Training camp roster/Media Day (merged)

Bricklayer

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#31
#31
We potentially have depth now. Much more so than last year when we couldn't find a competent shooting guard, relied all year on untested nobodies as backup PGs, and often had unproductive players like Travis Outlaw or Quincy Acy lead us in minutes off the bench.

What we still don't have is any obvious route to defensive impact. You have to squint hard and trust guys getting comfortable with a second year of Malone's schemes in order for us to even reach mediocrity on that end. And that's truly the key. We're not lucky enough to be in the East where just having a pulse makes you a playoff contender. We are trotting out Cousins/Gay in the West, and while I think that's a perfectly acceptable and decently formidable duo, in the West its going head to head with The Splash Brothers, Aldridge/Lillard, CP3/Blake, Durant/Westbrook, Dirk/Monta, Harden/Howard. if things break right our duo can play right with most of those guys, but good as they are, they can't be assured of obvious domination. Maybe we play some of the other duos to a draw. But at that point what's going to determine the outcome is the other things. Defense being a huge one.
 
Kingster

Kingster

Hall of Famer
#34
#34
I just wonder what Jason Thompson's mindset is going into camp. He's wanted to get traded for the longest time. His perpetual dissapointment in not being traded and in having other guys brought in to take his pt has got to be a demotivating factor.
 
hrdboild

hrdboild

Moloch in whom I dream Angels!
Staff member
#36
#36
Collison is most likely the guy at PG. I'd be very surprised if Ray or Ramon take that job from him, but it's not impossible.
McLemore has the advantage of experience at SG. I think coach will stick with him unless Nik is setting the world on fire and/or Ben is a mess.
Gay and Cousins are obviously locks at their respective positions.

PF remains the biggest question mark. I can see reasons why any of Thompson, Landry, Evans, Moreland, or Williams might get starts there throughout the season. Who starts off in that spot, recently, hasn't mattered much. It'll get shifted around throughout the year based on who Malone feels is the best fit with his starting unit or what he needs with the second unit. Moreland exploding onto the scene with his hustle game and seizing the job is the best case scenario for us but more likely he'll sit on the bench or play in Reno until some point in 2015. If I had to guess, I think it'll be Jason Thompson starting at PF on opening night if Malone wants a traditional lineup or Derrick Williams if they want to press the more speed/athleticism position-less concept. But I also don't think he'll stick with either concept the whole season. There's also a good chance one of these guys is gone via mid-season trade.
 
rainmaker

rainmaker

Hall of Famer
#37
#37
miltonap said:
I loved Keith Smart. I wanted him to be our coach forever.
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Agree.

I wake up every morning and give thanks to whatever greater power is out there for giving me the opportunity to experience and share in his time with us. Never know how lucky you were and what you had until it's gone.
 
P

pshn80

Starter
#38
#38
I'm not sure about your Williams over Caspi for backup SF. DWill is more talented, athletic but Omri is more with it, intense, maybe consistently plays harder. BUT you might be right. Hope finding out is positive and fun.
 
T

The Hammer

All-Star
#39
#39
There seems to be a lot of rotation spots up for grabs, which is a good thing. I think we've got 8-10 guys that are going to feel like they are competing for a consistent spot in the rotation. That's kind of an usual thing. This team is still very much forming itself. This will spurr good competition amongst players.
 
D

dude12

Hall of Famer
#40
#40
If I'm the team, and I'm sure their mindset is this, the players and coaching staff will want to make the playoffs. That has got to be the mindset this year instead of the cleaning house. Cuz and Gay are 2 legit players filling positions. They demand attention from the other team. It appears they have added 3 point shooting which is another key. Others have mentioned that PF is the potential problem but I think with all the players we have at the position, we can piece together an effective platoon or matchups..... While none of them are above average defenders, hopefully they can play good team defense. Evans is a rebound machine, JT does a bit of everything, Landry is a legit scorer when healthy....add in the potential of a Casspi in short spurts playing the stretch 4 and maybe, maybe a Moreland for a change of pace. I'd like to think that it can be a productive position...best case scenario.

I think you got 5 pieces in the backcourt that all will play and really it's who is producing that will play. I mean last year we were running out there an ineffective Thornton, Jimmer and then a struggling rookie who was eventually shut out of the offense. I mean, it looks to be better on paper and more experienced.

I comfortable saying that 41 wins is attainable.
 
kingsboi

kingsboi

Hall of Famer
#41
#41
I can't believe preseason is right around the corner. I look forward to seeing how Rudy and DeMarcus' success in the FIBA tournament rubs off on their teammates and really take a passion in playing team defense and team basketball in general.
 
VF21

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#42
#42
During the Media Day interviews today, Malone said the only positions not up for grabs are C and SF. Should be interesting to see how everything shakes out. A lot of these guys have their futures in their own hands...
 
R

randymoss1881

Starter
#43
#43
VF21 said:
During the Media Day interviews today, Malone said the only positions not up for grabs are C and SF. Should be interesting to see how everything shakes out. A lot of these guys have their futures in their own hands...
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Stauskas will start if that were true but they will start Ben to showcase for a trade.
 
S

sdballer

Starter
#48
#48
Good for coach for making the best of a mess of a roster. PDA still has major work to do and they can't go through another season without more clarity around starters.
 
M

mac

All-Star
#49
#49
rainmaker said:
Agree.

I wake up every morning and give thanks to whatever greater power is out there for giving me the opportunity to experience and share in his time with us. Never know how lucky you were and what you had until it's gone.
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If only we could have seen his 3 year plan come to fruition
 
Glenn

Glenn

Hall of Famer
#50
#50
dude12 said:
If I'm the team, and I'm sure their mindset is this, the players and coaching staff will want to make the playoffs. That has got to be the mindset this year instead of the cleaning house. Cuz and Gay are 2 legit players filling positions. They demand attention from the other team. It appears they have added 3 point shooting which is another key. Others have mentioned that PF is the potential problem but I think with all the players we have at the position, we can piece together an effective platoon or matchups..... While none of them are above average defenders, hopefully they can play good team defense. Evans is a rebound machine, JT does a bit of everything, Landry is a legit scorer when healthy....add in the potential of a Casspi in short spurts playing the stretch 4 and maybe, maybe a Moreland for a change of pace. I'd like to think that it can be a productive position...best case scenario.

I think you got 5 pieces in the backcourt that all will play and really it's who is producing that will play. I mean last year we were running out there an ineffective Thornton, Jimmer and then a struggling rookie who was eventually shut out of the offense. I mean, it looks to be better on paper and more experienced.

I comfortable saying that 41 wins is attainable.
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I'm with you. I think the PF is coming next year if Rudy's salary drops $5 mil and a bunch of the expiring contracts expire. I don't think we are desperate but I'd love a mega defensive PF and we should be able to afford one next year.
 
Capt. Factorial

Capt. Factorial

ceterum censeo delendum esse Argentum
Staff member
#51
#51
Glenn said:
I'm with you. I think the PF is coming next year if Rudy's salary drops $5 mil and a bunch of the expiring contracts expire. I don't think we are desperate but I'd love a mega defensive PF and we should be able to afford one next year.
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I think it's a bit optimistic to think that Rudy's salary will drop that far next year. Bledsoe got $14M with no leverage. Gay may not make $19M next year, but as an unrestricted free agent, I don't think we can get him under, say, $16-17M. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that every offseason fans think the size of contracts is going to go down and every offseason that fails to happen.
 
2

206Fan

All-Star
#52
#52
Am I the only one who can see Nik Stauskas as a potential all star? He reminds me a bit of Stephen Curry, but not exactly.

There were Curry's traits coming out of college
Positives
-Terrific scorer
-Great 3pt shooter
-Ability to create shots for not only himself, but teammates
-High bball IQ
-Very quick with a fast release
-Great work ethic and high motor

Negatives
-Combo PG/SG, more of a SG than PG.
-Undersized SG with a very small frame
-Does not have true PG skills
-Lacks athleticism and explosiveness
-Not good in finishing around the rim
- Struggles defensively
Draft Express even said, "Although he’s probably never going to be a pure playmaker in the Steve Nash or Chris Paul mold, he plays the game at an excellent pace, looks extremely poised at all times, and appears to show a good enough feel for the game to at least develop into a capable facilitator, ala Mike Bibby or Mo Williams....One of the bigger concerns about Curry’s offensive game is that he does not project to become a prolific slasher at the NBA level." All this has been proved untrue of Curry's NBA game.

I'm not saying Stauskas will be the next Curry, but they are similar players with the same issues coming out of college. Curry only became a PG in his junior year, and before that, he was averaging 2.9apg. I think given the chance, Stauskas can be very successful.

I really think that this Kings Squad is capable of making the playoffs this year. I hope Stauskas can surprise many fans in helping us achieve to the playoffs. I wouldn't count him out as a ROY candidate.
 
T

The Hammer

All-Star
#53
#53
Glenn said:
I'm with you. I think the PF is coming next year if Rudy's salary drops $5 mil and a bunch of the expiring contracts expire. I don't think we are desperate but I'd love a mega defensive PF and we should be able to afford one next year.
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We are going to have a lot of money to play with next off season.
 
kingsboi

kingsboi

Hall of Famer
#54
#54
206Fan said:
Am I the only one who can see Nik Stauskas as a potential all star? He reminds me a bit of Stephen Curry, but not exactly.

There were Curry's traits coming out of college
Positives
-Terrific scorer
-Great 3pt shooter
-Ability to create shots for not only himself, but teammates
-High bball IQ
-Very quick with a fast release
-Great work ethic and high motor

Negatives
-Combo PG/SG, more of a SG than PG.
-Undersized SG with a very small frame
-Does not have true PG skills
-Lacks athleticism and explosiveness
-Not good in finishing around the rim
- Struggles defensively
Draft Express even said, "Although he’s probably never going to be a pure playmaker in the Steve Nash or Chris Paul mold, he plays the game at an excellent pace, looks extremely poised at all times, and appears to show a good enough feel for the game to at least develop into a capable facilitator, ala Mike Bibby or Mo Williams....One of the bigger concerns about Curry’s offensive game is that he does not project to become a prolific slasher at the NBA level." All this has been proved untrue of Curry's NBA game.

I'm not saying Stauskas will be the next Curry, but they are similar players with the same issues coming out of college. Curry only became a PG in his junior year, and before that, he was averaging 2.9apg. I think given the chance, Stauskas can be very successful.

I really think that this Kings Squad is capable of making the playoffs this year. I hope Stauskas can surprise many fans in helping us achieve to the playoffs. I wouldn't count him out as a ROY candidate.
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Keep in mind Curry did not play the same competition as Nik did coming out of Davidson. That's the positive thinking moving forward with Nik taking into account he played in a hell of a conference and the competition was top notch more often than not so the spotlight was on him as the play maker and scorer.
 
kingsnation

kingsnation

All-Star
#55
#55
pshn80 said:
I'm not sure about your Williams over Caspi for backup SF. DWill is more talented, athletic but Omri is more with it, intense, maybe consistently plays harder. BUT you might be right. Hope finding out is positive and fun.
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I'm thinking the same way. Williams is def. not a lock over Omri. IMO, they both have low- BBIQ. But Omri does play with more intensity than DWill. If Derrick can just put it all together, he'd be such a valuable piece. Hopefully, competition from Omri is enough to push it out of him, but if he hasn't learned that lesson yet from his time in Minnesota, he may never learn it.
 
rainmaker

rainmaker

Hall of Famer
#58
#58
Are you all sleeping on the job or what?

Jonathan Santiago ‏@itsjonsantiago 3h
Vivek said that this year, the Kings' success will be judged based on wins and losses. Last year, that was not that was not the case.

Jonathan Santiago ‏@itsjonsantiago 3h
Vivek on expectations: "Well, clearly we have to do a lot better than we did last year. But beyond that, I don't want to make a commitment."



Any why, exactly, did my thread get merged into the training camp roster thread?
 
gunks

gunks

Hall of Famer
#59
#59
We have a lot of interesting battles going into training camp.

Sessions vs Collison
JT vs Reggie vs Lulzdry (dark horse: Moreland! I'm rooting for the kid. My heart has a Justin Williams shaped hole, that only Moreland can fill)
Nik vs Ben vs us being completely crap at SG again

I think our roster has way more potential than last year. BSPN talking heads knock us for ditching IT, but I think that will be addition by subtraction. We have way more guard depth than last season. SF is still shaky (after Rudy of course).... I think this is a roster geared towards small ball...which sucks...But then again, we did sign a 7'6 dude who will never get playing time.

Oh, and as Bricklayer pointed out (and has been pointing out for....10 seasons now?) we need way more defenders on the roster to really do battle in the West.
 
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