[Game] Game 8: Sacramento Kings @ Dallas Mavericks, 11/11/14 5:30 PST 8:30 EST
- Thread starter Tetsujin
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I totally disagree. I've probably seen more of DC than anybody here over his career (watched most of his games as a hornet, some with the pacers and clippers) and he's been terribly inconsistent over the course of a season and never really established himself as a quality starter. He's very fast, and his quickness is an asset, and he's had stretches of good games, but he's not great at setting up guys or a consistent scoring threat. He's better defensively than IT, but when a team like this has no bench scoring and relies totally on two or three guys to make plays, then playmakers become more valuable, and IT makes plays.
I'd rather have Greivis than Sessions. I know I've been harping on Sessions, but it merits addressing, especially after Ray's rookie campaign. I honestly thought in the offseason Ray would be starting, and the fact that he can barely get minutes behind both a career backup in DC and a d-league PG in Sessions (seriously, he's at the bottom of the league at his position), keeps me scratching my head.
I'd rather have Greivis than Sessions. I know I've been harping on Sessions, but it merits addressing, especially after Ray's rookie campaign. I honestly thought in the offseason Ray would be starting, and the fact that he can barely get minutes behind both a career backup in DC and a d-league PG in Sessions (seriously, he's at the bottom of the league at his position), keeps me scratching my head.
IIRC at the end of the first quarter the Kings had 10 assists and 5 turnovers. They finished the game with 17 assists and 20 turnovers. I think that more or less tells the story.
That and Cousins having a +8 despite the team losing by 8. DMC has to stay out of foul trouble and on the floor for this team to win. He's so much more important on both ends than he gets credit for nationally. He's become a surprisingly good defender and on offense he draws so much attention. But mostly because when he's out and things aren't going well Gay reverts to Toronto Rudy.
That and Cousins having a +8 despite the team losing by 8. DMC has to stay out of foul trouble and on the floor for this team to win. He's so much more important on both ends than he gets credit for nationally. He's become a surprisingly good defender and on offense he draws so much attention. But mostly because when he's out and things aren't going well Gay reverts to Toronto Rudy.
One thing he has to do is stop trying to reach for balls in the backcourt. He didn't pick up any fouls doing that this game, but he did try to get the steal a number of times. I know you've got great hands Cuz, but the likelihood of you stealing the ball from guys as quick as Monta Ellis is practically zero. Do yourself a favor and stay away from those cheap ones.
So who says he has to play a different role? I'd rather have a sparkplug who I can go to when I need something to happen than get absolutely nothing out of my reserve unit, especially if Cousins is in foul trouble, something he often has been over his career. I wouldn't have minded getting Ray or even another guard to pair with him and retain a top value in talent like that than dumping him because he doesn't "fit" where he shouldn't belong in the first place. Take advantage of the talent you have, and the kings haven't done that for a decade.
In OKC Brooks basically tried to force someone else on the Kings to beat his team and no one stepped up. They fronted Cuz, doubled on the catch and played a very physical game inside.
The Mavs didn't really do anything out of the ordinary but then they seem to give up open threes to everyone leaving more guys in the paint.
I love what JT gives the team as an individual defender and rebounder but his offense has been as bad as I've ever seen from him. He used to at least have a reliable jumper from 10-12 ft to keep his man honest. Doesn't help that Rudy wants to operate close to the basket and that none of the PGs are great 3pt shooters.
This team could really benefit from a stretch four, at least as a way to counteract teams that just mob Cuz inside. A Horry type that could actually defend (well, Horry could defend when he wanted to which was usually only in the playoffs) would be ideal but even a really solid shooter like Ryan Anderson would help.
The Mavs didn't really do anything out of the ordinary but then they seem to give up open threes to everyone leaving more guys in the paint.
I love what JT gives the team as an individual defender and rebounder but his offense has been as bad as I've ever seen from him. He used to at least have a reliable jumper from 10-12 ft to keep his man honest. Doesn't help that Rudy wants to operate close to the basket and that none of the PGs are great 3pt shooters.
This team could really benefit from a stretch four, at least as a way to counteract teams that just mob Cuz inside. A Horry type that could actually defend (well, Horry could defend when he wanted to which was usually only in the playoffs) would be ideal but even a really solid shooter like Ryan Anderson would help.
