Who has the better core to build around?

[Cruel_Ruin]

Oh come on, there is no right or wrong answer here, everyone is guessing. People are obviously going to be inclined to the players they watch regularly.

Personally I like the Kings core the best because I see two players (Evans and Cousins) who I think will be superstars, and this is a superstar's league. There is not really any statistical evidence that I can give that makes me think that way, just that from an observational standpoint I see both as guys who have the ability to create offense for themselves and for teammates already, and with more polish have the athletic talents to push their abilities to an elite level. The only other players I see who have that kind of potential based on their talent and physical abilities are Ellis and Wall, and both have severe defensive drawbacks. The Kings have two on the same team, a potentially unstoppable inside-out combo.

Of course fans of other teams are going to see it differently. This is based on nothing but conjecture. Its kind of like the draft (well these guys are recent draftees, so it basically IS the draft) where its usually hit or miss.

[408Kings]

The Kings have two on the same team, a potentially unstoppable inside-out combo.

Agreed for the most part. Except it's more of an inside-inside combo right now, lol

[realfung]

I would rate the Kings and the Wolves have the same quantity of talents, but I like Kings' maturities and fitting in together.
Follow by the Warriors, and .....rest

[Geaux_Hawks]

I say the Kings do. Tyreke is not far from Ellis, Big Cuz is very promising, Jimmer is supposedly another Curry and then add in Hickson and you have one of the best young cores on a team that hasn't even spent money yet on vets. Washington would be that team, but they have questions with McGee and Vesely imo.

Minny has to many forwards, and not enough starting spots. Just a big mess imo.

[kevin44]

The Warriors will win the most games by far. David Lee, Ellis & Curry are a pretty strong three. Andris might gets some of his game back & don't forget about D Wright. I like Evans Cousin, but with Evans health and Cousins lack of maturity we have to wait & see. I actually think Minnesota will be the second best of this bunch.

[longfellow44]

I think it's easily the kings but the core seems to me to be Evans, Thornton, and Cousins. With guys like Thompson and Freddette, and Hickson rounding out that very nice young core.

Kings look like the only one of those teams to have Francise center in Cousins. We have 2 potentiall all star guards in Evans and Thornton. And then we have fantastic role players in Thompson freddette and Hickson.

[7-Day Dray]

I think you should add Andray Blatche to the Wizards core. As a Wizards fan, I saw Blatche play a lot last year, and he was out of shape coming off of a broken foot last summer, and he played injured most of the year. When healthy and in shape, I think he has the best combination of size, handles, jumper,and post moves for an NBA big man.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9IsrgjZCY0[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo7ByBMO99U[/youtube]

Mark my words, Blatche WILL be an All-Star next season if he remains healthy.

And I can't blame y'all for being homers. I voted for the Wizards on the poll. Homerism is a disorder. No matter how bad something is, you'll always stick up for them.

[theboomking]

Personally I like the Kings core the best because I see two players (Evans and Cousins) who I think will be superstars, and this is a superstar's league. There is not really any statistical evidence that I can give that makes me think that way, just that from an observational standpoint I see both as guys who have the ability to create offense for themselves and for teammates already, and with more polish have the athletic talents to push their abilities to an elite level. The only other players I see who have that kind of potential based on their talent and physical abilities are Ellis and Wall, and both have severe defensive drawbacks. The Kings have two on the same team, a potentially unstoppable inside-out combo.

I wouldn't call Wall defensively limited any more than any rookie. John averaged more steals and blocks than Evans, Westbrook, Rondo, Paul, Deron Williams and Rose as a rookie, and more steals than Kobe, Lebron and Wade. John has great length, tremendous quickness, and the right mindset. I expect Wall to become a top 3 defender at his position.
http://www.hoopdata.com/player.aspx?name=Tyreke%20Evans

I also think Wall has the higher ceiling than Cousins. Although most players are unlikely to ever reach their ceiling, Wall's ceiling is GOAT, whereas I'm not sure the same can be said of Cousins.

The above being said, best case scenario, I think the Sacremento has the core with the highest ceiling. Tyreke and Cousins give you a potentially elite duo, while the Wizards have one potentially elite player, and a bunch of potentially elite role players, if there is such a thing.

I don't really like Cousins' chances to realize his potential however, at least not in his first playing location. He seems like the kind of guy that moves around a bit before he "gets it".

[pillwenney]

I think you should add Andray Blatche to the Wizards core. As a Wizards fan, I saw Blatche play a lot last year, and he was out of shape coming off of a broken foot last summer, and he played injured most of the year. When healthy and in shape, I think he has the best combination of size, handles, jumper,and post moves for an NBA big man.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9IsrgjZCY0[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo7ByBMO99U[/youtube]

Mark my words, Blatche WILL be an All-Star next season if he remains healthy.

And I can't blame y'all for being homers. I voted for the Wizards on the poll. Homerism is a disorder. No matter how bad something is, you'll always stick up for them.

This actually might be true. Unfortunately, all of that kind of goes to waste because he's a total moron.

[theboomking]

I disagree with 7-day dray. Not only does Blatche not have a winning mentality, but his advanced stats haven't improved significantly since he came into the league. For a 7 foot tall player, a career best TS% of 52% is terrible. Last year, Blatche had a TS% of Blatche's rebounding rate also hasn't improved in his time in the league. Andray is also a horrible team defender.

While the Wizards were better with Andray on the court than off, I'm not sure that is a ringing endorsement for a player.