Paul Westphal in the post-game comments, in response to a question about why the coach thinks that the Sacramento Kings continually get hammered in the first quarter:
I think that we're trying a little bit too hard to do what we're supposed to do instead of just thinking about playing aggressively. I really think that has a big part of it.
In the first three minutes of the game, the Kings took five shots. Three were J.J. Hickson jump shots. J.J. Hickson shoots 29.8 percent from beyond 10 feet on his career (157-526), according to Hoopdata. There were 13, 7 and 13 seconds on the shot clock on those shots Wednesday night.
How far down on the "what we're supposed to do" list is a J.J. Hickson jumper with 13 seconds on the shot clock?
5 recs | 195 comments
I also loved the part where DeMarcus finally got going
and then we stopped giving him the ball at all until it was too late.
Aykis16 - January 5, 2012
Or just took him out of the game?
I guess because he was trying – aggressively against the will of the team.
towndunce - January 5, 2012
This happened in the Bulls game
Noah and Asik were in foul trouble in the 3rd and Boogie was building some momentum. I turned to my girlfriend and said “This is where we make our run.” Then Westphal pulled him for JJ Hickson. I was flabbergasted.
Muff209 - January 5, 2012 via mobile
I remember that
He owned Noah for a min, then was taken out
SharkKings49 - January 5, 2012
It all makes perfect sense. Cousins was ruining the flow of the offense
How we are suppose to give up easy transition baskets if this locker room cancer keeps making shots? It’s a lot harder to not walk back on made baskets
HeuristicLineup - January 5, 2012
I’m not sure if PW does this to Cousins to make him continue to suck and allows PW to use him as the excuse for losing or if PW is just an idiot and thinks he really has a good game plan.
SharkKings49 - January 5, 2012
BOTH!
hudson101 - January 5, 2012
I was at that game
My dad was screaming “WHERE’S COUSINS???”
49er16 - January 5, 2012
Kudos to your dad.
Slam_Dunk - January 5, 2012
I remember last year,
where DMC owned Channing Frye and on the next play Casspi just took a jumpshot. Now, I hate when Bill Walton joins the announce team, but he even questioned to why Kings didn’t go back to DMC. Our coach really is garbage.
Everyone remember last season, at one point we were doing Free Donte? Well this season we should be doing FEED DMC! lol
jumpboi - January 5, 2012
It's like whatever he says...
doesn’t matter anymore. One of the reasons Kigs suck is that the offense is rediculously lame and the transition defense and protection in the paint is in shambles…
A lot of that falls on the coach and the O/D sets he puts together.
If they don’t fire Westfail, then he should just quit. He has to know that the team is lost and nobody is playing for him anymore (if they ever did)…
Ryan J - January 5, 2012
The shooting % is a direct result
of no offensive scheme.
7 games and I can’t figure out what they are even attempting to do on offense to get easy shots.
ElRonToro - January 5, 2012
Seriously
I can’t figure out what they are trying to do on offense either.
markdog333 - January 5, 2012
To me everything gets fixed with a better offensive scheme.
Made shots give us more time to get back. Wings on other teams leak on all of our shots, and often get a long pass for an easy bucket. If this happens, they score less in the paint, have to run their half court offense, and in result take more difficult shots.
This team isnt getting nearly enough easy shots on offense because there is no offensive rhythm. And it is throwing off every other facet of our game.
Wonderchild - January 5, 2012
kings need Jim Harbaugh
To come coach. Maybe after niners win the super bowl he can coach the rest of the year. I guarantee we would much better than we are right now
darkadun - January 5, 2012 via mobile
Who's got it better than us? (Kings) ... EVERYBODY!!!
abasketballfan - January 5, 2012
+1 x 100
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
Basketball IQ
Couldn’t believe the difference in unselfishnees/BB IQ between us and the Nuggets. Marcus and Reke were continuously getting mocked by the other teams’ announcers for selfish play. Marcus should come off the bench and be an offensive spark…Reke a slasher on the break and defensive stopper but not a PG….poor man’s Scottie Pippen. And what about trading for SMART players. Nuggets had 3-5 players who were great role players and intelligent and took what was given to them and didn’t force anything..their game looked effortless and smooth. I got a stomach ache everytime we got the ball…..Everyone just trying to get their. For all of his limitaitons and being a rook @ least Fredette tries to playmake
Pdidd - January 5, 2012
In regards to Nuggets announcers
one thing people need to remember is they had to suffer through the whole Carmelo drama last year and his general style of play for over 7 years. They know selfish basketball.
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
and 5 years of J.R. Smith
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
you speak the truth
margabelle - January 5, 2012
Must be opposite day at the Westphal house.
Ice_9ine - January 5, 2012 via mobile
Looks like Donte's on his way to Baltimore
his grandma passed …. from Twitter
Dub_TC - January 5, 2012
Condolences to Donte and family
SayWhat? - January 5, 2012
This.
killerking - January 5, 2012
.
49er16 - January 5, 2012
Translating PW
When Paul says this:
He really means this:
“I have no effing clue.”
Slam_Dunk - January 5, 2012
He really means:
“It’s their fault! Not mine! They’re executing my ‘plays’ too hard!”
Muff209 - January 5, 2012 via mobile
It is no wonder the players are confused at to what they are supposed to do.
If I were a player, taking PW’s words at face value, the message I would take away is that we were putting too much effort to do what we were supposed to do. Therefore, the solution would be to put in less effort.
Slam_Dunk - January 5, 2012
He's basically complaining that thecae running his offense. Not the best defense a coach can give.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 5, 2012
You know what's sad?
For the first time, that I can recall, I get to watch my favorite team play basketball for 3 straight nights in a row, and I don’t care.
I’ts not apathy either, it’s anger.
I’m angry that this should be a great week for Kings fans. We got our team back, it’s the beginning of a new season, we drafted a couple exciting young guards, Tyreke is healthy, but instead we get this.
Sadly, I love my team, and I’ll be here tonight watching and rooting them on, but enough is enough. It’s time we demand more from this team, and the organization. Kings fans deserve so much better. I hope we get some semblance of effort tonight.
Dirkula - January 5, 2012
we vote with our dollars
then when we take our dollars away, they go on the verge of moving the team. sucks for us :\
mtmoore55 - January 5, 2012
Great point, the old "Major League" theory still rings true...
gregory l - January 5, 2012
I'm right there with you and will be cheering at the game
You should give the Sharks a try. After the Kings blow out, I watched the Sharks beat down the Ducks. It helped me forget about how bad the kings are for a few min.
SharkKings49 - January 5, 2012
What I find annoying and others have pointed out that they feel the same way
Is after these games, I don’t even feel like I got my “basketball fix” in. I am so disgusted on whatever the hell the Kings are calling that on the court, that I’m forced to turn on another game(which we won’t have that chance since we’re playing at 7 today) just to get my basketball fix in.
Hell, I even watched the Laker game on Tuesday after the Kings game just to watch some real basketball.
HeuristicLineup - January 5, 2012
Saw some warriors/spurs last night
and even that looked waaaaaay better, smooth pull up jumpers, actual plays, turned ankles…
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
Watching the Nuggets was fun
Unfortunately I was rooting for the other team.
Aykis16 - January 5, 2012
They're a fun team to watch
49er16 - January 5, 2012
Well coached team, far better than the sum of their parts
SPTSJUNKIE - January 5, 2012
Been doing the same
kind of disappointed in the Rockets. They used to be my go to basketball fix (strongly feel the 08-09 Rockets were the most underrated badass team of the last decade) and thought with McHale they’d be really fun to watch (not a great coach but his Wolves were technically fun to watch play) but they are kind of like the bizarro Kings with some really putrid D.
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
So they switched from Adelman to McHale
and you thought they’d get better?
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
you thought I said better?
no, thought they would still be fun with a little more offensive explosiveness and perhaps more losses. I just didn’t the competiveness would take a nose dive to 20 to 30 point losses is all.
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
you're totally right
I took a liberty there. you did say ‘fun to watch’.
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
Well, we know what Rick can do, especially to an offense
Not surprised to see them regress. We witnessed it first hand, though the drop off to Muss was probably greater.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 5, 2012
Adelman to McHale is a bad move
PW to McHale would have been better
SharkKings49 - January 5, 2012
when did I say it was a good move?
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
He didn't. He's making a statement, not a denouncement.
tomroadrunner - January 5, 2012
I meant it to connect to TheFifthMookie's post right below
To confirm Adelman is great and PW sucks. McHale is somewhere in the middle. too many reply buttons
SharkKings49 - January 5, 2012
Adelman to McHale
is Adelman to Musselman, redux.
section214 - January 5, 2012
I'm going to the game tonight
and for the first time I am not sure if I want the team to win or lose. If we win, the wife will be fired up and happy wife happy life…if we lose it may be the straw that breaks the camels back regarding firing PW.The two day break until we play Orlando (at home so there is no travel and we could practice both days with interim coach) is the longest break in the schedule for awhile. If the team lays an egg tonight it would be the best time to can PW. After this two day break we are on the road for a long stretch with no significant days off. Here’s to waking up n the morning and reading
headline in the Bee.Kingstime - January 5, 2012
Not sure if you need to worry about that...
It may take a lot of broken straws to break his back. He seems to have a lot of resiliency.
Slam_Dunk - January 5, 2012
I don't know
In the post game interview last night, he looked like a beaten man.
markdog333 - January 5, 2012
Are those the plays that Westphal drew up?
HeuristicLineup - January 5, 2012
No, these are:
Rickyflip - January 5, 2012
And the defensive scheme:
Rickyflip - January 5, 2012
Trying to draw charges?
tomroadrunner - January 5, 2012
Really thought this was the offense...somewhere Reke or Thornton are dribbling.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
Reke and Thornton are fine and good and all,
but they both cant drive left….at all. Still. Defenses figured this out 2 years ago. Still no adjustments. Not talented enough to turn this into a Haiku.
Wonderchild - January 5, 2012
2004-2005 Phoenix Suns
that is the last team that I saw as giddy as I have seen this Nuggets team so far this season.
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
This speaks volumes...
Not trying, fairly obvious, so the question is why… and why no big news or suspension for saying “we’re not even trying”.
kromeace - January 5, 2012
Set an example Marcus and be the lone Kings to get back on defense
we have enough bitching in the media
SharkKings49 - January 5, 2012
A lot of times, Jimmer is the only one that pursues the fast break, and of course he gets steamrolled,
which has to be embarrassing, and it pisses me off that the other players aren’t willing to help.
At least he’s trying.
tomroadrunner - January 5, 2012
Fiiiirrree Westphal..... Clap Clap...Clap Clap Clap
ivAAron - January 5, 2012
For those ready for a new coach...
Please, please watch tonight’s game looking objectively at two things:
1) Defensive effort
2) # of passes on offense
The coach is in charge of neither. The team might have already quit playing, which IMO is as big an indictment of the players’ character as the ability of the coach. But I would like to know your honest opinions of these specific aspects of the game tonight.
I will start a post dedicated to this discussion after the game to talk about it.
Thanks.
Docile Ocelot - January 5, 2012
The coach IS in charge of both.
It is his job to intervene when they are not being accomplished, either by pulling players, calling effective timeouts and make game time decisions. By allowing players to run iso plays or fall asleep on transition with out significant repercussions is ineffective coaching. What is that Einstein quote? “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.”
adamsite - January 5, 2012
yep.
daveh33 - January 5, 2012
also pulling the one player who actually is trying, DeMarcus... by virtue of his own ego
this is pretty damning evidence that pw is a terrible coach
daveh33 - January 5, 2012
Okay.
How do you fix that?
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
Coach has no responsibilites
So I guess its up to the players, or maybe a fan can walk into the huddle and say gets your asses back on defense , I want a taco.
ElRonToro - January 5, 2012
Defense does not win tacos
Biscuit - January 5, 2012
I'm with you on the defensive effort part...that's totally on the players and that's something that's inexcusable when you stop trying.
Putting forth the effort to play defense falls upon the players. However, if players aren’t putting that effort in then it’s on the coach to either call out the player or sub for that player. If the whole team isn’t putting enough effort on defense, then you have to question how much they really care about playing for the coach, no? It sounds unfair to the coach but I have to think if the players cared about their coach then they will go all out for him. The players are a reflection of the coach afterall. Please do not take this as an excuse for the players because I think they should remember they are playing basketball for a living…not working a 9-5 like Jason Jones said.
On offense, I totally blame the coaching. If the guys are lost and are complaing about not knowing what to do…then that’s on coach. The offense doesn’t look organized and the players obviously don’t understand their roles. # of passes on offense is low probably because guys don’t know what to do, who to pass it to, and are trying to make a play themselves.
Frankly, they need to start DMC in the high-post and run the offense through him. He CAN be a willing passer. He commands a lot of attention too. He does get it in the high-post at times but he’s so far out (closer to the 3-point line…much rather see him closer to the free-throw line) that I wouldn’t be comfortable with him taking that outside jumper if the defense gives it to him. Run so off the ball screens and let DMC pick them apart. He can do the job and we’ve seen him do it a bit last year. There will be mistakes but I think he’s a capable learner from that (i.e., taking charges especially after giving them). I think that would be a start. That plus some lineup changes…don’t like Salmons in there. WHY DID WE TRADE FOR HIM AGAIN???!!!!?!?!??
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
No clue on Salmons
Docile Ocelot - January 5, 2012
Even the not getting back on D might be a part of the bad O
I have not looked hard enough to know, but the fact that all 5 guys seem to be freelancing on the floor could be leaving them unbalanced and not having enough guys in position to get back if some how one of their 39% shots fail to go in.
ElRonToro - January 5, 2012
In my opinion, how is this not the coaches responsibility?
A coach cannot influence the talent level of his team, apart from developing that talent.
What he is directly responsible to influence is the motivation/mindset of his team and the offensive/defensive systems put in place to allow his players to succeed cohesively.
Both of your points are results of these coaching responsibilities.
brianspider - January 5, 2012
Why doesn't he bench guys that aren't doing those things?
Isn’t that within his purview?
otis29 - January 5, 2012
Hasn't he done that and gotten blasted for it?
Docile Ocelot - January 5, 2012
Not that I've seen
Maybe on occasion, but it’s not a hard and fast policy.
Pookey mentioned he had taped and watched every play of one of the earlier games this season and DeMarcus and Tyreke constantly took their time getting back on defense. If one of them was pulled specifically for that reason, it wasn’t apparent.
otis29 - January 5, 2012
although overall I agree with you
but technically the Grizz games was one where the starters didn’t come back and were playing awful D and isolation (don’t recall the complaining but wouldn’t be shocked to see it given the mob has taken over now)
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
The Coach is 100% in charge of both of them
1) Defensive effort – if you see a player not trying on defense, guess what? You have a handful of guys sitting on the bench who will be more than willing to go into the game
2) # of passes on offense — Again, if you think a player is keeping his head down, maybe the bench player behind him will be more than willing to play. Find a group that is willing passers and play them until said players realizes the only way he’s going to get minutes is if he helps distribute the ball
Only one way to fix this one…
HeuristicLineup - January 5, 2012
He has been swapping guys for effort
And then gets ripped for inconsistent lineups and substitution patterns.
But I agree that when everyone (except for Thornton) seems to have quit playing, the coach has lost control.
It’s just sad that the system works to give control to the people who need direction.
Docile Ocelot - January 5, 2012
Has he been swapping guys for effort?
Really?
otis29 - January 5, 2012
pretty darn sure it was the whole "hot hand" or "veteran player" swapping going on
don’t recall him taking people out for dogging it at all last year
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
I really should watch a Kings game and count the individual passes.
Aykis16 - January 5, 2012
and write about it in a post that features Coach Normal Dale telling his players they have to pass
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
Don't forget a chair drill or two.
defender96 - January 5, 2012 via mobile
hell could just have his first game speech
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
These are both low hanging fruit
1 – this is subjective – I think half of the Kings have good effort but are bad at defense
2 – who gives a shit? If one pass is thrown and it results in a dunk, is that a bad play?
towndunce - January 5, 2012
Have you see many dunks yet?
Docile Ocelot - January 5, 2012
No
Cousins and Tyreke hate dunking the ball
SharkKings49 - January 5, 2012
agreeeeee
1)hustle back in transition
2) rotation on penetration(2,3,4,5 players involved?)
3)denial of easy ball reversal, teams easily running their options
Count passes AND dribbles per player
zzsjolt - January 5, 2012
Also:
How many times the adjust themselves while on the bench.
How many swim moves they do while waiting for a rebound from a free throw.
How many dribbles with left hand as opposed to right.
SCIENCE!!!
tomroadrunner - January 5, 2012
Remember the drills where 3 guys had to touch the ball before you could shoot?
That would be a better offensive plan than what we have now.
ElRonToro - January 5, 2012
What do you want to bet that PW called for those plays to get JJ going.
He was hoping for a productive JJ to justify his benching of Cousins. Only problem, it is again piss poor play calling and execution.
adamsite - January 5, 2012
It should have been JT starting anyways
He’s been the better player this season. I don’t understand JJ starting
prowseinthehouse - January 5, 2012
I think JT is trying too hard to do what he's suppose to do...DUH!
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
Jt has been better on O but is RB is off a bit
JJ has been a much better RBer but his O is off.
I don’t know whose D has been better.
ElRonToro - January 5, 2012
Having two guys who can't finish at the rim is problematic...DMC and JT :)
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
But if the coach is determined to have our bigs shoot jumpers
I’d rather have JT on the floor
prowseinthehouse - January 5, 2012
From Personal Experience...
When a coach starts using the “Thinking too much about it” excuse, they’re not a very good coach. It’s a lame-ass excuse for “I don’t know what I’m doing wrong”.
HarveySpecter - January 5, 2012
I see what they're "TRYING" to do on offense but..
it’s not taught well. The cuts aren’t sharp, the high-post is set too high (where the open jumper isn’t much of a threat), screens aren’t firmly set, players aren’t reading how the defense is reacting to the screens, and etc. It’s a lot of little details that aren’t being corrected and I think that squarely falls on the coach. It’s pretty fundamental but the small details make the difference.
Basically…it’s not just Xs and Os…it’s the details that go into that which makes it work efficiently. Westphal doesn’t strike me as a guy who divulges into those details…it’s like he expects it to be known or something.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
Agreed.
Some things WP can/should expect from the players, IE: effort, unselfishness, etc., but it looks like he’s disappointed that they’re not “figuring it out” on their own. I think that’s why it looks like every man for himself out there. They’re only doing what each of them know best, and for a bunch of DRIBBLE-DRIVE-SCORE"ERS, this is what we’re left with on offense.
THE MISSED LAYUPS LOOK LIKE A JOKE!
Sirstan51 - January 5, 2012
This might be asking too much
But shouldn’t an NBA player already know how to set a screen or curl off one?
Docile Ocelot - January 5, 2012
Yeah they should...
but those are things that need to be taught, preached, and constantly reminded when they’re not being done. The coach has to demand execution of the details.
We have a young team so they’re more prone to have mental lapses and fundamental mistakes. Just think of how young Evans, Thornton, Cousins, and Jimmer are. That’s why it’s on the coach to teach and preach the details. I don’t think PW does a good job of that.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
I keep asking this question
Did we just happen to draft and acquire the dumbest players in the NBA? What are the odds of that?
What’s more likely – that being the case or having a piss-poor coach who can’t teach his own offense?
otis29 - January 5, 2012
Can it be both?
I think guys like Evans and Cousins got away with their raw talent and size at the HS and collegiate level. In the pros, they need to be taught specifics and how to use their talent.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
Sure, it can be both
But it’s not endemic to Evans and Cousins alone. It’s infected the entire roster – veterans, youngsters.
otis29 - January 5, 2012
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
Then that falls on the coach. There are different factors that go into setting a screen, making the right read, or etc.
and if the players don’t know how the coach wants it, they’re just going to go out there and do what they think they should do. This tends to lead to DISFUNCTION…which we’ve seen for the last 3 years unfortunately. The team is not on the same page on bit.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
did you just compare our two 'upcoming stars'
to Darius Miles?
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
Webber did that too
He never did learn to box out, which is what Nelson got mad at him for all the time.
Not saying thats a good thing.
I think Cousins RB basics are strong, footwork is good. I really think his only issues are pouting and shot selection.
ElRonToro - January 5, 2012
Odds are steep
and by the way, no players who get drafted into the NBA do not inherently know how to set an effective screen or curl off of one. Believe it or not, but these guys actually are playing against NBA athletes, not traffic cones.
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
Yup...that's why teams with less raw ability are playoff teams with good coaching.
I think Utah of a few years ago is a good example. I’d argue we have better talent than they did when they had Williams, Okur, and AK 47 as their core. But their whole team was fundamentally sound and they knew what to do and how to do it.
Probably a reason why Aykis loves Sloan.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
I'm curious how Bobby's going to turn out as a coach long term
I know it’s a pipe dream, but having Sloan here for a few years to mentor Smart and Bobby would be an awfully nice situation.
otis29 - January 5, 2012
Shoot, he can bring Phil Johnson with him
I’m sure he knows the way to the arena.
otis29 - January 5, 2012
No to Bobby as head coach
I don’t think he would be good enough to make this team win and I really don’t want to see a ton of threads saying “Fire Bobby” since he is one of the key glory day Kings.
SharkKings49 - January 5, 2012
That's a good point
I’d reckon Bobby is as beloved a player as pretty much any that have come through Sacramento. His is the only jersey my wife owns and he’s still her favorite player.
otis29 - January 5, 2012
Not only that
But this is the first year Bobby has been a coach in any capacir
Aykis16 - January 5, 2012 via Android app
capacity*
Aykis16 - January 5, 2012 via Android app
I might not be starting the "Jerry Sloan as next coach of the Kings" bandwagon
But that’s only because someone else might have started it before me.
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
I am pretty skeptical about that happening unless he's offered a ridiculous salary.
He left Utah because Deron Williams was a head case…I think the thought of DMC will haunt him for years.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
Wasn't there some additional extenuating circumstances with ownership or something?
I’m really fuzzy on it, but I thought there was more than just Deron Williams – was ownership choosing to back Deron over Sloan?
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
That's what I thought too until they ended up trading away Deron.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
Basically the original owner died
and the son is taking the franchise down the tubes. Sloan didn’t want to be part of that
prowseinthehouse - January 5, 2012
Well then
I doubt Sloan would consider coming here under our wacky circumstances either.
When I pause to think about that – Owners obviously trying to cut corners at every opportunity, Limited effort/ability by front office, potential of hostile move of the team, etc – Hard to imagine why any good basketball people would want to come here over another place if the money is remotely similar.
Ugh.
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
That's an interesting comment
it reminds me of a teacher I had in college. He wouldn’t explain anything, and I finally came to the conclusion that he was scared to because 1) he couldn’t (incompetence) or 2) if he shared his knowledge he wouldn’t be superior to his students (insecurity).
polotown - January 5, 2012
He's out of answers at this point
If the team is going to keep PW, he needs to start liberally using the bench for guys that aren’t giving effort. “You don’t get back on defense? Go sit for a while. You take a bad shot early in the 24 second clock? Enjoy the pine.”
otis29 - January 5, 2012
I think he is, but they're 2 rookies. I can't stand watching Hickson...
Sirstan51 - January 5, 2012
Nuggets fan perspective
Your players hate Westphal and don’t give a bleep. Our broadcasters marveled at the lack of passing and selfishness.
You’re obviously talented because you schooled the Lakers. Seems to me that Westphal alienated himself from the team with his Cousins suspension many times more than Cousins did to himself, and the team is mutiny’ing.
Fire Westphal today before the season’s lost.
margabelle - January 5, 2012
I listened to the Denver broadcasters as well
and at first I was mad that they kept calling the team 1-on-1 style basketball…then 5 minutes later I realized that is exactly what we were doing.
lemmetakeutodamovies - January 5, 2012
Not just the tv guys, our radio announcer was asking in the second quarter
whether the team even has an offensive strategy.
margabelle - January 5, 2012
The answer - No
we do not have an offensive startegy
SharkKings49 - January 5, 2012
No they don't have an offensive strategy
49er16 - January 5, 2012
WRONG! We have an offensive strategy
We just execute the strategy too hard.
caseycheesecake - January 5, 2012
Well they aren't well coached.
The only thing I blame Cousins for is how he handled the situation. He’s a vocal guy obviously and can be the most dominant force on our team when his head it right. That said, this may sound crazy to some…he has the potential to be the leader we’ve been needing. He needs to mature first and foremost though.
DMC doesn’t just act out for no reason. I think he legitimately cares about winning and playing good basketball. If anything, I think he was the only one to call out PW on the lack of coaching and good system. I just wish he handles it more profesionally…even Calipari said, when he doesn’t understand something is when he gets frustrated. Taking that even further, when he doesn’t understand something and finds out that there’s nothing being done to fix it is where I see him blowing up.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
seeanew
Very well said. DMC is not the problem! Westphal is. As Margabelle said, fire Westphal before the season’s gone. Keep in mind, if the team plays poorly, there will be no stadium and no Kings in Sacramento next year. Westphal guarantees that we will be losers. He has to go.
seeanew - January 5, 2012
I don't think it's an either/or
Both parties are a huge part of the problem right now.
otis29 - January 5, 2012
I don't know about no arena or no Kings.
It’s not like the public is voting…it’s the city council. They’ve gone out of their way to lay out the local economic benefits for the arena as well.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
Not to mention that will all be decided
before the seasons gone completely to hopless.
ElRonToro - January 5, 2012
its going to be a long season
a season full of looking for everything PW does wrong… just fire the guy already. None of our players have gotten better and we keep getting blown out
jadams12 - January 5, 2012
What would we need to do to get the lockout re-instated?
Stern: “Billy’s momma is so fat…”
Hunter: “WTF?!?”
section214 - January 5, 2012
yup
lockout time’s looking pretty good in retrospect
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
The hopes... The hopes.
tomroadrunner - January 5, 2012
I would still rather talk about basketball than the BRI every day....
Wonderchild - January 5, 2012
PW is weak!
He’s running out of excuses! Every presser is starting to sound the same now. I think he is a good guy.. But not a good coach. This is his fourth year right? Different players almost completely, yet the team play on the court looks the same.. No movement, no D.. Lets move on already!
Sincere P. - January 5, 2012 via mobile
Psst...they've sounded the same since day one.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
Your right...
Sincere P. - January 5, 2012 via mobile
Please fire Westphal
49er16 - January 5, 2012
he could get fired today!
Wishful thinking, but seems like they’d fire him when they’re home, as apposed to being in the middle of road trip… so every time they come back to Sac there’s hope!
mavisdory - January 5, 2012
Fire PW before the game
Keith Smart will start Cousins and give him a chest bump. Cousins will then go on to a 30pt 15 reb performance on their way to a win tonight
SharkKings49 - January 5, 2012
But if paul westphal is still the coach
It will be Beno who will then go on to a 30pt 15 reb performance
Widowwolf - January 5, 2012
Westphal
I think that it’s time for a direction change. I was in favor of the Westphal hire but after 2 yrs of unwatchable ball it’s time. It’s time for a direction, any direction.
theallisons04 - January 5, 2012
Another season and the same sinking feeling...
kromeace - January 5, 2012
Westphal = Isaiah Thomas (when he was coaching NY)
Westphal has no control over his team. It reminds me of Zach Randolph PG.
CloudyEyes - January 5, 2012
Line up change
Westphal needs to start Cousins over Hayes, we are getting beat every time in the paint. Reason why the team is putting up ridiculous numbers in the paint. We have no length and size. The departure of Daly is really hurting our inside presence, rebounding, interior D and size.
jsrose115 - January 5, 2012
Tyreke from the Bee
Apologies, I’m mobile posting (http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/05/4164079/another-kick-in-teeth.html)
“Before the game, I was feeling a little drowsy, and at halftime I just started throwing up,” Evans said."
Man, do I know THAT feeling.
defender96 - January 5, 2012 via mobile
So were the rest of us.
Slam_Dunk - January 5, 2012
haha +1
DaRubiesSLOKingsA's - January 5, 2012
funny stat from last nights game
From Twitter@RubiesNoffNBA:
Followed By:
DaRubiesSLOKingsA's - January 5, 2012
I'm going to put that in my signature line
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
"Followay"???
otis29 - January 5, 2012
haha I guess, with the the pressure situation that TWITTER presents
He misspelled " fall away," or perhaps there is a hidden message in the misspelled word. Maybe, it is a stand against the demotion of Honeycutt! haha who knows!
DaRubiesSLOKingsA's - January 5, 2012
Good stuff, gotta love Twitter!
otis29 - January 5, 2012
Front Page Advertisement - Flagged
Sorry, unrelated to TZ’s post. But SBN, I’m very disappointed that I’d find an ad such as this “Call of Roma” on your sites. I hope you can address it and find more appropriate ads for wonderful blogs such as STR. Thanks.
sroufe - January 5, 2012
and here I was
thinking that google had told the adsense that I had searched for “Caligula”
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
Email TZ
He’s may not see this in the threads.
section214 - January 5, 2012
I saw it also at EDSBS this morning
49er16 - January 5, 2012
I think the problem is we're all trying to hard expecting the Kings to do what they're suppose to do.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
*Too
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
Instead of...
….thinking about playing aggressively, how ’bout the Kings just go out and play aggressively? What is there to think about it. Just do it.
I am going to think about making this 12 foot jumper. Now I am going to launch a 15 foot missile off the side of the backboard.
Later he is asked, How do you get these guys confidence in the right direction after so many bad losses against team missing key players?
How eloquent. Red Aeurbach would be proud.
Remembering confidence? When was that? Before you crushed it, along with the teams collective spirit? How about be confident, instead of playing walk down memory lane? And who are these good shooter he is talking about? The Kings have two really good shooters, Marcus and Jimmer. Marcus is making shots.
Other guys have never been good shooters, especially of late.
John Salmons, who by the way is not a SF, he is a SG, but thats a whole other issue I will save for another rant, is shooting 34%. Last year he shot 41%
Outlaw is shooting 24%. Last year he shot 37%.
Cisco and Donte can shoot, sometimes, but are not playing enough minutes to count.
JJ Hickson is at 37%. Last year 45%. (Personally I think he can make 50% of his shots but he is certainly unproven as an efficient scorer.)
Jimmer is shooting 37%.
So these “good” shooters he is counting on are two guys coming off 41% and 37% last year, an unproven guy and a rookie.
The problems of this team are way deeper than knocking down open looks. This team doesn’t defend. It doesn’t pass. It doesn’t clear defensive glass. It doesn’t run a fast break. Its disingenuous of this coach to say making a few more shots is going to make all the difference when the issues run way deeper than that.
bench_blob - January 5, 2012
Samurai Mike Singletary would definitely be proud :)
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
I don't know... I'd have to watch the game film.
ivan209 - January 5, 2012
No salmons is a "basketball Player" not an SG
hesabasketballplayer - January 5, 2012
Last Year
I wasn’t on this site last year. Was there just as many people calling for Westphal’s job last year? I just don’t understand why the Maloofs don’t pull the trigger. It seems like an inside job. Resembles “Major League” alot if you ask me. This stadium will be in the dust if we keep losing.
HighSockWizard - January 5, 2012 via mobile
No. There has been overwhelming shift from keep him to dump him.
Last year at this time, I was calling for Westphal to get fired. Not too many people agreed. But what was going on a year ago is a continuation of what we are seeing now, it is just becoming more obvious.
Case For Dismissal
bench_blob - January 5, 2012
I think a lot of people were not entirely happy with him last year but not really all amped up to fire him yet until … well yeah.
wallywagon11 - January 5, 2012
Details...Details...Details...
These are the things PW has poorly taught. Just one example where DMC gets the ball at the high post (and he should get it there more often):
First, DMC doesn’t do a good job of positioning himself there. He post up the defender if they’re denying as if he’s down in the low-post and make himself big by putting his arms up for the pass. Needs a wide base to seal off any defender or angle his wide base to box out oncoming defenders.
Second, DMC tends to catch the ball near the college three point line. If he sets up closer, like 2-3 feet maybe, he’s much more dangerous. The thing about DMC is that he can hit a 15-foot jumper, dribble-drive, or pass. He’s very good at that. But when he’s near the college 3-point line, he is limiting himself to just passing. If I’m a defender, I’d love to see DMC try to drive all the way to the hoop from there or try and shoot it there. If he’s closer to the freethrow line, that would cause all kind of problems because that’s where he’ll be more effective. Put it this way, a 20 foot jumper or drive versus a 15-footer, what would you rather have and which is more dangerous? If he’s 20 feet out, the defender can sag off and play passing lanes. If he’s 15 feet out, the defender HAS to play in his grill. Back door lanes will be open. Open 3s too as the wing defenders are looking to see what he does. But DMC has to fight for that high-post just as he would low-post. He gets shoved out too easily. He’s such a big person that he can win that battle 9 times out of 10.
The problem is that DMC doesn’t seem to understand the difference of 2-3 feet. 2-3 feet closer, he’s the most dangerous person on the floor. 2-3 feet further out, he’s just a passer and the defense sags into the key for when Tyreke tries to drive it in. This is definitely a fixable thing WITH GOOD COACHING. My best GUESS is that Westphal’s teaching is vague. Probably instructs DMC to go high-post without direction as to where. I base this off of the fact that DMC is content with catching the ball at the college 3-point line and doesn’t fight for that high-post spot…it’s like he doesn’t have that understanding. It’s up to the coach to instill that and up to DMC to execute it. Thus far, there doens’t seem to be much instilling because Westphal has zero reaction to when he catches it up there and it hasn’t been corrected. Nor does it look like it’s been attempted to be corrected based on DMCs content.
Sorry for the essay…it’s a page full. But it’s actually a 5-10 minute lesson. It’s those 5-10 minutes that I don’t think DMC is getting.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
My bad...one more thing about catching the ball too far out up top...he's crowding the guards. Sets up one defender guarding two guys.
Sactown_Loyalty19 - January 5, 2012
Not just DMC
Hayes and Hickson catch it up there too. Both cant make a jumper from there either.
Cant run a high post offense if none of your bigs can make a jumper from there. Except JT, but I wouldnt advocate playing him more than 20-25 minutes a night.
Wonderchild - January 5, 2012
Fire Westphal Now!!!
Makdeeznut - January 5, 2012
Did anyone else see Tyreke refuse to shake JJ’s hand after Tyreke drew a foul early?
mjjr42002 - January 5, 2012
Can we trade franchises?
Kings for like.. OKC.. Miami… Even the Clippers! It kinda sad being a Kings fan..
Sincere P. - January 5, 2012 via mobile
even the T-wolves are looking good in comparison right now.
I’ve been Kaaaahn’d
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
More like Adelman'd
SPTSJUNKIE - January 5, 2012
Have to say.. Rubio's passing looks real good.
That’s it! Trade Evans!
Sincere P. - January 5, 2012 via mobile
at least we're not washington with that stellar 0 and 6 start
TheFifthMookie - January 5, 2012
It’s the new uni’s… Just so ugly!
Sincere P. - January 5, 2012 via mobile
Rubio'd
49er16 - January 5, 2012
Trying to take matters into our own hands
I don’t have any patience for waiting on this team doing something that needs to be done now. Not after putting down heavily on season tickets for the first time. Feeling helpless I voiced my opinion to the team via the following easy methods
The other day I received one of those email surveys from the team about the game experience, how i’d rate it, and how/if i’d recommend to friends. I made sure to leave my thoughts on the team’s need for new coaching.
Also, another easy way to communicate with the team is to tweet straight to the owners Joe and Gavin – @joemaloof @gavmaloof. I’ve put in my requests for Jeff Van Gunny and used the #FireWestphal hash.
dampania - January 5, 2012
looks like it worked
AkaP - January 5, 2012
lol
dampania - January 5, 2012
Whoa Westphal Fired!
dampania - January 5, 2012
Glad they were proactive on this
dampania - January 5, 2012
All for not if they dont begin playing.
Glad they made a change if nothing more than to take an excuse away from the players.
WebberDynasty - January 5, 2012
We need to watch the Pistons (YES the Pistons)
and utilize DMC how they utilize Greg Monroe.
caseycheesecake - January 5, 2012
FIRED!
bench_blob - January 5, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Sactown Royalty to post a comment.