Getting respectable, Kings style: The Month of January

[Bricklayer]

I was looking up a few January stats for the team, and thought I'd go ahead and make it comprehensive:

In January
Record: 6-10
Pts For: 101.9
Pts Opp: 103.0

Stats
Evans...... 13gp 13gs 39.0min 19.3pts (.450 .313 .762) 4.8reb 6.3ast 2.5stl 0.7blk 2.8TO 3.0FL
Cousins.... 16gp 16gs 28.4min 17.2pts (.460 .500 .680) 7.8reb 2.5ast 1.1stl 1.0blk 3.1TO 4.1FL
Udrih....... 16gp 16gs 37.4min 13.6pts (.500 .412 .849) 3.9reb 3.9ast 1.4stl 0.1blk 1.9TO 1.9FL
Landry..... 16gp 0gs 26.8min 13.3pts (.524 .000 .750) 4.8reb 1.4ast 0.8stl 0.3blk 1.8TO 2.3FL
Garcia....... 9gp 9gs 30.8min 12.9pts (.436 .300 .782) 4.1reb 1.2ast 0.6stl 1.3blk 0.7TO 3.0FL
Casspi...... 16gp 5gs 29.4min 9.6pts (.387 .377 .630) 6.4reb 1.1ast 0.9stl 1.3blk 1.0TO 1.5FL
Thompson. 16gp 16gs 23.3min 9.5pts (.508 .000 .643) 5.9reb 1.1ast 0.8stl 0.4blk 1.3TO 2.7FL
Dalembert. 16gp 0gs 18.8min 6.9pts (.539 .000 .818) 4.6reb 0.4ast 0.6stl 1.3blk 0.9TO 2.1FL
Taylor........ 7gp 1gs 10.0min 3.9pts (.414 .167 .500) 1.7reb 1.1ast 0.6stl 0.0blk 1.6TO 1.3FL
Jeter........ 16gp 1gs 15.6min 3.8pts (.400 .111 .670) 1.1reb 3.1ast 0.5stl 0.0blk 0.8TO 1.3FL
Greene...... 14gp 2gs 9.8min 2.4pts (.310 .158 .440) 2.1reb 0.6ast 0.3stl 0.4blk 0.5TO 0.6FL
Head.......... 4gp 1gs 6.3min 2.3pts (.364 .500 .000) 0.5reb 1.3ast 0.3stl 0.0blk 0.0TO 0.3FL
Jackson...... 7gp 0gs 3.7min 1.6pts (.625 .500 .000) 0.3reb 0.4ast 0.0stl 0.0blk 0.1TO 0.6FL

Both top kids came on line, notice the set starters/rotation at 4 of the 5 positions etc.

 

[cfechter]

It was a real good month. If the team that showed up in January and the last two weeks in December had showed up the first six weeks of the season, we'd probably have 10 more wins, easy.

This January team, as young as it is, is a .500 team in the NBA, which isn't easy to do given the youth of our two best players.

 

[Andriod_KiNg]

I like how the team is playing but I hope we dont mess up our shot at another top 5 pick, this could go a long way for the future.

 

[Warhawk]

I like how the team is playing but I hope we dont mess up our shot at another top 5 pick, this could go a long way for the future.

Look, we are *finally* poised for that upward swing. We have serious attendence and arena issues that need to be resolved ASAP. We have a young team that needs to get that confidence that we can start winning and be a better team next year. We need more butts in the seats and, more importantly, a positive vibe in Sacramento regarding the Kings and their future.

Forget the draft pick position and start winning games!

 

[pshn80]

Look, we are *finally* poised for that upward swing. We have serious attendence and arena issues that need to be resolved ASAP. We have a young team that needs to get that confidence that we can start winning and be a better team next year. We need more butts in the seats and, more importantly, a positive vibe in Sacramento regarding the Kings and their future.

Forget the draft pick position and start winning games!

I think it is as simple as that for me. The draft has rewarded us well for being lousy. I don't want to be lousy anymore. My eleven games this season include the Celtics game Tuesday. I'm looking forward to it. I didn't even have a problem getting a companion to go with me. Nothing like a little (or a lot of) success.

 

[bajaden]

Look, we are *finally* poised for that upward swing. We have serious attendence and arena issues that need to be resolved ASAP. We have a young team that needs to get that confidence that we can start winning and be a better team next year. We need more butts in the seats and, more importantly, a positive vibe in Sacramento regarding the Kings and their future.

Forget the draft pick position and start winning games!

I'm a big college basketball fan, and of course student of the draft. But I agree with you completely. There comes a time when a team is ready to put it all together, and thats more important than a few positions in the draft right now. I'd like to add that in this years draft there are no clear cut stars that leap out at you. Thats not to say that there's no talent. Its just that after you get past the first couple of picks, and I'm not even sure of that, the talent is fairlly equal, depending on your needs, all the way down into the early 20's.

I'm not saying that a player taken with the 5th pick isn't going to be better than one taken with the 19th pick. I'm saying the difference in talent isn't significantly greater. So whether we pick 4th or 10th, were going to get a player that will help the team. There are no Demarcus Cousins out there this year.

 

[cuad]

omg that's a 30 win pace!

 

[Sluggah]

Top 5 pick...meh. I don't think we need a star. I'll take a harden, matthews, curry type player to round us out. I think 5-10 range will be fine. (though I realize two of those guys were taken in the top 5)

Let the kids compete and win. We'll still get what we need.

 

[Kings Fan Gerard]

All the teams that we beat in January had winning records! Go Kings! And we have like 5 or 6 road wins already (we only won seven road games last year)

 

[LWP777]

It's amazing how a couple of solid wins completely turn around the fan's outlook of this franchise. While I'm excited about what I've seen in the past few weeks, I'm not holding my breath on playing .500 ball the rest of the year. It has been a step in the right direction though....

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

I like how the team is playing but I hope we dont mess up our shot at another top 5 pick, this could go a long way for the future.

They would have to win at least 26 games or so to not be a bottom 5 team. Even with the improved play of late, that's still a long shot. They're winning about 40% of their games over the last month. Even if they continue at that pace for the rest of the season it only puts them around 26 wins. Only way they don't pick top 6 at least is if they somehow play 0.500 or better ball for the rest of the season.

 

[rhythmless]

Top 5 pick...meh. I don't think we need a star. I'll take a harden, matthews, curry type player to round us out. I think 5-10 range will be fine. (though I realize two of those guys were taken in the top 5)

Let the kids compete and win. We'll still get what we need.

Not sure you included Curry in that bunch... Curry is putting up numbers that are the same (or better, if you do per 40) as our "star" this year. He's also probably the most untouchable on the Warriors and just finished dropping 27/6/7/2/1 with only 2 TO and shot very efficiently. If he's not a star/star in the making, I don't know who is.

 

[Dr. Spaceman]

Not sure you included Curry in that bunch... Curry is putting up numbers that are the same (or better, if you do per 40) as our "star" this year. He's also probably the most untouchable on the Warriors and just finished dropping 27/6/7/2/1 with only 2 TO and shot very efficiently. If he's not a star/star in the making, I don't know who is.

Tell that to the Warriors' owner. He thinks Monta is more important to the franchise and Curry is absolutely available given the right trade.

btw, I think he's stupid for thinking so. Monta is never going to win you a lot of games as your star. He can score like hell and...and...wait no, that's it. That's all he does.

That said, Monta is having a pretty phenomenal year offensively. Have to give him props for bringing that jumper along.

 

[Jespher]

The most surprising stat up there is the blocks line...Casspi and Garcia averaging as many blocks during this stretch as Dalembert!

 

[Kingsguy881]

I would be curious to see what OKC did in the month of January in Durants second season...

 

[Kingsguy881]

I would be curious to see what OKC did in the month of January in Durants second season...

7-7 and against some very light opposition too.

http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teamscores.htm?tm=OKC&yr=2008&lg=n

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

The most surprising stat up there is the blocks line...Casspi and Garcia averaging as many blocks during this stretch as Dalembert!

And Dalembert leading the team in FG %

 

[Kingstime]

I agree with a lot of the peeps in this thread...forget the drat position this yr.

The current young pieces have got to become consistent enough to win soon and that's only gonna come if we keep gutting out the wins we have gotten lately. I'm hoping the good play and continue and we find ourselves at the bottom of the lottery hahaha.

 

[FaStRmAn]

Kings are certainly having a good January. The young rookies are starting to improve, Evans is begining to get back into shape, and Cousins is starting to learn how to play in the NBA. What he can and can not do. It is only a matter of time before Cousins becomes the main focus for opposing teams to defend. Evans is still a concern, but Cousins will dominate inside unless double teamed. This will get our outside shooters plenty of open jumpers and should really help the Kings to compete. Their bench isnt world beaters, but they are fairly deep in the front court and they have to make do with what they have in the back court. Hopefully Petrie can find some help at guard

 

[cfechter]

I agree with a lot of the peeps in this thread...forget the drat position this yr.

The current young pieces have got to become consistent enough to win soon and that's only gonna come if we keep gutting out the wins we have gotten lately. I'm hoping the good play and continue and we find ourselves at the bottom of the lottery hahaha.

I'm not advocating looking for high draft position; I'm objectively analyzing the remainder of their schedule and how many wins are really feasible. Playoff teams with a 19 game stretch like the one we're facing would struggle to go .500.

I think even if we do real well these last 37 games, we would win no more than 15 games - which still puts us at 27 wins overall and a top 6 pick.

 

[CruzDude]

As some of us old timers keep saying, patience is what the team (and many KingsFans) have needed. Maybe there are the 3 P's we are starting to see: patience, playing time and persistence. Tyreke has backed off to a leader role on the court getting others more involved. They are running their game thru Cousins more and more. Beno has become the steady, dependable, penetrator and scorer. Omri is growing into his starter role and beginning to be a pest to better and better 3's now. And a big WOW for Dalembert in the 5 spot.

Overall their defense is improving by the game. NOW tho' comes the real test against 12 consecutive +500 teams, 5 at home and 7 on the road. If they keep disrespecting the Kings, and our boys take advantage, it could be a really interesting February.

The core 9-10 player rotation is working for a bit now. The #1 need is, as others have said, for a facilitating guard who can defend the other teams #1 guard. And a couple of hot 3-PT shooters. With the Kings having the biggest cap $pace in the NBA a couple of really good vets will serve their (and our) needs long term far better than a 4-15 spot in this years draft (based on Bajaden's assessment).

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I'm a big college basketball fan, and of course student of the draft. But I agree with you completely. There comes a time when a team is ready to put it all together, and thats more important than a few positions in the draft right now. I'd like to add that in this years draft there are no clear cut stars that leap out at you. Thats not to say that there's no talent. Its just that after you get past the first couple of picks, and I'm not even sure of that, the talent is fairlly equal, depending on your needs, all the way down into the early 20's.

I'm not saying that a player taken with the 5th pick isn't going to be better than one taken with the 19th pick. I'm saying the difference in talent isn't significantly greater. So whether we pick 4th or 10th, were going to get a player that will help the team. There are no Demarcus Cousins out there this year.

I'll add to this that the difference can easily be made up in the quality of free agents we sign. We will have massive cap space, but if we finish the season playing level we were up until the end of December, no respectable free agent will want to come here. Even good players on lousy teams will be hesitant to be traded here (granted they don't have as much say, but they can have influence).

On the other hand, it we play anything close to .500 ball and Reke, Cousins and Casspi continue to shine, the quality of players who would want to come here increased significantly.

As Brick, Baja and others have said - we're just at a point in our development where developing cohesion and starting our ascent are becoming critically important to the future of the franchise.