Sacramento Kings... NBA Playoffs?

[King Baller]

See? SOMEBODY thinks we'll win 40:

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2012/07/biggest-improvement-nba-going-somewhere/

What this guy writes could happen and the Kings could win 40. That may not be enough to make the post season though.

He also is pretty funny, he is picking the Raptors to improve also. He describes one player this way "Jose “I Get 9 Dimes Per Game, Somebody Trade For Me” Calderon".

I watched Spain edge out a win over Great Britain last night and Calderon looked good. That Spanish team plays like they have been together for years because they have. Luol Deng also played great for GB, but ran out of gas and turned the ball over in the last seconds giving away GB's hope of winning.

Calderon and Iguodala were my off season wish list for the Kings. A PG who can really dish and the premier defensive SF in the league. Oh well, we got Brooks and JJ and thats not too bad

I did not vote. Lets see how the Kings shape up after training camp.

KB

 

[King Baller]

Forgive me, I never get tired of this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oSFYxDGKy8

KB

 

[LWP777]

2 Words: NO CHANCE

 

[Kingster]

It's put up or shut up time for Tyreke Evans. He either plays like an All-Star at the SG in his 4th year (like many of us thought he would), or he just doesn't. And if he doesn't, it's doubtful this team is going to the playoffs (barring a trade of him in which the Kings get good value in return). He needs the jumper on offense, and he needs the motor to be a consistent force on defense. We saw some of his defensive potential his rookie year, and then it went bye bye. We can all debate whether he will ever get that jumper, but there's no excuse for him not to be a defensive stopper in this league.

The bench is a lot stronger than last year. With the addition of Brooks (I'm assuming he does come off the bench for now, but if IT comes off the bench, it's the same deal - a big plus over last year) and Robinson, moving Thornton to the bench (it has to happen; either that or a trade with Evans or Thornton), and Salmons in the mix (he played well off the bench last year), this bench should have a lot of firepower. They probably won't defend much, but most benches aren't known for defensive prowess.

Cousins needs come into camp in outstanding cardio shape, get more involved on the defensive end of the floor, including being a main cog in talking on D, and have the poise of a veteran, not a rookie.

I have a sense that the West is even tougher than last year. It seems like the old teams never go away (like SA and LA) and the young teams like Mini and GS are getting better and better. This makes it tough for the Kings. Overall, I'd say the Kings have a 50-50 shot at getting to the playoffs, and that might be generous.

 

[Glenn]

Ahhh, but the old teams WILL go away. Just about the time we approach a peak. Now we have to make use of that. Unfortunately the Lakers will just buy another team.

 

[Kingster]

Teams unquestionably better than us

Lakers
Spurs
OKC
Memphis
Clips

Most likely better than us
Denver
Minnesota
Mavs
Portland

Toss ups
Warriors
Suns
Jazz

Shot to beat us out of the cellar
Rockets
Hornets

The only team I would put money on to be worse than us is the rockets as constructed. But Morey is proactive and actually works for a living. I don't see us better than 12/15. If we mesh well and everyone makes some improvement, I say 10th is what we can come away with when it's all said and done. Gimme the over under at 11. I'd take under.

I think you have top tier right. After that it's all a toss-up, with the exception of Houston and NO at the bottom. Regarding the Mavs, Nowitsky and Marion will be 34, Carter 35, and Brand an old 33. That's another team you can throw into the "almost over the hill" camp with SA and the Lakers. You just never know when they are over the hill until they actually are.

Houston and Portland definitely on down swing. GS, Mini, Utah (and hopefully Sacto) on upswing. Denver is treading water. Suns can't be better without Nash.

 

[rhythmless]

I think you have top tier right. After that it's all a toss-up, with the exception of Houston and NO at the bottom. Regarding the Mavs, Nowitsky and Marion will be 34, Carter 35, and Brand an old 33. That's another team you can throw into the "almost over the hill" camp with SA and the Lakers. You just never know when they are over the hill until they actually are.

Houston and Portland definitely on down swing. GS, Mini, Utah (and hopefully Sacto) on upswing. Denver is treading water. Suns can't be better without Nash.

Mavs are well coached, disciplined and feature a guy who can get you two points anywhere. We are not better than them.

SA is extremely well coached, minutes managed. They have a good amount of youth that play the right way. People need to stop counting out their 3, evev a one leg manu and one eye paker. We don't beat them. Lakers are contenders this coming year.

Te thread asked about next year standings. Im not commenting on the landscape of hegemony in the next half decade, only next year. Next year, there are a crapload of teams better than us, old or not.

 

[funkykingston]

Here's the interesting thing about it. IF (and obviously this is a huge if) the Kings young core really is good enough to build a contending team around at some point they will make a huge jump. It will not be an incremental 4 game improvement this year and 5 games next year but a major upswing that has national NBA media wondering "are these Kings for real?" and "where did this team come from?"

I don't know how likely that is to happen, but again if DMC and Tyreke (and perhaps Thornton) really are the guts of a winning team, it will be readily apparent to everyone when they make that next step. So yes, IF that were to happen next year this team could make the playoffs. They'd likely do it as a 7th or 8th seed and be that young wild card team that the 1st and 2nd seeds hope they don't draw in the first round.

Next year is a big year for the Kings. Because if they don't make a big leap forward it is time to retool this roster significantly around the one player that we KNOW is worth building around in Cousins.

 

[Kingster]

Here's the interesting thing about it. IF (and obviously this is a huge if) the Kings young core really is good enough to build a contending team around at some point they will make a huge jump. It will not be an incremental 4 game improvement this year and 5 games next year but a major upswing that has national NBA media wondering "are these Kings for real?" and "where did this team come from?"

I don't know how likely that is to happen, but again if DMC and Tyreke (and perhaps Thornton) really are the guts of a winning team, it will be readily apparent to everyone when they make that next step. So yes, IF that were to happen next year this team could make the playoffs. They'd likely do it as a 7th or 8th seed and be that young wild card team that the 1st and 2nd seeds hope they don't draw in the first round.

Next year is a big year for the Kings. Because if they don't make a big leap forward it is time to retool this roster significantly around the one player that we KNOW is worth building around in Cousins.

I totally agree on both counts. OKC made a huge jump with their younger players. It wasn't a few games here, a few there. The same could happen to the Kings this coming year. But the light bulbs have got to go on. I also agree that if they don't do it this coming year, there is going to be a big retooling around Cousins. This coming year is a watershed year. No doubt about it.

 

[DesertFox]

Talent-wise yes, this team has more than enough to make the playoffs. But as been said a million times, the talent is not compatible, and it's hard to see which players will be able to morph into ideal role players. Salmons has the ability to be a stopper/spot up shooter, and Thornton has flashed an all-around offensive game when he first got here, but after last year there no reason to believe that's what we'll get.

If the team can make a move to add some spot up shooting and defensive length, even at the expense of some downgrade in talent, I can see this team making a push for the 8th seed. But as it currently stands, 30-35 wins and out of it by the all-star break.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

not unless some crazy trade happens before the season. i think most non-playoff teams (min,NO,GSW,HOU) have done a LOT this offseason to improve their teams. kings have not

 

[Hadlowe]

not unless some crazy trade happens before the season. i think most non-playoff teams (min,NO,GSW,HOU) have done a LOT this offseason to improve their teams. kings have not

I don't think Houston belongs on that list. They dumped all of the consistent players they had in favor of unproven low lottery and non-lottery picks and overpaid second stringers from good teams. As much as I like Jeremy Lin, he's not a replacement for Lowry AND Dragic. I see them finishing at the bottom of the west and only missing second worst record to the Bobcats.

I think we beat Phoenix, Houston, and maybe the Hornets in the west this year. We might finish ahead of Golden State this year depending on their injury problems (more Bogut than Curry.) Maybe we beat Portland while they figure out how to put their pieces together. Guaranteed playoff teams in the west are Lakers, Clippers, OKC, Nuggets, Grizzlies. 6-8 will go to any combination of Jazz, Twolves, Mavs, Warriors, and maybe Portland. Unless something just clicks for the team/coaching staff, I don't see us making a splash in the west this year.

 

[Glenn]

Speaking of the Clippers, does anyone know How Griffin's knee surgery came out? I think he had it a couple weeks ago. It's ironic that he injures his knee the same day he signs a $95 mil contract. I think if I was a Clippers fan or owner I would be sweating.

 

[rhythmless]

Talent-wise yes, this team has more than enough to make the playoffs. But as been said a million times, the talent is not compatible, and it's hard to see which players will be able to morph into ideal role players. Salmons has the ability to be a stopper/spot up shooter, and Thornton has flashed an all-around offensive game when he first got here, but after last year there no reason to believe that's what we'll get.

If the team can make a move to add some spot up shooting and defensive length, even at the expense of some downgrade in talent, I can see this team making a push for the 8th seed. But as it currently stands, 30-35 wins and out of it by the all-star break.

Usually, talent isn't the issue on any team. Apart from the Bobcats last year, every crappy team can usually put forth a couple young guys who have lots of talent. We are where we are supposed to be when your top two talents are still in the "figuring it out" phase. DMC I expect to do a lot of damage this year. Tyreke, who knows. Even if DMC can turn into a reliable efficient go to guy, you still have a ragtag bunch of mediocre ball dominant scorers.

Portland has LA, who has established himself as an efficient big. Their pieces fit better than ours too. GS is an excellent team on paper. They fit well, they have some defense, length, bench production. I'm really excited for them if they can stay healthy (I'm more worried about Curry than Bogut). Hornets have a go to scorer who is well rounded, a defensive presence and another scorer in Rivers. Jazz have go to scorers, depth inside and good roleplayers around them. They won't win anything, but they will compete with smarts every night. That's established. We haven't established that.

We can't really go ahead and say "well, maybe well take the leap and get lucky," because every other team at the bottom can say that too. If we're up a little in the talent department, we sure as hell lose it in the front office.

At least one guy has to make the leap this year, with no other teams making a leap. And then we need at least one team to be ransacked by injuries.

 

[Hadlowe]

Usually, talent isn't the issue on any team. Apart from the Bobcats last year, every crappy team can usually put forth a couple young guys who have lots of talent. We are where we are supposed to be when your top two talents are still in the "figuring it out" phase. DMC I expect to do a lot of damage this year. Tyreke, who knows. Even if DMC can turn into a reliable efficient go to guy, you still have a ragtag bunch of mediocre ball dominant scorers.

Portland has LA, who has established himself as an efficient big. Their pieces fit better than ours too. GS is an excellent team on paper. They fit well, they have some defense, length, bench production. I'm really excited for them if they can stay healthy (I'm more worried about Curry than Bogut). Hornets have a go to scorer who is well rounded, a defensive presence and another scorer in Rivers. Jazz have go to scorers, depth inside and good roleplayers around them. They won't win anything, but they will compete with smarts every night. That's established. We haven't established that.

We can't really go ahead and say "well, maybe well take the leap and get lucky," because every other team at the bottom can say that too. If we're up a little in the talent department, we sure as hell lose it in the front office.

At least one guy has to make the leap this year, with no other teams making a leap. And then we need at least one team to be ransacked by injuries.

Regarding the bolded part: Warriors have more depth to back up Curry. I was really impressed with what I saw out of Jenkins in summer league. He is a solid backup point guard with a really good pull-up jumper. Between him and Jarret Jack at the point, having Curry miss a few games or even a medium stretch of games won't hurt too much.

Warriors are really thin up front, though. Festus Ezeli showed more than I expected in summer league, but we'll see how he does against NBA talent. Bogut is the defensive anchor for the team, and if he can't stay healthy, the team will become . . . well, the Warriors.

 

[Bricklayer]

not unless some crazy trade happens before the season. i think most non-playoff teams (min,NO,GSW,HOU) have done a LOT this offseason to improve their teams. kings have not

You think Houstosn and New Orleans have actually IMPROVED their teams??

One way we potentially move up the standings is just by having a quartet of West teams moving back so rapidly (PHX, POR, NOH, HOU)

 

[TheWileyVet]

Almost no chance. Unfortunately.

 

[rainmaker]

I don't think Houston belongs on that list. They dumped all of the consistent players they had in favor of unproven low lottery and non-lottery picks and overpaid second stringers from good teams. As much as I like Jeremy Lin, he's not a replacement for Lowry AND Dragic. I see them finishing at the bottom of the west and only missing second worst record to the Bobcats.

I think we beat Phoenix, Houston, and maybe the Hornets in the west this year. We might finish ahead of Golden State this year depending on their injury problems (more Bogut than Curry.) Maybe we beat Portland while they figure out how to put their pieces together. Guaranteed playoff teams in the west are Lakers, Clippers, OKC, Nuggets, Grizzlies. 6-8 will go to any combination of Jazz, Twolves, Mavs, Warriors, and maybe Portland. Unless something just clicks for the team/coaching staff, I don't see us making a splash in the west this year.

I was wondering for a minute why you only have five teams as guaranteed to make the playoffs, then I realize you completely left out the Spurs. They'll make it.

Also think you have the Mavs a little low. After adding Collison, Kaman and Brand, resigning West, and losing Kidd who I don't think helped them that much last year as he's far past his prime, while they're not contenders, I think they're better than last year without question.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

You think Houstosn and New Orleans have actually IMPROVED their teams??

maybe not houston but New Orleans yes for sure. are u kidding? have you seen anthony Davis play? they also resigned Eric gordon, signed Ryan Anderson and drafter austin rivers

 

[BonziFan]

maybe not houston but New Orleans yes for sure. are u kidding? have you seen anthony Davis play? they also resigned Eric gordon, signed Ryan Anderson and drafter austin rivers

Anthony Davis may be good, but he isn't making a major impact this year. They might be better, but not much better by any means.

 

[Telemachus]

It's too early to tell IMO. There are still moves to be made before the season starts. There are also a lot of questions to be answered by a lot of the teams in the West, not just the Kings. Obviously, it is easy to point out that they are a long shot to make the playoffs (even if they have enough talent). The question is how will it all work together (the same question many other teams will have after changing a lot of parts). I would rather look at this when we get closer to the start of the season.

 

[Bricklayer]

maybe not houston but New Orleans yes for sure. are u kidding? have you seen anthony Davis play? they also resigned Eric gordon, signed Ryan Anderson and drafter austin rivers

I've seen Anthony Davis play in college. As a 220lb big man.

And he and Eric Gordon can have fun trying to carry Ryan Anderson (without Dwight to draw the attention), Robin Lopez, Al Farouq Aminu, Grevis Vasques and the rest of the riffraf to 25 wins or so while Emeka Okafor, Chris Kaman, Jarret Jack, Marco Bellinelli, Carl Landry, Trevor Ariza, and almost every other rotation player on their team suits up elsewhere. They are starting compeltely over.

 

[KingsCitizen]

I would vote yes if somehow we can add one more solid rotation player that would surprise the league.

The Olympics would be something we should really keep a good eye on. I can't think of any more NBA-tested free agent right now that could turn our fortunes from sucking again.

 

[Hadlowe]

I was wondering for a minute why you only have five teams as guaranteed to make the playoffs, then I realize you completely left out the Spurs. They'll make it.

Also think you have the Mavs a little low. After adding Collison, Kaman and Brand, resigning West, and losing Kidd who I don't think helped them that much last year as he's far past his prime, while they're not contenders, I think they're better than last year without question.

Whoops, silly me regarding the spurs. That makes it so only the last two playoff spots are in play. The Mavs went downhill last year because they lost their defensive presence in the paint. Kaman doesn't help with that. Collison is a decent point guard, but not a world breaker and he doesn't have as consistent an outside shot as Kidd. I still think there's a chance that the Mavs finish in the lottery, depending on how well the other lower western teams gel.

 

[Npliam]

Jazz fans feel that we have gotten much better in the off season with the additions of Mo Williams, Marvin Williams and Randy Foye to address defense and outside shooting. We are also a young team and look for our young players to continue to show marked improvement. Derrick Favors, Alec Burkes and Gordon Hayward are all significant contributors that should be better than they were last year.

 

[Hadlowe]

Jazz fans feel that we have gotten much better in the off season with the additions of Mo Williams, Marvin Williams and Randy Foye to address defense and outside shooting. We are also a young team and look for our young players to continue to show marked improvement. Derrick Favors, Alec Burkes and Gordon Hayward are all significant contributors that should be better than they were last year.

I agree that the Jazz have made some good moves. To me, they look like a deep team without a bona fide star a la sixers/pacers. If they could use some of their depth to trade for a star player, I could see them shocking a few teams in the post-season.

 

[gunks]

This is Boogie's 3rd year, usually when the game starts slowing down for bigs. Cousins was a big sloppy monster last season, but as the year progressed he showed more and more flashes of settling down and just dominating. For all the talk about his efficiency, his fg% gradually improved the last 3 months of the season.

Reke is a wildcard. Dude is in crazy shape, and has been working on his game. But how much does he improve? Do we use him correctly? Prediction: he blows up and beasts as our starting SG, haters say he's only playing at a high level because its a contract year, in the next offseason he jumps ship and signs elsewhere.... I'm pretty sure that being a star of a big market team is part of the "Blueprint". All I know is that Reke is healthy, and if we use him correctly he is going to do some damage. He was on a rampage to finish the out the season last year after we put him at the 2.

MT needs, NEEDS, to go to the bench. Last season our starting 5 had crap chemistry, and our bench had no punch. Easy solution is Thornton, our best scorer and biggest chemistry killer, goes to the bench. Why this didnt happen could be due to mediocre coaching, MT being a diva, or a combination of the two. If Smart can sell MT on the Manu/Harden role, our starters get more balanced, Reke can play a more natural position, and our bench gets extra nasty. MT would tear 2nd unit defenses up.

Brooks: GP finally got his man. Sure the little dude is redundant, but hey, we needed shooting. Bumps IT down to the role we had for Jimmer (or was GP actually on drugs during that draft and thought Jimmer would take Beno's starting PG role?), as bench PG. We all wanted more, but this signing improves our guard rotation.

Bench: Our bench (potentially) has way more punch. Last season....I dont even know who our bench weapons were. Cisco? Salmons? Greene?! Come on now, our bench was terrible. This coming season we could be rolling out a bench that includes IT, hopefully MT, and T-Rob. That is a potent and exciting bench right there, and can do some damage against other 2nd units.

SF: If we can get consistency at the 3 we're in much better shape than last season. Hopefully JJ works out. WE COULD HAVE HAD LEONARD LAST DRAFT **** THE JIMMER PICK @)#*@)#*&@)#......Sorry, had to get that out. If JJ doesnt work out, then GP needs to actually do his job for once and trade someone for a solid 3. Maybe Honeycutt weights more than 90lbs now and can play some minutes. Love the dudes skill set.

Front court: JT will be slightly better next season, which is all we need from him. Dude is a crazy worker, probably our most positive team/locker room guy (next to Cisco), and I'm psyched we resigned him. T-Rob has replaced Whiteside and that is a huge upgrade. Hayes was decent before he got hurt, I remember he really frustrated Pau in that early Lakers game, if he can play at that level, the signing wont look horrible (just bad). Clifford Ray is probably the best coach we've had here since Rick, most of our team's potential is in our bigs, I think Ray can unlock it.

Coach Smart: I think the dude is a good teacher, but makes suspect game time decisions as a HC. On the other hand, our roster was a friggin mess last season, and he the lockout didnt help. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Our roster is a bit more balanced, and he can actually run a pretty big starting 5 if he does the right thing and moves MT to the bench. We have a lot of shot hungry players on our roster, so his work is cut out for him, but if Smart can get these guys to buy into the team concept, we're gonna put up points (and we have to, our D will once again be turrible). I really think Smart went small last season out of necessity, but if he goes small again this season then we can start talking about firing the dude and getting McMillan/Sloan.

Our roster looks better on paper...

Brooks 6'0
Reke 6'5
JJ 6'9 (dude is a combo, but hopefully he is able to play a lot more time at the 3 than the 4)
JT 6'11
Cousins 6'11

Bench: IT, MT, T-Rob, plus a bunch of scrubby vets (sorry Cisco).

Petrie didnt make any huge moves this offseason, but he made some good ones. JJ is better than Greene (who was crap, sorry people. But in a season or two, when Greene is out of the league, we're going to remember him and his hype the same way we do Justin Williams), T-Rob is going to be way better than Whiteside, and Brooks/IT/Jimmer is a better rotation than IT/Jimmer. Baby steps!

I just think there is a lot to be optimistic about this upcoming season. Will we make the playoffs? Nope. But there is a very good chance we get 35ish wins and go from cellar dweller to a respected up and coming team.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Jazz fans feel that we have gotten much better in the off season with the additions of Mo Williams, Marvin Williams and Randy Foye to address defense and outside shooting. We are also a young team and look for our young players to continue to show marked improvement. Derrick Favors, Alec Burkes and Gordon Hayward are all significant contributors that should be better than they were last year.

good point. add the Jazz to the list of teams that will have a better record than the Kings

 

[HereWeBoogie]

If Smart can sell MT on the Manu/Harden role, our starters get more balanced, Reke can play a more natural position, and our bench gets extra nasty. MT would tear 2nd unit defenses up.

the problem with this is, the Manu/Harden role means you come off the bench BUT play more minutes than the starter and are on the floor in crunch time. thats not gonna happen if hes on the bench behind Tyreke. i think Thornton is too good of a player to not be a starter and not be on the floor with the game on the line. i get the feeling he will probably be traded . UNLESS Smart has some crazy plan of putting Tyreke at the 1 or 3

 

[bajaden]

the problem with this is, the Manu/Harden role means you come off the bench BUT play more minutes than the starter and are on the floor in crunch time. thats not gonna happen if hes on the bench behind Tyreke. i think Thornton is too good of a player to not be a starter and not be on the floor with the game on the line. i get the feeling he will probably be traded . UNLESS Smart has some crazy plan of putting Tyreke at the 1 or 3

I think you struck on it. Thronton will get some minutes at the SG postion while Tryeke plays some PG at times. If the other team goes small, He'll move Tryeke to the SF positon for a while. I don't think it will be for extended minutes, unless of course, the team gets on a roll. However, I don't think a trade is out of the question. Depends on the offer. The best time to make a trade is when you have a surplus at a position, and its quality surplus. If you could trade Thornton, and lets say Honeycutt, for a starting SF, then you could turn around and resign T. Williams as Tyreke's backup at SG.