[Grades] Grades v. Grizzlies 2/26/11

[Bricklayer]

Turn those frowns upside down you silly geese!

How ya like that for big 'n yellow?

So, continues to seem that not having that Reke fella might actually be making a difference. Team 2-9 now without Reke, and continuing to allow 117ppg against in those 11 games (as opposed to 100ppg with). Also should be noted that Cousins shoots 39% in the 17 games he's come off the bench, 44% as a starter. Given that he's normally benched as punishment, what would you expect from a big pouty kid? Gotta start him coach to give us a chance, although maybe these beatdowns will be helpful for him in understanding the value of having a teammate who draws nightly doubles and the opposing team's best deffender.

Finally of course this game looked like the absolute epitome of the final game of 4 games in 5 nights, on the escpae day at the end of a long road trip. Half the team did not show up, those that did boarded the plane at halftime.

So, this is the sort of game that screams out for girls, and maybe it will get them. Had another idea though with the big fan night in Sacto coming up on Monday, but guess we'll see if it comes together.


Offical Boxscore


placeholder...

 

[Tetsujin]

What are you talking about, Brick? If we had Tyreke for this game, we would have lost by 50!


We should unload him while he's still a commodity... On second thought, every other team in the league can see how much he sucks so lets trade him to Europe for Sergio Rodriguez.

 

[rainmaker]

There's definitely something there when it comes to Cousins starting vs coming off the bench. That's why I said in the game thread Westy basically mentally took Cousins out of the game before tipoff. Jerking him in and out of the starting lineup won't work, and usually has never worked in the nba.

He's our 2nd best player, and it really hurts the offense on this team without him in there, not to mention the fact our best player isn't out there to begin with. I also don't see why Dally seems to play worse when starting. This has happened before, where Dally has a dominant game, Westy decides to start him the next, and a completely different Dally shows up. If Dally, a longtime vet has trouble going in and out of the starting lineup and changing roles, what do yo uexpect it will do to our youngest, most inexperienced player?

If you need to discipline Cousins for something(and we don't even know if he was in fact being disciplined), can't Westy figure out a way to do it without hurting our entire team, and our chances of being competitive?

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

The fact that we played well in the first quarter doesnt really help my case, but with this unit I think Cousins is a much better fit as a starter.

Udrih-Taylor-Casspi-Jt-Dalembert doesnt give you enough offense. If you want to start Dally, fine, but do it with Cousins and bring in JT off the bench. None of our current starters can really make there own offense, and Cousins is very good at finding others and getting his own shot. He hasnt been lately, but he can do it.

Thornton, Greene, and JT should be our main bench players with Pooh subbing in for Beno a few minutes each half.

And I never want to see any 3 of Pooh/Taylor/Udrih/Thornton on the court together. We have two full size SF's that are better overall players than 2 of those guards. No reason why they shouldnt be playing over them.

 

[mac]

I'm sorry I have to say this, but ...

DEMARCUS COUSINS - Where Defense Doesn't Happen

Seriously though, I can't stand watching JT and Cousins blow easy shot after easy shot around the rim. Cousins is touted as a big guy, a power guy, and yet half his shots get blocked/ he just doesn't finish strong in traffic. JT ... lets just say Mikki Moore apparently left JT his hands as a parting gift

 

[Uncia03]

This was just a disaster of a game.

We had no energy and it wasn't even competitive from the mid-way point of the 3rd quarter onward.

Most of that I'm going to attribute to the 4 in 5. But a lot also has to do with Cousins, who is our 2nd best player, and best active player.

I'm not sure what Westphal was trying to accomplish by benching Cousins, but if it was to help win this game, it failed spectacularly.

Is there an update on JT? If JT is not able to make Monday's game, I wonder if Westphal will start both Cousins and Dalembert together, or if he'll go with Jackson instead.

 

[Uncia03]

Cousins is touted as a big guy, a power guy, and yet half his shots get blocked/ he just doesn't finish strong in traffic.

Did you see how composed Zach Randolph was while operating on the offensive end today?
Zach is a big body, but doesn't have any sort of hops.

A lot of that is just experience and maturity on the basketball court. Knowing what you can and can't do, knowing how best to get points and rebounds against different types of defenders and defenses.

Cousins does get blocked more than I'd like, but he's an exceptionally quick learner, and as he gets more experience he'll use it to his advantage.

I'm not worried in the least about Cousins being able to figure it out on the basketball court. I'm more worried right now with how best to handle him to ensure that he's going to be putting all he has on both ends of the court each night and remain loyal to this young team down the line.

 

[Andre87]

westphal in postgame interview "Sam's been playing a lot better than Demarcus" Ohh REALLY?!

 

[Tetsujin]

westphal in postgame interview "Sam's been playing a lot better than Demarcus" Ohh REALLY?!

Actually yes. Demarcus's play since the all-star break is nothing to write home about.

 

[mac]

Actually yes. Demarcus's play since the all-star break is nothing to write home about.

He forgot how to play without John Wall

 

[Glenn]

He forgot how to play without John Wall

I think he is wearing out like Casspi did last year.

 

[Spike]

Hence the rookie wall. Compound that to that fact that without Evans, defense know they can key in on him whenever he's in the game without any repercussions.

 

[Spok22]

i know that i dont ever want to see dalembert starting over cousins again. cousins didnt look focused at all when he was playing.

 

[pshn80]

i know that i dont ever want to see dalembert starting over cousins again. cousins didnt look focused at all when he was playing.

Because he wasn't focused he should start? I think I'll take Westphal's take on that subject. I have to suffer with Cousin's mistakes but there is a limit. Reach it and I might even prefer Jackson.

 

[Glenn]

Because he wasn't focused he should start? I think I'll take Westphal's take on that subject. I have to suffer with Cousin's mistakes but there is a limit. Reach it and I might even prefer Jackson.

Never. Cousins is making mistakes as he tests his skills against NBA players to see what he can do and what he can't do. He can't learn if he is replaced by Jackson.

 

[ITFC]

From what ive seen its a confidence thing to go with being a young side. When the Kings are on top they can match any side ive seen them play. Maybe for only for quater or so. Its when they slip to being 10 points behind that the heads drop. What would be the chances of getting a couple of older players who have been at the top. You cant beat a little experience in a young team. Maybe somebody to mentor Cousins and pass on some vital knowledge?

 

[Glenn]

From what ive seen its a confidence thing to go with being a young side. When the Kings are on top they can match any side ive seen them play. Maybe for only for quater or so. Its when they slip to being 10 points behind that the heads drop. What would be the chances of getting a couple of older players who have been at the top. You cant beat a little experience in a young team. Maybe somebody to mentor Cousins and pass on some vital knowledge?

The chances are extremely high as we have a lot of money to spend on exactly what you are talking about. It will happen this summer. It has been promised by the owners and we have a pile of cash to do it. About 25 mil quid.

 

[Spike]

About 25 mil quid.