[Grades] Grades v. Bucks 12/23/10

[Bricklayer]

I don't know guys, I just don't know. This is like some bizarre experiment at this point.

Oh yea, Merry Christmas and all that.


So, for a theme on this Christmas Eve, let's go with some Bad Santas



Official Boxscore

Greene ( C ) -- a few good plays early attcking inside, missing his threes early, let Salmons go right by him once on defense and let everyone know that was his bad. Very strange final play at the close of the halff, taking the pass from Jeter in the backcourt, dribbling it all the way up, never passing it for the final 7 seconds and forcing up a shot in traffic at the buzzer. Not Donte like, but typified the team's seeming hangover. Went right into the post and posted Douglas Roberts to start the third and played a good roleplaying quarter, defending, helping a littel on the glass, moving the ball. Back in at the 6:00 mark of the 4th with the rest of the starters, and started off by airballing a three. Then two more misses as it wasn't exactly the sort of work you want to put up to argue for more crunch minutes.

Landry ( B- ) -- a different game for Carl. No offense in the early going, and fumbled away what should have been a sure hoop from Reke. But was actually boarding, if not defending the middle. Post score to start the 3rd, but generally resisted the urge to do too much ojne o one, although there were a few forced jumpers, and mostly focused on the offensive boards. Finally got the o-reb and finish on a wild sequence where Dalembert drove, missed, and grabbed three offensive rebound missing each folow before Landry mopped up. Nobody on the Bucks to take advantage of Carl's individual D, and for once basically won that battle and the battle of the boards. Punchless and no factor at all late, but 9pt 12reb Carl is probably a more solid PF than 15pt 4reb Carl.

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[theclash4u5]

Come on guys, this is totally not Westphal's fault! He can turn this team around!!

 

[Rockmeister]

Come on guys, this is totally not Westphal's fault! He can turn this team around!!

Are you kidding me? The Kings are 5-22. I don't think anyone can turn this team around. Its really starting to not even be fun anymore. Same mistakes over and over again....just on a different day.

 

[Dr. Spaceman]

This is a young team that needs to learn how to win, but have they been learning? It seems like they keep making the same mistakes at the same time during every game. Are our players really that stupid? That inept? Or do they just not have anyone to drill the concept of playing correctly down the stretch? There obviously aren't any consequences for playing dumb, because we shouldn't be making the same mental errors that we were making 2 months ago. But here we are.

This is an incredibly undisciplined team that kills their natural talent with awful decisionmaking, much like the Dallas Cowboys were under their own passive, soft-voiced coach.

 

[theclash4u5]

Are you kidding me? The Kings are 5-22. I don't think anyone can turn this team around. Its really starting to not even be fun anymore. Same mistakes over and over again....just on a different day.

I thought that doing THIS would give you a better sense of my sarcasm...guess not

But I do agree with what you said... I can't believe this team started 3 and 1....it seems like seasons ago.

 

[PurpleHaze]

This is a young team that needs to learn how to win, but have they been learning? It seems like they keep making the same mistakes at the same time during every game. Are our players really that stupid? That inept? Or do they just not have anyone to drill the concept of playing correctly down the stretch? There obviously aren't any consequences for playing dumb, because we shouldn't be making the same mental errors that we were making 2 months ago. But here we are.

This is an incredibly undisciplined team that kills their natural talent with awful decisionmaking, much like the Dallas Cowboys were under their own passive, soft-voiced coach.

We are dumb. All of us, players, front office, coaches, and now with total lack of booing all this - the fans. But it's the players that are most dumb IMO. Interesting cryptic comment by Coach on "personal issues" in one particular players life that is maybe why he's in a funk.

 

[theclash4u5]

This is a young team that needs to learn how to win, but have they been learning? It seems like they keep making the same mistakes at the same time during every game. Are our players really that stupid? That inept? Or do they just not have anyone to drill the concept of playing correctly down the stretch? There obviously aren't any consequences for playing dumb, because we shouldn't be making the same mental errors that we were making 2 months ago. But here we are.

This is an incredibly undisciplined team that kills their natural talent with awful decisionmaking, much like the Dallas Cowboys were under their own passive, soft-voiced coach.

And just like the Cowboys, this team will look better immediately with a new coach...

 

[Bricklayer]

This is a young team that needs to learn how to win, but have they been learning? It seems like they keep making the same mistakes at the same time during every game. Are our players really that stupid? That inept? Or do they just not have anyone to drill the concept of playing correctly down the stretch? There obviously aren't any consequences for playing dumb, because we shouldn't be making the same mental errors that we were making 2 months ago. But here we are.

This is an incredibly undisciplined team that kills their natural talent with awful decisionmaking, much like the Dallas Cowboys were under their own passive, soft-voiced coach.

The funny, and now its reached disturbing level, is that its only in the 4th quarter. There was something off all game here, you could feel it. And I'm sure it was the stink left over from last time, and the aftermeth of that. But even so, there were for probably the 10th time this seasonm, having played right with the other team, anyone's game..and then every single late game performance is the same, no matter who we have on the floor. This time Daly is out there, all of a sudden collect 4 or 5 fouls in 6 mintues and is gone. Pooh is out there, forces shots. Donte finally gets his chance, airballs a shot and misses three in a row. I'm not sure I have seen such an incredibly well defeined syndrome, such a total break in level of play caused by nothing more than a stupid number on the scoreboard beign flipped from 3 to 4. Its almost like the team wants to lose. Much as I generaly poo poo them, this team needs a sports psychologist. Or a new coach or trade to shake them up.

 

[BLNINJA #81]

We could've been 1-26... easy, if the ball hadn't bounced our way in some early games.

 

[Nighthawk1]

I really can't figure out if..
A) The team just doesn't want to play under PW anymore - which would explain their uninspired and uncompetitive play most the season
B) They're really just not very bright overall

They were at least fiery and competitive last season, if it's A then PW should change his approach or GP should start looking at making a change. If it's B well then maybe a few trades are in order (I wouldn't mind this to begin with) to consolidate multiple talents/prospects into a couple stronger and more developed players...

 

[kingsboi]

We could've been 1-26... easy, if the ball hadn't bounced our way in some early games.

At this point, I kinda wish we were 1-26 to be honest.

 

[kingsboi]

same ish different toilet type of game. We know atleast that Beno and Landry are going to show up, on most nights. Other than them two, it's really up in the air.

 

[Nighthawk1]

This is a young team that needs to learn how to win, but have they been learning? It seems like they keep making the same mistakes at the same time during every game. Are our players really that stupid? That inept? Or do they just not have anyone to drill the concept of playing correctly down the stretch? There obviously aren't any consequences for playing dumb, because we shouldn't be making the same mental errors that we were making 2 months ago. But here we are.

This is an incredibly undisciplined team that kills their natural talent with awful decisionmaking, much like the Dallas Cowboys were under their own passive, soft-voiced coach.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein

Is how I see this team and like I eluded to in my previous post I swear it's one of two options or maybe a combination of both. I don't assume there will be a tear jerking hollywood ending if we continue along this path with the same parties involved. Something has to change, but it's GP job to decide which route is best as we can only play backseat GM.

 

[PurpleHaze]

And just like the Cowboys, this team will look better immediately with a new coach...

Ok, if it's just like the Cowboys let's be their clone. They fired Wade in mid-season and took on an assistant coach (his title was assistant head coach) Jason Garrett. So who do you suggest on the Kings current assistants we elevate to stardom? Of course, Garrett has won a few games now but may not keep the job permanently if Jerry Jones can snatch a Jeff Fisher, Jon Gruden, or other big name.

 

[Bricklayer]

Ok, if it's just like the Cowboys let's be their clone. They fired Wade in mid-season and took on an assistant coach (his title was assistant head coach) Jason Garrett. So who do you suggest on the Kings current assistants we elevate to stardom? Of course, Garrett has won a few games now but may not keep the job permanently if Jerry Jones can snatch a Jeff Fisher, Jon Gruden, or other big name.

Elie was clearly the guy until the DUI. Winner and tough guy as a player, and had been intereviewed for head spots before. Maybe an up and comer that people would lsiten to with several rings. But I don't know how to factor in the DUI, and having been here for a year and a half with Westphal, all the winner stuff is kind of muted because players already know him and assocaite him with the current regime. Still, he's the obvious head choice, if we went that way.

If I were the owners I would seriously be looking outside for an impact guy, a longterm guy who could come in and change the culture. But then again, if I were the owners I'd probably also be broke and maybe not abel top afford that even if I could convince somebody to come. Much as I have always thought he was overrated, especailly vis a vis Adelman etc., a guy like Jeff Van Gundy suddenly interests me as he's always coached great centers and likes defensive rosters, which ours has the potential to be. Miek Brown maybe intereste me in that he's coached LeBron and might be abel to help Reke, and again coaches defense. Tehre are guys out there, but just who knows at this point.

 

[Section 101]

"You're travelling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination—next stop, the U Reke Zone!"

 

[Dr. Spaceman]

Ok, if it's just like the Cowboys let's be their clone. They fired Wade in mid-season and took on an assistant coach (his title was assistant head coach) Jason Garrett. So who do you suggest on the Kings current assistants we elevate to stardom? Of course, Garrett has won a few games now but may not keep the job permanently if Jerry Jones can snatch a Jeff Fisher, Jon Gruden, or other big name.

I really think Mario Elie could be an answer here. Did he make a mistake with the DUI? Of course, but having seen him as a player and listening to him for quite a while now as a coach, the DUI really doesn't reflect on his personality. The great thing about him is that he's been a winner and in the summer league he impressed me with how decisive he was with the coaching direction of tha team. Maybe it was a group coaching decision, but he executed it.

If he ends up not being the answer, I think we might need someone more towards the Larry Brown end of the disciplinarian spectrum. But please, God, not Larry Brown. Or Jeff Van Gundy. Or Mark Jackson.

Edit: And now that I've seen Brick's post, I've gotta say hell no to Mike Brown. Give me Mike Breen instead in that case. Did you see the Cavs' offense under him? As bad as ours is, the Cavs' offense was worse. It's just that they had a Power Ranger handling the ball for them most of the time so it worked out. At least during the regular season.

 

[theclash4u5]

Elie was clearly the guy until the DUI. Winner and tough guy as a player, and had been intereviewed for head spots before. Maybe an up and comer that people would lsiten to with several rings. But I don't know how to factor in the DUI, and having been here for a year and a half with Westphal, all the winner stuff is kind of muted because players already know him and assocaite him with the current regime. Still, he's the obvious head choice, if we went that way.

If I were the owners I would seriously be looking outside for an impact guy, a longterm guy who could come in and change the culture. But then again, if I were the owners I'd probably also be broke and maybe not abel top afford that even if I could convince somebody to come. Much as I have always thought he was overrated, especailly vis a vis Adelman etc., a guy like Jeff Van Gundy suddenly interests me as he's always coached great centers and likes defensive rosters, which ours has the potential to be. Miek Brown maybe intereste me in that he's coached LeBron and might be abel to help Reke, and again coaches defense. Tehre are guys out there, but just who knows at this point.

Completely agree with this. I think that PW would already be on his way out if it wasn't for Elie's DUI. The organization knows of the DUI mistakes recently, and I could imagine the PR nightmare if they suddenly promoted him to HC. I did hear that there are some coaches out there (such as Mike Brown) who are desperate for another chance (apparently the Bobcats looked into several names since they fired the entire coaching staff) and could be picked up for cheap.

 

[BLNINJA #81]

What about Mike Woodson? He did ok with the Hawks. Took a couple years for him to do it, but never regressed as far as my memory serves me.

 

[theclash4u5]

Is anyone else somewhat afraid that instead of simply firing PW, that instead we'll trade some of our young talent for more veteran players that suit PW's coaching style?

 

[Dr. Spaceman]

Is anyone else somewhat afraid that instead of simply firing PW, that instead we'll trade some of our young talent for more veteran players that suit PW's coaching style?

Regardless of whether Westphal is coaching or not, it wouldn't be a bad idea to trade some of our players (*coughLandryCasspiBenoandGarcia*cough*) for some winning vets to balance out the youth on this team. It's team that currently doesn't know how to win and doesn't really respect the team concept. Let's get some players who do.

 

[rainmaker]

What about Mike Woodson? He did ok with the Hawks. Took a couple years for him to do it, but never regressed as far as my memory serves me.

His offense in atlanta was just as bad as Mike Browns in Cle.

 

[pshn80]

I see these same things but how can a team that plays so competitively and hard for three quarters play so poorly across the board in the fourth? They play hard in the fourth but again exhibited a desperation, an impatience that totally defeats their spirit. I agree with most all the things you say except I don't think its the coach. I suppose I'm in left field but I don't think it is the coach. I think of all the actions I could suggest in all these recent losses is to take Tyreke out for the last ten minutes. He has been the most consistently poor player in the fourth in all these recent losses. It's tough. I feel for these guys.

 

[theclash4u5]

Regardless of whether Westphal is coaching or not, it wouldn't be a bad idea to trade some of our players (*coughLandryCasspiBenoandGarcia*cough*) for some winning vets to balance out the youth on this team. It's team that currently doesn't know how to win and doesn't really respect the team concept. Let's get some players who do.

I agree, but wouldn't it be better to find our new coach, let him sort through the mess, and THEN make changes that will help his team?

 

[Bricklayer]

Is anyone else somewhat afraid that instead of simply firing PW, that instead we'll trade some of our young talent for more veteran players that suit PW's coaching style?

Not Reke or Cousins obviosuly. The second tier guys? Perhaps. Doubt both SFs would go though. So maybe one SF and not sure where the organization stands with JT at the moment.

 

[PurpleHaze]

I see these same things but how can a team that plays so competitively and hard for three quarters play so poorly across the board in the fourth? They play hard in the fourth but again exhibited a desperation, an impatience that totally defeats their spirit. I agree with most all the things you say except I don't think its the coach. I suppose I'm in left field but I don't think it is the coach. I think of all the actions I could suggest in all these recent losses is to take Tyreke out for the last ten minutes. He has been the most consistently poor player in the fourth in all these recent losses. It's tough. I feel for these guys.

No, you are definitely not in "left field," IMO. The competiveness is there, virtually no blowout losses. Something is keeping us from closing out games. Now, at least we know that Tyreke has been bothered by something "personal" all along that has affected his play this entire season - apparently. Put on top of that, dumb crunch time play by a host of Kings players - and you have a problem.

 

[Dr. Spaceman]

I agree, but wouldn't it be better to find our new coach, let him sort through the mess, and THEN make changes that will help his team?

I made the suggestion in the game thread that we should trade for Chauncey Billups, who might be on the market if the Nuggets move Melo and decide to blow it up. If you can get him on this team, you're essentially throwing another coach onto the floor with the players. I'm being completely serious. Our offense desperately needs someone who can tighten the reins on the floor for everyone and pick their spots for them, because it seems no one on our team has a conscience offensively.

Tyreke should've been the guy, but our coaching staff is just fine with allowing him to do his Lebron impersonation instead of teaching him the point guard position. So disappointed that's how they've chosen to develop him. But now that we're in the position we're in, we need to import someone who can do those things and be a good influence off the court as well. I think a simple move like that could outweigh the bad coaching we have. If we were to get the new player and the coach all at once -- hey, even better.

 

[Entity]

Westphal says Tyreke told him about some personal problems he is having after the game. Anybody got an ideas. PW got pretty upset when he kept getting asked questions about. They asked what kind of situation it was he "nobody's buisness, thats what it is"

 

[PurpleHaze]

Westphal says Tyreke told him about some personal problems he is having after the game. Anybody got an ideas. PW got pretty upset when he kept getting asked questions about. They asked what kind of situation it was he "nobody's buisness, thats what it is"

We've bounced this around a bit in a couple of other threads tonight - and hopefully avoiding rumor mill treatment. Looks like it's a "family issue" and we know Reke has a big extended family if you include his posse of associates.

 

[Asaf]

looks like kingsflix aren't going to post the PW postgame comments video...