[Grades] Grades v. Bobhornets 12/17/2013
- Thread starter Bricklayer
- Start date
Yes he was a mind numbing -2 when he was on the floor tonight.
ShastaKingsFan
All-Star
Here is a bonus image from that .gif I posted in the game thread.
Poor guy looks like a zombie on the hunt
There's a common denominator.
rainmaker
Hall of Famer
Agree with your point, but just posting this because Cuz has been even better the last five games.
32mins/23.8pts/14.6rbs/4.2ast/2.4stls
Why he has to take a backseat to IT in the 4th of a close game while IT launched contested shot after contested shot, I don't know. At some point Cuz is going to have to go the KG/Barkley/Shaq route and pull IT aside in the huddle and say, "give me the goddamn ball or I'm going to knock your *** out". Malone isn't getting through to him. Cuz looks like the last option and if IT ignores our franchise getting in his face and demanding the ball, well, he just can't be here much longer.
I'm kind of bridging off the reply to you here and just talking more in general about the game tonight. IT's offense wasn't his only problem although some are concentrating on it. His defense was just as bad. Flat out horrible at times. Has zero idea what to do when he gets screened and for the life of me I can't figure out why he keeps sagging off so far into the lane. At 5'6" or whatever he's not going to impact plays defensively in the lane. I seriously don't know what he thinks he's going to accomplish by sagging off onto guys who are a foot taller than him, if not more. What he's impacting is it's helluva lot easier for his man to spot up and shoot over him on the catch. It's easy enough if IT is on his man, but when IT is trying to recover from sagging off into the lane? Game over. It's like going out back and practicing shooting jumpers over a garbage can. You don't see it. Doesn't effect your shot at all.
Gay was poor but not sure how much his knee was bothering him. What I do know is when he did play in the first half he didn't get the ball in great positions and tried to force the issue in a crowd instead. His actual touches were severely cut down compared to where they should be due to our PG having a case of sticky fingers.
Ben, I don't know what to do with. Have to be patient with him but it doesn't mean he has to start. Confidence is low and our PG looking him off repeatedly doesn't help. Doesn't know when/where his shots are coming.
I had an issue with the lineups tonight. F this small ball. What the hell happened to Gray? Malone's rotations were odd. Subs Outlaw in for Ben for a huge lineup, sans IT, but later plays small across the board with Acy at center, while we were doing a poor job on the glass btw. I don't care if Malone thinks Gray doesn't matchup well against certain team. Make them match up to us. Take advantage of our size.
All that being said, we're young and inconsistent. Wouldn't at all surprise me to see us knock off ATL tomorrow by 10+ points. Young and inconsistent teams have a habit of surprising people like that.
Entity
Hall of Famer
Good post....regarding IT. I think honestly he's just lazy on defense. All he cares about is his stats because he knows he's going to get paid a lot of money if he keeps putting up these numbers. He's not making much at all right now compared to the average NBA player. This is a opportunity to set himself up for life. If he actually exerted himself on defense he'd lose a little bit on offense because he would use up some of his energy. He was a much better defender the last couple of years so I know he's capable of it. He's made strides on offense and I think he's just running with that because he knows that's how he's going to get paid (and somebody will pay him). Plus, he's sort of the smiley face of the franchise. He's very popular with the fans and the media. That will help him get his contract and he knows that. I honestly think that's the first thing on his mind right now. I just wish he'd figure out a way to play better defense and still be an effective offensive player.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Poor guy looks like a zombie on the hunt
Ahem..the whole point is that ain't a guy.
Honolulu Kings Fan
G-League
I'm not sure D-Will's getting frozen out was on IT. During the first half, he was on the floor with Gay, DMC, and IT and I actually think he had most of his touches then. He racked up a lot of minutes with the bench unit in the 3rd quarter, where so many possessions turned into Jimmer or Outlaw bricks.
twslam07
All-Star
I disagree with most of this, but I see where you're coming from. Cousins isn't stupid. He knows very well how bad this team was last year, and he knows very well that it is going to take more than one season to turn this team around. And you know what the most promising piece of evidence is? He has stated that he still wants to be in Sacramento and signed a 4 year extension with us knowing this! In an ideal world, we would have a great supporting cast around Cousins to keep Santa Cuz nice and jolly, but unfortunately, we are not there yet. You can't sit there and say Cousins wouldn't be okay with our 7th overall pick in last year's draft getting consistent starter minutes during a time when our team is not competitive. The coaching staff and FO have made it very clear that this year is not about winning, but establishing a culture and a way to play the game of basketball. I would prefer to have our 20 year old rookie a part of that as much as possible. Wouldn't you?
We are hurting ourselves with starting Ben every night. Still, in my view, starting Ben is better than starting Marcus. If we are going to start someone in a learning mode, how about starting Ray? If he could handle it then we could play IT a little less and maybe improve our defense a modicum. The only thing we would have to lose are games. Also, it' possible we might see better results from Ray. Then you could bring Jimmer off the bench for Ben. Lots of options out their and I don't envy the job Malone has.
gunks
Hall of Famer
Cuz is what, 23? He's still years away from his prime! Awesome to think about really.
Sluggah
All-Star
I'm not sure which I hate watching more... Cousins having to turn it over because he's given the ball in the corner and immediately double/tripled teamed, or Cousins having to run out to the three point line to get a hand up because no one else feels like guarding anyone.
Screw sweat moppers. We need to hire someone to walk around the court slapping players upside the head after these plays.
Screw sweat moppers. We need to hire someone to walk around the court slapping players upside the head after these plays.
K
KingMilz
Guest
Acy C- is awfully harsh the dude made things happened out there the guy should have got an A he saved like 5 baskets and caused TO's showed toughness he impacted the game more than any player on the team not named Cousins. He was fantastic on switches and shows on the pick n roll with unreal energy and electric momentum changing dunks.
ShastaKingsFan
All-Star
It's an interesting point that just might worth exploring. If we're willing to attempt to allow Ben to development with this much time as a starter,...why not give Ray Mac a chance to learn with time, even when he'll make a few mistakes, just like everyone does.
I've actually wondered if Ray's game is more NBA ready than Ben's is. Wouldn't be a surpise at all, if we find out that it is. Only one way to find out, which is consistent stretches of play. Not a couple minutes every few games
CruzDude
Senior Member sharing a brew with bajaden
Seemed apparent to Bajaden and I watching game that Bobcats doubled Gay every chance and made point of pretty much shutting him down. It worked and their defense was really good most of game. Hopefully a lesson learned by Kings. It's gonna take a long time to get it all worked out. Essentially another new starting bunch along with IT still figuring out starter requirements vs. just energy off the bench. MLM's shot and stroke are too nice to hsmper him but he needs to let the game come to him rather than pushing too much. Easy to say but hard to put in practice.
I think coach Malone needs to modify his substitution patterns a little bit. Today was better than it has been, but I want to see Cousins brought back earlier to play with Jimmer and Outlaw. Jimmer can't create for himself, he plays decent team D but individually isn't very good. The problem I think is that we are counting on Outlaw to be our bench scorer, and that just isn't going to work. Jimmer was open multiple times for Outlaw or JT to kick it out to but never got it. I'm not really trying to defend Jimmer specifically, just saying what we should try to do given the lineup that is out there or pointing out what the guys missed. Maximising whatever little you've got sorta thing.
IT once again reinforced my belief that he's so much better coming off the bench. He should switch roles with Jimmer ... it's not like the defense from our guards can get any worse. IT is so much more effective when he DOESN'T play within the offense. He screams Jamal Crawford!
For the record, I was pretty impressed with the Cats' defense. They played smart D and defended us well. Henderson also impressed me.
IT once again reinforced my belief that he's so much better coming off the bench. He should switch roles with Jimmer ... it's not like the defense from our guards can get any worse. IT is so much more effective when he DOESN'T play within the offense. He screams Jamal Crawford!
For the record, I was pretty impressed with the Cats' defense. They played smart D and defended us well. Henderson also impressed me.
ParniValjak
All-Star
So IT is at it again! It's so predictable! If his direct opponent is having a good game on him, IT turns into this selfish gunner with inferiority complex and turns it into a shootout with his opponent with complete disregard for running the team.
By far the most selfish player on the roster and that is saying something considering we have Thornton and Outlaw on the team. IT just can't help himself. If you are the opposing team then its pretty simple to beat the Kings by making them beat themselves. A pre requisite is to get you decent PG going against IT to wake up his ego and watch IT destroy his own team. Even a monster game from Cousins will not harm your chances that much!
By far the most selfish player on the roster and that is saying something considering we have Thornton and Outlaw on the team. IT just can't help himself. If you are the opposing team then its pretty simple to beat the Kings by making them beat themselves. A pre requisite is to get you decent PG going against IT to wake up his ego and watch IT destroy his own team. Even a monster game from Cousins will not harm your chances that much!
Kind of my thoughts as well. Kind of difficult to get any flow or chemistry developed when we have 4 new guys on the team, 5 key rotational players leave, and 4 new starters from where we were game 1. Naturally, there's going to be issues of simply not knowing what the hell we're doing out there.
Bosnian Diehard
Starter
Rookie Season:
Peja Stojakovic - 37% FG, 32% 3PT, 85%
Kyle Korver - 35% FG, 39% 3PT, 79%
Ben McLemore - 34% FG, 33% 3PT, 80%
All true shooter stats. So, his 3 point percentage is better than Peja's in his rookie year, and his free throw percentage is better than Kyle Korver's in his rookie year. They all struggled in these stats except for Korver from three. Peja/Korver's free throw percentages were more indicative of what kind of shooters they'd become. Don't worry, he is just a rookie with no real distributor to allow him to do what he does best - catch and shoot.
I can't comment on Stojakovic, but I am pretty dead certain that the FO did not see Ben McLemore as a Kyle Korver type of player. You do not draft a Kyle Korver-like player with the #7 pick. The league is full of lesser Kyle Korvers who were drafted way later. Late 1st rounders or second rounders.
I doubt anyone in their right mind would write Ben off as a bust at this point. But fact is he was touted as a shooter coming in, and last I checked 34% FG and 33% from 3 are not even remotely close to being any kind of shooter.
Chubbs
Starter
Ben is not the first rookie to struggle folks.
Ben is a smaller more athletic Peja, a catch and shoot guy in an offense that almost never puts him in a position to succeed. Or anyone else for that matter. We have a pg who can't get it done. Pretty much a nightmare scenario for Ben.
No, I'm not blaming the little man for ben's struggles. But he's not helping either. He helps no one but himself. Get that contract buddy and get out of town. Please. I've had enough of him and his fans and his pizza. He's a cancer. A selfish little tumor that needs to be removed .
Patience with Ben.
Hopefully we move the last couple cancers from the smart era (IT and MT) and then we can start moving forward. Till then, it's gonna be tough. Just hope cousins can rise above our joke of a pg.
Ps- Thought I'd get in on the venting train.
Ben is a smaller more athletic Peja, a catch and shoot guy in an offense that almost never puts him in a position to succeed. Or anyone else for that matter. We have a pg who can't get it done. Pretty much a nightmare scenario for Ben.
No, I'm not blaming the little man for ben's struggles. But he's not helping either. He helps no one but himself. Get that contract buddy and get out of town. Please. I've had enough of him and his fans and his pizza. He's a cancer. A selfish little tumor that needs to be removed .
Patience with Ben.
Hopefully we move the last couple cancers from the smart era (IT and MT) and then we can start moving forward. Till then, it's gonna be tough. Just hope cousins can rise above our joke of a pg.
Ps- Thought I'd get in on the venting train.
L
Lennox
Guest
How is jimmer going to be on point when he plays like 5 min (if that) every few games? His shot was short but was not bricking or aired one time. That has to do with comfort of playing time. If he hits 3 of them he looks good but everyone else is ok if they go 2 of 10 like Ben or 8 of 25 like Isaiah. With more pt I think he shoots the best on this team. No one is going to do good with 5 min playing time if you are a shooter. He is out there thinking if he makes 1 mistake he won't play for 5 games. Look he needs to keep an eye on his man he's if defending and quit watching the play because his man who is usually the fastest guy out there is cutting and scoring. But his crossover looked good because he got wide open on all his shots but they all fell short. That would be corrected if he had consistent playing time.
The Kings defense in the first quarter, gave up 35 points to the second most anemic offense in the NBA. The first half was abysmal. In the second half, the Kings' couldn't hit anything. Their defense was not good, but better.
Cousins had a good game, but struggled with the double team down the stretch.
Acy brings intensity which tends to really be absent on this team.
The post above that compares Ben Mac's stats is very telling. It takes time to develop young players.
Gay was missing in action, and the knee problem is troubling.
IT tried to do too much down the stretch, but was very successful getting to the basket. On a nite when no one can hit from outside that is exactly what needs to happen.
The Kings really needed one more player to step up and provide some offense. No one was able to do that. But the "sieve" defense was the problem against Charlotte. The Kings' should be embarrassed by their lack of defense.
Cousins had a good game, but struggled with the double team down the stretch.
Acy brings intensity which tends to really be absent on this team.
The post above that compares Ben Mac's stats is very telling. It takes time to develop young players.
Gay was missing in action, and the knee problem is troubling.
IT tried to do too much down the stretch, but was very successful getting to the basket. On a nite when no one can hit from outside that is exactly what needs to happen.
The Kings really needed one more player to step up and provide some offense. No one was able to do that. But the "sieve" defense was the problem against Charlotte. The Kings' should be embarrassed by their lack of defense.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
Wait a minute. Gay is a no-show, and IT hurt us more? That makes no sense.
I'm not blaming Gay for being injured, but his absence was obviously more important to this game that IT's presence.
There are obviously people on one side, who feel that we could have survived Gay's poor play, had Thomas not jacked so many shots, and people on the other side, who feel that we could have survived Thomas jacking up shots, had Gay not played so poorly. It seems to depend on your perspective, and perhaps also on which you think is likelier to happen again.
K
Kingsguy881
Guest
Stop. Just stop. This post is all sorts of wrong and not even on topic or has anything to do with the first 54 posts of this thread.
K
Kingsguy881
Guest
I'm in the former. If Cousins puts up 10 more shots it'd be hard pressed to not have been a much closer game, if not a Kings dubya.
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