[TheWizardParticipant]

Over the course of training camp during the first three days, Westphal has had to narrow down who would become the starting SF for the 10-11 season. SInce Westphal was heavily criticized about having an unstable starting lineup with one week Sean May starting, and the next month May not playing a minute as an example.

Both battling to claim the starting role, both players hit the gym to get stronger for the long season. The one question surrounding both of these young talents is their sporatic and streaky playing style.

Starting the summer off at 220, Donte Greene decided to bulk up even more over the offseason getting up to 250. Greene is said to have not lost any athletic abilities and is now more able to dictate his playing-style in the post. Beginning his NBA career, Greene began by showing off a terrible shot selection. However, improving by leaps and bounds this last year, Greene showed that he can be a terrorizer on the defensive end while getting some steals and by blocking shots.

On the other hand, Omri Casspi started the offesason at 205 and ended at 220. With being a great slasher and shooter for the kings while also showing amazing intensity on the defensive end, getting stronger will immensley improve his game. While getting ones’ body prepared for the season is a big part of being successful, Omri focused on the most important part of the game of basketball: game-time experience. By playing competitively and by being able to be a leader for the Israel national team, Omri feels that he has matured and his 3point shot is totally refined after slumping after the All-Star break.

Overall, Omri Casspi is starting to win over the coaching staff’s mind of making him the starter so far, but if Greene starts showing that he is more than just an aggressive scorer, he may start off the season with the nod. I would say that the odds are 70-30 in favor of Casspi to start.

[TRC1991Participant]

Dang, 6’11” 250 is a big small forward lol

[mj23mj23besteverParticipant]

greene could be a beast if he kept didnt lose any of his out standing athletich ability by bulking up that much

[doubledribblerParticipant]

It’s hard to bulk up a lot and keep your athleticism, but some guys have the frame that allows it to work. I know when I played I bulked up almost too much and lost some athleticism, but I ended up finding an ideal size that kept my athleticism as well. It seems crazy to a lot of people that basketball players that are not post players need to get stronger, but for guards and perimeter players that like to post up or draw a lot of contact it’s great. Guys like Wade, Lebron and Kobe at finishing just because they are athletic, but because when they get hit they can keep their momentum and follow through on their shot. This is part of what makes Allen Iverson such a wonder, but in reality as he got older he wasn’t really able to get to the basket the same way and he was always playing hurt.

[JoeWolf1]

 When I watched Casspi last year I didn’t really look at him and say, that his a future al-star, but I saw a lot of potential in his game and thought he could be a 15 and 6 type player in a couple years. I think it’s kind of a no brainer he is going to be their starter, he and Tyreke complimented each other very well last year, IMO, and he is a much smarter player than Greene.  

[Mr. JewboyParticipant]

 wow, it’s nice to see how much you guys like casspi. i live in israel and hear about him only from our israeli perspective, i had no clue you guys also like him and think this much of him

go omri casspi! you’re a real honor for our country

[joecheck88Participant]

ya i think casspi should get the nod. he takes and makes smarter shots than greene and casspi has a fire to him that i like. and i think he is a much better defender than greene. the good thing about greene is that he can now probably play some 4 as well if they need him to.

[omphalosParticipant]

Yeah I think every team needs a maniacal energy guy who plays with intensity. Casspi brings that to the table and is the perfect complement to Reke’s laid-back demeanour. Very close to getting League Pass Broadband so I can watch teams like the Kings who are young and full of promise but won’t be getting much airtime over here in Australia.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

With the amount if Big the Sac got on their team now, I doubt that they should be looking at Greene to play any 4.  NOt with Landy, Thompson, and Cousins all getting minutes there.  

I like Casspi and think he should get the nod because he is a smarter basketball player.  But if Greene can get some consistency with his 3 point shot, and show a willingness to hustle on defense then I’d go with Greene because he still got a ton a potential in him.  Just don’t know how much of it he’ll ever tap.

[HaleParticipant]

Greene is extremely underrated on defense. Plus at 6’10 250 ish he has amazing size and a good offensive package, maybe another team should pick him up and give him more of role then the Kings will.

[iceman21Participant]

I loved Greene coming out of college and i thought he should have gone a lot higer in the draft and the Kings got a steal he’s 6’11  atheltic and can shoot the 3 ball.  Hes maturing every year and every game if he could turn himself into a lock down defender that would improve his stock a lot.

[Jlv2010]

Udrih, Evans, Landry, Thompson, Dalembert.  Casspi should not be starting, at least not yet.  i like casspi starting once he’s developed more. and until Greene shows improvement on the offensive side then he should be coming off the bench.  in all fairness, i would put garcia in the starting lineup before those two.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 The Kings def got a steal and I remember that being a very deep draft The Sixers tried real hard to get another late first round pick or an early second round pick cuz 2 players they had targeted with the 16th pick both were inexplicably falling that day.  They chose Speights over Greene and Deandre Jordan, then watched as Greene and Jordan both free fell.  Aurthur was another player they liked but to a lesser extent.  

I do think Greene now with his added weight would be best suited at PF.  He is only 6’10 tho.  and He don’t have a 7’0 wingspan which is surprising.  But he got more then enough height and length to be a full time starter at the 4.  Once again a perfect situation for him would be Indiana.  The Pacers should really be working the phones trying to get one of Sac’s Power Forwards even if it means giving up George who I think would be a perfect fit in Sac Town.  

George and Filler for Thompson and Greene?

[Mr. 19134Participant]

Once again, what did somebody disagree with?  This is a discussion not a vote.

[sheltwon3Participant]

Indiana would have to give up a little more but, Indy getting Thompson or Green would be a good move.  I doubt Sac would give up both without getting 1st rounders and another young talent back.  Thompson and Garcia sound more reasonable.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

Paul George is a top ten pick, could of probably went higher I thought he would of been a better pick then Aminu at 8.  And in the summer league he didn’t do anything but prove his outside shooting is NBA ready, his athleticism has few peers, and he is a better passer then people thought.  He does need to work on his dribbling.

But why would Sacramento not want to bring home a top ten talent in George who can play SG or SF both effectively and would easily probably be the starting 3 from day one.  And all they have to do is trade Thompson who don’t really fit on this team anymore with Cousins, Whiteside, Landry, and Sammy D.  And Donte Greene a player who I think highly of but hasn’t been able to win the SF once since he’s been in Sacramento. 

And I said Greene and Thompson cuz they give what Indiana needs some frontcourt athleticism.  Green could play shooting guard or power forward for them.  Actually they could start Collison, Greene, Granger, Thompson, and Hibbert and get away with it. 

The King could start Udrih, Evans, George, Cousins, Sammy

Or Evans, George, Casspi, Cousins, Sammy.

Either way theyre starting lineup got more shooting in it.  George is a good passer, but he also can hit the outside shot so Evans would have a kick out partner, and he also can dunk over anybody he wants so Evans has another play he can lob to the ball to for Alley oops.  

I did say Filler would be included meaning the Pacers would have to come off of another prospect or picks.  I’d say the The Kings should get Rush or Ford or both in the deal too.

 I didn’t really think about the schematics of the trade But Greene and Thompson are both perfect fits in Indiana and Obrians offense.

And Paul George is a perfect fit in Sacramento.  He can play either wing position, is a highlight real waiting to happen, and has a deadly 3 point shot some the Kings would benefit greatly from especially Evans and Cousins.  Plus he’s young, from Cali, and has unlimited potential.

 I would trade Greene and Thompson in a heartbeat for George.  Cuz the Kings don’t need Thompson and George is better then Greene.

[TheWizardParticipant]

That is all wrong. Why would you trade a solid Jason Thompson and Donte Greene for an unproven Paul George? Donte Greene and Jason Thompson are both more valuable than Paul George right now. Before George shows that he is more than a potential starter for Indiana and CAN produce in the NBA, no way.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

Let’s see Donte Greene who who is 22 and been in the league for 2 years has career averages of 6.5 points a game…thats solid?  Okay last season the Kings had no clear starter at small forward so it was his time to step up and put his best game forward and he did to the tune of 8.5 points per game.  And he started 50 games.  So it wasn’t a lack of playing time he couldn’t atleast get ten.  Not to mention he’s listed at 6’11 and is a career 41% shooter.  George will do better then that in his rookie season I promise you and by that time it will be too late.  All of Greene added weight don’t mean he’s gonna be a better shooter, who takes better shots.  Do you really think he is the future?  You’re a rebuilding team not a playoff contender you don’t want solid you want potential.

And you’re right Jason Thompson is solid.  That’s about all he will ever be. And with a lineup this year that includes Cousins, Sammy D, and Landry, 3 people who are better then Thompson where do you think he really fits in?  What’s the point of having him around if you can get your future wing by dealing him.  Not to mention Whiteside will be ready by the time Dalemberts contract is up next year.

So where does Thompson fit in?  And Green still can’t win the starting small forward spot I guarantee Casspi beats him out.  At what point do you start realizing he is what he is, a late first round pick who dropped for obvious reasons around his BB IQ and his potential being a 20 yeard old freshman.

You’re kidding yourself if you think Greene and Thompson are worth keeping in a trade for George.

You team is not going to the playoffs this year, why do you need solid players when you can trade them for players with All Star potential.  Cuz it’s obvious Greene and Thompson don’t have that by now.  I doubt Thompson even resigns with the Kings they have no use for him after this draft class.  Theres a reason the Kings drafted 2 bigs and traded for a 3rd in the offseason.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Larry Bird took George with the tenth pick and he even out played Greene is the SL.  Like you said the word yourself solid.  Why would not not trade 2 solid player for the tenth pick with Rudy Gay potential?  And Greene is borderline solid, Thompson is but Greene hasn’t even proven he can be that.

[Author]

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