The race for the starting small forward job is finally over as Kings head coach Paul Westphal announced his starting lineup for opening night at practice on Friday.

“If we’re healthy, we’ll start with Beno, and Cisco, and Donte’, and Carl and DeMarcus the first game,” Westphal said.

Second year guard Tyreke Evans will not play in the season opener because of a league mandated one-game suspension for his reckless driving charge.

At 6’11, Greene provides versatility and length at the small forward position.

“He [Greene] has a good understanding of what we want,” said Westphal  “He’s going out there and playing aggressively.”

Greene is focused on keeping his starting job this season. He said at times last season, he became comfortable in the starting role.

“The main thing we want from Donte’ is enthusiasm to go with the natural improvement a player has going into his third year in the league,” Westphal said.

Westphal said Casspi, who started 31 games as rookie last season, is embracing his role off the bench.

“He’s a very important part of team,” Westphal said. “I think he can give us a lot off the bench.”

In September, Casspi told AOL Fanhouse senior NBA writer Sam Amick that he was going to make sure he was the starter.

Casspi has struggled with his shot this preseason, shooting 30.6 percent from the field, and 26.7 percent from three-point range.

“My shots aren’t falling yet,” Casspi said following practice on Monday, “I’m kinda trying to adjust to the three-point line again coming from overseas.”

The Kings also waived three players to trim the roster to 14 players. Guard Joe Crawford, center Connor Atchley and forward Marcus Landry were cut by the team.

Landry started the first two preseason games and Westphal was impressed with his intelligence on the floor. Landry did not play in the last three preseason games.

The team went through a light practice as Westphal tries to get his club healthy. Evans (left ankle sprain), Beno Udrih (right shoulder sprain), Darnell Jackson (right ankle sprain) and Francisco Garcia (right ankle sprain) are day-to-day.

Sacramento has two preseason games left before opening the season Oct. 27 in Minnesota.

Coach Paul Westphal and his assistants will be leading the full practice, including a full-court scrimmage between teammates.  Unlike the Las Vegas Summer League, you will be able to see the 2010 Rookie of the Year play with his new teammate and potential 2011 Rookie of the Year, DeMarcus Cousins.

Admission is free and you won’t have to worry about paying for parking.  If you are interested in attending you will need to R.S.V.P.

If you haven’t looked at the roster lately here are the players currently on the 2010-2011 Sacramento Kings roster:

17 Connor Atchley F-C 6-10 225 05/31/1985 Texas
18 Omri Casspi F 6-9 225 06/22/1988 Yavne, Israel
31 Joe Crawford G 6-5 207 06/17/1986 Kentucky
15 DeMarcus Cousins F-C 6-11 270 08/13/1990 Kentucky
10 Samuel Dalembert C 6-11 250 05/10/1981 Seton Hall
13 Tyreke Evans G 6-6 220 09/19/1989 Memphis
32 Francisco Garcia G-F 6-7 195 12/31/1980 Louisville
8 J.R. Giddens G 6-5 215 02/13/1985 New Mexico
20 Donte’ Greene F 6-11 226 02/21/1988 Syracuse
9 Luther Head G 6-3 185 11/26/1982 Illinois
41 Darnell Jackson F 6-9 253 11/07/1985 Kansas
5 Eugene “Pooh” Jeter G 5-11 175 12/02/1983 Portland
24 Carl Landry F 6-9 248 09/19/1983 Purdue
42 Marcus Landry F 6-7 230 11/01/1985 Wisconsin
23 Donald Sloan G 6-3 205 01/15/1988 Texas A&M
34 Jason Thompson F 6-11 250 07/21/1986 Rider
19 Beno Udrih G 6-3 205 07/05/1982 Sempeter, Slovenia
33 Hassan Whiteside C 7-0 235 06/13/1989 Marshall
3 Antoine Wright F-G 6-7 215 02/06/1984 Texas A&M

The first chance you will have to see the Kings take on another NBA team will start the following week as the Kings prepare to take on the Phoenix Suns at ARCO on October 5.

Hosted by 106 & Park’s Terence J and Rocsi.

At Amnesia, 609 W 29th St, NYC.

Music by DJ Clue.

[mappress]

Which team will I pick?

There’s no doubt in my mind that Melo will in fact be traded before this year’s trade deadline. For one Carmelo has pretty much painted a clear picture to the Nuggets organization that he doesn’t have much interest in signing an extension. For two Carmelo continuously speaks to the media discussing his future plans in which he recently just expressed his interest in possibly joining the Houston Rockets.

But the third and final reason has to deal with the team that currently holds the rights to their franchise player, the Denver Nuggets.  Don’t forget they have their own agenda, their own goals, their own future to look forward too, as does Anthony. I can assure you the Denver Nuggets will take notes and examine what just happened to Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers with “The Decision”. There’s no way Anthony will depart from Denver without the Nuggets receiving some valuable compensation.

While Anthony may in fact have his own preferences of teams, the Nuggets also have their own. In which case brings up a very interesting story to follow: How will the Nuggets successfully pull off a blockbuster trade to their liking?

It begins with narrowing down the teams you’re interested in doing business with and they’ve already established that in the Timberwolves, Kings, and Nets. It’s been noted all offseason long that the Denver Nuggets have been out searching for a young power forward to replace their current aging and overpaid power forwards in Nene Hilario and Kenyon Martin. Each of the three teams mentioned as Denver’s favorite trading partners can offer the ideal young power forward the Nuggets have been searching for.

Love could be the piece to bring Melo to Minny.

In Minnesota it’s Kevin Love, a young post man currently a member of the young Team USA team participating in Turkey. Love’s a player who has expressed mixed emotions upon being a member of the Timberwolves. Most recently told reporters at Team USA camp that he felt “unappreciated” by the Timberwolves organization.

Meanwhile in Sacramento, the Kings have put themselves in a great position to be attractive trading partners by having successful draft nights the past few years. They have an oversized load of young post players that show tons of potential. With the variety of different big men they’re able to offer, there’s no question they’ve got the best chance of landing Carmelo Anthony.

In New Jersey, it comes down to the vision and decision-making of new owner Mikhail Prokhorov. After Prokhorov struck out on reeling in a big name star in this year’s historic free agency, he may become impatient, and make an over-the-top offer for Anthony’s services. If he does that I can promise you he’ll be doing the Nuggets some favors (pun intended).

So let’s review each of the Nuggets’ preferred trading partners and evaluate the talent they’re willing to offer in return for Denver’s superstar. It’s important to consider that it’s not likely ANY of these trades go down without Carmelo accepting a rarely used (in mid-season) what’s called an extend-and-trade.

Each of the three teams listed will want assurance that they’re not trading young big man for a “rent-a-player”. In most trade circumstances, the NBA is not like Major League Baseball where you give away a top prospect in exchange for a star you’re unlikely to resign (cough…Brewers…cough). With that in mind, Anthony will basically have an artificial no trade clause. So in the end, can the Nuggets REALLY pull a trade off with one of the following teams? Let’s examine:

Minnesota Timberwolves: While Sacramento is clearly the favorite for Carmelo Anthony in terms of the Nuggets’ preferences, let’s not forget that for Wolves GM David Kahn it may not be tough throwing him into a deal. With the additions of Anthony Tolliver, Michael Beasley, and Darko Milicic this offseason, it’s likely Love won’t even be returning next season. The Timberwolves can offer a below average package for Anthony most likely sending Kevin Love, Corey Brewer, and probably a future first round pick that can be sweetened if Kahn makes it not lottery protected.

Favors could be the big man to bring New Jersey a big piece.

New Jersey Nets: As mentioned above, if Prokhorov does get desperate, the Nets may have a nice shot at landing Melo. Not only can they off a variety of young pieces, but New Jersey is a place that Carmelo may have interest in signing and staying long term. While the Russian man may gamble & goes all in with his young talented chips, the question that arises is if Denver is willing to gamble as well. The Nets have already come out and said they’re not willing to add Brook Lopez into any kind of deal for Anthony. So even if it sounds outrageous the Nuggets would have to acquire Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Terrence Williams, and maybe more. If a deal anywhere close to this nature, consider it a done deal, and it could be realistic “IF” (a big “if”) Carmelo agrees to do a extend and trade scenario.

Cousins is one guy who will not be included in any deal for Melo.

Sacramento Kings: Much like the Nets, the Kings also have a ton of potential pieces. But make no mistake, the Kings may be able to offer more variety of bigs, but there’s no way they’ll be willing to include DeMarcus Cousins in any trade talk. It’s clear newly acquired Samuel Dalembert will play a big role along with Jason Thompson, Donte Greene, Carl Landry, Omri Casspi and Hassan Whiteside being potential guys sent in the proposal. The Kings would love the idea of a Tyreke-Melo-Cousins trio heading towards the future. And the Nuggets may have enough interest in Dalembert’s huge expiring contract , along with Carl Landry’s. Also, don’t rule out Omri Casspi and Kings rookie Hassan Whiteside. Casspi can fill the starting small forward position and Whiteside is a young Marcus Camby in the making (Camby won 2007 Defensive Player of the Year with Denver).

This is obviously all speculation and nobody knows what may happen this upcoming season in the high country. But I’m willing to bet NOTHING HAPPENS until at least December 15^th which other newly signed free agents become available for trade. That gives plenty of other teams possibilities to get involved and who knows, maybe even the Nuggets’ preferred three teams will get together to and work out a three team trade of some sort.

Until then, take this situation for what it’s worth, embrace the hype, the hoopla, and the rumors.

Unfortunately for him (and probably most Raptors fans) there isn’t much to work with in terms of trades. For starters, look at the desirable assets that the Kings have. Tyreke Evans is going nowhere. Carl Landry had a breakout year playing both forward positions and is the type of defensive player that every team needs. Beno Udrih is the team’s other playmaker behind Tyreke Evans and is a great option as either a starting point guard or as a sixth man. Omri Casspi had a strong rookie season as a scorer off the bench. Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes are two highly skilled bigs that may become Sacramento’s core up front with Evans in the backcourt. It would have to be a pretty extravagant trade to move any of those players.

Further down that list are players like Donte Greene, Andres Nocioni, and Francisco Garcia. Greene has the potential to be a solid wing player with the ability to score inside and outside. However he also possesses the energy and vibe that you like coming off the bench. With both Casspi and Greene in the mix, the Kings in a few years will have a great second unit. Nocioni and Garcia combined fit the salary requirements for a trade but the reality is that neither is as talented as Turkoglu. Throw in the fact that Garcia occasionally starts for Sacramento and projects to be their starting small forward eventually and you have to believe he’s not going anywhere.

That’s really the long and short of it though: Turkoglu doesn’t fit with Sacramento’s team culture. They are a young, up and coming, gritty team. Turk is not young. He’s already shown his ceiling and most importantly his game is more conducive to a skilled team. When he was at his best, he was a point forward who could score if needed but was better at making good outlet passes and setting his teammates up. Here’s the deal: he’s a facilitator – not a player who thrives off of making his own shot. In Orlando, who surrounded him? Dwight Howard. Rashard Lewis. Jameer Nelson. What do those players have in common? They are all capable of creating their own shot.

Now let’s flip the coin. Who did Turk play with in Toronto? Chris Bosh. Andrea Bargnani. Jarrett Jack or Jose Calderon. I think we can agree that Howard is a much bigger post threat than either of TO’s bigs. Bargnani certainly isn’t as polished as Lewis at the 3-ball. I think we can also agree that Jack and Calderon are closer to the prototypical point guard than Nelson is; he’s a slasher and a scorer. Jack and Jose can score but tend to be at their best when they’re distributing the ball. Therein lies the problem. With the offence that Raptors coach Jay Triano runs, the primary ball handler is either Jack or Calederon. Turkoglu is a ball handler – not a spot up shooter and certainly not a full-blown scorer.

When you look at the last season he averaged under 32 minutes a game (2006-2007), his points per game average was 13.3 – a whole two points more (or one basket more) than his average this year. Did I mention he also took two less shots per game this year compared to that? He also averaged more assists and more rebounds than he did that year. When you expand his stats out to ‘per 36 minutes’ they are nearly identical to the last two seasons with the exception of scoring.

Perhaps there were some unrealistic expectations about what he brings to the table, because he certainly didn’t deviate much from what he’s done in the past. As we’ve seen in the past though, when you put the ball in his hands and surround him with guys that can score in a multitude of ways, he is a great complimentary player. That’s all it is. He is a player that thrives when he plays with excellent players. He is NOT someone that will make everyone around him a ton better. He never has been. But given the proper circumstances, he can make a good team even better.

But all of that is water under the bridge at this point. The fans expected something from Hedo that he never had to begin with. He reacted poorly to the criticism (some of which was deserving some of which wasn’t) and has now cemented his status as a villain in T-dot. He is a unique talent but the team just wasn’t quite ready to utilize it properly in its current iteration. Regardless, wherever he goes I am positive he will have a better season. It will definitely be interesting to see what sort of magic Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo can pull off  with the mess on his hands.

****To read the rest of this article, click here to read on Examiner.com totally free!****

Carmelo Anthony(15) vs Donte Greene (20)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Andres Nocioni made four 3-pointers and scored a season-high 21 points, helping the Sacramento Kings beat the struggling Denver Nuggets 106-101 on Monday night.Omri Casspi made a 3-pointer from the corner to put the Kings ahead for good at 97-96. Following a missed shot by Carmelo Anthony, Beno Udrih converted on a fastbreak for a three-point play to give Sacramento a 100-96 lead with 1:41 remaining.Udrih scored 17 points and had seven assists and Donte Greene also had 17 points for the Kings. Jason Thompson contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds.Anthony scored 34 points and Nene had 25 points for the Nuggets, who lost their third straight and fifth in six games. Kenyon Martin added 10 points and 12 rebounds.The Nuggets made just 20 of 35 free throws and shot 41 percent overall. Hounded by Kings defenders throughout, Anthony shot 15 of 35 and was 3 of 7 on free throws.The Nuggets are a different team on the road, where they have dropped six straight. They came into the game averaging just over 100 points in road games while averaging 114 in Denver, where they are 13-2.

The Nuggets cut the lead to 104-101 on a short baseline shot by Anthony Carter with 4.1 seconds left. But Udrih made two free throws to secure the victory.Driving to the basket, Nocioni drew a fifth foul on Anthony with 7:58 remaining. Nocioni made both free throws and a short time later hit a 3-pointer from the corner, putting the Kings ahead 90-84.The Kings were without rookie guard Tyreke Evans, who sprained his right ankle Saturday in a double overtime loss against the Lakers.

Denver was also missing its point guard. Chauncey Billups is nursing a strained left groin that he originally injured Dec. 16. He sat out three straight games, then played only the first half Christmas Day at Portland when he reaggravated the injury.It’s been a tough stretch for the Kings, who met their third straight conference finalist from a season ago. The Kings lost to Cleveland in overtime and followed with a double overtime loss to the Lakers.

Nocioni made a late 3-pointer for the Kings, who trailed most of the third quarter but finished strong to take a 75-70 lead into the fourth.Anthony was aggressive from the start, taking 15 shots in the game’s first 17 minutes. He scored 19 first-half points in helping the Nuggets to a 48-47 lead. Nocioni scored 11 points for the Kings.

NOTES: Geoff Petrie has agreed to a contact extension to remain president of basketball operations for the Sacramento Kings. The team has called a news conference for Tuesday to announce the deal. Sacramento reserves outscored the Nuggets 20-4 in the opening half. With the shot clock nearing zero early in the third quarter, Anthony threw up a long 3-pointer that went in. He shrugged his shoulders and laughed heading downcourt after the shot.

Kobe Bryant and Jason Thompson

SACRAMENTO, Calif.  Kobe Bryant scored 38 points and the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back from a humbling Christmas Day loss to Cleveland by beating the Sacramento Kings 112-103 on Saturday night in double overtime.After Lamar Odom opened the second overtime with a putback basket, Bryant connected on a pair of 3-pointers to put the Lakers in front 109-103 with 2:37 left. Los Angeles outscored the Kings 11-2 in the second OT.Beno Udrih scored 23 points for the Kings, who held the Lakers scoreless in the final 3:35 of the fourth quarter to force overtime. Tyreke Evans had 18 points, Donte Greene had 16 and Omri Casspi added 15 points and 10 rebounds.Pau Gasol had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who avoided losing consecutive games for the second time this season. Shannon Brown scored 15 points and Odom had 13 points and 15 rebounds.The Lakers lost 102-87 to Cleveland on Friday before a national TV audience and are in a stretch of four games in five days, concluding Tuesday at home against Golden State. They played without starting forward Ron Artest, who the team said suffered a concussion on Christmas evening, falling while carrying boxes down a flight of stairs and injuring his left elbow at his Los Angeles home.

Artest was treated at UCLA Medical Center, undergoing a CT scan and receiving stitches in the back of his head and his elbow. The team said a neurologist examined Artest on Saturday. He is day to day and didn’t travel with the team on its Saturday flight to Sacramento.The youthful Kings were stagnant on offense late in the first overtime and it carried over into the second, when their only basket was a driving layup by Evans with 3:01 remaining. The Kings lost a game earlier in the week against Cleveland when they were outscored 13-0 in overtime.After the Kings scored the first seven points in the first overtime, they went scoreless over the final 2:40 as the Lakers rallied. Gasol tipped in a missed shot by Derek Fisher from close range, tying the game at 101 with .04 seconds left.

The victory moved the Lakers (24-5) past idle Boston for the best record in the NBA.Seemingly bothered by a sore right arm, Bryant missed all four shots in the fourth quarter, when he began passing and shooting with his left. Yet Bryant did slap the ball away Evans in the closing seconds as the Kings never got a shot off, forcing overtime with a 94-all tie.

Bryant was his usual self offensively, but it was Brown helping the Lakers pull away in the fourth quarter. Brown scored eight points over a two-minute stretch, his three-point play putting Los Angeles ahead 92-85 with 4:23 remaining.An enthusiastic crowd, only the second sellout of the season, loudly booed the Lakers when starting lineups were announced and began chanting “Beat LA!” It was reminiscent of the crowds that cheered the Kings in the Chris Webber era, when Sacramento was typically battling the Lakers for supremacy in the Western Conference.Despite Bryant making his first five shots and scoring 16 points in the third quarter, the Kings would not back down. It took a late 3-pointer and a breakaway dunk by Bryant in the final 1:04 to pull the Lakers even at 78 heading into the fourth.

Udrih capped off a highly productive first half by dribbling past Bryant and hitting a 3-pointer with a second left to give Sacramento a 57-55 lead. Making a rare start, Udrih scored 13 points and Greene had 11 for the Kings. Bryant had 14 points and Gasol added 12 for the Lakers, who shot 55 percent.

NOTES: Greene took an elbow from Andrew Bynum in the second quarter that opened a cut on his chin that required six stitches. Greene returned to start the second half. The teams meet again New Year’s Day in Los Angeles. New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia watched the game from courtside seats.

THE NBA IS BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!!!

And, you know, we here at Pick and Pop try to keep it as fresh and quirky as possible.  So, my plan for the next 32 (or some odd) days is to not break down how a team will do.  That’s for sportswriters with degrees and such, although I guess a night before the season tips off Colin and I will do something like that.

Instead, I’m giving every single player in the league, even some guys that won’t even make the roster, a little ink.  Because not all players are created (and adored) equally by yours truly, some will have much longer anecdotes/analysis or what have you than others.  Case and point: would it be fair to give Dirk Nowitzki and Adam Morrison the same amount of space?  I haven’t gotten that far yet, but I’m willing to bet I won’t do that.

I guess to make sure the pecking order of the NBA isn’t completely ruined, I’m going to go in ascending order in terms of how I predict the teams will finish.  For the next nine or 10 posts, I’m going to be focusing on teams with an outside chance at making the playoffs but my gut says they’re not quite there… yet.  Perfect segue to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Star

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant had a monster season last year, and at 25, dude is only going to get better. Photo from Pacejmiller's WordPress page.

Despite my upbringing as Mrs. Cherot’s son, I’m not hardcore into math.  However, I do like making inferences based off numbers and people who do such, so you can understand why I like John Hollinger’s PER ratings.  In case you’re boycotting my links, they basically say that stats by themselves don’t tell the whole story on a player’s effectiveness, taking into account both positive and negative plays and balling everything into one value, it helps further analyze how good a player is.  LeBron “Colin’s Secret Crush” James was first last year 34.5; Donte Greene of the Kings was dead last at 5.1.  Well, in a testament to how people expect Durant to blow up even more than he did last year, Durant is projected to be the fifth most effective player in the NBA.  And, why not?  Anyone with an appetite for shooting can average 25 a game: just ask Allen Iverson.  But it’s Durant’s percentages that jump off the page to me.  The clear cut number one offensive option on his team still managed to shoot nearly 48% from the field, 42% from three-point range and 85% from the free throw line.  And he’s only 25, meaning he has room not only for his skinny frame to grow, but for his game to grow as well.  Yes, I have the Thunder ranked pretty low, but would it surprise me to see them make a run at a playoff spot?  Not with this dude on their squad.

The Other Starters

Russell Westbrook

If Darren Collison hadn’t been injured to start the 2007-2008 college basketball season, who knows if Westbrook would even be in the league?  What a surreal couple of years for this kid.  Started one year in high school and parlayed that into a scholarship to UCLA.  Started one year at UCLA and parlayed that into what many people thought was a reach at 4th overall (personally I was screaming at the TV for them to take Jerryd Bayless).  And now here he is, one year deep into his NBA career, coming off a season where he scored 15 a game without being able to shoot the ball.  He’s going to be downright scary in three seasons.  Of course, he eventually needs to learn how to shoot, but the Thunder will give him every opportunity to grow and learn.

Jeff Green

I always figured that Green would be a better NBA player than a college player, especially since he was trapped in one of the slowest-paced offensive sets in the country (meaning we should definitely watch out for DaJuan Summers).  One thing he did take away from Georgetown was his ability to see the floor and think one step ahead of the competition.  He’s not going to blow you away with any one particular skill set, and for that reason Green will probably remain one of the most underrated young players in the league.  But I got your back, Jeff.  I’ll show you love.  You deserve it with the way you play, sir.

Thabo Sefolosha

Everytime I watch Thabo play I’m intrigued by his length and defensive prowess.  On occasion he even makes moves offensively that lead you to believe that he could be really good.  However, numbers…don’t… lie.  No idea why I chose to use elipses there but whatever: he’s a cosmetic starter, and I look for James Harden to wash the foundation off his face early in the season.

Nenad Krstic

There was a time in Krstic’s career when I thought he’d be one of the best centers of his generation, but like most young people, he went to Europe.  And he hasn’t been the same since.  He’s only 26, so there’s plenty of time for him to still develop into that dominant kind of center.  But, at the very least, he can score better than most centers in the NBA.

Bench

James Harden

In many ways, Harden personifies what many people perceive about the 2009 draft class: he’s a nice player, but nothing about him absolutely knocks you out.  At his peak, I think he’ll be a rich man’s Morris Peterson (even more perfect because he’s a lefty!).  There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but you’re going to be disappointed if you think he’ll ever become a superstar.

Shaun Livingston

It’s sad that we never really got to see how good Livingston could have been.  He wasn’t setting the world on fire early in his career, but every now and then we would see flashes of brilliance.  His court vision was mature beyond his years.  You could really sense that he was starting to get it.  And then…

I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen that video, but every single time I watch it I just cringe.  Quite possibly the worst sports related injury  I’ve ever watched.  The fact that he’s even playing basketball–hell, the fact that he’s walking without a cane–is amazing to me.  Still a solid point guard, but man, you just have to wonder “what if” sometimes.

Nick Collison

I don’t know if this is a compliment to Collison or a diss to Mark Madsen, but Nick Collison is basically Mark Madsen with talent.  He just works and works.  For a player who I thought was somewhat limited coming out of college, he’s had multiple seasons where he’s flirted with double-doubles.  He won’t do that this year, but he will give the Thunder energy off the bench, which they desperately need.

Etan Thomas

As Morton said to Horton in Horton Hears a Who, “Dude, you are a warrior poet.”  I have a three-year old.  What do you think I’m watching all day, the Mavericks on ESPN Classic?  Sometimes even I need a break from basketball.

Kevin Ollie

How come Ollie, who has never averaged more than eight points per game or five assists per game, can find a way to stick in the league for 12 years while Ed Cota, who took his team to three Final Fours in four years and proved he could run a team, has to stumble around Europe looking for work?  Just saying.

Kyle Weaver

Scouts loved him at Washington State, but I didn’t really see him do anything there that would warrant him being on an NBA roster.  For whatever reason, he’s one of those players that NBA Live players put in their line-up in online games just to prove that they’re basketball savvy.  I usually beat those guys.  And, in case you were wondering, yes, I did try to get NBA Live before it hit the streets, and no, I was not successful, but, yes, I will be getting Cadence dressed to go to the mall first thing in the morning.

B.J. Mullens

People are banging on this kid already because he underachieved at Ohio State.  People forget that he’s 7’0″ and he’s only 20.

D.J. White

He could end up turning into an offensive-minded Danny Fortson.  This is a good thing.

Serge Ibaka

Quick question: would you rather have “No Photo Available” under your player profile or would you rather have them post you wearing a red New York Yankees cap?  Keep in mind this is ESPN.com and not Facebook.

By the way, if you don’t see a preview for “Team X” tomorrow, it’s for two reasons: 1) I have school, I can’t make you guys marvel at my insane writing ability for free too much longer, and 2) NBA LIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!!!!!!  ‘Nuff said.

NBA Preview Archives

30. Sacramento Kings

29. New Jersey Nets

28. Milwaukee Bucks

27. Minnesota Timberwolves

26. New York Knicks

THE NBA IS BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!!!

And, you know, we here at Pick and Pop try to keep it as fresh and quirky as possible.  So, my plan for the next 32 (or some odd) days is to not break down how a team will do.  That’s for sportswriters with degrees and such, although I guess a night before the season tips off Colin and I will do something like that. 

Instead, I’m giving every single player in the league, even some guys that won’t even make the roster, a little ink.  Because not all players are created (and adored) equally by yours truly, some will have much longer anecdotes/analysis or what have you than others.  Case and point: would it be fair to give Dirk Nowitzki and Adam Morrison the same amount of space?  I haven’t gotten that far yet, but I’m willing to bet I won’t do that.

I guess to make sure the pecking order of the NBA isn’t completely ruined, I’m going to go in ascending order in terms of how I predict the teams will finish… meaning I’ll start with the lowly Sacramento Kings.

STAR:

Cherish this photo of Kevin Martin, because we may never mention him or the Kings again on this website. Photo courtesy kicksonfire.com

Kevin Martin

 

Because the Kings are atrocious, half the people reading this probably don’t even know how good this kid is.  Truthfully, I’ve been high off the Martin fumes for a minute.  When the Kings initially took him 26th in 2004, I told everyone–my boys, my girlfriend, my psychiatrist, the guy I got free subs from in Subway–that K-Mart, Jr. would eventually pan out to be a 20+ point scorer in the NBA.  Yep, I love being right.  It’s just too bad that Maloof and Co. won’t surround him with enough talent for this team to ever be mentioned in casual NBA conversation.  Oh well.  If they ever do put him on TV again, savor it… because you may never see him again.  Hopefully, he’ll end up on a halfway decent team while he’s still in his prime.

The Other Starters

Spencer Hawes

Hawes is one of only three players on this current roster that this team should keep to build around.  Yes, he’s goofy-looking and doesn’t exactly scare you with his athleticism, but centers who can play aren’t easy to find in the NBA.  Book it right now: this man will average a double-double this season.

Jason Thompson

Kings’ fans probably almost had a heart attack when Thompson got picked so high last season.  But, from watching the draft night video highlights (yeah, I know, sometimes they can be deceiving), I at the very least knew he wouldn’t be a bust.  He doesn’t have that “wow” game, but he’s a nice solid piece who I see playing in the NBA for many years because he’s a big guy who can face up. 

Francisco Garcia

He has surprised me.  I didn’t think he had as much range as he did coming out of college, but then again sometimes even I can be wrong (see, Week 3 Picks ).  I still think he’s limited skillwise and would be much better suited for around 20 minutes a night on a good team.

Beno Udrih

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce the worst starting point guard in the NBA!  I believe I could step in there with my ailing back and there wouldn’t be that much of a drop-off in production.  What do they have to lose?

Bench

Tyreke Evans

The Kings are so bad that Evans might unseat Udrih before the season even begins as the starting point guard, which despite plenty of opinion to the contrary they do not want to do.  Not a knock on Evans, but to me he doesn’t exactly shout “Team First”.  I do admit that he’s pretty much unguardable from 15 feet and in, and maybe the Martin-Evans combo will compliment each other well.  And maybe Michael Vick will start next week.

Andres Nocioni

Love him as a player.  If the Kings were smart they’d find a way for him to be on the floor 30 minutes a night.

Sergio Rodriguez

He has deficiencies, yes, but he’s better than Beno.  If he can find his jump shot, he may be a good pick-up.

Desmond Mason

You’re 31, Des.  Learn something else besides dunking.

Omri Casspi

Casspi will be out of the NBA by 2012.  Who wants to take action on that?

Donte Greene

On a team going nowhere fast, I think he at least deserves to get some minutes.  If he ever learns to get aggressive, Greene could end up being a good one.

Kenny Thomas

Kenny Thomas makes HOW much???

Sean May

Low risk, how reward signing for the Kings.  Personally, I think if he ever gets over his weight issues he can contribute in this league.

Jon Brockman

Because one white player from Washington is never enough.