Grades v. Jazz 11/24/2012

[Gilles]

...then instead of bringing Brooks back in and with Reke rotting on the bench Smart figured it's time for IT to get some minutes, and he looked absolutely terrible. Sloppy as hell. Didn't look confident at all...

It feels like Kings screwed him mentally for the time being. Last year he was promoted as the PG of the future. He played with confidence and now IT's basically told he's an afterthought.

[Čarolija]

It feels like Kings screwed him mentally for the time being. Last year he was promoted as the PG of the future. He played with confidence and now IT's basically told he's an afterthought.

Doesn't that sound familiar?!

[mac]

I agree with this IF he is agressive and plays with "star swagger" every night. When things go bad is when Tyreke all of a sudden looks passive.

It's also about continuity and repetition. You can see that Tyreke is a lot more comfortable as a playmaker with JT/Brooks/Cuz on the floor. He's looking for Brooks open on the perimeter and also JT for those 12-15ft jumpshots, and looking for Cuz in pick and rolls. When he's out there with TRob and Chuck Hayes he doesn't seem to be as comfortable, while Thornton works very well with Hayes etc.

[Sac.1989]

its clear we need to develop our units more and it should happen as the season goes unless smart decides to change the order of things. We need to build on this. Theres suddenly a small glimmer of hope.

[andremiller07]

while Thornton works very well with Hayes etc.

The cutting (by Thornton) and passing to him by Hayes this season has been sensational, these two have some sort of connection. But in saying that I really wouldn't mind seeing Thornton play more with the starters with Reek handling Brooks and Thornton can both spread the floor, Cuz posts and JT cuts and gets putbacks.

Thornton is the best pure scorer the Kings got no one can put points on as quick or blow a game wide open like him and for him to only be playing like 20mins imo is not enough, hes physically capable of playing easily above 30 and thats what he should be getting. Hes a solid passer,great cutter,is not a defensive liabilty and hes the most clutch/fearless player on the roster. I really feel like the Kings are not getting the most out of him with the limited/interupted mins.

To me if the Kings are not going to play Thornton for 30mins or over a night than trade him to someone who will use him and get something valuable in return. Thornton is entering his prime and has proved himself over his career and deserves to be playing 30+mins a night over guys like Salmons (hes been ok last 2-3 games) and Jimmer.

[UK_King]

It was obvious in the early games that if we run reke at the point (or at least as a majority initiator) things would start to happen, he just makes things happen, its obvious, even on plays that don't end up with a bucket there is generally a good pass he could have made on. That will come, put the team on his back and lets see what happens.

[mac]

The cutting (by Thornton) and passing to him by Hayes this season has been sensational, these two have some sort of connection. But in saying that I really wouldn't mind seeing Thornton play more with the starters with Reek handling Brooks and Thornton can both spread the floor, Cuz posts and JT cuts and gets putbacks.

Thornton is the best pure scorer the Kings got no one can put points on as quick or blow a game wide open like him and for him to only be playing like 20mins imo is not enough, hes physically capable of playing easily above 30 and thats what he should be getting. Hes a solid passer,great cutter,is not a defensive liabilty and hes the most clutch/fearless player on the roster. I really feel like the Kings are not getting the most out of him with the limited/interupted mins.

To me if the Kings are not going to play Thornton for 30mins or over a night than trade him to someone who will use him and get something valuable in return. Thornton is entering his prime and has proved himself over his career and deserves to be playing 30+mins a night over guys like Salmons (hes been ok last 2-3 games) and Jimmer.

Here's the thing: Smart isn't playing anybody above 30 minutes, with the exception of JT on some nights when Cuz is in foul trouble (and thus Cuz also gets less minutes than he should - sort of a circular thing). The solution is simple really: less of JJ/Salmons/Fredette or IT, whichever are spelling Brooks.

I would do something like this:

Brooks: Starts, plays till 3 minute mark. Subbed out for Jimmer/IT. Comes back in 4 minute mark of 2nd (Salmons out). - 26 minutes
Tyreke: Starts, plays till 3 minute mark, subbed out for JJ (optional). Comes back in 7 minute mark of 2nd for MT. Repeat for two halves: 32 minutes

Thornton: Comes off bench, in for Salmons at 6 min. Out at 7 min of 2nd for a breather (Tyreke in), comes back at 4 min (Salmons out) to close out half with 3 guard lineup. 30 minutes.

Salmons: Starts, out at 6 min for MT. Run a 3 guard lineup for 3 minutes before Tyreke goes out for JJ. 2Q: In at 7 (for JJ), out at 4 (MT). 18 minutes.

Jimmer/IT: Come in for Brooks at 3 min, out at 4 min for Brooks. 22 min a game

JJ: In at 3 min for Tyreke, out at 7 min of 2nd for Salmons. 16 min

1st Quarter (PG,SG,SF):
Brooks, Evans, Salmons
6min mark
Brooks, Evans, MT (or however you want to play it)
3 min
Jimmer or IT, MT, JJ

2nd Quarter
Jimmer or IT, MT, JJ
7 min
Jimmer or IT, Evans, Salmons
4 min
Brooks, Evans, MT

That's a rough idea. It's unfortunate that our best players are all undersized, at least when played together. So I'm trying to minimize the time that we have a 3 guard lineup due to defensive purposes, but at the same time that's probably your best lineup to close out quarters unless you really need stops. I avoid playing Tyreke together with JJ for obvious and proven reasons (again unless you need stops. Sadly our defenders cant shoot and shooters cant defend). One possible way is to reduce Brook's minutes in favor of Salmons, which would make Evans the official PG. Helps that Salmons can handle the ball as well.

Wanna give MT a few minutes rest in the 2nd, but if you want to give him more minutes then take away some of Jimmer/IT's minutes and put MT back in earlier, run a lineup of Evans/MT/Salmons till Brooks comes back in.

[twslam07]

Lol. I go to my first game of the year, pony up money to sit near the bench, and as Smart is walking off the court at halftime I yelled at him to not screw up this game like last, don't let the bench loose this game and get Reke's a** back in earlier. I yelled 8 min mark, 8 min mark and Smart just smiled.

Then, to my absolute amazement, that's exactly when Reke went back in. I'd like to take some credit, but it was most likely Petrie saying something to him after he cost us the game last night.

Amazing what happens when Smart rides his horses, isn't it? We controlled the entire 2nd half and didn't give up momentum, and that's without Cuz. I'm watching the game on tv right now, but what the hell happened with Cuz? Didn't look like he did anything major and was pretty calm is talking to the ref, at least from where I was sitting.

My only beef on the night was 3 PG's playing in the 1st half. First Brooks who played pretty well, then Jimmer who simply wasn't that good and struggled with pressure, then instead of bringing Brooks back in and with Reke rotting on the bench Smart figured it's time for IT to get some minutes, and he looked absolutely terrible. Sloppy as hell. Didn't look confident at all.

But, the 2nd half Smart actually coached like an NBA coach. Good to see. Maybe I should go to more games.

BTW, how's the Reke's NAPG crowd feeling? We once again looked better with the offense going through him.

I want to believe that Smart brought him in at the 8 min mark because he knows it's the right thing to do, but I think it may have something to do with Cousins getting ejected and that the only way we were going to win is if we subbed him in earlier.

[Kingster]

Tyreke played like an All Star. Last year his best game of the season was against Utah. This season the best game of the year so far is against Utah. Let's just continue to see it. I'm still seeing too much dribble, dribble, dribble, dribble with the shot clock getting down to 15 serconds before they actually get into their full court offense. Against Utah, it worked out. It will be interesting to see if that evolves or not.

The bigs (sans Cousins) were very good. You've got to hand it to Thompson, Hayes, Robinson and Johnson. They closed the game out against a very good front line (though Jefferson was injured).

Didn't see one play in the second half where Utah beat the Kings down the court. That alone helped the Kings greatly in this game.

Cousins was Cousins. Instead of sending him to the lockeroom they should have a box at courtside marked "Idiot" and just put him in there for the rest of the game.

[Bricklayer]

Cousins was Cousins. Instead of sending him to the lockeroom they should have a box at courtside marked "Idiot" and just put him in there for the rest of the game.

Cousins was playing a very strong game until the, well, was going to call it a meltdown, except that I thought both Ts were B.S., so I'll just go with "the incident".

[CruzDude]

Ah, well. Cuz. A "damned if you do, damned if you don't" player for Kings. The first "T" I give him. Then keep your mouth shut! The Tyreke-Cuz pairing is really starting to work, so is MT-Hayes and I like Salmons starting at the 3. Takes time folks. Like JT playing consistent and getting his 14 & 8 every night. Takes time for coach too. Kings@Clips coming up looks to be a real game for a change.

[LWP777]

Cousins was playing a very strong game until the, well, was going to call it a meltdown, except that I thought both Ts were B.S., so I'll just go with "the incident".

Both T's were B.S.? Please enlighten us. Did you hear what he said to the referee? Keep making those excuses for him!

[Capt. Factorial]

Cousins was playing a very strong game until the, well, was going to call it a meltdown, except that I thought both Ts were B.S., so I'll just go with "the incident".

Not only were both Ts B.S., but the personal foul was, too. Should have been on Kanter for dislodging.

[Capt. Factorial]

Both T's were B.S.? Please enlighten us. Did you hear what he said to the referee? Keep making those excuses for him!

And you keep on hatin'!

[twslam07]

Both T's were B.S.? Please enlighten us. Did you hear what he said to the referee? Keep making those excuses for him!

From what I heard Cousins say to the ref, yes the T was B.S.

[Kingster]

Cousins was playing a very strong game until the, well, was going to call it a meltdown, except that I thought both Ts were B.S., so I'll just go with "the incident".

What Cousins doesn't realize is that Kanter kicked his ***. Kanter might have just as well drop-kicked Cousins into the stands. Kanter must have been extremely pleased with himself (and yes, he should be), that he posted up Cousins in the post, banged on him until Cousins got pissed, and then as a result Cousins gets kicked out of the game. Kanter literally took Cousins out of the game. The book on Cousins is that he's a mental and emotional weakling and that he can be taken metaphorically or even literally out of the game if you play him physically or get under his skin in another fashion. It's worrisome that this aspect of Cousins has not gotten better so far this year. He still doesn't get it.

[lwc]

This is the solution to the rotation problem:
Tyreke and Cousins need the most minutes, period. If possible, keep them on the floor for at least 40 minutes.

Starters:
Evans
Brooks
Salmons
JT
Cousins

6th Man guard and big
MT
Robinson (needs playing time for development)

[Bricklayer]

What Cousins doesn't realize is that Kanter kicked his a$$. Kanter might have just as well drop-kicked Cousins into the stands. Kanter must have been extremely pleased with himself (and yes, he should be), that he posted up Cousins in the post, banged on him until Cousins got pissed, and then as a result Cousins gets kicked out of the game. Kanter literally took Cousins out of the game.

This is generally corrent IMO, and something I figured out a long time ago. If you told me on the court you slept with my mother last night, all I would to do is smirk and ask you how was she? But I wasn't born with the realization that reacting when others want you to react is weakness. Cousins will likely figure it out some day.

Now what I disagree with is Kanter having any idea any of this was going to happen. He's just a physical guy and bangs hard with everybody. And for him to imagine DeMarcus would end up getting thrownn out for such trifles is a major stretch.

[twslam07]

This is generally corrent IMO, and something I figured out a long time ago. If you told me on the court you slept with my mother last night, all I would to do is smirk and ask you how was she? But I wasn't born with the realization that reacting when others want you to react is weakness. Cousins will likely figure it out some day.

Now what I disagree with is Kanter having any idea any of this was going to happen. He's just a physical guy and bangs hard with everybody. And for him to imagine DeMarcus would end up getting thrownn out for such trifles is a major stretch.

Cousins is known as an unstable guy around the league. As professional athletes, you do whatever you can to win. If you can get into Cousins head and get him overly emotional (which isn't too hard to do) then you are setting your own team up for success. I'm going to give Kanter the benefit of the doubt and say he was trying to get Cousins flustered. If I was coaching against Cousins, the last message I'm telling my team is to try and get under Cousins skin. I used to do that all the time when I came across a player who can't control himself very well. Even giving them a hard whack that gets called a foul gets into their head. They take it personally rather than realizing it is just part if the game.

[King Baller]

It feels like Kings screwed him mentally for the time being. Last year he was promoted as the PG of the future. He played with confidence and now IT's basically told he's an afterthought.

The League has adjusted to his game. He will have to adjust his.

KB