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I thought Wes was a good option for the Kings, but I'm kind of thinking McLemore should grow to be at least as good as Matthews?

1. Do you think I'm off in thinking and if not
2. How long will it take?

This is probably going to be the season where we get a ceiling prediction on Ben.

He is the better athlete.

But the odds of him reaching that level of effectiveness are certainly not high right now.

No because its a bad comparison. Matthews is a MUCH better ball handler. I dont think Ben ever becomes a good ball handler.

Mclemore could become Danny Green though. This is the year.

When did Wes enter the league at 23? Think that has to be in consideration when looking at Ben's timetable. If he has less cold shooting streaks another step up in ball handling this coming year think that will be good signs he is well on the way to that level.

Yeah, I think Ben will be as good as Matthews in a few seasons. Should at least be a very good 3 PT shooter and good perimeter defender. Prime Ben will be better than Matthews if he improves his ball handling and playmaking.

He has the tools to be better, but Matthews would have been an upgrade just in terms of sheer polish. Sometimes living up to whatever potential you have has everything to do with the team you're on. I think Ben in a situation where he can be a top option would put up pretty good numbers as a scorer. It's the polish though that would depend on how effective he is overall.

jeffjtk1234 wrote:No because its a bad comparison. Matthews is a MUCH better ball handler. I dont think Ben ever becomes a good ball handler.

Mclemore could become Danny Green though. This is the year.

Yup. Been saying his comp was a more athletic Danny Green for years. Green improved his handle as well. In the 2013 finals Miami was running him off the line and he couldn't do squat. Now-a-days he's at least serviceable. And that's all we need from Ben; serviceable handles to go along with defense and knock down shooting.

This is Ben McLemore's year. He's gonna get A LOT of help being surrounded by Rondo and Belinelli instead of Nik and Sessions.

Only Ben can answer that question.

If Ben works hard and has the heart he will certainly be just as good if not better. The problem is the mess that is surrounding him; who will push him and bring the best out of him? How will he get better in this circus. I think he very well will be better in San Antonio, Cleveland or Miami somewhere; the Kings will foolishly trade him for a has been veteran who they think will get them closer to the playoffs but they won't then it'll be another horrible move in the endless annals of bad Kings' moves!!!!

Every time I look; the Kings are looking for a short cut. Matthews, Ellis. Lou Williams; have they already given up on Ben? If they have, what is the justification? Who can succeed in this cesspool? They are trying to sign all these veteran castoffs in a desperate attempt to make the playoffs before they enter the new building and in the process killing their future.

I just wish the Kings had someone in that FO who was in the know; then they can take legitimate risks on coaching and player talents who can produce results. Sam Cassell is someone who would've been great for Ben and a Mudiay if he was drafted. I think he even could've connected with Boogie. He did a masterful job with Wall and Beal in DC. I think he is ready which is why Doc stole him for his bench. He will get a head coach job soon and be successful. This is just one legitimate risk; there are others that reap great benefits. Look at Milwaukee w/Kidd!!!! Their front office knows what they are and made a plan to draft and develop their young talent; took a chance on a former player who may not have the experience but was intelligent and knows the game. Boom they hit the jackpot and after making the playoffs unexpectedly was able to cash in on a nice FA in Monroe. With young talent like Carter-Williams, Antetokounmpo, Parker, Monroe, Henson, Middleton and even has acquired good affordable vets to strengthen the bench like Vasquez, Bayless, Pachulia, Plumlee and Mayo. This is after having to give up on a nice young talent who lost his way in Sanders. Impressive!! Take notes Sacramento!!! Take notes!!!

Ben is still very raw and inconsistent. The potential is there, but in some games, he has no impact on either side of the floor even if he plays 30 minutes. I don't see him as being even potentially as good as Matthews for two years. And even in two years, I put the chances of him being as good as Matthews at about 50%. I hope he makes me eat these words, but he just hasn't shown me differently.

VeeJay24 wrote:Only Ben can answer that question.

If Ben works hard and has the heart he will certainly be just as good if not better. The problem is the mess that is surrounding him; who will push him and bring the best out of him? How will he get better in this circus. I think he very well will be better in San Antonio, Cleveland or Miami somewhere; the Kings will foolishly trade him for a has been veteran who they think will get them closer to the playoffs but they won't then it'll be another horrible move in the endless annals of bad Kings' moves!!!!

Every time I look; the Kings are looking for a short cut. Matthews, Ellis. Lou Williams; have they already given up on Ben? If they have, what is the justification? Who can succeed in this cesspool? They are trying to sign all these veteran castoffs in a desperate attempt to make the playoffs before they enter the new building and in the process killing their future.

I just wish the Kings had someone in that FO who was in the know; then they can take legitimate risks on coaching and player talents who can produce results. Sam Cassell is someone who would've been great for Ben and a Mudiay if he was drafted. I think he even could've connected with Boogie. He did a masterful job with Wall and Beal in DC. I think he is ready which is why Doc stole him for his bench. He will get a head coach job soon and be successful. This is just one legitimate risk; there are others that reap great benefits. Look at Milwaukee w/Kidd!!!! Their front office knows what they are and made a plan to draft and develop their young talent; took a chance on a former player who may not have the experience but was intelligent and knows the game. Boom they hit the jackpot and after making the playoffs unexpectedly was able to cash in on a nice FA in Monroe. With young talent like Carter-Williams, Antetokounmpo, Parker, Monroe, Henson, Middleton and even has acquired good affordable vets to strengthen the bench like Vasquez, Bayless, Pachulia, Plumlee and Mayo. This is after having to give up on a nice young talent who lost his way in Sanders. Impressive!! Take notes Sacramento!!! Take notes!!!

The problem may be that Ben needed some vet leadership and professionalism to not only push him but show him how to take next steps. I think watching a vet like Beli will help him on both counts. I know that Rudy has taken him under his wing to a point but more help especially at his position is great IMO.I think Matthews would have too but Beli is a better option cuz Ben won't lose as many mins if any. He may even still start depending on Karl's decision. I don't see us giving up on Ben unless he regresses to the point that Anderson takes his PT for a long period of time.

I believe Vlade is in the know and will prove it over time. He has an up hill climb tho due to past mistakes made by previous GMs. The more we as fans spout the house is on fire claims the more it becomes the narrative and the harder it is for guys that have the ability to change the culture to get the job done. I understand your frustration but blaming this FO for the mistakes of the past regimes doesn't help us and comparing us to the Bucks, who have had John Hammond as GM since 2008, isn't a fair comparison, but since you brought them up, lets look at them.

Roster in 2008 when Hammond was hired.
C Bogut Gadzuric Elson/ PF Mbah a Moute Villanueva/ SF Jefferson Alexander/ SG Redd Bell Bogans/ PG Ridnour Sessions Lue

Bogut was a highly touted 3rd year center selected #1 in 2005 that missed part of the yr to injury.

Hammond has had 11 draft picks since he was hired. Only 3 still on the team. More then 10 trades in those 7 yrs. Playoffs in 09, 12, 14. In 08, Hammond was trusted by the owners to improve the team and lead them to the playoffs. He did a yr later after some vet free agent signings. Team regressed due to injuries and draft busts and rebooted in 12, trading Bogut and Jennings. Fired HC Skiles and interim coach took them to playoffs. Drafting well, new coach and a few trades got them back to the playoffs in 14.

So patients in the FO and making moves when needed helped get the bucks to where they are today. We should definitely take notes!

Ben better come correct. Before FA I said 50/50 they would do something with that starting position, and they tried (Matthews/Ellis).
Mr straddling the line better come with it, I expect improvement and the next step taken

Kings2013 wrote:Ben better come correct. Before FA I said 50/50 they would do something with that starting position, and they tried (Matthews/Ellis).
Mr straddling the line better come with it, I expect improvement and the next step taken

Do you think it's a make or break season for Ben?

SKF_85 wrote:

Kings2013 wrote:Ben better come correct. Before FA I said 50/50 they would do something with that starting position, and they tried (Matthews/Ellis).
Mr straddling the line better come with it, I expect improvement and the next step taken

Do you think it's a make or break season for Ben?

Not sure if make or break is the right phrase but I think this season will definitely show us who he is going to be as a player for the future. If he makes the same degree of improvement he did from season one to season two then I think he will be a solid player. Definitely needs to work on his ballhandling but I think confidence is the key to his development. Hopefully he finds some this year.

VeeJay24 wrote:Every time I look; the Kings are looking for a short cut. Matthews, Ellis. Lou Williams; have they already given up on Ben? If they have, what is the justification? Who can succeed in this cesspool? They are trying to sign all these veteran castoffs in a desperate attempt to make the playoffs before they enter the new building and in the process killing their future.

But after the trade with the Sixers, what did our frontcourt/wing depth look like?

Collison/McCallum
McLemore/ ???
Gay (but we want to use him at the 4)/ ???

So going after any of those simply makes sense. Especially considering we want to shape the team for Karl's system and stretch the floor, right?

SKF_85 wrote:

Kings2013 wrote:Ben better come correct. Before FA I said 50/50 they would do something with that starting position, and they tried (Matthews/Ellis).
Mr straddling the line better come with it, I expect improvement and the next step taken

Do you think it's a make or break season for Ben?

I think we should have a good understanding where his career will likely head after the year, yes. If he progresses into the player we hope there won't be too many holes on roster going forward