He is a big guy who is hitting 52% of his three pointers (9-17) this preseason. He played 23-25 minutes the last couple of preseason games. His line from last night:

Min----FG--3pt----FT----Reb-Ast---Stl-Blk-TO--Pts
28----7-12-2-5---1-2---3----4-----3---1---3----17

Any Kings fans have comments on how this guy fits in the rotation

I have to think Nocioni gets the lion's share.

definitely seems like a guy worth keeping an eye on. I have seen a couple "experts" that have confidence in his game & expect him to start at some point this season.

It's only game one, but I didn't expect 15 points from him in 19 minutes. I'm watching the World Series, so did anyone see this game? How did he look?

Well some of his points were in garbage minutes, but I'd expect him to get more playing time at sf going forward. Mason looked awful and Nocioni didn't do much.

I admit, I haven't been able to see Casspi actually play very much. But I'm loving last night's line in what looks like a solid 30 minutes of play. Can someone please provide more details on the kid? Thanks!

I watched the game last night, he was very effective. He is the kind of player that you would love to coach, he gives 100% on every play.

It seems like the coach likes him as well:


For the Kings' sake I hope Westphal starts Hawes and Casspi the next game.

Great spot up shooter. But what is up with his FT? 40 something percent so far?

1/5 on the year.
Maybe it is just his nerves.


I forgot to add that he goes after EVERY ball, tries to block every shot. No doubt you are going to see him get posterized a few times this year as well as get some highlight reel blocks.

That's what I've read. And that's what I admire, ability plus grit.

I think he could be a future 1/1/1 stud. He might even have value as soon as this year, with Garcia and K.Mart always injured

Got to see him live in Europe last year. He wanted to come to the NBA last year but had no 1st round guarantee. He was solid playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in a vastly inferior league in Israel avging around 13 points a game in under 30 minutes. European Game is a lot different (like olympic games) and more perimeter oriented. I'd expect his FT% to be in the mid 70's.

I thought he would start slow but I can't say I am surprised by his success so far. He's got a thin frame for a SF and I thought he would have to work in the weight room but his shooting ability was always there. More importantly, He has that mental toughness and will not back down from anybody so to hear you guys say he goes after everything doesn't shock me at all. The work ethic and grit were always there as he was always a high energy guy and can play an up tempo game. You have to understand he is the 1st player from his country to actually play in an official NBA game. Back home he is the Ish - a guy who made the impossible possible. I don't think he's satisfied just getting here, he's trying to pave the way for the rest of his countrymen. Despite being a "celebrity" back at home playing for the best team in Israel, he served his country for 3 years in form of army service just like your average Jane and Joe. I don't want to get in to politics and what not being familiar with the country so here's some more perspective (a quote from him):

"When I went to the workouts, I knew I can be like everyone else and then I can fall between 25th and 40th picks, but I wanted to bring something different to the table. I wanted to bring the toughness, to be competitive and aggresive in every workout. Maybe I wasn't a combat soldier at the Israeli army, but there's something in the Israeli spirit that is injected into you in an early stage of your life. You learn how to fight."

Interesting Note: Carlos Arroyo was his PG last year which may have hurt his numbers. Dee Brown from Illinois was also on that team.

if you want him, i'd recommend picking him up asap. he's gone in all my >12-team leagues.

I just picked him up- couldn't take a chance that the league's 1st Israeli player ends up on someone else's roster. My parents would kill me if I let that happen (like getting caught necking at Schindler's List). What do you think of this kid? Any chance he gets real PT and puts up good #'s?

I wrote up a two-page post the other day, but lost my computer connection and it was erased.

Athletic kid that goes hard all the time. Manu like.

Better shooter than was advertised. He is going to be a really good player. Needs to work on his ballhandling, but I really like what I have seen so far, especially if he is only 20 years old. Could be a 2 or a 3 once he works on that handle. He's also former Israeli military, so he can kill his defender instantly, but chooses not to. His one secret ambition remains be a hairstylist when he retires.

As a Casspi owner in a dynasty league, you've made me quite happy.

Speaking of NOT MESSING WITH THE CASSPI, why do the Rotoworld writers keep calling him Omar?

i really like this guy's story.

can't wait to see the movie when it comes out.

Teams just need to put him on the line to expose his weakness. Hack-a-Cass

Searching headlines ... damn it!

I'll email admin to fix that. Show this kid some respect! Someday he'll just be known by one name - OMRI!!!

http://kingskingdom.com/2009/07/06/omri-ca...ride-of-israel/

My coverage on him in July when the Kings drafted him. He is a legit ballplayer.

Love his aggressiveness so far.

From a fantasy perspective, you still need to treat him as a 20-year-old rookie and he is going to split time with Nocioni at the three and I think eventually K-mart at the two.

The Kings just signed Ime Udoka about an hour ago, which I'm not thrilled about, so that might mean that Desmond Mason moves on. Stay tuned. I'm hoping that Udoka doesn't take any time from Casspi though as well.

Yup, he will need to improve there as he is 1-for-6 so far. He did shoot 77% last year in the Euro league though. It's an area he must improve. He was at 60% the previous season.

Does this guy gain any value with the K-Mart injury? Anybody think he gets 30 min a game if he plays well?

You would think he would show up a few hours before and after practice to shoot free-throws.

Dude went 0-4 from the line tonight and was already under .200 for the season. My FT% is too bad as it is already...

How does he hit 4 of 6 threes, but miss all his FT.

Does this guy understand the concept of the free throw?

2-12 LOL. In Israel, they shoot free throws from the three point line.

Every other part of this dude's game is solid, just needs to do a few drills after practice or something. At least I only own him in H2H and the stain of his free throw percentage is washed away for the new week.

Everything about his free-throw shot approach is awful.

The Kings need to completely deconstruct his FT shot, or just move him back 3 feet ala Nick Van Excel.

It doesn't look natural at all. His hands are too close together on the ball and the has a hitch as he extends his arms. It's nothing like his regular shot that is fairly smooth.

He would be better off with the old granny shot than the approach he is using now.

-Almost cost them the game tonight. He had a chance to ice with with 20 seconds left and missed both.

It's funny cause he hit a technical free throw earlier, I was like WTF, they let him shoot that?! then he comes back down to earth going 0-2 at the end.

atleast he was in the game down the stretch.
thats a good sign. for my team in my 20 team league