Grades v. Nuggets 12/28/09
- Thread starter Bricklayer
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Just one correction - I don't know why, but for some reason a lot of people in the NBA think that Omri was a PF in Israel, which is simply not true. He may have been PF 3-4 years ago when he was a kid playing for a smaller team, but in Maccabi, for the most part, he was a pure SF. And that would also explain your mystery - I really don't remember him posting up that much in Maccabi. I think he is working on it now, and will get much better at it with time, just like he did with his shooting.
Well, not to defend his play last night, but his two previous games were pretty good. Last night he just seemed out of synch.
I spent a lot of time watching our rotations and pick and roll defense. The pick and roll defense still needs improving, but its getting better. Thompson played solid under the basket, especially with weak side help when it was needed or with stopping the ball on penetration. He's really starting to show improvement. Greene was outstanding on his switches. They were crisp and extremely effective, and he picked up loose players on pick and rolls several times and effectively help defeat the play.
Not sure why Westphal limits his minutes at times, other than he has a larger plan for Greene, and when Greene strays away from that plan, he sits for a while.
I've also noticed that Westphal is using Thompson differently for the last 5 or 6 games. He's posting up less and is setting up at the top of the key. From there they're using him to inniate the offense. Something that I thought they might do with Hawes. He hasn't been turning the ball over, so its working from that point of view, but its limiting his offense, and takes him away from the basket somewhat. He needs to take the jumper from there. Maybe Westphal just wants him to learn how play from there.
I spent a lot of time watching our rotations and pick and roll defense. The pick and roll defense still needs improving, but its getting better. Thompson played solid under the basket, especially with weak side help when it was needed or with stopping the ball on penetration. He's really starting to show improvement. Greene was outstanding on his switches. They were crisp and extremely effective, and he picked up loose players on pick and rolls several times and effectively help defeat the play.
Not sure why Westphal limits his minutes at times, other than he has a larger plan for Greene, and when Greene strays away from that plan, he sits for a while.
I've also noticed that Westphal is using Thompson differently for the last 5 or 6 games. He's posting up less and is setting up at the top of the key. From there they're using him to inniate the offense. Something that I thought they might do with Hawes. He hasn't been turning the ball over, so its working from that point of view, but its limiting his offense, and takes him away from the basket somewhat. He needs to take the jumper from there. Maybe Westphal just wants him to learn how play from there.
Ah, thanks for that correction. I actually did originally think he was a SF over there, but had been convinced by all the chatter since he came over that he was actually a PF. Does explain things a bit if he really was a perimeter guy and slasher like he is here (although I know he did not shoot over there the way he has so far for us).
I didn't hear those comments but they make sense and explain a lot of our questions. Isn't it nice to have a coach smarter than us. I would have sent Donte to the development league months ago but Westphal played him and I winced. I have to admit my wincing is decreasing and my confidence in Westphal is increasing.
P
Paul Westphal's rotations
Watching Sergio turn the ball over and miss layups at the rim got me thinking, why the heck hasn't Paul Westphal put Donte Green back in? Does he have too much faith in Rodriguez, who has had some nice games but hasn't been too consistent? It seems like he always goes for the home run basket or tries to do something too fancy that he ends up sloppily making bad decisions. Personally, I believe Beno looks a lot smoother and under-control with the basketball running the point, as opposed to Sergio. What are your guys' opinions on this?
Watching Sergio turn the ball over and miss layups at the rim got me thinking, why the heck hasn't Paul Westphal put Donte Green back in? Does he have too much faith in Rodriguez, who has had some nice games but hasn't been too consistent? It seems like he always goes for the home run basket or tries to do something too fancy that he ends up sloppily making bad decisions. Personally, I believe Beno looks a lot smoother and under-control with the basketball running the point, as opposed to Sergio. What are your guys' opinions on this?
I think that there is always a pretty visible pattern in the way PW handles the rotation. His main purpose is for every player to have enough confidence to perform to his maximum potential when the team needs him. That's why he doesn't immediately throws players to the bench when they have a stupid TO or when they're having a bad shooting night. Playres are allowed to make mistakes, and that's why they have enough confidence to play as well as we have been seeing them play this season. This policy may set back the team locally in a certain game but the team profits big-time over the course of the season.
You are right that Donte was having a great game, but he wouldn't have been playing that well if it wasn't for PW handling him throughout this season the way he handled Sergio last night. Donte will win games for the Kings. So will Sergio.
You are right that Donte was having a great game, but he wouldn't have been playing that well if it wasn't for PW handling him throughout this season the way he handled Sergio last night. Donte will win games for the Kings. So will Sergio.
Yes, Beno now 27 years of age with 5+ years in the league is better than Sergio - not big news. Of course, Sergio is only 23 or 24, so he could get better. I think once Kevin gets back and definitely when Cisco returns Sergio will be way back at end of the pine. In the meantime, young Donte who has improved dramatically from last season needs to work on his ball-handling to be trusted for big minutes - at least as the proto-type swingman. I really think Donte at 6'10 is a SF or even a PF and it will evolve that way going forward.
I wonder if this is a conditioning issue. Big Men need to be in top shape to run up and down the court the way the Nuggets were trying to control the tempo. They ran every time they got the ball, whether was a made basket or a rebound. The Nug's got some easy transition baskets out of running out to create mismatches in the front court before our bigs could cross the midcourt line. The Kings tightened up on their transition D in the second half, and made the Nuggets a half court team. Without Billups, they had a real hard time getting good shots in the half court set.
The Kings were selective in their fast break opportunities, often pulling back when the Nuggets were able to recover and set their defense before the Kings bigs crossed the mid court line. Beno made a lot of good decisions, and he didnt try to force the issue with shot blockers hanging around the rim. I like the drop off passes that Beno was dropping as the Nuggets tried to seal off Beno from getting to his favorite spot at the top of the key. All in all a great game by Beno and by Greene who gave us a little bit of everything and we needed his versatility every minute he was playing (which was not enough minutes). HOW ABOUT GREENE'S DEFENSE AGAINST MELLO IN THE FINAL 2 MINUTES OF THE GAME! AWEOPME !!
I think Casspi had a smaller player on him for most of the game but there were too few post up opportunities for Casspi. The ones he did have, he had good success with. Casspi is very quickly becoming a match up nightmare for opposing teams. He is too big for 2 Guards who can't guard him because of his size and teams are reluctant send a SF out so far from the rim to guard Casspi because of his quickness. Casspi is begining to look like a smaller Hedo with a better shot and ball handling skills. He made all kinds of shots from one handed finger rolls to bank shots to midrange jumpers, to you name it. I thought Casspi gave the Nuggets fits. Good game by Casspi. He is on the list for R.O.Y as well!!
Hawes was getting abused as usual under the basket, but Westphal sent double teams that were coming fast enough to make the Nugs rotate the ball around the perimeter, only to end up in the hands of a perimeter player who either wouldn't or couldn't shoot the three ball from the short corner. Our half court defense was very good and the more Mello kept trying to force the issue, the more frustrated he became. Hawes played hard. But as usual he was outplayed by Nene and he just couldn't keep Nene out of the paint for put backs or easy layups. We need a player like Brockman who is about 5 inches taller to play post defense, get the put backs, and alter shots when the guards are able to escape the tenacious defense our guards are playing on the perimeter. Hawes's offense has consisted of put backs and the occasional mid range jumper. I can live with Hawes playing hard and giving effort on a nightly basis. If his 3 point jumper reappears, he will be able to unclog the lane for all the slashers we have to operate without the threat of a shot blocker. Spence! Work on that Jumper bro !! We need you to drag their center out of the KEY !!
If Jon Brockman was just 5 inches taller, he would be the rookie everyone would be talking about on the Kings. Brockman only knows one way to play. GO HARD all the TIME!! He goes after rebounds he has no chance to get, and he often gets a hand on the ball to tap it to a Kings player to extend the play. He is pure power and energy in a 6'7" frame. He doesn't look very athletic, but his hustle and determination make up for his lack of size by just outworking everyone else on the floor!!
Brockman has become a fan favorite for this reason. He is a blue collar worker who brings his lunch pail to work! I dont believe I have ever seen Brockman GIVE UP on a rebound! I believe that HE BELIEVES that all the rebounds are really his! His technique is great. He sees the ball go up, and he immediately starts fighting to get to the spot he thinks the ball will come down. He has some Rodman like skills, except unlike "The Worm" who would squirm his way to the spot the rebound would come down, Brockman bull dozes his way to the spot where he thinks the rebound will be and then completly outworks everyone around him to get HIS REBOUND!! EVERY TEAM NEEDS A JON BROCKMAN ON THEIR ROSTER TO DO THE DIRTY WORK AND OUT HUSTLE THE OTHER TEAM! HE HAS A MOTOR THAT JUST DOESN'T QUIT. He doesn't seem to get tired! I love Brockman just because no matter what they say he can not do, he goes out and proves them wrong time and time again! What's not to like about this kid! Another FANTASTIC DRAFT PICK by PETRIE!! How does Petrie DO IT??
Everyone Petrie drafted this draft is not only playing but excelling! Most teams hope their draft picks can be helpful 2 or 3 years down the road. Petrie has a knack for getting players that develop fast and are real studs! Other than Hawes, who is still only 20 and still needs time to develop, Petrie has selected draft picks that are all WINNERS! PETRIE is hands down an AWESOME GM !! AN Extension was well overdue and well deserved. Whatever they are paying this guy then need to make sure he is paid well and kept happy because he is just the best GM in the league bar NONE!
Now the Kings need to finish strong against a good 76ers team that has been playing some great basketball as of late, I want to see Igudala against 'Reke, because that would be an epic battle. It probably will only happen at the end of the game when the Kings need stops on Iggy. The rest of the Philly team does not scare me. I am hopeful the Kings can go 2-2 and really cap off this successful home stand! The Sky is the limit for this young Kings team. CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE what this team is going to look like with Martin and Evans at the 1 and 2, Garcia at the 3, JT at the 4 and Hawes at the 5 ?? That is an AN AWESOME STARTING UNIT! The we have Beno, Sergio, Casspi, Green, and Brockman coming off the BENCH! That bench squad could START!! And Don't forget Udoka, Nocioni, and a resurgent Kenny Thomas!!! Petrie has build a team that can compete and go Big or Small as the game dictates! I LOVE this team! Petrie is a GENIUS!! GO KINGS!! EVANS for R.O.Y !! Lets shoot for that 8th spot and see what kind of damage they can do in the playoffs! I know it is early to be talking playoffs, but this team has shown they can compete against ANYONE! GO KINGS !!! EVANS FOR R.O.Y & MVP!! THE SKY IS THE LIMIT !!!
PETRIE IS A GENIUS !!
The Kings were selective in their fast break opportunities, often pulling back when the Nuggets were able to recover and set their defense before the Kings bigs crossed the mid court line. Beno made a lot of good decisions, and he didnt try to force the issue with shot blockers hanging around the rim. I like the drop off passes that Beno was dropping as the Nuggets tried to seal off Beno from getting to his favorite spot at the top of the key. All in all a great game by Beno and by Greene who gave us a little bit of everything and we needed his versatility every minute he was playing (which was not enough minutes). HOW ABOUT GREENE'S DEFENSE AGAINST MELLO IN THE FINAL 2 MINUTES OF THE GAME! AWEOPME !!
I think Casspi had a smaller player on him for most of the game but there were too few post up opportunities for Casspi. The ones he did have, he had good success with. Casspi is very quickly becoming a match up nightmare for opposing teams. He is too big for 2 Guards who can't guard him because of his size and teams are reluctant send a SF out so far from the rim to guard Casspi because of his quickness. Casspi is begining to look like a smaller Hedo with a better shot and ball handling skills. He made all kinds of shots from one handed finger rolls to bank shots to midrange jumpers, to you name it. I thought Casspi gave the Nuggets fits. Good game by Casspi. He is on the list for R.O.Y as well!!
Hawes was getting abused as usual under the basket, but Westphal sent double teams that were coming fast enough to make the Nugs rotate the ball around the perimeter, only to end up in the hands of a perimeter player who either wouldn't or couldn't shoot the three ball from the short corner. Our half court defense was very good and the more Mello kept trying to force the issue, the more frustrated he became. Hawes played hard. But as usual he was outplayed by Nene and he just couldn't keep Nene out of the paint for put backs or easy layups. We need a player like Brockman who is about 5 inches taller to play post defense, get the put backs, and alter shots when the guards are able to escape the tenacious defense our guards are playing on the perimeter. Hawes's offense has consisted of put backs and the occasional mid range jumper. I can live with Hawes playing hard and giving effort on a nightly basis. If his 3 point jumper reappears, he will be able to unclog the lane for all the slashers we have to operate without the threat of a shot blocker. Spence! Work on that Jumper bro !! We need you to drag their center out of the KEY !!
If Jon Brockman was just 5 inches taller, he would be the rookie everyone would be talking about on the Kings. Brockman only knows one way to play. GO HARD all the TIME!! He goes after rebounds he has no chance to get, and he often gets a hand on the ball to tap it to a Kings player to extend the play. He is pure power and energy in a 6'7" frame. He doesn't look very athletic, but his hustle and determination make up for his lack of size by just outworking everyone else on the floor!!
Brockman has become a fan favorite for this reason. He is a blue collar worker who brings his lunch pail to work! I dont believe I have ever seen Brockman GIVE UP on a rebound! I believe that HE BELIEVES that all the rebounds are really his! His technique is great. He sees the ball go up, and he immediately starts fighting to get to the spot he thinks the ball will come down. He has some Rodman like skills, except unlike "The Worm" who would squirm his way to the spot the rebound would come down, Brockman bull dozes his way to the spot where he thinks the rebound will be and then completly outworks everyone around him to get HIS REBOUND!! EVERY TEAM NEEDS A JON BROCKMAN ON THEIR ROSTER TO DO THE DIRTY WORK AND OUT HUSTLE THE OTHER TEAM! HE HAS A MOTOR THAT JUST DOESN'T QUIT. He doesn't seem to get tired! I love Brockman just because no matter what they say he can not do, he goes out and proves them wrong time and time again! What's not to like about this kid! Another FANTASTIC DRAFT PICK by PETRIE!! How does Petrie DO IT??
Everyone Petrie drafted this draft is not only playing but excelling! Most teams hope their draft picks can be helpful 2 or 3 years down the road. Petrie has a knack for getting players that develop fast and are real studs! Other than Hawes, who is still only 20 and still needs time to develop, Petrie has selected draft picks that are all WINNERS! PETRIE is hands down an AWESOME GM !! AN Extension was well overdue and well deserved. Whatever they are paying this guy then need to make sure he is paid well and kept happy because he is just the best GM in the league bar NONE!
Now the Kings need to finish strong against a good 76ers team that has been playing some great basketball as of late, I want to see Igudala against 'Reke, because that would be an epic battle. It probably will only happen at the end of the game when the Kings need stops on Iggy. The rest of the Philly team does not scare me. I am hopeful the Kings can go 2-2 and really cap off this successful home stand! The Sky is the limit for this young Kings team. CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE what this team is going to look like with Martin and Evans at the 1 and 2, Garcia at the 3, JT at the 4 and Hawes at the 5 ?? That is an AN AWESOME STARTING UNIT! The we have Beno, Sergio, Casspi, Green, and Brockman coming off the BENCH! That bench squad could START!! And Don't forget Udoka, Nocioni, and a resurgent Kenny Thomas!!! Petrie has build a team that can compete and go Big or Small as the game dictates! I LOVE this team! Petrie is a GENIUS!! GO KINGS!! EVANS for R.O.Y !! Lets shoot for that 8th spot and see what kind of damage they can do in the playoffs! I know it is early to be talking playoffs, but this team has shown they can compete against ANYONE! GO KINGS !!! EVANS FOR R.O.Y & MVP!! THE SKY IS THE LIMIT !!!
PETRIE IS A GENIUS !!
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