IT can't/will not pass evidently, but yet he averages 6- 6.5 assists/game. This is the best assist average in about 10 years for this team. It is better than Tyreke ever did. It is better than Beno ever accomplsihed. It is way better than all the other maginal PG's we had in the past 8-9 years. It was Bibby's best average with us.
Let's not forget, this is only his 3rd year in the league. Maybe with time his passing will improve further.
Also, he does not take that many shots on average - about 15/game and scores about 20 points on those shots - shoots about 44%. These numbers are pretty much what Bibby and Tyreke did in their best years with us.
It honestly seems personal given all the IT name calling.
this is an intellectually dishonest way of framing an argument that
no one is making. IT obviously can and will pass the ball. the issue is
where, when, why, and
how he is utilizing the pass. as has been brought up ad nauseum, allen iverson averaged over 6 assists per game for his whole career, but
no one would ever confuse him for anything other than a ball dominant, me-first talent. the same goes for thomas. it is terribly easy to rack up assists when the ball is in your hands for 35-40 minutes per game, especially on a team like the kings that lacks even
one secondary ball handler in its entire guard rotation...
the point is, IT is a me-first combo guard masquerading as a PG. he's also a sixth man masquerading as a starter, but while he's starting, i will continually take him to task for his lack of instincts when it comes to getting the ball to his teammates where they can be most effective, when it comes to playing to the hot hand (other than his own, i mean), and when it comes to sacrificing his own offense to set up struggling teammates. i recall an instance from last night when the kings' offense was predictably stalling in isolation, so IT dribbled into traffic just to kick the ball out to quincy acy for a long two-pointer as the shot clock was expiring. acy bricked it, as one would expect. it was a perfect example of IT's willingness to pass when he has no shot available
for himself, while failing to recognize the
where, when, why, and
how that are incredibly important features of natural PG instincts...
team chemistry is
dependent upon those instincts, even if they don't come from a PG. unfortunately, this team is
not built like the golden era kings. demarcus cousins may fancy himself versatile enough to be a passing big, but he's no chris webber or vlade divac, and neither is jason thompson. and
none of the kings' SG's can handle the ball or initiate the offense in the way that doug christie could in his prime. rudy gay is just about the only starter other than thomas capable of shouldering playmaking responsibility as a ball handler and passer. this puts greater pressure on the kings' starting PG position to keep everyone involved, to create easier baskets for the team's big time scorers, to play to the hot hand, to make teammates better, to create an environment in which players thrive...
now, it's not necessary for the kings to go out and acquire a "true PG" who considers "pass" above all else, but they also do not need the exact opposite, which is where they find themselves with thomas. i'd prefer a comfortable medium, a PG who looks to pass first but is also a capable spot-up shooter and an adequate defender. there are a lot of
role players who could effectively fill that starting PG spot, as soon as kings fans get over the notion that this team needs an "upgrade" over thomas, rather than a more appropriately fitting talent...
