[Grades] Grades v. Bulls 2/3/2014

[bajaden]

Yeah how on earth was that a B+? I would give him an A, A- at the very least

Have to agree. He only played 11 minutes, and except for one mistake, it was a very productive, and flawless 11 minutes. He managed 4 assists and a point a minute to go alone with 2 steals. I believe he tied Cousins for assists.

 

[Glenn]

Does anyone have a theory of what happened with IT in this game? It is easy to say that Cuz got to him or something of the sort but he has never played like this with Cuz on the floor before. This is what I have wanted all along and this IT is a keeper. Maybe Malone sat down with him and went over the stats and showed him what has been happening. I just said yesterday that I didn't think IT could change unless Malone took charge. I implied that IT didn't have the brain power to handle all the different situations as a pg in an NBA game. As an aside, I think Jimmer is the opposite. Jimmer has the brain power and lacks the physical abilities except for the shooting.

Many of us have seen the team flounder in the 4th because of IT hero ball. Perhaps playing Jimmer in the 4th instead of IT was how Malone took charge of IT. It worked for the team and I don't think we could ask for much more from our pgs. In the end, it is the team that is more important than the individual and I think IT has trouble melding that concept with his natural excellent ability to score.

Now a complaint and I say the following because it has been the announcer's mantra to say "well, it's the 4th quarter and we know what that means. It's IT time." That is exactly what a lot of us have complained about. IT tends to lose control of himself in the 4th quarter. Whether I am right or wrong, playing the 4th with Jimmer made the 4th quarter a whole different experience. I am going to place some blame directly on Jerry and Grant for saying the 4th is IT time. They create a sense of expectation and pressure on IT that is unrealistic. It is based on something they see that many of us do not. I think we are correct. IT has gone into the 4th thinking it IS his quarter and he has to produce something on his own. The complexity of the game is that he has to lead the team to a win or maintain a lead and that doesn't necessarily mean that he has to score.

Can IT maintain his present level and can Malone continue to use Jimmer in the 4th? Different situations may demand different things but for now we saw a unique change in coaching that made what should have been a routine win turn into a routine win instead of a nail biter. There certainly are many arguments to continue this approach.

We have very good coach and perhaps we have three pgs that need simply to be used properly and also be given a chance to gain experience. (I don't count two years under Smart as experience).

 

[Gary]

That puts him in Mikki Moore territory.

Moore wasn't THAT bad. I would have liked a guy like Moore coming off the bench for this team.

 

[Spike]

Many of us have seen the team flounder in the 4th because of IT hero ball. Perhaps playing Jimmer in the 4th instead of IT was how Malone took charge of IT. It worked for the team and I don't think we could ask for much more from our pgs. In the end, it is the team that is more important than the individual and I think IT has trouble melding that concept with his natural excellent ability to score.

I didn't see the game, so I don't know how IT's body language went while he was on the bench. I tend to agree with your assessment, but by the same token, the lead DID balloon to a point where neither IT, Cousins, or Gay were really needed. Would he have gone back to IT if the lead shrunk when Jimmer entered? I don't know, but it's probably likely. I think Jimmer did more to earn the minutes than IT did to lose them, but again, I didn't see the game.

I tend to agree with the rest of your statement.

 

[Bricklayer]

Does anyone have a theory of what happened with IT in this game? It is easy to say that Cuz got to him or something of the sort but he has never played like this with Cuz on the floor before. This is what I have wanted all along and this IT is a keeper. Maybe Malone sat down with him and went over the stats and showed him what has been happening. I just said yesterday that I didn't think IT could change unless Malone took charge. I implied that IT didn't have the brain power to handle all the different situations as a pg in an NBA game. As an aside, I think Jimmer is the opposite. Jimmer has the brain power and lacks the physical abilities except for the shooting.

Many of us have seen the team flounder in the 4th because of IT hero ball. Perhaps playing Jimmer in the 4th instead of IT was how Malone took charge of IT. It worked for the team and I don't think we could ask for much more from our pgs. In the end, it is the team that is more important than the individual and I think IT has trouble melding that concept with his natural excellent ability to score.

Now a complaint and I say the following because it has been the announcer's mantra to say "well, it's the 4th quarter and we know what that means. It's IT time." That is exactly what a lot of us have complained about. IT tends to lose control of himself in the 4th quarter. Whether I am right or wrong, playing the 4th with Jimmer made the 4th quarter a whole different experience. I am going to place some blame directly on Jerry and Grant for saying the 4th is IT time. They create a sense of expectation and pressure on IT that is unrealistic. It is based on something they see that many of us do not. I think we are correct. IT has gone into the 4th thinking it IS his quarter and he has to produce something on his own. The complexity of the game is that he has to lead the team to a win or maintain a lead and that doesn't necessarily mean that he has to score.

Can IT maintain his present level and can Malone continue to use Jimmer in the 4th? Different situations may demand different things but for now we saw a unique change in coaching that made what should have been a routine win turn into a routine win instead of a nail biter. There certainly are many arguments to continue this approach.

We have very good coach and perhaps we have three pgs that need simply to be used properly and also be given a chance to gain experience. (I don't count two years under Smart as experience).

I think it was that twitter chick who finally got through to him.

 

[Kingster]

Does anyone have a theory of what happened with IT in this game? It is easy to say that Cuz got to him or something of the sort but he has never played like this with Cuz on the floor before. This is what I have wanted all along and this IT is a keeper. Maybe Malone sat down with him and went over the stats and showed him what has been happening. I just said yesterday that I didn't think IT could change unless Malone took charge. I implied that IT didn't have the brain power to handle all the different situations as a pg in an NBA game. As an aside, I think Jimmer is the opposite. Jimmer has the brain power and lacks the physical abilities except for the shooting.

Many of us have seen the team flounder in the 4th because of IT hero ball. Perhaps playing Jimmer in the 4th instead of IT was how Malone took charge of IT. It worked for the team and I don't think we could ask for much more from our pgs. In the end, it is the team that is more important than the individual and I think IT has trouble melding that concept with his natural excellent ability to score.

Now a complaint and I say the following because it has been the announcer's mantra to say "well, it's the 4th quarter and we know what that means. It's IT time." That is exactly what a lot of us have complained about. IT tends to lose control of himself in the 4th quarter. Whether I am right or wrong, playing the 4th with Jimmer made the 4th quarter a whole different experience. I am going to place some blame directly on Jerry and Grant for saying the 4th is IT time. They create a sense of expectation and pressure on IT that is unrealistic. It is based on something they see that many of us do not. I think we are correct. IT has gone into the 4th thinking it IS his quarter and he has to produce something on his own. The complexity of the game is that he has to lead the team to a win or maintain a lead and that doesn't necessarily mean that he has to score.

Can IT maintain his present level and can Malone continue to use Jimmer in the 4th? Different situations may demand different things but for now we saw a unique change in coaching that made what should have been a routine win turn into a routine win instead of a nail biter. There certainly are many arguments to continue this approach.

We have very good coach and perhaps we have three pgs that need simply to be used properly and also be given a chance to gain experience. (I don't count two years under Smart as experience).

IT had a 59% effective shooting rate prior to the big trade and prior to the Cousins injury. If there are other guards shooting that high, it's a very small group. He just can't play 42 minutes in games and play entire halfs, while at the same time playing an aggressive point guard role. If he can stand around sometimes so he can get a breather and the offense flows through others, then he can play more minutes. If he's literally the driver of the offense and he's facing a good offensive point guard in which he has to expend energy, there's just no way he can play those kind of minutes. If we can continue to get Jimmer to play many more minutes than he's been playing (with the exception of this game), and we have a healthy Gay and Cousins on the floor, then IT is going to have a very very high effective shooting rate because he's not playing the extended minutes, he is not the point of the offense on 60+% of the time, and he doesn't have to take as many shots because he's got others than can fill it up.

 

[mac]

IT had a 59% effective shooting rate prior to the big trade and prior to the Cousins injury. If there are other guards shooting that high, it's a very small group. He just can't play 42 minutes in games and play entire halfs, while at the same time playing an aggressive point guard role. If he can stand around sometimes so he can get a breather and the offense flows through others, then he can play more minutes. If he's literally the driver of the offense and he's facing a good offensive point guard in which he has to expend energy, there's just no way he can play those kind of minutes. If we can continue to get Jimmer to play many more minutes than he's been playing (with the exception of this game), and we have a healthy Gay and Cousins on the floor, then IT is going to have a very very high effective shooting rate because he's not playing the extended minutes, he is not the point of the offense on 60+% of the time, and he doesn't have to take as many shots because he's got others than can fill it up.

The whole problem is that half the time that is the result of his own doing. If he can take a backseat to Gay and Cousins and look to get all other players involved he becomes a much much better player. Underutilized in fact, but better for the team, which is why I don't see a big need to retain him if the price is too high

 

[ESP47]

If it makes it any easier on you guys, I vote that we just skip grading Thornton from here on out or just do a copy and paste and see how many games the exact same statement can fit into for him.

 

[Hadlowe]

If it makes it any easier on you guys, I vote that we just skip grading Thornton from here on out or just do a copy and paste and see how many games the exact same statement can fit into for him.

 

[Kingsfan23]

Management has made good moves but the Landry one so far is a thorn in the side.
ITs defensive capabilities seem to be downplayed on the forum whenever one of the many quality PGs in this league has a good offensive night no matter how garbage the team d is that assists the problem. When opposing PGs are held ITs d doesn't seem discussed

 

[Hadlowe]

Management has made good moves but the Landry one so far is a thorn in the side.
ITs defensive capabilities seem to be downplayed on the forum whenever one of the many quality PGs in this league has a good offensive night no matter how garbage the team d is that assists the problem. When opposing PGs are held ITs d doesn't seem discussed

1. From Henkel's grade "Isaiah's defensive effort and hustle was solid tonight, but to be fair the Bulls guards couldn't hit anything including their open looks."
2. You don't get credit for doing the basic portions of your job description. Playing defense is his job.

 

[Glenn]

1. From Henkel's grade "Isaiah's defensive effort and hustle was solid tonight, but to be fair the Bulls guards couldn't hit anything including their open looks."
2. You don't get credit for doing the basic portions of your job description. Playing defense is his job.

Anytime IT plays defense, it is notable.

 

[jalfa]

while he did concede a number of open looks, it did look intentional to me. as in coach Malone had him helping off his man deliberately in order to limit the Bulls' bigs and bait their PGs into as many shots as possible. a strategy that worked out brilliantly, one might add.

 

[Kingsfan23]

2. You don't get credit for doing the basic portions of your job description. Playing defense is his job.

To me it's as though he's a lightning rod and people hold him on a way shorter leash than anyone else on the roster.

 

[Warhawk]

To me it's as though he's a lightning rod and people hold him on a way shorter leash than anyone else on the roster.

Given his height, wouldn't that be a longer leash?

I'll be here all week, folks. Thanks.

 

[Chicken Chaser]

Jimmer highlights! He's so methodical in leading the offense. I loved that 3 pointer at the end.

 

[Kingster]

The whole problem is that half the time that is the result of his own doing. If he can take a backseat to Gay and Cousins and look to get all other players involved he becomes a much much better player. Underutilized in fact, but better for the team, which is why I don't see a big need to retain him if the price is too high

His drop in effectiveness over the past couple of weeks didn't happen because he took the selfish pill and now he's off it for a game. He's the same player he was. The conditions just changed: higher minutes due to a weak bench plus more energy expended per minute because of taking more offensive load due to the absence of Cousins. Just, as I might add, as Gay's conditions changed when he moved from Toronto to Sacto.

By the way, I view the high number of minutes awarded Jimmer last night as an aberration. What worries me is that Malone is still going to be playing IT for extended minutes. Having both Cousins and Gay there to reduce the energy/minute quota is helpful, but may not be enough. I still subscribe to what Smart and his staff said last year: Do what Utah did with Stockton; play him about 30 minutes a game for maximum effectiveness.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Short leash? The hell? Isaiah Thomas has a longer leash than anyone one the Sacramento Kings not named DeMarcus Cousins.

 

[pshn80]

Does anyone have a theory of what happened with IT in this game? It is easy to say that Cuz got to him or something of the sort but he has never played like this with Cuz on the floor before. This is what I have wanted all along and this IT is a keeper. Maybe Malone sat down with him and went over the stats and showed him what has been happening. I just said yesterday that I didn't think IT could change unless Malone took charge. I implied that IT didn't have the brain power to handle all the different situations as a pg in an NBA game. As an aside, I think Jimmer is the opposite. Jimmer has the brain power and lacks the physical abilities except for the shooting.

Many of us have seen the team flounder in the 4th because of IT hero ball. Perhaps playing Jimmer in the 4th instead of IT was how Malone took charge of IT. It worked for the team and I don't think we could ask for much more from our pgs. In the end, it is the team that is more important than the individual and I think IT has trouble melding that concept with his natural excellent ability to score.

Now a complaint and I say the following because it has been the announcer's mantra to say "well, it's the 4th quarter and we know what that means. It's IT time." That is exactly what a lot of us have complained about. IT tends to lose control of himself in the 4th quarter. Whether I am right or wrong, playing the 4th with Jimmer made the 4th quarter a whole different experience. I am going to place some blame directly on Jerry and Grant for saying the 4th is IT time. They create a sense of expectation and pressure on IT that is unrealistic. It is based on something they see that many of us do not. I think we are correct. IT has gone into the 4th thinking it IS his quarter and he has to produce something on his own. The complexity of the game is that he has to lead the team to a win or maintain a lead and that doesn't necessarily mean that he has to score.

Can IT maintain his present level and can Malone continue to use Jimmer in the 4th? Different situations may demand different things but for now we saw a unique change in coaching that made what should have been a routine win turn into a routine win instead of a nail biter. There certainly are many arguments to continue this approach.

We have very good coach and perhaps we have three pgs that need simply to be used properly and also be given a chance to gain experience. (I don't count two years under Smart as experience).

You mean " good game, IT" from a critic. (Smiley face)

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Short leash? The hell? Isaiah Thomas has a longer leash than anyone one the Sacramento Kings not named DeMarcus Cousins.

It might even be longer than DeMarcus'

 

[VF21]

...Stats: 11min 11pts (5-5, 1-1, 0-0) 1reb 4ast 2stl 0blk 2TO
Fredette ( B+ ) -- Came in late third with a sizable lead and along with Cousins put this one away in impressive fashion. Had one bad turnover, but besides that it was a pretty flawless run that included a nice little spin moves inside and a couple beautifully run pick and rolls to go a long with his outside shot. He wasn't going against the best or most motivated competition, still he looked like a lead guard for once. Here's hoping for the sake of both parties he can keep this up and find himself a opportunity by the deadline. --Henkel ...

You say that and then give him a B+???????? That's simply not fair. Jimmer pretty much did everything he could and put everything out there. He deserves at least an A- for his effort AND for the excellent job he did in working with Cousins. I think you were way too hard on him on a night when he drew massive praise from almost everyone.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Short leash? The hell? Isaiah Thomas has a longer leash than anyone one the Sacramento Kings not named DeMarcus Cousins.

But the comment was in reference to Thomas having a short leash with commenters on this board, not with the franchise. With the franchise, yes, he has a long leash. With a vocal contingent of this board, he certainly does not.

 

[Bricklayer]

BTW from the espn write up:

But it was the Kings who had more energy. They outrebounded Chicago 53-30 and contested shots all game. The Bulls shot 28.2 percent, the lowest percentage by an opponent in the Sacramento era, which dates to the 1985-86 season.

 

[fanop]

His head height doesn't matter. His standing reach does. He has very long arms and as a result is "longer" than many guys who are taller.

For perspective, his standing reach is only 1.5" less than Anthony Davis' and is 1/2" more than Festus Ezeli

Here's the link to his measurements. Very long arms and huge hands....http://www.nbadraft.net/2012-nba-combine-measurements

comparing Acy to Ezeli is an insult to Acy..He has a nice wingspan, but when we saw T-Rob(wider span) try to defend 4s, he was constantly shot over even when he had his arms up. Acy isn't a starter.. which isn't necessarily a bad thing. He's a pretty good role player...and height does matter. Pretty foolish to say it doesnt...

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Jimmer highlights! He's so methodical in leading the offense. I loved that 3 pointer at the end.

That quick release tear drop floater that he has, is just awesome. I think he has the best finger roll in the league as well. Refreshing to see that kind of finesse and touch on the ball. A lost art to a large extent

 

[KingMilz]

Thornton should get a C since he held Cousins back one time from chasing down Mike Dunleavy and more than likely getting his 2nd tech.

Also does anyone know why Grant gets so excited when someone's about to be ejected the dude loves it. He gets more excited over an ejection than he does over Thomas making a play.

 

[DesertFox]

Also does anyone know why Grant gets so excited when someone's about to be ejected the dude loves it. He gets more excited over an ejection than he does over Thomas making a play.

Yeah, it always weirded me out a little. Don't wanna see what's going on under the table when that happens.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Thornton should get a C since he held Cousins back one time from chasing down Mike Dunleavy and more than likely getting his 2nd tech.

Also does anyone know why Grant gets so excited when someone's about to be ejected the dude loves it. He gets more excited over an ejection than he does over Thomas making a play.

There seems to be many around these days, that thrive on negative "drama". I don't get it

 

[Gary]

Yeah, it always weirded me out a little. Don't wanna see what's going on under the table when that happens.

Thanks for that vision... lol It's going to haunt me all evening now.

 

[Revenge]

IT is one of those players whose style of play will crank out pretty stat sheets, but will not result in winning seasons.