Could Isaiah be the leader that we've been looking for?
- Thread starter Spok22
- Start date
I agree. He does not need a nickname because he was named after the original De troit Piston. Spark, confidence, leadership, call it what you will, he has what this team needs to change their mental outlook. Look no further than the 65 points the Kings gave up in a half to one of the weakest in the NBA for the other answer TEAM DEFENSE.
If the defense improves, good things will happen.
If the defense improves, good things will happen.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
No, not remotely, not yet. Has to prove a lot more before he's going to get the big talents/egos to defer to him. Years worth of production, or great team success.
Leadership on all teams is only as good as the stars. Isiah is certainly a welcome chemistry addition, but he's still just a feel good story. Guys like Reke, Cousins, Thornton aren't going to listen to him, because he doesn't know anything for them to listen to yet. Not the same thing as having a Billups show up and flash his ring or something.
But the competiitve spirit at least can be infectuous. He may not be able to tell people what to do. But when one guy plays hard and dives ont eh floor that can often cause others to follow.
P.S. I think the leadership gulf has been exaggerated on this team anyway. There have been signs for a while that Reke and Cousins have been moving toward taking possession of the team, with maybe the biggest question being hwo they balnace it between them. What has been lacking is VETERAN leadership. Been there done that guys.
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UK_King
Starter
It's still too early to be throwing all these labels at the kid, I don't think it's fair to be building him up, or knocking him down at this point. And it appears there are people who want to do both.
he's a rookie, the 60th pick, and he's doing just great. I'm happy to leave it at that for at least a few more months.
he's a rookie, the 60th pick, and he's doing just great. I'm happy to leave it at that for at least a few more months.
mr. moustache
Bench
I think it's a stretch to say Evans has been showing *any* leadership skills, at least relative to his basketball skills. IT's personality in Evans body would be phenomenal, but that's not what we've got. Evans desire to be the team's leader reminds me of Kevin Martin's. They both wanted to be the leader of the team, but didn't/don't have the personality for it.
Seriously, listen to Smart's public comments on the leadership situation, RE: IT.
---
"The way he's playing, I think the team is starting to understand that he's running the show."
"I needed a director on the floor and he's been that.
"he's given me what I needed, a lead guy on the floor to kind of direct and put people in the right spots but also be a vocal guy."
---
The above quotes are pretty damning for Evans' immediate future as a leader on the team. I don't think those quotes were made for IT. I think it's his way of trying to "teach" our big 3 what this basketball team needs more of, but wrapping it in praise of the little rookie.
I totally agree that IT isn't the leader the team is looking for, but right now, he's literally the best they've got. For that, we can blame Petrie.
I would have made the Whiteside and IT picks had I been our GM. So far I'm 1 of 2.
Could Isaiah be the leader that we've been looking for?
Possibly, but he doesn't have to be. He is doing well and should be continued in this role as long as it makes us better. There is a need for all kinds of leadership on and off the floor on any team. I'm looking for a team who's play leads us to better basketball and more wins. When that happens leadership will take care of itself. IT is playing well and the team is playing better. We have the second half of the season to go.
Possibly, but he doesn't have to be. He is doing well and should be continued in this role as long as it makes us better. There is a need for all kinds of leadership on and off the floor on any team. I'm looking for a team who's play leads us to better basketball and more wins. When that happens leadership will take care of itself. IT is playing well and the team is playing better. We have the second half of the season to go.
IfAt1st
Starter
Evans couldn't lead himself out of a depression last year before Christmastime - had to have his mom come to town and slap him around.
He hasn't improved his game in over 2 years.
He's simply not the personality type to be able to lead other people.
I love Cousins' fire, but he's WAY too caught up in his own struggles on the court to be able to guide other players.
Neither of them fit the mold of veteran leaders, who can help guide other players on/off the court.
However, as easy as it is to overlook him, Chuck Hayes is probably that guy.
I saw him tug on Tyreke's arm and say something to him as Reke was despondently exiting after his (dumb) back-to-back 3rd and 4th fouls last night. Who knows? That may well have contributed to Tyreke telling Coach to leave the backups in that were winning the game.
It's hard to see evidence of it, but I think it's there, especially considering how much press the coaches and Petrie gave him about exactly that coming in.
As Chuck gets healthier and on the court more in quality minutes the on-court part will become more clear, too, making his leadership easier to see.
That's my prediction, at least.
As for IT being "a leader"?
No, but he's a sparkplug and exemplifies the qualities that other players should have more of.
He's an example.
He hasn't improved his game in over 2 years.
He's simply not the personality type to be able to lead other people.
I love Cousins' fire, but he's WAY too caught up in his own struggles on the court to be able to guide other players.
Neither of them fit the mold of veteran leaders, who can help guide other players on/off the court.
However, as easy as it is to overlook him, Chuck Hayes is probably that guy.
I saw him tug on Tyreke's arm and say something to him as Reke was despondently exiting after his (dumb) back-to-back 3rd and 4th fouls last night. Who knows? That may well have contributed to Tyreke telling Coach to leave the backups in that were winning the game.
It's hard to see evidence of it, but I think it's there, especially considering how much press the coaches and Petrie gave him about exactly that coming in.
As Chuck gets healthier and on the court more in quality minutes the on-court part will become more clear, too, making his leadership easier to see.
That's my prediction, at least.
As for IT being "a leader"?
No, but he's a sparkplug and exemplifies the qualities that other players should have more of.
He's an example.
Padrino
All-Star
here is everybody's daily dose of perspective:
demarcus cousins - 21
tyreke evans - 22
isaiah thomas - 23
marcus thornton - 24
those are ages. i'll be 25 next month, am engaged to a wonderful woman, and am nearing the completion of my graduate thesis, but it would still be a stretch to say i know what i'm doing or have it all together. time is a necessary factor in developing the kind of maturity that earns the respect of others...
veteran leadership is what every young team needs so that their most talented players can be shown how to lead. pointing out chuck hayes' contribution is certainly worthwhile, but the kings should have a veteran anchor in the starting lineup who will act as the example that cousins, evans, thomas, thornton, etc. might follow. john salmons proved that he's not it, and he's been benched as a result. so, in my opinion, the SF position, empty as it is for the kings, remains their greatest need, and it would be an excellent place to start looking for a veteran roleplayer who can act as a leader and mentor to the kings' young talents...
demarcus cousins - 21
tyreke evans - 22
isaiah thomas - 23
marcus thornton - 24
those are ages. i'll be 25 next month, am engaged to a wonderful woman, and am nearing the completion of my graduate thesis, but it would still be a stretch to say i know what i'm doing or have it all together. time is a necessary factor in developing the kind of maturity that earns the respect of others...
veteran leadership is what every young team needs so that their most talented players can be shown how to lead. pointing out chuck hayes' contribution is certainly worthwhile, but the kings should have a veteran anchor in the starting lineup who will act as the example that cousins, evans, thomas, thornton, etc. might follow. john salmons proved that he's not it, and he's been benched as a result. so, in my opinion, the SF position, empty as it is for the kings, remains their greatest need, and it would be an excellent place to start looking for a veteran roleplayer who can act as a leader and mentor to the kings' young talents...
Kingster
Hall of Famer
I think we're already starting to see that. As one person said, IT's passing is contagious. That's some of what a leade does; he brings the rest of the tribe to the way he plays basketball, he doesn't succumb to how they play basketball. And he's starting to direct traffic out there. Also, anecdotally, he does have the respect of his teamates. He's headed in the right direction, that's for sure. He engages his teamates, he passes to his teamates and makes them better. Last, but not least, he has great confidence out there. That's what you want to see from a leader.
bluntsnbball
G-League
I dont know if he's necessarily a team leader or needs to be, but just being a competent point guard may be just what we need out of him. To be able to direct traffic is something that i don't think Tyreke has been able to do. Im sick of all this "reke hasnt improved at all since he's came into the league" bull s***. I think this year he has made leaps and bounds as far as finding other players and in his free throw %. But my thought here is that maybe he hasnt made the necessary improvements b/c HES NOT A POINT GUARD. Its gonna be a challenge to get a guy to improve when hes playing out of position. The transition is going to be much more difficult.
Thomas has been great at moving the ball, and i was reading an article on SB nation recently that said in the Pistons game, Reke even had better numbers when IT was in the game. The ball simply moves more when IT is in action and i think just having someone who knows how to be a point guard is going to be infinitely better for this team.
Whether or not IT can be the long term answer/ leader is another story. Right now teams are underestimating IT and he is capitalizing. But just like Reke, once teams learn how to play him and get better prepared for him, his numbers might go down. Hopefully they dont, but it is what it is.
Thomas has been great at moving the ball, and i was reading an article on SB nation recently that said in the Pistons game, Reke even had better numbers when IT was in the game. The ball simply moves more when IT is in action and i think just having someone who knows how to be a point guard is going to be infinitely better for this team.
Whether or not IT can be the long term answer/ leader is another story. Right now teams are underestimating IT and he is capitalizing. But just like Reke, once teams learn how to play him and get better prepared for him, his numbers might go down. Hopefully they dont, but it is what it is.
IT is our Linsanity:
sanITy
Congratulations. I hereby award you the coveted "WINS THE THREAD" award.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
So he is a leader. A leader by example.
I didnt watch the last game. One of the few i've missed. So i dont know how IT did.
Anyway, from what i've seen in the previous games, none of which i have missed, IT is a leader. There's no doubt about that. He gives it his all, always full of energy and is a PG.
That said, I dont think that's the leader we're looking for. I dont doubt IT's abilities, but I have more interest in seeing Reke and Cousins dominate, and to see them improve. That leads me to a big point in how i see IT: i think Reke and Cousins will be the future of the team. That said, i dont know if IT is the leader we're looking for. That's not to say i dont think IT is a leader - i've already said that he is - i just dont think that he's the leader this team needs. BUT, he can be a major sparkplug off our bench. A MAJOR one, when our main guys arent getting it done. That says a lot about IT.
In my mind Reke and Cousins will be the future. More specifically, Cousins will be the #1 option. So IMO we need to put Cousins in a position to be at his 100%. With IT, i dont think that's what we're going to see. Now, with a PG like Beno, i think Cousins can be at his 100% because Beno gives Cousins the ball whenever Cuz is in position. I'm talking about the low post BTW. With IT, he does feed the ball to Cuz. But when he's not doing that, he has a tendency to look for his own shot. And it's at that point that i find a bit of issue with him. He shouldn't be looking for his own shot. GIVE the ball to Reke. After Cousins, Reke is the #1 option, no exceptions. IT is good, but he's not better than Reke. And as far as development goes, Reke is the one we want to see improvement in. As I said, IT is a good player, but in the best interest of the Kings team, give the ball to Reke after Cousins.
A reminder, i did not watch the last game, so i did not see how IT had played in that game, but we did get a win. Agains the wizards. Looking forward to the next game i can catch.
Anyway, from what i've seen in the previous games, none of which i have missed, IT is a leader. There's no doubt about that. He gives it his all, always full of energy and is a PG.
That said, I dont think that's the leader we're looking for. I dont doubt IT's abilities, but I have more interest in seeing Reke and Cousins dominate, and to see them improve. That leads me to a big point in how i see IT: i think Reke and Cousins will be the future of the team. That said, i dont know if IT is the leader we're looking for. That's not to say i dont think IT is a leader - i've already said that he is - i just dont think that he's the leader this team needs. BUT, he can be a major sparkplug off our bench. A MAJOR one, when our main guys arent getting it done. That says a lot about IT.
In my mind Reke and Cousins will be the future. More specifically, Cousins will be the #1 option. So IMO we need to put Cousins in a position to be at his 100%. With IT, i dont think that's what we're going to see. Now, with a PG like Beno, i think Cousins can be at his 100% because Beno gives Cousins the ball whenever Cuz is in position. I'm talking about the low post BTW. With IT, he does feed the ball to Cuz. But when he's not doing that, he has a tendency to look for his own shot. And it's at that point that i find a bit of issue with him. He shouldn't be looking for his own shot. GIVE the ball to Reke. After Cousins, Reke is the #1 option, no exceptions. IT is good, but he's not better than Reke. And as far as development goes, Reke is the one we want to see improvement in. As I said, IT is a good player, but in the best interest of the Kings team, give the ball to Reke after Cousins.
A reminder, i did not watch the last game, so i did not see how IT had played in that game, but we did get a win. Agains the wizards. Looking forward to the next game i can catch.
Thomas can help the Kings by bringing the ball up faster, pushing breaks and distrbuting. His skills have blended well with Evans and Cousins, and will get better. You can tell Cousins respects Thomas and calls him Mighty Mouse. Maybe Thomas should look to score score a little less, but the Kings have lulls in games when no one seems to be able to score. He has picked up some slack.
There are only 2 Kings players that are fearless right now- the 5 and the short guy.
If Irving and Wall make some good plays against a rookie who is 5 foot 8, it shouldn't surprise anyone. What's surprising, is that IT can play with them and he has. I say celebrate what we do well, and work on the team defense.
There are only 2 Kings players that are fearless right now- the 5 and the short guy.
If Irving and Wall make some good plays against a rookie who is 5 foot 8, it shouldn't surprise anyone. What's surprising, is that IT can play with them and he has. I say celebrate what we do well, and work on the team defense.
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