More about Holiday:
Holiday shows Kings he has pro potential
The procession of point guard prospects expected to audition for the Kings began Thursday with a freshman whose college coach describes as "someone who makes other people better."
That would be refreshing.
The last Kings point guard to do that?
Um ... um ... um.
Jrue Holiday, the first player to visit, would rather pass than shoot, prefers fundamental to flamboyant, and believes his questionable perimeter skills will improve when he shifts from shooting guard to his natural point guard position. He also hopes to be drafted No. 1 by his hometown Los Angeles Clippers, which suggests a terrific sense of humor, an inflated sense of his value, or an innocent's flawed perception of L.A.'s weaker NBA sibling.
He really doesn't want to play for the Clips, although he doesn't know that yet. He's only 18. He'll figure it out. Meantime, he will work out for several NBA teams to gain a sense of where he would be selected June 25, then decide whether to return to UCLA.
Here's a hint: Based on his chat with reporters at the Kings' practice facility, Holiday sat up straight but definitely leaned toward the pros. And he won't be discouraged when he hears Geoff Petrie's public summation.
After Holiday's two-hour audition that consisted of psychological tests, shooting and passing drills, agility exercises and three-on-three scrimmages, Petrie made it abundantly clear that he was impressed.
"He had great size and strength," Petrie said. "He shot it really well in the drills. He was really attentive, obviously well coached to this point. He was very good."
In the brief time journalists could observe the scrimmage, Holiday had no trouble staying in front of his man or getting to the basket. His ballhandling seemed a little loose, though, and he failed to convert the layup after one particularly shifty drive - an aberration according to Bruins coach Ben Howland.
"He's a good shooter, (adept) at drawing and kicking, penetrating and finishing," Howland said via cell phone. "He can really finish over length. He didn't have the ball as much ... because we had (Darren) Collison back, and in five-on-five, you'll see his greatest strength is his feel for the game. He's an outstanding passer."
Furthermore, Howland refutes the notion that Holiday's freshman season was disappointing, though his modest numbers have left NBA scouts differing wildly about his readiness. The former prep standout at Campbell Hall of North Hollywood, where his mother, Toya, is the dean and the women's basketball coach, averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 27.1 minutes.
Holiday nonetheless rates higher than Collison, partly because of his defense and body type. Almost 6-foot-5 in sneakers and a toned 200 pounds, he has long arms and huge hands.
When Holiday, dressed in a Bob Marley T-shirt and blue gym shorts, met with journalists, the hand-held portion of the microphone disappeared within his web of fingers.
Howland, who coached NBA point guards Jordan Farmar and Russell Westbrook, said Holiday's massive hands remind him of another former player. "John Stockton," said Howland, a former Gonzaga assistant.
As the Kings' point guard search continues, the skills and body types of the participants will differ dramatically. Some will be small and quick (Jonny Flynn), others more athletic (Tyreke Evans) or superior shooters (Stephen Curry).
Then there's that Spanish star who tantalizes with his length, exceptional playmaking and dynamic overall game (Ricky Rubio).
As for the last Kings point guard who made the game easier for his teammates? Forget semantics. Doug Christie was listed as the shooting guard, but he was the playmaker.
http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/1883464.html
