[Grades] Grades v. Jazz 2/18/12

[Bricklayer]

If you recall, when Tyreke was the pg of the 1st unit, this team got off to horrendous starts. Enter IT. Now the team doesn't have to dig itself out of a hole to China. There was a reason that IT replaced Tyreke as the primary ballhandler.

And one more time how many times has IT done that without Tyreke out there, and instead carrying Salmon's corpse around on his 5'9" shoulders?

 

[Tetsujin]

Some of that has to be due to Lee arriving, but while I consider it a positive sign nonetheless, I could be talked out of that if he stagnated the growth of their top kids and hence set them up to be no better this year.

Part of that may just be that Mark Jackson isn't that great of a coach too.

 

[Bricklayer]

We are way too early with the bad coaching stuff in my book. To our coach's credit he is trying different things to deal with real problems. His move to the current starting lineup has improved things. Defensive problems caused by the current lineup will be addressed by the staff. I don't believe the current starters are locked in stone but as long as things improve we will probably stick with it. If Evans has to face playing at SF when he doesn't want to then maybe he will help make another change work. The coach doesn't coach in a vacuum. All good things will come.

There isn't time for foolishness. We have zero margin for error for playoff hopes. Basically can't drop any ones we should get at this point. And Smart is on a 2 month coachng contract, and if we don't close strong his goose is cooked yet again as an NBA coach. Everythng we/he does from here on out basically has to be right or his, and our, goose is cooked.

 

[Sac.Kings]

There isn't time for foolishness. We have zero margin for error for playoff hopes. Basically can't drop any ones we should get at this point. And Smart is on a 2 month coachng contract, and if we don't close strong his goose is cooked yet again as an NBA coach. Everythng we/he does from here on out basically has to be right or his, and our, goose is cooked.

We are not going to make the playoffs (yet again.. what a surprise!). The first goal for the team should be getting to play .500 ball and becoming consistent. Neither of which we have right now. I also think this team is due for some major overhauling, because there are too many pieces that don't fit.

 

[Tetsujin]

Can't we all just be happy with a win and move on?

 

[rainmaker]

So a 10 game improvement over the previous year was not a positive effect on the team?

Diff roster

 

[rainmaker]

We are way too early with the bad coaching stuff in my book. To our coach's credit he is trying different things to deal with real problems. His move to the current starting lineup has improved things. Defensive problems caused by the current lineup will be addressed by the staff. I don't believe the current starters are locked in stone but as long as things improve we will probably stick with it. If Evans has to face playing at SF when he doesn't want to then maybe he will help make another change work. The coach doesn't coach in a vacuum. All good things will come.

It's not too early when a) Smart has a track record of what we're talking about and b) there's a track record around the league of not coaching defense, playing small ball, and playing players out of position doesn't work long term.

 

[Section 101]

He had to have done something. Or pulled a Delonte West on his mom.

I just rewatched the play. It was 10:22 mark of the 3rd quarter.

Cuz was on the right block with Jefferson. Harris came down to set a screen (never got set). Cuz started moving with Jefferson turned when Harris layed into Cuz's chest with 2 forearms. It was definately an offensive foul and borderline flagrant.

 

[Npliam]

I just rewatched the play. It was 10:22 mark of the 3rd quarter.

Cuz was on the right block with Jefferson. Harris came down to set a screen (never got set). Cuz started moving with Jefferson turned when Harris layed into Cuz's chest with 2 forearms. It was definately an offensive foul and borderline flagrant.

Or it was a screen. Cuz just blew threw it and then threw a fit when they called a foul on him.

 

[Section 101]

Or it was a screen. Cuz just blew threw it and then threw a fit when they called a foul on him.

I just rewatched it !!! Harris had his fist together, loaded up with his legs and threw both arms into Cuz's chest knocking him backwards. I gave the time frame. Anyone that has it recorded still can verify my info.

 

[vikinginferno]

Brick, I don't think you are giving Isaiah Thomas enough credit.

 

[JB_kings]

I just rewatched it !!! Harris had his fist together, loaded up with his legs and threw both arms into Cuz's chest knocking him backwards. I gave the time frame. Anyone that has it recorded still can verify my info.

Jerry Sloan coaching right there. John Stockton had a rep as a dirty player because he did the same things. Anyone recall Webber and Stockton getting into it back then? I do.

 

[JB_kings]

Brick, I don't think you are giving Isaiah Thomas enough credit.

Coach wants to play uptempo and get more easy baskets because they just weren't good enough as witnessed by their dreadful offensive production. IT will push the ball the way he wants. You may agree or disagree with his methods and style of play. But it does work for now because this team is too young and not experienced enough to win basketball games the way championship teams need to play. Some probably won't give coach the credit enough to know the difference, but I think he does get it. He's picking the low hanging fruit and getting the scoring up and also putting the focus on the real player the team will be built around - DMC. Later on when Cousins has his low block game polished to be a real beast, then running will not be so important.

You can't short cut the process to getting there.

 

[Npliam]

Yep, sounds like a a guard setting a pick on a big to me.

 

[Section 101]

Jerry Sloan coaching right there. John Stockton had a rep as a dirty player because he did the same things. Anyone recall Webber and Stockton getting into it back then? I do.

There's a difference between stockton standing there to take the hit and Harris basically doing a football type throw your body into the guy.

 

[rainmaker]

Smart did say on Grants show today he thought 2 of Cousins fouls and the tech were horrible calls.

 

[The_Jamal]

Can't we all just be happy with a win and move on?

gtfo. Kingsfan.com is for bitching about our players playing well

 

[The_Jamal]

Diff roster

David Lee is worth 10 Wins? News to me

 

[The_Jamal]

There isn't time for foolishness. We have zero margin for error for playoff hopes. Basically can't drop any ones we should get at this point. And Smart is on a 2 month coachng contract, and if we don't close strong his goose is cooked yet again as an NBA coach. Everythng we/he does from here on out basically has to be right or his, and our, goose is cooked.

You still think we have a shot at the playoffs? Really?

 

[IfAt1st]

I just rewatched it !!! Harris had his fist together, loaded up with his legs and threw both arms into Cuz's chest knocking him backwards. I gave the time frame. Anyone that has it recorded still can verify my info.

Thanks for taking the time to look into it - I was really baffled at what explained DMC REALLY going after Harris so much, and this answers my question.

Wish I could see the video of it.....

 

[IfAt1st]

Smart did say on Grants show today he thought 2 of Cousins fouls and the tech were horrible calls.

He's picking a bad game to stand up for his Center (FINALLY!)

DMC has been getting absolutely raped by the officials for the better part of his career, and now his coach wants to speak out on his behalf? Little late, and not good examples - I didn't see any problem with the fouls or techs he got last night (well, just remembered the totally bogus call when DMC moved AWAY from the tiny penetrating guard and the official blew his whistle, anticipating contact that wasn't there) when compared to the standard ridiculousness. And the tech was legit - DMC totally plowed into Harris on the sideline, then flopped pathetically.

If I was the coaches, I'd want to look into that play where Demarcus had to collect THREE OR FOUR stripped/hacked balls before the refs finally blew the whistle. The chances of all that contact being clean is about as likely as IT leading the league in blocks next year.
If the refs didn't finally call the foul, there was going to be some blood on the court, literally.

 

[Bricklayer]

You still think we have a shot at the playoffs? Really?

No not really, but our schedule is so much easier in the second half that we absolutely have a chance to catch and pass everybody up until about Utah, and make a run at finishing at somewhere around 30 wins. Thing is, once that playoff carrot is removed, once we have one more bad streak to firmly establish us as a bad team without a shot, then everything becomes dicier. Players lose motivation and/or willingness to sacrifice for the common good. People start playing for contracts and/or next year. "Fans" start booing. The longer we play with theoretical stakes the better chance we have of running a tight ship, and of course the better argument Smart has at coming back. If we win 25 and dribble into the final month mathematically eliminated again, then he is almost guaranteed unemployed. The Maloofs have some excitement, have a new arena coming, are tired of losing. If ever there was a time they would say enough with the carousel and hire a real coach, now would be it. If Smart wants that job, and just as importantly for us wants to keep his players' attention as something other than a lame duck, we have to play strong right NOW at least through the end of our 8 game homestand. Make a run, draw a little attention and momentum and enthusiasm, then do the fade we can feel ok about. If we screw it up and get knocked out in the next few weeks, then we are just losers wasting time until the season ends.

 

[iowamcnabb]

Thanks for taking the time to look into it - I was really baffled at what explained DMC REALLY going after Harris so much, and this answers my question.

Wish I could see the video of it.....

Time to get league pass, bud. Worth every penny

 

[pshn80]

There isn't time for foolishness. We have zero margin for error for playoff hopes. Basically can't drop any ones we should get at this point. And Smart is on a 2 month coachng contract, and if we don't close strong his goose is cooked yet again as an NBA coach. Everythng we/he does from here on out basically has to be right or his, and our, goose is cooked.

In other words it's just like any other NBA season and the same as it is for any coach. And what is this playoff stuff?

 

[bloom]

I’m with Brick. I.T is perfect from the bench and his ball handling is desperately needed from that group. He’s the perfect 6th man – brings energy, hustle, drive, spark, gets the team in a flow.

With Jimmer being reluctant, we need I.T with him. They work well together, Jimmer can be the catch and shoot player that he’s most comfortable with and I.T can direct the offense in an up-tempo pace and get all the players involved.

There were 2 plays that Jimmer came with an aggressive mindset and he made things happen. The coaching staff needs to show him those two back-to-back plays and tell him that’s how he needs to play. Grab the ball, go with it and make it happen. When he thinks way too much he gets double teamed, lose the ball or makes a bad play.

Why is our coach making John Salmons the PG in the second unit? Man that made me cringe. The guy’s mentality is to score, I was surprised that he did pass it to Jimmer but John isn’t a point guard and I hope we don’t have to witness that mistake again.

Seriously I think the refs try to punish Demarcus. The guy gets pounded and no calls and then the other way were he doesn’t even touch the opposing player and it’s a whistle.

We need to play Donte, he’s a nice compliment piece and I don’t understand why he’s being yo-yoed. I can see Donte in the starting unit because he’s not disruptive to Tyreke, Demarcus and Marcus but also because he’s got a great friendship with both Tyreke and JT.

 

[cuad]

I rewatched Evans on offense in last night's game. I thought he played great tbh.

1. They went to Evans in the post twice--always a bad idea since he has no game there.
2. He shot four jumpers in the first half that he shouldn't have.
3. SMART still insisted that he play PG for a few minutes. It wasn't terrible, but he just doesn't look good in that role.

He played wonderfully otherwise. I mean he'd stand around, they'd swing the ball over to him later in the play and he'd instantly attack the rim where he'd either make a nice pass, get two free throws or shoot the only good shot for him: a layup. And I loved it. He never looked confused or hesitant in that role. That is the Evans the Kings should embrace and proudly move forward with.

 

[swisshh]

I have always felt Reke works better at the wings than from the top of the key. It puts him in immediate attack position and reduces how much of the court he has to pay attention to. Most of his teammates will be directly in his line of vision. It's too easy for him to waste dribbles and time at the top of the key and when drives from that spot, he has the whole defense waiting for him rather than just one side of the defense.

 

[Kingster]

And one more time how many times has IT done that without Tyreke out there, and instead carrying Salmon's corpse around on his 5'9" shoulders?

So if you put in Greene with Tyreke and Thornton, how exactly would that change the ballhandling deficit? What's the solution?

 

[Kingster]

I rewatched Evans on offense in last night's game. I thought he played great tbh.

1. They went to Evans in the post twice--always a bad idea since he has no game there.
2. He shot four jumpers in the first half that he shouldn't have.
3. SMART still insisted that he play PG for a few minutes. It wasn't terrible, but he just doesn't look good in that role.

He played wonderfully otherwise. I mean he'd stand around, they'd swing the ball over to him later in the play and he'd instantly attack the rim where he'd either make a nice pass, get two free throws or shoot the only good shot for him: a layup. And I loved it. He never looked confused or hesitant in that role. That is the Evans the Kings should embrace and proudly move forward with.

Totally agree. When they pass the ball and Tyreke is the recipient of the pass on the wing he has much more room to do his layups (or pass while entering layup territory) because the defense can't load up on his drives like they do when he initiates the offense. I think the rest of his teamates just have to get more comfortable in getting the ball to him in those positions.

 

[Heuge]

I rewatched Evans on offense in last night's game. I thought he played great tbh.

1. They went to Evans in the post twice--always a bad idea since he has no game there.
2. He shot four jumpers in the first half that he shouldn't have.
3. SMART still insisted that he play PG for a few minutes. It wasn't terrible, but he just doesn't look good in that role.

He played wonderfully otherwise. I mean he'd stand around, they'd swing the ball over to him later in the play and he'd instantly attack the rim where he'd either make a nice pass, get two free throws or shoot the only good shot for him: a layup. And I loved it. He never looked confused or hesitant in that role. That is the Evans the Kings should embrace and proudly move forward with.

That Evans you speak of will help us secure our 7th straight lottery pick. But then again, you have hater glasses on, even in a complementary post.