Kings free agency, part 3
- Thread starter Darth Divac
- Start date
Didn't want to post this in the Ray McCallum thread but I was a fan of the kid....that being said, I'm not under the illusion that he's ever going to be more than a2nd or 3rd string PG....ala Corey Joseph. Good guys to have on the team that can help but they are what they are.
I'll say that if the Kings don't re-sign Andre Miller, then the little guy Stockton would help just as much but in a different way. Quick, change of pace guy who has more PG skills than Ray. I'll go further and say that Julyan Stone, on out SL team is just as good an option as Ray Mac. Stone has premium size for the PG position and has his limitations but also brings a different skill set than Ray. Just saying that we are probably going with Miller, Stockton or Stone at a cheaper cost and we are fortunate to get a 2nd rounder for Ray. Vlade will pick a Euro guy with that late 2nd rounder.
I'll say that if the Kings don't re-sign Andre Miller, then the little guy Stockton would help just as much but in a different way. Quick, change of pace guy who has more PG skills than Ray. I'll go further and say that Julyan Stone, on out SL team is just as good an option as Ray Mac. Stone has premium size for the PG position and has his limitations but also brings a different skill set than Ray. Just saying that we are probably going with Miller, Stockton or Stone at a cheaper cost and we are fortunate to get a 2nd rounder for Ray. Vlade will pick a Euro guy with that late 2nd rounder.
If Smith agreed to come off the bench I would be all for it at this point. Doesn't fit with the starters but imagine a bench of Collison, Bellinelli, Casspi, Smith, Koufos or WCS. Thats pretty damn good and better than the starting unit we rolled out at the end of last season.
Rondo/Collison/Miller
Ben/Bellinelli/Anderson
Gay/Casspi
DMC/Smith/WCS/Moreland
Koufos/DMC/WCS
Rondo/Collison/Miller
Ben/Bellinelli/Anderson
Gay/Casspi
DMC/Smith/WCS/Moreland
Koufos/DMC/WCS
My comment got moved to the Vlade thread (even though it was about the Jason Jones tweet), so I'll just repost my thoughts here:
It makes me nervous to put another questionable personality on this team.
But you cant help but look at the potential upside. 1) the chemistry between Rondo, Gay, Smith, and Cousins would be real, and I'd love to see those guys having fun out on the court. and 2) It would clearly be the most talented roster we've had in some time.
So much of this already hinges on Karl and his relationship with Cousins and company. High risk, high reward.
It makes me nervous to put another questionable personality on this team.
But you cant help but look at the potential upside. 1) the chemistry between Rondo, Gay, Smith, and Cousins would be real, and I'd love to see those guys having fun out on the court. and 2) It would clearly be the most talented roster we've had in some time.
So much of this already hinges on Karl and his relationship with Cousins and company. High risk, high reward.
I was against trading for Josh Smith last season though I was somewhat okay with the Kings signing him after he was waived by the Pistons. I'd actually be much more in favor of it now simply because of George Karl being the coach and Smith almost certainly being a bench player. Essentially Smoove would be Karl's new Kenyon Martin.
I still think this team needs another veteran center. If Koufos and Cousins really do start I don't think we can be in a situation where we have to count on Cauley-Stein or especially Moreland for minutes. One more big body that can pick up minutes here and there due to injury or the need to match up with that nearly extinct creature, the post playing big man. And I think the Kings need one more SF - either a shooter or a defender, preferably the former. I don't want Josh Smith even playing spot minutes as a SF.
I still think this team needs another veteran center. If Koufos and Cousins really do start I don't think we can be in a situation where we have to count on Cauley-Stein or especially Moreland for minutes. One more big body that can pick up minutes here and there due to injury or the need to match up with that nearly extinct creature, the post playing big man. And I think the Kings need one more SF - either a shooter or a defender, preferably the former. I don't want Josh Smith even playing spot minutes as a SF.
when you think media hit the rock bottom ....
http://sacramento.suntimes.com/sac-sports/7/138/90665/kings-rudy-gay-josh-smith-deal
http://sacramento.suntimes.com/sac-sports/7/138/90665/kings-rudy-gay-josh-smith-deal
Part of me thinks that Smith could start with Gay at the 3. Smith is still a good weakside shot blocker and a versatile defender who can cover 2-4. The problem is that his career usage rate is around 24% or about the same as Rudy Gay. Rondo's career usage is about 19%. Cousins is about 30%. That leaves a 5% usage for whoever is at shooting guard. If Smith can agree to a 10-15% usage rate on kickout corner threes (he shot 35% from corner and elbow threes with the Rockets) or easy finishes inside, he might fit in with the starting five.
Otherwise, he needs to be the sixth man to lead the bench unit. I can see a rebound and run second unit of Collison, Marco, Casspi, Smoove, WCS beating opponents up and down the floor. That unit has four guys who can push the ball in transition, four guys who can finish inside, and three and a half guys who can knock down corner and elbow three pointers on the secondary break.
Otherwise, he needs to be the sixth man to lead the bench unit. I can see a rebound and run second unit of Collison, Marco, Casspi, Smoove, WCS beating opponents up and down the floor. That unit has four guys who can push the ball in transition, four guys who can finish inside, and three and a half guys who can knock down corner and elbow three pointers on the secondary break.
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I personally don't like him in the starting lineup because we already have high usage players. I would very much prefer him come off the bench as an energy defensive type of player. Off the bench, we have a lot of offense and Smith would bring some too. I think it'll be difficult to make him embrace his role.
I just don't like the thought of Smith starting...
I just don't like the thought of Smith starting...
