Chad Ford: Kings #2 in West

[nbrans]

Chad Ford has the Kings at #2 in the West.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&id=2145701

Not sure what the rules are around these parts for posting Insider articles, so I'm just posing the Kings section:

Major additions: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Bonzi Wells, Jason Hart
Major subtractions: Cuttino Mobley, Bobby Jackson, Greg Ostertag The skinny: It looks like the window never closes completely in Sacramento. Just when it looked like time to write off the Kings for good, GM Geoff Petrie had a stellar summer and the Kings suddenly look very formidable again. Their starting five (Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, Brad Miller, Abdur-Rahim and Wells) is terrific. And for the first time in several years, they have a very solid bench, with Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner anchoring up front and Hart in the backcourt. If either second-year guard Kevin Martin or rookie Francisco Garcia step up, the Kings will have the ammunition to give the Spurs a run.



The whole top 15:

1. Spurs
2. Kings
3. Suns
4. Rockets
5. Nuggets
6. Warriors
7. Mavs
8. Sonics
9. Wolves
10. Clippers
11. Lakers
12. Jazz
13. Grizzlies
14. Blazers
15. Hornets

 

[NoBonus]

Wow! A really favorable Kings review! Is Chad Ford from Nor-Cal?

 

[mcwong]

omg
I just hope it's written by someone else

 

[piksi]

we are screwed

 

[KingKong]

We're officially doomed.....

But wait, doesn't Chad Ford usualy predict that the Kings are won't go too far. This might work in our favor. Thanks for the inside info nbrans.

 

[thedofd]

These predictions and a couple of dollars will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

Still, there's no reason the Kings can't be that good. They have to stay healthy, of course; Bonzi has to have his head on straight; and Martin, Garcia or both have to prove to be legitimate 15-minute-a-game guys at 2-3. But the starting lineup is potentially among the league's best, there's decent depth at a couple of spots, and there are a couple of guys (Peja and Bonzi) in the last years of their contracts who should be playing their butts off, so why not?

 

[Ryan]

Obviously, I like that the Kings are #2, but its way to early to be making any predictions. And is it just me, or should Houston be a little higher than that?

 

[Ryan]

These predictions and a couple of dollars will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

Still, there's no reason the Kings can't be that good. They have to stay healthy, of course; Bonzi has to have his head on straight; and Martin, Garcia or both have to prove to be legitimate 15-minute-a-game guys at 2-3. But the starting lineup is potentially among the league's best, there's decent depth at a couple of spots, and there are a couple of guys (Peja and Bonzi) in the last years of their contracts who should be playing their butts off, so why not?

My question is who's going to be the leader. We have a tremendous amount of talent, but no one to really follow. I think this is Adleman's true test as a coach. He's got a lot of solid players, a good bench but no real leader. If any team needs guidance from a coach, it's this Kings team.

...god I can't wait for this season to start

 

[nbrans]

My question is who's going to be the leader. We have a tremendous amount of talent, but no one to really follow. I think this is Adleman's true test as a coach. He's got a lot of solid players, a good bench but no real leader. If any team needs guidance from a coach, it's this Kings team.

Bibby. Mike Bibby.

 

[Ryan]

Bibby. Mike Bibby.

But he's not. No matter what he says, he's not the leader. I wish he would step up and take the Kings on his back, but the truth is he's not a real leader. I never see him talking to the players like Vlade ever did.

 

[nbrans]

But he's not. No matter what he says, he's not the leader. I wish he would step up and take the Kings on his back, but the truth is he's not a real leader. I never see him talking to the players like Vlade ever did.

Real leaders know when to defer to their elders, and as long as Webber was around it was Webber's team. Now it's Bibby's team. I don't think it's a sure thing that he'll be a leader, but I don't think you can really make a judgement that he's not a leader without giving him some time with the role.

And leading isn't about talking, being a leader is about leading by example. I'm not sure that Chris Webber knew the difference, and I hope Mike Bibby does.

 

[Ryan]

Real leaders know when to defer to their elders, and as long as Webber was around it was Webber's team. Now it's Bibby's team. I don't think it's a sure thing that he'll be a leader, but I don't think you can really make a judgement that he's not a leader without giving him some time with the role.

And leading isn't about talking, being a leader is about leading by example. I'm not sure that Chris Webber knew the difference, and I hope Mike Bibby does.

I agree with you about leaders can also lead by example, and Mike surly does when he hits his clutch shots during the regular season; however, I disagree that it was Webbers team. I know I speak for many when I say it was Vlade's team every year he was here. Being the leader doesn't mean your the best player on the team. David Robinson led the Spurs every year even though Duncan was a better player.

IMHO, your a born leader, its not something that one can pick up over time. Sure, players will leave giving others time to step up out of the shadow, but your either a leader or your not, and although Mike may be able to lead, I don't believe he has the leadership skills we need for this Kings team.

 

[Diabeticwonder]

Real leaders know when to defer to their elders, and as long as Webber was around it was Webber's team. Now it's Bibby's team. I don't think it's a sure thing that he'll be a leader, but I don't think you can really make a judgement that he's not a leader without giving him some time with the role.

You are right! Last year, Doug and Chris were undoubtedly the "leaders" of the team in the absence of Vlade and that's what was expected as the team went to training camp. Now, Mike goes into training camp as the leader and I think that we will all see a little different side of him this year. I think that there were so many changes to the team last year that it was hard from someone to step up in the middle of February and become the leader after the trades when there was so much other stuff to worry about. I think that during training camp Mike will become the leader of the team, especially with 2 new startes that will be looking to him for guidance to learn the ins and outs of the system.

 

[Ryan]

You are right! Last year, Doug and Chris were undoubtedly the "leaders" of the team in the absence of Vlade and that's what was expected as the team went to training camp.

But Webber never led last year! He said "this is now my team" but he never did anything. There were reports that he was even MORE quiet in the locker room than he was in previous years.

 

[nbrans]

I agree with you about leaders can also lead by example, and Mike surly does when he hits his clutch shots during the regular season; however, I disagree that it was Webbers team. I know I speak for many when I say it was Vlade's team every year he was here. Being the leader doesn't mean your the best player on the team. David Robinson led the Spurs every year even though Duncan was a better player.

IMHO, your a born leader, its not something that one can pick up over time. Sure, players will leave giving others time to step up out of the shadow, but your either a leader or your not, and although Mike may be able to lead, I don't believe he has the leadership skills we need for this Kings team.

I agree with you on your assessment on the nature of being a leader, and that it was Vlade's team and with DiabeticWonder that it became Webber and Doug's team, and now it falls to Bibby. It of course remains to be seen whether Bibby will step up, I tend to think he has the tools (willingness to take big shots, team-oriented play, competitive edge) but I'm going to reserve judgement until I see the Kings this year.

The single biggest thing Bibby could do as a leader of this Kings team is to show a serious commitment on defense.

 

[PFFFT!!]

*singing in the beat of the theme song for COPS*
Chad Ford, Chad Ford, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when he write about you...

Chad Ford, Chad Ford, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when he write about you...

Kings fans naw give you no break
Sacramentans naw give you no break
Even my dog fido naw give you no break
Not even you idren naw give you no break
Hehe

 

[Warhawk]

Everyone seems to forget it took Webb a while to step into that role even after he proclaimed the team to be "his". He was roundly criticized for not taking charge and didn't seem to really grow into the role until the last couple years.

Give Mike a chance to make the role his.

 

[FrenchCanadianKING]

How the hell can the Suns and Kings finish 2 & 3 when 1-3 are automatically reserved for the winners of all 3 divisions?

 

[KINGS16]

CF is probably talking about win-loss record french not division standings or seeds.

 

[Ryan]

*singing in the beat of the theme song for COPS*
Chad Ford, Chad Ford, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when he write about you...

Chad Ford, Chad Ford, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when he write about you...

Kings fans naw give you no break
Sacramentans naw give you no break
Even my dog fido naw give you no break
Not even you idren naw give you no break
Hehe

haha, I have it stuck in my head now. "Chad Ford, Chad Ford....."

 

[Warhawk]

See things like this:

Even as late as the playoffs last season, some in the Kings locker room were questioning their own heart and toughness. In terms of timing, it couldn't have been worse. In terms of statements, it couldn't have been more bottom line: they need to play with more focus and intensity to win a championship.

This remains a team without a true on-court leader. Everyone looks to Chris Webber, but he is the first to say he doesn't want that role.

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview2001/s/kings.html

 

[SCKingsfan]

I think this whole "one player who puts the team on his back" thing is over-rated. Some teams function on one great player or leader - I think of MJ, Isaiah Thomas, Magic Johnson. Some excellent teams, however, get by with just a core of hardworkers (or "leaders" if you will) - think of the current spurs and the pistons, for example. there needs to be cohesion and accountability in the lockerroom, but not some brooding player that says it's "his team".

 

[nbrans]

I think this whole "one player who puts the team on his back" thing is over-rated. Some teams function on one great player or leader - I think of MJ, Isaiah Thomas, Magic Johnson. Some excellent teams, however, get by with just a core of hardworkers (or "leaders" if you will) - think of the current spurs and the pistons, for example. there needs to be cohesion and accountability in the lockerroom, but not some brooding player that says it's "his team".

I agree with you, SC, that there are teams without one clear-cut leader that are very successful- the Pistons, the Lakers, the late-90s Knicks (sans Ewing), the Stockton/Malone Jazz, etc. But often what those leader-less teams have in common are a very strong-willed coach who ties everything together. Larry Brown, Phil Jackson, Stan Van Gundy, Jerry Sloan are all strong-arm coaches who don't put up with crap and expect players to play THEIR way.

I really like Rick Adelman as a coach, and I think he does a fantastic job of getting the most out of his players, as evidenced by the fact that just about every single player who plays under him has a career year. However, he's not the type of coach who is going to impose his will or hold a fractuous team together. He's willing to let players find their own way. The benefit of this is that players are unconstrained to play to their own strengths and many thrive in this system. The downside is that there is an accountability problem.

Therefore, while I agree with you that teams don't always need clear-cut floor leaders this Kings team would be best served by a vocal leader who will be the yin to Adelman's yang, the enforcer who will hold players accountable, call people out when they're not giving 100% and lead by example. With a lassez faire coach I don't think it works to have lassez faire players. Bibby is the logical choice, but someone has to step up if the Kings are going to contend.

 

[1kingzfan]

I think this whole "one player who puts the team on his back" thing is over-rated. Some teams function on one great player or leader - I think of MJ, Isaiah Thomas, Magic Johnson. Some excellent teams, however, get by with just a core of hardworkers (or "leaders" if you will) - think of the current spurs and the pistons, for example. there needs to be cohesion and accountability in the lockerroom, but not some brooding player that says it's "his team".

That pretty much sums up the Peja Stojakovic philosophy on the issue of needing to have A leader on the floor.

IMHO it can happen either way, but history suggests that the preponderance of successful NBA teams do indeed have that one or two guys that are the recognized team leaders. These leaders utilize their roles to stimulate and motivate their teammates to higher performance levels, and they use BOTH their charisma and performance to help drive their teams to greater glory.

I do NOT think that Mike has it within him to be a true floor leader, despite his PG position, since he falls more in the "silent leader" category. He has only one half of the true leader characteristics. But we'll see...

 

[CruzDude]

West rankings at this time are all "paper" based. Who looks good on paper. There were a lot more changes on the top 6 teams than most realized. The Spurs are the Spurs and as long as they have Duncan, they should be #1. How much we deserve the #2 will come out a bit as we near end of pre-season.

As for a leader, you are all right to a degree. We may make Bibby the leader of the team but is he really the leader type? will he lead the team like Vlade. No. No one will ever be up to that role. it was unique. Among the current bunch, Bibby is a leader by example. The only other "vets" are Peja and Brad. Neither are the leader types in the vein of Vlade or CWebb. Will be interesting to see if anyone starts to become a leader on the floor during pre-season. No idea from this end who it might be.

 

[Packt]

See things like this:

Even as late as the playoffs last season, some in the Kings locker room were questioning their own heart and toughness. In terms of timing, it couldn't have been worse. In terms of statements, it couldn't have been more bottom line: they need to play with more focus and intensity to win a championship.

This remains a team without a true on-court leader. Everyone looks to Chris Webber, but he is the first to say he doesn't want that role.

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview2001/s/kings.html

"... Vlade Divac is the most emotional King, but there's always a time when someone will have to pick him up because he gets down. Scot Pollard fits the criteria of having toughness and an attitude and being emotionally charged, but isn't one of the stars of the team. Bibby is known more for being unemotional than exhibiting leadership."

It was never Vlade's team, period. He was a positive influence and a big part of their success but that doesn't mean it was his team. Avery Johnson was a good presence for the Spurs, but it wasn't his team. Antonio Davis has been a great lockeroom presence for the young Bulls, but it's not his team. Being a great teammate, doesn't make it your team. From the moment this team was put together, it was Webber's team. For better or worse it was Webber's team.

Vlade has been given all the credit for this team working, but part of that should be shared with Webber. Because it was the two of them that anchored the team and the personality of the team was very much both theirs.

Public personas should never come into it because that has nothing to do with their relationship with their teammates.

 

[bibbinator]

Don't forget Miller

I don't know that this makes him the leader but Miller's presence on
the floor makes a big difference according to the statistical analysis at 82games.com.

I think people here are forgetting that because of the freak accident
last season and the other chaos. Don't judge Miller on last year's Frankenstein team. Miller is a great passer who knows the King's offense, he will play
a leadership role this year, if he doesn't become "the" leader.

 

[Kings113]

Aside from the leader stuff.. I think this is great to see more confidence and good feedback on how we'll be, and have done this off-season, from a major media place. I'm kinda surprised at it, especially from Ford.

I don't think Ford likes Houston's age and load of guards and that situation, and Swift I personally think will be fine, but is a question mark to some people. Which all is understandable. I still think they'll be quite a good team and improved from last year.

 

[VF21]

I am no more impressed with Ford's praise of our team than I have been with his criticisms...

Should things not go well right out of the gate, Chad Ford will be the first to crucify our team. And he'll find some nifty way to dance around these current comments.

 

[Packt]

Miller will be Miller. He's much more comfortable in the shadows than being up, out front. He's great in a supporting role. I see him playing an important part in keeping Bonzi straight.