And yet...

[Cal-Kings]

And yet... just a handful of made shots...

I've been pondering about our team. I heard Napear say the other day that the only problem with this team is we're not making shots. Then Marty's column yesterday about the offense brought up some good points.

We've been complaining about the following:
1) No shot blockers!
2) No big men on defense!
3) Bad transition D!
4) Bibby just can't guard anybody!

I got to thinking about the team we had that went deep in the playoffs and dominated during the regular season.

1) No shot blockers. Once in a while we'd hear "BLOCK BY DIVAC!" but it was rare.
2) No big men on defense. I don't recall anyone raving about Vlade's and Chris's defense.
3) We never got back in transition.
4) Actually, Bibby was worse than then he is now.

So what would our record be now if only ONE thing changed? Shooting percentage.

But for a handful of missed Bibby or Miller shots, we'd be in first place.

Seriously.

(Ok, taking off rose-colored glasses now.)

 

[nebs]

The ball movement on those old teams created easy shots. Thus higher percentage.

 

[Cal-Kings]

The ball movement on those old teams created easy shots. Thus higher percentage.

Yes. Although we are missing wide-open shots from 10 feet away.

Instead of blowing up the team looking for shot blockers, maybe it just takes Bibby getting his shooting percentage back.

 

[CruzDude]

.... and how many layups have been missed? by KT, SAR, Cisco, etc?? A LOT!!! probably means pushing too hard. But shooting % more than anything. Agree with your premis especially the comment about "moving the ball then". Last game I saw quite a number of passes between Ron Ron and Bibby, both ways. But the team just doesn't move, they don't have any rhythm. Seems lately the guys off the bench do better and have some energy not seen in the starters most of the time.

 

[Smills91]

This is something I harped on extensively during the off-season on Realgm...GOOD OFFENSE oft-times results in BETTER defense. It diminishes fast break opportunities which allows the defesne to get set and puts pressure on the opposing team to run their half court set. I agree this is the MAIN reason the Kings are struggling. If we could shoot at 45% as a team, I think we'd be well above .500 at this time. Bibby, Brad and Ron-Ron are the main culprits and yet all three have had injuries that limit their effectiveness. I still wouldn't mind moving KT/Hart for Dalembert though.

 

[love_them_kings]

Yeah, but that team had an identity. I feel like one of the problems with the team we have today is lack of an identity, lack of chemistry. In the good ole' days, everyone knew their role and what was expected of them, and what they needed to do to make the team work. I just don't see that here yet. And, yet is the key word. While I'm not sold on the fact that we have a championship run team if we just shoot better (I think at least some minor tweaking is going to be required) I'm also not on the "let's blow up the whole team" bandwagon. I think we need some time to find out, as a team, who we are.

Adelman was incredible at using players to the best of their ability, and creating a team that knew their roles and played as a team. Let's see if Musselman can get it done. To be fair, it's not going to be as easy with this group because I don't think we have anyone with the passing skills that Vlade and Webb made look so easy. Getting the ball to the right player at the right time creates easy shots, and that gives you a higher shooting percentage.

Honestly, I'm not sure what this team needs. I don't think there's a quick and easy answer. We are a team going through a tough time, and that's a normal part of a cycle. So, although it's agonizing to watch the team struggle when we've been spoiled for so long, it's part of being a fan. I'm a big 49er fan, and we went from the golden years to being flat out painful to watch. Doesn't mean I'm not a fan, just means that game day isn't quite as cheerful in my house. It is what it is. I am confident the Kings will be a GREAT team again, we just aren't there right now.

 

[Ryle]

Webb....believe it or not was a shot blocker and I think he averaged about 1.4 blocks a game during our WCF run.....Miller/Thomas and Reef combined are averaging 1.25 this year.

Vlade and Webb....together equal the twin towers defensively compared to what we have now.

 

[love_them_kings]

Webb....believe it or not was a shot blocker and I think he averaged about 1.4 blocks a game during our WCF run.....Miller/Thomas and Reef combined are averaging 1.25 this year.

Vlade and Webb....together equal the twin towers defensively compared to what we have now.

Wow, you're right. Just looked up Webb's stats on shot blocking and his career average is 1.5. Obviously post-injury is much lower than pre-injury.

 

[Merdiesel]

This team now should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as Webber Era team...

That team had heart, this team doesn't.

 

[Cal-Kings]

This team now should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as Webber Era team...

That team had heart, this team doesn't.

So, except for heart, we should be winning?

I'm wondering if that's the conclusion to make.

Webber blocked shots early in his career, but he was often grounded in our best years with many ankle issues. He started in Sac with 2.0 blocks per game and ended with .9. A "shot blocker" in the league usually makes 2+ per game. Except for Webber's first year with us, we was under 2 per game.

So is what we need a 2+ per game shot blocker?

Or, do we just need to make shots?

And why are we not making shots? Heart? Confusion? New offense? Some lingering Bibby wrist problem?

My conclusion is, we don't need to blow up this team to find a shot blocker or even a big guy. Maybe Petrie is right. If the guys we have just make some stinkin' shots, we're so much better.

 

[Cal-Kings]

And, we basically need 3 of our starters to make shots. Bibby, Martin, and a combination of Artest and Miller.

On our best team, we only had 3 scorers. Bibby, Peja, Webber. Vlade and Christie never accounted for much scoring.

And we need 1-2 strong scorers off the bench. We had B-Jax and Hedo then.

Now we have Shareef and Salmons. Can they score like Bobby and Hedo?

 

[kennadog]

02-03 Kings were near or at the top of the league in defense. Can't even compare this team to them defensively.

 

[Oscar]

Quit living in the past comparing today's Kings to the "glory days" of the past. Can we get past that group and move on? They are never coming back, and the former teammates that are still playing won't be brought back either.

The scoreboard shows them now at 10-13, no more, no less. I love hearing "If we only shot better, we'd win more." That's like saying "If I only ate less, then I'd be skinnier." Major DUH!

 

[Ryle]

02-03 Kings were near or at the top of the league in defense. Can't even compare this team to them defensively.

Probably because we had Keon Clark????

 

[VF21]

This team now should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as Webber Era team...

That team had heart, this team doesn't.

You know, I'm getting real tired of that kind of comment. What this team doesn't have is a sense of self. It's not about their hearts; it's about them clearly not knowing what their role is and how they fit in with regards to each other.

With the musical chairs rotations Musselman has utilized so often, it's a wonder that any of them even know which uniforms to wear. There is little cohesiveness or identity.

In order to be a "team," you have to know what your role is within the group. You have to feel as though you belong and you have to be willing to trust your fellow team-mates.

We have no identity. Until they are able to find one, we are going to continue to struggle.

The old team KNEW themselves as a TEAM. They knew that if one of them went cold, there would be others to step up and fill the gap. This team doesn't have that. When the going gets tough, instead of relying on each other, they try to do it all themselves. Why? Because they haven't learned to trust the other guys on the team.

That kind of feeling has to come from the coach. And, for whatever reason, it's not coming from Musselman.

We can only hope that he'll find a way to pull the group of players together into a unit that can actually meet the definition of TEAM.

 

[Cal-Kings]

...The scoreboard shows them now at 10-13, no more, no less. I love hearing "If we only shot better, we'd win more." That's like saying "If I only ate less, then I'd be skinnier." Major DUH!

If that's so OBVIOUS, then why are there so many threads on wishes for trades for shot blockers and big men? If it's so OBVIOUS that getting back to normal shooting percentages is "Major DUH!" then why all those threads about hating this team?

 

[VF21]

If that's so OBVIOUS, then why are there so many threads on wishes for trades for shot blockers and big men? If it's so OBVIOUS that getting back to normal shooting percentages is "Major DUH!" then why all those threads about hating this team?

Hint: Look at other posts of this poster.

 

[Cal-Kings]

Hint: Look at other posts of this poster.

Ahhh... So he's "The Grouch". I see.

 

[Packt]

Webber and Divac both averaged about a block a game or more in our best years. Pollard also contributed a block or just under in his best years and Keon of course.

Size upfront also makes double teaming post guys more effective.

 

[Merdiesel]

You know, I'm getting real tired of that kind of comment.

And im getting real tired of saying it... its about time for the Kings to prove me wrong.

 

[VF21]

Fair enough, I suppose. I just don't see it as a lack of heart so much as a lack of identity.

Remember way back in school? One of the loudest cheers was always:

"We are the (TEAM NAME) and no one could be prouder. And if you don't believe us, we'll yell a little louder."

If you don't know who you are, it's pretty difficult to give your all.

 

[Cal-Kings]

Fair enough, I suppose. I just don't see it as a lack of heart so much as a lack of identity.

Remember way back in school? One of the loudest cheers was always:

"We are the (TEAM NAME) and no one could be prouder. And if you don't believe us, we'll yell a little louder."

If you don't know who you are, it's pretty difficult to give your all.

I think the effort has been there. And the desire. I don't see them coming out flat, just discombobulated and confused. And missing shots...

 

[Merdiesel]

Fair enough, I suppose. I just don't see it as a lack of heart so much as a lack of identity.

Remember way back in school? One of the loudest cheers was always:

"We are the (TEAM NAME) and no one could be prouder. And if you don't believe us, we'll yell a little louder."

If you don't know who you are, it's pretty difficult to give your all.

Good point...
Im really hoping Muss can get this worked out quick. He needs to find a possible strong point for this team and stick to it.

 

[NewMonkey]

Actually, Vlade was an average shotblocker for his size. He averaged over a block per game almost every year of his Kings career. The team's current leader is 6' 7" Ron Artest at .79 BPG.

 

[chelle]

You know, I'm getting real tired of that kind of comment. What this team doesn't have is a sense of self. It's not about their hearts; it's about them clearly not knowing what their role is and how they fit in with regards to each other.

With the musical chairs rotations Musselman has utilized so often, it's a wonder that any of them even know which uniforms to wear. There is little cohesiveness or identity.

In order to be a "team," you have to know what your role is within the group. You have to feel as though you belong and you have to be willing to trust your fellow team-mates.

We have no identity. Until they are able to find one, we are going to continue to struggle.

The old team KNEW themselves as a TEAM. They knew that if one of them went cold, there would be others to step up and fill the gap. This team doesn't have that. When the going gets tough, instead of relying on each other, they try to do it all themselves. Why? Because they haven't learned to trust the other guys on the team.

That kind of feeling has to come from the coach. And, for whatever reason, it's not coming from Musselman.

We can only hope that he'll find a way to pull the group of players together into a unit that can actually meet the definition of TEAM.

This is ABSOLUTELY the BEST post that I have read on this site all season. I wish that everyone (including the team) would really read this. It sums up the state of the team in a nutshell.