Vegas Summer League GAME 1: Sacramento Kings v. Phoenix Suns, 7/7/18 4:30 PST, 7:30 EST
- Thread starter Tetsujin
- Start date
Mason does one of two things, he either drives into a crowd or passes halfcourt picks up his dribble and looks to throw to the tallest player that is furthest from the basket. He is not a backup quality pg in the nba. The team had hardly any assists.
Justin if hes not scoring he is useless. Stats say he had 4 steals, no he was in the area of bad passes. He may be a backup sf (ceiling).
Giles was a beast. He had 5 steals because he is a ball hawl, alert and active defensively. He did have two horrible passes today, but still he showed us a great deal today. He rushed his offense at first, but once he settled in hit a 3, two fade aways and "the shake."
Bagley had a solid game, stayed active on offense and defensive rebounds. Ayton got away with some pulling and pushing (late), but played solid defense too. He did shoot two airballs but hes looking for his shot and had a 3 rim out. After he inadvertently elbowed josh jackson, javkson was out to get him, and ended up with hard foul (that saw bags leave the game).
Justin if hes not scoring he is useless. Stats say he had 4 steals, no he was in the area of bad passes. He may be a backup sf (ceiling).
Giles was a beast. He had 5 steals because he is a ball hawl, alert and active defensively. He did have two horrible passes today, but still he showed us a great deal today. He rushed his offense at first, but once he settled in hit a 3, two fade aways and "the shake."
Bagley had a solid game, stayed active on offense and defensive rebounds. Ayton got away with some pulling and pushing (late), but played solid defense too. He did shoot two airballs but hes looking for his shot and had a 3 rim out. After he inadvertently elbowed josh jackson, javkson was out to get him, and ended up with hard foul (that saw bags leave the game).
Meanwhile the Bulls did not match on LaVine today. What's the holdup? I think they match but one reason I suggest it is NOT a 100% done deal is because the report came out less than 1-2 hours after LaVine signed his offer sheet the Bulls "planned to match". Did they even see the terms of the deal? It is kind of strange. Stranger things have happened than an alleged incompetent front office say one thing and do another, or change their mind when the moment of truth arrives. I still think we have a small chance to land LaVine.
There is NO doubt Mason has been terrible. But I know he is better than he has showed. I also know he battled plantar fasciitis in the second half of the season. He's still a guy who can create space with his low center gravity and strength. He has a nice shot and he's fearless taking it to the rim. He's NOT the bum we have witnessed lately.
Fans with short memories forget Mason was often our best player the first few weeks of last season against better competition than he faced this summer. There were a couple of games Grant and Jerry said Mason was the best King on the floor and at the time I was inclined to agree. Now all of the sudden he is a "lost cause"? I don't think so. Obviously he needs to be better. I think he will be.
I posted videos in the LaVine thread that show LaVine matching up well size-wise against Butler and Wiggins (Wolves), two SFs and towering over Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson (Heat), two SGs. He's closer to 6'7" than 6'5" no matter what he is listed at. Concluding that he's a combo guard because that was where he played with Bulls and Wolves is NARROW thinking. Clearly the Kings offered the 4/80 to him because they feel the SAME way that I have asserted. You DON'T pay 80 million to a third SG! If LaVine was 6'4" or 6'5" I would object to the offer sheet as much as any outspoken fan. Refer to the videos and decide for yourself.
You want to demote a 4 year college Player of the Year to third string? That's writing him off in my book. It would be hard to overcome that barring injury. If Mason cannot command back-up PG minutes NOW (next season) I doubt he's ever going to find a substantial role with this team. He will go G-League or Europe and try again with a new NBA team. It would be different if he were a one-and-done player. I think if the Kings commit to a veteran PG behind De'Aaron, Mason is effectively done as a King. I don't think that will happen. I think the front office has more confidence in Mason than fans are currently exuding. I would add even if the Kings sign a veteran PG on the cheap, Mason can win the backup job in camp.
Well if he wins it, he deserves it.
Mason is ultra cheap contract wise, we'd be fools to just let him go regardless of how we fill out our depth.
But let's say we went with Smart, well Frank better show enough flashes while he is here to show value. But let's say for example a budget guy like Lawson was on the table. At the risk at others detriments to development I think you do that and hopefully Frank gets the primary backup role later in the season.
Maybe Lin recovers from injury and we swap a veteran.
Something.
The irritation with having so many youngsters with a fella who has trouble even establishing offensive cohesion is hard to properly state without profanity.
You could roll with Temple I guess.
Frank seems to play better with a joint facilitator on the floor where it's not all up to him too. Perhaps having Bogi, or a SG that could help out.
Something man.
Mason is ultra cheap contract wise, we'd be fools to just let him go regardless of how we fill out our depth.
But let's say we went with Smart, well Frank better show enough flashes while he is here to show value. But let's say for example a budget guy like Lawson was on the table. At the risk at others detriments to development I think you do that and hopefully Frank gets the primary backup role later in the season.
Maybe Lin recovers from injury and we swap a veteran.
Something.
The irritation with having so many youngsters with a fella who has trouble even establishing offensive cohesion is hard to properly state without profanity.
You could roll with Temple I guess.
Frank seems to play better with a joint facilitator on the floor where it's not all up to him too. Perhaps having Bogi, or a SG that could help out.
Something man.
