Sacramento burns
under the weight of unmet,
low expectations.
New Orleans Hornets at Sacramento Kings
The Gymmer, Sacramento
6 p.m. Pacific on Comcast SportsNet California
We know all about how the Kings are doing. What about the Hornets? After sending Chris Paul to L.A. for a package built more for 2015 than 2011-12, are the Hornets as bad as we all thought they'd be?
Nope. Not really.
The Hornets are 2-1, with wins over the Suns and Celtics and a loss to the Suns. Boston came in without Paul Pierce, but that's still a solid win for N.O. Phoenix is a whole lot worse than we remember them for some strange reason; Steve Nash may finally be falling apart. So it's not the great 2-1 start in the world, but it's solid.
The more impressive note is that the C's win came without Eric Gordon, who also missed the second Suns loss. As you'd expect with a team that features Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor, it's all about defense with the Hornets. New Orleans currently rates No. 7 in the NBA in defense and No. 22 in offense; the team's shooting defense sits at No. 3. Against a team like the Kings struggling to even figure out what they are supposed to be running, that defense has the potential to look brilliant.
It appears Gordon will again sit, which makes Marcus Thornton's job easier. Chuck Hayes will match up with old friend Carl Landry; we have seen first-hand that Landry loves battling with Chuckwagon, and we can't rule out that N.O.'s anemic offense will make the Kings look bad.
Game's at 6. Game threads at 6 and 7:30. Let's go Kings!
0 recs | 100 comments
Here is Westphal's opportunity for redemption.
Slam_Dunk - January 1, 2012
The only way that Westphal could provide the redemption you seek
is if he suited up and went 7-10 from the field, and 4-4 from the charity stripe.
I simply cannot see how PW can be blamed for this when he has been handed a largely brand- new set of players with limited time to gel, and a team that has (admittedly) not consistently run the offense that he has tried to implement.
If one claims that he has “lost” the team, that is easily as much on the immaturity of the players than it is on the coach. I’m sorry, but I don’t believe a disciplinarian with a wooden paddle is going to improve their field goal percentage and free throws.
RJinFairOaks - January 1, 2012
Where do I call for a wooden paddle in my statement?
Slam_Dunk - January 1, 2012
I, for one, would love to see the game played on donkeys.
I will also accept mules and jackasses.
Bitgod - January 1, 2012
“You called?”
tomroadrunner - January 1, 2012
Am I the only one who absolutely loves how many games there are every single day (although not sure if they are still doing the whole Thursday only 2 or 3 game thing like they used to)
Just as a basketball fan, loving it. Granted the shooting has been a bit goofy given the shortened preseason but I think it’s going to be a fun year.
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
Ya
I love the condensed schedule. I loved it after the previous strike in 98-99.
bignerd - January 1, 2012
2011 was just a bad year for the Kings
Let’s make 2012 a winning year. Get a win and be undefeated in 2012.
SharkKings49 - January 1, 2012
Need I say more?
Carl - January 1, 2012
Yes! I have Trevor Ariza on my fantasy team.
I expect nothing less than a career night from him tonight. I’m thinking 30 points (four 3s), 10 boards, 5 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks.
CrimeD - January 1, 2012
Yeah I got Kaman and Jared Jack
got zero problem with them absolutely failing misreably
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
That can't be a picture of PW
I see no monkey on his back
ElRonToro - January 1, 2012
No Demarcus Cousins eh
Hit4TheCycle - January 1, 2012
Yeah this is getting very interesting very quickly.
jveezy - January 1, 2012
I hope so, then I can say the only reason the Kings didn't win was cousins was out.
I’m tired of not having injury issues be an excuse for how bad they have looked. I look forward to saying, “the Kings didn’t win because ________ was out with an injury.”
Ba-Da Bing - January 1, 2012
The problem is
He’s not playing because he’s demanding a trade
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
Or not, according to his agent.
jveezy - January 1, 2012
What a f***ing mess
lead_pipe - January 1, 2012
This is getting out of hand now
Something is going on behind the scenes between the players and the coach, and it’s not anything good.
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
Either way reporters are working extra hard right now.
jveezy - January 1, 2012
Yes, but for all the wrong reasons
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
Not what I wanted to hear today
elSAVinator - January 1, 2012
wut?
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
Check the fanposts, yikes
lead_pipe - January 1, 2012
guh, fanshots I mean
lead_pipe - January 1, 2012
Look at the fanshot
elSAVinator - January 1, 2012
According to the Kings press release
That’s the reason they asked him to stay home.
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
Hmmmm, excuse me I run into the kitchen real quick and get a glass of water. Will just be a moment (closes door)
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
But now he never did, according to his agent
Something’s definitely wrong now
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
It's ok
We have Hassan Whiteside
wake180 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Got a question
trying to use AP photos that are appropriate for SB Nation articles (like the Westphal one above) but I got zero clue how to properly crop the darn thing. I can post the image to my fanpost but when I try to crop I just end up resizing it. I was hoping to kind of use the style they use at SS&R for a lot of their photos (wide shots but cropped on top and bottom) and zero clue how to properly do it.
If anyone has a clue, any help would be much appreciated.
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
What sort of computer are you using?
You could do that with MS Paint I’d think, or Preview.app if you’re on OSX. Note: I may not understand what you asked for.
lead_pipe - January 1, 2012
yeah I was just hoping not to have to go the MS Paint route and load it up on image shack or anything like that given I am lazy
I was hoping there was another way.
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
Oh, I see-
You were hoping a part of the SBN thing would do it for you. Good luck!
lead_pipe - January 1, 2012
I don't think you can add that style to a fanpost
the SBN editor does all the work for you for front page posts.
bluexfalcon - January 1, 2012
Are you saying only an editor can crop within SB Nation?
Not trying to do a front page post, just a fanpost.
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
No, just anyone with writer credentials for FP.
You have to actually crop it yourself and add it your fanpost, there are no format options in fanposts.
bluexfalcon - January 1, 2012
okay thanks
this was one of those “I would like to know the easy way if I am going to do this a few times throughout the season” kind of things.
Much appreciated.
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
yup
bluexfalcon - January 1, 2012
Cousins demands a trade.
Seriously. Grow the fuck up. It’s 4 games into the season. Maybe I want him gone if this is how he is
LLcoolRay - January 1, 2012
Agent says he never did
Don’t know who to believe
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
either way
not good
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
Agreed
I have a feeling this is only going to get worse.
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
any explanation is bad
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
I'm thinking that he demanded the trade to PW or GP prior to notifying his agent. That is the only reason I can think of for why his agent doesn't think he demanded a trade
Reke_Havoc13 - January 1, 2012
If that's true
DMC is being very rash and immature.
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
Which sort of makes sence
elSAVinator - January 1, 2012
Which makes a lot of sense
fixed*
LLcoolRay - January 1, 2012
That's the sad thing about it
It is a real possibility
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
or his agent is smart and knows he and DMC lose all control if it goes public
or DMC never did demand it but blew up and said something that others thought was the equivalent.
I am sure there are other possible explanations as well.
Either way: there’s some fire here under the smoke. How much? Who knows but if there is very here, it’s a big problem that the Kings sent a press release.
Basically, any way you cut it, this blows.
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
*but if there is even very little here
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
I have a feeling PW told him to stay home because he was complaining a lot
DMC was so upset about this he said “trade me then”. Just a thought
elSAVinator - January 1, 2012
That’s what I’m thinking.
d-jackfan10 - January 1, 2012
If he didn't tell his agent, DMC is being really immature
If he did and they are trying to cover it up, then he is still being immature and it will most likely end with a trade
If he blew up and said something equivalent, then DMC lost his cool, but the press release will probably make it worse. Or maybe the press release was to light a fire under him.
But I agree, this blows big time.
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
you don't send a press release to light a fire
you do it if you are totally fine with burning bridges.
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
okay not always
but the one I just read, you don’t send out unless you think it’s okay to burn a bridge. Maybe DMC is just that awful behind the scenes, I dunno but just saying.
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
I'm sure it's the worst way to do it
But I’m scrambling for answers here. DMC had to say something to get this going.
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
Well
unless Cousins did something completely unforgiveable (and for all I know, totally could have done that although I have little confidence in the organization and Westphal at the moment) I would suggest Westphal and the Kings to learn how to piss inside the tent.
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
Yeah
All I’m thinking now is that one of them won’t be here by the end of the season. According to the presser, Westphal had the green light to send Cousins home from the FO, so my confidence for all involved is really shot right now.
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
It's absurd
Just all around frickin absurd.
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
I understand that the players are frustrated but geez. Calm the fuck down.
Reke_Havoc13 - January 1, 2012
Wins heal all wounds
Best case scenario is that we take down NO without DMC, and he feels just guilty enough about his behavior to come back with an apologetic and positive attitude.
RJinFairOaks - January 1, 2012
Or maybe he gets angrier and goes
“See you don’t need me, trade me now!”
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
I am wondering if this is Westphal coming back at DMC after comments he made in postgame…People are already slighted turned away from cousins, and for this to be made public would push an even worse aspect towards him..
Widowwolf - January 1, 2012
Essentially taking the heat off of Westphal (You already heard comments regarding Smart from Westphal..
Widowwolf - January 1, 2012
what comments about Smart? Must have missed those
LPKingsFan - January 1, 2012
Basically saying Smart said the team was ready, and Westphal came back and said the team isnt ready, and when you think they are, they arent..I think this is westphal not showing any kind of trust in his asst coaches
Widowwolf - January 1, 2012
I thought that was aimed at a different assistant.
jveezy - January 1, 2012
It was the other assistant coach
Reke_Havoc13 - January 1, 2012
Ahhh ok still same thing , just pushing bad looks towards others
Widowwolf - January 1, 2012
Mostly the same
But if it was Smart it would be a bit worse, since then Westphal would be undermining his obvious successor in an effort to keep his job as opposed to skirting responsibility.
jveezy - January 1, 2012
True that right there…I just see this as Westphal trying to save face
Widowwolf - January 1, 2012
I GOT IT!
TRADE DMC, TYREKE AND SALMONS FOR DWIGHT HOWARD.
Only good thing that could come out of this
LLcoolRay - January 1, 2012
DMC for KMart!
lead_pipe - January 1, 2012
I think Cousins just wants to be with John Wall. A package around Vesely or McGee would be a nice consolation.
JuMowbray - January 1, 2012
Would rather trade Reke + whatever it takes for Wall
LPKingsFan - January 1, 2012
Soooo
trade reke for another scoring point guard? Not real thrilled by that idea
LLcoolRay - January 1, 2012
wall = untouchable
Shizzo - January 1, 2012
Cant we all just
BUMP IT OUT
Widowwolf - January 1, 2012
Dammit
Here
Widowwolf - January 1, 2012
lol
honestly, when I first read that DeMarcus demanded a trade … i laughed. Overreaction much?
Dub_TC - January 1, 2012
I think it may be time to pick up my
fire Westphal train ticket.
ThomasGQ - January 1, 2012 via iPhone app
Unfortunately, I have to agree.
Good coaches don’t air their dirty laundry. Respect isn’t something you are given, it is commanded. Obviously, it hasn’t been commanded.
Ugh, this all sucks. It just sucks. This is the opposite of what I expected this season. It’s all just terrible, and it sucks.
tomroadrunner - January 1, 2012
I think Cuz slept trough the part of astronomy class
Where they explain that you are not the center of the universe
southern oregon - January 1, 2012
well, black holes are at the centers of some galaxies, right?
insert Simmons line here
LPKingsFan - January 1, 2012
At this point
PW has had issues with Hawes, Martin, Cousins, had veteran players such as Dalambert and Udoka leave on a bad note, has had issues with substitutions, defining roles, establishing an offensive or defensive system, even had his star players question his style in the media, and all of this without any improvement on the team. We need to move on.
MichaelMack - January 1, 2012
Not totally agreeing with you
but your comments about the players are dead on unfortunately. For a coach, Westphal seems to be very thin skinned.
Bluejohn - January 1, 2012
That is odd to me
because he genuinely seems so. With his stellar playing career, number of head coaching jobs, I would think being thick skinned would be a strength.
I was pleased when we hired him, mostly because I enjoyed his playing career, but I can see now why he went so long in between NBA Head Coaching jobs.
MichaelMack - January 1, 2012
Not directed at you Michael.
tomroadrunner - January 1, 2012
I would like to add
it wouldn’t be change for the sake of making change (and that goes for if they decided to move DMC as well)
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
Agreed
raiderking21 - January 1, 2012
I agree on both points Wally
DMC is a talent, but he still isn’t more of a talent that Derrick Favors or Greg Monroe at this point. He might have a higher ceiling, but I would trade him for either of those two at this point and not feel a twinge of guilt.
MichaelMack - January 1, 2012
Pretty sure the Jazz and Pistons front offices would feel a whole lot of guilt if they even considered it.
wallywagon11 - January 1, 2012
Do you really think Wally?
I like DMC’s rebounding, and his effort on D, but his shot selection is just putrid. I like Monroe’s game.
I wonder how much of our excitement over DMC’s potential is homer-ism, and other teams just see a troubled talent who was able to log a lot of minutes his rookie year and achieved some decent stats.
MichaelMack - January 1, 2012
Welcome to the club, Paul.
It looks like we all owe Cowboy Ron a formal apology.
tomroadrunner - January 1, 2012
well done Tom.
MichaelMack - January 1, 2012
Wesphal was a better hire than those three clowns. Shouldn’t even count Natt.
bignerd - January 1, 2012
This is going to make
My casual conversations with anti arena folks a lot more uncomfortable.
Crocoduck - January 1, 2012 via mobile
I'm not in favor of firing Westphal just because we have Keith Smart down the bench. Smart would not be my first choice to replace Westphal
All I can hope is that ownership and the front office are taking a renewed interest in getting looking for the best coach available and not just the cheapest. I don’t know if the dubs would let the Kings talk to Mike Malone (?) Mark Jackson’s lead assistant but he would be on my list.
The next head coach has to able to relate to and develop young players but also be a bit of a disciplinarian. A strong coach doesn’t have to get mad to impose his will on willful young studs. I’m not for trading Reke or DMC but I think it’s becoming clearer that they might not be all we were hoping for, even as they mature and get past some of the growing pains we are seeing now.
Bluejohn - January 1, 2012
I think the situation almost has to get worse before it can get better
are wiling to sublimate their egos for the good of the team and to get to the point where they actually become coachable, regardless if it’s Westphal coaching them or someone else.
This press release is incredibly stupid and reactive and I can hear it tumbling out of Westphal’s mouth verbaitim as an aide scribbles it all down. I can see PW in Petrie’s office screaming at Geoff “What the hell do you want to with these young players, they are UNCOACHABLE”. And then Petrie in his very quiet and subtle way asks Westphal “Paul, what would you like me to do about it?”
And the Petrie who almost inevitably has had at least priliminary discusions with his staff about bringing in another coach sees the potential of killing two birds with one stone but who also knows that the team can’t keep letting DMC get away with this wild and insubordinate crap because that will only make him even harder to coach says to Westphal “ok Paul, that sounds good, you get with Marketing and put together the press release and I’ll call the boys and let them know we’re sending DeMarcus home for the game.”
Done. Done and done! Westphal is toast, it’s only a when matter now, if has been taken off the table.
Bluejohn - January 1, 2012
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