All eyes on the bench,
where Boogie and Westphal are.
Game within the game.
Sacramento Kings at Memphis Grizzlies
FedEx Forum, Memphis
5 p.m. Pacific on Comcast SportsNet California
The Kings play their second road game of the season, having lost the first go a week ago in Portland. Memphis is wounded, as Zach Randolph apparently won't play. The Grizzlies had already lost the team's top big man reserve (Darrell Arthur) for the season, and Dante Cunningham, who played with the Blazers and Bobcats last season, should start at power forward.
That would give the Kings the frontcourt advantage on paper ... if we knew whether DeMarcus Cousins will play after that weekend blow-up with Paul Westphal. As it is, J.J. Hickson will start with Chuck Hayes. I'd expect Jason Thompson to earn big minutes if Cousins doesn't play; J.T. has been stellar early this season as the fourth big man.
The backcourt battle should be interesting regardless. Tony Allen's a stud defender who will be in either Tyreke Evans' or Marcus Thornton's face; Mike Conley is a great ball hawk who can make opponents pay for loose ball-handling or soft passing. These Kings guards have been guilty of both in the recent past. The good part for the Kings is that neither is much of a scorer; Thornton's iffy defensive fundamentals can be hidden on Allen, and Evans, provided he closes hard and smart on Conley, should outperform in his matchup. (It should be noted that while Thornton deserves a lot of the defense heat he gets, he played exceptionally hard on that end on Sunday. He was a menace, for the most part.) UPDATE: Conley appears to still be out, so Ish Smith, y'all! UPDATE 2: JEEEEESUS.
---
OK, how am I supposed to keep up with Ish Smith's career? He's played with three teams over 48 career games in two seasons. What a nomad!
Jeremy Pargo. He's the Memphis guard whose names I was groping for. Pargo, Jeremy.
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Rudy Gay is the problem; he's bigger, faster and more explosive than John Salmons, and looks something like a nightmare going in. If Gay goes off, the Kings need a push up front and a win in the backcourt at the least. But the worry is that Gay could really go off. We'll see how Westphal plays the defense on Gay, especially considering that Randolph is out. Conceivably, you could let Travis Outlaw or Donte Greene watch Cunningham for long stretches and give Hayes some burn on Gay. Gay is much, much faster, and could be a problem off the dribble. But of all the options to defend him, I think I'd take Hayes over anyone but Greene.
A win here could be a nice confidence boost for the club heading into Denver on Wednesday; while the New Orleans win was solid, that's not a good team and no one seemed to be focusing on the game as soon as it ended. A road win, a win against a playoff team, a good start to the back-to-back-to-back ... that's a real plus.
Game's at 5. Game threads at 5 and 6:30. Let's go Kings!
2 recs | 98 comments
Conley
Mike Conley is also out tonight.
Surprise Team - January 3, 2012 via Android app
If Cousins isn't in by the end of the 1st
Then Westphal is a foolish, foolish man.
LightningStrike5 - January 3, 2012
How long did he wait to put Cousins in when he got benched for fighting Donte?
My memory is fuzzy, but I want to say it was mid way through the 1st quarter.
SharkKings49 - January 3, 2012
Distractions anyone?
TheFifthMookie - January 3, 2012
I’m hoping for 20 and 20 from DeMarcus tonight. No better way to prove yourself to the public than to kick ass on the court.
Carl - January 3, 2012
Yea, but I fear it'll be 20 points on 40% shooting
Shizzo - January 3, 2012
That'd be an improvement at least
prowseinthehouse - January 3, 2012
I'd be happy with over 40%
He’s been shooting 32% so far. Plus, his shooting % is mislieading at times since he gets his own rebound a lot and as a result his O rebounding is padded and shot % is lower.
SharkKings49 - January 3, 2012
Early Work
Per Peaches’ Twitter:
#12Pick...who? - January 3, 2012
Impossible to take that as a bad thing, no matter what 'really' happened.
LightningStrike5 - January 3, 2012
Yes
kwill - January 3, 2012
Glad to here it.
kwill - January 3, 2012
Glad he didn't there it.
Nicholas Miller - January 3, 2012
LAME
Shizzo - January 3, 2012
Rec'd
hopefully not a 1 step forward, 2 steps back situation
Shizzo - January 3, 2012
Probably best DMC news of the season
SharkKings49 - January 3, 2012
Impossible to take that as a bad thing, no matter what 'really' happened.
LightningStrike5 - January 3, 2012
WTF double post?
LightningStrike5 - January 3, 2012
Impossible to take that as a bad thing, not matter what 'really' happened.
Slam_Dunk - January 3, 2012
No
kwill - January 3, 2012
Maybe
LightningStrike5 - January 3, 2012
Impossible to take that as a bad thing, no matter what 'really' happened.
elSAVinator - January 3, 2012
Maybe
kwill - January 3, 2012
So....
LightningStrike5 - January 3, 2012
Lightening strikes twice?
Slam_Dunk - January 3, 2012
hehehehe
giggle
Shizzo - January 3, 2012
I'm calling the win here
With Cuz playing at least 22 minutes and having something like a 9/10/2 line. I’m also predicting the Cousins story just kind of fades away, unless or until another flare-up occurs.
SavageBeast - January 3, 2012
I'm not so enthused.
Our team has looked as awful as I could imagine for long stretches. This grizzlies team is not to be taken lightly, with or w/o Z-Bo. I expect Rudy to just shit all over us unless Donte pulls a magic trick out of his hat.
Shizzo - January 3, 2012
Not to mention the random mediocre guy who seems to always have career games against us
Wonder who it will be tonight
prowseinthehouse - January 3, 2012
I say Josh Davis
He looks like a random scrub, just like #55 on the knicks. If not, then probably Pargo since he is filling in for Conley. Third option is Donte Cunningham who may be filling in for Randolph. It’s pretty much a fact that one of those guys will light us up.
SharkKings49 - January 3, 2012
This guy
SharkKings49 - January 3, 2012
Didnt Sam Young torch us last season?
Wonderchild - January 3, 2012
I'll call Josh Selby.
caseycheesecake - January 3, 2012
I definitely don't take Mephis lightly
They are a solid playoff team just like everyone we have played so far. And we are on the road. And Cuz won’t be starting. The road part is probably what scares me most. In fact, this is a game we should lose.
It’s just that I think we are better than we have shown. When this team clicks they are pretty tough.
Of course it could also be the airplane glue talking.
SavageBeast - January 3, 2012
Well
I got Cousin’s minutes right. Sigh.
SavageBeast - January 3, 2012
No Randolph, Arthur or Conley
Kings have to take advantage here and get some good momentum going.
Aykis16 - January 3, 2012
which means
they’ll lose by 22.
Dub_TC - January 3, 2012
elSAVinator - January 3, 2012
Never do that again.
LeaguePassAddict - January 3, 2012
What is that?
DiegoKing - January 3, 2012
Please include a title next time
So I can click on it to hide the image :(
omikron - January 3, 2012
Isn't that Cher's daughter?
kwill - January 3, 2012
LMAO!!!!
Ninja King - January 3, 2012
that has to be one of the funniest/scariest clips from a reality show ever.
MichaelMack - January 3, 2012
Ha at least someone recognized it
elSAVinator - January 3, 2012
lol I remember that, too.
Dub_TC - January 4, 2012
You were close.
Aykis16 - January 3, 2012
Isn't Zack questionable also?
SavageBeast - January 3, 2012
Sorry
Meant Isn’t Zack questionable? or is he definitely out?
SavageBeast - January 3, 2012
Zach Randolph is out
KingsFanInPortland - January 3, 2012
Nice!
I mean, oh that’s too bad, I really wanted to test them at full strength.
SavageBeast - January 3, 2012
Lol
If I coulda picked one player to miss this game it would definately be him.
KingsFanInPortland - January 3, 2012
DMC really came on last year after some "troubles"
Lets hope one year of growing up means he will come back like a beast after just one incident this year. Really above all else, we need those 12 boards a game
KingsFanInPortland - January 3, 2012
Yay...a post about actual basketball
It seems that all posts so far on an off-days are negative lol.
Offense has looked a little better every game. more movement, more passing, more spacing.
The dark horse here is Marc Gasol. He will probably be posting quite a bit, and could go off.
Wonderchild - January 3, 2012
Hayes is going to make Gasol's life tough tonight
SavageBeast - January 3, 2012
Agreed. Which is why its big Randolph is out.
If we can shut down Gasol they are in trouble. Who knows what to expect out of our boys tonight but I think we have quite a few things in our favor at least
KingsFanInPortland - January 3, 2012
3-3 would look pretty sweet.
Make it happen, Kings!
DiegoKing - January 3, 2012
My bold prediction tonight is
JJ Hickson going for 22 and like 12 rebounds, and Jimmer scoring 20 points also in a Kings win….by 1.
DiegoKing - January 3, 2012
If all goes well these next two games
BUY TIX TO THE KINGS BUCKS GAME AND LETS GO WILD FOR BOOGIE!!!!!!!!!
2001nbachampions - January 3, 2012
Exactly the kind of guy I like to go out of my way for
lchristmas - January 3, 2012 via mobile
Since he loves sacramento so much
lchristmas - January 3, 2012 via mobile
I've never heard him say anything bad about Sacramento
Even asking for a trade isn’t an indictment of the city. Sometimes you just don’t get along with your co-workers, or boss in this case
KingsFanInPortland - January 3, 2012
Fair enough
I’m still not sure that “going wild for boogie” is what is called for in this situation.. at all
lchristmas - January 3, 2012 via mobile
replace PW with
ElRonToro - January 3, 2012
Phil Jackson
and DMC with Howard
ElRonToro - January 3, 2012
And lottery pick with NBA Championship
clicc916 - January 3, 2012
And PBP with
The CowboyRon™ Entertainment & Sports Complex.
(which I fear might be a cardboard box next to a TV store. Still seats 20,000 though.)
elfboy_ - January 3, 2012
Id tend to agree
No matter what he has some making up too do with hard work and professional attitude IMO
KingsFanInPortland - January 3, 2012 via mobile
I just Said we should try to fill up the bucks game. man.
2001nbachampions - January 3, 2012 via iPhone app
Let's build on Sunday's win
Better passing, more assists, fewer turnovers, better defense, better energy, take the shots when they are there and have some fun. That goes for you too, Boogie.
NewEraKings - January 3, 2012
Sometimes it's who's playing on your team rather than who's out on your opponents
The Kings are only shooting 40% from the field. Tyreke is only 8 of 24 for 33% away from the rim. And, DeMarcus is only 10 of 28 for 36% at the rim. Not the best start for our 2 prize young talents.
On the bright side turnovers are down considerably. If you exclude the Portland game where we had 20, the average is only 13 in the other 4 games. One other major improvement is in the foul department. The Kings are getting fouled 5 more times per game then they are fouling their opponent. Which if they start making their FT’s will have a much bigger impact.
There is one major negative that’s carried over from last season. We are giving up too many points in the paint. Last season ended with the Kings allowing a 70% shooting percentage by their opponents at the rim. We are currently at the same number.
What’s worse is that we are allowing more attempts than last year. The King rank 6th in number of attempts at the rim allowed and 4th in number of attempts allowed in the 3-9 foot range. The end result is that the Kings are allowing on average 50pt to be scored by their opponents in the paint. The SSSI may not condone my analysis, but it looks like neither Chuck Hayes nor Samual Dalembert nor moving Beno are the answer to Kings interior defensive problem.
HighTops - January 3, 2012
So, the opponent is...us?
section214 - January 3, 2012
What the heck is this from??
Ninja King - January 3, 2012
The Scanners.
DiegoKing - January 3, 2012
Do yourself a favor friend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FTXCqxtwo8
ResetSmith - January 3, 2012
Yea, that was disturbing
I’ve heard of that movie but never watched it. Cool concept for a movie tho lol
Ninja King - January 3, 2012
Yup, we're playing better defense
against ourselves.
elfboy_ - January 3, 2012
points in the paint could be a victim of small sample size so far
we played Atrocious transition D vs Portland and Chicago, which would inflate those numbers a bit. But youre right, our defense is allowing too much penetration in the paint thus far.
Wonderchild - January 3, 2012
If it hadn't been a problem all last season, I wouldn't have mentioned it.
And so far this season we’ve given up between 44-54 pts in every game except tonights where we gave up 72. We’re also being out rebounded and outscored in 2nd chance points in 5 of the 6 games.
I’ve been harping about helping our bigs score inside for 2 years now. We’re giving up easy baskets in the paint and taking low percentage jumpers ourselves. Which is fine when our big shooter is hot, but Thornton has shot in the mid 30’s or worse in 3 of the 6 games. A jump shooting team can win if it can force the other team into being a jump shooting team. But, the wins are going to come less frequently when we allow teams to score so easily inside.
HighTops - January 3, 2012
I'm hoping for some positive regression out of those two.
Briceratops - January 3, 2012
Interesting point on attempts in the paint
Much of that stems from guard penetration and lackluster pick n roll defense…though quick games after lockout and tired legs might be exacerbating that
sactoreg - January 3, 2012
Guard penetration or Wing for that matter is going to happen
and lackluster help by our bigs is contributing to the problem. But, no individual defense is going to stop penetration. Defense is all about team work and help rotations and eventually Defensive Rebounding.
John Solmon has had some of the more difficult assignments early this season. He’s an average -9 pts at SF going against, Gay, Carmelo, & Deng. This is a major disadvantage and without help there’s no way he was going to be successful. And, the same goes for most of our players, who is going to win a matchup with Rose.
The help rotations are almost non-existent except for a few charges taken by Hayes and DeMarcus. As bad as we’re shooting (41% field) we’re still scoring between 92-100 in every game except Portland. Defense especially in the paint has and continues to elude us.
HighTops - January 3, 2012
What you will learn about Jimmer....
Is that he will generally play better on the road. Also, he is a winner and he cares more about that than his #‘s….. My guess by 1/2 way in season he is PG….. Just has to realize he can’t rest for a sec on D
Pdidd - January 3, 2012
I hope they shoot their free throws like they did on Sunday.
DiegoKing - January 3, 2012
We better not choose to trade Cousins instead of firing Westphal & replacing him with Keith Smart.
Ninja King - January 3, 2012
At this time, neither trading Cousins or firing Westphal should happen. The team needs time to gel in every way. But if it doesn’t happen by the trade deadline, then you have to look at what is the best thing to do. IMO
Ninja King - January 3, 2012
time to gel is great and all
but if what some of the players have been saying is true, that there are seriously no real plays that this team runs (in addition to the complete lack of scouting) then there’s nothing for this team to gel into. there’s no future for this team if the coaching staff treats it like a pickup game at recess in an elementary school
Brannigan's Law - January 3, 2012
Definitely agree
I never liked the hiring of Westphal. He’s definitely the wrong coach for this team. There is no way I’d keep him & trade Cousins.
Ninja King - January 3, 2012
I'm worried about
Memphis coming off that huge 40pt thrashing they took at the hands of the Bulls
sactoreg - January 3, 2012
Both for Westphal and Cousins
Set aside your pride and just DO the game.. C’mon !!
mjalmighty - January 3, 2012
woooo
lets get that game thread goin, i aint got no worries to discuss, im just excited
AnkleMan - January 3, 2012
Update
Apparently Conley is in uniform tonight..
Surprise Team - January 3, 2012
Oh shiz.
caseycheesecake - January 3, 2012
Jimmer as PG
Great post, couldn’t agree more with you. Jimmer should be the PG, he’s the only guard on the team that can pass. Add to that he’d be a great double threat because if he has the ball more he’ll score plenty. Leaving him on a wing waiting for Evans to pass him the ball will get him out of this league in a hurry. He’s either goung to be S Nash or a bust and I’ll admit a bust is a real possibility but maybe just maybe he’s S Nash and the Kings have something. The way Evans plays the point the Kings will never win, he makes noone better, cannot see the floor and either can’t or won’t pass and I’m not sure what’s worse.
bankers hours - January 3, 2012
It's so obvious the Kings shoulda drafted Kemba Walker
He is definitely better than Fredette. Walker was a no-brainer pick. Coulda ran him & Thornton in the backcourt with Evans @ 3. There was no need for Salmons. He takes up minutes that should be spent on Donte Greene. We ended up getting Outlaw anyway. Minutes @ 3 coulda been used on Reke, Donte, & Travis. Reke still woulda played the 1 & 2 alot anyway, as he still does with Jimmer on the team.
Ninja King - January 3, 2012
Shizzo - January 3, 2012
I can't let it go. I just can't.
I still don’t get why Petrie wanted Hayes over Dalembert either.
Ninja King - January 3, 2012
So close
You were almost making sense right up until the Donte Greene.
SavageBeast - January 3, 2012
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