[Grades] Grades v. Clippers -- 10/28/2015 OPENING NIGHT

[dude12]

McLemore a C- Respectfully disagree here....he was terrible

Koufos a D. Was going to say too low but maybe that's accurate....tough matchup for him

 

[Warhawk]

Glad to get a chance to see VF21 at the game last night with her family. Nice bunch of folks!

The place was rocking in the 4th with the team storming back for the late lead. We get a few wins under our belt and the team playing more comfortably....look out.

 

[Livinthedream]

All I saw was a team with a lot of talent, but doesn't have much time on the floor playing together. Hard to glean too much from it when you're playing against a Clippers team that's had a winning core together for several seasons.

Might take 15 games to see what we have.

 

[Kingster]

The Cousins turnovers are a long term theme, and for this team for that matter. It's like nothing has changed; there is the same sloppiness on the floor as last year. Good teams just don't kill themselves with turnovers, especially in late game situations. Frankly, it's been going on for so long with this team it's difficult to watch now.

 

[kingsboi]

The Cousins turnovers are a long term theme, and for this team for that matter. It's like nothing has changed; there is the same sloppiness on the floor as last year. Good teams just don't kill themselves with turnovers, especially in late game situations. Frankly, it's been going on for so long with this team it's difficult to watch now.

Old habits really do die hard in this case

 

[CuzistanKing]

What baffles me is that our team keeps being completely mystified by the simplest aspect of basketball - setting a pick. We do not know how to properly set them OR how to defend them. About the only one who did well yesterday in that regard was WCS who of course got immediately punished for that by our coach who seems to be allergic to anyone above 6'10". If I was Vlade, I'd also be animated in the tunnel, seeing how all the pieces I accumulated over the summer are being criminally misused (KK on Griffin, really?) It's like a bizarre reversal of the last year's start.

That said, we hung around just on talent alone, which is very promising. Give this squad to a coach who can instill some discipline and set up some basic plays, and we're in business.

 

[SacKings384]

A couple of takeaways:

The Bad:
- DMC shooting the three: So many times he's out at the three point line, and then stumbling and bumbling his way to the hoop. Either turning the ball over, committing an offensive foul, or taking up so much time that there's no opportunity for anyone else to get a good shot. I kept hearing people say "If they have to guard Boogie out at the three line then watch out." I disagree. He's very ineffective when guys are up on him. Boogie has a quick first step and he's agile, but he doesn't have good enough speed to make it to the rack without someone getting in front of him.

- DMC shooting the three part 2: On a lot of plays Boogie is hanging back and trailing the offense (look at all the threes he made and on all but one he's coming up the court late). All well and good, but it takes away from the quick offense. It allows the defense to have an extra man patrolling the paint, taking away the early drive that guys like Rondo and Collison thrive off of.

- Ben Maclemore: I don't think Ben has a talent issue. He has a confidence issue. And if game 1 is any indicator, George Karl has very little faith in him.

- ISO Ball: Something I was hoping Rondo would help us with. So much 1on1 shooting.

- DMC's Attitude: It's DMC's 6th year in the league. I was hoping he would stop acting like a child on the court. He hasn't.

The Good:
- Collison is thriving in his backup role, and in George Karl's up-tempo offense

- DMC is still the most dominant force down low in basketball

- Rudy is playing somewhat under control. Not settling for bad shots or forcing the ball.

- Rudy's Defense at the 4. I think he prefers to body up as opposed to playing the perimeter guys.

- Offensive explosiveness: When we're dialed in, we are capable of scoring quick and locking others down

- Caron looks like he could actually be a decent asset.

- Body language on the bench: These guys are into it.

Overall, I'm looking forward to this season more than I have in a long time!

 

[SacKings384]

BTW, you can see why they brought in Pierce. Clippers nearly had their typical collapse in the fourth quarter. Pierce hit some big shots.

 

[Kingsguy881]

It's like a bizarre reversal of the last year's start.

You do realize the first game last season the Dubs blew us out of our own gym, right?

 

[Kingsguy881]

Griffin needed to be slowed down much earlier. George needed to go to WCS. Damn shame. We could have won this game. Too many turnovers and forced crying sessions from Cousins also. He needs to man up and stop the whining. It is now officially OLD.

 

[Bricklayer]

Griffin needed to be slowed down much earlier. George needed to go to WCS. Damn shame. We could have won this game. Too many turnovers and forced crying sessions from Cousins also. He needs to man up and stop the whining. It is now officially OLD.

Forced crying sessions are irrelevant as long as you play. People need to get over the aesthetics. What was important was that he put up 32pts 13rebs on a .619TS%...and that he had 8 turnovers and got blocked 6 times inside. Complained 5 times or 10 times or 1 time or no times is not a stat.

 

[CuzistanKing]

You do realize the first game last season the Dubs blew us out of our own gym, right?

Of course. I meant in a general sense of GM and head coach having completely different ideas of what the team should be. We have WAY more talent than a year ago though, and Karl is no dummy, so my only hope is that he shelves his ego and figures that the fastest way to wins is to feed the beasts we have, not make them bend to his will.

 

[SacKings384]

Forced crying sessions are irrelevant as long as you play. People need to get over the aesthetics. What was important was that he put up 32pts 13rebs on a .619TS%...and that he had 8 turnovers and got blocked 6 times inside. Complained 5 times or 10 times or 1 time or no times is not a stat.

I'd argue his crying sessions result in him forcing the ball and turning it over. There's no question that his crying sessions are immediately followed by an out of control Cousins. Additionally, it's not doing him any favors with the officials. Two or three of those blocks and one or two of those turnovers might have been called fouls if he were on their good side. But I think the first point is the most important one. His attitude is not a stat, but it affects his other stats.

 

[Kingster]

Forced crying sessions are irrelevant as long as you play. People need to get over the aesthetics. What was important was that he put up 32pts 13rebs on a .619TS%...and that he had 8 turnovers and got blocked 6 times inside. Complained 5 times or 10 times or 1 time or no times is not a stat.

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."

 

[ninjabiscuit]

That game was hella frustrating to watch.

Maybe I was looking through Kings glasses but the Clips were making absolutely everything and it looked like the Kings were just fumbling around like a bunch of idiots. Yet, other than the first few minutes when we fell behind double digits, they kept pace with the Clips the rest of the way and really made a game of it at the end. This is a game that should have gone into overtime. Cousins had the massive advantage on Josh Smith and Karl should have recognized the fact that we were going to get abused with the small lineup on the floor. Should have had Rondo on the bench with more size out there. We had a huge advantage and basically gave it away by going small. Instead of pulling out front by 5 or 6 points, we weren't able to create enough of a buffer and the better team came back and won in the end.

Loved seeing WCS break up that lob to Jordan. I'm not sure if we've seen that very many times.

Casspi's 3 was one of those no, no, no.....yes! Moments.

Hopefully Rondo gets going once these guys play more together. He either looks awesome or like a liability.

No more Magic Cousins....please. I don't care if he can do it sometimes. He can't do it enough to make a positive impact in NBA games. His turnovers killed us.

I agree that Cousins' turnovers killed us, but I don't feel like he was trying to go "Magic Cousins" on the Clippers. They were doubling him, and then waiting to pick off his passes out of the double team. I don't remember him trying to go coast to coast at all. Maybe I missed something.

 

[ninjabiscuit]

The Cousins turnovers are a long term theme, and for this team for that matter. It's like nothing has changed; there is the same sloppiness on the floor as last year. Good teams just don't kill themselves with turnovers, especially in late game situations. Frankly, it's been going on for so long with this team it's difficult to watch now.

Then stop watching.

 

[kupman]

Looking on the bright side, DMC was only 2 turnovers away from posting his first triple double of the new season.

 

[Kingster]

Then stop watching.

I did stop watching in the first half; checked it out a little of the 2nd, heard that the Kings lost (on the radio) and then watched the rest this morning on the DVR. The only reason I continue to watch is because of the distant hope that maybe eventually I can see some decent basketball under Karl.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

A couple of takeaways:

The Bad:
- DMC shooting the three: So many times he's out at the three point line, and then stumbling and bumbling his way to the hoop. Either turning the ball over, committing an offensive foul, or taking up so much time that there's no opportunity for anyone else to get a good shot. I kept hearing people say "If they have to guard Boogie out at the three line then watch out." I disagree. He's very ineffective when guys are up on him. Boogie has a quick first step and he's agile, but he doesn't have good enough speed to make it to the rack without someone getting in front of him.

I have to disagree with Cousins' threes being a bad thing, certainly not with how it played out last night.

I understand that there's a strong contingent here that thinks that the three point shot is one of the worst things that have ever happened to the game and that it contributes to the "weenification" of basketball and all that. Nobody has to aesthetically like the three point shot. But at the same time it's a part of the game, and it's not going away any time in the foreseeable future. It's a part of the rules, it's a tool in the toolbox, and if teams don't use it (appropriately, to be sure) it is only to their disadvantage. I mean, I'm sure that in auto racing during the advent of hydraulic lugnut drivers there were some pit mechanics who insisted that "we drive our lug nuts with wrenches and elbow grease, that's how it's done!" but when other teams started killing them in pit times that tune would have changed really quickly.

As it played out last night, we were having tremendous trouble getting anything done on offense in the first half and Cousins' 12 points on 5 shots at least kept the game within reach. I agree that he's ineffective with that shot when people are out on him, and I agree that he can't drive to the basket from that distance effectively, but the five threes that he took were basically open-gym shots. You'll note that in the second half, the Clippers actually made a bit more of an effort to get out on him, and it seemed to me that it opened up the lane and gave us some more motion on offense. By no means should we establish him on the perimeter on every play - he's a beast in the post and we all know it - but giving a different look, especially when the traditional offense is fumbling the ball around, is something we have the flexibility to do and when it works we should exploit it. Last night it worked.

 

[FaStRmAn]

You can NOT play McLemore and Rondo together. Just too many bricks. Need offense out of at least one backcourt player on the floor. If McLemore isnt active and scoring he needs to be replaced with either Belinelli or Collison. Our starting backcourt scoring was atrocious.

 

[randymoss1881]

Yes you need to try WCS on Griffin, otherwise go with Gay at the 4 on Saturday.

Bro Griffin is to athletic Gay will struggle to score on him while Griffin will still get his. Just put WCS on him Mudiya played 37 minuets vs Lawson I'm sure when they play. Seriously dudes was a junior not a freshman last year and if we keep switch unnecessary picks and rolls all year I'm gonna lose my crap.

 

[206Fan]

People complaining about Cuz not in the post enough...are you talking about the same post where he got blocked and stuffed like 6x? Or the same post area where he had 8tos?

We couldn't go inside against the Clippers tonight. We just couldn't. The only time Cuz really had success in the post was late in the game against Josh Smith..despite that, Smith still had 4blocks.

The Clippers have one of the best paint defenders. They're constantly double and tripling Cuz anytime he steps inside the paint.

Going inside was not working last night. Almost half of Cousins' PTS came from the 3pt line.

Anyone who thought Cuz did all of his damage in the paint is kidding themselves. Had he not hit those 3pters, he'd probably finish the game 5-20.

 

[Letsgokings13]

I'm really getting sick of Ben not doing much unfortunately.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'd argue his crying sessions result in him forcing the ball and turning it over. There's no question that his crying sessions are immediately followed by an out of control Cousins. Additionally, it's not doing him any favors with the officials. Two or three of those blocks and one or two of those turnovers might have been called fouls if he were on their good side. But I think the first point is the most important one. His attitude is not a stat, but it affects his other stats.

And if one day he is complaining all over the place and putting up a wild 6-19 game for 14pts 6reb 7Tos and a technical...then it becomes a thing.

When however a guy "has to stop complaining" during a 32-13 night because...really he should be putting up 40-15....not so much a thing.

Actually seemed to be a stats driving complaints aspect to this one rather than vice versa. Cuz was driving in there looking to draw fouls on Jordan as a tactic, and the refs weren't going for it as he got stuffed. Hence, complaint. That was me in old Strato-Matic basketball as I tried to milk Cedric Maxwell's F(2) on a 7 to foul out the other team's stars and just couldn't roll the right numbers.

 

[funkykingston]

I have to disagree with Cousins' threes being a bad thing, certainly not with how it played out last night.

I understand that there's a strong contingent here that thinks that the three point shot is one of the worst things that have ever happened to the game and that it contributes to the "weenification" of basketball and all that. Nobody has to aesthetically like the three point shot. But at the same time it's a part of the game, and it's not going away any time in the foreseeable future. It's a part of the rules, it's a tool in the toolbox, and if teams don't use it (appropriately, to be sure) it is only to their disadvantage. I mean, I'm sure that in auto racing during the advent of hydraulic lugnut drivers there were some pit mechanics who insisted that "we drive our lug nuts with wrenches and elbow grease, that's how it's done!" but when other teams started killing them in pit times that tune would have changed really quickly.

As it played out last night, we were having tremendous trouble getting anything done on offense in the first half and Cousins' 12 points on 5 shots at least kept the game within reach. I agree that he's ineffective with that shot when people are out on him, and I agree that he can't drive to the basket from that distance effectively, but the five threes that he took were basically open-gym shots. You'll note that in the second half, the Clippers actually made a bit more of an effort to get out on him, and it seemed to me that it opened up the lane and gave us some more motion on offense. By no means should we establish him on the perimeter on every play - he's a beast in the post and we all know it - but giving a different look, especially when the traditional offense is fumbling the ball around, is something we have the flexibility to do and when it works we should exploit it. Last night it worked.

No argument from me that Cousin's outside shooting was one of the few positives for the Kings offense in the first half. And it's really hard to complain when the big fella hits 4 of 5 from behind the arc. Now I think we'll also see a number of 0-3 or 0-4 games from him this year and lots of complaining when those games roll around but if he can average a solid percentage 36% or better for the year then go for it. In fact even 32% from three would raise his effective FG percentage since he's never crossed that Mendoza line for bigs of shooting 50% from the field.

But the argument that has already been presented (in this thread or another) is exactly how I was viewing things. When Boogie is at the elbow his ability to hit that jumper puts him in a position to pump fake and drive. Just two big steps and finish at the rim. But when he's all the way out at the 3 point line I don't see him catching a pass, scoot past a defender closing out too aggressively and rumble all the way to the basket. So it essentially makes him a three point shooter or a decoy. And honestly I think until Cuz shoots a high percentage for a few games in a row I think most teams will take their chances letting him shoot wide open threes for a while.

If Cousins is trailing in transition and they don't have an easy bucket and start to work their early action then I don't have a problem with him coming up to the three point line if a wide open look is there. But if he doesn't get that initial pass (or he does but they are up on him and he's forced to move the ball) then I would expect him to move inside and establish position.

 

[randymoss1881]

As of yesterday I'm more confident in cousins shooting 3s than our starting SG (I'm looking at you Ben). Since DMC 3s will continue I'll support as long as it's 3s while trailing the offense and he is in rythem. No catch pump fake 3 no and he has to shoot at least 30% and take no more than 2 per game.

 

[CuzistanKing]

And if one day he is complaining all over the place and putting up a wild 6-19 game for 14pts 6reb 7Tos and a technical...then it becomes a thing.

When however a guy "has to stop complaining" during a 32-13 night because...really he should be putting up 40-15....not so much a thing.

Actually seemed to be a stats driving complaints aspect to this one rather than vice versa. Cuz was driving in there looking to draw fouls on Jordan as a tactic, and the refs weren't going for it as he got stuffed. Hence, complaint. That was me in old Strato-Matic basketball as I tried to milk Cedric Maxwell's F(2) on a 7 to foul out the other team's stars and just couldn't roll the right numbers.

As much as I love Cuz, I do think that upon not getting a call he's prone to not getting back on D and overall letting it get into his head, which hurts the team more than his numbers. He definitely has a point to complain (AD would've gotten those calls all day, every day), but the correct way to handle it is to feed into the whole "us against the world" narrative and to let your game do the talking, which is what Malone was able to do with Boogie. Karl doesn't have the trust nor the desire to do that it seems, so until Cuz is able to discipline himself and focus his fire constructively, I don't see this problem going away. I'm secretly hoping DeMarcus is still text-buddies with Malone and is getting some advice from the only coach he ever trusted.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

But the argument that has already been presented (in this thread or another) is exactly how I was viewing things. When Boogie is at the elbow his ability to hit that jumper puts him in a position to pump fake and drive. Just two big steps and finish at the rim. But when he's all the way out at the 3 point line I don't see him catching a pass, scoot past a defender closing out too aggressively and rumble all the way to the basket. So it essentially makes him a three point shooter or a decoy. And honestly I think until Cuz shoots a high percentage for a few games in a row I think most teams will take their chances letting him shoot wide open threes for a while.

Exactly. Cousins has his full offensive repertoire at his disposal when he gets the ball at the elbow. When he gets the ball behind the three-point line, he has exactly two options: shoot a three, or swing the ball around. Anything else is going to result in a turnover, like, 99 percent of the time.

 

[chasen4r1]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...um=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

I love me some Boogie. I feel you big man, I hate the Clippers too.

Anybody know who it was that interrupted him? I automatically assumed it was Aileen but nope, was definitely a male's voice.

 

[John Galt]

Forced crying sessions are irrelevant as long as you play. People need to get over the aesthetics. What was important was that he put up 32pts 13rebs on a .619TS%...and that he had 8 turnovers and got blocked 6 times inside. Complained 5 times or 10 times or 1 time or no times is not a stat.

I agree in the sense that his visual tantrums aren't a stat and I'll take 'em if they don't result in T's. I don't care how pouty faced he gets. Doesn't make me want to get rid of him.

But... he takes plays off to cry to refs and it is unacceptable. That DOES give me great concern. We watch Cuz throw a bad pass and turn to the refs with an exaggerated shrug motion while the other team plays 5 on 4 for a couple possessions. That is bad and something he needs to conquer. No consolation that Blake does the same thing