A loss is a loss is a loss. Whether it be by blowout or a buzzer beater, it still counts the same. But boy, did this one hurt. The Kings should have won this game, and probably would have if they had played more cohesively in the 4th quarter.
Sacramento got off to a hot start and fought off several Detroit runs with runs of their own, but they were derailed late, as Detroit came back to take the lead for good after two consecutive three pointers by Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey gave Detroit a 108-104 lead with 1:35 left.
Stuckey was absolutely brilliant for the Pistons, getting to the basket or the free throw line seemingly every time he decided to attack. He finished with a game and season-high 36 points. Rookie Brandon Knight joined Stuckey in having a big night as he finished with 23 points (4-6 from three) and a career-high 10 assists to zero turnovers. Tayshaun Prince chipped in with 22 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks and finished 10-19 from the field after starting out 2-10.
DeMarcus Cousins, who wasn't even supposed to play according to early reports today, fought through the pain and finished with 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 32 minutes. Marcus Thornton added 24 points and 3 steals. In a surprise decision, Coach Smart changed up his starting lineup to add Isaiah Thomas and remove John Salmons, and it seemed to pay dividends, as the Kings ran a much faster and more efficient offense. Thomas himself finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 23 minutes.
The Kings as a team moved the ball exceedingly well for most of the game, and finished with a season-high 25 assists. Tyreke Evans led the team with 9, and Jimmer and Isaiah chipped in 4 each. However, that ball movement ceased in the pivotal 4th quarter, during which the Kings had just one assist.
The game started out with probably the best first quarter the Kings have played to date. With Isaiah running the offense and pushing the tempo, the Kings got off to a great start, getting out to an 11 point lead near the end of the 4th. The only thing keeping Detroit in the game was Stuckey, as the Kings had absolutely no answer for him, a problem that persisted throughout the game. Stuckey had 16 points in the quarter alone.
Conversely the Pistons had no real answer for DeMarcus Cousins and to a lesser extent, Jason Thompson. DeMarcus was abusing the Pistons inside and out, and probably should have gotten the ball even more than he did, particularly late in the game. Thompson finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks, and had a couple of shots just rim out. On the other side of the ball, Greg Monroe could not get anything going. He was held to just 3 points on 1-7 shooting in 33 minutes. Chuck Hayes did a particularly good job defending Monroe when he was in, but Thompson and Cousins did as well.
For the next couple of quarters, the game seemed to alternate between 10-2 or 13-4 runs by each team. It was a high scoring, fast-paced affair, and while the Pistons normally play at a very slow pace, it seemed they had little trouble adjusting. Detroit finished with 30 fast break points and the Kings had 29, which tells you a little bit about just how quickly this game was going back and forth.
The 4th quarter is where the game switched from Sacramento fighting to maintain control to trying to regain control. Detroit had ended the 3rd with a bit of a run in the last couple minutes to cut the lead to just two points, and they started the quarter off with possession. They tied it on the first possession and the game was a back and forth affair from there up until the aforementioned big three pointers from Knight and Stuckey.
With 3 minutes left, Tyreke Evans nailed a short jumper to give Sacramento the lead at 104-102. The Pistons quickly came back and tried to take it inside, but solid D by the Kings forced a miss and DeMarcus snatched the rebound and immediately dished to a streaking Tyreke Evans. Evans passed it up to Thornton and the Kings were on a 2 on 1 with only Tayshaun Prince in between. Thornton didn't catch the ball cleanly, but he recovered and threw up a floater off the backboard that should have put the Kings up by 4. Instead, the ball popped in and out, and Prince grabbed the rebound and took it the other way, with the Pistons now having numbers. Prince drove and kicked to a wide open Brandon Knight, who nailed the triple to give Detroit the 105-104 lead with 2:19 seconds left.
The following possession was a Kings fan's worst nightmare.
There was plenty of time. The Kings just needed to score and get a good shot. So what happens? Tyreke Evans is the only one to touch the ball the entire possession. Tyreke Evans, career 26.8% from three, decides to try to play the hero and shoots a semi-contested three pointer that ends up not even close. Detroit comes the other way, Tyreke comes over to help on a driving Brandon Knight, and Knight dishes to a wide open Rodney Stuckey for his own three, which also falls. Now Stuckey is no great shakes as a three point shooter himself (career 27.8%), but he has made nearly 35% of his attempts this year, and had killed the Kings all game. This habit of overhelping is a bad tendency a lot of the players on this Kings team has, and it has hurt them many, many times.
The Kings never recovered, and a few attempts at three pointers by Thornton and Evans missed badly as Detroit came up with the come from behind win at home. It was infuriating.
This is also perhaps the first game for me where I really felt disappointed in Keith Smart's coaching. I really liked the decision to start Thomas and bench Salmons. After all, Salmons had been playing terribly and the Kings played better with Isaiah on the floor. That proved true tonight in the 1st quarter as well.
Yet when the Kings offense stagnated in the pivotal 4th quarter, Isaiah was nowhere to be found. He came in for just one possession near the end as a defensive substitution. Instead John Salmons and Jimmer Fredette had most of that playing time. Jimmer did have a decent game, finishing with 9 points and 4 assists in 19 minutes, but he's also a liability on defense (and couldn't guard Knight, Gordon or Stuckey) and doesn't do as good a job of pushing the tempo as Isaiah. Salmons played 22 minutes off the bench and really didn't contribute anything that warranted late game playing time. He finished with 5 points on 2-5 from the field, and he definitely wasn't a solution for Prince, Knight or Stuckey, as those three continued to do whatever they wanted. I can't prove it, but I think the Kings would have won this basketball game if Isaiah had played significant minutes in the final period.
I also disagree with Travis Outlaw seeing any court time at all. I know he got just 4 minutes, but he has done absolutely nothing to earn playing time while Donté has proven to be far more effective. I'd even rather have Hickson in the game than Outlaw, because at least Hickson can rebound. Hickson was pulled from the game after he failed to hustle down the court and follow up on a Salmons breakaway in case he missed.
This is a very young team, and I thought there were a lot of positives tonight in the ball movement. But the defense really needs to step up, especially on penetration and overhelping. The Kings will get a chance to redeem themselves on Sunday when they face another excellent scoring guard in probable Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving in Cleveland this Sunday.
3 recs | 182 comments
Salmons!!
DiegoKing - February 17, 2012
Normdog - February 17, 2012
I equate this loss to the Warrior loss this year
A team that you can CLEARLY see we are better than, but ended up beating ourselves. The silver lining, is you could see the Kings ARE better than the really bad teams in the league, the problem? For some reason we struggle to beat them. The Kings SHOULD be the mediocre team in the league, the team that is better than the bad teams, but worse than the playoff teams. However, how they’ve played this year, they’re still working their way in to another quality lottery spot…
HeuristicLineup - February 17, 2012
Age and maturity
Those are the answers to the questions. Last year we would have lost this game by twenty.
Lotusprime - February 17, 2012 via mobile
How in the hell did we lose this one? Damn, I totally thought we had the win in the bag too.
DiegoKing - February 17, 2012
Another just huge brain fart that I didn't mention in the recap
Was at the end of the 4th quarter with about 3 seconds left and the Pistons inbounding from 3/4 court. Tyreke just stood there and watched while Stuckey let the ball roll almost to the freaking three point line and then he found Prince wide open for three that would have given Detroit the lead going into the 4th if it didn’t miss. Prince being wide open wasn’t Reke’s fault, but he should never have let Stuckey advance the ball like that. Hayes was chewing his ass out after that, and rightfully so.
I was pleased with Evans playmaking for the first three quarters though (definitely not the 4th though, where he went back to old, bad habits)
Aykis16 - February 17, 2012
Boobies!
And this is where i want some Boobies to cheer me up..Guess this will have to do
Widowwolf - February 17, 2012
Sorry
If I would, I could. There might be an underground club you can go to…but the first rule of boobies club…you don’t talk about boobies club.
HarveySpecter - February 17, 2012
I think this will be my new post win gamethread pic from now as a protest!!!!We all can enjoy Boobies!@
Widowwolf - February 18, 2012
Smart Lineup Woes emerge again.
Where the F was IT the last quarter?
caseycheesecake - February 17, 2012
Whole rotation was wonky
IT played all the first then none of second, then almost all of third then none of fourth. I mean if you’re gonna start IT then play him as a starter, otherwise give him 20+ minutes off the bench as energy guy. This game IT was effectively neither. I don’t get it at all.
Skeptical Dawg - February 17, 2012
I want to see that starting 5 from now on.
Reke can grow into that SF position for good as far as I’m concerned ( incertain packages he could be moved to SG). Small sample size or not, the Kings offense looked smooth in that first half, I’d at least like to see IT the starting PG for another 5-10 games so we can more certain, but I have a good feeling he’s ready. unfortunately the Kings defense wasn’t good tonight and Outlaw and Salmons were allowed on the court for some weird reason…
DiegoKing - February 17, 2012
I agree on that starting lineup
I’d also like to see it end games.
Aykis16 - February 17, 2012
Me too
MichaelMack - February 17, 2012
A head scratcher to be certain.
DiegoKing - February 17, 2012
Only thing I can think of having Salmons in instead of IT for most of the 4th is
Tyreke couldnt guard Prince on the block at all, which Detroit very smartly went to a lot late.
Still, the offense was terrible, and IT should have been out there for the last 6 minutes.
Wonderchild - February 17, 2012
Yeah but Salmons couldn’t guard Prince on the block either. He an Tyreke are about the same height and Salmons has struggled against bigger small forwards all year. If Smart was really desperate to stop Prince he should have put Donte in. He has the length to stop Prince from posting up effectively, and he is certainly quick enough to stop Prince from driving to the hoop.
Shirusta - February 17, 2012
My thoughts exactly; IT might have started but Salmons got more minutes
Looks like Smart was making a compromise so as not to piss off his vet.
HighTops - February 18, 2012
Ya, I cant explain why Donte didn't get any burn last night.
The running game would have been very ideal for his game.
Wonderchild - February 18, 2012
I want to see that lineup but with Jimmer starting instead of Thornton
I’ve never been a fan of Tyreke and Thornton starting. Their games are just too similar.
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
I don't think starting two rookies is a good idea
Skeptical Dawg - February 17, 2012
Well it's not ideal but considering their other options i think it's worth a try
Tyreke and Thornton can both be ballhogs. When they’re both on the floor ball movement seems to stagnate and one of them will surely go one on four at some point. Jimmer is a much more willing passer and the best distance shooter on the team as well. Yes he’s not a good defender but it’s not as if Thornton is a defensive stopper either.
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
What has Jimmer done to make you think he should start
The kid has been awful. He makes a few shots/passes here & there but most of the time he looks like he doesn’t belong. He’s a 22-23 year old, 4 year college player that looks like an 18 year old straight out of high school. 19 year old Brandon Knight schooled him tonight.
I was super excited when we drafted Jimmer. I bought into the hype & the YouTube videos but right now I’m really disappointed.
Allbenji - February 17, 2012 via mobile
I think awful is a pretty big exxageration
People seem to want to magnify Jimmer’s mistakes. I’m not saying he’s been great but he’s been decent for the most part and has been improving gradually. I’d start him for the reason i mentioned, he’s the best distance shooter on the team and a good passer.
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
But he gets absolutely deep-fried on defense.
HarveySpecter - February 17, 2012
I'm sorry but didn't you read the recap, who on our team was playing defense
Was Tyreke defending Prince, was Thornton defending Stuckey, and wasn’t IT defending Knight who had a career high.
Jimmers defense isn’t worse than almost every player on the team. Hell, Detroit is averaging 95 ppg and has only scored over 100 pts in 2 of 31 games before tonight.
HighTops - February 18, 2012
I don't think anyone is saying that we're a good --hell, average-- defensive team.
But Jimmer is clearly the weak link.
CoolFinity - February 18, 2012
Clearly Thornton is the worst defender of the guards
HighTops - February 18, 2012
Awful might be a big exaggeration
Extremely disappointing might be better. He was the #10 pick(probably would have been #7 if we didn’t trade for fish) & a four year college player. If he was a late first round player or a 19 year old project lottery pick it wouldn’t be as disappointing to me.
Allbenji - February 17, 2012 via mobile
I would not start him
2nd month Jimmer is much improved from 1st month Jimmer but no where near the Jimmer we all built him up to be.
With IT JT DMC Reke and MT starter, Fredette needs to become the consistent scorer off the bench. He was the only bench guy to contribute tonight and the rest of the bench is a crap shoot. We need to find 8 consistent guys and ride them.
By process of self elimination I think Donte gets the SF spot behinf Reke. Hayes is playing with 1 arm and 20 extra pounds, so I guess its JJ , which sucks
ElRonToro - February 17, 2012
Isaiah & Jimmer
should never be on the floor together. That’s too small of a backcourt. Additionally, today’s starting lineup seemed to work well enough, so putting Jimmer in over Thornton makes no sense anyway.
richie88 - February 17, 2012
A couple of minutes is ok, but no more than that
unless they really have it rolling. I would also add I would always try to have either Reke or DMC on the at all times. It would add stabilty with the offense.
ElRonToro - February 17, 2012
what is decent?? chucking up bad shot?
Jimmered. - February 18, 2012
I'm sure we're not that far away from seeing that lineup, Smart is going to tinker all year.
Having only 66 games and Westphal starting out the season as the HC, no training camp, no preseason and no summer league really puts a coach in the position Smart was put in up shit creek without a paddle.
DiegoKing - February 17, 2012
Paddle? Heck, they didn't even give him a boat
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
Good recap.
DiegoKing - February 17, 2012
seconded
the recaps are always very good. Much better than the average newspaper recap
ExPFCWintergreen - February 17, 2012
Don't put these recaps and newspaper columns in the same sentence.
Webber’d
Shizzo - February 18, 2012
Missed the game
Did Salmons throw a fit as expected coming off the bench?
prowseinthehouse - February 17, 2012
He's dead weight
DiegoKing - February 17, 2012
As you all know we made a trade for John Salmons:
Slam_Dunk - February 17, 2012
What he actually said was
“We really improved ourselves at the small forward position dramatically," Petrie said. "We obviously have had John before. He’s very versatile and in long stretches he was probably our best player on teams that are better than the ones we’ve had recently."
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
Actually, what he really said was
“We really improvised outsourcing at the small forward position dramatically. We obviously weren’t in a great position to win ball games when we had John before, but I drank some snake oil, and I can see clearly this time.” “Having Thornton and Evans as stagnating ball hogs essentially at the same position did not give us enough options. Now we have Salmon’s too.”
convoy - February 17, 2012
I cherry picked
Slam_Dunk - February 17, 2012
Removing WAS goes a little beyond cherry picking, haha
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
Salmons didn't get benched
he got thrown back
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
He's a real catch
and release
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
Salmons was okay in the 2nd quarter, non-existant in the 4th
Wonderchild - February 17, 2012
Smart, why wasn't IT in the game in the 4th quarter?
http://www.glitterboom.com/img/animated_gifs/005.gif
Bill2 - February 17, 2012
Knight had a great game...
FTFeli - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Knight should have been a King garsh darnitt!
DiegoKing - February 17, 2012
Indeed
LPKingsFan - February 18, 2012
Normdog - February 17, 2012
Slam_Dunk - February 17, 2012
Normdog - February 17, 2012
Slam_Dunk - February 17, 2012
Normdog - February 17, 2012
I feel like I just watched two people (Normdog and SlamDunk) in a staring contest
and neither blinked!
betweentheeyes - February 18, 2012
well technically
Normdog did with the Ferris gif
wallywagon11 - February 18, 2012
Slam_Dunk - February 18, 2012
Great Barkley gif S_D!
Normdog - February 18, 2012
Normdog - February 18, 2012
This one made me laugh, Norm
It almost doesn’t look real.
Slam_Dunk - February 19, 2012
Reminds me of this one.
Slam_Dunk - February 19, 2012
Hahaha. That's an awesome moment in NBA history.
Normdog - February 19, 2012
Here's a different version of that gif =)
Normdog - February 19, 2012
TMac gif is the winner
Shizzo - February 18, 2012
I have no idea why IT didn't see more minutes down the stretch.
But what really bugs me is the defense. It’s not so much overhelping as it is lazy defense, and Tyreke is the worst culprit. When his man doesnt have the ball he goes into straight ball watch mode. He’ll be in no mans land with one foot in the key while his man roams free on the perimeter. And its not like hes busy threatening with a double team, he’s literally just standing around being in the worst position possible.
vistroke - February 17, 2012
It can be noticeable.
MichaelMack - February 17, 2012
I love cousins post game reactions
He’s looking more and more like hes becoming the leader of the team.
CousinsEvansDUO - February 17, 2012
Well, I'm glad we have him for more years at least.
Though this rebuilding shit is royally starting to piss me off (to be honest, it was for a while now). We’re going to use up the rest of the years these two (Reke, DMC) have on this team with shitty players save for MT (sometimes) and IT, then the contracts expire, and they probably won’t be sticking around this atmosphere.
I’m not putting anything on any one players shoulders, but c’mon. DMC, with back spasms, carries this team yet again, rocking a 26-15 (I think) for a team which probably would have been blown out against Detroit without him.
Tyreke has known about his fadeaway for years now. With Smart, if he does not fix it this coming offseason, trade him. Then that shows the problem lies with Reke and not wanting to change his shot.
So annoying that this team cannot complement such a talent. People need to buy into the TEAM. God knows no one save for a couple could be any sort of lone gunner. They need to work together, and get better. Fast.
HarveySpecter - February 18, 2012
Yes, he took control of JT at one time
You could here the ref saying “He’s had enough”, too much complaining. Then JT ran over the Detroit player along the baseline and got called for a foul. JT started bitchin as usual, and Cuz walked over to JT and grabbed his arm at the wrist and walked him off the Floor. Talking to him the whole time.
He’s learned more in a year and a half than JT’s learned in 3.5.
HighTops - February 18, 2012
I saw that too.
If anything that was one of the positives of the game. Our best player taking control.
Getting real tired of Marcus Thorton’s body langauge.
Crocoduck - February 18, 2012
yes
Slam_Dunk - February 18, 2012
One positive:
Can we please stop hearing that Monroe or rated high (yes, you David Thorpe) is anywhere near as good as Demarcus? Monore got owned by one armed Chuck Hayes.
bringbackbuddytrees - February 17, 2012
The only thing keeping DMC from being an all-star is foul trouble
Monroe is averaging 1.4 less fouls than DMC. That keeps him on the court.
Allbenji - February 17, 2012 via mobile
He also needs to make the simple hook and take his time in the paint. More like Landry, less hurried
HighTops - February 18, 2012
The "let the game come to him" period has started for DMC.
He still has the moments when you can see him decide on pre-determined path (i.e. "I am going to try and score not matter what) but I believe the growth that DMC has exhibited in the last 20 games of just his second season are similar to the pupil dilating heart rate increasing feelings I got watching Tyreke Evans his rookie year. There is not even a sliver of doubt in my mind that DeMarcus Cousins has provided the most joy of this (another) sad Kings season.
He’s darn good and you can watch him get better nearly every game.
Comparing him to Monroe is a nice contrast. Monroe is very fundamental, more heady but more limited in both athleticism and aggressive spirit, one taciturn the other effusive. Monroe is smooth jazz, Cousins is well, Boogie (what else?)
betweentheeyes - February 18, 2012
Yeh, I like that pre-determined path statement
It’s like when he gets the ball and just starts charging toward the rim before ever looking to see if his path is open.
HighTops - February 18, 2012
I would add...
The only thing keeping DMC from being an all-star is that he is playing on a crappy team. As long as he is in a Kings’ jersey and the team continues to play like this, his chances of getting to be recognized as an all-star are diminished. If the team doesn’t turn around in the next couple of years, I don’t see any way they are going to be able to keep Demarcus. He is a smart guy. He can see what is up. He will be gone.
Slam_Dunk - February 18, 2012
I am sure if the Kings keep losing through his second contract he'll be gone
but regardless of All Star game appearance numbers, just the fact he has to suffer through the losing would likely do it I would think. Years and years and years of it would be pretty brutal (Mitch Richmond nods knowingly in the background)
wallywagon11 - February 18, 2012
Agree. There are greener pastures out there for him.
Why would any player with this much talent choose to stay with a losing team? Some do, but I don’t DMC is going to be one of them.
Slam_Dunk - February 18, 2012
This goes to why the Sacramento Kings have historically received little "respect" on the NBA players sounding boards
For the first fifteen years the Kings were perennial cellar dwellers. Mitch Richmond was the best player on the best teams of that time. That is the reason Webber didn’t want to be traded to Sac. Nobody wants to willingly play for a losing franchise.
OKC, Portland and San Antonio are similar markets yet you don’t hear the bad mouthing that abounds about the Kings. The Kings need talent so they can win. The draft this year and new ownership that will spend $ beginning next season so a winning tradition can start in the new ESC.
betweentheeyes - February 18, 2012
well they do for the second contract because they often don't have much of a choice to sign elsewhere
wallywagon11 - February 18, 2012
Except for the fact that DMC is part of the reason the defense is so bad
he still has a way to go at that end before he’s an all-star.
HighTops - February 18, 2012
Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, & Marc Gasol made all-stars on bad teams
If DMC puts up 25-15 every night it won’t matter if he’s on a bad team. It looks like the only thing keeping him from doing that is foul trouble.
Allbenji - February 18, 2012 via mobile
Monroe is going to be very good, but I agree with you DMC is better right now.
Monroe’s back to the basket game is coming along and he seems to be pretty patient with the ball.
Crocoduck - February 18, 2012
There are a lot of great things to take into the next game.
Really like the energy coming out of this game. IT showed he belongs in that starting lineup. 16 assists/7 TOs and 7 steals in the first half is excellent. Shot 50% for the whole game. Got a lot of easy shots in the first 3 quarters.
Oh, and I did actually see a lefty layup from Tyreke.
Wonderchild - February 17, 2012
Yeah seeing Reke finish with his left was awesome.
Today the left hand. Tomorrow some touch on outside jumpers!
blknblu - February 18, 2012
Totally
Every possession counts. And to have Outlaw out there is help the opponent. I just know when he catches top of the key. He is going to take a dribble and shoot, and sure enough it is wasted possession.
Tonight I have to say though was a moral win because I don’t think John Salmons starts another game for the Sacramento Kings. Ever. That’s nice consolation in my mind.
Little harsh on Jimmer. Thought he played great. A player has to play within himself. Jimmer does that. One thing he should do, however, and a few other Kings, is in transition defense give a hard foul when a 3-on-1 or 2-on-1 develops. Make opponent take side out or FTs instead of gifting lay-up.
Also, no reason to hack with 27 seconds left and down by two. Stupid strategy!!!!
bench_blob - February 17, 2012
Did coach tell them to foul at the end or was it just the players being dumb?
I couldn’t believe what i was seeing. Let them take the freaking shot and hope they miss. At least then you have a chance to win with a three.
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
Not sure
But I think the plan was to foul.
bench_blob - February 17, 2012
Once they threw it into back court
I would press and foul only if they crossed mid court
ElRonToro - February 17, 2012
I don't understand why you foul under any circumstances there.
Statistically most players have roughly a 70-80% chance of making both free throws. Why not just let them take a contested shot which has a much lower chance of success? i’ve never understood why teals fouls in that situation.
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
Didn't realize most players shot such high percentages to have a 70-80% chance of making both free throws.
wallywagon11 - February 17, 2012
not obvious to all
but yea, a 90% FT shooter has an 81% chance of making both, an 80% has 64% chance (just explaining your subtlety Wally).
ElRonToro - February 17, 2012
flashbacks to 2nd grade
“Why didn’t anybody tell me all I have to do when it’s multipled by 11 is just do two of the same number and not have to think! Arg!”
Oh the days when multiplying 12 by 12 was the most intense form of math. Good times.
wallywagon11 - February 17, 2012
(and yes I know this only applies up to the number 9 but it sure as heck helped on those timed multiplication exames back in the day)
it’s so sad I remember these things. You have no idea how much it blew my frickin mind when I figured out how with a number like 1,344 you can figure out whether it’s divided by three or not without actually having to do it (1+3+4+4=12 which can be divided by 3). No practical use whatsoever but for some reason I thought it was fing amazing.
I was a really really bored child.
wallywagon11 - February 17, 2012
That whole 9 thing is magical
and also if you subtract 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 from 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
you get another non repeating number 8 6 4 1 9 7 5 3 2. Who needs drugs?
ElRonToro - February 17, 2012
I understood why they fouled there.
The way our defense was letting them score at will, we had a better chance of them missing free throws than stopping them at that point in the game. They had way too much momentum, and Prince, Knight, and Stuckey were shooting lights out in the 2nd half.
Wonderchild - February 18, 2012
And if the Pistons ran the clock all the way down Kings would really have had no time.
blknblu - February 18, 2012
chenp22 - February 17, 2012
I agree with blob about Jimmer,
IT was on the floor with Cuz, JT, Thornton and Tyreke. Jimmer was on the floor with Salmons, Hayes, JJ and either Thornton or Evans.
While IT was better in transition, we have Tyreke and Thornton for that. Jimmer was better in the half court which is when our offense really bogs down.
HighTops - February 18, 2012
wallywagon11 - February 17, 2012
I think I will spend time brooding with all of you.
Slam_Dunk - February 17, 2012
Slam_Dunk - February 18, 2012
Yep. Nurse Ratched was right. It is far more fun to brood with all of you.
Slam_Dunk - February 18, 2012
I feel like I dated myself with this movie.
Slam_Dunk - February 18, 2012
Salmons is such a slug
I still can’t believe that the FO loved this guy enough to bring him back. He shouldn’t play big minutes until he can prove that he is something more than the scrub he is right now. One good quarter a game is not enough from your starting SF.
I know this trade can’t happen but I wish the Kings and Bucks could just swap Salmons for Stephen Jackson. Both are having terrible seasons with their teams and I read today that Jackson is pretty much done with the Bucks and Skiles. Jackson is a nut-case half the time, but when his head is right he’s a real leader and a two way player.
I’m really starting to like Jimmer’s vision on the court, he makes smart decisions to get teammates easy shots. I still don’t like his handle in the open court but he makes plays that some of our other guards don’t even see. I would like to see him start at the 2 eventually and let Thornton be a gunner off the bench. I like Thornton’s game and attitude, but, to me, he has Jason Terry written all over him. I think marcus would be a great sixth man.
youknowit100 - February 17, 2012
Jimmer at the two? Put down the drinks, buddy.
cuad - February 17, 2012
Why not
He could play the two on offense like Bibby used to do, buddy.
youknowit100 - February 17, 2012
wait I'm confused
in your theoretical lineup who is the starting PG and starting SF while Jimmer is at SG?
wallywagon11 - February 17, 2012
IT is PG Tyreke is SF
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
okay
so on defense who is defending the shooting guard, IT or Jimmer?
wallywagon11 - February 17, 2012
Jimmer I suppose
I know it’s a mismatch but when you’re 10 and 20, might as well try it and see what happens.
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
and who is the backup point guard?
wallywagon11 - February 17, 2012
Beno UdrihShizzo - February 17, 2012
Bring back Pooh Jeter
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
^ glad you're not coach
chenp22 - February 17, 2012
If I were coach Salmons would have been benched three weeks ago.
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
Based on tonights attempt at guarding Prince, Tyreke is NaSF
HighTops - February 18, 2012
knight isnt that good, yet
He had maybe his best game against the kings defense, which we all know is tight as a drum. But he’s playing 30 min. and only getting like 12 pts.
dinnertim - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Yeah so far Knight hasn't done anything to really make me regret taking Jimmer
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
Knights been playing really well since the start of February
he just had one stinker and another game he left early because he broke his nose.
wallywagon11 - February 17, 2012
Rather, someone else broke his nose.
AnotherStupidSN - February 18, 2012
Jimmer..
Would never break his own nose just to leave a game. Weak.
haglnuts - February 18, 2012
Now tummy aches are a different story altogether.
haglnuts - February 18, 2012
This team has bar none the worst bench in the league
Well…..maybe the Wizards are worse. But the bench players are terrible!!!!!! Salmons, Outlaw, and Garcia could be out of the league by the way they played this year. I have not seen any other players play consistently worse. Hayes at least hustles, but he has NO offensive game to speak of. Donte is a giant question mark, and you have no idea what he will give you almost play to play, not even game to game. Whiteside and Honeycutt are non-factors and most likely won’t be factors. I had high hopes for Whiteside too, but if he can’t play as a starter in the D-league what business does he have in the NBA?
I know a lot of people are down on Hickson, and he does have some problems in his game (he shoots WAY too much) but he is active and can grab some boards. Jimmer is a rookie and he has improved, but the guy is a terrible defensive player. I mean really bad!
At least our starting line up reflects our five best (and our only good players) on our team. Honestly can’t figure out why IT was not in the game in the last quarter unless he was hurt. Salmons has no business in an NBA game right now. Oh well.
The other puzzling thing is Tyreke. When his game is on the guy looks unstoppable but gosh darn is he inconsistent. I have a hunch a full off-season with Smart will do wonders for his game. I really like the way Smart interacts with his players. The minute he took over there was an immediate change in the way Tyreke looked to pass. I next year you will see a better jumper and a better distributer right off the bat. And look at the way Demarcus is playing. That is truely exciting!!!
In parting I wonder is Petrie is on the phone begging Wilson Chandler to sign here. If he’s not he should be. What an immediate upgrade to this team he would be.
nerdninja - February 17, 2012
The mystifying thing about the Kings bench is all these guys have been much better on other teams
They just all seemed to start sucking once they became Kings.
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
It's not that puzzling
Outlaw and Salmons have both been trending down since last year, Donte has never been consistent, Chuck has been out of shape all year, and JJ was a decent player on a horrible team. None of the players who are on our bench have any history of good play especially ad bench players. They’re all effective high usage players and volume scorers. If you give them 30 minutes a might they’ll get you 15 to 20 points but that’s about it. Unfortunately your bench players can’t be guys who need 30 minutes and 25% of the offense to go through them.
Lotusprime - February 17, 2012 via mobile
I would like to see Petrie on the phone begging, trading and borrowing to get Dwight Howard here to complement DMC
ExPFCWintergreen - February 17, 2012
No need to even try because Howard would never sign an extension to come here
not in a million years
deadenddude - February 17, 2012
Slam_Dunk - February 17, 2012
This
Made me feel better Thanks
Howard Nevens IV - February 17, 2012
Slam_Dunk - February 17, 2012
HeuristicLineup - February 18, 2012
aykis..
I actually disagree with you on Isaiah making the difference in the fourth. When he did come in for those few minutes they actually got into a deeper hole and he was in until the last minute and they could not gain on the lead. If anything I felt like jimmer should have stayed in because they were tied and also in the lead at times plus he could have possibly hit some big shots down the stretch. But I could be wrong.
mmarcum - February 17, 2012
He came in for one possession for about 10 seconds in the 4th quarter.
That was it.
He played the entire first, and the Kings got off to a good start and were +7. He played most of the 3rd, and the Kings were a -2, although most of that came about thanks to an 11-2 run by the Pistons in his last 3 minutes.
Aykis16 - February 18, 2012
seriously?
lol. I must have got Thomas mixed with someone else then. I could have sworn he had some minutes in the fourth.
mmarcum - February 18, 2012
I see where I got mixed up
It was Thornton that came in for jimmer not IT. I now agree with you.
mmarcum - February 18, 2012
Give it a rest with Thomas
He was a huge defensive liability throughout the game and let’s his “confidence” go haywire on offense.
Altus - February 18, 2012
I would like to see the Kings start by winning quarters - this game, as well as the last 3, the Kings have won just one quarter per game
betweentheeyes - February 17, 2012
For the love god put IT back in the game
I<a href="http://
GIFSoup" >
Conversation between Me and Keith Smart mid-way thru the 3rd quarter
Howard Nevens IV - February 17, 2012
Salmons will be good when he shaves off his ugly ass beard. No great NBA player has ever been intimidating like that. (Some snark)
HarveySpecter - February 18, 2012
I mean, let's be honest...
Doesn’t he look more ballin’ in this picture?
HarveySpecter - February 18, 2012
We still have NO Small Forward
I’m not even a supporter of his but Pleeease try Donte and give It more minutes when it counts.
Outlaw deserves not one minute.
If that is what it means to be a ‘players coach’, me no likey.
lietothegirls - February 18, 2012
HeuristicLineup - February 18, 2012
This about sums it up....
HeuristicLineup - February 18, 2012
ZZzzzzzz
DiegoKing - February 18, 2012
I seriously want that orange cat!
mmarcum - February 18, 2012
this cat is a straight up cartoon character
wallywagon11 - February 18, 2012
Garfield? That you?
HarveySpecter - February 18, 2012
I don't want to see Hayes, JJ, and Salmons / Outlaw / Garcia on the floor at the same time again.
I also don’t understand why Smart is basically playing two lineups instead of rotating guys in and out with the starters.
The second unit looked horrible on both ends and it seemed like Jimmer was single handily keeping the Kings alive after they lost the lead in the 2nd.
Crocoduck - February 18, 2012 via mobile
Didn't see the game
Where was DMC scoring? Inside? Outside? Both?
outrider - February 18, 2012
Both
But he was really physical inside. Finishing with dunks instead of layups. He looked good.
Neil Manich - February 18, 2012
Tough loss
I accidentally saw the score last night even though I couldn’t watch until this morning. Knowing the score I spent the whole game trying to figure out how we lost. 2 lousy minutes was all it took to erase 46 minutes of good play. Rough one to give away.
Exhibit G - February 18, 2012 via iPhone app
I don't know how you got 46 minutes of good play when Outlaw was on the court for 4 minutes
Rimshot.
Aykis16 - February 18, 2012
And, Salmons was on for 23 mins
HighTops - February 18, 2012
You know it has seriously gotten to the point with the Jimmer crap where I'm not going to bother reading post game recaps anymore
This game had squat to do with Jimmer taking Thomas’s minutes. IT is a better defender right now, but not nearly as much as you guys want to make it sound like. And honestly Jimmer’s passing is at least as good as Thomas’s and he does a much better job of spreading the floor. If teams were guarding Thomas they way they are Fredette, his numbers wouldn’t look near as good Not to mention that Jimmer’s PER has been moving steadily from his lousy beginning.
This game was about playing Salmons way too much. What works is a lineup with a PG, be it Jimmer or Thomas, Thornton at the two, Evans at the three and Cousin and JT. What screwed us up was not sticking with that line-up. Salmons is a hole. Outlaw doesn’t belong on the floor. Hayes is out of shape. And for the love of all that is holy, please finally admit that Evans is not the guy who should be bringing the ball up the floor.
Want to know why the game slowed down with Jimmer on the floor? It’s because Salmons was on the floor too, and more than half the time, Evans was bringing the ball up the court. When Thomas is on the floor, he almost always brings up the ball. For whatever reason, when Jimmer is on the floor, Evans brings uo the ball at a snail’s pace
and waves Jimmer to the corner.
Last night our point guard Jisiah Thredette played 42 minutes, had 22 pts on 7 of 12 shooting, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 3 turn overs. That is some damn fine play. That is a point guard. Put Salmons on the Bench with Outlaw, put Hayes on a diet, teach Hickson to run a decent pick and roll, and catch the ball. That will get us wins.
But don’t try to say the reason we lost was because Thomas should have been on the floor instead of Jimmer. I"ll still hang around the site. But all this crap about blaming Fredette for loses has gotten to the point where I can’t stomach it anymore. So I’ll let you guys to the game recaps without me.
SavageBeast - February 18, 2012
Agree with three main points you make SB.
1. Agree. Smart played Salmons way too much, while Salmons didn’t offer enough to remain on the floor (Didn’t Smart learn anything by the great first quarter with Salmons on the bench?)
2. Agree. Outlaw doesn’t belong on the floor. Everyone in the peanut gallery sees that. Outlaw was another Petrie mistake. Playing him more doesn’t change that fact; it only makes it worse. Nothing good happens when Outlaw is out there.
3. Agree. Evans is not the guy who should be bringing the ball up the floor.
I won’t bicker with you one way or the other about the other points you made, but I agree 100% on these three points. The whole game changed when Smart kept Salmons on the floor. I like that he brought him in off the bench, but he needs to cut more minutes if Salmons isn’t bringing anything to the game. I don’t see why he should bring Outlaw into the game ever. I have yet to see anything to merit that. Love Evans, but he is not our play maker. Put the ball in someone’s hands who has better court vision and doesn’t amble down the court allowing the other team to get into position.
I honestly believe, if Smart had made these changes last night, we would be celebrating today. That should have been our win.
Slam_Dunk - February 18, 2012
There were a lot of things that if done different would have won the game for us.
Like having just one of our bigs follow his man when they go out to set a screen.
What we just stand in the paint and watch as the opposing big screens off our defender and the ball handler is free to make a jump shot or attack the paint? Is this some kind of new pick and roll strategy? We can’t defend it so we just ignore it? Detroit was hitting open threes because they were dropping behind the screener and our guard couldn’t get around it by himself.
And, why is it that Maxiell is so open at the FT line, that someone needs to leave their man to close out on him.
HighTops - February 18, 2012
I agree with you, HT.
The defense was abysmal, in the fourth quarter. They just couldn’t seem to stop anyone from making a basket. There was a lot of standing around and leaving some of their shooters wide open. And it seemed like they were making almost all of their uncontested shots.
In the first quarter, with our offense clicking, we were giving them more problems to worry about. Later in the game, our offense became stagnant and we didn’t have any defense to stop them. To your point, had our defense been better, we might have been able to hold them off to get the win.
Slam_Dunk - February 18, 2012
I agree with all your points but I will add
While Jimmer is not the reason for the losses he doesn’t seem to be the solution either. This team desperately needed an athletic PG that pushes the ball. Brandon Knight seems to fit the bill. Just another blunder from GP. It’s not Jimmer’s fault. I believe he has a place in this league I’m just not sure it’s here.
Allbenji - February 18, 2012 via mobile
SB
I don’t know that I gave the impression that I wanted Isaiah instead of Jimmer. I wanted Isaiah instead of Salmons. I wanted the starting lineup in for the 4th quarter, not our old starting lineup. I thought Jimmer played a good game offensively. I don’t like the Jimmer and Isaiah backcourt together though.
Aykis16 - February 18, 2012
You don't know where SB got that impression? Now you do.
What you are saying here is mostly true, especially needing Isaiah to push tempo, but Jimmer had more than a decent game. He played really well.
bench_blob - February 18, 2012
Wow, you are on fire. I like it.
But the recap didn’t blame Jimmer for the loss. Let’s be fair. I do think that recaps should hit on the key points of the contest. Sometimes there is regurgitation of recurring themes that are irrelevant to the outcome. Jimmer’s defense last night was inconsequential.
Jimmer needs to improve his transition defense, and not being afraid to commit hard foul. When Jimmer is lone defender back against opponent break, or one of two defenders, I have not seen him commit an intentional foul, draw a charge, or make a play on the ball. He needs to do one of these things instead of being a matador.
His defense in the half court is decent to good. Jimmer doesn’t fall for fakes, he gets through picks. He gets his hand up. He moves his feet and holds his position. He’s not great, but he is not getting abused either.
I assume you are referring to initiating half-court versus fast breaks, because Tyreke in the open court is a runaway freight train. He should be the primary receiver of outlet pass even with Isaiah on the floor.
It will be very interesting to me to see how Isaiah as starter effects Tyreke.
With the switch, the pressure is off Tyreke to create shots for teammates. He still remains a primary ball handler. I would expect he and Isaiah will be basically interchangeable in terms of handling duties. With lightened load to initiate and create offense, and with Isaiah on the floor with him to set him up occasionally, Tyreke should improve his offense efficiency.
The running team we saw in the first quarter was fun to watch, and it is time for Kings to play this style of basketball every game.
bench_blob - February 18, 2012
Only have one disagreement with these statements
I believe that Jimmer was called for a blocking foul twice in the NY game while trying to take a charge, so I’m not sure this statement is totally true.
Also, while Jimmer isn’t know in college for his offense. He did play 4 years on a team that played decent team Defense. He does have good instincts and makes good decisions on his rotations. I only wish JT and JJ rotated as well. Maybe we wouldn’t be giving up so many points in the paint.
HighTops - February 18, 2012
do JJ and JT rotate?
it feels almost like a zone coverage in football.
wallywagon11 - February 18, 2012
yet don't communicate
wallywagon11 - February 18, 2012
I don't put this on Salmons exactly but more Jimmer and IT works for me
I’m thrilled Salmon is not starting but he does seem to be hustling on defense lately, and I’m sure Smart had him in the game in the fourth for that reason (although as HT pointed out Donte seems a better choice for that). Love the playmaking potential of Jimmer and IT, Jimmer hitting Thornton in stride for a three pointer than Thornton later returning the favor was awesome.
I don’t know that any particular lineup tweak in the fourth would have changed the course of the game, but as bad as their defense was, it was the incredible lack of fourth quarter basketball I.Q. on the offensive end that took them down again as much as anything else. For that reason I WOULD play Isiah more in the fourth and hope his defense would be good enough.
blknblu - February 18, 2012
lol
Love it. Jisiah Thredette.
I don’t necessarily agree with Aykis’s perspective of the game in regards to Jimmer but it is his opinion piece.
wallywagon11 - February 18, 2012
I didn't read Jimmer blame into this at all
I suppose if you take Aykis’ statements and combine them with some of the Jimmer hater stuff that others have posted, you might have something. If anything, Aykis laid this one at the feet of Smart.
section214 - February 18, 2012
I didn't read Jimmer was to blame either
but I do have to criticize this statement
He ’couldn’t guard Knight, Gordon, or Stuckey. No one was guarding those three or Prince. But, I didn’t see a statement about how Thronton couldn’t guard Gordon or Stuckey. Or how many points Knight got with IT on him or Prince got with Tyreke defending. But, to point out how badly Jimmer did makes it seem like he’s the only bad defender on the back-court. It criticism by omission.
HighTops - February 18, 2012
Agree....just easy to blame JFs defense because of perception
Could u imagine if it was him rather than MT that got blown by for layups or if he got posted up by Prince? But because of perception and the and 1 in transition it’s easy to say he played bad defense. If he played the defense that MT played he would of been on bench… tis life as a rookie
Pdidd - February 18, 2012 via mobile
I agree with just about all of your statements.
I t seems that after every loss by the Kings, statements are made about Jimmer’s lack of defense. Almost blaming Jimmer for the loss. He may not be a defensive whiz but who on the Kings is. Jimmer’s man may have scored several points but how about the other 100 plus points. Let’s face it, the King’s are horrible as a defensive team. I also believe he would be much better on offense if his teammates passed him the ball once in awhile. He is often open at the 3 pt line but never sees the ball. He has a lot to learn but he does have court awareness and is improving his passing abilities. I just think the criticisms should drop off. Put the blame on someone else.
Bill2 - February 18, 2012
Why isnt Demarcus an ALL Star?
Demarcus is in top 2 in western conference in rebounds and points. He has much better numbers than GASOL…why isnt he an ALL STAR??? If Le-Marcus Aldridge cant go as an All Star due to his injury, is that mean Demarcus is automatic all reserve?
Lucky.S.Nat - February 18, 2012
He is on a crappy team still living down a history of red-flags.
Slam_Dunk - February 18, 2012
Yup
He won’t get the respect he deserves until the Kings start winning basketball games.
HeuristicLineup - February 18, 2012
11-20 versus 17-14
45.3 FG% versus 49.7 FG%
1.3 blocks versus 2.1 blocks
1 assist versus 2.7 assists
wallywagon11 - February 18, 2012
DMC is not an all star yet
Team needs more wins, and he needs to improve his efficiency.
But he should a few votes for Most Improved.
Wonderchild - February 18, 2012
this sucks
when smart does the same stupid crap that paul westphal did, it really doesn’t make that big of a difference who our coach is. granted, i think smart has this team going in the right direction, but cmon keith it is so obvious how much john salmons sucks and for some reason you keep playing him! i don’t understand how that is so hard to see. this is just ridiculous. recognize who the best players are the team and give them the most playing time. agree about the outlaw thing too. i think outlaw and salmons should be the last people we are looking to put in the game.
jozy - February 18, 2012
also, there was a point last year when tyreke had a respectable jump shot
and this year it seems to be a lot worse. tyreke has got to continue to develop his jump shot and work on his form. although I’m glad he probably made up with this in the fast break points department tonight. 29 points is great and I’m sure its exactly the type of ball coach smart wants to see the kings play. next time we gotta get the win though.
jozy - February 18, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Sactown Royalty to post a comment.