New Rookies, Returning Fan-Favorites Highlight Summer League Roster
June 30, 2010 by Andrew Nicholson · 32 Comments
New rookies DeMarcus Cousins and Hassan Whitesite along with returning fan-favorites Omri Casspi and Donté Greene will headline the 2010 Kings Vegas Summer League roster, which was announced on Wednesday.
Kings Bigs Bring New Relevance to City of Trees
June 28, 2010 by Andrew Nicholson · 25 Comments
Saturday was a whirlwind for the Kings newest additions, DeMarcus Cousins and Hassasn Whiteside. For both Kings big men, though, it was a dream realized, so they couldn’t help but smile, dance and entertain throughout the day’s events.
Kings Picks Produce United Celebration
June 25, 2010 by Andrew Nicholson · 8 Comments
The Kings, fans and analysts rejoiced in unison on Thursday as Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie announced the Kings had selected Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins with Sacramento’s fifth-overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.
2010 Kings Post-Draft Quotes
June 24, 2010 by kingsconnect · 4 Comments
Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie
Opening Statement:
“This is really an exciting day for us overall, taking DeMarcus Cousins with the fifth pick and Hassan Whiteside with the 33rd pick. Sometimes it’s the long and short of it, today was the long and long of it. I think in DeMarcus, we got an exceptional talent at the center position. He’s going to get us great size and skill in that post. He’s an outstanding passer, and we’re just really excited to add him into the frontcourt we have now with Samuel, Carl and Jason. I think we’ve gotten significantly bigger and longer, more talented and more skilled. With Hassan, we had him in here twice for workouts. Great athlete, still needs to learn how to play some and mature a little bit, but he shoots the ball very well, he has an incredible knack for blocking shots off the ball and he’s somebody that we’re really looking forward to working with. So, all in all I think we really added some skill and length and depth to our frontcourt, which is something we’ve been trying to rebuild for the last several years.”
On Cousins’ multiple on-court capabilities:
“I think we had some sense that he could shoot the ball from the perimeter because he did that in high school, and we had seen him in some of the All-Star games, and then there’s tape from those years. We didn’t see him do that at Kentucky because he was primarily in the post all the time. In addition to that, he has quick feet, he has a great feel down on that block and he really is a terrific passer out of there. The workout here was just an individual workout so there was no real competitive playing against anybody, but you could see just even a little bit of having Shareef out there and trying to take different things away from him and how he reacted to that. It certainly didn’t hurt his impression on the workout out here, but we’ve done as much work on him overall as I think we’ve done on any player in a long, long time.”
On the perceptions regarding Cousins’ maturity level:
“I’m sure he’ll address them as he always has addressed them, but we’re comfortable with what we’ve learned from a lot of different credible sources, some of our own, some people that have been around since he’s been in junior high school and it certainly wasn’t something that was going to deter us from drafting him.”
On what the rookies add to the Kings low-post game:
“I actually think in time, that depending on how Whiteside develops, that he’s more of a forward than he is a center, but that’s not going to happen overnight. DeMarcus is a legit center. He’s going to draw double teams, he’s got an ability to create space down there and he’s a very special talent in a lot of ways.”
On selecting Hassan Whiteside in the second round:
“We looked at quite a few scenarios of moving that (33rd) pick, and once it started looking in the Draft that he may slip down in there, we just thought that was a great opportunity to get a young player with what we think is a pretty considerable talent level that needs to be developed.”
On if there was any possibility of moving the fifth pick:
“There was never anything that elevated my blood pressure as far as moving the fifth pick. By this morning, we were pretty confident about what was going to happen in the first three picks for sure, then it just becomes a little bit of a waiting game, and we feel it all worked out for us.”
On if any other Draft prospect matched the physical strength of Cousins:
“I think he (DeMarcus) was clearly the best center in this Draft.”
On when the Kings knew Cousins would be their selection:
“I think it’s been an ongoing process. I think I’ve said a number of times there were six or seven players that we really liked, and of course we knew we weren’t getting some of them, but as we continued to do our work and evaluation, he really became the guy that we really thought would be the first of the remaining players that might be available at five.”
On if the Kings were afraid of Minnesota either trading its fourth pick or selecting Cousins:
“A little bit of both, I guess. Let’s face it, there’s a lot of liar’s poker that goes on in this thing, but, like I say, all of us have I think pretty mature relationships with people around the League and people that we can trust that, at some point in time, if they tell you something, that you can count on it. So, we got more comfortable with it as the day progressed, I guess.”
On additional Kings needs:
“I think we still need to add shooting. I think that our two-guard position certainly, an additional point guard, there will probably be a couple of primary areas that we want to try and do something with. We have open roster spots, and we’ll just go from there.”
On the different frontcourt combinations the Kings have between their big men:
“I think that’s more of a question for Paul (Westphal) to address, but I think that we added an incredible level of talent. I mean, DeMarcus is going to be able to play. You’re going to be able to play him in a game, and he’s going to be productive. He could play some offensively away from the basket because he shoots the ball so well, and I’m sure that will be an ongoing focus on how to make that work the best way that he can.”
On Cousins’ passing abilities:
“Just go watch about 15 of their (Kentucky’s) games, and you’ll see that ball flying out of the low post one time after another on double teams. He’s got a great feel for passing the ball out of there. If you watch the tapes we watched and the breakdowns of all the post-ups, you’ll see a lot of terrific passes coming out of there.”
On if Cousins and Samuel Dalembert can share the center position together:
“Again, I think that’s a primary question for Paul. I think that those two will co-exist just fine at that position. Dalembert’s averaged about 26, 27 minutes a game in his career, and Cousins played 23 minutes a game this year at Kentucky, so that still doesn’t hardly get you to 48 (minutes).”
On if Cousins can play power forward:
“I think he can play offensively some four (power forward) because he shoots the ball well out there. He’s a talented guy.”
On if the Kings entered the Draft with the intention to select two big players:
“I think we felt with the fifth pick we needed to add another quality big, and the best way we were going to be able to do that was with the Draft, so I think we had a prejudice towards going big at five. The 33rd pick was just something again, just based on the youth and what we think is the developable talent level of Whiteside, that was well worth the risk of taking him.”
On if Whiteside being selected in the second round could allow him to develop without carrying the pressure of being a first-round pick:
“It could. Just because sometimes some players can get damaged by getting taken too high, and the expectations are too high, and it makes it more difficult sometimes for them to adjust to the NBA, but hopefully we’ll start to get a first blush of that at Summer League.”
On what the Kings scouting staff saw in Whiteside during his college career:
“Our staff saw him play. He’s a talented guy that’s just a little bit raw still, but he shoots the ball really well actually. He can shoot the ball; he’s got great length, runs and jumps easily.”
On why the Kings passed on Cal’s Jerome Randle with the 33rd pick:
“He’s a terrific player, we just like Whiteside better. That’s all you can say.”
Kings Head Coach Paul Westphal
Opening Statement:
“This is quite an exciting day for us. We got two players we placed a high value on, and we weren’t sure we would get either one of them. We were sweating it out to the end with Whiteside and were really surprised that he lasted that long. His potential is very high, and it will probably take him awhile because we think that he may need to learn some things. He does some things that you can’t teach. His timing, his anticipation and his ability to block shots, not just his man’s, but to go get somebody else’s shot from the weak side is really unusual. He can shoot the ball, he can run and he’s got a chance to be a real fine player someday. So to get a player like that in the second round is what the second round is all about. Certainly, getting DeMarcus Cousins we just couldn’t be happier. The more we watched him, the more we got to know him. It just became apparent that he is a first-class big man, and usually you can’t get a first-class big man with the fifth pick in the NBA Draft. Things just aligned in our favor where teams took some players for need, some very good players that fit their need, and the center flipped which, like I said, doesn’t happen very often. We feel great about adding both of those players to our team.”
On adding these two players to the roster:
“It changes our team quite a bit. We went from a team that really scrapped to hold our own on the boards, to a big team. I think that adding size has been very important when we look at the teams we have to compete against in the West. Portland and the Lakers in particular, and you can go down the list. We were giving up size every game, and we have got some answers to size now that we can try out with these guys. It’s really nice.”
On adding Cousins to the team:
“DeMarcus, I think, will certainly have a learning curve about the NBA. At the same time, when he steps on the floor, he brings enough savvy and enough footwork and size to be somebody that’s probably going to need to be double teamed most of the time. To have a big player that’s going to need to be double teamed opens up a lot of possibilities for the other players and makes it easier for them. It gives us another weapon, that’s for sure. “
On Cousins’ weight:
“He didn’t work out against any other players, but Shareef guarded him. Shareef said he is big and strong, but he also knows how to use it. Certainly, regarding the weight he was at when he worked out here, we’d like him a little lighter than that, but this is summer time. He was lighter than that, and we believe he will be. I think he is committed to working hard and being successful. Also, he has heard people question him too, and nobody likes that, but I think that will motivate him even more. “
On comparing him to anybody out there right now:
“I don’t want to do that to him right now. If you start pulling out names that have been successful names from the past, then that follows them around. I just think that he’s got a chance to have an outstanding career as a legitimate center in this League. Let’s just see where he goes.”
On Cousins being hard to deal with:
“I have not heard that (laugh). Well, of course we talked to him, and we talked to John Calipari, his high school coach and different people. You have to check on things you hear, but the thing that keeps coming back is what a nice, competitive person he is. I know when I played, I had a few people who probably didn’t like me too much. I think anybody who has played probably has that, but I don’t know why it follows him around that much. I think people are really going to enjoy his personality and competitiveness. The more we have investigated it, the less we think it’s a problem. “
On the chance of there being problems with Cousins:
“We are just thrilled to have him, and we know that he is young. That’s the way the NBA is now. You don’t draft players after four years in college anymore. He is going to be far away from home, and there will be some adjustments, but we will try to help him through everything. I really like him, and I think he is excited to be here. I just envision growth rather than problems. I just don’t see that.”
On helping the new players adjust to being so far away from home:
“We try to provide as much guidance as we can. I don’t think we are that different from other NBA teams. We try to help them get assimilated to the community. The community is really open and friendly. We are here to help all of our young players succeed and live up to their potential. So anything that needs to be done, we will try to be helpful with that and see that it gets done.”
On the team’s new look:
“We are going to have a pretty tall Summer League team. Our team is going to look good walking through the airport wherever we go, as far as size goes. It will be a whole new look for the Kings, that’s for sure.”
On Tyreke Evans and Cousins playing together:
“I think that they can complement each other very well. One thing that I’m not sure has been apparent about DeMarcus is that he is a very good passer. Also, he can shoot the ball in situations where he is facing the basket, but he wasn’t asked to do that in Kentucky. If Tyreke penetrates and he is open on the baseline for 15-foot jumpers, then that’s a real good shot for him. He can do more than simply post up. We can involve Tyreke in pick and rolls with him, and we can post Tyreke up and have DeMarcus spot up for shots as well as crash the board. I think it’s potentially an excellent combination.”
On how they will improve the team:
“We are going to rely on Truck a lot, and I think the reason that he was brought here is because he is a specialist in working with young bigs, and we are going to try and have him teach DeMarcus to get some rebounds (laugh). He is pretty good at that already, but Truck and all of our staff can help these young players with their footwork and knowing who it is they are playing against. Also, what you can and can’t get away with in the NBA. We are here to teach and help, and I think we have a good staff for these young guys.”
On the decision process behind these picks:
“I think that our group just works as a team. I don’t think anybody is walking around talking about who has the most say and who should get credit. We all have opinions, and certainly Geoff has the final basketball decision, and the Maloof family has to sign off on everything before it’s a decision. Geoff and I talk and spend a lot of time watching film and working out these young guys. I think there was a consensus more than anything else about these picks.”
On how to coach Cousins:
“I’m looking forward to working with him. By all accounts, he is very bright. What I try to do is let a player know that I care about seeing him get better, and that I will tell him the truth about what I see. I will give him things to work on that will get him where he wants to go and where the team wants to see him go. I expect that there will be times when we will have to help him see the importance of certain things. At the same time, I think that he is bright enough and talented enough to realize the value of being coached by people that have been in a league that is new to him.”
On when the interest was locked on Cousins:
“That’s a really good question. It was not one point, but it was certainly after we met him and saw him move around on the floor and after dinner with him. It knocked down a lot of negative stereotypes that built up around him for whatever reason. We sat back and said that some of the red flags that people have about this guy we don’t see. It was pretty much after the workout and after the dinner that we had our questions answered. After that, we were saying things like, ‘How could someone not take a center that is this talented?’ It was more disbelief that he might be there than us deciding that he was our guy. If he won’t be there, then who else are we going to take, is how we looked at it after awhile.”
On why other teams did not choose Cousins:
“It sure seemed like a logical move for teams in search of a center to try to pull off. For whatever reason, the teams that picked ahead of us had their needs filled to where they didn’t choose to do that. We feel really good about that from our standpoint, and I’m sure they do, too.”
DeMarcus Cousins
On his goals:
“To help my team win some games, be a Playoff contender, win an NBA title and my own personal goal is to win Rookie of the Year.”
Message to Kings fans:
“I’m coming in, I’m trying to bring this team back to the Chris Webber and Mike Bibby days, and hopefully we can win some games.”
On how he will fit in with the team:
“I think I’m going to fit in pretty well. I think I’m the perfect piece to the puzzle. I’ll be a physical presence down low, bring a toughness to the team and hopefully we’ll win games.”
On what he brings to the team:
“I’m going to bring a physical presence. I’m going to bring a lot of production. I’m going to come in and try to work my butt off and help my team win.”
On being drafted by the Kings:
“I’m very excited. I get to play with a great guard in Tyreke, and I believe we can do some damage.”
On teaming up with Tyreke Evans:
“I think we could be a great inside-outside combo, so hopefully we come in and get a good chemistry and it helps.”
On what being drafted means to him:
“It’s a great time in my life right now. This is the day I’ve dreamed about for a long time, and it finally came. It’s the greatest feeling ever.”
On his mom:
“My mom’s been my biggest influence throughout my whole life, not just basketball. She is the hardest working person I’ve ever seen in my life. She’s my biggest influence. That’s my hero. That’s who I look up to, so she’s played a big part in my life.”
On his family:
“Me and my whole family are close. That’s what helps me get through every day, knowing my family has my back.”
On players he looks up to:
“I really don’t look up to any players. I steal players’ moves and put them in my own game, but that’s about it.”
On why he believes he’ll be the best player out of the 2010 NBA Draft class:
“I have talent. That’s there, but I just have the mentality right now that I want to be the greatest, and I don’t think any other player has that right now.”
On Kings fans being excited about him coming to Sacramento:
“It feels great. If the fans have your back, you have to have the fans’ backs, and give them what they want, so it’s a good feeling.”
On Sacramento:
“It’s pretty far from home, but I visited there, and it was a beautiful place. I loved the weather, so I’m excited to be there.”
On his official Twitter:
“@boogiecousins.”
Hassan Whiteside
On how he feels about joining the Kings:
“I’m real excited. I really liked the visit coming down there. They called me back twice, so I knew they were interested in me. I’m real excited; it’s a very young team so hopefully we can win.”
On adding DeMarcus Cousins to the team:
“I’ve never played with him, but I know he’s a good guy. I already talked to him. I think it’s a good fit and a good add.”
On his disappointment level going in the second round:
“Me going to the second round, that’s going to motivate me to work even harder and take it out on the teams that didn’t choose me when I play against them. They’re going to remember this day.”
On want he wants to say to Kings fans celebrating him being chosen by the team:
“We’re going to get wins; we’re going to get wins. That’s all I plan on doing, just coming in and help win…win, win, win, just really winning.”
On what sense he got from the coaching staff and the area when he came to Sacramento for the second time:
“The second time I came out here, the guys were a little better. I went against Greg Monroe, and it was just a little more physical the second time around. But I enjoyed going out there anyway; I really liked it out there. It didn’t bother me going out there a second time.”
On what he thinks about moving to Sacramento:
“I really like it out there. There’s warm weather, the people are nice out there. The fans are really supportive of the basketball team, so I think it’s the best fit for me.”
On what’s going through his mind tonight:
“I’m just ready to go in and work and get ready for the season.”
On how he feels about being seen/playing as a power forward-type player down the road:
“The first time playing at Marshall was my first time playing the five, so I really had to learn how to play the five. I’ve been more of a forward, a face up guy, pick-and-pop, pick-and-roll, like an athletic forward that can block shots.”
On expanding his game and what he will bring to the Kings:
“I give a shot-blocking presence and just rebounding; help rebound and being able to score for our teammates.”
On his familiarity with Kings players:
“I’ve seen Tyreke play, but other than that, I haven’t seen too many Kings players play.”
Open Net: 2010 Kings Draft
June 24, 2010 by Andrew Nicholson · 63 Comments
Updated: With the #5 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Kings selected DeMarcus Cousins!
Updated: With the 33rd pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Kings selected Hassan Whiteside!
The 2010 NBA Draft has arrived, and the Kings hold the fifth and 33rd-overall picks.
Prospects See Great Opportunity with Kings
June 23, 2010 by Alex Kramers · 17 Comments
The day before the 2010 NBA Draft, top lottery prospects gathered in New York City for 2010 Draft Media Availability. As a Kings fan and Kings.com East Coast correspondent for the Draft, I had the chance to speak with several players who are in contention to be picked with Sacramento’s fifth-overall selection about the prospect of playing in Northern California.
Kings.com Top 33 Mock Draft
June 23, 2010 by Andrew Nicholson · 10 Comments
On the eve of the 2010 NBA Draft, Kings.com presents the Top 33 Mock Draft produced by Kings fans who’ve shared their picks and analysis on Full Court Press.
Pre-Draft Workout Wrap - June 22
June 22, 2010 by Andrew Nicholson · 14 Comments
The Kings held their final scheduled multi-player pre-Draft workout at the team’s practice facility on Tuesday.
Two Ways to Watch SKDT Auditions
Hi, Kings fans — I sure have missed you all!
Kings Fan Connection
June 21, 2010 by Mitch Germann · 16 Comments
It’s finally here. DRAFT WEEK. ARCO is abuzz today with all the preparation for the big party on Thursday. It’s is going to be a lot of fun, and all Kings fans should come out to celebrate with us.
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