heading to Miami for two more games with the Marlins.

Rajai Davis had his first four-hit game of the year. Davis had two doubles, a single, and a triple. He scored three times. Trevor Plouffe snapped a 0-for-25 slump with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Montas took the loss and is now 1-1.

Toronto slammed four homers in the game. Two were off Cotton, and two were off Montas. Justin Smoak, who is having a career-year, had to dingers and has seventeen so far this season.

Andrew Triggs pitched for Oakland Friday night, and he will be opposed by the Rays’ Alex Cobb. Sonny Gray and Sean Manaea will pitch Saturday. The Rays have not announced who will start for them.

Time of game was three hours and twenty minutes and a crowd of 15,076 watched the A’s fail to sweep the Jays.

 

 

 

 

 

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News, & Commentary: Warriors stealing the spotlight from the Giants

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AP file Photo: San Francisco Giants president and CEO Larry Baer speaks to reporters after a news conference in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

SAN FRANCISCO–This time last year the San Francisco Giants were the best team in baseball, but soon in the second half they would hit the skids and became the worst team in baseball from July to September. This season the Giants are a bad team. Bad as in the old days, not “bad”like so good that it is ridiculous. Because that “bad”as in so good that is ridiculous now belongs to the Golden State Warriors, trying to sweep the Cleveland Cavaliers and win their second NBA title in the last three seasons. Reminds you of the Giants just a few years ago?

This Warriors team with Kevin Durant is a better team than last season, when they went up also 2-0 games in the Finals and lost to Lebron James and the Cavs. The Giants still continue to sellout AT&T Park, over 500 consecutive games, because they had a streak of three World Series titles from 2010 to 2014 and fans (as they are) thought that was going to last forever, but the only thing that is a certainty is ‘death and taxes’, and even the mighty Giants are included there.

For the Warriors this is their moment, this is their time in history. They need to win this year and maybe win another title again with this bunch to be among the elite NBA teams in history.

Remember when Michael Jordan returned after retiring in 1993 to lead the Chicago Bulls to the NBA title for the fourth time in six years? That team is considered one of the best in NBA history. Jordan returned to a supporting cast of guys like Scotie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Steve Kerr (among others) now the coach of the Warriors. The Warriors have a window of opportunity with the current team to become one of the best teams ever in the NBA. I remember the Bulls very well, because during those years I was the Spanish radio announcer for all the Warriors games home and away with the ball club. Best player I ever saw was Michael Jordan. Some say that this season Kevin Durant is the best player in the NBA, even better than Lebron”All World”James. You can come to your own conclusion.In Cleveland Lebron is the best, here in the east bay, Durant with Curry a very close second.

For the Golden State Warriors this run during the years of the Lacob-Gruber ownership has been phenomenal. We can talk about everything this team this year has accomplished, but that will just be a topic of conversation unless they win the tittle again and they should.

The Warriors always, I repeat ‘always’ had great fans, didn’t matter where they played at the Cow Palace when they first moved here from Philadelphia, PA or the now very popular Oracle Arena, their home to until the move to San Francisco and their new facility, not far from AT&T and the Gigantes. Oracle Area with the Warriors in action has become Hollywood North, many Lear jets coming with show-business people to Oakland to see the Warriors play.

Just like the San Francisco Giants recruited a new generation of fans, winning their three World Series, the Warriors have recruited a new and young generation of fans here in the bay area, one of the most affluent places in the United States. Because one thing that unites all people in this country is winning.

1961-62 The Philadelphia Warriors was their last one in Philadelphia prior to relocating to San Francisco. Not too long from today they will return to San Francisco, their first stop here in the Golden State.

Good luck to the Warriors.

NBA Finals/Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Durant walks out of presser because of air conditioner; LeBron can’t wait at podium for presser walks out

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Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant speaks at a news conference after Game 2 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

On the NBA Finals/Golden State Warriors Podcast with Jerry (filling for David Zizmor):

During Tuesday’s presser in Cleveland as many of you know Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant got up and walked out because the air conditioner was blowing cold air on him so he got up and ended the presser. You never know what’s on the mind of the players mind and what’s going on with them Durant is pretty non committal. Maybe he got a question that irritated him and the air conditioner was an excellent excuse to bow out of the press conference.

Also during a press conference in Oakland during game two the Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James refused to come up to the podium because he had to wait. LeBron should have done the presser but for whatever reason he had didn’t do the interview and he was asked by ESPN radio a question while trying to leave and LeBron gave ESPN a smart aleck answer. You just never know what kind of answer your going to get from the players but ESPN for example was just trying to do their job.

That’s much more on the NBA Finals podcast with Jerry Feitelberg take a listen below. Dave Zizmor who normally does the NBA Finals podcast took the day off at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco Giants Podcast with Michael Duca: What’s the matter with Cain? ; One thing he’s getting touched up on the road

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San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey #28 talks with San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain #18 during the Major League Baseball game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI. John Fisher/CSM (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

1 The Giants dropped a three run game to the Brewers 5-2 another tough outing for Matt Cain ten hits, five runs in five innings

2 Are Cain’s bad outings related to mechanics, mental, or his arm giving him problems

3 How remarkable is Giants starter Jeff Samardzija it was noted in the modern era that Samardzija is the first pitcher to have at least 50 strikeouts over his last seven starts with just one walk he actually tallied 59 during that stretch

4 Madison Bumgarner has been throwing on a flat surface and is due to throw of the mound in a few weeks according to the Giants. Bumgarner when he feels better he will be entering rehab with the minor league Giants affilate Sacramento River Cats. After rehabbing he’s expected back in full form in July.

5 The Giants go with Ty Blach whose 4-2 and had a win in his last outing what’s your take in his last few outings

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Rumor: Kings have a Fox crush; willing to trade two #1 picks to move up in draft

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

fox

According to a report from Chad Ford of ESPN, the Sacramento Kings really see De’Aaron Fox of Kentucky as their point guard of the future. The Kings have been looking for a point guard they can build around since trading away Isaiah Thomas in 2014 (the Thomas trade was made by the previous basketball operations management).

Fox – a “one and done” star point guard – was a standout at Kentucky for John Calapari averaging 16.7 points per game and 4.6 assists per game. He is a 52-percent shooter from 2-point range but just a 25-percent shooter form 3-point land. To his credit, Fox’s 3-point shooting did improve considerably late in the season and during the NCAA Tournament.

Because of his talent and speed, Fox is most often compared to Kentucky basketball great John Wall now of the Washington Wizards. Who wouldn’t want the next John Wall on your team? However, how many championships has John Wall won? That would be none. He has helped lead his team into the playoffs but the goal is also a ring and a banner.

What is Fox worth?

fox detail

The real question is – how much is too much to give up for a player like Fox? Two number one draft picks is too much for a team like the Kings. They have so many needs and having two lottery picks in the most talented draft in decade is not a situation to be squandered. Sacramento needs depth and they have the chance to add young talent that they can have under team control for years to come.

There are two top rated point guards that will be available when the Kings select at number five if Fox is gone. Dennis Smith out of North Carolina State who averaged 18.1 ppg and 6.2 apg will almost certainly be there, and maybe the most intriguing player in the draft will also be there as well.

18-year old point guard Frank Ntilikina who plays in France and who is the “darling of Europe” will be available. Ntilikina is 6-foot-5 “pass first” point guard. He was the European junior player of the year. At just 18, Ntilikina is not considered NBA ready and he is seen as a high risk/high reward selection, but who doesn’t want a 6-foot-5 point guard?

In order to take one of these two point guards, the Kings might need to select them a little higher than they are currently ranked. There is no problem with that. Sometimes, you have to draft for need instead of just drafting the next best player available. That type of creative thinking would allow the Kings to keep both of their lottery picks.

Why are the Kings so concerned?

fox cal

The Kings are getting nervous because the Lakers are making noise about not taking Ball (would you want to deal with his father?), Philly really needs to think backcourt players, Phoenix has interest in Fox (why they would draft another guard would a mystery but they are the Suns).

The danger for the Kings is they are about to become the Chicago Bears of the NBA Draft. Every team would like to have two lottery picks and might be willing to entertain a deal. Sports professionals everywhere are laughing at the Bears because the 49ers snookered them out of an extra draft pick for nothing. The Kings need to be very careful not to make the very same mistake.

Who can the Kings get with the number 10 pick?

markkanen

The Kings are projected to have some very interesting possible selections at the number 10 spot. Arizona power forward Lauri Markkanen has been projected to be there. He has been labeled as a Ryan Anderson type player. Center/power forward Zach Collins from Gonzaga is seen as a 10 pick. The very talented small forward Justin Jackson from North Carolina could be there at number 10. If Rudy Gay opts out, the Kings will need someone at the three spot. Jonathan Issac out of Florida State is also a possibility.

On June 22, the Sacramento Kings have the opportunity to change the fortunes of the franchise for the next decade. The brain trust in the basketball operations department led by Vlade Divac cannot afford to take a swing and miss. They must hit a home run with both of their lottery draft selections on that franchise changing night.