Keith Smart to make lineup changes
- Thread starter RKDfan
- Start date
These are the arguments for/against that make sense to me in regards to lineup changes.
Start IT: Team needs a PG and someone who can run the break
Don't start IT: Weakens the bench
Start JT: Cousins/JT makes for a far better defensive frontcourt to start the game compared to JJ. JT has also been pretty consistent and doesn't demand shots. The problem with Hickson is his defensive letdowns and his poor boxing out reduces rebounds and stops.
Don't start JT: Weakens the bench
Start Donte: Won't demand shots, hitting his outside shot far better than Salmons, works better in a fast break environment. Improves rebounding and shotblocking. Balances the squad.
Don't start Donte: Salmons will get butthurt
To me, most of the arguments against these lineup changes are about weakening an already suspect bench. I would start off trying to make Donte/JT start and see if that helps enough defensively to overcome the still glaring hole at PG. Their willingness to play roles will help the ball movement issue some. I wouldn't start IT, not because of his size, but because I think he works best as a sparkplug. The issue there is that he's behind Jimmer in the rotation when he shouldn't be at this point.
Start IT: Team needs a PG and someone who can run the break
Don't start IT: Weakens the bench
Start JT: Cousins/JT makes for a far better defensive frontcourt to start the game compared to JJ. JT has also been pretty consistent and doesn't demand shots. The problem with Hickson is his defensive letdowns and his poor boxing out reduces rebounds and stops.
Don't start JT: Weakens the bench
Start Donte: Won't demand shots, hitting his outside shot far better than Salmons, works better in a fast break environment. Improves rebounding and shotblocking. Balances the squad.
Don't start Donte: Salmons will get butthurt
To me, most of the arguments against these lineup changes are about weakening an already suspect bench. I would start off trying to make Donte/JT start and see if that helps enough defensively to overcome the still glaring hole at PG. Their willingness to play roles will help the ball movement issue some. I wouldn't start IT, not because of his size, but because I think he works best as a sparkplug. The issue there is that he's behind Jimmer in the rotation when he shouldn't be at this point.
I'd argue that starting Donte wouldn't actually increase rebounding as he and Salmons have about equal numbers per minute. Donte SHOULD rebound better given his size but he doesn't. On the other hand I think Greene would defend opposing SF a bit better than Salmons has done thus far this season.
But the bigger point I wanted to make involves the part of your post quoted above. The argument against starting Thomas isn't that it would it weaken the bench. The argument is that you'd be starting a 5'9" rookie PG. Isaiah is strong for his size and has decent athleticism but he'd still have a difficult time with bigger and more experienced PGs in the NBA. Not to mention, that's a lot of responsibility to put on a late 2nd round pick who had no summer league or training camp and is learning on the job.
I'd hope Thomas can eventually play a somewhat JJ Barea like role for this team but asking him to run the team is a tall task.
But the bigger point I wanted to make involves the part of your post quoted above. The argument against starting Thomas isn't that it would it weaken the bench. The argument is that you'd be starting a 5'9" rookie PG. Isaiah is strong for his size and has decent athleticism but he'd still have a difficult time with bigger and more experienced PGs in the NBA. Not to mention, that's a lot of responsibility to put on a late 2nd round pick who had no summer league or training camp and is learning on the job.
I'd hope Thomas can eventually play a somewhat JJ Barea like role for this team but asking him to run the team is a tall task.
Have you ever noticed that lots of players that the Kings trade away do better somewhere else? This is a continuing theme with the likes of Gerald Wallace, Hawes, even Casspi, etc. Salmons was a productive player until he came back to the Kings. Smart has a lot of emotional baggage to overcome in the wake of Westphal's mishandling of some difficult personalities. I believe basketball is a very mental sport. It is emotional. How do we regain the emotion of that first game against the Lakers?
Here are a few thoughts about potential bench players becoming starters. JT is an underachiever but plays team b-ball. Somebody needs to light a fire under him and make him show more desire. DG needs to decide if he is a player or a cheerleader. He has unbelievable athletic ability and can probably guard 2-5 positions. His rebounding is weak even with a size advantage and is way too content to bomb away from 3 land. IT is playing great and will continue to get better, but needs to learn that there are plenty of players almost as quick as he is and bigger. Cisco is a fan favorite that can shoot the hell out of the ball, make steals, and blocks especially from behind. He is a little slow afoot and less athletic than other players on the team. Salmons is the biggest disappointment. He plays like he only is there for a pay check. He is one-dimensional offensively but used to do a lot more slashing and drive to the bucket. His rebounding is a disaster with average to crummy defense. Chuck Hayes is an emotional favorite, but how far can you get with a 6'6" player at the 5, when you are in a league full of 7 footers, and 6'11" players at the 4?
I am a big Thornton fan and like Tyreke okay but he has some repeating flaws that can be fixed with coaching. Jimmer will get better but is not there mentally yet. We have been weak at the 3 for many years. Sammy D had a stellar game in Houston and made me wish we still had his D and rebounding. His offense was sporadic but often came up big in the 4th quarter. We need a veteran big man who can play defense and rebound and benefit from the attention that DMC often commands. Interior passing in the NBA is making a comeback and some teams make the Kings look like an average college team.
I am a big Thornton fan and like Tyreke okay but he has some repeating flaws that can be fixed with coaching. Jimmer will get better but is not there mentally yet. We have been weak at the 3 for many years. Sammy D had a stellar game in Houston and made me wish we still had his D and rebounding. His offense was sporadic but often came up big in the 4th quarter. We need a veteran big man who can play defense and rebound and benefit from the attention that DMC often commands. Interior passing in the NBA is making a comeback and some teams make the Kings look like an average college team.
I wonder how well Sloan would have coached without 100% buy-in from the Jazz front office, though. Here, he would have to deal simultaneously with a gaggle of youngsters of varying temperaments, a few aging malcontents, and a dysfunctional and broke organization pulling the strings. Sloan is a hall-of-fame coach, but he is not a miracle-worker.
WTF?!?!
Could somebody cite a source for this?
Because if this is REMOTELY true, that Sloan has actually made a comment that remotely addresses wanting to coach the Kings, than this organization are FOOLS for not getting him here THIS WEEK.
Dump EVERY other coach, if they have to - does anyone actually think the Kings have any coaching cachet, or proven success in this league?
They are a laughing stock - they can't run plays, and whenever the defense ratchets up pressure in the slightest, the team on the court crumbles on a nightly basis.
This is not hyperbole - it's proven, historical, repeated fact.
To not go with all guns blazing to get a Hall of Fame coach (that may be willing to coach your cluster-**** of a team) is Galactic level of Stupidity.
Some KF's, I swear - do you guys think Sloan was able to coax playoff teams out of bench players and untested inexperienced youths because he had "buy-in from the Jazz office"?
As if the Jazz office somehow made those players run his system until it ground the other teams into submission in the 4th quarter through effort and sheer persistence?
His Jazz teams were the demons on the NBA - NOONE wanted to play them, because it hurt to play them.
Seriously, if it's a question of Sloan possibly wanting to coach this team (as if we'd be so absurdly-lucky), and retaining Smart and the rest of these under-performing coaches, some of you would actually choose to retain Smart?!
Could somebody cite a source for this?
Because if this is REMOTELY true, that Sloan has actually made a comment that remotely addresses wanting to coach the Kings, than this organization are FOOLS for not getting him here THIS WEEK.
Dump EVERY other coach, if they have to - does anyone actually think the Kings have any coaching cachet, or proven success in this league?
They are a laughing stock - they can't run plays, and whenever the defense ratchets up pressure in the slightest, the team on the court crumbles on a nightly basis.
This is not hyperbole - it's proven, historical, repeated fact.
To not go with all guns blazing to get a Hall of Fame coach (that may be willing to coach your cluster-**** of a team) is Galactic level of Stupidity.
Some KF's, I swear - do you guys think Sloan was able to coax playoff teams out of bench players and untested inexperienced youths because he had "buy-in from the Jazz office"?
As if the Jazz office somehow made those players run his system until it ground the other teams into submission in the 4th quarter through effort and sheer persistence?
His Jazz teams were the demons on the NBA - NOONE wanted to play them, because it hurt to play them.
Seriously, if it's a question of Sloan possibly wanting to coach this team (as if we'd be so absurdly-lucky), and retaining Smart and the rest of these under-performing coaches, some of you would actually choose to retain Smart?!
IT would be better coming off the bench as some of you has said. He can give us that spark when things arent working.
If Smart's still going with changing up the lineup, id like to see:
Jimmer/Reke/Cisco/Hickson/Cousins
With second unit of Thornton/Salmons/Donte/Outlaw/JT, and IT if our backcourts arent getting anything done.
Jimmer/ Cisco spread the floor for Reke. Reke and Cousins as our 1 -2 options. Jimmer provides some playmaking along with Reke. Cisco decent defender, spot up shooter, cutter, ball mover. Might make for a good starting unit who can play in the half court set.
If Starters need rest or we need a change of pace, Thornton and Salmons as the 1 and 2, Greene ball mover and defender at the 3, JT/JJ/Outlaw in the front. Thornton and Salmons are the main options, both gets their share of shots, Salmons guards his natural position, Greene JJ Outlaw JT with some size and athleticism.
IT plays if we really need a spark when this lineup doesnt work out.
Probably not gonna happen but it sounds like it might work.
If Smart's still going with changing up the lineup, id like to see:
Jimmer/Reke/Cisco/Hickson/Cousins
With second unit of Thornton/Salmons/Donte/Outlaw/JT, and IT if our backcourts arent getting anything done.
Jimmer/ Cisco spread the floor for Reke. Reke and Cousins as our 1 -2 options. Jimmer provides some playmaking along with Reke. Cisco decent defender, spot up shooter, cutter, ball mover. Might make for a good starting unit who can play in the half court set.
If Starters need rest or we need a change of pace, Thornton and Salmons as the 1 and 2, Greene ball mover and defender at the 3, JT/JJ/Outlaw in the front. Thornton and Salmons are the main options, both gets their share of shots, Salmons guards his natural position, Greene JJ Outlaw JT with some size and athleticism.
IT plays if we really need a spark when this lineup doesnt work out.
Probably not gonna happen but it sounds like it might work.
If Sloan wasn't 70 years old and this year wasn't so compressed I would agree with you. But the reality is this:
1) We have no guarantee how long he would be willing to coach this team. He suddenly quit the Jazz in the middle of the season after 23 years. He could do it to us also.
2) Since we have no practice time this year, it will be very difficult to implement an organized offense/defensive scheme anyway. Any impact he might have will not be seen until next season. Why not give Smart a chance and see what he can do.
3) The Cousins factor. Not sure how he would respond to Sloan's style.
1) We have no guarantee how long he would be willing to coach this team. He suddenly quit the Jazz in the middle of the season after 23 years. He could do it to us also.
2) Since we have no practice time this year, it will be very difficult to implement an organized offense/defensive scheme anyway. Any impact he might have will not be seen until next season. Why not give Smart a chance and see what he can do.
3) The Cousins factor. Not sure how he would respond to Sloan's style.
Stop the Jimmer madness. Everybody needs to just stop with it. Its annoying while the guy is playing so terrible. If Jimmer saw it he himself would probably be ashamed. If he starts playing NBA level basketball we can revisit it. Until that time suggestions we start bascialy the worst performer on a very bad basketball team are just annoying. Maybe one day. Certainly not now.
Here's Jimmer's numbers for the last two weeks:
21.4min 5.7pts (.293FG%) 1.8reb 1.9ast 0.8stl 0.0blk 1.4TO
Answer: start him! Come on now. I don't think you can do it to him because it would be too embarrassing, but I actually think he might benefit from a D-league stint to get his game and confidence back. Whatever you do, you have to simplify things as much as possible right now for him and let him come along at his own pace.
I dont suggest Jimmer starting because i think he'll put up great numbers. But solely from a fit perspective, i think he along with the others i mentioned would be a good fit. And that might make all the difference. As of now we have Thornton and Salmons in the starting lineup, who takes shots away from Cousins and Reke. Garcia and Jimmer are better spot up shooters than Thornton and Salmons, though Thornton can keep up with them as well. Worst thing about the lineup would be Jimmer being a defensive liability, but then so is Salmons at the 3. Throw in the benefits from the pieces fitting and a more balanced lineup, it might perform better than our starting 5 right now.
The most important aspect in all of that is that is also the record when RUNNING THE OFFENSE THROUGH DEMARCUS COUSINS AS A PASSER. Now, why in the heck aren't they doing that now? Makes no sense. And that team was far more competitive than the W/L record shows. The offensive efficiency soared during that time, the Kings have the worst offense in the league right now and all the stats show it.
That one has been a puzzle to me all season. When we traded Beno and iported Salmons, Jimmer, Hickson etc. I could have sworn that had to be the plan to make it work. run the offense through the big guy, have all the little guys runnign around tryign to get open for him. And then just NOTHING.
One thing that does worry me a bit is what if Cousins is part of the reason there. I distinctly remmeber Cousins basically have no assists at all in the ealry season, and then one game just before the blowup with Westphal suddenly int he first quarter he's playng the passing Cousins from last year. Then things blow up. Made me wonder had Westphal told him not to pass and he was rebelling? Or had Westphal WANTED him to be a passer, but Cousins had listened to all the stuff all offseason about how he was not being enough of a post beast, and he didn't want any part of the passer/finesse role?
One thing that does worry me a bit is what if Cousins is part of the reason there. I distinctly remmeber Cousins basically have no assists at all in the ealry season, and then one game just before the blowup with Westphal suddenly int he first quarter he's playng the passing Cousins from last year. Then things blow up. Made me wonder had Westphal told him not to pass and he was rebelling? Or had Westphal WANTED him to be a passer, but Cousins had listened to all the stuff all offseason about how he was not being enough of a post beast, and he didn't want any part of the passer/finesse role?