[Game] Kings @ Lakers - 1/20/16 - 7:30 PT, 10:30 ET
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This is a progress check game. Should go into Staples and get a win. But this team is as Bi Polar as Glen Close's character in FATAL ATTRACTION Lets hope they have turned the corner....
Had the Kings won at home vs the Blazers, Sixers and Pelicans they'd be .500, in clear possession of 8th place, have pushed two of their rivals for the last playoff spots (Portland & New Orleans who is starting to get things together) a game back in the standings and could very well be looking at tomorrow night as a chance to move into 7th place if the Kings beat the Lakers and Houston falls to Detroit.
The margin for error for the second half of the season is now very slim if the Kings hope to be playing in the postseason.
The margin for error for the second half of the season is now very slim if the Kings hope to be playing in the postseason.
so I wonder if Russell will have another big night because he is much more confident now and he has been making nice strides for LA...I wouldn't expect anything less out of him in this one. Kings will probably lose this one just based on the fact that they had all these days to rest and will take their opponent lightly once again.
From my point of view there is a huge gap between JT and KK. KK is a rock solid backup center and fringe starter. He has proven that for several years. Of course he is somewhat slowfooted and has trouble when forced to defend alongside Cousins. But it doesn't make him a bad player, that he is not the ideal fit for Cousins.
I don't think, that our bigs are the problem of this team.
I don't think, that our bigs are the problem of this team.
K
They are definitely not worth the money we paid them and the pick swap we gave up . 41 games into the season they both provided little off course this could change. Niether have played well at all this year Kosta has not played better than either WCS or Acy when both are give his playing time.
Both have to step it up and help us more
Both have to step it up and help us more
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Koufos has played very good defense and his hook shot is very steady. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/koufoko01.html
I liked JT as the third Big. He is glued to the bench at GSW. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thompja02.html
Belinelli's shooting percentages are down from his previous seasons. Why do you think that is? http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/belinma01.html
That said look at Derrick Williams stats. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willide02.html
I liked JT as the third Big. He is glued to the bench at GSW. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thompja02.html
Belinelli's shooting percentages are down from his previous seasons. Why do you think that is? http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/belinma01.html
That said look at Derrick Williams stats. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willide02.html
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Koufos has been very good when he has played C by himself. Great at using verticality and very good post defender. It just so happens he is the most like Cousins on defense from our crop of bigs. I will say his hands are pretty bad, bobbles passes and rebounds way too much, especially when you're used to seeing Cousins vacuum everything in sight.
Do not know what folks were expecting from KK and Beli, starters? No way, and they are not payed as starters.
They are bench players, very good bench players, and that is what we got and that is how they play.
KK gives us chance to rest Cus from time to time without getting blown out of the game.
Beli is used too much as a starter so he looks worse, but he is very solid as a sub.
Heck, our bench is now outscoring opponents bench from time to time and keeps us in the game. That was not the case with any other lineup in the recent past.
Get starting SG (the last missing link), give time for team to gel and we are golden.
They are bench players, very good bench players, and that is what we got and that is how they play.
KK gives us chance to rest Cus from time to time without getting blown out of the game.
Beli is used too much as a starter so he looks worse, but he is very solid as a sub.
Heck, our bench is now outscoring opponents bench from time to time and keeps us in the game. That was not the case with any other lineup in the recent past.
Get starting SG (the last missing link), give time for team to gel and we are golden.
Last night on KHTK, George Karl was saying a lot of the reason behind WCS's 13 minutes against LAC was to "protect him" from having to guard smaller players. I dont know about you all, but I am so tired of George acting like he's acting in Willie's best interest by shielding him from challenges.
Willie will only grow if he plays against competition he's not familiar with. We can't keep "protecting" our 1st round draft pick. He clearly makes a difference. Hell, i'd say he might be a better perimeter defender than Marco.
So with all that said, I'm not holding my breath on seeing much WCS this season. IMO, he's not polished enough offensively for Karl's liking so he gets benched with excuses like he's out of shape or defending smaller players isn't in his best interest.
Willie will only grow if he plays against competition he's not familiar with. We can't keep "protecting" our 1st round draft pick. He clearly makes a difference. Hell, i'd say he might be a better perimeter defender than Marco.
So with all that said, I'm not holding my breath on seeing much WCS this season. IMO, he's not polished enough offensively for Karl's liking so he gets benched with excuses like he's out of shape or defending smaller players isn't in his best interest.
He played 23 minutes in Utah. I hate this notion that Karl is purposely sabotaging this team. There are situations when playing Casspi, Gay and Cousins is best for the frontline, especially when Cuz has a very favorable matchup. Karl obviously thinks enough of WCS to start him, he can see that is where he will end up before long. If our goal is to make the playoffs you don't want to run a rookie to the ground.
https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/team/sacramento-kings/roster
This is the first website I could find that laid out total minutes on the season. But Willie has played 460 minutes this season. Marco has over twice as much, and Kosta is just under twice as much. I dont think we're running the risk of running Willie into the ground. His finger injuries have allowed him to condition himself while reducing the wear and tear on his body. Let's see the kid play. We're a better team when he's on the court.
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