[Grades] Grades v. Blazers 11/08/2013

So who was our [i]second[/i] most impressive player on the night?

  • Patterson

    Votes: 2 4.3%
  • Greivis

    Votes: 11 23.4%
  • Isaiah

    Votes: 7 14.9%
  • Outlaw

    Votes: 6 12.8%
  • Jimmer

    Votes: 21 44.7%

  • Total voters
    47
  • Poll closed .
I don't know why, but I just can't believe our main spot-up shooters can continue to shoot this poorly. 11-32 from the guys getting open looks from GV, IT, and Cousins is not acceptable. Cousins covered for IT being off tonight, but it won't matter what either of those guys do if the shooters can't hit freaking shots.

IT looked really good to me tonight. The shot % is misleading for anyone who didn't watch the game. While he didn't throw up huge scoring numbers and it was an off night for him in points he looked really good. He had a handful of dumb turnovers, but they were primarily while he was trying to do the right thing. I can live with that. I for one, have no worries about his ability to score. The other stuff I am worried about he showed he was trying to fix tonight.
 
Totally agree. That's why I think when Coach Malone looked at Kings roster he was handed quickly decided it had to become a defense first team or nothing. Unfortunately, so far it's sort of nothing.

Yep and we played very similar to this last year when we started James Johnson at the beginning of the year. We held our opponents to a respectable score each game but we could not score 100 points to save our lives.

This team wins slightly more by playing run and gun because that style of play masks their shooting deficiencies and gives them higher percentage shots at the rim. Either way it doesn't matter because they're either bad or they're not quite as bad but still bad regardless of whether they play defense or just try and outscore their opponents.
 
The problem with lineup changes is that there aren't great alternatives. We've discussed the IT for GV thing and the potential problems it brings. Ben has showed he may not be consistent enough (especially on D) and I'm sure the FO is hoping MT gets some trade value back. JT for Ppat robs us of our only big off the bench. Outlaw for Fish is the easiest one but that's not going to make that much of a difference.

Again, poorly constructed team that doesn't fit well. Not that much Malone can do.
Sure there are!

JT / Cuz / JT
Cuz / Trout / Trout
GV / PPat or GV / PPat
Ben / MT / Ben
MT / IT / IT

Once Luc comes back, you can give him PPat or Trout's minutes.
 
Sure there are!

JT / Cuz / JT
Cuz / Trout / Trout
GV / PPat or GV / PPat
Ben / MT / Ben
MT / IT / IT

Are those lineups (with the first being starters then sub rotations)? You've reposted that a few times and honestly I'm confused what you are trying to show.
 
It's an 8-man rotation. The first column shows the starters, the second column shows the lineup after the first substitution (Trout comes in for JT, and IT comes in for Ben.), and the third and final column shows the line up after the second substitution (Ben comes in for MT, and JT comes in for Cousins). Patterson comes in for GV at some point.
 
I'm over Thorton and Thompson.
Both are a couple of cry babies who get way more minutes then they deserve. Thorton is a chucker and JT commits way too many cheap fouls. Cousins looked great. Liked what I saw from Outlaw. IT had his moments and GV should of had a few more assists then he did. Win or lose, atleast we are making it a game and getting back into it. A little bit more building and team work and we should start to actually win a couple of these games. Go Kings.
 
Demarcus can make that shot but he makes it at an extremely low percentage. I forgot what site it was but it basically showed the shooting percentage of all the big men in the league last year that took at least a couple shots a game from 18ft out and Demarcus was the worst in the league. It's just an extremely low percentage shot for us. I'd rather see him bang inside and try and draw a foul than chuck up that garbage. He has some nights where they go in but he also has a bunch of nights where he goes 1 for 4 out there and you only remember the one he swished in while forgetting about the other 3 wasted possessions.

Well, that was probably Zach Lowe, who was working a nice agenda in that piece.

Let me tell you something about Cousins' outside shot, as somebody who has wallowed in Cousins stats for years: its right there with all the major PFs. Same breakdown. Last year it was off a little. The year before it was on. This year it looks on. But the numbers look a lot like David Lee, or Blake Griffith or anybody except Aldridge/Love/Dirk. He's easily one of the best/only center shooters. Guys like Monroe/Pek/Hibbert etc. stay inside for a reason. They don't have jumpers to speak of. Like all bigs with jumpers, there is always the danger of settling too much, of getting the balance wrong. but like all bigs with both jumpers and inside games it makes him completely lethal when on.
 
Well, that was probably Zach Lowe, who was working a nice agenda in that piece.

Let me tell you something about Cousins' outside shot, as somebody who has wallowed in Cousins stats for years: its right there with all the major PFs. Same breakdown. Last year it was off a little. The year before it was on. This year it looks on. But the numbers look a lot like David Lee, or Blake Griffith or anybody except Aldridge/Love/Dirk. He's easily one of the best/only center shooters. Guys like Monroe/Pek/Hibbert etc. stay inside for a reason. They don't have jumpers to speak of. Like all bigs with jumpers, there is always the danger of settling too much, of getting the balance wrong. but like all bigs with both jumpers and inside games it makes him completely lethal when on.

A certain Mister Hawes would like to disagree with you.
 
I'm over Thorton and Thompson.
Both are a couple of cry babies who get way more minutes then they deserve. Thorton is a chucker and JT commits way too many cheap fouls. Cousins looked great. Liked what I saw from Outlaw. IT had his moments and GV should of had a few more assists then he did. Win or lose, atleast we are making it a game and getting back into it. A little bit more building and team work and we should start to actually win a couple of these games. Go Kings.

I can't stand Thompson's constant whining. He's like a malcontent child. Worst thing is you can actually hear him verbally abuse the refs in an aggressive manner nearly every time. Surprised he doesn't get many T's.
 
Can anyone tell me, with a straight face, that Jimmer wouldn't at least be able to match Thornton's numbers if he were given the same minutes? Get that guy off the court, please.
 
Coach Malone said in an interview with Grant earlier this week that the lineup wouldn't change until after Saturday's game. So, everyone needs to brace themselves for the same rotation one more day.. maybe we'll see changes afterwards. I'm all for seeing Jimmer get minutes over Thornton at this point, defensive liabilities or not you can't doubt Jimmer's effort which is what this whole culture changing talk is all about.
 
I can't stand Thompson's constant whining. He's like a malcontent child. Worst thing is you can actually hear him verbally abuse the refs in an aggressive manner nearly every time. Surprised he doesn't get many T's.

Completely agree, other than the verbally abuse part which I haven't heard. As far as verbal outcries out of frustration go I think Cousins wins hands down (you can hear him scream **** on the broadcast at least once every game). But oh boy does JT's signature, patented move - the throw hands up in the air and then put them behind his head while looking all flustered) irk me to no end.
 
Completely agree, other than the verbally abuse part which I haven't heard. As far as verbal outcries out of frustration go I think Cousins wins hands down (you can hear him scream **** on the broadcast at least once every game). But oh boy does JT's signature, patented move - the throw hands up in the air and then put them behind his head while looking all flustered) irk me to no end.

What being a Kings Fan has taught me is that some fans make up their minds about some players, and that's all there is to it. There are some players whom, in some fans' minds, can do no wrong. And there are other players whom, in some fans' minds, can do no right.

I feel the need to re-post this, almost every single day. Thompson wasn't in the game for two whole minutes last night, before some posters in the Game Thread were virtually foaming at the mouth with their distaste for him. Which led me to say to myself, "I don't think that Thompson is necessarily the problem in this particular equation..."
 
It's sad, but 5 games in and I find my eyes are already off the potential playoff spot standings and on Utah etc. for draft positioning. 5 games in. Only with this franchise
 
McCallum anyone? I'd like to see an experiment with the kid paired with Cousins. Asking Vasquez to play D is like asking Obamacare to be fixed. Ain't happening anytime soon. With this back-to-back, it might be time to give the kid a shot, especially since the game is at home. There are only three guards that we have that are physically able to defend - IT, McLemore, McCallum.

The Kings got killed on the boards. Not enough physicality. Cousins was left at the Alamo by himself. Too bad Robinson couldn't switch teams. I'd take him for a couple of 2nd round picks.

With the exception of IT and McLemore, the quickness to the ball on this team is nonexistent. Several times the ball was knocked loose and the Kings didn't come up with it.

We talked in the preseason about the possibility that the offense could suffer because of the initial energy loss due to playing D under Malone. Maybe what we are seeing is some of that. Maybe it isn't. In any case, if you have this kind of shooting from the 2, 3, and 4, winning is an impossibility.
 
IT looked really good to me tonight. The shot % is misleading for anyone who didn't watch the game. While he didn't throw up huge scoring numbers and it was an off night for him in points he looked really good. He had a handful of dumb turnovers, but they were primarily while he was trying to do the right thing. I can live with that. I for one, have no worries about his ability to score. The other stuff I am worried about he showed he was trying to fix tonight.

agreed. his shot selection, outside of maybe one or two kinda hero shots in the fourth, looked pretty solid and he did seem to make a concerted efforts to get others involved, even on plays where I fully expected him to take the shot himself. the shot wasn't falling and there were fumbles and maybe players not quite ready for the pass, so the boxscore does look ugly, but, decision-making wise, this was a really good game from IT, I thought. in general, his decision-making seems to improve by the game, which is really nice to see.
 
I know it's early but lets assume IT can keep this sort of pace up and shows he can play effectively with Cousins, could we possibly look to deal Vasquez (expiring) with one of our unwanted contracts (Marcus Thornton/Chuck Hayes/Salmons) to get something we really need ?Rookie Ray can be a back up Tony Douglas type who bring D. I going into the season thought the ball movement would be a lot better with Vasquez but it's not really and he's not really capable of breaking down a defence to set up easy buckets he's just not that impressive at this point.
 
I know it's early but lets assume IT can keep this sort of pace up and shows he can play effectively with Cousins, could we possibly look to deal Vasquez (expiring) with one of our unwanted contracts (Marcus Thornton/Chuck Hayes/Salmons) to get something we really need ?Rookie Ray can be a back up Tony Douglas type who bring D. I going into the season thought the ball movement would be a lot better with Vasquez but it's not really and he's not really capable of breaking down a defence to set up easy buckets he's just not that impressive at this point.

in this kind of situation, the expiring thing might actually work against us. Vasquez doesn't earn enough to provide real salary relief for potential trade partners and he's good enough to attract interest, once the season is over. he's restricted after the season, which helps matters some, but he hasn't looked like he's all there and it would look really strange for the Kings to look to trade the guy they just acquired last offseason.

the best solution appears to be to just roll with our current tandem and extend only one of them in the offseason, as it seemed was the front office's plan all along. personally, I was always leaning towards Thomas in this scenario. however, before these last few games, IT was a clear backup in my eyes, but if he can modify his game to play like he did yesterday all the time, then I can start getting behind him as an eventual starter.
 
For a guy who mainly shoots wide open cause teams want him to take that his %'s most the time are not good, the one shot he has done from midrange is that banker I don't think he's missed one all year or preseason he should use it more that's the only shot I want him taking outside the paint.

I'm still not convinced that's entirely intentional.
 
I feel the need to re-post this, almost every single day. Thompson wasn't in the game for two whole minutes last night, before some posters in the Game Thread were virtually foaming at the mouth with their distaste for him. Which led me to say to myself, "I don't think that Thompson is necessarily the problem in this particular equation..."

Well you can believe whatever you want. I made no comment on his play whatsoever, nor did I blame him for our struggles. I simply get annoyed by his body language and complaining on every foul call for 5 years now.
 
Are the Kings intending to trade Marcus Thornton? He has let a great opportunity slip right through his pouty lips this year, coming into the season without any noticeable improvements to his game. I can't take much more of his jacking of 3's after defensive stops, and I hope he gets traded soon - or benched permanently.

JT was on the radio yesterday morning saying that fans need to do their part in supporting this team by showing up to games. Hey JT, why don't you do your part and improve your game? Why don't you quit whining at calls that are legitimate? You think people want to pay money in order to see you argue with refs? It's sickening that his game is exactly the same after 5 years.

Can we ship these two for an expiring like Deng?

In contrast, I think Outlaw has earned more playing time. I agree with other posters that have suggested that he start in place of Salmons. Outlaw might be a little out of control at times, but you can see he cares and gives 100% effort on the floor. I will be anxious to see if Malone makes any changes after tonight's game - I think it will show whether trade value or effort dictates playing time.
 
Well you can believe whatever you want. I made no comment on his play whatsoever, nor did I blame him for our struggles. I simply get annoyed by his body language and complaining on every foul call for 5 years now.
That was kind of my point.
 
That was kind of my point.

And I don't see the problem with that. It's one thing if I fault his play because he annoys me with his body language, but that's not what I'm doing. I don't see what's so wrong with saying that his other antics annoy me. Or have you never seen other members of this board complain about Kobe/Duncan etc. for pretty much the same thing? I can understand you being unsettled with "posters foaming at the mouth with distaste" for JT who say that he sucks, that his playing is bad, that we should trade him, doesn't deserve his contract etc. But you're unhappy that I personally find his whining annoying? Really?

I guess in Mr Slim's world pet peeves aren't allowed.

For the record - I think James Harden is a very good player. But I don't like his beard.
 
All things considering, it could have been worse. Although we are lucky that we aren't 0-5.. we would have been had Cousins not had a huge game.
 
I will agree that JT complaining after every single call and looking over at the bench for sympathy, is not good for the teams attitude and culture. Not sure why he feels the need to be a drama queen out there.

I'd like to pick up a hard nosed player or two, like a Corliss Williamson type. Glad we have him on our staff by the way, but he needs characters with the mental fortitude that he can work with
 
And I don't see the problem with that. It's one thing if I fault his play because he annoys me with his body language, but that's not what I'm doing. I don't see what's so wrong with saying that his other antics annoy me. Or have you never seen other members of this board complain about Kobe/Duncan etc. for pretty much the same thing? I can understand you being unsettled with "posters foaming at the mouth with distaste" for JT who say that he sucks, that his playing is bad, that we should trade him, doesn't deserve his contract etc. But you're unhappy that I personally find his whining annoying? Really?

I guess in Mr Slim's world pet peeves aren't allowed.

For the record - I think James Harden is a very good player. But I don't like his beard.

There's an irony here that's going completely over some heads...
 
In contrast, I think Outlaw has earned more playing time. I agree with other posters that have suggested that he start in place of Salmons. Outlaw might be a little out of control at times, but you can see he cares and gives 100% effort on the floor. I will be anxious to see if Malone makes any changes after tonight's game - I think it will show whether trade value or effort dictates playing time.

Outlaw should definitely keep getting more time. He came out and said that he was going to have a good year, immediately backed it up in preseason, and has done the same so far in the first 5 games. He's helping the team with his length and ability to play 'above the rim', as well as his shot selection and much improved shooting percentage.

Of everyone on this roster, Travis Outlaw has improved his game more than anyone and with some extra time to get into more of a flow and rhythm, could be back to where he was when he played his best for the Blazers...or even better with an improved 3 point shot
 
The box score says you guys are right. Portland made more baskets on fewer shots. That gives them an advantage in assists and rebounds.

Two thirds of the Kings' points came from the 1 and the 5. In other words the 2,3 and 4 positions accounted for about 10 % each of the scoring.

Aldridge was very impressive. The Kings made Mathews look good. Even a guy from England.

With the current Kings' team playing the way they are, they can't outscore anyone. Maybe they need to hold opposing teams below 100 points to have a chance.
 
This team is bad, because it can't shoot to save it's life. Even though we were down 10 most of that game we still could of came back and won. But not with this team's shooting. Soon as we get some defensive stops, it's back to brick city.
 
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