Kings vs. Bucks Preview: SMARTEN UP

by Tom Ziller on Jan 5, 2012 4:39 PM PST in Commentary

So long, sweet Westphal.
You'll likely be happier
without all of this.

Milwaukee Bucks at Sacramento Kings
The Gymmer, Sacramento
7 p.m. Pacific on Comcast SportsNet California

Rise the hot hand, y'all: it's a new era for Sacramento Kings basketball. Keith Smart has the reins, which almost assuredly means that Tyreke Evans has the reins. If Smart's Sacramento career is anything like his Golden State career, the guards will be given the green light to go go go. It can't be uglier than what we've witnessed this season, right?

Let me be clear that I don't revel in the exile of Westphal. It was necessary, but I don't dance in the streets when someone's career ends. (And it's pretty clear that Westphal is done as an NBA head coach.) While he hurt the club in a few ways -- none of our young players have developed from when they arrived or when he arrived, he cost the team a chance at a Tyreke-Kevin Martin backcourt, he may have cost the team Spencer Hawes for a one-year rental of Sam Dalembert and cap space we clearly didn't need, he quite likely influenced the re-acquisition of John Salmons -- he wasn't a Theusian disaster and he didn't get arrested (what up, Muss, it's all love).

But hey, that was some ugly, ugly ball we witnesses over the past two days, large swaths of last season and the overwhelming majority of the 2009-10 season. (Never forget how poorly that team finished after the hot start that earned Westphal his 2011-12 salary.) Westphal's penchant for pretty offense never materialized, and it's just us questioning our players' promise. Let us hope Smart unleashes the talent.

That will be extraordinarily difficult against the Bucks tonight; even without Bogut (out tonight for personal reasons), the Bucks are a deadly defensive club. With little lead time to change things up, the offense will rely on talent and performance (and luck). On the other end, Milwaukee's a bad offensive team; one of Beno Udrih or Drew Gooden is likely their most reliable scorer. The Kings should be able to prevent layup lines, right?

Game's at 7. Game threads at 7 and 8:30. Let's go Kings!

2 recs | 109 comments

Comments

"On the other end, Milwaukee's a bad offensive team"

/Milwaukee scores 110 points tonight

49er16 - January 5, 2012 reply

Game Plan: Play with a purpose man

The last two games… I ain’t know what the hell the Kings were doing on defense and offense looking like they were in limbo while their opponents ran around them. If the HEAT with Lebron and Wade out can be on the verge of blowing out the Hawks in Atlanta, the Kings certainly have the talent.

There is nothing worse than playing without purpose no matter how much talent you have.

Slow but steady wins the race… Let’s Go Kings!

kingme18 - January 5, 2012 reply

Win or lose, I am going to enjoy tonight's game

Looking forward to the change.

Slam_Dunk - January 5, 2012 reply

Tonight's Game brought to you by the Inmates Running the Asylum

Tyreke is going to get 6 offensive fouls as he “goes right” one too many times over and over. DMC will get his two techs and throw a sleeping Francisco Garcia onto the court. Smart will pull down his pants in the locker room at halftime. Plus there will be more Buck fans at the game tonight. Fun times…re-stock your bourbon.

LiquidPolio - January 5, 2012 reply

there will be more Buck fans at the game

More than one?

kangsfan - January 5, 2012 reply

I will be happy

if we simply have a designated point guard (rather than the three headed pg monster) and get back on defense.

Kingstime - January 5, 2012 reply

Hey you, Hickson...yeah you, you're the designated point guard tonight.

Auuh man, I wanted to throw up shots all night long!

LiquidPolio - January 5, 2012 reply

That isn't the King's pg duty?

fryingpan136 - January 5, 2012 reply

When it was drawn up, no...but it seems to have evolved over time.

LiquidPolio - January 5, 2012 reply

I just hope their legs don't fall off

BTW… When did Salmons die?

Docile Ocelot - January 5, 2012 reply

When he got traded to us.

Slam_Dunk - January 5, 2012 reply

If Smart just says "Hickson.... Post. Post.....Hickson" we will be a better team tonight.

SPTSJUNKIE - January 5, 2012 reply

Yes

Ninja King - January 5, 2012 reply

Grant Napear is

particularly cantankerous today. Just nasty. Oh Boy!

Ichiban - January 5, 2012 reply

God forbid anyone gripe.

LiquidPolio - January 5, 2012 reply

How does that differ from any other day?

SayWhat? - January 5, 2012 reply

dribble drib dribble
dribble dribble dribble drib
be Smart, dribble less

fryingpan136 - January 5, 2012 reply

Not enthused

by the Westphal firing. I wanted him gone. Indeed, I wanted him gone.

But I’m feeling now like the team he left us with is not a functional team. I don’t think the pieces fit, and I fear it may take another few years to rebuild.

Wish they had hired Thibadeau. I was rooting for him.

Sucks.

boredwiththeUSA - January 5, 2012 reply

So tired of Grant and others excusing Petrie's and the Maloof's failure to get top talent

folsomfella - January 5, 2012 reply

Welcome to Sacramento

Where ya from?

Docile Ocelot - January 5, 2012 reply

Well depends

Petrie is accountable for his moves.

But what’s your definition of top talent? James, Howard, Wade, Kobe, etc. aren’t signing here. We haven’t passed on a star player in the draft. I’ll take Reke or Cousins over any player drafted after them (if I am shooting for a star and not just a good, team player). We’ll see with Jimmer, but I don’t see Knight or Kemba becoming a star.

SPTSJUNKIE - January 5, 2012 reply

Yeah I'm sure there's potential moves we never hear about

Because often players just don’t want to come to Sacramento. But when it comes to blowing smoke covering for team ownership, Napear and also Fitzgerald from KNBR are world class.

blknblu - January 5, 2012 reply

I actually think they have a good chance to win tonight.

I figure they’re going to come out with some fire, whether it’ll last God only knows.

ResetSmith - January 5, 2012 reply

Jimmer only knows

Kingstime - January 5, 2012 reply

Looking forward to watching Beno again.

He wasn’t my favorite King of all time, but I liked him on our team and felt we lost some chemistry when he left. I wish him the best.

A Night At The Arco - January 5, 2012 reply

I wasn't his biggest fan but

I’d take him anyday over Salmons. That trade made no sense whatsoever. Beno had game

Ninja King - January 5, 2012 reply

But at least we moved down in the draft and acquired extra salary to do it.

Er, oh wait. Never mind.

PhutureKings - January 5, 2012 reply

I think

Jimmer should start, along with Cousins. I like Garcia at the 3. I think with Garcia in it just helps our spacing on Offense. More pick and rolls with Jimmer and Cousins. Bring Thornton off the bench, (not as a demotion by any means) kinda the roll he played with us last year. Come off the bench and attack. We have some decent pieces. I think if Tyreke is no longer the primary ball handler he would actually put up better numbers, Just move without the ball, play d. He should not be in a roll where he has to use his head at all.

sacman - January 5, 2012 reply

I would like to see Garcia get more minutes at least he's consistent and competent

Remember the good old days when he was one of the knuckleheads on the team?

blknblu - January 5, 2012 reply

I am a masochist.

I am a Kings fan.

John Takanikos - January 5, 2012 reply

I hope I am as wrong as I've been in recent predictions

But I really am afraid Westphal we be a lot happier over the next two years than Kings fans will be.

SavageBeast - January 5, 2012 reply

I was pretty upset last night, and then happy when PW was fired, then upset again at Smarts contract

The Shark game last night helped me keep my head on straight. Always nice beating Samueli and the Ducks. PW being fired helps too.

I’m cautiously optimistic about the game tonight. We can’t keep getting blown out, right? There are a few things that I would like to see for in tonight’s game.

Thorton – I feel like he knows he has been our best player and is starting to force things to win it on his own. Stick to your role and don’t force things. I think he is a perfect player as a #2 or 3 option on this team, but should not be the focus of our offense. Also, I do not like his comments from last game.

Right now, we’re not even trying to get back.

I know the coach hasn’t laid out a game plan for transition defense, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t hustle back on D and at least set an example. Do that and you can start calling out teammates and at least be a voice that players may listen to (they sure won’t listen to PW).

Cousins –PW ~~is doing~~ has done a great job at ~~trying to~~ getting fired so he ~~doesn’t~~ didn’t need your help to get out of Sac. Show the world that your issues were mainly because of PW. Also, learn to dunk it when you are 1 foot away from the hoop. This should get your % closer to 50%.

Tyreke – We need you to be a star. Maybe not a Lebron or Kobe, but we need you to be the leader of the team. If you don’t feel like talking, the lead by example and sprint back on D for the fast break and try to block a shot Lebron style, I’ve seen you do this at least once this year.

Jimmer – Do your thing. You get a rookie pass, but soon enough we will rely on you to carry our offense at times.

Salmons – You suck. Do the team a favor and get injured or retire.

Chuck Wagon – I’m guessing you will guard Bogut. Show us why we signed you and lock him down.

JJ Hickson – Stop shooting jump shots. I thought we got you for your highlight dunks, you are not Dirk.

Thompson – You have played great as a backup big. Keep it up.

Thomas – Keep up the pace in your few minutes.

Donte/Garcia – Keep the bench warm for us.

Outlaw – Please out play Salmons. We really need someone to take his spot so we can amnesty his ass.

I’m hoping for a lot of energy, but worried about this being the 3rd game in a back to back to back. Let’s hope this string of blowouts doesn’t have us too demoralized.

I’ll be at the game (with a few extra beers in case things go south) and hope for a win tonight. Then I’ll need another beer to get over the Smart contract. I was at the Knicks game and don’t want my first 2 games to be watching my Kings get beat down by scrubs.

I don’t know what to chant during the game now. I was prepared to chant "Fire PW".

SharkKings49 - January 5, 2012 reply

Bogut isn't playing

Ninja King - January 5, 2012 reply

Shark just told Chuck to take care of Bogut. Mission accomplished. Don't question Chuck's methods.

SPTSJUNKIE - January 5, 2012 reply

New to this blogsite

I’m hoping the Kings go out and beat the Bucks tonight…

NYSacTownFaN88 - January 5, 2012 via mobile reply

Welcome

You picked a good time to join. The last couple days have been full of anger.

jveezy - January 5, 2012 reply

Yeah, he caught the 3 hour window of hope.

SPTSJUNKIE - January 5, 2012 reply

Hurry up, 7:00!

DiegoKing - January 5, 2012 reply

Agree with Ziller's sentiment about Westphal's ouster

Things aren’t likely to improve this year. There’s not enough time to implement any kind of new system (or any system at all based on what’s being reported). The only real difference is how Smart manages his players/rotations relative to Westphal. Maybe we can see what Smart can draw up in the off-season, but the trajectory of this team isn’t likely to change much this season.

Deleran - January 5, 2012 reply

There’s not enough time to implement any kind of new system

The thing is that basically was what Westphal was trying to do as well. These guys are going to have to treat regular season games as preseason and get some cohesion.

kangsfan - January 5, 2012 reply

I like the poem

I agree Westphal is going to sleep like a baby tonight for the 1st time in weeks

elSAVinator - January 5, 2012 reply

Smart

said during the press conference that one change that he’ll bring is that the Kings will be a running team.

Dub_TC - January 5, 2012 reply

Good now both teams will be running!

elSAVinator - January 5, 2012 reply

Back on defense

I hope.

StevenG - January 5, 2012 reply

They were already supposed to be accoding to PW.

ResetSmith - January 5, 2012 reply

Smart

said that he “won’t give any rope” to this players. Sounds like he’ll hold them accountable. Also praised how Cousins played last night and said that that’s how he needs to play as a pro.

Dub_TC - January 5, 2012 reply

Does that mean he's going to have a short leash or that he's not going to beat them?

jveezy - January 5, 2012 reply

I took it as

If someone gets out of line, they get dealt with right away.

Dub_TC - January 5, 2012 via Android app reply

Cousins wasn't exactly praise-worthy for his play last night, IMO

Getting 3 rebounds and fouling out of the game is not Smart basketball.

convoy - January 5, 2012 reply

Wow! That's all I can say . Wow!

And one of his eyebrows was shaped different than the other

ElRonToro - January 5, 2012 reply

I just want to see another game of good free throw shooting.

…attack the rim….get to the line…

getPGwithbounce - January 5, 2012 reply

Was it just me..

Or did Keith sound like he has way more basketball knowledge then Paul… Like he has a real plan on how to run this team.

Sincere P. - January 5, 2012 via mobile reply

I would watch him whenever the cameras panned his way during the games,

and every time I saw him he looked like he was drawing up his own little master plan in his mind. Very focused & calculating look. When Westy was standing up “coaching”, sometimes Smart would give a subtle look that said “your time is done here, Paul”.

DiegoKing - January 5, 2012 reply

I like how he said how he is going to treat this as a "training camp,"

putting his starters out there tonight and go from there. He has some ideas as to how to proceed forward.

Slam_Dunk - January 5, 2012 reply

He talked basketball!

Westy was a good guy.. He handled the last game of the season really nice last year- but Keith Smart was talking about spacing! Running the break.. Hope he gets through to the guys!

Sincere P. - January 5, 2012 via mobile reply

PW knows basketball well. Was a good exec with Dallas.

There’s just a big difference between being a good assistant, executive, scout and head coach.

All four of those jobs take different skill sets. Too often it seems like teams or individuals think that because a person is good at one they will be good at another.

SPTSJUNKIE - January 5, 2012 reply

I know PW knows basketball..

He proved he can coach..his Phoenix teams were good. Thoughs teams had good players on them. Players that could coach themselves to a degree. Are team is in a different place, PW is not the type of coach we need.. In my opinion.

Sincere P. - January 5, 2012 via mobile reply

those teams.. Wtf

Sincere P. - January 5, 2012 via mobile reply

That photo is amazing.

PurpleLoco - January 5, 2012 reply

I heard the last bits of Smart's interview

He sounded like he had a good grasp of basketball knowledge and seemed upbeat/energetic. He said he wants to make the players students of the game and to make sure they all (not just Cousins) become professionals. Good start so far.

omikron - January 5, 2012 reply

Energy is good

PW was running on fumes. I share the sentiment by Ziller that I don’t rejoice in the guy getting canned, but its best for all parties. New energy, new system, new level of accountability. Time to quit effin around Reke and Cousins. No more excuses, time to deliver.

bench_blob - January 5, 2012 reply

thank jimmer

the witch is dead

daveh33 - January 5, 2012 reply

Anyone else see a slight contradiction from GP?

Petrie basically said that Petrie fell because “you can’t take a philosophical holiday while things are happening in real time” which he clarified to mean they were sliding fast. He also said he didn’t expect to fire Westphal after six seven games.

Then he locks up Smart for two years.

What happens if the slide continues following the gratuitous coaching-change surge?

Docile Ocelot - January 5, 2012 reply

Oops

Westphal fell.

Docile Ocelot - January 5, 2012 reply

Hmmmm.

"you can’t take a philosophical holiday while things are happening in real time"

But you can take a literal holiday while things are going to hell?

ResetSmith - January 5, 2012 reply

Wait,

TZ predicted that someone is throwing up yesterday. So does this mean someone will smarten up this game?!

DTG13 - January 5, 2012 reply

Is it just me?

Or is anyone else craving a Jumbaco?

ThomasGQ - January 5, 2012 via iPhone app reply

First you take a jumbo jack then you add the tacos

I have that thing stuck in my head.

Lotusprime - January 5, 2012 via mobile reply

Mmmm, jumbaco

Stupid diet & exercise. I can’t be fat this summer again. I just can’t.

Allbenji - January 5, 2012 via mobile reply

Roll 1, smoke 1..

elSAVinator - January 5, 2012 reply

Dish users

What channel is this on? I thought CSNCA but it says they’re airing the sharks game and 452 isn’t showing it either

FTFeli - January 5, 2012 via mobile reply

I have it on channel 562, I too have Dish.

DiegoKing - January 5, 2012 reply

Trying to record it

But it says not available for viewing in my area wtf

FTFeli - January 5, 2012 via mobile reply

It'll work itself out.

DiegoKing - January 5, 2012 reply

CSN has an alternate channel for such occasions

Not sure where you would find it on Dish. DTV does 699 and 699-1.

section214 - January 5, 2012 reply

I like Direct tv a lil better because of the little red button.

It brings up the scores of all sports and what channels they’re on. Friggin Dish…

DiegoKing - January 5, 2012 reply

448

kangsfan - January 5, 2012 reply

Hopefully...

If Smart can get the Kings to run the ~~Don Nelson~~ Warriors offense and get them to play some defense, maybe we can turn this around.

Then again, I might be too optimistic.

DaT3rmin8r - January 5, 2012 reply

Maybe shoot for Bobcats offense and at least jogging back on defense

SPTSJUNKIE - January 5, 2012 reply

Woop woop

Smart is of to a smart start:

mr_jasonjones Jason Jones
DeMarcus Cousins said he is back in the starting lineup tonight.

bench_blob - January 5, 2012 reply

LoL this is an epic day

Ninja King - January 5, 2012 reply

So epic

Just seeing the Kings bench tonight minus the grim reaper of coaching will be a joyous sight.

bench_blob - January 5, 2012 reply

Amen

Ryazilian - January 5, 2012 reply

To Kings players and fans,

Now that your wish have been granted, its time for you to play as hard as you can and show us what you guys are capable of. Now let’s kick some * tonight!!!

Yours trully,
a Kings fan

KINGKENJI - January 5, 2012 reply