anybody else excited for this upcoming season??!

[1kingzfan]

I am a STH, and I will be satisfied with PROGRESS.

That does not necessarily translate to a better W-L record than last year, but seeing the foundation for something really good in the future (that should get "topped off" with a nice FA in 2 years). I want to see more up-tempo offense (stop talking about it, Reggie, and DO it), more team play and a high assists total per game, better rebounding, and a better overall D than last year, even if just incrementally. The latter will be tough to do with Ron's leaving, but we have some athletic pieces we have added that might change things up more than we may imagine.

Like benchblob, I am not in favor of granting MAJOR minutes to youth merely for the sake of their youth. Those that show their mettle in training camp should be made a regular part of the rotation and a plan made to give them a set amount of pre-4th Q minutes for development. Bigger minutes need to be earned. In short, you commit to youth when they show that they are worthy of being committed to. Most definitely.

And finally, since it was raised in this thread, once you take the floor, this STH says that you play to win. You don't tweak the lineup to make the chances of failure a greater possibility. You don't overemphasize youth over vets in the lineup merely for the team you might have in 2 years (or might not). You design your game play strategy with BOTH long-term and short-term goals in mind, yes, but the short-term goals always predominate. It's not myopic.

Ask the GM.

Ask the coaches.

Ask the players.

Ask anyone truly emotionally invested that sits in the gym nightly...and pays for it.

Win now.

 

[bajaden]

I'm also excited about the season and tend to agree more with Bricky on the playing time issue. For anyone to believe that the team with its current roster can win 55 games, they have to be smoking something from Brads stash. Sorry Brad..

I just once again want to say that I hope everyone has patience. A team this young is going to make a lot of mistakes. There are going to be nights when Hawes can't make a shot, or Thompson is going to throw the ball away trying to be Magic. And when those things happen, I hope I don't see endless posts the next day calling for trading this person or that person because they stink.

Other than that, I think its going to be a fun season, with enough good highlights to satisfy our needs.

 

[AriesMar27]

i just want to see some nba basketball.....

 

[Telemachus]

Like benchblob, I am not in favor of granting MAJOR minutes to youth merely for the sake of their youth. Those that show their mettle in training camp should be made a regular part of the rotation and a plan made to give them a set amount of pre-4th Q minutes for development. Bigger minutes need to be earned. In short, you commit to youth when they show that they are worthy of being committed to. Most definitely.

I agree with this as well. I have never been of the opinion that you give minutes to a player just because they MIGHT be a big part of the future. Where I have always had a problem with coaches is when a player gets meaningful minutes for several games (and produces), only to drop out of the rotation for no reason the next few. I have seen this happen too many times over the years.

 

[Telemachus]

I just once again want to say that I hope everyone has patience. A team this young is going to make a lot of mistakes. There are going to be nights when Hawes can't make a shot, or Thompson is going to throw the ball away trying to be Magic. And when those things happen, I hope I don't see endless posts the next day calling for trading this person or that person because they stink.

I think a good example of this would be the Portland team last season. They had a stretch last season when they looked like world beaters, and many were giving them a chance of going deep into the playoffs. In the second half of season, their youth started to show. As a result of not really having veteran leadership, it seemed to snowball until they fell right out of the playoffs.

I'm not saying the Kings will be as good as Portland was early in year, but they will likely have stretches when they play as well as any team in the league. Then follow it up by being as bad as any team in the league.

 

[NewMonkey]

Season tickets are available for much less than $100 a game. And STH have already ordered their tickets for this season. The real test will be if the Kings get new STH or returnees. I personally think they will.

I'm not reupping my season tickets at this point, but I will pay to see the team this year, assuming everything goes well between now and August 14. I didn't go to any games last season, in spite of having season tickets for the previous eight years. The Kings teams over the last two years were the most boring thing in NBA basketball - mediocre vets not trying and/or being mediocre. The young guys give me hope and interest me as a fan.

 

[bajaden]

I think a good example of this would be the Portland team last season. They had a stretch last season when they looked like world beaters, and many were giving them a chance of going deep into the playoffs. In the second half of season, their youth started to show. As a result of not really having veteran leadership, it seemed to snowball until they fell right out of the playoffs.

I'm not saying the Kings will be as good as Portland was early in year, but they will likely have stretches when they play as well as any team in the league. Then follow it up by being as bad as any team in the league.

Well put. If things go as I think they will, it should be exciting at times, and discouraging at times. And its not as if they're all rookies. Cisco should be better this year. Martin is already a good player. Salmons along with Bobby, Moore, and Miller, if Miller doesn't get traded, should be able to bring stability to the young players.

The hardest part of this whole deal, is that I have to wait two more months before we start again.

 

[BritishColumbia]

I'm not reupping my season tickets at this point, but I will pay to see the team this year, assuming everything goes well between now and August 14. I didn't go to any games last season, in spite of having season tickets for the previous eight years. The Kings teams over the last two years were the most boring thing in NBA basketball - mediocre vets not trying and/or being mediocre. The young guys give me hope and interest me as a fan.

This is very encouraging news. I hope many local fans will attend games and enjoy watching young players.

 

[FakeInjury]

Brad miller is not a problem b/c his contract is big and expires pretty much in synch with our other soon to be FA. I agree that Joakim is young and slightly athletic....but he is not ready nor will he ever be ready to lead a team in the NBA...not like BRAD MILLER..Miller proved last year, when he wants, he can do just about anything on the court.

 

[Bricklayer]

Brad miller is not a problem b/c his contract is big and expires pretty much in synch with our other soon to be FA. I agree that Joakim is young and slightly athletic....but he is not ready nor will he ever be ready to lead a team in the NBA...not like BRAD MILLER..Miller proved last year, when he wants, he can do just about anything on the court.

Oh help. I am in pain.

 

[Entity]

Brad miller is not a problem b/c his contract is big and expires pretty much in synch with our other soon to be FA. I agree that Joakim is young and slightly athletic....but he is not ready nor will he ever be ready to lead a team in the NBA...not like BRAD MILLER..Miller proved last year, when he wants, he can do just about anything on the court.

Brads a decent player. But by him being here it hinders the growth of the young guys and therefore hinders the team from building as fast. We are rebuilding but its harder to build a house with old used lumber than it is to bring in some fresh lumber off the truck because in another year you will have to take out that old lumber and replace it with new. So why not build with new now instead of 1 or 2 years from now.

 

[CruzDude]

Brads a decent player. But by him being here it hinders the growth of the young guys and therefore hinders the team from building as fast. We are rebuilding but its harder to build a house with old used lumber than it is to bring in some fresh lumber off the truck because in another year you will have to take out that old lumber and replace it with new. So why not build with new now instead of 1 or 2 years from now.

Re-posting center piece of my opinion on this very subject from reply #29 in this thread:

If Brad goes then you will get to watch "young athletic team" play. Play yes. Win No. And learn from a 10 year vet? No. Not this year, and not much next year either. That would be hard, cold reality. But if that happens who are the Vets that are absolutely essential to any team to come together, grow and provide some of the necessary leadership?? Salmons and Mikki would be the only real vest left. Do you really want them to be the "core" leadership veterans?

I think Brad is absolutely essential this year for a number of reasons, biggest being to mentor Hawes and Thompson and Williams. Besides Brad makes nearly $12M and the Kings already have 15 players under contract NOT INCLUDING KT and SAR. Thats why I think Brad stays and is the mentor for the youngsters. No mentor and the "kids" can take 2 more years than necessary to be ready for NBA reality.

 

[CruzDude]

Just tonight I realized the Kings have 15 contracts on the roster now PLUS KT and SAR. Sean and Patrick are only partial guarantees. So if SAR retires and Ewing doesn't make it they are down to 15 contracts with $8M of KT on the "inactive" list for the year.

Next guess is the battle between Singletary and Brown for backup PG but since both are rookies, would think Kings only keep 1 and send the other to Reno for the D-League season. BJax can fill the backup PG role for 10-20 min/gm as can Cisco.

So the excitement now, and for the next 7-1/2 weeks, is who steps up for training camp, who retires and what is done with KT. I now doubt more than ever there is a place for him and his huge salary anywhere in the league.

This all means the Kings, going into training camp, should have 3 SF, 3 PG, 3 SG, 2 C and 3 PF for 14 including KT. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the Kings stand pat and let training camp sort out the final 13 + KT.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Just tonight I realized the Kings have 15 contracts on the roster now PLUS KT and SAR. Sean and Patrick are only partial guarantees. So if SAR retires and Ewing doesn't make it they are down to 15 contracts with $8M of KT on the "inactive" list for the year.

There is some (reasonable) speculation that both Singletary and Ewing Jr. will be included in the Artest trade for Luxury Tax purposes but we won't know for sure until the official deal is announced next week. That would put us at 15 total, with SAR and KT almost certainly riding the inactive list along with one other player.

 

[gunks]

Very excited.

All of a sudden we have on the team what we've all wanted for seasons now..Young bigs oozing potential.

I think midway through the season we're going to start seeing some major flashes of brilliance from either Hawes, JT, or both.

Greene is interesting...I dont expect much from him this season, but he could surprise me. And its going to be make or break time for Shelden and Douby, so we'll see what they bring.

And then there's Kevin. Is he maxed out? Or will he bring something new to the table in 08-09? With his work ethic it wouldnt surprise me if he adds a bit to his game, and I'm hoping that if he does it's in a stat other then ppg.

 

[Entity]

Just tonight I realized the Kings have 15 contracts on the roster now PLUS KT and SAR. Sean and Patrick are only partial guarantees. So if SAR retires and Ewing doesn't make it they are down to 15 contracts with $8M of KT on the "inactive" list for the year.

Next guess is the battle between Singletary and Brown for backup PG but since both are rookies, would think Kings only keep 1 and send the other to Reno for the D-League season. BJax can fill the backup PG role for 10-20 min/gm as can Cisco.

So the excitement now, and for the next 7-1/2 weeks, is who steps up for training camp, who retires and what is done with KT. I now doubt more than ever there is a place for him and his huge salary anywhere in the league.

This all means the Kings, going into training camp, should have 3 SF, 3 PG, 3 SG, 2 C and 3 PF for 14 including KT. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the Kings stand pat and let training camp sort out the final 13 + KT.

You have to remember that 2 of those contracts are going to Houston. Most think Singletary and Ewing.

 

[CruzDude]

You have to remember that 2 of those contracts are going to Houston. Most think Singletary and Ewing.

Right!! I forgot about that. Thanks. Now if only SAR would retire.........

 

[kennadog]

Oh help. I am in pain.

Quit hitting your hand with that bat.

 

[JerN820]

169-200....i forget...but there is an "early bird offer" for 180 if you got comcast..but not more than 210$ if they increased the asking price. and 100 bucks for the second half of the season...but trust me...get the first half....its much more entertaining.

Thanks! I will have to look into that. Not a bad price at all.

 

[NoBonus]

I am stoked about the upcoming season... Hawes, Thompson, Greene, Udrih, Garcia, Martin, Brown... talk about a youth movement. They will be initally considered a crummy team by everyone and I think they will surprise a lot of people. It's fun when you are the underdog for any kind of success... If SAR retires or another older player gets traded, it will be icing on the cake! This season may not provide a lot of wins, but it should be filled with hustle and fun basketball.

 

[1kingzfan]

I think Brad is absolutely essential this year for a number of reasons, biggest being to mentor Hawes and Thompson and Williams. Besides Brad makes nearly $12M and the Kings already have 15 players under contract NOT INCLUDING KT and SAR. Thats why I think Brad stays and is the mentor for the youngsters. No mentor and the "kids" can take 2 more years than necessary to be ready for NBA reality.

Since I will sitting in the gym and rooting again this season, I completely agree with this take. I have always opined that 7-foot Brad would be a better center on defense with a very athletic guy next to him, kind of a sum of the parts is greater than the individual pieces kinda thing. Now that the youth movement is truly ON, Brad becomes a more important piece. He will also help the re-emergence of a Kings passing game and overall team play on O. Not saying he is untradable by any means, but it would have to be a helluva upgrade for me to favor one. Another contract dump to get younger for the sake of youth is not what is called for here.

I do not want the team to go completely "kiddie corps" and sink to the depths of despair, waiting until the big FA splash in 2 years.

We are way young now...9 roster players with 4 years or less. A couple of these guys may disappear after this season, but we have two first round picks coming next season.

Thompson - R
Greene (soon) - R
Brown - R
Hawes - 1
Douby - 2
Williams - 2
Garcia - 3
Udrih - 4
Martin - 4

* Assuming that Singetary and Ewing either go to Houston or are cut.

So getting any younger now makes no sense to me. Douby and Williams are strong candidates to be replaced by next year's 1st round picks. So there is a good chance that our "youth profile" will be even younger next season. We have a great base to build upon, moving toward that time when we can grab that high-profile FA in a couple years.

 

[Kingster]

If Brad goes then you will get to watch "young athletic team" play. Play yes. Win No. Not this year, and not much more next year either. That would be hard, cold reality. But if that happens who are the Vets that are absolutely essential to any team to come together, grow and provide some of the necessary leadership?? Salmons and Mikki would be it. Do you really want them to be the "core" leadership veterans?

I think Brad is absolutely essential this year for a number of reasons, biggest being to mentor Hawes and Thompson and Williams. Besides Brad makes nearly $12M and Noah makes $2.2M So Kings would have to suck up another $10M in salaries from other players. You've got 14 contracts now and KT and SAR. The Bulls don't want them either. So Brad stays and is the bucket of glue for the youngsters.

Miller needs to go. He's old, proven to be inconsistent, not reliable, and certainly not mentor material for the younger players. Brad Miller, druggie, a mentor? He's going to be as valuable a mentor as a parent who takes drugs and then tells his kids not to...yeah right, dad...

 

[VF21]

Miller needs to go. He's old, proven to be inconsistent, not reliable, and certainly not mentor material for the younger players. Brad Miller, druggie, a mentor? He's going to be as valuable a mentor as a parent who takes drugs and then tells his kids not to...yeah right, dad...

Yeah, because we all know Brad Miller is the only guy who smokes weed.

 

[1kingzfan]

Yeah, because we all know Brad Miller is the only guy who smokes weed.

 

[Kingster]

Yeah, because we all know Brad Miller is the only guy who smokes weed.

Non sequiter

 

[Gary]

Weed has nothing to do with how well he can show Hawes and Thompson some of his moves. Unless of course his "moves" include lighting up a J.

 

[NME]

Weed has nothing to do with how well he can show Hawes and Thompson some of his moves.

Good, now all Brad has to do is learn a post move and he can start showing it to the kids.

 

[Bricklayer]

Weed has nothing to do with how well he can show Hawes and Thompson some of his moves. Unless of course his "moves" include lighting up a J.

He has no moves. He has nothing to teach other than how to complain to refs.

And he and Mikki together combining for 60+ minutes in a rebuilding year is just completely unacceptable. Pathetic would be the better word for it. Hi! We are rebuilding with 30+ yr olds!

 

[NewMonkey]

He has no moves. He has nothing to teach other than how to complain to refs.

And he and Mikki together combining for 60+ minutes in a rebuilding year is just completely unacceptable. Pathetic would be the better word for it. Hi! We are rebuilding with 30+ yr olds!

You and I both know that's exactly what's going to happen. Reggie has a reputation to build (as a "winner"). Coaches on bad, young teams get fired and replaced with "winners." Reggie has already proven that he'd rather eke out 5 more wins riding veterans than develop young guys for the future. I'm not saying it's right. I'm just saying that it is.

 

[Entity]

He has no moves. He has nothing to teach other than how to complain to refs.

And he and Mikki together combining for 60+ minutes in a rebuilding year is just completely unacceptable. Pathetic would be the better word for it. Hi! We are rebuilding with 30+ yr olds!

Ok Brick I am with you. But if we don't make a move maybe just maybe they are into the youth movement as much as we are and Mikki and Brad minutes may be reduced a little more this year. I know it would be much better if one were gone but, If they are still here I hope like hell their minutes are reduced to maybe 25-30 for Brad and 20-25 for Mikki. With Ron gone we that should free up some time at the 4/5 slot as Ron was taking about 10-15 min a game at the PF spot. So thats 10-15 minutes AT LEAST that HAS to go to JT or Sheldon and with Hawes with more experience and NOT coming off injury to begin the season and able to go through camp this year. Surely he get more than last year. The suspension helps alot. IF he shows he is capable in the first 5 games maybe that reduces Brad min or if Spencer is good enough maybe it raises some eyebrows and takes away any apprehension of trading brad (although there shouldn't be any in a rebuild).