Amick: Kings find themselves at another turning point

[Double-K]

SACRAMENTO — Vivek Ranadive had seen enough.

Late Wednesday night, as Sacramento Kings fans stormed out of Sleep Train Arena after a 110-105 loss to the lowly Philadelphia 76ers, the owner who has spent recent years picking all the wrong rebuilding paths was in the parking lot faster than you can say "DeMarcus Cousinstrade." If his Kings history repeated itself on the roadways, there’s a good chance he got lost on his way home.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...anadive-another-turning-point-kings/78120948/

 

[KingMilz]

We have been doing 360s for the past 10 years

 

[206Fan]

I think it's time to move on from Cousins and look at another direction. Things are not working out right now, and I don't think we'll be able to work them out anytime soon.

 

[Iced Espresso]

I simply want/expect more than I'm seeing. I'm not sure what to do any more. I'm not sure it can be fixed. But I'm glad there is some rumbling as the current standard of the day is not acceptable.

 

[Glenn]

Cuz and Karl don't mix right. It also appears that Rudy does not mix well with Karl's system. These are our #1 and #2 players from last year who by all appearances, have very different personalities. If we are going to trade Cuz, we certainly should trade Rudy. Belinelli is a proven shooter who, until last night, had not lived up to his reputation. What took him so long if indeed he has turned the corner? Maybe he should be traded. Ben is not improving although last night I thought he was going to go on a mini-Casspi terror until he was abruptly pulled from the game. Trade Ben because the coach has no faith in him. Rondo is averaging 7 TOs a game over the last 5 games - I am pretty sure that is true. No matter how many assists a pg might accumulate and no matter the high BBIQ, Rondo is not playing well recently. Why? I don't know but he certainly is not contributing to any success. He could be better which is saying a lot but better by being more careful with his passes. Perhaps he doesn't care. Trade Rondo? Probably simply don't make a run at him when the season is over. In a post game interview a couple days ago, Karl was discussing turn overs and he abruptly got up and ended the interview. Karl is irritated by TOs but the number of TOs continues to be high.

Koufos? I like Koufos which seems to make me an outlier. Collison? <shrugs>

Casspi and Acy play all out and I have no complaints except I would like Acy to be taller. Wouldn't we all.

I have forgotten a few like Curry who plays balls to the wall defense which Karl claims to value but just ruminate about this as you determine who is at fault. We are in a tough situation and I have no easy answers.

 

[sdballer]

I think it's time to move on from Cousins and look at another direction. Things are not working out right now, and I don't think we'll be able to work them out anytime soon.

Or we could try building a system that plays to his strengths for the first time in his career

 

[206Fan]

Or we could try building a system that plays to his strengths for the first time in his career

This is going to take another full year to do. If we fail? Cousins leaves at the end of his contract. It's a really sticky situation imo.

The FO really screwed up with the hiring of George Karl. His scheme does not fit at all.

I think even if we got a respectable defensive-minded coach here, it'll take a few years because the guys will have to adjust all over again. It's a risk no matter what route we take.

 

[Sac.Kings]

I'm in the trade everyone bandwagon. Last night's loss made me sick to my stomach. I'm sick of everyone on the team except Casspi, WCS, and the end of the bench crew because they are the only ones that try hard. I think we should try and entice one of the teams with a young star and trade Cousins. It's just not happening with him, we have screwed it up with him so long that we don't know how to make it right. Therefore both the Kings and Cousins should start with clean slates.

 

[ArcoKings]

My prediction is that Karl will not be moved before the season ends.

The lack of defense and the idiotic TOs are killing the team's chances of winning. The same mistakes are happening every night. The players either don't want to make adjustments to improve or are incapable of making adjustments to improve.

 

[peacelate]

Good news is that WCS is expected back Monday, so hopefully his return helps with the defense and lack of rebounding.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Good news is that WCS is expected back Monday, so hopefully his return helps with the defense and lack of rebounding.

He would have to actually play serious minuets for his defense to matter.

 

[pshn80]

Just heard Napier interview Karl. Grant asked the right tough qustions. Karl did the best he cold n answering them. Grant's spiel after was pretty much right on. He said "play hard and lose" he can accept but the coach's saying there was a lack f effort on transitional defense and on rebounding was unacceptable to him. Very testing nervier and commentary. A little clearer what I and others offer on here. Meantime we have to hope that the good practice coach said we had today and another workout scheduled for tomorrow will get us better results in our next game.

 

[VF21]

Good news is that WCS is expected back Monday, so hopefully his return helps with the defense and lack of rebounding.

Only if Karl allows him to step onto the court...

 

[Glenn]

They aren't tough questions if all he asked was how the team played. I'd like him to ask if he thought his style of game was suitable for Cousins and Gay. I would ask him what he does in practice to improve the defense. Karl can complain but he is the coach and therefore very well might be a part of the problem. Does Karl understand that?

 

[The Hammer]

I will keep repeating this until a competent coach is hired and proves himself:

How's that Malone firing looking now?

 

[Glenn]

Only if Karl allows him to step onto the court...

He won't play WCS, Curry, or Acy and then complain about lack of defensive effort.

 

[VF21]

I will keep repeating this until a competent coach is hired and proves himself:

How's that Malone firing looking now?

The problem with that is you're literally preaching to the choir here. We all know firing Malone was about as smart as spitting into the wind. Asking that question doesn't make it look any better than it did to most of us at the time it happened.

 

[Glenn]

I will keep repeating this until a competent coach is hired and proves himself:

How's that Malone firing looking now?

Pig headed, eh?

 

[VF21]

He won't play WCS, Curry, or Acy and then complain about lack of defensive effort.

The only chance we have is if Rudy doesn't play. I read somewhere today that he's considered a game-time decision with an Achilles injury (which could go a long ways towards explaining why he hasn't looked quite right).

 

[Glenn]

The only chance we have is if Rudy doesn't play. I read somewhere today that he's considered a game-time decision with an Achilles injury (which could go a long ways towards explaining why he hasn't looked quite right).

All year??? I think a lot of guys play injured and reap the wrath of the fans for not putting out full energy. I've said it before but a lot of players are so good that even if they are playing at 75% energy, they are better than the alternative. This might be a good time to have Gay sit for a little bit. Casspi and Acy have looked good and could plug the hole.

 

[The Hammer]

The problem with that is you're literally preaching to the choir here. We all know firing Malone was about as smart as spitting into the wind. Asking that question doesn't make it look any better than it did to most of us at the time it happened.

I'm generally aware that most around here agree with me, and my question is more rhetorical than literal. So perhaps it's just simply therapy for me to come here and vent my continued, and uninterrupted, dissatisfaction with that decision.

However when we make the next coaching move, it better be made be VLADE, so I guess that is my point. Karl is the last vestige of Ranadive's meddling... and not coincidentally it is what is sinking this otherwise well built vessel.

 

[VF21]

All year??? I think a lot of guys play injured and reap the wrath of the fans for not putting out full energy. I've said it before but a lot of players are so good that even if they are playing at 75% energy, they are better than the alternative. This might be a good time to have Gay sit for a little bit. Casspi and Acy have looked good and could plug the hole.

My brother had an Achilles injury once and I know it bothered him for months. I guess I was just grasping at the possible straw.

 

[Kingster]

They aren't tough questions if all he asked was how the team played. I'd like him to ask if he thought his style of game was suitable for Cousins and Gay. I would ask him what he does in practice to improve the defense. Karl can complain but he is the coach and therefore very well might be a part of the problem. Does Karl understand that?

This team can play defense when they want to. They just don' want to most of the time.

 

[Glenn]

My brother had an Achilles injury once and I know it bothered him for months. I guess I was just grasping at the possible straw.

No injury heals as fast as a fan would like.

 

[Kingster]

Per Karl, this team is lacking in mental toughness. This should be breaking news for everybody.

 

[VF21]

Per Karl, this team is lacking in mental toughness. This should be breaking news for everybody.

Let's be fair. A head coach should inspire his players to be the best they can be. Thus far, I have yet to see anything of inspiration from George Karl.

 

[dude12]

Just heard Napier interview Karl. Grant asked the right tough qustions. Karl did the best he cold n answering them. Grant's spiel after was pretty much right on. He said "play hard and lose" he can accept but the coach's saying there was a lack f effort on transitional defense and on rebounding was unacceptable to him. Very testing nervier and commentary. A little clearer what I and others offer on here. Meantime we have to hope that the good practice coach said we had today and another workout scheduled for tomorrow will get us better results in our next game.

I would have followed up on his answer of rebounding by asking, when Cuz is hanging around the perimeter, not all the time but a lot, how does that help the rebounding?

Also, as I watch the game, our guys, as soon as the shot goes up, most are sprinting back for that transitional defense which is the cause for the poor rebounding. I see it over and over. I don't know.....I think George just doesn't understand why we can't play like we want. Yet, if he played are more defensive oriented guys, we would be better at the defensive end....and we play at the pace he wants or at least I thought we did since we are ranked 1st in pace, but that leads to turnovers.

I think the players are giving the effort mostly but in actuality, the frustration is stemming from an inability to perform what George wants on a high level....this roster just isn't built for it. It's not Cuz' thing. It's not suited to Rudy. Our two,best scoring options are just not performing to their abilities in this system and it has got to he frustrating to not only them as we can all see but also to their teammates who want them to do well and need them to do well.

I believe the players know this system is a tough fit and over the course of the season I think they have mostly given it a good effort but frustration has been building.

 

[dude12]

Let's be fair. A head coach should inspire his players to be the best they can be. Thus far, I have yet to see anything of inspiration from George Karl.

Agreed.....what would be inspiring is to let them run the half court system....if they want to own it, George should let them own it and try it their way. If they are wavering in their belief in the coach, I don't think they will respond to him calling them mentally weak. Happens a lot in pro sports whether that is right or wrong. Players just tune ou the coach and do not give an inspired effort...mainly because they don't give a ****.

Chip Kelly is the latest example.

 

[The Hammer]

Per Karl, this team is lacking in mental toughness. This should be breaking news for everybody.

Somehow they weren't when Malone was the coach.

Karl has become separated from the team. He talks in terms of "them" "the team", very different that Malone always using "we" and putting himself with, and behind them, while still managing to hold the team accountable. Holding a team accountable can be done without pointing a finger and making what feel like accusations, which really only serve to sever you from the team emotionally. I was very, very impressed at how Malone did this, and, I think it is an essential skill for an NBA coach. Pop does this too. You speak as a Sergeant, on the ground, in the fight, WITH your team. You don't speak as a General, removed from the action.

 

[SacKings384]

I honestly think our first step is to wrap-up Rondo with an extension and trade Collison. Collison won't accept limited minutes and the Rondo/Collison combo is TERRIBLE. They DO NOT WORK together! It's infuriating! Bledsoe and Knight don't work together. Clarkson and Russell don't work together. Bledsoe and Dragic didn't work together. Lawson and Miller didn't work together. It's just awful. It doesn't work. I don't understand why anyone would think it would work. Collison can't shoot for crap, and Rondo CERTAINLY can't shoot for crap. They're both worthless off the ball. Add Rudy Gay who is also worthless off the ball to Cousins and you leave ONE guy on the floor that can play without the ball in his hands (Cassipi or Marco). It's just absurd how anyone thinks this would work.

Let's put it this way. It creates ZERO mismatches offensively, and creates a TON of mismatches defensively. There's just no benefit. It hurts my brain just thinking about it. Oh, and while we ship off Collison lets get rid of Karl too. Happy New Year everyone.