Evans, May and Mason to start first pre-season game

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

http://twitter.com/sam_amick
Sam Amick via Twitter.

Tyreke, Martin, mason, Thompson, May starting tomorrow, according to Westphal

He (Westphal) wouldn't say it was because of that(sprained ankle) Didn't exactly define why, but said it wasn't an indictment of Spencer's play.

I found this a little interesting. I had already read that Mason would start ( again, not a fan of this move ) .. but now we get May starting. I actually hope this is because of the ankle sprain .. Hawes needs to be better than May.

Good to see Evans has sergio and beno beat at this point. Better than seeing him play off the bench for sure.

 

[kennadog]

Hawes was reported to have a minor ankle sprain and that's why he didn't play in the open practice. Prbably just being safe about it. They need to see what May can do anyway, so why risk Hawes ankle in a pre-season game, if it's not 100% yet.

 

[bajaden]

Hawes was reported to have a minor ankle sprain and that's why he didn't play in the open practice. Prbably just being safe about it. They need to see what May can do anyway, so why risk Hawes ankle in a pre-season game, if it's not 100% yet.

Thats not what Westphal said. He said Hawes wouldn't be in the starting lineup for this game, but would be coming off the bench. He said Hawes ankle was fine. He said that the offense has run smoother with May in the lineup instead of Hawes, so he just wants to try it.

 

[kennadog]

Thats not what Westphal said. He said Hawes wouldn't be in the starting lineup for this game, but would be coming off the bench. He said Hawes ankle was fine. He said that the offense has run smoother with May in the lineup instead of Hawes, so he just wants to try it.

Oops, I didn't hear that. Mea culpa. Not sure I like the sound of that either, since he's our only seven footer.

On the other hand, maybe it'll light some competitive fire under Hawes. I know he's got competitiveness, but I don't think he was really being challenged much for the center position last year.

 

[D13]

Evans & Mason in, Hawes out of starting lineup for preseason opener...

 

[Kingsguy881]

Maybe he is trying to make sure May stays in game shape?

 

[=LarryLegend=]

I cant wait to read about it Wednesday.....since to tv.

 

[AussieKing]

I cant wait to read about it Wednesday.....since to tv.

Welcome to my world. It's very rare that i actually get to watch a Kings game live here anymore. Since we are no longer a contender, they never seem to have the Kings on ESPN in Australia. I pretty much just have use the internet to keep up to date.

But saying that, when i do get to watch a game (normally on replay), its always worth it.

It will be interesting to see how the team performs tomorrow, and then how they back it up. Hopefully Spencer steps up to his rightful position.

 

[fnordius]

I suspect that this lineup is mostly about seeing what he's got to work with. That IS what the preseason's for, right?

 

[bajaden]

I suspect that this lineup is mostly about seeing what he's got to work with. That IS what the preseason's for, right?

Yeah, he did say the no permanent starting lineup has been established. But he did say that once he sets a starting lineup, he likes to stick with it and not be constantly changing it because of matchups or whatever.

 

[Kings4life23]

I hope they figure out the starting lineup soon so we can get that chemistry with a set starting lineup we have not had in awhile.....

 

[Bricklayer]

I suspect that this lineup is mostly about seeing what he's got to work with. That IS what the preseason's for, right?

Don't bother me, I'm right in the middle of hanging my new Westphal dartboard next to my old well used Musselman, Theus, and Natt boards.

And as an aside, Hawes is the starting center. There is no possible other acceptable coaching move given our roster. You can experiment with whatever junkball you want to in the preseason, but assuming health, if Hawes is not in that starting linuep come Game 1, I'll have the first Fire Westphal thread up by Game 2.

 

[Kings4life23]

Don't bother me, I'm right in the middle of hanging my new Westphal dartboard next to my old well used Musselman, Theus, and Natt boards.

And as an aside, Hawes is the starting center. There is no possible other acceptable coaching move given our roster. You can experiment with whatever junkball you want to in the preseason, but assuming health, if Hawes is not in that starting linuep come Game 1, I'll have the first Fire Westphal thread up by Game 2.

lol I know what you mean its seems like we didnt know what we had until it was gone with adelman ......

 

[ParniValjak]

lol I know what you mean its seems like we didnt know what we had until it was gone with adelman ......

Some of us DID know what we had with Adelman and could see this sort of thing happening from miles away.

Once you get a coach of Rick's caliber, you keep him and rebuild with him. He is rightfully one of the best coaches in the league.

 

[nickmcclure]

Welcome to my world. It's very rare that i actually get to watch a Kings game live here anymore. Since we are no longer a contender, they never seem to have the Kings on ESPN in Australia. I pretty much just have use the internet to keep up to date.

But saying that, when i do get to watch a game (normally on replay), its always worth it.

It will be interesting to see how the team performs tomorrow, and then how they back it up. Hopefully Spencer steps up to his rightful position.

I can hardly get Kings games on TV and I still live in California. You gotta get NBA League Pass Broadband yo!

 

[rainmaker]

There isn't a logical reason for Spencer not being our starting center going into the season. I think this might be partly an award for May given how much hard work he has put in this offseason, and the fact Spencer hasn't been at full strength because of his ankle.

I also think its likely that Westphal is trying to light a fire under Spencer. Before he sprained his ankle I didn't hear his name mentioned once as one of the players impressing at camp. But we're only one week in, and I'm sure Spencer will turn it around quickly.

 

[beb0p]

Coming into the season, May is the big unknown. I think this move is more of a thumb up to May than a thumb down to Hawes. May must be kicking butts in practice to get a starting nod, even if it's just a preseason game. I won't put too much into just one meaningless game and I certainly am not worried about Hawes losing his starting job.

However, I don't buy into the "Hawes or bust!" mentality. In the extremely unlikely event that May starts over Hawes in the regular season, that's fine too as long as May deserves it. It's not like we're starting KT9 here. May is young, talented, and has just as high a ceiling as Hawes, abeit as a PF. At this stage of the rebuild, it's all about competition and fighting for minutes or fighting to keep your minutes. Whoever shines get to play. It's all fair game. No one should be handed a free lunch. If May outplays Hawes, dogonit May should starts. Same goes for Greene, Casspi, and Brockman.

 

[kingsnation]

No big deal here. I think Westphal is seeing what he's got in May and Mason. Yawn.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

No big deal here. I think Westphal is seeing what he's got in May and Mason. Yawn.

Yup, exactly...I wouldnt look in to this very much. I dont think that Westphal wants to start any fires with Spencer this early in his tenure here in Sacramento.

 

[TheFifthMookie]

Some of us DID know what we had with Adelman and could see this sort of thing happening from miles away.

Once you get a coach of Rick's caliber, you keep him and rebuild with him. He is rightfully one of the best coaches in the league.

One Hundred Percent Agreed.

He could have been our version of Jerry Sloan or Pops, and was absolutely a key figure during the King's good years.

 

[kennadog]

Well, in the article, Westphal said no one should read anything special into the line-up he's starting with tonight. It is only pre-season and he has a lot of young guys to look at. A lot of decisions to make about playing time, starters, etc.

I can only remember three "hints" Westphal has given, so far: 1) Martin will be a starter, 2) Donte will need to get his minutes with defense; and 3) Nocioni may come off the bench.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Well, in the article, Westphal said no one should read anything special into the line-up he's starting with tonight. It is only pre-season and he has a lot of young guys to look at. A lot of decisions to make about playing time, starters, etc.

I can only remember three "hints" Westphal has given, so far: 1) Martin will be a starter, 2) Donte will need to get his minutes with defense; and 3) Nocioni may come off the bench.

It's obvious that Martin is our starter, and I'm okay with Nocioni coming off the bench as our 6th to give us that energetic scoring punch, and Donte will need to earn his minutes by playing defense...for the Reno Bighorns, because he still looks SO far from belonging on ANY NBA team.

 

[kennadog]

It's obvious that Martin is our starter, and I'm okay with Nocioni coming off the bench as our 6th to give us that energetic scoring punch, and Donte will need to earn his minutes by playing defense...for the Reno Bighorns, because he still looks SO far from belonging on ANY NBA team.

I think Westphal was a little tongue-in-cheek about the Martin being a starter comment. He said maybe he'd name a starter every Friday and Martin was the first he named.

 

[Kingster]

Hawes & May

No player should be "given" anything on this team. PERIOD. The guy who starts is the guy who earns it. Petrie obviously wanted to have more competition at several spots this year, and he brought in new people to provide that. For Westphal to "give" out starting positions or playing time on the basis of anything other than merit would undercut the competitiveness ethic that they want to create on this team. This is the time you send a message to your team - get off your butt and COMPETE. There are no anointed ones on this team. If Westphal sees May playing better than Hawes, then May should be rewarded accordingly and Hawes penalized accordingly. Hawes is only 21. He's got to get it into his head that he's not in college anymore where he can cut a class every now and again and still get an A. He's got to bring it every single day.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

I think Westphal was a little tongue-in-cheek about the Martin being a starter comment. He said maybe he'd name a starter every Friday and Martin was the first he named.

Yeah, I kinda figured he was being a little wry with us.. I wasn't being like that with my comment about Donte...he still looks SO lost on the court. I think he needs a good half season up in Reno to 'grow up' alot more.

 

[bloom]

Thats not what Westphal said. He said Hawes wouldn't be in the starting lineup for this game, but would be coming off the bench. He said Hawes ankle was fine. He said that the offense has run smoother with May in the lineup instead of Hawes, so he just wants to try it.

I just hope coach is just trying to push Spencer a little cause I don't like the sound of "the offense runs smoother through May than Spencer."

 

[JB_kings]

Mason hurt and Garcia will start tonight.

Kings coach Paul Westphal said at this morning's shoot-a-round that Desmond Mason is experiencing back pain and will not play tonight.

Fifth-year swingman Francisco Garcis will get the start. Mason told me he is dealing with back spasms and is heading to see a local chiropractor this afternoon. He is unsure if he'll be available for tomorrow's game against Portland at Arco Arena. - Sam Amick


http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/2009/10/mason-hurt-garc.html

 

[beb0p]

Mason hurt and Garcia will start tonight.

He's hurt already? It doesn't bode well for a guy who played in only 39 games last season. For Mason's sake I hope this is just a precaution.

.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

He's hurt already? It doesn't bode well for a guy who played in only 39 games last season. For Mason's sake I hope this is just a precaution.

.

I would imagine it is...did you see him play the other night?? Very impressive to sayvgbe least. It probably just as it says: he tweaked a bit in practice. I wouldn't worry about it too much. I think if it wa a regular season game it might be different, but no need to do any more damage during pre-season.

 

[JoMama]

Just what we need, more "Fragile, handle with care" players. How come Kobe never seems to miss many games with injuries? Is there no justice in this world.