Did Anybody Notice the Terrible Bench Chemistry

[Purple Reign]

As I am watching the game Tuesday night and rooting my team back from a 20 point deficit, I could not help but notice the terrible body language and lack of enthusiasm coming from the cats on the bench, WHILE THE TEAM WAS MAKING IT'S RUN!!! Why does it seem like the Kings who once was praised because of team chemistry, now seems to have some of the worst in the entire league.

I look at teams worst than the Kings, and when play is going on, their players are standing, cheering, off the bench, waving towels. And our guys are just sitting there looking like they would rather be some where else. And it has been like this for some time.

Where does this come from?

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

It comes from a lack of Mateen. We need more Mateen.

Oh, and incidentally, there is at most one team that could be considered worse than the Kings, so that should probably be in the singular.

 

[Jechtsphere]

It's all of the above to be honest.

 

[Glenn]

Kenny Thomas seems to get singled out for his attitude and how it hurts the Kings. Now, granted I haven't paid much attention to the details of KT's interactions with the rest of the Kings but all I have ever noticed is that he seldom smiles which some people call a game face. I also can't for the life of me understand how anyone would know KT's relationship with the other Kings unless it was reported in the sports page. I missed the article.

What are the indications that KT is hurting the "chemistry" of the Kings.

Too bad there wasn't another option in the poll so those of us who think the observations mean next to nothing could indicate so.

 

[bloom]

That's something that I hate about this team (right now). It seems like there's no support (on the bench)- even if we're losing and when we're coming back there can be excitement on the bench. I remember how Vlade was a huge supporter (he was the glue - I guess its something we don't have right now).

Right now, I think it has a lot to do with Chemistry and the bond it creates when the team works well together. We need chemistry to develope. We also don't have a leader off the bench (someone to come in and take the role and get others involved (also it leads to chemistry). Maybe it's the age difference between players confused.

 

[BudWright]

Well, I don't think the chemistry is bad. I wish you would have put an option that said that as well. The players haven't said anything this season to indicate this (unless I missed something)--I think just the opposite from what they ARE saying. As far as standing up--last year my friend mentioned this too. So, we started watching as each team came in to play. And the result was that some teams stand (Dallas especially) and some don't and it didn't seem to make a difference. The King's generally don't stand until the end of the game and they did that Tuesday. Does not standing make a team without chemistry? Does it mean that the team doesn't care? I don't think so and it didn't seem so when we were looking to see how the different teams were.

 

[creAtivetfh]

Kenny Thomas

 

[kennadog]

I've pondered chemistry before. Good-great teams seem to have it, bad teams seem not to. The question in my mind is whether it's a chicken or the egg thing. It seems to me that it is a whole lot easier to have chemistry when your team is winning and pretty likely to fall apart when the losing increases.

 

[dude12]

When you have veteran players on the bench in a clear rebuilding mode, it could be problem. Add to that the fact that Theus is pulling players for their lack of hustle or inability to rotate on defense or literally not giving the proverbial 100% and guys will be exposed for who they are.

I mean Theus' quick hooks are obviously ticking guys off but he's pulling anybody and everybody and doesn't seem to care who you are. He's treating all the same way....in other words, you need to produce.

From watching the last game vs. Seattle, Brad Miller stepped up and had one of his better games that I can recall. He manned up and responded. I'm not a fan of KT but I would have to say that the guy produced in this last game. SAR is just struggling right now while coming back.

As a fan, I'm enjoying this tremendously. Let's see how these guys respond to having to earn their time on the court. So far it worked with Miller.....at least for the one game.

 

[creAtivetfh]

When you have veteran players on the bench in a clear rebuilding mode, it could be problem. Add to that the fact that Theus is pulling players for their lack of hustle or inability to rotate on defense or literally not giving the proverbial 100% and guys will be exposed for who they are.

I mean Theus' quick hooks are obviously ticking guys off but he's pulling anybody and everybody and doesn't seem to care who you are. He's treating all the same way....in other words, you need to produce.

From watching the last game vs. Seattle, Brad Miller stepped up and had one of his better games that I can recall. He manned up and responded. I'm not a fan of KT but I would have to say that the guy produced in this last game. SAR is just struggling right now while coming back.

As a fan, I'm enjoying this tremendously. Let's see how these guys respond to having to earn their time on the court. So far it worked with Miller.....at least for the one game.

agreed!

 

[Rockmeister]

I mean Theus' quick hooks are obviously ticking guys off

Where have you read that its ticking guys off at?

 

[dude12]

Well, when I see a veteran guy getting the quick hook after 2 minutes, I watch his body language and I'm thinking he's not happy with the quick hook. There is no link to any quotes.....just my opinion, which I apparently share with at least the original post.

 

[tyrant]

Kenny Thomas seems to get singled out for his attitude and how it hurts the Kings. Now, granted I haven't paid much attention to the details of KT's interactions with the rest of the Kings but all I have ever noticed is that he seldom smiles which some people call a game face.

if thats his basketball game face then maybe he needs to switch it with his monopoly game face. we may see better results. some players suck and you forget they're on the court. kenny thomas continues to get beat off the dribble and shoved out the way for dunks. just swats at the air hoping to get on camera

 

[bloom]

I personally don't like how Kenny doesn't smile or show emotion (besides the occasional "Rawr" and rare smile (I'm talking about once or twice a year - at most), but I'm pretty sure the guy doesn't change his face (being happy or smiling all the time) when he's off the court. That's how the guy is, like it or hate it.

 

[BawLa]

Umm...

aren't a bunch of our bench players starting right now? Cisco and Salmons have been logging some serious minutes. Greene started a couple games. So I put other.

When Bibby and Artest are healthy, Salmons and Cisco will be the main contributors off the bench. Hawes could add some efficient offense too when he can play. I can live with those three, Watkins and Udrich as our bench for the year. And I'll bet the chemistry looks better when that group gets comfortable with one another.

 

[piksi]

all of the above and probably more

 

[kingzzzfan4ever]

aren't a bunch of our bench players starting right now? Cisco and Salmons have been logging some serious minutes. Greene started a couple games. So I put other.

When Bibby and Artest are healthy, Salmons and Cisco will be the main contributors off the bench. Hawes could add some efficient offense too when he can play. I can live with those three, Watkins and Udrich as our bench for the year. And I'll bet the chemistry looks better when that group gets comfortable with one another.

You are absolutely right.

 

[Packt]

Everyone's competing with each other for minutes. There is no solid rotation, yet. Player comes in and makes a mistake, he gets pulled. He's not going to be jumping up and down for the next guy.

 

[fnordius]

We have a team with a very badly balanced roster, and a tepid talent level. Then take away two of the team's best 3 players (which also happen to be both of the team's leaders), plus 3 others, leaving the team with no PG, and no big more effective than an undrafted rookie. That's a full third of the roster that's out, none of which could be considered expendable. What you're going to end up with is a team that's going to lose a whole lot of games.

Some players will react to this situation by giving up. If you're a creaky vet who is unlikely to ever sign another substantial contract, maybe this is a good time to watch the clock and make retirement plans. But the younger players aren't going to be embarrassed without a fight. Of those who are 27 or under, only Greene is playing badly. Of those over 27, only Brad is playing acceptably.

I think that's what's going on, and I don't blame Reggie for it, or even KT. It's what happens when you have a combination of a bad roster and bad luck. Only the front office could have prevented this, and, as helpful as Reggie's halftime talks seem to be, I think we'll keep seeing it until most of our missing 1/3 are back.

 

[Purple Reign]

Everyone's competing with each other for minutes. There is no solid rotation, yet. Player comes in and makes a mistake, he gets pulled. He's not going to be jumping up and down for the next guy.

I don't know why not? Ain't it about winning? Isn't it about team basketball and winning? Isn't it about being happy and elated when your team is making a serious comeback after being down by twenty. I am not saying you should be buffoonish and wave the towel like Mateen Cleaves did, but get your behind off of your chair and encourage your family with some type of enthusiasm. MAN!!!!!

 

[kennadog]

I am not saying you should be buffoonish and wave the towel like Mateen Cleaves did....

We joke about it around here, but I actually really liked Mateen for that. It was clearly genuine. At least you knew for sure exactly whose side he was on.

 

[kingsfan916]

KT because last year when SAR hit the game winning 3 aganist the Jazz on the road after an amazing comeback KT was just sitting looking pissed off on the bench! i lost all respect for him at that point

 

[Bricklayer]

I don't know why not? Ain't it about winning? Isn't it about team basketball and winning? Isn't it about being happy and elated when your team is making a serious comeback after being down by twenty. I am not saying you should be buffoonish and wave the towel like Mateen Cleaves did, but get your behind off of your chair and encourage your family with some type of enthusiasm. MAN!!!!!

I don't find this that odd.

The family is dysfunctional, and barely knows each other. The father is yelling at people. Grandpa's asleep at the wheel up in his office. And your brother just convinced dad to give him your job. Meanwhile the family business is going in the toilet, there are few customers, and all your friends at other companies seem to be doing better.

Losing teams are very rarely going to have good chemistry. Losing teams full of cranky old vets and positional battles pretty much never. I wasn't really watching the bench, but unless they were actually fighting (which seemed to almost be implied by the Bee article?) sitting around on the bench glum and depressed while you're getting blown out in your home opener by maybe the worst team in the league and the fans haven't shown up for the first time in a decade is...well, pretty much par for the course I'm afraid.

 

[VF21]

I was watching the bench during the game Tuesday and I didn't see any real problems. As it's been pointed out, several of our bench players were starting. Those left on the bench were SAR and KT, Daryl Watkins, Quincy Douby. Mike and Beno were in street clothes. Artest, of course, wasn't in the building. Nor was Justin Williams. I'm not sure where Spenser Hawes was, as I didn't see him.

As far as the fars not showing up, it wasn't exactly an empty arena. Yes, it was down but considering how abysmal this team was at the end of last year, the 14,000+ was an indication of people who have NOT lost faith. And, as I've indicated in other threads, by the end of the game those 14,000 were making up for the empty seats in enthusiasm and energy. I did notice VERY FEW people leaving early, which was - to me - a good sign.

Mikki Moore was constantly being the most vocal in encouraging his teammates, both on and off the court. Garcia spent a fair amount of time talking to Mike Bibby, and by Mike's gestures I got the feeling he was actually coaching Cisco. Brad, Salmons and Martin were pretty much in the game most of the time - so I think this thread is blowing things WAY out of proportion.

 

[PurpleHaze]

I agree VF21 with your assessment as I was at the game too. Everyone on the Kings bench was into the game it appeared to me. Reggie Theus was like a pogo stick up off the bench constantly coaching. Even Bibby in his blazer and crisp white shirt did not spend anytime at all clipping fingernails. He was up and in Garcia ear several times. Hawes was there in his suit as well as I saw him and Beno together chatting. The crowd took awhile to get into the game, plus being down 20 in the 2nd quarter didn't help - but by the end they were plenty jacked up.

 

[Mozart]

Reggie Theus was like a pogo stick up off the bench constantly coaching.

<g> I can just see Reggie boinging off the bench on a Super Pogo stick in the next few games to help juice up the Kings. <g> That'd be super-funny. He oughtta try it!



Boing, boing, boing...

...there goes coach trying to show the Kings how to rebound with enthusiasm...

 

[6th]

The thread title asks the question, "Did Anybody Notice the Terrible Bench Chemistry?" Then your poll goes on the ask the cause to the bad chemistry. You must have assumed we would answer your question with a yes.

I'm not seeing a problem with "chemistry." There seems to be a lot of conversations between players. Guys on the bench are talking with players as they come off the floor.

If anything, I simply see the mood as a bit down when the team get down by 20 pts. But Tuesday night, they were up and giving support in the 2nd half........no, not for each play, but certainly when the team gathered for time-outs.

 

[Elektrik]

Kenny Thomas seems to get singled out for his attitude and how it hurts the Kings. Now, granted I haven't paid much attention to the details of KT's interactions with the rest of the Kings but all I have ever noticed is that he seldom smiles which some people call a game face. I also can't for the life of me understand how anyone would know KT's relationship with the other Kings unless it was reported in the sports page. I missed the article.

What are the indications that KT is hurting the "chemistry" of the Kings.

Too bad there wasn't another option in the poll so those of us who think the observations mean next to nothing could indicate so.

Thought I would chime in on this. I am not a Kenny Thomas fan but he has gotten a bad rap as far as I can see. Being one of those people who always look intense or are focused, I have been told that I always look pissed off. I'm not (most of the time) but it annoys me that people say it especially when Im not upset. My face just has a natural look when Im not smiling of looking ticked off. Sorry, but cant help it.
Therefiore, I feel the same is true of Kenny Thomas. I have never seen him do anything negative towards the team or be unsupportive of the team. Other than his altercations with Shareef which has been well documented long before Kenny arrived he has done nothing but look like he is mad. He may not be the best player but lets knock him for being a weak plyer. Not a weak teammate.

 

[chelle]

Compared to the chemistry (or lack thereof) last year, I'd say that they are fine. Personally, I would be aggravated if they were all smiley and happy on the bench. We have been terribly outplayed so far. Most professional athletes are highly competitive. They hate losing, even when they expect it. They seem to be communicating on and off the floor. I do not think that chemistry is the issue - the talent level and mix is much more of a problem.

 

[Elektrik]

As far as the fars not showing up, it wasn't exactly an empty arena. Yes, it was down but considering how abysmal this team was at the end of last year, the 14,000+ was an indication of people who have NOT lost faith. And, as I've indicated in other threads, by the end of the game those 14,000 were making up for the empty seats in enthusiasm and energy. I did notice VERY FEW people leaving early, which was - to me - a good sign..

It was a great game the other night. Its been a while since I had enjoyed a Kings game as much as that one and the ones that did go to the game did an admirable job of representing. However, the fans have made their voices heard loud and clear. I hope Joe and Gavin are listening. As a whole, their product on the floor has become less than satisfactory. For the Kings to have the lowest total in the NBA for an opening night performance is embarassing. These are not the Kings fans that I have seen since 85. What scares me the most is the APATHY that is out there regarding our Kings. Few people care. Whats worse is few people like the players. I can think of terrible Kings teams of the past where the players were beloved. Not in this case. What we have herre is not only a lousy Kings team but players that havent really endeared themselves to Kings fans. In some ways I see a correlation to Portland with all those thug players they had. Artest, Justin Williams (yes I know, he has not been charged), and the still lingering carryover from the Mussleman nightmare.
If Joe and Gavin dont start to making some serious changes with this team starting with the GM there will be no one left to come to the games even if they do get an arena built. The old addage of "If you build it they will come" may not apply here. How about "What if you played an NBA game and noone cared enough to come see it. Joe and Gavin need to take a look at Petrie and his failure to do anything that improves this team. I mean how did Geoff think he was going to get through the season with no adequate backup at PG? No we have Beno and Orien Green. Hardly a Chris Paul, Bobby Jackson combo now is it.