Garret Temple interview

#1
Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders sat down with Garret Temple to talk about Free Agency and the Kings. It's a very good interview so I decided to share it and highlight a few things that caught my eye.
Apparently we were really high on him as Vlade, Catanella and Joerger called him on the first night:
It was really fulfilling to have teams call me on the first night of free agency. And that was part of the reason why I chose Sacramento. One or two other teams actually called, but the Kings had all of the brass call that first night: Vlade [Divac], Ken Catanella, Coach [Dave] Joerger. I got the chance to talk to all of them on the first night and they explained to me how I’d fit with their team and what they saw me doing.
He plans on playing point guard. A lot of us said that that's a possibility already but it is interesting to hear him say it himself. I guess he will be the primary ball handler with our second unit as long as Collison is out.
I’ll be playing some point guard this year, and obviously playing the two and the three as well. But I’m working on my decision-making coming off of ball screens. People don’t realize that I’m a pretty good decision-maker and that I played point guard a lot growing up. I played point guard my whole high school career and a lot in college. The last couple of years I’ve been playing on the wing more, but I’m going to show people that I’m a versatile guy that can play the one, two and three.”
He's excited about playing with Boogie and thinks he's the best Center in the NBA. I love how he interrupts Kennedy to make that clear. :)
Kennedy: Let’s talk about the expectations for this team. DeMarcus Cousins is one of the best centers in the NBA, if not the best, and…

Temple: “He’s the best center in the NBA.”

Kennedy: Alright, well let’s start there. How excited are you to play with DeMarcus?

Temple: “I’m excited. I’m excited, man. I’m excited for him to be on my side instead of having to game-plan against him.
Link to full interview:
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/n...paid-off-free-agency-sacramento-kings-temple/
 
Last edited:

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#2
Kind of confirms the impression I have had that we did not "settle" for the guys we picked up. We targeted them. Temple in particular apparently. We needed length and backcourt defense, voila. And that ability to play some PG is apparently going to be importnat. One solution to defenseless PGs is to be able to insert a long-armed 6'6" guy at the position to challenge.
 
#3
I've long hoped we'd go for size and defense, grinding out wins and I'm happy as hell that, that is how we are setting up shop. After last seasons incompatible, ineffective set up this will be beautiful.

We got everyone we wanted believe it or not. In FA and the draft now just watch it unfold.

And yes demarcus is the best big man in the league. There's a reason he was the first publicaly anointed and announced player to rio for the national team.
 
#4
The Kings needed wing defenders and went out and signed 3 long defensive players. Temple, Affalo and Barnes can share the floor with WCS and DMC. I'm not saying that is the lineup or that we will even see that lineup but if you want to improve defensively you bring in players who are good at playing defense and have a Coaching Staff that stresses defense.

This is going to be a very different team than we have seen in Sacramento. Especially when compared to Karl's pace team. I am looking forward to it:)
 
#5
I've long hoped we'd go for size and defense, grinding out wins and I'm happy as hell that, that is how we are setting up shop. After last seasons incompatible, ineffective set up this will be beautiful.

We got everyone we wanted believe it or not. In FA and the draft now just watch it unfold.

And yes demarcus is the best big man in the league. There's a reason he was the first publicaly anointed and announced player to rio for the national team.
We don't know that. Actually I don't think any GM goes into FA and thinks "Ok now we will sign , Afflalo, Barnes, Temple and Tolliver and we are good to go! Boom Playoffs Baby!" ;)
But I agree with the rest of your post.
 

funkykingston

Super Moderator
Staff member
#7
I've long hoped we'd go for size and defense, grinding out wins and I'm happy as hell that, that is how we are setting up shop. After last seasons incompatible, ineffective set up this will be beautiful.

We got everyone we wanted believe it or not. In FA and the draft now just watch it unfold.

And yes demarcus is the best big man in the league. There's a reason he was the first publicaly anointed and announced player to rio for the national team.
Well, the Kings very clearly wanted Ryan Anderson and didn't get him. Tolliver was plan B when Ryno chose the Rockets.

That said, there was a very clear plan in place this offseason. That doesn't mean much if the results aren't there, but for now I like that the Kings are showing a definite direction.
 
#8
Well, the Kings very clearly wanted Ryan Anderson and didn't get him. Tolliver was plan B when Ryno chose the Rockets.

That said, there was a very clear plan in place this offseason. That doesn't mean much if the results aren't there, but for now I like that the Kings are showing a definite direction.
Yeah and that was so lucky that we didn't have Ryan gobble up all that money. I was not unhappy to whiff on him.
 

funkykingston

Super Moderator
Staff member
#9
Yeah and that was so lucky that we didn't have Ryan gobble up all that money. I was not unhappy to whiff on him.
I was iffy on that potential signing as well. On the one hand, he's a player with a higher profile around the league than the Kings have typically signed in free agency. And he's a hometown kid with a good attitude who would make for a potent sixth man and a nice big man rotation along with WCS and Boogie.

On the other hand, he's poor defensively, ended up costing $20 million per season and has had injury concerns.

Tolliver only cost $8 million and while he's far, far more one dimensional offensively (primarily missing Ryno's ability to put the ball on the floor and his post up skills) he's a plus defender and a much less risky signing.

Houston is going to be interesting to watch. On paper Beverly is their starting PG but I'm guessing D'Antoni will try to start Eric Gordon next to James Harden with Harden acting as the offensive initiator.

Gordon
Harden
Ariza
Anderson
Capela

Basically four guys that chuck a lot of threes and a big man to do the dirty work. They'll put up a ton of points but I'm not sure they can guard anyone.
 
#11
I was iffy on that potential signing as well. On the one hand, he's a player with a higher profile around the league than the Kings have typically signed in free agency. And he's a hometown kid with a good attitude who would make for a potent sixth man and a nice big man rotation along with WCS and Boogie.

On the other hand, he's poor defensively, ended up costing $20 million per season and has had injury concerns.

Tolliver only cost $8 million and while he's far, far more one dimensional offensively (primarily missing Ryno's ability to put the ball on the floor and his post up skills) he's a plus defender and a much less risky signing.

Houston is going to be interesting to watch. On paper Beverly is their starting PG but I'm guessing D'Antoni will try to start Eric Gordon next to James Harden with Harden acting as the offensive initiator.

Gordon
Harden
Ariza
Anderson
Capela

Basically four guys that chuck a lot of threes and a big man to do the dirty work. They'll put up a ton of points but I'm not sure they can guard anyone.
I'm with you. I liked Anderson for a lot of reasons but 20 million for 4 years is too much even if we factor in a 105 mill salary cap. 20 million under a 105 mill salary cap equals 13,333,333$ under the old 70 million salary cap we are used to. This is too much for a guy that has a major injury history and is not exactly known for his defense.

I'm still not sure about the Tolliver signing. Its the only move I'm not comfortable with. On the one hand he is a reportedly good lockerroom vet and Catanella knows him from Detroit. But on the other hand I'm not sure because a) I don't think we needed a stretch 4 that badly as we could just play Casspi there and b) we are now capped out and still don't have a backup PG. I guess I would have liked that we used that money on a backup PG but I also know that there aren't a lot of options. I wonder what will happen to Chalmers and Cole. Will they be healthy for training camp/the start of the season?

Back to Temple, I'm really excited for this guy. Probably the best FA signing we made. If his shot is falling he could turn out to be a really valuable contributor to our success.
 
#12
Vlade, Ken, and coach Joerger have set the team up very well to successfully switch pick and roll like Karl wanted to last year. I hope they give that a real shot when the season gets here because if you can shut down teams in the pick and roll you will win a lot of games. Then with Cuz down low on the other end it will be a worst nightmare scenario for the these small ball perimeter teams.
 
#14
Well, the Kings very clearly wanted Ryan Anderson and didn't get him. Tolliver was plan B when Ryno chose the Rockets.

That said, there was a very clear plan in place this offseason. That doesn't mean much if the results aren't there, but for now I like that the Kings are showing a definite direction.
Much like Wes Matthews last season i feel we are in a better situation having not committed that much $ to Anderson
 
#15
If Vlade really sees Garret Temple as the back up point guard, I can see him standing pat on the roster until the February trade deadline, unless a very favorable trade comes up.

We would be pretty much 2 deep at every position, if Garret Temple was signed as the back up PG.

PF: WCS/Tolliver/ Skal
SF: Gay/ Cassspi/ Barnes
C: DMC / KK/ Papa
SG: Afflalo / Barnes/ McClemore/ Richardson
PG: Collison/ Temple/ ICousins
 
#18
If Vlade really sees Garret Temple as the back up point guard, I can see him standing pat on the roster until the February trade deadline, unless a very favorable trade comes up.

We would be pretty much 2 deep at every position, if Garret Temple was signed as the back up PG.

PF: WCS/Tolliver/ Skal
SF: Gay/ Cassspi/ Barnes
C: DMC / KK/ Papa
SG: Afflalo / Barnes/ McClemore/ Richardson
PG: Collison/ Temple/ ICousins
I have personally changed my view on trading Rudy. I hate Aileen.
 
Last edited:
#19
I was iffy on that potential signing as well. On the one hand, he's a player with a higher profile around the league than the Kings have typically signed in free agency. And he's a hometown kid with a good attitude who would make for a potent sixth man and a nice big man rotation along with WCS and Boogie.

On the other hand, he's poor defensively, ended up costing $20 million per season and has had injury concerns.

Tolliver only cost $8 million and while he's far, far more one dimensional offensively (primarily missing Ryno's ability to put the ball on the floor and his post up skills) he's a plus defender and a much less risky signing.

Houston is going to be interesting to watch. On paper Beverly is their starting PG but I'm guessing D'Antoni will try to start Eric Gordon next to James Harden with Harden acting as the offensive initiator.

Gordon
Harden
Ariza
Anderson
Capela

Basically four guys that chuck a lot of threes and a big man to do the dirty work. They'll put up a ton of points but I'm not sure they can guard anyone.
I swear I seem to recall that Nene agreed to term with Rockets so I would expect that he would be their starting C.
 
#20
I swear I seem to recall that Nene agreed to term with Rockets so I would expect that he would be their starting C.
I don't think so. Nene doesn't fit with the starting unit. With Harden as your main ballhandler you want a low usage, defensive minded big, that gives Harden a lob target near the rim and goes after rebounds. With Ryno and Dmo (assuming they resign him), they have two Pf's able to stretch the floor for Harden and Gordon, so they can afford to play one big in the paint.
Nene is more of a poor man's version of DMC. When healthy a very good all around big guy, who can do everything besides shooting 3's, switching P&R, providing rim protection and playing above the rim.
Capela is the way to go for the Rockets - a poor man's Dwight Howard/Hassan Whiteside with a lot of upside left, because he hasn't filled out his frame yet. And Capela is kinda intruiging, because he can switch onto guards and is mobile enough to contain them.