Sactown Royalty

Impossible to say that from one game

lead_pipe - January 1, 2012 reply

I agree it's a sweeping remark

but it’s also impossible to say, like many have done, that Westphal is creating this conflict out of thin air.

I think it’s clear that Cousins has been a distraction on some level off the court. Was it enough to warrant being suspended with pay? We as fans will never know for sure. But we saw a team that actually passed and ran plays tonight. It’s not just about the end result and box score.

I fail to see how that effort would not be there

Had Cousins played. It’s not like he’s the only player on this team that has a reputation as a black hole.

And from what it sounds like, his issue is with Westphal, not his teammates.

Maybe its a Tyreke pass go card again. And DMC speaks his mind.

Whatever it is. Westy manages to come off as a dingle berry rather well.

Like I said, we as fans, have no authority to say what Cousins is like in the locker room and how that affects players

I was just remarking that, to me, the team looked more like a team without him. But hey, they looked great with Cousins against the Lakers as well, so who knows?

You could also say the team looked great without evens last spring on many outings with DMC playing so...

I don't think Tyreke and Evans particularly like each other

Westphal clearly likes Tyreke and is frustrated by Cousins.

Lotusprime - January 1, 2012 via mobile reply

We have a huge problem if Tyreke and Evans don't like each other

:)

king4life - January 1, 2012 reply

I guess my thinking would be this:

From what little we know this has been a drama filled week for the team, and it came to a head today. The fact that the guys pulled it together isn’t that surprising to me- you’d almost have to in the face of this mess, if only temporarily. 4 or 5 more games like this, without Cuz, and I’ll start to be convinced. I’d love to know how the members of the team view the whole situation, it’s really bizarre.

lead_pipe - January 1, 2012 reply

Team stepped it up

I think part of the reason they played well tonight is that they knew they had a man out, and needed to step up their game. Particularly Evans and Thornton, as evidenced by their reported post-Knicks pow-wow.

The other part of why they played well is that they just finally got some rhythm back. This post-lockout season is very young, still.

Biscuit - January 1, 2012 reply

Impossible to say?

He didn’t say “This team is a lot more cohesive…” or “this team is better without DMC”.

I’m surprised anyone would disagree with this.

Sacramental - January 1, 2012 reply

What I disagree with is the implication that the team looked better because of DMC's absence

I think it’s far too early to make that judgement. No question that “…the team looked a lot more cohesive and like a NBA real team…” however.

lead_pipe - January 1, 2012 reply

I think this Hornets team would maybe Dennis Rodman's bare bewbball team look nba ready

Really?

It’s looked to me like they really could have used his defensive rebounding.

Kfan in Korea - January 2, 2012 reply

ok guys...

feel free to call the Wizards Front Office anytime regarding Demarcus.

Sincerely,
Majority of the Wizards Community

Krobify - January 1, 2012 reply

No way

but a Blatche-Cousins front court would be the most ridiculous thing since . . . well, Blatche/McGee

For McGee?

NO

chenp22 - January 1, 2012 reply

Yes. Straight-Up

Or Jan Vesely (since you guys showed interest in the draft) and some pieces not named McGee or Wall.

Krobify - January 1, 2012 reply

No thanks.

chenp22 - January 1, 2012 reply

I wonder if someone could give some details on Paul's postgame comments, I missed them.

Didn't handle it well...

Said too much.. Let his emotions talk instead of his mind..

BMayNews10
Westphal asked if DeMarcus Cousins would make upcoming road trip: “That’ll be up to him.” How so? “He said he wanted to be traded.”

BMayNews10
Westphal asked if DeMarcus said why he wanted to be traded: “Yeah.” Care to make a comment? “No.”

HeuristicLineup - January 1, 2012 reply

In a whiny voice

I see why these men don’t respect him as their leader. Because PW is not a leader of men.

diehardkingsfan5 - January 1, 2012 via mobile reply

It was, in essence,

A “he doesn’t wanna be my friend, so why should I invite him to my birthday party!”
Or, “he’s not sharing the ball, so I’m taking my ball and going home!” In other words, dudes a child.

diehardkingsfan5 - January 1, 2012 via mobile reply

As I recall he was asked

If cousins would be joining the team in the road he said thats up to him. Then asked what happened he said he asked to be traded we only want players who want to be here who want to go forward. Then asked if there were reasons he said yes. Then asked if he cared to elaborate he said no.

Lotusprime - January 1, 2012 via mobile reply

Thanks for the timely response guys.

The thing is I thought

It was a good presser others seem less enthused.

Lotusprime - January 1, 2012 via mobile reply

I'm curious as to why you put that part in about Westphal's ego

Westphal certainly didn’t create any of Cousins’ maturity issues. I can easily believe that Cousins has been putting the team through BS behind closed doors. Does Westphal have a long track record of ego issues that I’m not privy to?

Not at all

HeuristicLineup - January 1, 2012 reply

oh my word!!

What a load of grand-standing-ego-crapping-coach-hugging-ego-rubbing-coachism.

FWIW

I have no idea what that means, but think it’s correct.

Well this whole business stinks.

Most of this, if not all, should be taken care of behind closed doors.

DMC acted unprofessional. I would expect the coach to at least not throw him under the bus and keep this in-house.

He chose to be pretty petty and immature about this himself in my opinion.

Probably a lot more of this was kept behind closed doors

Westphal said that the trade demand was the tip of the iceberg

I believe him. I don’t think Westphal is a great coach, but Cousins is never going to be a great player until he can work through his problems. Hopefully this is the wake up call he needs.

Cousins has been showing maturity and professionalism

In terms of dropping weight over the summer, showing up in way better shape. In interviews his attitude seems more mature too.

Do mature players demand to be traded a few games into a season?

Seriously, how does that not piss you off? I’m a huge fan of Cousins — I even looked the other way when he had his tantrum and swung at Donte last season — but a trade demand? If he doesn’t make things right, then In the immortal words of Kobe: ship his ass out.

A guy yelling Trade Me

At a coach he’s pissed at in the heat of the moment is not a trade demand.

That’s stupid.

Unless Cousins and his agent go to Petrie and formally demand a trade, I am going to call that a guy blowing off what looks to be a lot of steam.

Not really.

All the Kings are doing in releasing even what they have is most likely further alienating Cousins and will complicate the matter.

You tend to burn bridges when you talk about guys this way.

Frankly, it might be a bridge better burned

This is a team game, not the DMC Show.

And last time I checked

Cousins really didn’t have a problem playing a team game.

Honestly, there are guys on this team you can question about that but I don’t see Cousins as one of them.

Part...

… of playing a “team” game is not causing distraction and contributing to dissension away from the games proper.

He may be unhappy, but it’s incredibly selfish.

Variant - January 1, 2012 reply

Could be they are serious about burning the bridge

Like Who betta said, tip of the iceberg

prowseinthehouse - January 1, 2012 reply

Then they are an even worse front office than we ever could have imagined

Cousins has talent

Somebody will bite, and maybe we will get a guy that can jump more than 6 inches and make point-blank shots.

prowseinthehouse - January 1, 2012 reply

That has nothing to do with purposefully sabotaging his trade value

Was thinking about this...

Main thing we’ve learned from this whole incident is that Westphal doesn’t handle this sort of stuff very well and is on thin ice, and that DMC is immature and a head case.

The latter was already known, so I’m not sure how much this really hurts his trade value. He’s a big man with talent. Heck, the Blazers extended Greg Oden and doubt he’ll ever do anything, but you’re willing to take the risk for a big man.

Variant - January 1, 2012 reply

Yeah, he has a ton of talent.

You don’t give up on a guy like five games into his lock-out shortened second season.

Why is it that everyone is getting on Cousins about his struggles from the field when ALL the guys are struggling to make shots?

We all see tremendous potential in DMC

But if they can pull off a deal that makes team better…..

It might in the short term

It’s the long term I’d be worried about.

Honestly...

I’m more worried about the long-term with Cousins on the team at this point. Dude is gonna stay mercurial in my mind.

Kings are gonna struggle this year and we’ll have yet another shot at a high draft pick. It’s not like we’re contemplating blowing up a sure winner here.

Variant - January 1, 2012 reply

There's no way of knowing

If he will remain immature or not.

My fear? We trade Cousins for whatever we can get, which is not much with a press release like this, then he gets and becomes the kind of player we all dreamed and as for me, still hope and stay confident that he can, setting our franchise back another 5 plus years while another team competes year after year with Cousins as their guy.

Basically, I don’t want to be the Wizards circa 1999.

This press release will be quickly forgotten in a week

Frankly, if we are thinking Cousins is going to lead us to the Promised Land, we’re probably aiming a little high. Solid pro/starter/non-AllStar is probably his ceiling.

Which I would be fine with

But honestly, can see him being more in the right system and with the right attitude.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we’ll see either of those things in the near future.

Uh where have you been the last 2 years?

15-9 in 28 minutes and now he’s averaging 13-11 in 27 minutes. That’s 17-15 in 36 minutes. K-Love type numbers except with better passing and defense.

caseycheesecake - January 2, 2012 reply

The rebounds are nice

The points don’t really mean a darn thing, as he’s extremely inefficient on the offensive end. He just takes a lot of shots.

And if you’re going to tout his passing, you should note that it took him three games just to register one assist this season.

Blame it on "the offense".

We know we can run offense through DMC. Have we this year at all? No.

caseycheesecake - January 2, 2012 reply

DMC has two choices

He can suck it up and do what Westphal wants OR he can pout and stay home. If he chooses the latter option then why would you even want a player like that on the team?

Third option. The FO and Westy get Burkled on and $ steers this ship toward quality coaching

Hey dude

Believe it or not Demarcus is at least partially responsible for putting himself here. The Kings organization doesn’t exist to cave to his every whim.

bignerd - January 1, 2012 reply

I don't recall the Kings hiring a babysitting coach for any other player

But I could be wrong.

Maybe they should have kept him on the payroll. Apparently he was earning his keep.

The silver lining is that Cisco got a chance to play with Outlaw moving to the 4.

The downside is Outlaw was played at the 4.

cisco could just of easily missed those buckets. He is mute

Santa Claus could have just as easily been our center tonight

True

So how does Cousins hurt the team if he’s in tonight?

I really don’t think he does.

If we're putting forward fictional candidates I might suggest Bigfoot.

He’s gotta be eight or nine feet tall. You can’t teach height.

What about the Yeti?

No not Beno at the 5, I mean a REAL Yeti.

diehardNFFLbarnone - January 1, 2012 reply

According to an article in the New York Times I happened to stumble across,

he had similar problems with players during his final weeks in Seattle. Couldn’t find much of anything about his time with the Suns, although I didn’t look that hard.

Doubt this is the first incident

Lotusprime - January 1, 2012 via mobile reply

Could be that it was the straw/tantrum that broke the cammels back.

Westphal said in an interview there is a lot people dont know about

smoosh - January 1, 2012 reply

Ummm, well he has had some problems with several players during his stint with the Kings. Nothing quite this bad though.

It is worth mentioning that you don’t have to sit players when they ask for a trade (see Howard, Dwight). So the fact that PW is so high on making punishment a priority makes me think there is more to this then just the trade request.

diehardNFFLbarnone - January 1, 2012 reply

Dwight Howard made his request

at the start of training camp and has since backed off it a bit. Totally different situations.

He backed off? You wouldn't know it if you're consuming sports news on a daily basis.

Maybe both Howard and Cousins need some new scenery.

I propose a straight across trade.

SayWhat? - January 1, 2012 reply

Absofrickinlutely!!

YES!!!!!!!!!!

Ba-Da Bing - January 1, 2012 reply

Okay lets settle this once and for all.

Bill2 - January 1, 2012 reply

Give that man an Oscar.

PurpleLoco - January 1, 2012 reply

Didn't know Derek Fisher played soccer.

brobro - January 1, 2012 reply

Addition by subtraction

I guess who said what will eventually come out. Sometimes taking a player out of the equation creates a needed focus to get it together and an opportunity for someone who hasn’t been playing like Cisco to shine and contribute.

I thought that was one of Tyreke’s best games as a pro and the type of game we need him to play a lot to be competitive. Thornton was also solid and I think you could say that about just about everyone.

Even though the shooting was off, the ball movement was outstanding and the defense was much improved. You knew eventually if they kept creating those kinds of shots the ball was going to start going in.

I also thought that was Jimmer’s best game as a pro. Forget the missed shots. His defense was a lot more competitive and his passing was outstanding. He also knows how to make layups.

I think the only thing I was sorry about was that Jerry was too professional when Grant said something about really filling up the stat sheet and then Jerry got to talk over a sideline shot of a couple of well-endowed gals who were doing the same thing, but kept it clean.

Tyreke has played a lot better games than he did tonight.

Don't pick a nit or anything

You can certainly find games where his numbers were better, but I think saying it was one of his better games is about right. A lot of those statbusters came in losses, too.

I didn't watch the game

What exactly was he doing that constitutes this being his best game as a pro? Honest question.

kingsfan300 - January 1, 2012 via mobile reply

Taking charge, playing with energy, playing solid D

Showing leadership, making good decisions. The points were basically gravy.

And remember, I said it was one of his best games as a pro. It definitely might be his best game since his rookie year, though.

He definitely played really good tonite

It was a joy to watch in person. I thought the team played well together. The defense was solid

Fredette led us in assists

with 5. In 20 minutes of pt. That encouraging for his/Kings future.

Kingstime - January 1, 2012 reply

word

daveh33 - January 1, 2012 reply

NaPG

HeuristicLineup - January 1, 2012 reply

I think he is the onlly one on the team with court awareness.

Bill2 - January 1, 2012 reply

I think Tyreke is aware of what he can see

but Jimmer keeps track of guys out of his vision

Biscuit - January 1, 2012 reply

Silence!!!

The thing that is bothering me the most is that Westphal just won’t keep his mouth shut about this stuff. There was no need for the press release or the additional comments. Just the fact that Cuz is not playing tells everyone what they need to know. All of this extra BS just makes the problem so much worse. The best teams keep their problems on the down low and don’t run their mouths to the press.

That is where the ego comes into play

No doubt. It’s like he has to justify himself to remove any possible criticism before it even comes.

Which therefore incriminates his own actions as wrong.

Since when have we qualified as best teams

Also they did that with Spencer and that backfired in them so maybe they’re trying this because of that.

Lotusprime - January 1, 2012 via mobile reply

They didn't keep it that quiet with Spencer did they?

Westphaul let Hawes have it with something like, “Maybe he knows his role now”, after the suspension.

I never said we were one of the best teams. I meant sports teams in general never give the press anything that can harm the team. The Patriots would be a good current example of what I’m talking about.

What, diminishing the value of your assets is a bad idea?

Who knew?

Why did Paul Westphal Make It A Point

To run down every player on the roster and say they played great? Almost insult to intelligence of media (most of them anyway) to pretend it to be true. Our bigs (JJ, JT and Hayes) were 6 for 22. Travis Outlaw did next to nothing and this coach makes it a point to single him out? Who is trying to fool? It was indirect swipe at Cousins to send the message we can play without you.

Nice try. Fail.

PW seemed smug and self-satisfied with the win. The Hornets could not buy a basket from three point range (0 for 15), and has a tailor made roster for us without Gordon. We exploited their weak guard line all night. Their front line outplayed us but not enough to overcome our starting guard scoring advantage of 50 to 12.

So if PW was honest in his assessment he would have said Tyreke and Marcus won us the game tonight. Instead he tried to B.S. everyone into thinking it was more than it was.

One last point. The Kings adjusted their offense tonight, running more plays through the high post. The ball movement and spacing was better, and I think generated season high in assists (16). It is ironic that the complaints of Cousins (shitty offense) might have been taken to heart after he was excused from the game.

One last, last point: Westphal said that the incident following the Knicks game the Cousins behavior was ’the tip of the iceberg". What purpose does this serve besides an attempt to publicly belittle this guy? And how does further his growth as a player, or is this even a concern of a lame duck coach seeking a new contract in a few months?

I would not be shocked for Cousins and his agent to switch their stance from no trade request was made to: “Get me the hell outta here. If he (PW) stays, I want out.”

Obviously they can play without him

16-point win. I’ll back the coach on this one.

And I thought everyone played well, although it took a while for the shots to start falling.

Without Cousins in there, there’s 15-20 shots a game to spread around to guys who can probably make more than 32% of them. After all, there’s only one ball.

what point of our bigs were 6-22 did you miss? Should we let go of the other 3 too?

Yeah, we got rid of our bigs because they are inefficent scorers we won't have any left.

*if

Just guessing here

But if DeMarcus shot 6-22, it would keep his YTD shooting percentage about the same.

That 32% is over four games.

Most guys were shooting pretty poorly in the four he played and low and behold, most still shot pretty poorly.

It’s a 16 point win over a really bad team missing their best player. As Blob said, they were running a lot out of the high post.

I fail to see how Cousins and his ability to pass the ball and rebound would hurt us in this game.

Here’s an idea. Maybe the reason he was only making 32% of his shots is the same reason the rest of the team has been shooting poorly. Maybe he just needs what they all need. A little time and patience to get his form back.

I seem to recall getting blown out

by a Knicks team missing their best player.

Yea and Carmelo and Chandler are bench players. so 2+2=5

Dude

Yeah, and it probably would have happened without Cousins on the floor too?

Honestly, that doesn’t apply.

He probably just needed a little rest

I guess you didn't notice

that a huge amount of Cousins’s shots were on rebounds from his own misses. Also, in the Knicks game almost every shot he missed still hit the rim in at least two spots before rolling out. His shooting percentage will NOT be anywhere NEAR 32% over the course of a month or a season. You’re distorting reality to bash on DeMarcus.

With all due respect,

32% is 32%.

section214 - January 1, 2012 reply

Unless its thirty-two percent.

Then it's okay.

Well,

it is 30% better than the Malindas are doing at the Palms.

section214 - January 1, 2012 reply

Ouch.

They may want to put some neosporin on that burn.

boom

Zing.

(insert approving onomatopoeia here)

maloof-fool-am - January 1, 2012 reply

But to quote what many members of this site like to say...

Small Sample Size Institute – use of statistic not valid in making assumptions on what’s best for the team in the medium to long term.

My point is that DMC isn’t going to shoot 32% or anywhere near it over a more significant amount of time, and it’s ridiculous to use that stat in NEK’s argument. He said we could spread out those 15-20 shots to players who can shoot better than 32% as if DMC cannot. He is more than capable of (and will achieve) a higher FG%. Not to mention that when he misses and gets his own rebound and misses again, it doesn’t hurt the team any more than when someone else misses a single jumper.

I do agree that I have no problem with the quality or quantity of shots taken by DeMarcus

I do have an issue with the results. As you say, maybe he’ll get hot and those numbers will eventually level out.

section214 - January 1, 2012 reply

if it levels off to last year it would still be awful

True, but 61 games might be long enough to improve on that number.

Disagree

Repeatedly missing point blank shots is a lot worse than missing an outside shot. They are so close you basically figure they are a gimme, and then you have multiple attempts and come up empty. Cousins isn’t alone in missing the chippies, either, and I think it helped weigh on the team in the three losses.

You're right to say he is not alone in missing the chippies

Which is why I am so confused as to why you are using that to single him out as the problem.

He obviously has other issues besides missed shots

I think you can downplay the 32% part of my comment if it’s that big of a hangup. Focus on the rest: only one ball, 15-20 shots for others, etc.

The kid seems to have issues dealing with coaches. It happened at Kentucky and it’s happened here and it will probably happen with the guy who takes over when/if Westphal gets canned. So the question becomes: is he that big of a talent that it’s worth dealing with the fact that he’s a first-class distraction? Do you think he should be able to mouth off at will?

I see all your points

But to begin with, those 15 to 20 shots are going to be hoisted by guys struggling just as much as he is to convert, so there’s that.

Secondly, last I check, despite butting heads with Calipari early on, they ironed it and really have a love for one another. So much to the point the Cousins sends him a christmas card and Calipari can’t stop gushing every time he’s asked about him. But to me, that’s because Calipari was honest and straight up with the kid. He earned his trust and respect.

I also don’t believe he’s a first class distraction. A distraction, yes, but I would not put him up there with guys like Iverson, Marbury or Pacers World Peace.

And no, I don’t believe he should be able to mouth off at will and he should face consequences and hold himself accountable and work to correct all this.

Don’t take my support for Cousins as me excusing his actions.

Regardless

This is a problem the Kings have to face. They are a team full of black holes, and there’s only one ball.

So take Cousins out of the equation tonight, his shots go to 4-5 other players in the short term, everybody gets more touches, the passing is better, we play a better game for a change and win.

Cousins will be back soon, and I hope all these Type A guys can co-exist. If not, maybe a current starter needs to come off the bench. Or they need to grow up and learn that whether you score 2 points or 20, it’s the Ws that ultimately matter.

Or

Take Cousins out of the game tonight and his shots go to Salmons. Or Tyreke.

I feel like the point you’re trying to make is that the ball moved better because DMC was out of the game.

The point I’m trying to make I still think the ball would move better even if he did play.

They were playing the Hornets. They might be just as bad as the Kings.

One game is not enough to know what this roster is or is not like with Cousins out of the line-up.

I'm not saying we wouldn't have won with Cousins

Nobody knows what would have happened. What did happen was that we played a pretty good game for a change after three straight stinkers.

We took 85 shots tonight after averaging 81.5 shots per game in the first four games, so 3.5 more shots tonight. Cousins had taken 53 shots in four games, or 13.25 per game, second on the team behind Thornton and a shot per game more than Evans.

Just for the hell of it, here’s who got more and less shots than normal tonight, with total shots tonight in parens:

Tyreke, 5.75 more shots (18).
Garcia, 4 more shots (4).
Thornton, 3.5 more shots (18).
Hayes, 3 more shots (9).
Thompson, 2.5 more shots (7).
Salmons, 2 more shots (11).
Hickson 1.75 more shots (6).
Outlaw, 0.75 more shots (4).
Thomas, 3 less shots (0).
Greene, 2 less shots (0).
Fredette, 1.5 less shorts (8).

Looks like those shots got spread around pretty good with our two best players getting more their share of the extras.

Again, this isn’t advocating getting rid of Cousins, it’s just demonstrating that we have a lot of shooters in the starting lineup and it can be hard to get them all shots if they are playing at the same time.

NewEraKings - January 2, 2012 reply

I completely agree.

With this comment.

Salmons should be moved for a point guard.

I still think Thorton might be best served to come off the bench.

Those two moves might greatly improve the team.

Or it could be disastrous. Not sure, just spit balling.

Jimmy Martin - January 2, 2012 reply

Reality seems to be doing its own thing to bash DeMarcus

In your eyes.

Reality is perceived differently by everyone. I think we can agree on that, if nothing else.

I'll second that thought

100% right on.

mavisdory - January 1, 2012 via mobile reply

It's interesting

Paul is really using the media to his advantage, trying to use it to present his narrative as reality (“he’s really a great coach you guys, if only he didn’t have to deal with that big meanie”) The thing is, this works if you’re a divorcing Kardashian it doesn’t work if you hope to have any eventual reconciliation, especially when one of the root problems in this relationship is likely a lack of respect.

Nicely put Reset.

This is why I think it is easy for fans to point out DMC and his angry face and point the blame at him because the media and NBA made such a media circus out of his attitude last year. But I think is seeing how Westy has handled these situations in the past, I’m figuring Paul is just as much if not a bigger douche than DMC. We can’t see Paul cry foul on the court, but we can take a look at his smug holly A%^ now and it all makes sense.

Yep.

He’s a manipulative son-of-a-gun, I’ll give him that. Put yourself in his shoes. Here he is with an expiring contract, and expectations for a turnaround year. There’s a lot of enthusiasm about the reprieve the city of Sacramento received, the seats are full because the NBA brought in their marketing wizards to put butts in the seats. And the Kings lay three eggs in a row, the team is bickering, the fans are booing, the offense and transition defense is putrid, worse than most pessimistically imagined.

So PW is worrying about his team, and in the back of his mind, his future as an NBA head coach.

A new three year contract might be worth about $5 million dollars. Versus what? A $75,000 job as a TV analyst, or low six figure job as an assistant? Westphal was out of the NBA for 10 years prior to be hiring by the Kings. His income increased 10X annually by conservative estimates, from 100K to 1 million.

He is fighting for his coaching survival, every win he can muster, and a $5 million dollar payday. If he has to bad mouth a promising player, shift the focus to achieve self-preservation, find a convenient fall guy for a disappointing start, and air his dirty laundry for all to see, so be it.

I just hope the powers that be eventually see through this smokescreen.

Memo to PW: Your boy (Spencer Hawes) is third in the NBA in rebounding.

Yes.

I felt the "tip of the iceberg" comment

was directed more at little shits like us, sitting on the internet talking like we know everything. Westphal obviously feels the heat and knows people are dissatisfied with him. I thought he was trying to assert that he’s probably trying to do more as a coach than people give him credit for. I didn’t associate it directly with DMC, but I guess I can see that too.

feelgood - January 1, 2012 reply

PW has more to worry about than....

…little shits like us, sitting on the internet talking like we know everything…

namely winning games and trying to save his job.

Yeah, the lack of DMC's defensive rebounding nearly cost us this game.

Kfan in Korea - January 2, 2012 reply

Good game to watch

We played a good game. If we would have rebounded we probably would have won by 30. Glad to see Cisco get some burn. Other players on the team could learn a thing or two watching Cisco not give up layups. I’m not saying he played great D, but at least he makes guys earn it at the line. Cisco>Outlaw

elSAVinator - January 1, 2012 reply

Cisco is greater than Outlaw

Boom

elSAVinator - January 1, 2012 reply

Outlaw is a solid role player

I’m really glad we have him for 4 years if we choose to keep him, which we most definitely should.

SO with DMC in we would have won by 30? We would have done better?

Jimmer

had 5 assists in limited action. I recall at least 1 or 2 more that Hayes blew. His shot is a little off, but I think that has to do with fitting into an offense instead of having free reign to gun it all day and run his own show.

But he is showing that with how much respect defenses give his shot and that he is a willing passer, he might lead the team in assists, something nobody saw coming.

Without Cousins there was no post play at all and the perimeter players were asked to make all the plays, which they can do. Just need some shots to start falling, and Jimmer to not pick up his dribble for no reason and get trapped or jump and pass with no target. Keeping his dribble alive is gonna help him alot

OKO - January 1, 2012 reply

BTW good win tonight

Ya, not the best of opponents. However execution was much better. Could see movement, passing, getting into plays, back on defense, etc.

bignerd - January 1, 2012 reply

how about

Cousins, Salmons and JJ for Bogut and a 1st and something?

Get back into a very good draft with a 1st.

Evans, Thornton, Jimmer get the major minutes at 1-3, with IT, Garcia, Outlaw, Donte backing up. Bogut gets major minutes up front with JT and Hayes at the 4

OKO - January 1, 2012 reply

Risky.

Just because of Bogut’s injury history.

caseycheesecake - January 2, 2012 reply

One thing that jumps out in the box score

Is that our starters played very well and didn’t have to be bailed out by the bench for a change. I think it helped the chemistry that four of the five starters played at least 35 minutes. Salmons led the way with 39 minutes.

I think I am going to stay out of the rest of the DMC-Westphal squabble and focus on supporting the team that takes the floor, particularly if they continue to put out the effort they did tonight.

Okay Orlando Your big man wants a trade and so does ours!

Ba-Da Bing - January 1, 2012 reply

BOOM!!

So, good win for the crazy dysfunctional guys.

I think the whole DMC thing is just a smokescreen to take the heat off of Tyreke. Seems to be working.

Kfan in Korea - January 2, 2012 reply

DMC is shooting 7% worse than Hayes from the field and 22% better at the FT Line

The Kings as a team are shooting 40% from the field and DMC is 9 made baskets from shooting 50% from the field.

Obviously all the Kings problems don’t rest solely on DeMarcus’ head. And, as bad a DeMarcus has been scoring the ball, the guards are still feeding the ball into him as part of PW’s offense. I guess what needs to happen is that DeMarcus needs to start passing the ball back to someone else when he doesn’t have the position he likes, or PW needs to tell the guards to stop giving it to DeMarcus altogether and he can get his points off the offensive boards like JJ and Chuck .

I think it’s pretty evident that DeMarcus doesn’t take criticism well, whether the criticism he’s gotten involving the ineffectiveness of PW’s offense is justified is another issue all together. And, I wouldn’t read too much into the Kings success against the lowly Hornets, I doubt that Memphis and Denver on the road will fall victim to the Kings as easily.

Blob made an excellent point, if what’s happened is the “tip of the iceberg”, then the Kings organization is more than in it’s rights to suspend DeMarcus. But, they didn’t. So, I don’t believe that they really want to have to defend their decisions should DeMarcus decide to challenge a Suspension. This is just another example of PW losing his temper and control and taking his frustrations out on another young player.

He really needs an all veteran team, although he never lasted as head coach of a veteran team longer than one full season. At least with an all inexperienced team he’s able to get the benefit of the doubt about his incompetence.

HighTops - January 2, 2012 reply

I always love this

The Kings as a team are shooting 40% from the field and DMC is 9 made baskets from shooting 50% from the field.

And he’s 9 missed baskets from shooting 15% from the field. Not sure how relevant that is.

If you’re watching the games you’ll see that some of the problem is with the guards, but some of it is DeMarcus not busting his ass down the court to get position before the defender is in place, and some of it is his absolute inability to finish around the basket, even against one defender.