Being drafted by the Kings wasn't just about playing in the NBA for Omri Casspi.
It was about making history.
It was 6:30 a.m. in Israel by the time Casspi, taken 23rd overall, talked about being selected by Sacramento and knowing he would be the NBA's first Israeli-born player.
Casspi was in the midst of celebrating, admittedly operating on no sleep.
"It was everything for me," Casspi said. "I'm so happy right now. Nobody can even imagine. I cried like a baby, and that's something I try not to do a lot."
It might be the last time Casspi is associated with sensitivity. He and forward Jon Brockman, whose rights were traded to the Kings, were coveted largely because of their toughness.
Kings coach Paul Westphal praised Casspi's versatility and athleticism.
"As he learns the league, he will be able to guard and match up very well with the athletic (small forwards) in this league," Westphal said.
A player who won't back down was something the Kings focused on coming off a franchise-worst 17-65 season.
Casspi fits that mold. With national and religious pride as motivators, Casspi plans to play with the same edge in the NBA as he did in Israel.
"Not everybody likes to compete," Casspi said. "Not everybody likes to fight. … I'm a tough guy, and that's what's best for me. That's what I want (to) show everybody. That's what I want to be on the floor, and I want to bring it every night."
The 6-foot-9, 225-pound Casspi doesn't exactly fit the physical description of an intimidator. But he said size doesn't always equate to grit on the court.
"I saw a lot of strong guys that are playing weak," Casspi said. "And I saw a lot of skinny players that play strong."
Brockman is a big man who plays tough. At 6-7 and 255 pounds, he led the Pacific-10 Conference in rebounding the past three seasons at Washington. He doesn't have the ideal height for a power forward, but he wants to be a force under the basket.
"Most of rebounding is just a desire to go get the ball," Brockman said. "Not being afraid of going through some elbows and doing whatever it takes to get it. That's kind of how I play."
Said Westphal: "No one's ever kicked sand in his face and said he's not tough."
Brockman's former college and Amateur Athletic Union teammate, Kings center Spencer Hawes, called co-owner Gavin Maloof to endorse picking up his good friend. Brockman was a sophomore when Hawes spent his lone season with the Huskies.
"I'm sure Spencer talked to a couple different people and let them know he wanted to play with me," Brockman said.
The Kings also added fourth-year point guard Sergio Rodríguez on Thursday. He was acquired from Portland with the 38th overall pick (Brockman) and cash considerations for the 31st pick (Arizona State forward Jeff Pendergraph).
"He's a proven pro," Westphal said of Rodríguez, who was a Trail Blazers backup.
"He's a useful player. And that, at the very worst, will provide us depth at the position."
Read the Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/kingsblog.
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