[TheWizardParticipant]

Talking to a kings assistant, I learned today that Hassan Whiteside’s veteran mentor is Samuel Dalembert. I really feel like this is the best possible situation he could have landed ot improve his game while not being overwhelmed with the expectations of being a 1st round pick. While being a block shotblocking specialist himself, Hassan has been placed as a student of one of the best shotblocking bigs of the past decade.

Also, Hassan is now 250 after working out all summer with the king’s trainer. How much of an impact do you think Hassan Whiteside will make this year as a king, and how do you think mentors can help young player’s games.

[llperez]

i dont think well see much of whiteside expect when the kings are down big from time to time. Hes gonna take a year to get nba ready. I do really like his upside a lot and think the kings got a steal.

As for mentors, yes its important for rookies. BUt i think it has to kinda come naturally. The vet and the rookie have to just click and form a bond. You just tell some rookie hey that guy plays the same position as you so he’s your mentor and the rookie will only listen to him so much and benefit so much.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

I think Hassan could come right in and block shots from the gate but he is going to have to learn how not to foul and where to be on defense. Um…after watching Sammy his whole career I’m telling you right now that they are 2 things he still don’t know how to do.

But Sammy will be a great off court mentor, he is a very intelligent person and a pleasure to talk too.  He also must have one of the best diets of any big man in the league because the guy is in incredible shape and hasn’t missed a game in 4 years.  This will truly be a good thing for Hassan.

[TheWizardParticipant]

Dalembert has definitely suprised me with having such a great sense of humor. Watching an interview of Greene, JT, Dalembert, Pooh, and Cuz, it seemed like they were a family of brothers. Dalembert(the haitian sensation) was giving everyone nicknames, cousins sang a song, and pooh jeter said "i am going to bring some Blackness to this team." lolz

I love how this team is jelling so well. It is amazing since 4 out of those 5 players are going to be fighting for minutes on the court.

[JoeWolf1]

 I think he will be brought along slowly, but still be a legit shot blocker off the bench.  My prediction is          14 mpg  4.1 ppg 3.2 rpg 1.25 bpg, but I’d expect low fg and ft % 43% fg  59% ft. I think he’ll also have a handfull of DNP- Coach’s Decision

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 I love the Kings lineup I just wish they didn’t have Landy or Thompson they have one big too many.  They should try and pawn off Landy for another wing or back court help.  

Who would you rather see traded as a Kings fan Landry or Thompson?

I think Thompson has too much size, athleticism, and skill to trade.  He could be a rock solid starting  Power Forward on most teams and think he would fit perfectly with Indiana. Maybe Landry for Dunleavy?

Donte Green has a bright future I’m just not so sure if it’s as a starter or a scorer off the bench anymore. Omri Casspri same thing.  Beno Udrih is super efficient but he’s as good as he’s getting and doesn’t have any room for growth really.  

The Kings really need some deadlier outside shooters to keep the floor spaced for Cousins and Evans.  I thought Green would be that guy and he may be but he still needs to develop more consistency.  

And Sammy D is one of a kind and he is an absolute joy to watch playing basketball.  He is going to frustrate you tho too.  Be preprared for him getting the ball in the post and trying to do too much.  He thinks too much with the ball in his hands.  But when he’s patrolling the lane you get the feeling that nobody can score in there because he will punt everything back.  And he’s as good a finisher as there is.

[Champzilla21Participant]

 Why the low FG percentage? If Whiteside is going to shoot its most likely going to be around the basket and i know he has really no post moves he still will be a great finisher with the added bulk and his athleticism

[JoeWolf1]

 If you watched Whiteside last year he is kind of set on being a perimeter shooter and has a lot of bad habits for a relitively un polished post player.  He shot a lot of turn around jumpers and shots outside of his range last year.  I realize he’ll be working with pro coaches and his role on the team will be different, but I feel those old habits won’t go completely away and he’s not going to make as many against NBA competition as opposed to C-USA defenders.

[Jlv2010]

the two towers of sacramento.

[aarondsonixfanParticipant]

I think that he’ll see some playing time in the NBA, and some time in the D-League. I think he’ll play around 40 games in the League, and the rest will be in the D-League, where he will get a ton of playing time and probably average around 3 blocks a game. His future is pretty bright, especially with him having Dalembert as his mentor, but as of now, he will not play a lot imo.

[JNixonParticipant]

Whiteside and Dalembert. That would be a weird, weird conversation. Battle of the brains (sarcasm).

Whiteside’s impact will be the fact that he blocks shots, and that’s it for next season. I think he’ll get 4 ppg, 3 rpg, and a block as well JoeWolf. He reminds me of Samuel Dalembert though, so it is good that he has Dalembert as a guy who can assist his development. It’s also promising that Whiteside has gotten bigger, hopefully it’s muscle weight though.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

DeMarcus Cousins and Hassan Whiteside sort of remind me of Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler when they were both drafted to the Bulls. Let’s hope they turn out better and live up to their potential.

[Author]

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