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As I watch Ben, I see exactly what the experts saw entering the draft. A raw talent with LOTS of upside, but it's going to take time to develop. Ben works hard on D and shows huge potential there as he learns the game, and he looks to be 2 years away from a perennial 3 point contest star with athleticism to boot. My question is, what's the best way to develop him?

To my mind, we absolutely need to get Thornton away from him. Thornton is a hot streak shooter with a rare ability to go off from three point range like he's the star player on NBA Jam, but that's all he is. Lazy effort on D, doesn't move enough without the ball, and is moody. Everything we need Ben to not learn. I know Thornton's trade value is nill, but a veteran SG who works hard is really needed to show Ben the ropes. Even if Ben starts ahead of that vet and struggles at times. Interested in your thoughts.

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Good 1st post and welcome. Ben plays like a boy trying to talk to a girl for the 1st time. The athleticism is there.

You can see a good player hiding behind Ben's mistakes. His passing off the dribble in particular is much better than I expected, and he has the physical tools and (it seems) the right attitude.

I'd like to see him run off screens a little more. I think he's ultimately best off with a pass first PG, which is why I'd like to see us try to acquire Andre Miller as our backup. Think it would be ideal for Ben and Isaiah.

What about trading Thornton for Jason Richardson in Philly? I know JRIch is injured, but I see him as a good mentor for Ben, Philly could use a healthy SG, and it would save the kings 2 mil per. Until JRich can get back on the floor, Ben could start at SG.

scotch_and_dice wrote:What about trading Thornton for Jason Richardson in Philly? I know JRIch is injured, but I see him as a good mentor for Ben, Philly could use a healthy SG, and it would save the kings 2 mil per. Until JRich can get back on the floor, Ben could start at SG.

Not a bad idea. I like J Rich. He's a little over the hill, but he's the veteran presence we've been looking for with a solid career, positive attitude, and extensive experience to pass along to our young crew. I guess the question is, is he ready to move on from the solid rotation guy to the veteran, bench-mentor guy.

Thats not a bad move actually, J-Rich is pretty good from 3 and is a seasoned vet like mentioned before. Both have/will participated in the dunk contest and both shoot alot of 3's, Ben can learn some things from J-Rich.

Sixers fan,
I like Thornton and I would give up Richardson for him, other Sixer fans may not agree with the idea of acquiring Thornton due to the fact that we have a streak shooter in Tony Wroten already, and when he has an off night 2-15 it's not only bad but atrocious. I see the same with Thornton, guy can drop 35 one night and then go 1-11 the next night.

I'm not as enamored with Ben as other Kings fans. He has been bad this year and not what I personally expected from a prospect some believed had the talent of last draft. I haven't seen the consistent flashes from him that makes me believe his ceiling would be higher than a mediocre rotation player, yet.