Looking to the year ahead.
- Thread starter sactowndog
- Start date
I'm not familiar with Huerter's Game, for comparison I just go by stats, and the stats are inconclusive. (So failing that I go by feelings, and I feel Hield had a down year last year) Maybe you're right!
On Holmes, I think his success has been a result of Walton's system, and between that and being benched, he won't be as effective as we expected him to be at the beginning of last season.
On Holmes, I think his success has been a result of Walton's system, and between that and being benched, he won't be as effective as we expected him to be at the beginning of last season.
But Holmes only has to be an improvement on Alex Len or Damian Jones to be a net positive since he's now coming off the bench behind Sabonis.
And I can see that with Hield and Huerter the counting stats would favor Buddy. Huerter had better shooting percentages last season, but more importantly I think he's a better team and individual defender and has a higher basketball IQ. There's also more hope for continued improvement from him because he's 5 and a half years younger than Hield. Or to put it another way. Huerter will be 24 to start next season and only a couple months older than Buddy was to start his NBA career.
And I can see that with Hield and Huerter the counting stats would favor Buddy. Huerter had better shooting percentages last season, but more importantly I think he's a better team and individual defender and has a higher basketball IQ. There's also more hope for continued improvement from him because he's 5 and a half years younger than Hield. Or to put it another way. Huerter will be 24 to start next season and only a couple months older than Buddy was to start his NBA career.
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Regarding Huerter starting, i actually would feel the better with him. Off the bench. I think with the 2nd unit, mitchell may benefit from having a long catch and shoot player next to him more than fox needing one. Fox is a better passer and playmaker, but having a long target for Mitchell to hit on dish outs may be helpful for him. Additionally, i think Huerter, passing ability will be extremely helpful in restoring Holmes to the PnR specialist he was in the past. You wont be able to double off Buddy (or Monk) to take away Holmes' rim rolling or push shot (off the bench, he and buddy were a bad mix because buddy could pass or finish around the rim well). Huerter has none of those issues, he can pass and finish at the basket (sometimes with surprising authority) and will be a monster off the bench next to holmes. It will give the bench much needed scoring whereas Monk and Mitchell are too small to consistently be played next to each other.
It's an improvement to the long term outlook of the team to have younger players, but I'm specifically considering at what this season looks like (through the lens of where we started last season)
How stats are weighted in player comparisons is somewhat arbitrary, and how intangibles are weighted or assessed is entirely arbitrary, so I don't have much to say about that.
Fair point about Holmes' needing to be graded by the performance in the new role. Maybe that's more of a push than a team downgrade, though I still expect him to drop off a bit.
How stats are weighted in player comparisons is somewhat arbitrary, and how intangibles are weighted or assessed is entirely arbitrary, so I don't have much to say about that.
Fair point about Holmes' needing to be graded by the performance in the new role. Maybe that's more of a push than a team downgrade, though I still expect him to drop off a bit.
You're talking to the guy that has been critical of the Monk & Huerter pickups since neither of them are good defenders. The defense is going to be a problem unless Brown pulls off some wizardry. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
I know you mentioned Barnes' wingspan (6'11.25") but his standing reach is quite below average for a starting SF at 8'6". As a comparison, Huerter is a 8'5.5" and Davis at 8'5"
Another alternative is to drop Davis from the rotation in favor of Lyles:
PG - Fox (34 min) / Mitchell (14 min)
SG - Huerter (10 min) / Monk (26 min) / Mitchell (12 min)
SF - Barnes (28 min) / Huerter (20 min)
PF - Murray (28 min) / Lyles (14 min) / Barnes (6 min)
C - Sabonis (34 min) / Holmes (14 min)
I know you mentioned Barnes' wingspan (6'11.25") but his standing reach is quite below average for a starting SF at 8'6". As a comparison, Huerter is a 8'5.5" and Davis at 8'5"
Another alternative is to drop Davis from the rotation in favor of Lyles:
PG - Fox (34 min) / Mitchell (14 min)
SG - Huerter (10 min) / Monk (26 min) / Mitchell (12 min)
SF - Barnes (28 min) / Huerter (20 min)
PF - Murray (28 min) / Lyles (14 min) / Barnes (6 min)
C - Sabonis (34 min) / Holmes (14 min)
This is honestly the rotation I see playing out, except I think that Sasha ends up getting the minutes (if he comes) instead of Lyles. But this is almost exactly how I see it playing out. I suppose you could make room for Davis, but it would be at the expense of Lyles, and would require you to play Davis at the 3 and pushing Barnes up to the 4 for those additional minutes. Frankly, it becomes a question of whether you are more comfortable with 14 minutes per game of Davis/Barnes or Barnes/Lyles or Sasha.
The rotation should be matchup dependent. Not all guys that play SF are SF sized. Lots of teams go small. Likewise, we can go a little bigger if needed as well. Especially if Sabonis's outside shot is improved.
That's not even mentioning injuries. Most of the players outside of Barnes aren't exactly NBA ironmen.
That's not even mentioning injuries. Most of the players outside of Barnes aren't exactly NBA ironmen.
true but in our division most of them are:
Leonard
James
Wiggins
not to mention teams in our conference who we have to beat
Kyle Anderson
Brandon Ingram
Bojan Bogdanovic
Michael Porter.
only Bridges/Crowder and Hart aren’t bigger among teams we have to beat
Anyway the point of this comment is mostly to say we need to resign Josh Jackson if only to get 8 minutes of good defense at the 3.
Leonard
James
Wiggins
not to mention teams in our conference who we have to beat
Kyle Anderson
Brandon Ingram
Bojan Bogdanovic
Michael Porter.
only Bridges/Crowder and Hart aren’t bigger among teams we have to beat
Anyway the point of this comment is mostly to say we need to resign Josh Jackson if only to get 8 minutes of good defense at the 3.
If they commit to that lineup and that lineup commits to playing defense I don't think it's going to be an issue. 1-5 that's real deal size for a power small baller type of team in the starting unit. With Barnes and Murray I think the length is fine, it's still an issue of bulk with Monk, Fox, and Huerter playing together. I'm sure they'll get time together and Huerter gives the team a shot of having someone that can take those SF defensive assignments for stretches so Fox doesn't have to anymore, but if that unit is on the floor the idea is obviously to run the other team off the floor.
Yeah I think Huerter gets the first crack at starting. Kings made a 4/60 commitment to him, you just don't send those years/money to the bench. Monk is a better fit as the lead scorer off the bench anyway and pairs well with Davion and his defense.
Don't think it matters too much though, both guys are going to play a lot and Huerter will shift down to the 3 a bunch so 2 of Fox/Davion/Monk can get on the floor.
Don't think it matters too much though, both guys are going to play a lot and Huerter will shift down to the 3 a bunch so 2 of Fox/Davion/Monk can get on the floor.
I think they’ll both be given their shot to stake their claim and their role with this team. While the missing ingredient of a natural SF is missing from the team I think different players will take turns manning the 3 depending on situation and opponent. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least to see a line up of Fox, Monk, Huerter, Barnes, Sabonis at tip off though. Mitchell and Threegan first off the bench and the 2, 3 spot shuffled according to different factors that night. Holmes would be next but he’s strictly a 5. And again depending on matchup, situation or a variety of reasons we could see more of TD or Lyles.
We are primed for a "surprise" playoff appearance. We are starting the season with the Fox-Sabonis duo and they are surrounded by actual NBA players that also happen to compliment them. No longer do we have players who chuck ill-timed shots, have zero defensive iq, or who's style of play makes them duplicitous. We have an established NBA headcoach who's style addresses our area of greatest need: Defense. If the defense can become just average (10-20 range), we are in the playoffs.
I am definitely attending a game (or two) the coming season.
I am definitely attending a game (or two) the coming season.
Just read that Dallas is planning to start Luka-Dinwiddie-DFS- Wood- McGee.
Are we sure that lineup is good? Luka obviously covers a lot of holes, but that lineup has lots of holes to cover.
First is shooting. Luka is an average outside shooter on high volume (35% on 9 3PA). Ideally you surround him with shooters. Dinwiddie shot 34% on 5 3PA last year. DFS shot 39%, but on only 5 3PA himself. Wood and McGee aren’t outside shooters. Plus, Dinwiddie isn’t really a stand in the corner and space guy. He wants the ball to create and iso.
Second, the two big lineup seems doomed. If Wood doesn’t develop a better outside shot, you have a non shooter, non defender 4, alongside a non shooter 5. And neither can really guard 4s. Also, both seem like knuckleheads. Wood has never been on a good team.
curious to see how this one works out, but not sure that team is guaranteed anything.
Edit- was lazy and didn’t look up Wood’s shooting. 38% on 4.5 3PA. So better than I thought, but I am still not sure the Wood/McGee/DFS frontcourt works, especially with Dinwiddie.
Are we sure that lineup is good? Luka obviously covers a lot of holes, but that lineup has lots of holes to cover.
First is shooting. Luka is an average outside shooter on high volume (35% on 9 3PA). Ideally you surround him with shooters. Dinwiddie shot 34% on 5 3PA last year. DFS shot 39%, but on only 5 3PA himself. Wood and McGee aren’t outside shooters. Plus, Dinwiddie isn’t really a stand in the corner and space guy. He wants the ball to create and iso.
Second, the two big lineup seems doomed. If Wood doesn’t develop a better outside shot, you have a non shooter, non defender 4, alongside a non shooter 5. And neither can really guard 4s. Also, both seem like knuckleheads. Wood has never been on a good team.
curious to see how this one works out, but not sure that team is guaranteed anything.
Edit- was lazy and didn’t look up Wood’s shooting. 38% on 4.5 3PA. So better than I thought, but I am still not sure the Wood/McGee/DFS frontcourt works, especially with Dinwiddie.
Don't care much about Dallas one way or the other, except as a team in the way of where the Kings want to go, but not getting your concern. They have enough shooters; tons of rebounding and size/length; and several + defenders. Perimeter defense is likely to be a problem but their rim protection will be second-to-none. Dinwiddie posted a 50/41/73 line last year w/Dallas - not sure why you single him out as a weakness. And then there's Luka. When he realizes that it's silly to indulge the weakest part of his game by jacking so many 3's (33.7% on 8.2/per game over his career), he'll be even scarier offensively.
Losing Brunson is no joke, but I suspect the Mavs will be just fine.
Losing Brunson is no joke, but I suspect the Mavs will be just fine.
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Regardless of the final rotation, (That's Coach Brown's job)
I am excited for our final roster
Fox,Mitchell,(3rd PG)
Huerter,Monk,TD
Barnes,KZ,Chima,Ellis
Murray,Lyles,Metu
Sabonis,Holmes,Len,Queta
I think Coach will use our defensive Bench players (TD,KZ,Chima,Ellis,Queta) to Motivate our 9 man rotation
to play tough defense ( don't play defense coach will give your min to someone who will)
I am excited for our final roster
Fox,Mitchell,(3rd PG)
Huerter,Monk,TD
Barnes,KZ,Chima,Ellis
Murray,Lyles,Metu
Sabonis,Holmes,Len,Queta
I think Coach will use our defensive Bench players (TD,KZ,Chima,Ellis,Queta) to Motivate our 9 man rotation
to play tough defense ( don't play defense coach will give your min to someone who will)
I like them better than or as good as just about the entire “likely better” pool in the OP(save Minnesota, though i don’t think they’ll make a huge jump). I view them in the same tier atleast. A couple of those teams, including the Kings, can take an even higher jump potentially.
Kings are much more talented than the Lakers and Portland. Even when you consider AD might be healthy for atleast half a season and the refs. I know James is still putting up the numbers but the days of patch working one other star and random shooters around him and instantly going to the playoffs are over. They are a nowhere roster. Plus I’m somewhat predicting another season where AD and LeBron sit a bunch anyway, but even when healthy they are mediocre and unbalanced.
New Orleans is similarly uneven though the names on the roster pop out. They haven’t proven that they have a winning formula.
Portland sucks
Neither have the Kings of course but no matter where other teams finish and how many finish ahead of the kings, at the very least I think the Kings will finally win more games than they lose for a season and get to the play in/play offs.
of course the order of things never pan out the way off season lists like this claim. Teams making the jump are never expected to make the jump and a couple of the “safe teams” either get injured or don’t meet expectations.
Kings have made the correct moves for a Sabonis/Fox core which only lost its momentum last season when teams correctly game planned on the rest of the team being unable to shoot.
Monk, Huerter, Murray are perfect additions. I like the roster. It’s not a contender but I don’t see a bad roster and I think there will be atleast one more move that will alter projections even more. I think they’ll actually be fun to watch too.
What is exciting about the Kings is that have more than a few guys who aren’t at their ceiling and can potentially make a major jump. The two best players, Fox and Domas being among them. Domas probably hasn’t had his best season. Fox hasn’t had his best season. These are young guys just about to enter their primes
Mitchell, Huerter, Monk, and Murray are young players that aren’t exactly nailed into place as who they are . A couple wild cards with TD and Holmes. A steady presence like Barnes(if he’s still here). Kings have about 7-8 guys that I would assume would get good playing time on just about any team in the league. It’s been awhile since I could say that.
This is first time I’ve been excited for a Kings team since “super team but young” fizzled out as quickly as summer league that one year
Kings are much more talented than the Lakers and Portland. Even when you consider AD might be healthy for atleast half a season and the refs. I know James is still putting up the numbers but the days of patch working one other star and random shooters around him and instantly going to the playoffs are over. They are a nowhere roster. Plus I’m somewhat predicting another season where AD and LeBron sit a bunch anyway, but even when healthy they are mediocre and unbalanced.
New Orleans is similarly uneven though the names on the roster pop out. They haven’t proven that they have a winning formula.
Portland sucks
Neither have the Kings of course but no matter where other teams finish and how many finish ahead of the kings, at the very least I think the Kings will finally win more games than they lose for a season and get to the play in/play offs.
of course the order of things never pan out the way off season lists like this claim. Teams making the jump are never expected to make the jump and a couple of the “safe teams” either get injured or don’t meet expectations.
Kings have made the correct moves for a Sabonis/Fox core which only lost its momentum last season when teams correctly game planned on the rest of the team being unable to shoot.
Monk, Huerter, Murray are perfect additions. I like the roster. It’s not a contender but I don’t see a bad roster and I think there will be atleast one more move that will alter projections even more. I think they’ll actually be fun to watch too.
What is exciting about the Kings is that have more than a few guys who aren’t at their ceiling and can potentially make a major jump. The two best players, Fox and Domas being among them. Domas probably hasn’t had his best season. Fox hasn’t had his best season. These are young guys just about to enter their primes
Mitchell, Huerter, Monk, and Murray are young players that aren’t exactly nailed into place as who they are . A couple wild cards with TD and Holmes. A steady presence like Barnes(if he’s still here). Kings have about 7-8 guys that I would assume would get good playing time on just about any team in the league. It’s been awhile since I could say that.
This is first time I’ve been excited for a Kings team since “super team but young” fizzled out as quickly as summer league that one year
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