[Grades] Grades v. Wolves 11/22/2014

[kingsfan1984]

My wife an I attended our first Kings game last night! What an experience! We had court side tickets near the Kings bench and boy was it worth the coin. It's so different watching the game in person. was fun watching cousins handle the hecklers too.

would love to hear a few memories of exchanges between cousins and the hecklers! and anything else you heard that stuck out.

 

[Kingster]

The game was all about Cousins' dominance. Cousins was the one showing maturity, leadership and mega-talent in this game. All the rest of the Kings were just meh. I'd like to know what the record would be of the Kings if Cousins went down with injury. Maybe .300?

I loved the way Reynolds started the game saying that it remains to be seen if Wiggins has star potential and then by the end of the game "we're seeing a star in the making." Wiggins totally outplayed Gay, and for kid in diapers that says something. Minni has a lot to be hopeful about. The Cleveland trade is going to go down as a great trade for them, and when the vets come back from injury and the youngins add seasoning, watch out.

 

[William Blake]

The Kings are currently 6th in the league for SRS, which takes into account strength of schedule and pace-adjusted point differential. They're also doing that by being the youngest team in the top 7 and the second youngest in the top 10. Good times.

 

[Hadlowe]

The game was all about Cousins' dominance. Cousins was the one showing maturity, leadership and mega-talent in this game. All the rest of the Kings were just meh. I'd like to know what the record would be of the Kings if Cousins went down with injury. Maybe .300?

I loved the way Reynolds started the game saying that it remains to be seen if Wiggins has star potential and then by the end of the game "we're seeing a star in the making." Wiggins totally outplayed Gay, and for kid in diapers that says something. Minni has a lot to be hopeful about. The Cleveland trade is going to go down as a great trade for them, and when the vets come back from injury and the youngins add seasoning, watch out.

I don't know that Wiggins outplayed Gay other than in the statline. Gay was the third option last night during the Cousins and Ben show. He had a very solid all-around game as the sidekick/glue guy. Wiggins was pretty much the only offensive weapon for the Wolves all night long. Yes, he played well, but he also played a different role than Gay.

 

[Kingster]

I don't know that Wiggins outplayed Gay other than in the statline. Gay was the third option last night during the Cousins and Ben show. He had a very solid all-around game as the sidekick/glue guy. Wiggins was pretty much the only offensive weapon for the Wolves all night long. Yes, he played well, but he also played a different role than Gay.

Impact on the game. Wiggins had a much more positive impact on the game than Gay. Also, when Wiggins did face Gay, he took it to him on offense, and then he prevented Gay from going where he wanted to go on defense. Gay hasn't played well in three out of the last four games, imo.

 

[FaStRmAn]

McLemore is developing into a nice 3 and D guy right now. His shot looks great these days and a lot of his misses are of the in and out variety. His defense is average now which is a massive upgrade from worse defense anyone had ever seen last year.

He still has a very very long way to go with his ball handling. Trouble starting his dribble without traveling. Drives into the lane and leaves his feet without a clue what to do. Just generally doesn't know what to do at all unless he has a clear lane to the basket. Needs to improve his vision big time. That way once he drives he can see where his teammates are at and have a backup plan in case an easy bucket isn't in the cards.

Exactly ! He is improved over 2013 Ben, but he has not learned all the intricacies involved in being a starting 2 guard in the NBA. But he is on the right track and that is something to be encouraged about.

As for the game, It was sloppy but it was a road win. Gay is playing hurt, I think we can all agree he is not 100%, and it is reflected in his game. I honestly think they should rest him for a few games and see if they can get him healed up some.

Other than that the team played good in the second half. I really like the way that Cousins just dominated this team inside. There was no reason why he shouldn't dominate because of the T-Wolves injuries so that was good to see big Cuz take over in the second half.

One last thing. Have we seen enough of Ramone Sessions yet ?

 

[pshn80]

How do you guys think Malone did last night?

I'm not sure this time around, we looked terrible in the first half, but he made good timeouts, grilled the guys, looked much better in the second half.

So I'm not sure if he did a good job to get us back to playing good basketball, or is to blame for a lot of the stagnation.

At your request I got out my measuring tape and checked him out. We won. Everybody gets an A or a
B for this game. I'd give Malone an A.

 

[Hadlowe]

One last thing. Have we seen enough of Ramone Sessions yet ?

This version, yes, though I am not convinced that this version is the real Ramon Sessions He has historically been a serviceable bench guard. If another ten games in he is still playing like crap, it will be time to promote Ray to full-time backup and put Ramon out to pasture. Until then, I give him the veteran benefit of the doubt.

 

[Livinthedream]

Impact on the game. Wiggins had a much more positive impact on the game than Gay. Also, when Wiggins did face Gay, he took it to him on offense, and then he prevented Gay from going where he wanted to go on defense. Gay hasn't played well in three out of the last four games, imo.

Gay hasn't been healthy.

 

[Warhawk]

Hopefully neither bails to the Eastern Conference so we get to see them match up against each other 4 times a year plus playoffs.

Actually, I think it would be great for Davis to go east - then see he and Boogie battle it out in a Finals. Or two or three.....

 

[Hallama]

Any coincidence Ben's best game this season was basically against a college zone?

In all seriousness, this is the type of game I was hoping to see from Ben when the Kings drafted him. Hustle, 3 and D, slash, alley-oops and tip dunks. He needs confidence and this was a great step for him.

 

[Hallama]

Stauskas, glad Malone still has confidence in him. He's lost right now. His shot looks broken. I'd like to see Malone use him as the b/u PG from time to time. Hope the Kings keep winning while he works it out.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

i hate Conference playoff seedings. Kings aren't even in the West playoffs if the season ended today, yet would be tied for 3rd in the East right now

And that's with playing western conference teams 12 out of 13 games so far. Imagine if we got to play all the garbage east teams 4 times per year

 

[SCKingsfan]

Gay maybe deserves more credit for the one significant thing he did do in this game. In the first 4 minutes of the 2nd half, he was pretty much responsible for us going from a 4 point deficit to a 6 point lead - scoring, playing defense, and some nice assists. Probably his only strong stint of the night, but it made all the difference in turning the team around.

 

[Chubbs]

i hate Conference playoff seedings. Kings aren't even in the West playoffs if the season ended today, yet would be tied for 3rd in the East right now

And that's with playing western conference teams 12 out of 13 games so far. Imagine if we got to play all the garbage east teams 4 times per year

We do get them all twice. Eventually. The only one we have played was the third seeded Bulls.

 

[Chubbs]

Gay hasn't been healthy.

he doesn't care.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Gay maybe deserves more credit for the one significant thing he did do in this game. In the first 4 minutes of the 2nd half, he was pretty much responsible for us going from a 4 point deficit to a 6 point lead - scoring, playing defense, and some nice assists. Probably his only strong stint of the night, but it made all the difference in turning the team around.

I agree. He really stepped up during that stretch when the team needed some aggressiveness to break down the zone.

 

[Hadlowe]

i hate Conference playoff seedings. Kings aren't even in the West playoffs if the season ended today, yet would be tied for 3rd in the East right now

And that's with playing western conference teams 12 out of 13 games so far. Imagine if we got to play all the garbage east teams 4 times per year

It will probably take the NBA a European expansion (it's going to happen sooner than later, imo) in order to eliminate the conferences and give a real seeding based on record. For the time being, the division rivalries are a fun way to drum up excitement for individual games.

 

[Kingster]

he doesn't care.

Thanks for being my spokesman. I knew I could count on you.

 

[VF21]

The game was all about Cousins' dominance. Cousins was the one showing maturity, leadership and mega-talent in this game. All the rest of the Kings were just meh. I'd like to know what the record would be of the Kings if Cousins went down with injury. Maybe .300?

I loved the way Reynolds started the game saying that it remains to be seen if Wiggins has star potential and then by the end of the game "we're seeing a star in the making." Wiggins totally outplayed Gay, and for kid in diapers that says something. Minni has a lot to be hopeful about. The Cleveland trade is going to go down as a great trade for them, and when the vets come back from injury and the youngins add seasoning, watch out.

One caveat - Wiggins "totally outplayed" a GIMPY Rudy Gay.

 

[funkykingston]

So Reggie Evans now a fixture on the bench? More JT as backup 5 and more Dwill at 4?

I think the team envisioned Casspi as an occasional stretch 4 and third string SF but he played himself into the unquestioned backup for Gay so Williams has become the occasional stretch 4. I don't think it's a set rotation, more of a matchup thing and the Kings have had a couple games now against teams playing small ball. That said, I don't see a place for Reggie Evans right now. JT is starting, Landry's scoring is badly needed by the second unit and Malone finally conceded that the twin duplexes lineup was a terrible idea.

Which is just as well as I don't think Evans is with the Kings after this season. In an ideal world the Kings would find an upgrade a PF - a solid defender/rebounder who is also either a shotblocker/weakside defender or a stretch forward - and Thompson and Landry would be the backup C and PF respectively.

 

[Iced Espresso]

I think they are "featuring" D-Will a bit more than they have in the past.

That's certainly possible. Makes me wonder sometimes.

 

[Iced Espresso]

Other than the brief stints of smallball, he did well. That is a personnel issue as we just do not have a legitimate backup for the center position. It would have been a good night to run Evans at center if anything as we had real trouble securing rebounds when both Cousins and JT were off the floor.

We also saw the team breaking down the zone off the dribble and with good positional passing, something they couldn't do when they were seeing it earlier in the season. In particular, there was a great sequence in the third quarter (maybe the fourth) where Cousins was in the high post and Collison had a live dribble and was looking to get an entry pass. Mo Williams overcommitted to the passing lane, effectively doubling Cousins without the ball and Collison just drove past him to get an easy look inside. It was a smart, court-awareness play that was available against the zone in Memphis, but the team didn't recognize it there. That tells me that Malone has been drilling them as a result of those early problems with the zone.

Hopefully today and tomorrow they ae spending even more time with film etc. I'd think breaking the zone would be the most important thing they could be working on right now.

 

[206Fan]

I didn't get a chance to watch the game yesterday, can anyone give me a few recaps? How was Wiggins able to go off for 29pts? Who defended him, and does he look really good on both ends of the floor? Did D-Will have a positive impact tonight? Why was the game so close despite the team edging out the Wolves in a lot of stats?

 

[Chupacabra]

i hate Conference playoff seedings. Kings aren't even in the West playoffs if the season ended today, yet would be tied for 3rd in the East right now

And that's with playing western conference teams 12 out of 13 games so far. Imagine if we got to play all the garbage east teams 4 times per year

If it weren't for a broken replay system we would be in the playoffs right now. You also have to account for the fact that our schedule has been supremely difficult so far. We get a fair shot to beat up on the east just like everyone else.

 

[randymoss1881]

If it weren't for a broken replay system we would be in the playoffs right now. You also have to account for the fact that our schedule has been supremely difficult so far. We get a fair shot to beat up on the east just like everyone else.

Yes rockets have feasted on bottom feeders and will have to start playing west teams soon. Also Dwight just did a knee procedure wonder how long he will be out

 

[Bricklayer]

Yes rockets have feasted on bottom feeders and will have to start playing west teams soon. Also Dwight just did a knee procedure wonder how long he will be out

Hopefully 2 more games.

Tarik Black v. DeMarcus Cousins just has a real cool ring to it to my ears.

 

[Chubbs]

Yes rockets have feasted on bottom feeders and will have to start playing west teams soon. Also Dwight just did a knee procedure wonder how long he will be out

Would not surprise me at all to see Houston in a battle for the 8 seed eventually. I'm just not impressed.

 

[bajaden]

I voted for Richard Crenna. Undoubtedly giving away my age to anyone who doesn't already know I'm old.

Ummm, ahhhh, I voted for him as well. Does that mean I'm old? Hey, without Crenna, Stallone would be a nobody.

 

[Tetsujin]

The game was all about Cousins' dominance. Cousins was the one showing maturity, leadership and mega-talent in this game. All the rest of the Kings were just meh. I'd like to know what the record would be of the Kings if Cousins went down with injury. Maybe .300?

I loved the way Reynolds started the game saying that it remains to be seen if Wiggins has star potential and then by the end of the game "we're seeing a star in the making." Wiggins totally outplayed Gay, and for kid in diapers that says something. Minni has a lot to be hopeful about. The Cleveland trade is going to go down as a great trade for them, and when the vets come back from injury and the youngins add seasoning, watch out.

Well Wiggins did have a Kobe-esque, "I'm going to shoot whenever I have the ball" night so I suppose that counts as a superstar in the making.