[Grades] Grades v. Clippers 1/6/2017

[KingsFanGER]

Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. Rivers hasn't done much of anything the first 4 seasons of his career and is still barely averaging double-digit points in this "breakout" season.

Ben's younger and has been in the league 1 less season than Rivers -- who was in the same place last season as Ben is now in his development.

In short, I'm not convinced Rivers is ever going to live up to his lottery draft position any more than Ben. They're both disappointments.

In short Rivers case is different from Ben's. What holds Rivers back is lack of trust, combined with trying to do too much and an inconsistent jumpshot. What holds Ben back is his lack of actual basketball skills.
It was always obvious for those, who didn't dislike Austin just because he is the son of Doc, that the moment he would develop a consistent jumpshot from 3 and could leave his confidence issues behind, his excellent handles and craftiness when getting to the basket would make him a valuable player. Austin Rivers can do so much more on a basketball court than Ben McLemore it isn't even funny. He is a 6'4 guard, who can play the PG position.
For him it's now about consistency. For Ben it's still about finding some niche in the league and tragically so far it doesn't look like he will be able to find one.

 

[KingMilz]

In short Rivers case is different from Ben's. What holds Rivers back is lack of trust, combined with trying to do too much and an inconsistent jumpshot. What holds Ben back is his lack of actual basketball skills.
It was always obvious for those, who didn't dislike Austin just because he is the son of Doc, that the moment he would develop a consistent jumpshot from 3 and could leave his confidence issues behind, his excellent handles and craftiness when getting to the basket would make him a valuable player. Austin Rivers can do so much more on a basketball court than Ben McLemore it isn't even funny. He is a 6'4 guard, who can play the PG position.
For him it's now about consistency. For Ben it's still about finding some niche in the league and tragically so far it doesn't look like he will be able to find one.

Even guys who have similar games (were in similar positions) to Ben in players like Snell/Terrance Ross/Hardaway JR has all figured it out this season with all playing key roles on teams 500. or above. Even Glenn Robinson III is putting up 8/6 on 40% 3 point shooting as a starter this year. None of those guys have had the amount of chance Ben has had to make something out of himself either.

 

[KingsFanGER]

Even guys who have similar games (were in similar positions) to Ben in players like Snell/Terrance Ross/Hardaway JR has all figured it out this season with all playing key roles on teams 500. or above. Even Glenn Robinson III is putting up 8/6 on 40% 3 point shooting as a starter this year.

Hm - I think Ross has the advantage over Ben, because he can handle the ball quite a bit. But you are right about Snell and Hardaway. Hey I'm not an expert. I don't know what's wrong with Ben. All I can say is, that I have a hard time remembering a NBA player dropping so many balls, losing his balance that often and looking that shaky in his drives and pick&roll attempts. It's sad. I really root for Ben and want him to succeed, but I'm slowly becoming more and more convinced, that the skills just aren't there. He is a comeback candidate for me, who might break out later in his career, once he learned what he can and can't do, but right now he is a step behind guys like Ross or Rivers.

 

[King Baller]

If you boil it down, the Kings don't have the confidence in their guards to make a play at the end of the game. Therefore, they give it to their best player, the 270 lb Cousins, at the 3 point line, who tries to be a point guard by driving the ball to the basket and passing to another player. Or, in other games in the closing minutes he's given the ball and he hoists a 3 pointer. You may say it's a testament to how good Cousins is that the coaching staff would do such a thing. I say it's also a testament to how bad the guards are. No way in hell this team ever becomes good without a very good guard who can create his own shot, drive, pass off the dribble, and defend.

I agree the Kings need a better PG/SG and he needs to be a closer. One of the benefits is that the refs are much more likely to call a foul if a Guard is hammered these days. Bigs are expected to accept a certain level of physicality it seems.

 

[King Baller]

In short Rivers case is different from Ben's. What holds Rivers back is lack of trust, combined with trying to do too much and an inconsistent jumpshot. What holds Ben back is his lack of actual basketball skills.
It was always obvious for those, who didn't dislike Austin just because he is the son of Doc, that the moment he would develop a consistent jumpshot from 3 and could leave his confidence issues behind, his excellent handles and craftiness when getting to the basket would make him a valuable player. Austin Rivers can do so much more on a basketball court than Ben McLemore it isn't even funny. He is a 6'4 guard, who can play the PG position.
For him it's now about consistency. For Ben it's still about finding some niche in the league and tragically so far it doesn't look like he will be able to find one.

I was impressed with Rivers cross over moves and the little shake and bake he does. He was getting to the hoop frequently. In the old days a Big would have hammered him to test his courage.......sigh.

 

[Kingster]

I agree the Kings need a better PG/SG and he needs to be a closer. One of the benefits is that the refs are much more likely to call a foul if a Guard is hammered these days. Bigs are expected to accept a certain level of physicality it seems.

Agreed! A Closer is desperately needed on this team, and the rules of the game make it much easier to be a closer as a guard or small forward who are drive/kick players than centers.

 

[King Baller]

Agreed! A Closer is desperately needed on this team, and the rules of the game make it much easier to be a closer as a guard or small forward who are drive/kick players than centers.

Someone like Sarunas would be tailor made. I had hoped Tyreke would be the guy--->

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Evans is actually lowkey really good at drive/kick offense, especially when you take into consideration that defenses slack off of him, because they know he can't shoot, and he gets to the rim, anyway. One huge problem that existed with him playing in Sacramento is that the drive-and-kick is most easily facilitated by a high screen, and Cousins (unlike Davis) is not super-effective on offense as the roll man; he's much more of a throwback, offensively, in that he is not a good catch-and-finish player. That limits the effectiveness of the pick and roll which, in turn, limits the effectiveness of the drive and kick.

And also, when he was here, we didn't have anybody who could shoot.