http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/94757.html
Marty Mac's World: Kings' offense looks like a work in regress
By Martin McNeal - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 7:11 am PST Tuesday, December 19, 2006
It's so easy to criticize when things are not going well. So that's what we'll do because the Kings are in a tenuous state.
One thing that has not changed around Arco Arena, even with the coaching change, is the Kings' coach attempting to match up with the opposition.
Rick Adelman (whose name suddenly seems to be getting a little more favorable mention around these parts) most times tried to do it, and now it seems Eric Musselman likes to do it as well.
Me? I sure like it when a coach attempts to make the other team match up to what he is doing. Coaches always talk about concerning themselves with what their team is doing, not the other team's business.
It seems as if your best shot at defeating the Phoenix Suns is to attack them inside, not shoot three-pointers. But there was no Corliss Williamson on Saturday night. It would be one thing if the players on the court were rotating crisply and consistently.
And all due respect to the Suns, who have won 14 consecutive games and spread the floor as effectively as any team in the league. But if I see one more Steve Nash-Amare Stoudemire pick-and-roll on the left side of the key that goes unguarded, there will be a mess around here. If you can't stop the other guy, make the other guy work to stop you.
Of what we've seen so far with the Musselman-led Kings, maybe the most troubling thing is this very offensive offense. Either the players are not running what the coaching staff is setting up, or what the coaches are setting up is as confusing to them as it is to me.
What is the halfcourt offensive philosophy? From what I see, the Kings run isolation after isolation or attempt to post whichever player they believe to have a favorable matchup. Meanwhile, on the other side, a couple of guys are standing around watching. Those players often will not crash the offensive boards, nor will they hustle their butts back to the defensive end. Either one or the other has to be done, especially if there is going to be little or no movement during the possession.
During training camp, Musselman stressed player accountability. Now, he must make his players accountable or bench them and tell them why.
Clearly, the Kings are capable of playing with the league's best squads. Defeating those teams with consistency is something else.
It's important to realize your team's strengths and weaknesses. For years, the Kings have run pick-and-rolls involving Mike Bibby and Brad Miller to take advantage of their strengths. And granted, both have struggled hugely. But when all is said and done, "You have to do you."
And if these two players aren't scoring, they probably should be on the bench because their defensive liabilities become detrimental.
Garden brawl shows one thing
I've seen many a brawl, from Springfield Gardens High against Andrew Jackson High back in the day growing up in New York City to the Knicks-Nuggets fight a few days ago. What always becomes so evident is hoopers can't fight and don't wan't to fight. The evidence is how many players you see in the melees with their hands down. That's the ultimate no-no.
You also realize that there always will be fights during competition. It happens in every sport on every level. Certainly, we'd all like to keep them at a minimum, but eliminating them is impossible.
David Stern, the Dominating One, was right on the money with that 15-game suspension of Carmelo Anthony. Stealing Mardy Collins in the face after most of the madness was controlled was worth 10 games. Backing away from a dude restrained after you hit him was worth the other five games.
That would have been wrong in the park. And, unless Anthony lived across the street from the park, he'd never have made it home safely.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
Marty Mac's World: Kings' offense looks like a work in regress
By Martin McNeal - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 7:11 am PST Tuesday, December 19, 2006
It's so easy to criticize when things are not going well. So that's what we'll do because the Kings are in a tenuous state.
One thing that has not changed around Arco Arena, even with the coaching change, is the Kings' coach attempting to match up with the opposition.
Rick Adelman (whose name suddenly seems to be getting a little more favorable mention around these parts) most times tried to do it, and now it seems Eric Musselman likes to do it as well.
Me? I sure like it when a coach attempts to make the other team match up to what he is doing. Coaches always talk about concerning themselves with what their team is doing, not the other team's business.
It seems as if your best shot at defeating the Phoenix Suns is to attack them inside, not shoot three-pointers. But there was no Corliss Williamson on Saturday night. It would be one thing if the players on the court were rotating crisply and consistently.
And all due respect to the Suns, who have won 14 consecutive games and spread the floor as effectively as any team in the league. But if I see one more Steve Nash-Amare Stoudemire pick-and-roll on the left side of the key that goes unguarded, there will be a mess around here. If you can't stop the other guy, make the other guy work to stop you.
Of what we've seen so far with the Musselman-led Kings, maybe the most troubling thing is this very offensive offense. Either the players are not running what the coaching staff is setting up, or what the coaches are setting up is as confusing to them as it is to me.
What is the halfcourt offensive philosophy? From what I see, the Kings run isolation after isolation or attempt to post whichever player they believe to have a favorable matchup. Meanwhile, on the other side, a couple of guys are standing around watching. Those players often will not crash the offensive boards, nor will they hustle their butts back to the defensive end. Either one or the other has to be done, especially if there is going to be little or no movement during the possession.
During training camp, Musselman stressed player accountability. Now, he must make his players accountable or bench them and tell them why.
Clearly, the Kings are capable of playing with the league's best squads. Defeating those teams with consistency is something else.
It's important to realize your team's strengths and weaknesses. For years, the Kings have run pick-and-rolls involving Mike Bibby and Brad Miller to take advantage of their strengths. And granted, both have struggled hugely. But when all is said and done, "You have to do you."
And if these two players aren't scoring, they probably should be on the bench because their defensive liabilities become detrimental.
Garden brawl shows one thing
I've seen many a brawl, from Springfield Gardens High against Andrew Jackson High back in the day growing up in New York City to the Knicks-Nuggets fight a few days ago. What always becomes so evident is hoopers can't fight and don't wan't to fight. The evidence is how many players you see in the melees with their hands down. That's the ultimate no-no.
You also realize that there always will be fights during competition. It happens in every sport on every level. Certainly, we'd all like to keep them at a minimum, but eliminating them is impossible.
David Stern, the Dominating One, was right on the money with that 15-game suspension of Carmelo Anthony. Stealing Mardy Collins in the face after most of the madness was controlled was worth 10 games. Backing away from a dude restrained after you hit him was worth the other five games.
That would have been wrong in the park. And, unless Anthony lived across the street from the park, he'd never have made it home safely.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
