This game was competitive until the latter stages of the 4th quarter, as Sacramento could get nothing going from its star players offensively, and Minnesota began hitting a barrage of three pointers. Kevin Love dominated inside and out, with 33 points and 11 rebounds, and Luke Ridnour looked like an All-Star, scoring 25 (including 4-4 from 3PT) and dishing 9 assists. Ricky Rubio also added a near triple double with 9 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
The Kings had a season high 20 assists, but nobody on the team scored more than 12 points. Tyreke Evans dished 10 assists and had 8 rebounds, but he only scored 9 points on 3-11 shooting. Marcus Thornton again struggled since his return from injury, scoring 12 on 4-12 shooting. DeMarcus Cousins was 5-8 but left the game late in the 4th after getting hit in the face by Nikola Pekovic.
The Kings received good contributions from their bench, particularly Francisco Garcia and Jason Thompson (both with 12 points on good shooting), but with their starters struggling offensively, the Kings again had trouble getting anything going on offense. They also continuously let Minnesota get open looks from three on defense, and once again struggled to hit their own threes. Jimmer Fredette continues to be in a long range shooting funk, going 0-3 from long range, with two of those attempts being wide open.
The Kings have had only one game all season where the whole team seemed to be in sync, and that was against the Lakers to start the season. Ever since, the team has fallen off a cliff on both ends of the court. I don't envy Keith Smart's job, having to put a new offensive system in place with almost no practice time and a bunch of road games, but I also do not like that our rotation is relatively similar despite it obviously not working. Jason Thompson is clearly outplaying J.J. Hickson at this point, on both ends of the court. Isaiah Thomas, who didn't even see a minute of court time, had been playing better than Jimmer, and John Salmons continues to struggle while taking shots outside of the offensive flow.
Watching Minnesota, another young rebuilding team, they already have an identity. It helps that they have a consistent star in Kevin Love, something the Kings can't claim to have at this point. But the Timberwolves look for the open man to a fault, and also did a good job of helping each other out on defense despite not having many good individual defenders.
Thus ended a 1-4 road trip, that featured at least three very winnable games (Toronto, Houston and Minnesota). The schedule over the next week is even tougher, against better competition, and if they keep playing like they are now, it's conceivable they'll lose all of these upcoming games, and the season will already be essentially lost.
1 recs | 384 comments
swoosh91 - January 16, 2012
I believe the Starting lineup should be going forward:
IT
Evans
Green
JT
Cousons
Rotation:
Thorton, Salmons, Hickson, Jimmer.
At Seasons end, fire Petrie, Hire a young, smart up and coming GM, (Not sure who, have to do some research to see who is the best) and re-evaluate talent on this team from top to bottom, including coaching staff in that evaluation.
mjjr42002 - January 16, 2012
Pray that the Maloofs sell the team first
IMO, that’s the only thing that will turn this around. If not, I could see them firing Petrie only to bring in John Whisenant to run the team. Petrie has been the only barrier to him joining the team as a coach two times already.
dampania - January 16, 2012 via iPhone app
Agree with your concern. Firing Petrie will solve nothing if there is not someone really good
to replace him and I have zero confidence that the Maloofs will know who to get or be willing to spend the money it will take to acquire someone who will have the knowledge and competencies necessary to turn the organization around.
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
I know, The Maloofs are in the way of progress, and that is the biggest problem. They just don’t seem to care about a winner in Sacramento. It seems to be that they are intentionally doing this to turn fans off and hope that the NBA agrees to allow them to move. There is really nothing we can do as fans to stop them other then continue to show up to games and show our support for a this team.
mjjr42002 - January 16, 2012
ding ding ding ding
winner winner chicken dinner. Of course the Maloofs still want to move and have no real intention of making it easier to work here.
Fireplug - January 16, 2012 via Android app
Except that the play of the current team really doesn't factor into the arena deal
If the city can get a deal in place by 3/1, the team stays. If not, they likely go. Fan attendance really has nothing to do with it at this point.
section214 - January 16, 2012
I hope some rich smart business man from Pennsylvania wants a basketball team and makes an offer that the Maloofs just can’t say no to.
mjjr42002 - January 16, 2012
which reminds me
on the 23rd we’re going to see whether Burkle makes the first round of bidding on the Dodgers.
Considering the Dodgers are rumored to be worth around $1 billion, it’s slightly important news.
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
The only thing that concerns me is the mere 7 home games until that date
not a lot of time to show our support in person.
Wonderchild - January 16, 2012
showing your support in person doesn't change the Maloofs minds
and likely doesn’t affect the NBA top brass either
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
I could give a rat's ass about the Maloofs
I meant for the city, and all the people fighting to keep the team here in Sacramento.
(sorry for the cursing by the way, but it was about the Maloofs, so that makes it okay right?)
Wonderchild - January 16, 2012
Yep
Really the entire basketball side of the organization needs to be rebuilt. The right GM needs to come in here and have the backing and budget to fill in the rest of the front office with the right people. I don’t see it happening with the Maloofs in charge.
dampania - January 16, 2012 via iPhone app
Kevin Pritchard
would be the first phone call I would make. I believe he is scouting for Indiana right now. Petrie has been fantastic for most of his tenure in Sac, but it’s rare GM’s last 16 years anywhere. Even Donnie Walsh and Jerry West move on. The front office is stagnant right now. I’ve tried to reject what national pundits like Hollinger have been writing about Petrie, but the reality is he is failing. I understand the financial limitations he has had to work with, but he needed to work smarter and regardless if budget he has put a team on the floor whose pieces don’t fit. It’s time for new ideas.
Mark Olberding - January 16, 2012 via mobile
If we hire Prtichard,
can we get a couple of doctors on the staff, especially around draft time?
section214 - January 16, 2012
And 1 -
I wonder how well Pritchard would do spending out of the considerably shallower pockets of the Maloofs? Paul Allen gave Pritchard a green light to buy draft picks and spend money on talent. He would be facing a much different situation here.
section214 - January 16, 2012
Pritchard
will always have Oden over Durant hung on him but my guess is 27-28 other GM’s would have made that pick. He absolutely used Paul Allen’s pocket book to buy talent and picks, but he strikes me as a pretty bright guy who did get Portland turned around from the Jailblazer years. We obviously need someone to bring our front office out of the stone ages. May not be the guy, but there needs to be a change ASAP. I would fire Petrie soon, and try and bring a new GM during the season so he can really evaluate the team.
Mark Olberding - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Not just talking about Oden
Roy had knee concerns coming out of college, too. And for all of KP’s alleged genius, he overpaid for the pick that became Bayless and then gave him away for virtually nothing.
All I’m saying is that a lot of the luster came off the golden boy as the years went by (the Darius Miles fiasco was an all-timer). I’d probably rather have R.C. Buford’s or Sam Presti’s right hand man – at least they understand small market spending a little better. That said, I wouldn’t bemoan a Pritchard hire, but I wouldn’t get excited unless an ownership change came along with it.
section214 - January 16, 2012
Bigger picture
I agree. Nothing gets truly changed unless there is an ownership change. When / if the new budding gets done, I still don’t see how it changes the overall financial picture for the Maloof’s. They will make more money on luxury seating and advertising, but they won’t survive with the team being their only money making asset. We all know sports teams need to be investments / toys for the very wealthy. I can only hope that not long after ground breaks on the new arena, Stern steps in and tells them it’s been real, but it’s time for big league ownership. It would be such a shame.
Mark Olberding - January 16, 2012 via mobile
New Building
Is what I was trying to say
Mark Olberding - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Agreed
section214 - January 16, 2012
Pritchard wasn't great
But I think I’d rather have the few good years of Roy over 10 years of Randy Foye.
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Agreed
section214 - January 16, 2012
Team Identity...
Let’s not completely blame the Maloofs for handcuffing Petrie here. Petrie is getting destroyed in putting a proper team together. He finds good talent but the right environment and system for them to succeed isn’t there and Petrie hasn’t been able to rectify that. Geoff excelled at that earlier a decade ago. The team has had so many moving parts. There is no discernible core pieces that you can say, we are going ride you to wins. Evans and Cousins haven’t proven they are those players.
The Sixers and Pacers are good examples. They don’t have any star player in fact their main guy, Danny Granger is struggling. The Sixers and the Pacers, though have a very obvious identity. The Kings should look to follow the mold of the Pacers and the Sixers.
I don’t see an identity for this team. Evans and Cousins are good pieces but what are the pieces that are going to take the team to the next level. What kind of team do they want to be.
I would like it if the Kings hired David Morway of Indiana. Bird has done a superb job in Indiana and David’s been his disciple. I think he would be a good GM candidate.
kingme18 - January 17, 2012
Indy is a good example, Philly is not
Indy is having success with a low payroll and an inexpensive coach. I’d have no problems with a Morway hire.
Philly is spending something like $65m on players and millions on Doug Collins. If we put another $20m into players and millions more into our coaching, we’d likely be better, too.
section214 - January 17, 2012
As long as that call was being made by Burkle
dampania - January 16, 2012
donte is not a nba caliber player
he’s a marginal rotation player at best
sacman - January 16, 2012
I agree, but he is currently the best we have on this team.
mjjr42002 - January 16, 2012
thing is
he comes in and gets makes an impact. Plays solid d hits a 3 on occasion, and then it seems to go to his head and starts doinf some stupid shit.
sacman - January 16, 2012
Exactly what garcia does too
2002HauntsME4ever - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Historically Garcia has done it much better
ElRonToro - January 16, 2012
this is only a stop gap. To see what we have for next year. I think this team just needs to looking at what its got and think about what it needs moving forward. This team isn’t going to win anything. Just need to see if there are any players that are worth keeping around to build a team.
mjjr42002 - January 16, 2012
just come in the game
play hard and only shoot the open 3.
sacman - January 16, 2012
Donte' certainly IS an NBA player
What level or for how long remains an open question. Is he starting caliber? On our team who knows, but he certainly hasn’t shown the consistancy to be more than a role player.
lietothegirls - January 17, 2012
I agree
We haven’t made progress in three years
FTFeli - January 16, 2012 via mobile
We need to go all Oakland Raiders on this team
BLOW IT UP!
sillysill - January 16, 2012
theyve mastered the coaching carousel
Brannigan's Law - January 16, 2012
Only if someone kills the Owners.
I prayed for YEARS for Al Davis to kick the bucket. Now my prayers turn against the Magoofs.
killerking - January 16, 2012
wow, that's ... interesting
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
Rooting for people to die so your team wins more games...
I did not know your name was so literal
ElRonToro - January 17, 2012
I blame the parents ;)
otis29 - January 17, 2012
No, no.
Sometimes even the best tree produces a bad apple.
LeaguePassAddict - January 17, 2012
I hope the inverse can be equally true!
otis29 - January 17, 2012
I'm trying to figure out if you just said something bad about your mama.
LeaguePassAddict - January 17, 2012
Hey, I've got an almost nine year old
Just trying to cover all my bases, you know.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
Oh.
You think you’re a bad tree? Pssssh. Not even.
LeaguePassAddict - January 17, 2012
It amazingly is for looks sometimes.
Shout out to Brittany Rupp!
caseycheesecake - January 17, 2012
A bad seed.
Slam_Dunk - January 17, 2012
Is DMC still having a cold??
he looks like still sick
Jimmered. - January 16, 2012
He's back to forcing shots / drives again
Not sure if that’s cold related.
Crocoduck - January 16, 2012
I just read a dumb thing about how a full bladder affects judgement.
I’m sure a cold affects BBIQ.
caseycheesecake - January 16, 2012
Excellent recap, Aykis.
You aptly described the game.
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
Perfect timing...
..to have a horrible team yet again when we only have one year to somehow have a financial plan to build a new arena and keep our team. The only thing I am rooting for this year is a new arena to be signed, sealed, and delivered because that is all I have to root for at this point.
sillysill - January 16, 2012
This game is a good measuring stick to determine where we are in this league.
If the league average is 6 inches, we come out to about 3.
Jim Les - January 16, 2012
You are being too generous. If the league average is 6 inches, we are lucky if we measure 1 inch.
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
We're better than Washington!
HeuristicLineup - January 17, 2012
That is how I came up with one inch:)
One inch just doesn’t measure up, at least, that is what she said.
Slam_Dunk - January 17, 2012
I have never said this before
Petrie needs to go. So does Smart. I don’t need to explain why Petrie needs to go. It’s right in front of everyone’s face.
If Keith Smart can’t see this team plays better with IT then he doesn’t have a clue. Let’s face it, if IT was the 10th pick in the draft he would get big minutes on a nightly basis on this team. JT is killing JJ. Why the hell is he not starting over him. Donte isn’t lighting the world on fire but he plays defense, hasn’t really taken bad shots, & doesn’t kill our offense.
It’s possible Smart doesn’t want to bench Salmons & play IT over Jimmer because it would highlight his boss’ failures? Maybe he feels forced to play JJ because Petie’s gave up a 1st round pick for him? Winning games will get you a contract not sucking up to the boss by playing his mistakes.
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
6 games later ...
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
I know
I want Smart to be successful I really do. I’ll try to stay positive with him as much as I can.
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
I think you're too late on that positive thinking bro
or was that a 2nd breath?
lietothegirls - January 17, 2012
The Maloofs need to go first
It does not matter who you bring in if this franchise is going to continue to be run on (and by) the cheap.
section214 - January 16, 2012
Truth.
LeaguePassAddict - January 16, 2012
This.
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
rubenho - January 16, 2012
Nominee for "Gif of the Week"
:)
killerking - January 16, 2012
If they sell I would think a new owner would clear house
sac_faithful - January 16, 2012
Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
Jerry is probably safe because he is a long time staple if that makes you feel better
sac_faithful - January 16, 2012
Hard to judge talent when the other players around you don't help.
You don’t get assists if the person you pass it too can’t make a basket. You can’t make baskets, if other players don’t throw you the ball. I would hate to blow the whole team up and start from scratch.
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
And I would have zero problem with that
But any changes prior to an ownership change is just change for the sake of making change, and at discount rates.
section214 - January 16, 2012
Could have had Tom Thibodeau on the cheap
Instead of wasting two seasons on an aging egomaniac.
bench_blob - January 16, 2012
I honestly don't think that Thibs makes that much of a dent here
The team that he inherited in Chicago was in much better shape than this club. MY guess is that Thibs would have burned himself or those around him out in this environment.
And just because he went to Chicago on the cheap does not mean that he would have come here on the cheap.
section214 - January 16, 2012
He's arguably best defensive mind in the NBA, a passionate and tireless worker...
Slim chance he would have failed here. He would not have had the talent in Rose and Deng, etc, but he would have given this team an identity and work ethic unlike what we have seen. And he certainly was not in position to negotiate lucrative position having had zero head coaching experience.
The Bulls have NOT allowed 75 points in any of their 5 home games. Incredible stat, regardless of competition, and Coach Thibs and the identity he has imparted on his team is where much of the credit is due.
bench_blob - January 16, 2012
And he has 10 times the talent in Chicago that he would have had here,
especially at would have been the beginning of his tenure.
I’m not knocking Thibs here. Scott Brooks has done a great job in OKC, but I don’t think that he would have gotten anywhere near the same result here.
If you want to think that the right coach could make winners out of a franchise that is hell-bent on spending the bare minimum on players, coaches and front office staff, power to you. I don’t see it that way. Money talks in the NBA, and the Maloofs are mutes.
section214 - January 16, 2012
How about Kevin Johnson to replace Petrie as General Manager?
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
Fine
But if he is the GM under the Malindas, nothing changes.
section214 - January 16, 2012
I think you guys are both right
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
even with the lack of spending would have preferred Thibs
obviously we’ll never know whether these players would have us in a different direction right now
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
We shouldn't be this bad
I realize there is a talent deficit. I realize we have the smallest payroll in the league. I also don’t believe we are the least talented team in the league.
We should be better than we are. And we shouldn’t get blown out 50% of the time.
That’s not an indictment of Smart really, it’s an indictment of Westphal’s stewardship and Petrie’s for not seeing it sooner.
It’s pretty clear that Thibodeau was the better choice at the time. This one’s on Petrie.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
Wish I could be a fly on the wall for these coaching interviews
“Man, that was a fantastic powerpoint presentation.”
“On one hand this guy has helped make the Celtics one of the greatest defensive teams ever but then again he was a little awkward talking to us. But this guy is so smooth and relaxed!”
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
Choosing Westphal over Thibodeau made some sense at the time.
He wanted a coach with experience.
CoolFinity - January 17, 2012
That really doesn't explain Westphal
Since he’d been out of coaching so long. I’d argue Thibodeau was as experienced.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
You can employ the world's greatest waiter
If the kitchen doesn’t get the food out, it just doesn’t matter. And if the restaurant owner isn’t paying out for quality food product, you’re f*cked.
section214 - January 17, 2012
We needed a coach that could develop young players and build a team identity
Westphal was never that guy. He was gift wrapped that veteran Suns team, which was his only good stint as a coach – AND he lasted only 3 seasons. His time at Pepperdine should have been reason enough to see he can’t develop players.
This coaching carousel and especially Westphal’s two years are a huge reason why the IQ of this team is so low and perhaps why their growth as players may be permanently stunted.
dampania - January 17, 2012
Agreed
Ramonpfx - January 16, 2012
He said tonight there will be changes coming in the line ups
I am eager to see how the next game unfolds.
It’s highly possible he sees now that he needs to put his mark on this team and not just try to alter what Westphal was doing.
We will see.
Dirkula - January 16, 2012
I agree with all of your points Allbenji.
There may be reasons why he kept the lineup, including the ones you pointed out. Let’s give him a chance. He says he plans on doing a lot of thinking about this on the flight back home. Let’s see what changes he decides to make.
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
I like Isaiah Thomas
But he is shooting 35% and has 25 assists versus 16 TOs. That’s not winning basketball.
bench_blob - January 16, 2012
On this team though, he hasn't in any way played himself out of the rotation
otis29 - January 16, 2012
Tyreke
has 47 assists to 36 turnovers, and its his 3rd year in the league!
Dirkula - January 16, 2012
I enjoyed watching skillful intelligent grd / post play tonight
by the Wolves, a stark contrast to the losers who we rely on.
Kingstime - January 16, 2012
Jimmer is shooting 33%.
Jimmered. - January 16, 2012
How would Jimmer look
playing bench minutes with the Wolves? I am thinking a little better than he does with our no hoop IQ blockheads.
Kingstime - January 16, 2012
Yeah, I'm sure he'd be one of the top rookies in the league
/eyeroll
otis29 - January 16, 2012
Somehow I think with Pop he´d look much better,
but I´m still not very nervous about him. Give it time, but not at the expense of IT right now.
rubenho - January 16, 2012
Yeah,
Look how well Johhny Flynn and Wesley Johnson have done there. But they seem to do better when they have a rookie with years of international experience under his belt.
section214 - January 16, 2012
and
a coach that emphasizes movement and passing the ball.
ridnour8 - January 16, 2012 via iPhone app
Yep -
Investing in the coaching position can make quite the difference, or so I’ve heard.
section214 - January 16, 2012
Like.
ridnour8 - January 16, 2012 via iPhone app
Just curious
Above you are criticizing alternative coaching options saying that no matter who we bring here wouldn’t have made any difference, yet here you are saying that we should have invested in a coach. Just curious exactly what your stance is on this because I’m getting mixed messages
prowseinthehouse - January 16, 2012
Clarifying -
Investing money in a quality coach can make a difference, but ultimately the franchise has to be willing to spend on talent and front office, too. It all goes together.
For example, I do not believe that Adelman could turn this current Kings bunch into a winner, and I doubt that he’s going to turn the current bunch in Minny into winners. But if he is laying the foundation with some core players and Minny is willing to go out and spend to upgrade their talent as needed, they might have something. But no matter how hard Adelman might try, he will never get to the playoffs with the T-Wolves roster as-is – way too many holes.
The Kings need to improve their talent base for a good coach to make a difference. Now, they could bring a guy in now, determine that they are going to build around Evans and Cousins, and then set to crafting an offensive and defensive philosophy with the understanding that these two key players are going to be part of that mix. But it’s a wasted effort unless the franchise is willing to spend money where it needs to…and that’s everywhere. I have no confidence in current ownership that they are willing or able to make such a commitment.
section214 - January 16, 2012
What Section just wrote is spot on.
Nailed it!
Right Between the Eyes.
ridnour8 - January 16, 2012 via iPhone app
They are spending $20 million on a small forward hybrid of suck
I think $20 million is enough money to get at least a good sf & a decent back-up.
Caron Butler was available. Marvin Williams has been said to be available. We could have drafted Kawhi Leonard or Chris Singleton.
The Maloofs need to spend for sure but even the little money they have spent they might as well have burned.
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
They are spending barely over the NBA minimum on players
They are among the lowest in the league in coaching payroll, GM salary, and they have sliced the front office and scouting staff.
No doubt, Petrie has made some big errors along the way. But remove Salmons and replace him with Marvin Williams. Take the rookie of your choice that was available at #7. This team would still suck.
section214 - January 16, 2012
I don't think we are really disagreeing
But sometimes all it takes is a few good moves to make your team at least competitive. Instead we’ve gotten worse. We haven’t spent less to get worse have we?
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Teams do not get better when you replace 6-7 rotational players every year
Wonderchild - January 16, 2012
If you have six nails and one hammer -
you don’t trade off the hammer, because then you are left with six nails and some rocks to pound them into place in the parking lot. Not that Beno was a big hammer, he at least did the job. If you get another hammer, that would be a start.
Slam_Dunk - January 17, 2012
Adding...
For those who want to raze the whole team… you don’t have to trade off all your nails, you just have to add the right pieces. If your nails are bent or broken, well that is another story.
Slam_Dunk - January 17, 2012
why the heck are we talking about nails?
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
What is a meadow for?
Slam_Dunk - January 17, 2012
Because you need them to build an arena!
HeuristicLineup - January 17, 2012
I like Beno
But with him as the hammer, you were probably only building a dog house, not a mansion.
Am I doing it right? (TWSS)
otis29 - January 17, 2012
With Beno as the hammer
you’re probably only building something from IKEA
HeuristicLineup - January 17, 2012
Last season with the Kings:
Beno played 79 games, 34.6 minutes per game, .50 FG%, .357 3-point , .864 FT, 4.9 assists per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 1.78 turnovers per game, 13.7 points per game, and 2.29 personal fouls per game.
My argument: If you are going to trade away a hammer, then you better get a bigger one to replace it. Where is the hammer to build a mansion?
Slam_Dunk - January 17, 2012
Let me rephrase:
“I like Beno”. Hell, I was one of the original members of the Beno bandwagon when we first extended him.
However – did Beno’s contributions last season appear to be putting us on the path to said mansion? Also, Is there another end of the court besides the offensive end?
I’d much rather still have Beno on the roster than Salmons. But I don’t think we are appreciably worse for him being gone. Milwaukee’s not appreciably improved to this point with Beno on the squad either.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
I never said Beno was going to get us to the Holy Land.
I do think we are worse this season than we were last. I am not saying that we should not have traded him, but I am saying that we should have replaced him with an upgrade.
The Maloofs were talking about all the money they were going to throw at some new players. A top PG on our roster, such as Chris Paul, Derron Williams, Stephen Curry, even Steve Nash would help.
I think last year’s stats, with Beno playing with Reke and Marcus Thorton are better stats in comparing what he would do for this team this season, than what he is doing for Milwaukee. Different team, different situation – apples and oranges.
Slam_Dunk - January 17, 2012
This was your first mistake
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
And I don't disagree with you on the Beno trade
Getting Salmons back in that deal is a travesty. Beno would have had much more value on this roster all season than Salmons.
Far be it for me to defend the Maloofs, but do you think they were getting Paul, Williams, Curry or Nash? Hell, three of those guys probably weren’t even available. And Stern was going to obviously dictate where the fourth was going.
Billups or MAYBE Rondo might be a better example, honestly.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
I don't disagree with you that those PG's
probably would not have been available, but the Clippers did manage to haul in Chris Paul. If the upgrade was unavailable, then Beno should have stayed put, imo and sounds like yours as well.
Slam_Dunk - January 17, 2012
Paul was placed on his new team specifically by the Commish of the league
I’m not sure how we would have acquired him, honestly – but I would have loved it as well.
And yes, I agree that Beno should have stayed put.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
I don't know whether we could have acquired Chris Paul.
Clippers appear to have pulled a rabbit out of a hat on that one. Seems like Petrie used to be able to do that.
Slam_Dunk - January 17, 2012
I always looked at Beno as a screwdriver
or maybe a tape measure.
NewEraKings - January 17, 2012
Visually
He reminds me of one of those dusting things you use to clean the cobwebs in the high corners of your ceiling.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
Dropping the hammer
Widowwolf - January 17, 2012
So stats are everything?
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
no only heart matters
heart of a champion … or something. Bleeding on the court.
And courage. And all that jazz. BALLAR!!!
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
Lol
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
JJ actually played really good defense on Kevin Love in the first half...
Then looked completely lost in the 2nd. But that first half was good.
Wonderchild - January 16, 2012
and what miracle did KLove perform to change his game so much
that suddenly it became a mysery in the 2nf half?
lietothegirls - January 17, 2012
pretty sure Love was scoring just fine on JJ in the first quarter
it just didn’t seem like it because he was also hitting his shots and Love wasn’t getting rebounds (the Kings were crashing great on the boards first half but the Wolves made second half adjustments and the Kings never knew how to respond)
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
Well I think KLove's halftime stats were 11 pts 3 reb on 12 shots
I saw JJ stay with KLove pretty well, and box him out for the most part on boards. Then in the 2nd half, they ran a lot of pick and roll with JJ and he looked totally lost.
Wonderchild - January 17, 2012
Keith Smart quote
“To reverse the lack of production we have been receiving at the small forward spot, I’m gonna go with an orange traffic cone as my starter there next game”
Fireplug - January 16, 2012 via Android app
what the fuck does that mean
can a cone set a screen
sacman - January 16, 2012
addition by subtraction
Fireplug - January 16, 2012 via Android app
Better than some of our players.
fryingpan136 - January 16, 2012
some ofThere. Fixed.
LeaguePassAddict - January 16, 2012
Good one!
fryingpan136 - January 16, 2012
The Kings announced today that they have signed Orunj Cohen
The 2 foot, 4 lb. Cohen becomes the second player to be signed out of Israel, the first being Omri Casspi.
“We are thrilled to have Cohen as part of the Kings organization,” said Geoff Petrie. “We think that he will be an impact player, just like John Salmons.”
Per company policy, contract terms were not released.
section214 - January 16, 2012
Comment of the week
FTFeli - January 16, 2012 via mobile
The cone of shame!
Dirkula - January 16, 2012
Looks like you spoke too soon
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
Ninja Cone is going to be pissed
section214 - January 16, 2012
You win the internet
darooster - January 17, 2012
Call me Bud Abbott
Fireplug - January 16, 2012
Positives of the cone:
1. The opponent has to dribble around it, instead of the cone just getting the hell out of your way while he goes in for a layup.
2. No cone has ever started a season 2 for 29!!!! from 3-point range.
3. A cone does not mope around the court bringing everyone else on the team down with the poor puppy dog look on its face.
4. Not even Petrie would trade down in the draft for a traffic cone.
5. The next time Cousins acts up, Smart can make him wear the starting SF as a hat while he rides the pine. This will make for much better articles than Westphalgate.
6. No one will pretend that the cone is capable if guarding the opponents best player night in and night out.
7. He will be the first traffic cone signed to an NBA contract, therefore attracting fans with similar roots outside of our market. Jersey sales will be through the roof!
Jim Les - January 16, 2012
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
Needs more rec's
section214 - January 16, 2012
On the down side, he doesn't have much movement on the court...
he should fit in well with our offense!
SayWhat? - January 17, 2012
He can hang out with the rest of our players on transition defense
HeuristicLineup - January 17, 2012
I'm not a big Reddit guy
but they seem to get stuff done over there. I propose a Reddit campaign calling for the Maloofs to sell the team!
prowseinthehouse - January 16, 2012
Here, here. A campaign to sell the team
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
Reddit can accomplish anything
This is the truth
Mechanical Shift - January 17, 2012
IMO not everybody´s effort is there, therefore:
rubenho - January 16, 2012
I hope the Maloofs sell, and the new owner Blows this entire organization up.
mjjr42002 - January 16, 2012
I might be ok if someone just. . .
blew up the Honda Center. :)
killerking - January 16, 2012
john salmons' forté is getting wide open for threes and then missing every single one
he needs to go. at this point i would trade him for anything/anyone.
i also don’t understand why IT didn’t get in. it’s just remarkable to me that we can’t put forth our best line up for some reason.
jozy - January 16, 2012
I trade him for a three piece and biscuit at Popeyes.
mjjr42002 - January 16, 2012
I think that you are severely undervaluing the Popeye's 3-piece meal
Especially if you get the red beans and rice as your side. Mighty tasty!
section214 - January 16, 2012
Oh yeah, I’d through that in just so we can stay near the cap.
mjjr42002 - January 16, 2012
ya, didnt understand IT's DNP-CD tonight either
Especially with Minnesota playing mostly with 2 PGs
Wonderchild - January 16, 2012
Ridnour...
played well tonight.
I always thought he would thrive under Adelman’s coaching. Along with him and Rubio, I wonder what the Wolves assists per game will be when Miller get back from his injury and gets in the rotation.
ridnour8 - January 16, 2012 via iPhone app
Miller?
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
no...
Brad Miller.
ridnour8 - January 16, 2012 via iPhone app
Ridnour...played well tonight
that’s the kind of experienced point that could teach these young princes to be kings. Probably why Minny has him?
I couldn’t get the game but the game thread sounds like the game was close till the 4th quarter so that’s actually a positive considering how many things were not working? I still say fix the point guard problem get a better SF and you got a pretty good team.
Skeptic con Urquell - January 16, 2012
Basically, Wolves were missing their jump shots early, and in the 4th they caught fire
Wonderchild - January 16, 2012
Scary how Smart in the post game comments says "I've got the simplest offense you can run. You just move it to a spot then move it to the next spot."
I am really beginning to think this team has a lot of talent in individual players, especially physically. The basketball IQ, however, is the worst in the league, especially in TEAM execution. How much of that can be attributed to youth is unknown, but “simplest plays” says a lot about the teams’ mental talent.
adamsite - January 16, 2012
It is scary, but I think it just illustrates that no one seems to be on the same page at this point.
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
At this point? It seems to have been this way for the past few years/coaches. I'm thinking scary from a bigger picture.
The organization is a mess. With the whole “Here We Stay” “Here We Build” standpoint, this is down right frightening. I hate to say it, but the team’s performance will have an effect of the SEC project. I’m scared for the city of Sacramento and the Kings franchise. I’m looking down the line beyond this season. I don’t care if they win another game this season, as long as they are back for the next.
adamsite - January 16, 2012
I see your concern.
All the work and effort to keep the team here in Sacramento and the performance of the team is abysmal.
Slam_Dunk - January 16, 2012
yup...Carmichael Dave to start as our SF, edm7 is our new coach, and Peaches as our new exercise ball.
WINNING!!!!!
adamsite - January 16, 2012
I might be a conspiracy theorist, but...
If I didn’t know better (I don’t) I’d think the Maloofs are preparing to move to Anaheim and become the next Donald Sterlings; that is, put a crap product on the floor (no effort) and still make a profit
amiles2233 - January 16, 2012
I'm extremely nervous about the arena, more so then I can even remember
but it ain’t the team’s play that should be factoring in there right now
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
The problem is
All the team seems to have heard was; “You just move it to a spot then…….?” Shoot!? I think he must have said shoot. Bombs away!!!!
Dirkula - January 16, 2012
Wait....
Is that a good thing? The simplest offense mean the other teams need to play the simplest defense? I don’t really know a lot about coaching help me out here.
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Wolves fan here
I was surprised by Evans’ court vision. It seemed like he could have had about 20 assists if guys would have made their shots. Beyond that, it seemed like a tea, populated by a bunch of Anthony Randolphs. The talent os there but something key is missing.
One of the best parts about having Adelman in Minny this year has been to watch him build the team around the stengths of the 2 best players: Love and Rubio. This has not only given the team promise, but an identity. I watch nearly evey Kings game because I really don’t want to see them moved (and I’m hoping to add to their karma) and the thing that really gets me about them is a basic lack of identity concerning their best players. You guys have some absolute bruisers. The game should be played at the rim. The one thing I couldn’t get over was “why don’t they live and die by Reke and Cousins?”
I don’t follow the team as closely as you do but this was the first thing that stuck out for me over the last dew games and I’d be interested to hear your take.
I hope things get better soon and I hope you guys get a long term deal to stay in NoCal. As a former resident of Marina and Santa Cruz, screw the folks down south.
Stop-n-Pop - January 16, 2012
and yes...
…if you want to type like this, buy an ipad.
Stop-n-Pop - January 16, 2012
I think the organization is trying to hard to force Jimmer & MT23 on us.
I like both of them but you’re right. This team should be focused on Reke & Cousins. MT23 would be an awesome 6th man but he doesn’t fit with Reke in the starting line-up. Reke needs to share the PG duties with a real PG. Not so much a “pure” PG like Rubio but a guy who can handle the ball & run an offense. Basically a Beno or Ridnour type. Without making a move the closest thing we have is IT.
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
We had more of an identity in Tyreke's rookie year
when the plan was “Give it to Tyreke and get out of his way”. I don’t know what we’ve been doing the last few years, but it hasn’t working. Our guys are terrible at post-entry passes, and DeMarcus doesn’t fight for position as well as he should, so half the time we give the ball to our bigs with their backs to the basket from near the three point line. Marcus Thornton is a good scorer, but he takes a lot of shots out of the offense, and Tyreke can really hurt us offensively when he’s not going, since he’ll still take a bunch of shots. Salmons is terrible, and Fredette just seems uncomfortable in the role we’ve given him.
Aykis16 - January 16, 2012
thanks
Stop-n-Pop - January 17, 2012
hey stop-n-pop
i couldnt agree more. the problem is mainly Thornton, who’s role in the NBA should be more of a microwave scorer off the bench who can be a clutch player for you in the 4th. When he’s starting with Reke its a bad combination because they are both 2 gaurds and Thornton rarely does defend anybody.
Can’t let Reke off the hook either. While he has all the talent in the world, he hasnt taken that next step yet and really become a leader. He’s just a quiet guy all around who would rather not cause friction with his coach or teammates. He’s our best player but doesnt have the ego it takes to be a leader and get in peoples faces. Plus he makes about 3-4 bonehead plays himself a game so I guess he doesnt want to seem hypocritical when he calls someone else out for not defending or sharing the ball.
jadams12 - January 17, 2012
How Salmons gets 30 min a night is outrageous
I.T. can’t see 1 minute is insane ! J.J. Hickson has worse hands than J.T. and that’s saying something. I still have no clue why we didn’t pursue Billups all the way. I could careless is his agent says he would of retired that’s b.s. We had a golden opportunity to grab a great p.g., he would of brought so much leadership,defense,basketball smarts,and shooting. We desperately need all 3. 2.5 million is what the Clipps got him for we had more cap room and could of out bid for him. Petrie should be fired for that . Everyone doesn’t have to be doing flips to play here see C-Webb. Billups is a character guy and I believe he would of played hard while he was under contract. He would of really improved this team. We really have no pg its sickening watching the rookie mistakes Evans,and Thornton make passing the ball , will M23 ever pass on a 3 on 1 break ? I think IT has shown the most glimpses of running our team in stretches he needs more time badly. 3 million for Outlaw who sucks , 8 million for Salmons who sucks,but Petrie gets scared Billups may retire so he doesn’t bid gimme a break if you really believe he would of retired what did you have to lose ? You would of had his rights atleast. Retarded
WE NEED A DEFENSIVE MINDED CENTER - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Strongly disagree regarding Billups
If the guy puts the word out that he doesn’t want to come, you don’t force his hand. This is 100% different than the Webber situation, where you were dealing with a young player that ultimately knew that he was going to have to come here.
Frankly, the moment that Billups put out that punk-ass comment, I wanted nothing to do with him.
section214 - January 16, 2012
It looks like the feeling was mutual
NewEraKings - January 16, 2012
money talks. Billups wouldve suited up and went on to FA next year
jadams12 - January 17, 2012
Perhaps
Or perhaps he would have come here and then pissed and moaned every moment that he was here until we had no choice to unload him. Of course, there is no history of an NBA player ever doing that…(note sarcasm).
I’m looking over the games that we’ve played and I’m trying to figure out where the great Chauncy Billups turns defeat into victory for us. I just don’t see it.
section214 - January 17, 2012
in this particular game
personally I thought our point guard play on offense at least was pretty good
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
I think you're making too much of that statement, which was clearly agent driven
If nobody claimed Billups, he got a chance to double dip his existing salary and a new one – and have some control over where he would go. It was the same play almost any player would make.
If we’d claimed Billups, he would have come and played here. He’s a well respected veteran player in the league, I really doubt he would have pissed and moaned all season.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
In terms of playoff appearances and overall season success in the past 5 or so years,
are there NBA teams more depressing than the Kings?
I’m sure the Raptors and Timberwolves are among them. The real question is, which one makes their fans the saddest?
Subcon - January 16, 2012
Kings fans are the saddest at this point.
Wolves are fans are nothing but optimistic with Love, Rubio, Beasley, Johnson, Mana from Heaven and now f#@king Ridnour. Toronto has an entire country behind them and so many European prospects coming out their ears, that they don’t know who they have actually drafted (hence the excitement).
The Kings….we always seem to look towards next years draft before we’ve open our Christmas gifts. Hell, we don’t even know for sure if we have a team for next year.
In the end…as I’ve said before, I don’t know if our glass is half full or half empty, but at least we have a glass.
adamsite - January 16, 2012
Sonics fans are the saddest
section214 - January 16, 2012
I think it's time Tyreke walks into Geoff Petrie's office
And demands to know what the hell the direction of this team. Where is it going and how long is it going to take to get there. It’s his 3rd year and he is up for an extension after this season. It’s his role to do things like this. Every other “star” player would do it if need be.
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
sounds like a wonderful idea
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
Chasm?
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
often when players make demands of GMs I hear it goes lovely
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
I said he needs to just demand to know what the direction of the team is
Not necessarily to demand a trade or demand him to make moves. Otherwise he’s just wasting years of his career. I would be upset right about now.
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Shouldn't the Maloofs be part of that conversation?
ItsALeagueGame - January 17, 2012
When you have this much of a problem on both O and D
you have to (at least) shake the line-up:
I agree we need to try: Isiah, Reke, Cisco/Donte, JT and Cousins.
with Marcus and Hickson coming in to provide energy.
C’mon Smart. I know we don’t see practices, but . . . a lot of college teams could wax us right now. And Petrie, find a point guard that can run an O and shoot; and find another 3 that can give consistent minutes. You owe the fans. Or pack your bags.
VirginiaBlue - January 16, 2012
Pack GP's bags
I’m dying to see what happens when the next GM brings the team knife to the league gunfight.
section214 - January 16, 2012
From an outsider's perspective, you really have to say the two players
who have been most disappointing are Thornton—who some picked to have a breakout season—and Salmons, who was just supposed to bring stability and consistency to the 3. We’ve gotten neither in any shape or fashion.
Gotta shake it up. I feel pretty confident Marcus will find his groove.
VirginiaBlue - January 16, 2012
Huh?
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Pack GP's bags
I’m dying to see what happens when the next GM has to attempt to compete with the rest of the NBA while being forced to spend pennies on the dollar.
section214 - January 16, 2012
So why not quit?
If he is so restricted why even bother? He can get another job easy, as long as he throws his bosses under the buss in his interview. If I was him I would honestly hate my job.
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
He would probably just retire
and since they said he’ll get paid as long as he wants, why not just sit back and collect a check? Not a bad gig
prowseinthehouse - January 16, 2012
So he's ok with being a loser
And looking like a terrible GM? That might be worse than being incompetent
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
I'm not saying that is whats going on
but if he was really hating it, I think he probably would just retire at this point than try again elsewhere (all speculation of course)
prowseinthehouse - January 16, 2012
I'm sick of this excuse
we don’t spend “pennies on the dollar”
he’s thrown money at the likes of garcia, mikki moore, beno, traded for salmons’ contract, signed a 6’6" overweight center to be our defensive anchor….
he’s done a bad job and it’s time to go. maloof-crutch-excuse or not.
this team has been bad for years with different coaches, different players, the golden-maned one is the one constant
lchristmas - January 17, 2012
Not excuses
Fire him. FIRE HIM! It does not change the fact that the new GM will be dealing with an ownership that is simply not investing in its product.
String Petrie up in the town square if it makes you feel better, but other than making a few people feel better, it solves nothing. The franchise will still continue to be run on the last remaining pennies of the Maloof’s endowment, and the new GM will be forced to try to compete with one arm tied behind his back.
section214 - January 17, 2012
I just don't see it as an either/or
The Maloof’s are crappy owners, sure. But more and more it looks like Petrie’s lost it as a GM.
The owners’ penny pinching doesn’t explain Petrie’s negligence on the Salmons trade, his hiring of Westphal over Thibodeau, the press release he allowed Westphal to send out on Cousins, or the subsequent hatchet he stuck in Westphal’s back just recently. It doesn’t explain him tying up our first round pick for however many years to get a slight upgrade in JJ Hickson. It doesn’t explain the wasted presence of Travis Outlaw on the roster. It doesn’t fully explain his kneejerk decision to deal Kevin Martin – a deal in which we are still chasing fair return.
And this is just my opinion, but it looks like he’s going to need to explain passing on Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker for Jimmer Fredette.
There are plenty of questionable decisions that Petrie has made recently, irrespective of issues with the Maloof’s checkbook.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
I see your point
we simply disagree as to what extent this arm-tying can serve as an
excuseexplanation for petrie’s poor job performance.it is not a given that a new GM would make the same poor personnel decisions that petrie has over the last several years… not at all.
lchristmas - January 17, 2012
I agree with that
But given the constraints in place, I don’t see how it would be considerably better.
Let’s say that new GM Pete Geoffrey was hired last year. PG decides not to take the Bucks trade, retains Beno and drafts (say) Kawhi Leonard instead. I like this team better than our current team, but I’m not sure that it translates into more wins, and it sure doesn’t make us a playoff team.
Let’s say that PG had hired (say) Tom Thibodeau instead of Westphal. I’m just not 100% sure that Thibs would have survived here. Part of what makes him work in Chicago is that he has buy-in from his best player (Rose), and he has better overall talent (and veteran talent that can accept his harsh criticisms). It certainly could not have been any worse to have him here, but I balk at the thought that he would have been a franchise turner.
The Maloofs spent money this season for one reason and one reason only, and that was to achieve the league minimum. They did not give Petrie an open checkbook, but an allowance. This is no way to run an NBA franchise.
I have been perhaps Petrie’s biggest supporter over the years, but I don’t care at this point whether he stays or goes. And yes, he has made some mistakes. But had he gotten a large percentage of his decisions right, the franchise would still be a non-playoff entity, run on the cheap. You can change the entire front office, coaching staff and roster, and it won’t change the fact that the owners are not investing in their product to the level of even the NBA average or median.
section214 - January 17, 2012
I think the difference is
If Petrie had gotten a large percentage of his decisions right, the team would have a decent young core of players with abundant cap space (much like it is now) – but the product we’d be watching on the floor would be improving over time instead of appearing to spiral out of control.
Big difference IMO.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
But
this only has a chance of happening if the franchise invests in a top tier coach, and the owners have been unwilling to open their wallets to pay out for one.
Again, not excusing Petrie for his mistakes. But I think that the situation under current ownership is unmanageable.
section214 - January 17, 2012
Thibodeau wasn't considered a top tier coach
Would he have commanded that much more money than Paul Westphal?
otis29 - January 17, 2012
The question is, would he have survived here?
It was a 100% mistake on Petrie’s part that we did not get the chance to find out, but this is a lot like the Scott Brooks argument. My bet is that under current ownership conditions, this team is still a non-playoff performer under Brooks, and people would be calling for his head.
section214 - January 17, 2012
I just have trouble agreeing with you
That you can’t get things going in the proper direction strictly because of dollars and cents. It doesn’t absolve Petrie of his bad decisions, especially when some of those decisions aren’t money related or have directly increased payroll.
Before the season started, I think most of us agreed that while we were a bit light on top-flight talent, we were most likely a deeper team than we were last season. And we’ve clearly regressed.
Thibodeau (and Brooks a bit lesser-so IMO) are good NBA basketball coaches. Paul Westphal was not. With either of those guys, I’d gather we’d be more competitive and have all this young talent at least rowing in the same direction.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
Explain to me where I am trying to absolve Petrie of blame
when I say that it was a 100% mistake on his part. I think the difference here is that you think that we can be better with the current ownership. I don’t agree. Perhaps we could be a slightly better lottery team, but we’re going to remain a lottery team as long as the current owners continue to squeeze every one of their remaining pennies.
section214 - January 17, 2012
Are you saying we have a leadership problem?
rubenho - January 17, 2012
Don't much care about this season anymore to be honest
We’re not ready to make the playoffs and I couldn’t understand the incredibly high expectations everyone showed prior to the season. This roster has a copious amount of players who lack any kind of impact on this team and quite simply don’t help. I’m just looking forward to the 2012 NBA Draft and the lottery before that. I would love for Petrie to make some kind of move at the trade deadline but I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen. I don’t think many of our players have much value with the obvious exceptions of our young cornerstones and high potential players. Tyreke, DMC, Jimmer, IT, and Chuck are the only players I can say for sure I want on this team next year. I’m not entirely sure if I want to see Thornton, JT, Honeycutt and Greene next year (I was never a fan of Greene but I’m starting to see him make serious strides this year). And I definitely don’t want to see anyone else I left off, on the team next year. I’ll never give up on this team and I trust Petrie will make the appropriate moves in the coming months. We’ll see but as for this year I don’t really care. We’re heading to the lottery anyway so I’d rather have as much of a chance to win as possible. I like the talent in this year’s draft. So… yeah onward to June 28, 2012.
SoCal Diplomat - January 16, 2012
Not planning on buying tickets to this mess!
Wanted to, planned on it, but there comes a point…
Petrie needs to watch Money Ball if the Maloofs are going to handcuff him on payroll.
nothingbutnet - January 16, 2012
HAYES PLEASE!!
Once we get the shovels in the ground I’ll feel a lot better. I feel like with every loss
decreases the chances of this team staying. I’m I tripping!?
Mathew Sertich - January 16, 2012
No, not tripping. In my worst moments, I've even postulated a conspiracy theory that
ever since the bad blood between the Maloofs and the city—Petrie was given a green light to play loose and fast with this team’s chemistry.
He took too many bad gambles. If they paid off: Great, franchise value increases. If not: Great. They have a more obvious reason to move to a market with a better arena and cable deal. Fans are not showing up.
VirginiaBlue - January 16, 2012
IT should get minutes over Jimmer. Cisco should be getting minutes over Salmons and Donte. And quite honestly, JT should be starting over JJ.
ridingthebench - January 16, 2012
JT has definitely earned right to start. And Hickson has earned right to stop taking so many jumpers.
VirginiaBlue - January 16, 2012
I like what cisco is bringing lately, especially his defense. With Hayes out he’s our only leader on the floor.
IT
Reke
Cisco
Thompson
Dmc
Mathew Sertich - January 16, 2012
Sigh...
HarveySpecter - January 16, 2012
Why did IT get a DNP?
#1Gandu - January 16, 2012
Because he did not play
section214 - January 16, 2012
Buh-dump-chh
Wonderchild - January 16, 2012
They were afraid that Ridnour would light him up........oh wait.
adamsite - January 16, 2012
Who will save???
Right now i don’t wanna say any detrimental words that will just trigger another bomb in ou team. The Kings need to grow up and “FAST”, i agree with Coach Smart, our players should learn how to rotate the ball and find the possible open man. Is that hard to give up the ball to the most open player that can shoot it??? Assist is considered points. Basketball is much easier if our players just understand the value of passing the rock. Damn it, we don’t need anyone right now if it’s the coach, the front office, the owners or any individual that could change our fortunes, but the players itself should do their share…..Im not freaking out with 4-10 WL record, this team needs our support and criticizing them their weakness will help them and acknowledge their strengths. Go Kings….
broken_360 - January 16, 2012
My mind is boggled
on how in the last 3 min of game play, we are slower to set up plays.
It’s ridiculous really. A high IQ player (or team) would score as quickly as possible and put pressure on the other team.
Now I understand patience, say a very experienced team like the Celtics leading a patient balanced attack.
PG over dribbles, SG and wing just stands there, and the FC sets screens so weak a 12 yr old would get through them.
Reke had no choice but to go 1 on 1. It just sucks to see our team playing blindly. We are better than this.
I hope halfway through they’ll figure it out – how to win that is.
DTG13 - January 16, 2012 via Android app
Err
running plays blindly*
DTG13 - January 16, 2012 via Android app
All I saw when were down
Bounce.. Bounce..Bounce..Bounce..Bounce..Bounce..Bounce..Bounce..Bounce..Bounce..Bounce.. launch a brick
#1Gandu - January 16, 2012
TRUE THAT!
I like that smart said he was going to change the line up.
Please start IT, put Reke at the 2, and Cisco at the 3.
Mathew Sertich - January 16, 2012
This team sucks..I'm disappointed year after year with this team!!!
Every optimism on my part is ruined already just by watching this team. I’m a big fan, a loyal fan, a long time fan. But I think its time for me to stop watching this team.
KINGKENJI - January 16, 2012
yeah its like Groundhog Day all over again
convoy - January 16, 2012
A loyal fan
Doesn’t stop watching the team. That’s crap. That’s a fair weather fan. That’s a “Lakers” fan. I don’t care if we don’t win another game again, ever (that’s only kind of a lie). I will watch the kings and sleep in my Sacramento Kings Hoodie and wear my Kings beanie when it’s cold, and steal my parents league pass stream as long as there’s a team in Sacramento. That’s crap.
killerking - January 17, 2012
Side bar question...
If my family back home has Comcast cable, isn’t there some deal that lets you watch the Comcast games through NBA.com (Through LP?)? Or is that NaLP sort of thing??
HarveySpecter - January 17, 2012
I’m with King. Been a fan for 23 years. I’ll be one for another 50. Win or lose.
Charles L. Pierro - January 17, 2012
Why don't you tell that to the season ticket holders, the millioners who supports the team
the luxuxy suits contributors, maybe were different, and i did say i’ll stop watching the team, but thats because you see already the result, the product on the floor is not good, and when you see something thats not good over and over and over again, you got tired of it until you say you had enough. You guys were lucky you still have your team, what happens when others get tired of supporting a not good product? You tell me. I hope the Kings stay in Sacramento by the way they are playing right now, and hope they get a lot of support and not quit on them. I envy you guys for supporting this team. But for now, I can’t watch them getting exploited night in and night out by other teams.
KINGKENJI - January 17, 2012
You should like the Heat!
I hear they’re good.
caseycheesecake - January 17, 2012
One on one basketball is killing me!! How did it get this bad!!??!!
Mathew Sertich - January 16, 2012
It's like a single bucket or two by the other team
Absolutely blows away our confidence and we enter panic mode.
HarveySpecter - January 16, 2012
Jimmer did good tonight
He didn’t shoot three’s well, but he was +8 for the night. When he was in the game it was close. When Tyreke and Thornton took over the back court the blowout began.
I think Thornton, Evans and Salmon’s were like -20 and -13.
Polomontana - January 16, 2012
Are you quite done being a Jimmer Jockey?
HarveySpecter - January 16, 2012
The truth hurts!!
Sorry!!
Polomontana - January 16, 2012
Plus minus is a crap statistic
More often than not it means nothing and for one game it is less than useless. That being said, Jimmer is actually doing pretty well at the things many didn’t expect. He D is not bad at all, and his passing is probably around a B-. If he was hitting his outside shots, he’d probably be starting by now. I expect—hope—his long ball confidence will come back around.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
Yeah, it must be fantastic when the only stats you can quote
Are +/- stats. Jimmer went 3/7, 0/3 from 3. ONE assist. Six points. Yeah, He did realllll well. I’m not bashing him, but these Jimmer lovers need to get the hell over themselves. He’s done nothing so far to prove he’s even worthy of being above D-League.
I’m praying for the day he gets his nerves and confidence under control. Until then, stop praising a six point performance as if he’s some fantastic contributor so far.
HarveySpecter - January 16, 2012
I'm sorry, but that's just not true
I will not even try to say Jimmer has been anything even close to solid. He’s had basically one Jimmeresque game. But what he’s been struggling with is his three. The one thing most people admitted he would be able to do in the NBA. He has been playing okay ball. Not even close to D-league, except he is just not hitting his outside shot. If he was hitting the three the way he did in college, everyone would be calling for him to start. He’s showing some very good things in spurts. But it is all overshadowed by his horrendous shooting.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
Fair, I exaggerate
Not D-League, but certainly not on this pedestal that Polomontana has been putting him on. Fact is, he did not do good this game simply because he was +8. He’s been shooting horrendously. So agreed. Not D-League…but far and away below expectations for the hype surrounding him.
HarveySpecter - January 16, 2012
I'm right with you there
I hear a rumor that Chuck Norris is actually considering taking off his Jimmer Jammies.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
Jimmer has one of the slowest releases I think I've seen
That’s why he lost confidence in his shot – the defender has a lot of time to close in once he pulls up. What looks like an open shot for a normal shooter, is something that Jimmer would get blocked. That’s also why he’s always jump passing. He needs to work on a quicker release, as well as finding ways to create better spacing for himself.
Also, someone needs to tell him that the pro game only has a 24 second shot clock.
dampania - January 16, 2012
I dunno how one can argue it's one of the slowest releases we've seen
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
guy struggles to use his body when shooting in traffic
but don’t see the slow release
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
Jerry commented on it
I haven’t noticed it myself yet, but I am going to check it out. That can usually be rectified somewhat.
ElRonToro - January 16, 2012
I could buy that if he was getting blocked or even missing shots with a guys hand in his face
But he is missing wide open three that he just doesn’t normally miss. He does kind of wind up when he shoots, but that doesn’t explain why the call isn’t going in the hoop. Look at him shooting the last few games, then go back and look at this.
There is either something in his head or in his mechanics.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
I'm betting head
His history says he can make that shot. So unless he’s hurt his head is screwed up cuz yes he has been shooting terrible even on open shots.
ElRonToro - January 16, 2012
Could be
Confidence is a crazy thing. But if it is just in his head, one really nice breakout game could get him back on track.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
What's in his head is the size, length, and speed of the defenders
dampania - January 16, 2012
Again, I don't buy that
If it were just the speed and size of the defenders, he wouldn’t be missing wide open shots.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
It seems like he's only had a few WIDE open shots
But a lot of times he’s hesitates on shots that look like they would be open shots for a lot of players, but maybe not him given his size and slow jump shot.
dampania - January 16, 2012
He's had a few open shots every game
and I do think the size and speed of the defenders has caused him to miss shots so that now its in his head and he is missing open shots too. I can only say I’ve been there, done that and for everybody not named Nick Anderson it eventually goes away
ElRonToro - January 17, 2012
If it were just the speed and size of the defenders, he wouldn’t be missing wide open shots.
haha, you forget that they get pissed and clamp down on defense when a guy makes easy shots so on balance it’s better to miss them.
Skeptic con Urquell - January 17, 2012
BYU wasn't playing against high school teams
Jimmer is sucking right now. No doubt. But its a bit soon to go to the “he’s too slow small and white to play in the NBA” card
lchristmas - January 17, 2012
I'm not saying that
Only that obviously he struggling to adapt to the NBA game right now.
dampania - January 17, 2012
It's like he jumps, hangs, then follows through on the shot
dampania - January 16, 2012
you talkin about that fade away he does?
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
I think he's fading to compensate for his slow release
dampania - January 16, 2012
are you talking about the fade away shot or not though?
if not then nevermind
If yes, well I dunno many guys who have a fast release fade away (either way though, just not a big fan of that shot regardless)
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
what?!
One of his strengths is using his body in traffic..
Pdidd - January 17, 2012
But that wasn't the case in college
It’s like he’s stopping to think if he should shoot or not and you can’t do that. That’s why the coaches are telling him to stop thinking and just play.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
I couldn't agree with you more!
Jimmered. - January 16, 2012
Actually the blowout was when Jimmer was on the floor
with Salmons, Thornton and Garcia. Reke DMC and JT were all on the bench
prowseinthehouse - January 16, 2012
If that were actually the case
You wouldn’t have seen him at +8. Like I said above plus minus means less than nothing for one game. But it does mean that when he was on the floor, we scored more than Minny did.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
Over the course of the whole game maybe
but at the 5 minute mark in the fourth, which was when the crushing was in full effect, that was with Jimmer Thornton Salmons Garcia. I don’t put any faith in the +/- crap
prowseinthehouse - January 16, 2012
nope not true
again, fell apart when they kept Salmosn in and brought in Reke, Cousins, Thornton, Hickson. Garia later came in for Cousins. Jimmer was no way part of it.
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
I guess I remembered it wrong then
But I do remember complaining about the rotations while it was going on because both Reke and DMC were not in while Min was getting real hot. They were put in shortly there after though
prowseinthehouse - January 16, 2012
You do remember incorrectly
the Kings were down by 6 when the starters reentered around the 5:30 mark of the 4th. When Fredette entered for Tyreke at the 10:40 mark the Kings were down by 5.
HighTops - January 17, 2012
The TW's were up by 6
and had ‘just’ hit a three when Jimmer and the others gave way to the starters for the rest of the game.
AoxomoxoA - January 17, 2012
I believe Kings down by 6 and TW's up by 6 is the same thing.
HighTops - January 17, 2012
LOL
caseycheesecake - January 17, 2012
Wrong
It was like 71-75 when Jimmer left the game.
Polomontana - January 16, 2012
simply not true
doors started to get blown off when it was Salmons out there and Thornon, Cousins, Hickson, and Reke came in. It got worse when Garcia game in for Cousins
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
Wrong
Jimmer was in the back court and I remember he missed a 3 that would have made it a 1 or 2 point game. Evans and Thornton took over the back court and got blown away.
Polomontana - January 16, 2012
lol
you don’t read too good do you? Rereard what I wrote.
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
Are we really arguing who sucked least?
That’s our new acceptable line?
I say fuck it…if we only have 4 good guys, lets play 4 on 5.
ElRonToro - January 16, 2012
Exactly
Start Jimmer and play Thomas
Polomontana - January 16, 2012
I think Jimmer is about the 10th best player on the team so far
I would take him out of the rotation if it were up to me
ElRonToro - January 16, 2012
you simply can't sit that kind of first quarter +/-
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
my plan is to play 10 guys in the first quarter
and no one the fourth, because we can’t do any worse in the 4th quarters than we have been
ElRonToro - January 16, 2012
This is a darkhorse "quote of the year" candidate
Perfect.
RJinFairOaks - January 16, 2012
my favorite is he is arguing I am wrong
when he is saying the exact same thing
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
Just went back and looked
It was 82-76 with just over five minutes to go when Jimmer sat down. Not that it matters, but you can’t pin this loss on him.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
Exactly
That’s my point!!
Polomontana - January 16, 2012
then why did you tell me I was wrong when I told someone Jimmer in fact was not in the game when the blowout occured?
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
I misread your post
my bad.
Polomontana - January 16, 2012
Nobody pinned the loss on Jimmer
The whole team fell apart. The Jimmermaniacs just refuse to accept any criticism of their savior
prowseinthehouse - January 16, 2012
This.
The whole team fell apart. But according to this guy, because Fredette was +8, he did good, and is absolved, when truth is he did pretty poorly as well. Not god awful, but not nearly as good as he should be.
HarveySpecter - January 16, 2012
If anything they should be happy that we expect more from him
rather than thinking he is just a lost cause
prowseinthehouse - January 16, 2012
personally I think he played fine
he actually played well with Evans in the 2nd which is kind of a first for those two
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
He's definitely no Salmons or Outlaw
prowseinthehouse - January 16, 2012
Not high standards ;)
HarveySpecter - January 16, 2012
There is a balance here
No one should be saying Jimmer looks good right now. Because he clearly does not. But if he was hitting is outside stroke, he would be at least top five or six on the floor with the rest of his play. he is not as bad as some people are claiming, but he definitely is not playing anywhere near as well as he should be on offense.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
I agree
Jimmer’s shot isn’t great but that’s why I think he needs to take more shots to build up his confidence.
He should say I’m taking 15-20 shots just to get in a shooting groove. One night he’s taking 2 shots and then the next night 7 and that’s not good.
Polomontana - January 16, 2012
By that logic Salmons should jack up 40 a night
ElRonToro - January 16, 2012
Nope
Jimmer does have a problem of passing up open shots. Sometimes he will even fool his teammates. He will drive and jump in the air for a wide open jumpshot, then pass it. Sometimes he catches his teammate off guard because they think he’s going to shoot the wide open shot.
Polomontana - January 16, 2012
Why is he the only one who gets to jack up shots to get in a groove?
We got lots of guys shooting under 40% that could use an ego boost too
ElRonToro - January 16, 2012
Also
most the time when he jumps in the air he lands on the ground with the ball still in hand
ElRonToro - January 16, 2012
Screw good habits!
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
I'm not sure it actually works that way
There is something wrong. Whether it is tired legs, mechanics, play calling, confidence or whatever, something is wrong. Just jacking up more shots won’t fix that. He needs to address the problem, get back on track, and prove the doubters wrong. But it starts with figuring out the problem.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
handles and making fast decisions
or maybe just handles but it makes it look like he’s playing slow (but hoping it’s just decision making)
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
I wish I had the synergy stats
but I think the guy can be a really good pick and roll player
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
I don't know...
It seems to me that the defender can run over the screen and still be able to block the shot. And it’s not like Jimmer can drive if they overplay it.
However he can definitely pass to the roller.
caseycheesecake - January 17, 2012
Teams are doubling all the ball handlers
The problem is once the big shows and the ball handlers man goes over the screen, our big isn’t rolling.
I think DeMarcus got three 18 footers on the pick and pop yesterday, but if the pick comes from JJ, the opposing team will give him that shot. In fact, they’d probably rather have DeMarcus take that shot than have him under the rim rebounding. Although he’s shooting the same FG% at both spots.
I think I’ve seen more guards trying to split the double team then actually being able to make a Hard Cut to the paint off of the screen.
HighTops - January 17, 2012
Agreed with SavageBeast
Just jacking up shots will not solve his issue. This isn’t little league. You don’t get the luxury of saying "Hey, I know we’re in the middle of a game, but pass up looks and give me the rock 15-20 times to shoot so I can get in a groove even though I’ve missed my last 5 straight. It will happen eventually. "
HarveySpecter - January 16, 2012
Especially when he is missing wide open 3's
Something is wrong. I’m guessing he has somehow changed something in his mechanics. Maybe big bro should get out and work with him.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
Yes it will
Especially when you’re passing up open shots.
I watch Kyrie Irving and he paces himself. He gets like 10 points by halftime and 10 in the second half. He’s been distributing the ball well also.
He had 26 last game. Shoot the open shot.
Polomontana - January 16, 2012
Teams work to get open shots
everybody should shoot open shots. I told the kids I taught that if they are open in a spot where they can hit the shot half the time (when they practice with no body guarding them) that they have to take the shot. It’s what the team work for. Getting ope shots is a problem, when you get one I don’t care who you are, you have to take it.
ElRonToro - January 16, 2012
Are you Freaking Kidding Me? You're Comparing Fredette to Kyrie Irving?
HarveySpecter - January 16, 2012
Why not?
It’s what Salmons is doing and it…
Oh. Never mind.
LeaguePassAddict - January 17, 2012
Yeah but what where Thornton and Evans +/- for the first quarter?
Because I sure remember somebody, upon hearing their favorite player had a lower +/- then a guy they felt threatented by, thinking that it didn’t matter because their favorite player had a better +/- for the first quarter
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
WW- Can you write that again slower?
I had a difficult time following you there….
ridnour8 - January 16, 2012 via iPhone app
Well, that's because it makes zero sense
Here’s the thread. At the time Isaiah had a +4.4 while Jimmer had a negative 6.6 for the season and it was after a game where Isaiah clearly had a much better +/- but apparantly what really matters is a first quarter of one game +/-.
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
Too reminiscent of last year
where opposing teams know they could save their energy by coasting in the first half and then get an easy win by turning it up in the second half. It’s really frustrating that this team has made zero progress.
deadenddude - January 16, 2012
Trade Evans and Thornton
Evans and Thornton have the team going in the wrong direction. Bring in Jerry Sloan and let him build a back court.
Polomontana - January 16, 2012
The players don't set the direction, the coach does
Take a look at what Adelman is doing in Minny. He designed an offense around Love and Rubio. An offense that is getting better and better. Thornton and Evans are both talented. But at the moment no one us running an offense that plays to the strengths of this team. I’d be all over a Sloan signing. But Sloan wouldn’t want to take over a team where you traded two of your starters.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
^ THIS!
ridnour8 - January 16, 2012 via iPhone app
And build around Jimmer?
Lmao!
Allbenji - January 16, 2012 via mobile
When will it all end?
DiegoKing - January 16, 2012
Jimmer's Last 5 Games
FG% 0.294
3P% 0.250
6.0 pts- 1.6 ast -1.4 turnover
Jimmered. - January 16, 2012
IT's Last 5 Games (played 4)
FG% 0.400
3P% 0.313
10.5 pts – 3.3 ast – 2.3 turnover
Jimmered. - January 16, 2012
Why is Jimmer STILL ahead of IT?????
Jimmered. - January 16, 2012
So your point is that at the moment
Neither Jimmer of Thomas are playing well.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
lol
yeah I don’t see how that is so persuasive especially when we are debating bench role players (obviously with potential but just sayin)
wallywagon11 - January 16, 2012
Gotta love the
My guy sucks less than your guy arguments. :)
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
Thomas was playing well last 3 game
Jimmered. - January 16, 2012
IT a good change of pace and should be used
But teams don’t game plan to stop him and if he were to start he would have much less impact and turnovers would go up
Pdidd - January 17, 2012
I miss when we had 3 point shooting.
HarveySpecter - January 16, 2012
Why no Isaiah Thomas tonight?
DiegoKing - January 16, 2012
Ladies and Gents...
…until this team begins to shoot, say, within 90% of their career averages from the field and from outside (which would still collectively be a very poor percentage), it isn’t really even worth our anguish to analyze the situation.
I think we owe Coach Smart a bit more time to establish his offense and allow a few of our guys to shoot themselves out of their slumps.
There is no value to be derived in panicking over the situation. This franchise is where it is (in part) due to a “blow it up” mentality that has been half-heartedly employed on multiple occasions over the past 6 years.
RJinFairOaks - January 16, 2012
Jimmer needs to go D-League to build up his confidence.
Jimmered. - January 16, 2012
You're not afraid doing that could have the opposite affect?
prowseinthehouse - January 16, 2012
His confidence has nowhere to go but up IMO
dampania - January 16, 2012
Do you really think that would work?
he led the NCAA in scoring. I think he knows he can score. He has to prove to himself that he can score in the NBA again. Not beat some scrubs.
SavageBeast - January 16, 2012
5th time you've stated it in 2 days...
I think u need to go develop your own confidence back in your parents basement playing video games
Pdidd - January 17, 2012
Even though we’re losing a lot I still love the kings very much. And despite all of these losses I’m still just as excited to see more kings games. Can’t wait to see pacers at arco. Hope we get a win!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO KINGS!
CousinsEvansDUO - January 16, 2012
We are too young and too dumb! Tyreke has all the physical attributes to be a great player in the NBA but his mentality is still playing streetball... This is the NBA - you have to actually know the game.
That’s similar to Peyton Manning and JeMarcus Russell
rcervantes5 - January 16, 2012 via mobile
did you really just compare tyreke evans to jemarcus russell????
are you serious? wow. jemarcus didnt last in the league because he lacked some necessary skills and wasnt willing to provide the work ethic to get them. with tyreke its the complete opposite. he’s a hard worker who is just trying to get better. coming into the league he had a pretty inconcistent jumper, and since then hes improved it a lot through all the hard work he’s put in. i mean he looks to be struggling right now, but he’s clearly putting forth the effort unlike jemarcus russell.
jozy - January 17, 2012
Experimenting with the lineup and the identity
I’m reposting my lineup from the last GBU: Boogie, JT, Donte, Cisco, Tyreke.
Provides offensive rebounding (needed for the missed shots), length, defense, and spacing. And based on what I read above, I think this lineup helps establish a two prong identity with Reke and Cuz. Run plenty of handoffs for Reke/Cisco, and would like to see Donte and JT run side PNR.
getPGwithbounce - January 17, 2012
Based on the Twolves game that would have been the lineup with the best TS% yesterday
HighTops - January 17, 2012
Please!!!! One time try IT/JF @ PG and MT off the bench
Don’t care who starts @ PG Fredette or IT….but it will help define roles of everyone a little better
Pdidd - January 17, 2012
Let's play the "Favorite/Least Favorite" Game
Favorite: Salmons outlet to Jimmer, Jimmer with 2 Wolves flanking him on each side and one at the hoop, Garcia at the 3 point line on the left, Thompson rolling to the hoop to the right, Jimmer passes it to Thompson for the right handed slam.
Least Favorite: Thornton losing the ball at mid court and completely giving up on the play (even stands up and shrugs) as Wayne Ellington goes down low and grabs it and Ellington runs down the court and slams it home as Thornton gives some weak ass hustle way after the fact it’s too late.
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
DING!
Got both of mine too.
caseycheesecake - January 17, 2012
OMG was I pissed at Thornton.
caseycheesecake - January 17, 2012
Me too. That was embarrassing.
CoolFinity - January 17, 2012
JT .569 DMC .430 Reke .421 Hayes .419 (injured) Thornton .411
Those are the only 5 guys shooting better than 40% and JT is the only one above NBA average. 9 guys under 40%. How do you pick a freaking starting lineup and subs out of that. Its like having to choose betwen Rosanne Barr and Elton John for a date for the prom.
Smart says we are getting good shots, if this is how we shoot then we need to get great shots..
This team looks way better on paper than on the court. It’s time to figure out the problem or start moving some pieces.
ElRonToro - January 17, 2012
Elton seems like he'd be more fun
Roseanne has that screechy voice and you always have the feeling that Elton could break into “Crocodile Rock” and just tear the roof off the place
I don’t really want to talk about this shitty team
lchristmas - January 17, 2012
I think we need a new starting level Guard SF and PF
Reke and DMC start. Thornton is a keeper as a 6th man.
I am good with keeping 2 of 3 of JT JJ and Hayes to be backup bigs.
Salmons appears lost and Outlaw would love to be in Salmons shoes. Remove ASAP.
I would keep Cisco on deep bench because he would do whatever you ask Donte can join him there 1 spot deeper..
It would be nice if Fredette and IT didn’t have to play rotation minutes most nights right now.
Whiteside and Honeycutt can continue to grow where they are.
ElRonToro - January 17, 2012
kind of like our PFs to be honest
I know it’s weird but I do.
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
I like them all too
but I am just not convinced any of them is a starter on a playoff team unless you have just the right guys paired with them.
ElRonToro - January 17, 2012
I really think Hickson could be pretty awesome on a team with some veteran guards
and I love Thompson’s role of backup energy guy. If you look back at my comments going on 3 years I have never been a huge Thompson fan but he’s so winning me over right now in the roll he plays.
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
okay maybe pretty awesome is a stretch
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
He seems like he should be JT with way more athleticism
He’s still a baby, but I’ll admit the Israel thing plus Cleveland giving up on him after such nice production the second half of last season makes me worry about his mental makeup.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
dude's another variation of Anthony Randolph
Make no mistake, you don’t want Hickson making decisions out there with the ball in his hands too much and if in his second or third contract he blows up statistically with points and rebounds, you might want to shy away from paying the guy in his 30s.
And yet I like him.
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
Career wise he is Jason Thomson 2, With a slightly higher Rebounding, slightly lower FG% career, is more turnover prone – Looks for his shot more then JT does. Here is what i look at though- Cleaveland last year made him look really good because he was had a USG% at 25.5. I do not think he is complimentary to this system as JT is right now. If you put him with a big name superstar that will demand double teams every time, he would be great. We do not have that as of yet (DMC I am sure will get there). Also JT will probably not ask for nearly as much much money, and you would have more Contenders probably looking more at Hickson at the deadline then JT
Widowwolf - January 17, 2012
Do we even have anything attractive to anyone in the first place?
Thompson, Hickson, Greene are RFA’s at the end of the year
Salmons and Garcia are over paid
Whiteside, Honeycutt, Thomas, Jimmer, Outlaw aren’t worth anything
HeuristicLineup - January 17, 2012
There are always going to be GM's that see something more in some players
and feel like the player was hurt by the system or wasn’t used correctly.
Any of the rookies (HW, TH, IT) would only be filler and have no trade value.
JImmer is still a top 10 pick with a great college rep, so someone will be willing to take a chance on him. Of course the Kings are the team most in need of a PG who can hit from outside, so maybe we are the ones that need to give him time to develop.
Salmons is untrade able unless we are taking a huge contract back, and Garcia well he is the new K9.
We have no starting caliber PF, and JT is the next best backup center, so unless we get a backup center in return we need JT.
Our only trade material are Thornton, Hayes, & Hickson and I personally wouldn’t give you a late 1st round pick for the last two and a middle 1st rounder for Thornton.
Cuz is the only player on the team that is currently worth an NBA starter.
HighTops - January 17, 2012
IT > Fredette
Reke > Thornton
Donte > Garcia
Hayes > JT
DMC > JT
Outlaw is your deep bench
Whiteside and Honeycutt in D league
Trade Off JJ and Salmons for a Big/SF- Throw in Whiteside if needed – If you cant find a decent Big man go talk to Pryzbilla
Widowwolf - January 17, 2012
I will hold judgement on IT over JF
IT comes in and is not mentioned in the opponents’ scouting report and has open shots all over the place..meanwhile Fredette has players goin all out to not let him get an open shot. If we were to roll IT out there @ the beginning I think he would struggle. I like him as a spark
Pdidd - January 17, 2012
You really think Fredette is a focus of the defense?
You don’t have to worry about him driving past you or making good decisions with the ball, so you just guard him close on the perimeter.
It doesn’t take a defensive genius to “game plan” for Jimmer right now.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
I thought all our jokes about Jimmer at the beginning of the year were jokes
Everyone else realized that too right?
wallywagon11 - January 17, 2012
$1.06>$1.07 but not enough to make a difference
IT> Fredette true but neither should be playing very much right now
Donte > Cisco I disagree , check out Cisco years 1-3 versus Donte 1-3 (yes I know Cisco was older)
ElRonToro - January 17, 2012
Only I could screw up something so simple
$1.07>$1.06
no wonder Arby’s never let me make change
ElRonToro - January 17, 2012
Your also screwing up Donte>Cisco
because of one piece of logic
Cisco isn’t the same player he was in years 1-3. And, he still hasn’t improved mentally, because we’re still seeing Good Cisco/Bad Cisco. He couldn’t even stay in front of Vince Carter in the Dallas game, and Carter’s like a hundred years old.
And, Cisco is the one on the team that’s lost his confidence. He was standing in the corner when Donte got him the ball on the fast break in the Twolves game. The defense was still trying to catch up on the play, and he had no one within 20 feet of him. Instead of taking the corner 3, he passed the ball out to Jimmer out near the top of the arc. Jimmer had to put up a quick 3 as defenders closed in on him.
I’d also point out that Garcia played his first couple of years under Adleman and Musselman, while Donte played under Natt and Westphal.
HighTops - January 17, 2012
Trying to compare Donte to Cisco in any way is a traveshamockery
Yeah, because Donte’s a rocket scientist out there.
Garcia’s played better as he’s actually gotten more minutes, and I’d expect he’ll continue to improve. If either of these guys just gets within shouting distance of their career averages, Cisco is still the better player by a wide margin.
The fact that Donte’s played way over his head for his 130 minutes this season (as sad as that is to say) doesn’t impress me. Hell, Cisco’s numbers are still almost as good this season and he started horribly.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
I dunno
You might want to check Aykis’ front page post regarding Isaiah’s play.
otis29 - January 17, 2012
I know there is a big gap between IT and Jimmer right now
but I think IT should be around 12-15 mpg , Jimmer should only get minutes because of his potential, not because of anything he has done so far.
This is really the matchup that made me think of $1.07>$1.06, but your right …this one is more like $1.07>$0.56
ElRonToro - January 17, 2012
Isn't potential important on a rebuilding team?
Yes, right now Thomas has more experience at PG which is why he has slightly better numbers than Jimmer. But, how much further will IT develop and how much more will that development help the team.
Even with IT starting how many more games will this team win. If he starts and Tyreke moves to the 2, Evans is still going to be the one with the ball more often than not. Meanwhile your top 10 draft pick is still going to get his minutes off the bench.
To me it comes down to; do you play Tyreke at the one? If you do then it’s more important that Jimmer gets minutes off the bench than IT, since neither is going to increase our win share right now. If Tyreke is moving to the 2, then we need to start developing Jimmer at the one. That leaves two high energy guys in IT and Thornton leading our bench guys. We desperately need bench scoring to keep us in games. Our bench has been outscored in 9 of 14 games and that’s a hole the starter don’t need to work from.
HighTops - January 17, 2012
I don't see Jimmer as a true 1.
Maybe a 1 and a half like Reke
ElRonToro - January 17, 2012
My guess is that Smart sees him and Tyreke being the larger version of Curry and Ellis
At 6-2 Jimmer has no future as a 2. He’s quick enough and smart enough to defend the 1, if he can funnel his man into the teeth of the defense. Assuming the bigs actually play some team defense.
He’s the outside shooter that most want along side Tyreke even if he isn’t hitting his shots right now. He’s not the worst ball handler and uses both his left and right hand. I think his court vision and passing could be better, but seeing how badly our players work to get open and create passing lanes it’s difficult to know how much of that is him and how much is the rest of the team.
I just can’t see GP passing on the likes of Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, Singleton and Morris, just to pick up another undersized combo guard with a rep from college. We already had a pretty good undersided combo guard that he traded away for a defensive 2 in Salmons.
HighTops - January 17, 2012
I think Jimmer sees passes that Reke doesn't (duh)
but will never be in the same galaxy that a Nash or Rubio or even Curry is in. He can’t seem to get enough seperation as a point to get a good look for a pass or shot. Being paired with Reke is a plus for him, because it is still a normal sized backcourt.
If he gets to Beno level by the end of this season I will be optimistic about his place in the league.
A short Chris Mullen.
ElRonToro - January 17, 2012
Maybe a 1 and a half like Reke
if evans is a 1.5 jimmer would be a 1.42
Skeptic con Urquell - January 17, 2012
Yes, Cisco is 8 years older
If you want to compare the two at least acknowledge that Donte is younger today than Garcia was in his rookie season.
Cisco was 25 when he was drafted with 3 yrs of college and experience in international basketball having played in the Pan Am games as early as 2003.
Donte had one year of college, one year of Theus/Natt, 2 years of Westphal, and Donte doesn’t turn 24 until February. Even JT is 2 years older with 4 years of college experience, and he’s just starting to show signs of improvement at age 25 and a half.
You just can’t compare rookies contract seasons, and say that because Cisco had a better start to his career, that Donte won’t have as good as a career or isn’t better now.
HighTops - January 18, 2012
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