Keith Smart to make lineup changes

[RKDfan]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but according to a tweet from Grant Napear, Keith Smart will be making some lineup changes.

@GrantNapearShow Grant Napear
"Keith Smart said he'll be making line up changes. He said cant wait any longer. Season is too short. The starters obviously aren't jelling"

 

[LWP777]

Yeah, this has been mentioned in some other threads too. It's about time though! Let's just pray that Salmons is the first one to go!

 

[funkykingston]

Please tell me that this means Salmons is going to the bench.

With the way this team is currently constructed (and assuming Evans, Thornton and Cousins are still starters) the SF and PF need to be unselfish players that keep the ball moving in the context of the offense. When Hayes returns he should help take care of that from the 4 spot. But at the 3? I have no idea but John Salmons is definitely not that guy.

 

[Shabazz916]

Start donte he fits better.

 

[Kingstime]

Hopefully this means Salmons and Hickson go to the bench with Greene/Cisco and Jt replacing them both respectively. You just can't have Cisco having a lights out night with all he brings to the table roleplayer wise and keep throwing Salmons out there. He was garbage when we first had him and he's about worse now and the sad thing is hearing other teams commentators on LP they always say 'he can do so much'. I ask what can he do?

Hickson I liked him in Cleveland and I still do but I definately think he would be better off the bench free to do him, I'd say the same for Thornton to but we have nobody on that bench that is NBA ready to start IMO at his spot. I think Smart needs to reward JT for all his hustle lately and start him, maybe he will suddenly 'Get it' knowing he has a contract to earn for next year.

I like Smart alot already although his rotations are off I feel he atleast gets that you gotta let these dudes play out there. This season isn't lost yet but if he can get the right players out there that wlll let our main guys get going more this season can turnaround a bit.

 

[Kingsguy881]

Donte and JT in the starting lineup.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Donte and JT in the starting lineup.

That would give us a long n tall front line and for the better

 

[Spike]

Donte and JT in the starting lineup.

This. If they jell, our future looks promising. We're already in the crapper, might as well see how a lineup of:

Evans
Thornton
Donte
JT
Cousins

shakes out. I think it could be our best one moving forward - potentially. That depends on how much time this unit gets together, as you have 3 scorers in Evans, Thornton, and Cousins, and 2 glue guys in Greene and Thompson. You also have a really long and athletic lineup. It's up to Donte to play up to potential, NOW.

 

[Bricklayer]

This. If they jell, our future looks promising. We're already in the crapper, might as well see how a lineup of:

Evans
Thornton
Donte
JT
Cousins

shakes out. I think it could be our best one moving forward - potentially. That depends on how much time this unit gets together, as you have 3 scorers in Evans, Thornton, and Cousins, and 2 glue guys in Greene and Thompson. You also have a really long and athletic lineup. It's up to Donte to play up to potential, NOW.

While I would like to see it, I have considerable concerns about Smart being infected with the deadly Nellie disease and looking at Donte as just a smallball stretch PF. Like most Nellieites anybody over guard size is a center. And especially with Hayes out, he's unlikey to leave Hickson as his only big body on the bench. If he is naming a new starting SF my money is on Cisco.

 

[Kingsguy881]

Whiel I would like to see it, I ahve considerable concerns about Smart being infected with the deadly Nellie disease and looking at Donte as just a smallball stretch PF. Like most Nellieites anybody over guard size is a center. And especially with Hayes out, he;s unliley to leave Hickson as his only big body on the bench. If he is naming a new starting SF my money is on Cisco.

Unfortunately you are probably right. However, this then means that Salmons is the backup SF, which would put Donte......where? Backup PF? And what about JT? He has been playing better than Hickson. Hickson should be backing up JT easily.

 

[mr. moustache]

Whiel I would like to see it, I ahve considerable concerns about Smart being infected with the deadly Nellie disease and looking at Donte as just a smallball stretch PF. Like most Nellieites anybody over guard size is a center. And especially with Hayes out, he;s unliley to leave Hickson as his only big body on the bench. If he is naming a new starting SF my money is on Cisco.

Call me simplistic, but I think we should play our players at their best position, especially when they're struggling. Salmons and Garcia are SG's. They can play SF, but that's not their position.

At this point, I'm on board with replacing JJ and Salmons with JT and Greene.

It's too bad Jimmer hasn't exceeded expectations at the PG spot. I have no problem with Evans at the 1, but I'd love if someone could take that responsibility from him for at least 15m a game.

 

[jcassio]

I'd start the change by moving Isaiah to starting PG, Evans to SG, and Thornton to 6th man. This is a bit premature in Thomas' development, and if he has two bad games back-to-back, I might rethink the strategy. But as a rookie, he plays with more maturity than most. And with his willingness to pass and ability to breakdown the defense, I think this (and benching Salmons) would be the first nail in the dribble, dribble, dribble coffin.

Fredette plays behind Thornton for now. Sorry Jimmermania fans, but the kid is just struggling bigtime. Not giving up on him at all. Just giving him time to learn how to be effective in the NBA game.

Salmons plays behind... well, the ball boy. At least until he's hitting his shots again (Reno, pick up your phone!). In his place goes Donte Greene. Is Donte a better player than Cisco? No, but Cisco makes more of an impact coming off the bench. I would send Thornton into games together with Cisco so you at least have one guy who is willing to swing the ball.

Outlaw is a bad fit for this team. Nuff said.

Hickson is a capable backup PF. Too bad we don't have a better option for a starting PF while Chuck is recovering. Of course, we could start Thompson at PF, but then, predictably, he will get into foul touble. And we already have one foul-prone starter in Cousins.

 

[Larry89]

IT
Tyreke
Greene
Thompson
Cousins

Thorton would sub in for Tyreke
Cisco for Greene
and Jimmer for IT

I dont think there are enough shots on the floor when tyreke/thorton/cousins are on the court together and not enough ball handlers to create

 

[funkykingston]

This. If they jell, our future looks promising. We're already in the crapper, might as well see how a lineup of:

Evans
Thornton
Donte
JT
Cousins

shakes out. I think it could be our best one moving forward - potentially. That depends on how much time this unit gets together, as you have 3 scorers in Evans, Thornton, and Cousins, and 2 glue guys in Greene and Thompson. You also have a really long and athletic lineup. It's up to Donte to play up to potential, NOW.

Good points though I don't think it's even a matter of Donte playing up to his potential - it's just a matter of he (and Thompson) being willing to play a role and play it well. I know early on there was hope that JT and Greene would really blossom into players for the Kings. Both have skills and potential but they also have major flaws and haven't shown the kind of improvement season to season that would lead one to believe they are still waiting to blossom into players substantially better than what they are.

But that's perfectly fine. What they both HAVE shown is that they can defend and run the floor and that they don't need to have the ball in their hands to be effective. Those are valuable traits on a Kings team that gives up way to many points defensively and often looks like they are taking turns pounding the air out of the rock.

I'd love to see those two guys start with Smart making it clear that if they want to keep starting and/or playing big minutes they have to crash the boards and make an effort on defense, run in transition and space the floor and take (if not make) good open shots on offense. That's it.

There were a number of things that sank Westphal, but I think one of his biggest failings was clearly defining roles for his players and thus giving his team an identity.

I hope he starts Greene and Thompson and I hope he challenges them to be blue collar glue guys and I furthermore hope they embrace those roles. There is a TEAM concept that is missing from this Kings squad and having a couple role players in the starting lineup would go a long way in that direction.

 

[Posta Boy X]

Ummm....MEMO! umm.. It doesn't matter how much you jerk around the lineups on this team, the result will suck lollipops anyway.

This roster is total doo-doo. A collection of players that should never be on the same team.

 

[Bricklayer]

IT
Tyreke
Greene
Thompson
Cousins

Thorton would sub in for Tyreke
Cisco for Greene
and Jimmer for IT

I dont think there are enough shots on the floor when tyreke/thorton/cousins are on the court together and not enough ball handlers to create

There are always enough shots for 3 guys (see Miami), but the key is that you surround them for roleplayers who won't comepte for those shots, not extra gunners.

 

[funkykingston]

I've really liked what I've seen from Isaiah Thomas but I think he'll always be best suited as a change of pace guard off the bench.

At this point the team has nothing to lose by giving him a few starts to see what happens, but I can't imagine him as a long term solution at PG.

 

[Bricklayer]

I've really liked what I've seen from Isaiah Thomas but I think he'll always be best suited as a change of pace guard off the bench.

At this point the team has nothing to lose by giving him a few starts to see what happens, but I can't imagine him as a long term solution at PG.

And given that he's not, I see no point in further muddying the waters by starting him at all. We desperately need to settle into something long term here. Changing roles, inserting temprary stopgaps, juggling etc. only makes things worse.

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

PF-Hickson
SF-Cisco
C-Cousins
SG-Evans
PG-Thomas

6th-Thornton (fire at will like Jamal Crawford)
7th-Salmons
8th-JT
9th-Jimmer

Thornton doesn't set anyone up. His style is best suited for a 6th man that average 17+ pts a game.

I wish we still have Beno. Thomas is the best PG we got right now so we have to row with him. But Beno made a very poor offense look a lil better when he was here.

 

[mr. moustache]

And given that he's not, I see no point in further muddying the waters by starting him at all. We desperately need to settle into something long term here. Changing roles, inserting temprary stopgaps, juggling etc. only makes things worse.

Starting IT is bad idea. His ceiling is a 20mpg scoring speedster off the bench. Let's nurture that role instead of placing unrealistic expectations on his game.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

seriously doing a disservice to IT. your gonna have him match up w/ all the premier starting PGs in the league by starting. He's better suited off the bench with a barea role.

 

[Section 101]

Unfortunately you are probably right. However, this then means that Salmons is the backup SF, which would put Donte......where? Backup PF? And what about JT? He has been playing better than Hickson. Hickson should be backing up JT easily.

I like Donte as a 4 against other non power PF's. But look at it this way. We have Cuz and JT that can play center. JT can play PF and Hickson. That leave Donte and Outlaw as the remaining PF's. Do you want Donte or Outlaw?

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

I keep going back and fourth on this. On one hand, I want to go big. I want Donte to start. I want Marcus Thornton to be the smallest guy in our starting five.

But it just isn't going to happen. That isn't Westphal or Smarts style.

These are the three most likely scenarios in my opinion.

1) Evans-Thornton-Salmons-JT-Cousins. Yup, only lineup change is JT in at PF. I wouldn't be against keeping Salmons in the starting lineup for another week or so. For 1, he is notoriously terrible off the bench, and 2 ... he isn't this bad. He isn't a (.182) 3 point shooter. He does have selfish tendencies, but they stick out because he is playing so poorly. Lets not sit here and pretend Cousins/Evans/Thornton don't waste more possessions playing 1 on 1 basketball then Salmons. Its not even close. Hell, out of our current starting lineup, Salmons may play the LEAST amount of 1 on 1 ball. Think about that one for a while.

2) Jimmer-Thornton-Evans-JT-Cousins If your familiar with my posts, you know I'm not the biggest Jimmer fan. The fact that IT isn't playing over Jimmer right now makes little sense, however ... I think Jimmer makes a little bit more sense as a starter than Thomas right now. And I LOVE the Idea of Thomas as the bench leader. As underwhelming as Jimmer has been (and honestly, it is just his shooting that is really bothering me) like Salmons .. he is a better shooter than he is shooting right now. I think our biggest issue at the moment is our terrible shooting... from everywhere. Our percentages blow, and that is one of the reasons why our assist numbers are so low. We just aren't hitting our outside shots. The reason I start Jimmer is for his shooting .. something that just needs to turn around at some point. I'd feel pretty good about having Thornton and Jimmer at the 3 point line for Evans kick-outs and Cousins passes out of the double team ... much better options than Salmons from 3 at this point. This will obvious cause some defensive issues, and I've never liked Evans at the 3 .. but if Salmons is getting benched, and Smart see's Greene as a 4... This could work provided Jimmer starts shooting his 3's at a .400 clip.

3) Evans-Thornton-Garcia-JT-Cousins This is probly the most likely scenario .. which is just funny. The whole Garcia vs. Salmons debate is back. Salmons is better, but he isn't playing better. Like Jimmer, Garcia gives us an added 3pt threat Salmons clearly isn't giving us right now. Not to mention some VOCAL veteran leadership. I'll be honest though, there have been times this season where Cisco has looked old. Like, freakishly slow and weak... which he shouldn't be at this point in his career. I just wonder how much that stupid medicine ball injury set him back.

One thing is for sure though, Jason Thompson better be starting tomorrow night. Hickson NEVER made sense as a starter with DMC. Whatever the outcome, Thomas and Hickson off the bench is a pretty good combo to put out there against the other teams reserves. And that is a must based on whatever Smart decides to do. Thomas needs to play.

 

[JB_kings]

I don't see Smart moving JT to the starting lineup. He has to back up Cousins. And we know that Cousins can get in foul trouble quickly. When Hayes comes back he will have more options.

 

[Section 101]

seriously doing a disservice to IT. your gonna have him match up w/ all the premier starting PGs in the league by starting. He's better suited off the bench with a barea role.

Unfortunately, the front office put us in a position where starting IT maybe the best solution. They have ignored the PG position since drafting Evans and forcing the PG on him from day one.

 

[Larry89]

Hickson is a energy/hustle player, everything elsehe is quite inept at (defense is atrocious, offense is a face up jumpshot or fadeaway)

 

[Kingster]

I've really liked what I've seen from Isaiah Thomas but I think he'll always be best suited as a change of pace guard off the bench.

At this point the team has nothing to lose by giving him a few starts to see what happens, but I can't imagine him as a long term solution at PG.

I'm not even thinking "long term". Just give me IT for about 35 minutes a game. He can be a starter or a sub, but this team needs his ballhandling and versatility desperately. There's not one guard on this team that brings his offensive versatility.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

For the love of ball movement PLEASE start Isaiah Thomas!!!

 

[funkykingston]

I
1) Evans-Thornton-Salmons-JT-Cousins. Yup, only lineup change is JT in at PF. I wouldn't be against keeping Salmons in the starting lineup for another week or so. For 1, he is notoriously terrible off the bench, and 2 ... he isn't this bad. He isn't a (.182) 3 point shooter. He does have selfish tendencies, but they stick out because he is playing so poorly. Lets not sit here and pretend Cousins/Evans/Thornton don't waste more possessions playing 1 on 1 basketball then Salmons. Its not even close. Hell, out of our current starting lineup, Salmons may play the LEAST amount of 1 on 1 ball. Think about that one for a while.

I know what you're saying and you're right, but I'm still against Salmons as a starter. Even if he picks his game up to his normal level he's still got a dribbling, scoring mindset. Yes, Thorton, Evans and Cousins are looking to get theirs. But that's the core that this team is ostensibly built on and that trio leading the team is what Petrie is banking on. If that's the case then regardless of whether he's playing well or not, Salmons and his mindset are not the right approach as a complimentary player.

You know what rotation I'd really like to see?

PG Evans
SG Garcia (doing his best Doug Christie impression)
SF Greene
PF Thompson (Hayes when he returns)
C Cousins

With Thornton as the first guard off the bench and with the green light to light it up, Hickson coming in as the first big man, IT and Jimmer fighting for the remaining backcourt minutes, Outlaw and Salmons fighting to back up the SF.

That would give you three role players to compliment Tyreke and DeMarcus with passing, rebounding and defense (or at least defensive effort in Garcia's case) while still giving Thornton 30-35 minutes a night in the old Manu Ginobili role as a big scorer off the bench who stays on the floor in the 4th to close out games.

Whatever the lineup change may be, this much is certain - Smart can't just keep rolling the ball out there and hoping the selfish play and lackluster defense ends and the team starts winning. There needs to be defined roles and an actual offensive system in place for this young team to start showing some signs of life.

Because honestly, as a fan I'm about at the point of hoping Petrie is fired and the new GM blows things up to start fresh.

 

[bajaden]

The first change I would make is to replace Hickson with Thompson. JT is at the moment the most efficient offensive player we have shooting 56.9% from the floor overall. Versus Hickson whose shooting 36.8% overall, which is terrible for a perimiter player, much less a PF. JT's biggest flaw this season so far is his freethrow shooting, which in the past has been decent, so one has to think its an abberation. Both JT's and Hickson's rebounding numbers are at their highest when on the floor with Cousins.

Although some of you haven't bothered to notice, but JT's foul rate has gone down considerably. He's only averaging 1.7 fouls per game, and although he's playing less minutes, it still adds up to only 1 foul every 10.1 minutes, compared to his first year in the league where he averaged 1 foul every 7.3 minutes. Hickson has been a decent rebounder this season, but his rebounding numbers are best when on the floor with either Cousins or Thompson. When neither of them are on the floor, his numbers drop considerably. Reason? Both Cousins and Thompson are fundamentally sound, block out your man rebounders. Hickson benefits from them doing a lot of the dirty work.

No easy answer at the SF position. My first choice is Cisco. Defensively he'll always give you his best effort, and he doesn't demand the ball on offense. He is in fact, a poor man's version of what we need at the SF position.