The Next King Of Kings?

On Tuesday, Ricky Rubio, the 18 year-old phenom guard from Spain decided to stay overseas for at least two more years instead of signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The tears that you heard were probably coming from up state Minnesota, but that huge sigh of relief you heard was coming from up state California, Sacramento to be exact. That's because the Sacramento Kings made the right choice.

Rubio was taken by Minnesota with the fifth pick in the draft. The Kings had the worst record in the NBA last season, as well as in their franchise history, at 17-65. They had just lost the number one pick in the upcoming draft, thanks David Stern for that great lottery system you have in place. They were without a coach, they had fired Reggie Theus earlier in the season and did not retain interim head coach Kenny Natt. They slid all the way down to the number four pick in the draft and you would have thought the city had just been socked in the gut by a Mike Tyson cross. Then draft night came.

The first pick went to the Los Angeles Clippers and of course they selected PF Blake Griffin. Next, the Memphis Grizzlies selected C Hasheem Thabeet with the number two pick. A surprise at the third pick was made by Oklahoma City Thunder, who selected SG Jason Harden. So now the Kings aresitting there with the fourth pick. What is the Kings biggest weakness right now? Point GUARD! That was all of Sacramento shouting in unison. So who was available for the Kings? Well, there was PG Johnny Flynn out of Syracuse and SG (might play PG in the NBA) Steph Curry out of Davidson sitting there. But oh boy, all of the River City's prayers have been answered. Ricky Rubio is still on the board. I swear I thought I was going to hear about Chris Webber giving out free drinks at his restaurant, Center Court, and then everyone streaking to Arco Arena like the running of the bulls.

"And with the fourth pick, the Sacramento Kings select, Tyreke Evans, shooting guard, University of Memphis." Those were the words that came out of David Stern's mouth that night. My next thought was that Weber was going to kick everyone out of the building, grab a bottle of Jack and start talking New York Giants football with Grant Napier (Play by Play announcer for the Kings). Strange thing happened though. People liked the pick. I mean, Kings fans did at least. The media butchered the Kings, giving draft grades as low as "D" for their pick of Evans. Thing is, nobody outside of Memphis really knew what the Kings were getting.

The Kings knew and more importantly Geoff Petrie knew, Kings GM. "We think he is a great-great prospect. He could become a star." Evans played at Memphis for only one year but in that year he showed the poise to not only play the point guard position but the shooting guard as well. Think Dwayne Wade, but stronger and younger. If Evans can step into an already descent starting five with Evans, Kevin Martin, Andres Nocioni, Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes, that gives Kings fans something to be excited about for not only this season but seasons to come. Perhaps one day Weber really will lead the fans streaking towards Arco . If so, it will be because Tyreke Evans took the reigns and became the new King of Kings.