Article on IT

[bajaden]

Malone weighed in on this in the Bee and I not only agree with him but am glad our coach understands the importance of roles, and that you don't negate one positive in an attempt to improve a weakness elsewhere. Refreshing after the Smart era where this line of thinking was beyond him.

“I’ve thought about that at times during the season,” Malone said. “If you looked at just from the preseason alone, no disrespect to anybody, but Isaiah had played the best of anybody at the point guard position. But what I felt was best for the team at that time was to continue to bring him off the bench, allow Greivis to start and let (Thomas) to be that spark plug off the bench. And he’s shown that he can do that and do that at a high level.”

“I go back and forth sometimes but I still feel the best thing for us is to start Greivis, give him an opportunity and then bring Isaiah in,” Malone said. “And more times than not Isaiah is going to be on the floor when we close games, when we finish games. And there are times where he and Greivis will play together.”

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/05/5974849/malone-says-hes-considered-starting.html

Also suggests to me Malone wouldn't have much of an issue looking for a new starting PG next summer and bringing IT back as a 6th man, if the contract makes sense, which is a premise I'd also agree with.

I suspect that the Kings have plans for McCallum. I certainly wouldn't count him out. I know that many discount him to some degree because he went to a mid-level college. But lest we forget, he was a top 20 player coming out of highschool, and was recruited by UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Louisville to name a few. Just because he decided to play for his father at Detroit, doesn't mean his talent evaporated. He's probably the PG on the team with the best potential defensively. I do agree with both you, and Malone. I like being in good company...

 

[bajaden]

I'm still not sold even on the idea that IT is a "6th man". More a 7-9 type. Landry might be our true 6th man type. But whatever you call them, they can be dynamite bench players.


Huh? If you think Isaiah is a Paul pierce level player, I've got some snake oil I'd like to sell you. Or is spud paul pierce? I'm confused.

What I'm saying is his numbers are inflated cause he's on a bad team, like spud back in the day. That he's not that good. Like spud. IT stands out because of the mediocre around him. He wouldn't stand out on a talented team. Not like this. The numbers wouldn't be there. As Williams and mclemore get comfortable, the numbers won't even be here this season.

Pierce always stood out. Cousins is by and far the most talented king, if not big man in the entire game. Wins or not. Few would argue that. That IT is in the same boat is a stretch at best. If we had two all star level players, we would not be 4-12.

Man, what a completely absurd comparison. Paul f'n Pierce, first ballot hall of famer, nba champ, 10x all star vs the pizza guy. The difference in talent level is profound.

Cousins and pierce? Much closer. Although pierce is aiming really really high. Could he do it? Maybe.

I don't think even the most optimistic of us see IT making any all star teams, much less 10.

Paul pierce! Really!?

Come on Chubbs, you know that wasn't what Kingster was saying. He was merely using Pierce as an example, he wasn't equating the two talent wise. A few years ago after watching Marshan Brooks play in a few college games, I said that he reminded me at times of Kobe Bryant in his body language, and style of game. By no means was I equating him with Kobe. Kobe was just an example. We don't have to argue over everything do we?

 

[Chubbs]

Come on Chubbs, you know that wasn't what Kingster was saying. He was merely using Pierce as an example, he wasn't equating the two talent wise. A few years ago after watching Marshan Brooks play in a few college games, I said that he reminded me at times of Kobe Bryant in his body language, and style of game. By no means was I equating him with Kobe. Kobe was just an example. We don't have to argue over everything do we?

Ha. I was about to edit that note. I was a bit harsh. But I do think Kingster at least implied they were similar situations.

Yes, we do have to argue about everything dammit!

Let's beat the lakers! I think we agree on that.

Ok, guess I the quoted post won't go away. Didn't mean to tear you a new one Kingster.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

This land isn't strange enough, stranger.

Especially if your a stranger in a strange land!

 

[King in England]

I love IT as our 6th man the role hes in at the moment is perfect for him and the team as a whole in my opinion. I hope he is on our team as our 6th man for many years to come.

However the problem I have (apart from his defensive deficiencies) is that I find it hard to really enjoy his talents when Grant and Jerry just lust after him on the commentary. Every little thing in every game! It makes me feel like i dont need be positive about him because they've used up all the positivity hailing him as the messiah. It even sometimes to me feeling negative towards him. Is that crazy?

I hate to say this because I enjoy everything else about the Kings broadcast and enjoy our commentary over most others.

 

[Dime Dropper]

You're not the only one - Grant and Jerry's gushing over him is nauseating and way over the top.

I don't let it cloud my judgement of IT because it's not his fault, and I really like him as the sixth man. He's perfect for the role and clearly excels at it. But yeah, G+J live in cuckoo land when it comes to him.

 

[mac]

I love IT as our 6th man the role hes in at the moment is perfect for him and the team as a whole in my opinion. I hope he is on our team as our 6th man for many years to come.

However the problem I have (apart from his defensive deficiencies) is that I find it hard to really enjoy his talents when Grant and Jerry just lust after him on the commentary. Every little thing in every game! It makes me feel like i dont need be positive about him because they've used up all the positivity hailing him as the messiah. It even sometimes to me feeling negative towards him. Is that crazy?

I hate to say this because I enjoy everything else about the Kings broadcast and enjoy our commentary over most others.

Crazy? Probably. But guess what, I pretty much feel exactly the same way. I never used to despise the Kings broadcast! Sure, they've always been blatant homers but for the most part they were pretty enjoyable to listen to. But this season they've been so unbearable at times. If it's not heaping praise on the new FO/ owners it's heaping praise on IT. I mean yeesh whatever happened to any actual basketball commentary? They're just a broken record rotating topics every other game .. In the Lakers game what did it for me was when McLemore was draining 3s, and they went on and on about how well IT is playing. It's like ... they hype up every single thing a guy does, never ever discuss his flaws or weaknesses or even go as far as to say his weaknesses are his strengths, and then adopt some IT vs the world attitude always saying that fans who don't think he can play aren't bright etc etc. You'd think we were fighting for the #1 seed the way they talk about IT.

 

[Chubbs]

I think a lot of the backlash against IT is brought on by G and J. They make it sound like he should start the all star game then give him a pass when he struggles. It's nauseating and casual fans can't understand that he's not actually as great as G and J make him out to be.

 

[Entity]

He is however good at what he does for this team. Maybe best spark off the bench at this time. He is not however in the same category as Chris Paul which is what G and J want you to believe

 

[Glenn]

It seems like there are a whole bunch of us with the same reaction to G & T's gushing over IT. I may have the shooter misidentified but IT shoveled an easy pass to Ben who made a three and G&T praised IT for the pass. They are not fair and balanced. There is a part of me that thinks this is part of a campaign for him to be 6th MOY. This brings up bad memories of the self identified goal of 20/5/5 set for Tyreke. It was a phoney goal that in the end signified nothing. I wonder if they are being encouraged to hype IT.

I think I would prefer that they focused on what this team is trying to achieve in this year. The team is losing and the man power is poor but there can be positive goals. We aren't so stupid as to understand that and if G&T think we are stupid, educate us! They may think focusing on IT diverts our attention from the fact we have the third worst record in the NBA but it doesn't and it is a slap in the face to our intelligence. IT would not be what he is on a good team but only in the sense he wouldn't put up the numbers. He still has remarkable skills.

So does Cousins but as Wilt said, "no one roots for Goliath." I do.

 

[Entity]

It seems like there are a whole bunch of us with the same reaction to G & T's gushing over IT. I may have the shooter misidentified but IT shoveled an easy pass to Ben who made a three and G&T praised IT for the pass. They are not fair and balanced. There is a part of me that thinks this is part of a campaign for him to be 6th MOY. This brings up bad memories of the self identified goal of 20/5/5 set for Tyreke. It was a phoney goal that in the end signified nothing. I wonder if they are being encouraged to hype IT.

I think I would prefer that they focused on what this team is trying to achieve in this year. The team is losing and the man power is poor but there can be positive goals. We aren't so stupid as to understand that and if G&T think we are stupid, educate us! They may think focusing on IT diverts our attention from the fact we have the third worst record in the NBA but it doesn't and it is a slap in the face to our intelligence. IT would not be what he is on a good team but only in the sense he wouldn't put up the numbers. He still has remarkable skills.

So does Cousins but as Wilt said, "no one roots for Goliath." I do.

Actually Glenn, if you rooted for Goliath you wouldn't be on a kings forum lol

 

[Glenn]

Actually Glenn, if you rooted for Goliath you wouldn't be on a kings forum lol

Wilt meant the big guy was Goliath and I root for Cuz. I have rooted for Cuz since his college days. I said he was a potential Hall of Famer in his rookie year and got slapped down for being an ignorant homer.

This may grate some people the wrong way but I thoroughly believe it. Yes, I believe a new culture is being sought and it is a culture as defined by the entire FO and Malone who I think are on the same page. It will take a few more years to leave some of the old attitudes behind. I have complete faith that we are on the right track as to culture. I also have strong suspicions that this team was set up not only to install a new culture but also to lose. It is surprising that it is losing as much as it is but I don't think it is a total accident.

So far this year the most exciting games have been when IT pulls off heroics and the game is close. I think we have been lulled into complacency that this is what we can expect of IT and even perhaps that other players will eventually step up and we will get better and better. As to the latter, maybe it will happen but it's not happening quickly nor should we expect it. Ben and Williams are probably part of the future and they won't explode on the scene as they are young and have a lot to learn. We all know that.

As to the game:

The problem with our team is that we have two offensive forces. One is a legitimate star in Cousins. The other stepped into a situation set up for him and that is IT. He can do whatever he pleases and every point he scores brings us closer to the win. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on what the goal of the season is) no one but IT has the capacity to single handedly make a game close. Last night we saw the failure of depending on Cousins and IT for points. IT simply cannot be a hero night in and night out even if the announcers think so. Unfortunately, what happened last night is that IT didn't come through in the typical Mighty Mouse manner and was off so didn't give us the 4th quarter surge. We had nothing in the 4th quarter so we lost. We may have lost in a different way than usual but I can simplify it all by saying we lost because IT did not come through as usual. That is not a criticism of IT but simply is meant to point out that in a two man team, both men have to be functioning at their peak. It's not possible.

If IT had been anything like he normally is, the mini super hero, we would have won but unfortunately IT is human.

 

[Chubbs]

It seems like there are a whole bunch of us with the same reaction to G & T's gushing over IT. I may have the shooter misidentified but IT shoveled an easy pass to Ben who made a three and G&T praised IT for the pass. They are not fair and balanced. There is a part of me that thinks this is part of a campaign for him to be 6th MOY. This brings up bad memories of the self identified goal of 20/5/5 set for Tyreke. It was a phoney goal that in the end signified nothing. I wonder if they are being encouraged to hype IT.

I think I would prefer that they focused on what this team is trying to achieve in this year. The team is losing and the man power is poor but there can be positive goals. We aren't so stupid as to understand that and if G&T think we are stupid, educate us! They may think focusing on IT diverts our attention from the fact we have the third worst record in the NBA but it doesn't and it is a slap in the face to our intelligence. IT would not be what he is on a good team but only in the sense he wouldn't put up the numbers. He still has remarkable skills.

So does Cousins but as Wilt said, "no one roots for Goliath." I do.

IT plugging seems to be about selling tickets. Someone told them cousins doesn't sell tickets, but the pizza guy is popular. Sell him like he's a first rate star in this league. I have little doubt grant and Jerry's job is to sell tickets to home games, and propping up IT is part of that. A huge part of that. They must not think Cuz is a draw. Which is silly.

This fan base on here is quite intelligent. But there are those that seem to buy into some of the hype out there.

That tyreke thing was really silly. I remember them counting down how many points assists and rebounds he needed to clinch those numbers. Really bush league stuff.

 

[VF21]

...That tyreke thing was really silly. I remember them counting down how many points assists and rebounds he needed to clinch those numbers. Really bush league stuff.

Not really. It was typical glitz and glitter Las Vegas-hype stuff. Remember who our owners were? Remember the gold lamé uniforms?

 

[bajaden]

Yep, I know! Just trying to help it along, sitting here on the third planet from the sun.

 

[bajaden]

I love IT as our 6th man the role hes in at the moment is perfect for him and the team as a whole in my opinion. I hope he is on our team as our 6th man for many years to come.

However the problem I have (apart from his defensive deficiencies) is that I find it hard to really enjoy his talents when Grant and Jerry just lust after him on the commentary. Every little thing in every game! It makes me feel like i dont need be positive about him because they've used up all the positivity hailing him as the messiah. It even sometimes to me feeling negative towards him. Is that crazy?

I hate to say this because I enjoy everything else about the Kings broadcast and enjoy our commentary over most others.

No, its not crazy. I think when you get beat over the head with anything over and over again, you begin to hate the intent as much as the announcers. Which is a shame. IT is a hell of a basketball player. No, he's not perfect, but neither is anyone else on our team. Yes, I get upset with him when he puts on his blinders and ignores everyone else on the floor. But I get upset with Cousins as well, when he grabs a rebound, dribbles down the court and then barrels into a player for a charge. They're going to make mistakes, and were going to get upset. But like the players, we need to have a short memory, and move on.

If I never hear the terms, Hustling Husky, or Little Buckets again, I'll perfectly happy.

 

[bajaden]

Crazy? Probably. But guess what, I pretty much feel exactly the same way. I never used to despise the Kings broadcast! Sure, they've always been blatant homers but for the most part they were pretty enjoyable to listen to. But this season they've been so unbearable at times. If it's not heaping praise on the new FO/ owners it's heaping praise on IT. I mean yeesh whatever happened to any actual basketball commentary? They're just a broken record rotating topics every other game .. In the Lakers game what did it for me was when McLemore was draining 3s, and they went on and on about how well IT is playing. It's like ... they hype up every single thing a guy does, never ever discuss his flaws or weaknesses or even go as far as to say his weaknesses are his strengths, and then adopt some IT vs the world attitude always saying that fans who don't think he can play aren't bright etc etc. You'd think we were fighting for the #1 seed the way they talk about IT.

Putting the IT thing aside, I don't really think their blatant homers. No doubt they root for the Kings, and they should, their being paid by the Kings. But they are fair when it comes to fouls being called against us, and usually agree with the calls. There are announcers around the league that I almost turn off the sound their so bad. No one on their team ever commits a foul, and is fouled every time they take a shot. Jerry and Grant will give credit to players on the other team. Doesn't mean they don't annoy me at times though.

 

[King Baller]

No, its not crazy. I think when you get beat over the head with anything over and over again, you begin to hate the intent as much as the announcers. Which is a shame. IT is a hell of a basketball player. No, he's not perfect, but neither is anyone else on our team. Yes, I get upset with him when he puts on his blinders and ignores everyone else on the floor. But I get upset with Cousins as well, when he grabs a rebound, dribbles down the court and then barrels into a player for a charge. They're going to make mistakes, and were going to get upset. But like the players, we need to have a short memory, and move on.

If I never hear the terms, Hustling Husky, or Little Buckets again, I'll perfectly happy.

I like Grant and really like Jerry Reynolds as game announcers. That said some of Jerry's nicknames are better than others. One question though, Did Jerry dream up "Little Buckets" or was it Lebron James?

KB

 

[Glenn]

I like Grant and really like Jerry Reynolds as game announcers. That said some of Jerry's nicknames are better than others. One question though, Did Jerry dream up "Little Buckets" or was it Lebron James?

KB

LBJ and that was absolutely the only reference to it other than Jerry. It's ironic that Little Buckets and the Bayou Bomber seems to be having a lot of trouble supplying either buckets or bombs.

 

[King Baller]

NNNNOOoooo!!! Thornton is "Little Buckets"!!!

Excerpt from the article:

They did, especially Thornton, the guy LeBron James called “Little Buckets,” the guy whom Miami selected in the 2009 second round, only to trade away. Thornton connected on 8-of-12 from deep and scored 36 points, which on any other night, against any other duo, might have been enough to win.

Link: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/s...ck-miami-heat-outlast-sacramento-kings/nWbPX/

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Well, I'll say this: all you guys who've been trying to convince us that Thomas can play point guard with Cousins... you'd better be right...

 

[Glenn]

Well, I'll say this: all you guys who've been trying to convince us that Thomas can play point guard with Cousins... you'd better be right...

No poopoo.

 

[Chubbs]

I'm cringing but curious nonetheless.

No poopoo.

 

[Gary]

We have to. Clearly, this is of the utmost importance. What if spud wins? What if IT wins? What does it mean? Anything? Everything? Is this the key to the whole thing?! What's next? L-train vs Bayou Bomber? Tis vs cousins? Richmond vs Mclemore? Ppat vs Dennis Hopson? Ndiaye vs Ben Gillery? Les Jepsen vs Jimmer?

Jimmer can totally take Jepsen.

Edit: I'm almost sure jimmer can take Jepsen.

I kid, I kid.

Jimmer Fredette vs. Jim Les would be a good 1v1 game.

 

[Hadlowe]

Putting the IT thing aside, I don't really think their blatant homers. No doubt they root for the Kings, and they should, their being paid by the Kings. But they are fair when it comes to fouls being called against us, and usually agree with the calls. There are announcers around the league that I almost turn off the sound their so bad. No one on their team ever commits a foul, and is fouled every time they take a shot. Jerry and Grant will give credit to players on the other team. Doesn't mean they don't annoy me at times though.

Clippers, Blazers, Celtics. Who else?

I used to have a love/hate relationship with Hot Rod Hundley for the Jazz. He was such a shameless shill for the team, but he was entertaining to listen to and had a unique persona when calling a game.

 

[Chubbs]

Jimmer Fredette vs. Jim Les would be a good 1v1 game.

Yes, that's much better.