[Grades] Grades v. Knicks 12/10/2015

[Merdiesel]

I agree. I'll just add I think both Cuz & Rudy are still a little banged up. A few days without a game should serve the team well.

One thing that stood out to me was when Cousins would go to take off after a made basket, he would get ready to sprint down the end of the court, take one step and ease up quite a bit. I think he is still in pain. It's either his back or his Achilles. Which are both nagging injuries.

Couple days rest is good. A couple days rest after two solid wins is f'ing great!

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Seriously? Barkley gets ripped all the time. He's a curmudgeon. He hates analytics, thinks shooting 3s is dumb. His basketball knowledge is rudimentary at best. He's an entertainer, not an analyst.

Yes, I'm serious. And of course he's not an analyst; I never said he was. He never said he was.

I feel like there is a disconnect on the part of some viewers, who may expect every talking head in sports to be an analyst. And then go on to project their values for "good" analysis onto whomever happens to be on the screen. Like, if you're talking during a sporting event, you have an obligation to be fair, or to even comment on what's going on in the game. I think that those people probably take sports way more seriously than I do. As far as him hating analytics, so what? Do you feel like every talking head in sports is obliged to like analytics? Because I don't. Hell there are talking heads in sports, like Bomani Jones, who are intelligent enough to understand analytics, and will stipulate to the validity and the merits of analytics, and still hate analytics. Just because you get it, doesn't mean you have to like it, so it doesn't bother me at all that Barkley doesn't get it or like it.

There's a couple of hundred guys that they could hire to talk basketball. That's not why Barkley is there. Personally, I grok that to be a goodness, but that's probably because I don't really like sports that much.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I was waiting for somebody to point that out.

Let's not act like it's a completely unreasonable mistake: he is ethnically Greek, and I'm 75 percent sure that he's first-generation American.

 

[mac]

I feel tempted to rate the broadcasting crew, because it was a game on TNT for a much larger audience than usual for the Kings.

Why is this lazy, uninformed and insulting guy Charles Barkley allowed to comment on NBA basketball games?
This was one of the worst performances I ever witnessed from a professional TV analyst.

Not only his incredibly biased and flat out wrong comments about DMC.
But to top it, he really tries to mock international players? I know, that the prototypical US american, that is so arrogant, that he doesn't even bother to inform himself about foreign countries let alone to try to learn a language other than his native tongue, is mainly a silly prejudice. But Barkley really acts like this and TNT gives him the platform to do so.
What a clown!

"I was out of shape, but I was successful!" God how can someone this dumb be this full of himself.
Cuz is right to ignore everything, that comes out of Barkleys mouth, because all this guy wants is to fuel the negative media agenda about DMC.

Glad we came away with the W.
But we allowed the Knicks to get back into the game and this needs to be adressed.
Happy with our defense. We had multiple let downs, but showed good effort overall, are switching less screens and did a good job contesting shots. Only problem is, that we struggle to finish the defensive possession with a rebound.

Not even sure if you really listened to what Barkley said about DMC, or if you are the one with the agenda. His talking about being out of shape but being successful was with regards to the SEC. He said that he was out of shape but he had no idea because he was still able to be good in the SEC, but not so when it came to the NBA. About all he said of Cousins this game was: he's a terrific player, but only criticism is that he needs to be in better shape, and attributed Cousins' nagging injuries to him not being in better shape. Aside from that, he said Cousins had loads of terrific plays. Now basing this off this particular game, where Cousins was clearly still not 100% in running up and down I can see how it would be reasonable for someone to think that Cousins was a bit out of shape. It's also true that if you're not in good shape you will likely get injured more often. We make fun of Barkley's weight now, but he knows a thing or two about running the floor as a big, but he's also way smaller than Cousins was. What such (Barkley's) analysis misses out is that Cousins is also doing a lot of things most bigs his size don't do, and that could likely contribute to injuries on top of whatever shape he's in. Do I expect such an in-depth view from national TV analysts? Nope! Because I'm sure they get loads of such things wrong about other teams as well, particularly ones that aren't under the national spotlight.

I also think you're being a little overly sensitive about the jab at international players, surely because you're an international fan. Learn to take things a little more light-hearted, I'm sure Germans do have a sense of humor For the record, he has "tried" to learn Spanish.

 

[macadocious]

Yes, I'm serious. And of course he's not an analyst; I never said he was. He never said he was.

I feel like there is a disconnect on the part of some viewers, who may expect every talking head in sports to be an analyst. And then go on to project their values for "good" analysis onto whomever happens to be on the screen. Like, if you're talking during a sporting event, you have an obligation to be fair, or to even comment on what's going on in the game. I think that those people probably take sports way more seriously than I do. As far as him hating analytics, so what? Do you feel like every talking head in sports is obliged to like analytics? Because I don't. Hell there are talking heads in sports, like Bomani Jones, who are intelligent enough to understand analytics, and will stipulate to the validity and the merits of analytics, and still hate analytics. Just because you get it, doesn't mean you have to like it, so it doesn't bother me at all that Barkley doesn't get it or like it.

There's a couple of hundred guys that they could hire to talk basketball. That's not why Barkley is there. Personally, I grok that to be a goodness, but that's probably because I don't really like sports that much.

I think you were missing the point of my post. I was letting you know that Barkley gets a lot of crap from other people, not just Kings fans. You also missed the fact I said I liked him. I never said I feel like talking heads should like analytics, I was pointing out what he getting ripped for from across the country. I watch sports to be entertained. I don't need my commentators to know the WS% of every player by heart. In fact, I'd rather they didn't.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Let's not act like it's a completely unreasonable mistake: he is ethnically Greek, and I'm 75 percent sure that he's first-generation American.

I understand that it is a common misconception. You of all people should understand the desire to correct common misconceptions, whether they are reasonable or not.

 

[chasen4r1]

I agree. I'll just add I think both Cuz & Rudy are still a little banged up. A few days without a game should serve the team well.

BTW how open was their rookie on that play?

Yep... I was screaming at my TV during this play. We left him WIDE open right under the basket, with plenty of time for him to receive a pass and take a shot. Dodged a bullet there.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I understand that it is a common misconception. You of all people should understand the desire to correct common misconceptions, whether they are reasonable or not.

Yeah, but I already corrected it last night, in the [Game] thread.

 

[The_Jamal]

Phil Jackson gave Robin Lopez 54M over 4 years (13.5M per year) and he is averaging 7 PPG and 5 RPG.

Vlade Divac gave Kosta Koufos 19 M over 3 years (6.5M per year) and he is averaging 9 PPG and 7 RPG.

Who is the Zen Master now?

Nit-pick. That's Belli, not Koufos contract. Koufos is 4/33

Still your point stands

 

[Amaranth]

People who voted for Omri in the poll, was it because of his defense or what?

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I think you were missing the point of my post. I was letting you know that Barkley gets a lot of poopoo from other people, not just Kings fans. You also missed the fact I said I liked him. I never said I feel like talking heads should like analytics, I was pointing out what he getting ripped for from across the country. I watch sports to be entertained. I don't need my commentators to know the WS% of every player by heart. In fact, I'd rather they didn't.

I guess I'm just not seeing all these anti-Barkley people outside of Kings Fans. It's possible that I don't spend enough time in the hardcore sports corners of the internet. I was posting in a wrestling chat room during the game last night, and Barkley was quite well-received indeed, by those also watching the game. I was the only Kings Fan in the chat, for whatever that's worth.

And I was using the "Royal You" in my post, not singling you or anyone else out.

 

[macadocious]

I guess I'm just not seeing all these anti-Barkley people outside of Kings Fans. It's possible that I don't spend enough time in the hardcore sports corners of the internet. I was posting in a wrestling chat room during the game last night, and Barkley was quite well-received indeed, by those also watching the game. I was the only Kings Fan in the chat, for whatever that's worth.

And I was using the "Royal You" in my post, not singling you or anyone else out.

I am a part of a couple private message boards. Good cross section of sports fans. Most of them think Barkley is an idiot when it comes to his basketball acumen. That being said, most like him and think he is entertaining.


People should not really care what CB4 thinks about their basketball team.

 

[rainmaker]

I generally think Kings fans take more offense and are more sensitive to national media than most, as if the national media has a responsibility to be fair or even lean in a positive direction towards this franchise. They don't. We've been a well earned embarrassment for almost a decade. We go thru this all the time. This summer folks were repeatedly talking about how the national media wasn't fair to us because of what Vlade did and we were ranked to low in various polls, etc. And here we are, excited about beating NY and being 9-15 to the point last night some couldn't even comprehend how others were pointing out yet another late game collapse and to just enjoy the win. That's the way fans of a perennial loser feel. Meanwhile, if Melo picks out Porzingis at the end, the game goes to OT and we very well might have lost.

While I also believe both Barkley and Webber have a bias towards Cuz and the gushing of a player, say Anthony Davis would have been quite different if it was Davis putting on that same performance on national tv, it doesn't bother me that much as it's also true Cuz has never been on a team who's won more than 30 games. I know why he hasn't and a major part is the toxicity of this franchise, but national media isn't required to give Cuz the benefit of the doubt. When he starts beasting the playoffs, it'll likely be different. And despite some folks appearing offended that Barkley would say Cuz isn't in good enough shape, there is some truth to it. He's often not in good enough shape to close out games down the stretch in the 4th.

But some Sac fans seem to take on the victim role and I do question if they see other teams get their fair share of stick too. Look at the LAC. They actually have been a playoff team for awhile, turned around the franchise, yet Barkley slams them all the time, particularly Griffin for being soft. He also slammed GS up until they closed out Cle and literally won the title.

I maintain the opinion of bias towards Sac is largely in the Sac fan base's head. When we were actually good, winning 50+ games regularly, national media loved us. The way to get that respect is to win, point blank. You don't get it just because "Vlade" or just because "Rondo/Cuz". If we put it together and are top 8 in the West by the AS break, we'll get some love.

 

[Larry89]

There should not be music played during live plays during an NBA game.

 

[kupman]

Man Koufos speaks english really well.

Ironically, he speaks English better than Barkley.

 

[Chupacabra]

I think Rudy likes playing Carmelo. They're very similar players and there's pride on the line to one up the other guy. They had a pretty epic duel last December at Sleep Train. He's certainly capable of playing strong individual defense. We've just got to motivate him to play with the same pride on defense for every game...

Both of them are Baltimore natives.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

There should not be music played during live plays during an NBA game.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I am a part of a couple private message boards. Good cross section of sports fans. Most of them think Barkley is an idiot when it comes to his basketball acumen. That being said, most like him and think he is entertaining.

I feel like this is both a valid and invalid criticism of Barkley. It's valid, because it's true, but it's also invalid, because anybody who holds Barkley to that standard is hustling backwards.

 

[Sac.1989]

My only complaint is Belinelli. He chucks up way too many low percentage shots. Lots of fade to the right or spin around jumpers. He is not getting better.

True. They were going in earlier this year when playing for Italy. Off the ball movement is great. Just need a few to make it through the net

 

[HndsmCelt]

People who voted for Omri in the poll, was it because of his defense or what?

For me it is a holistic evaluation. Sure he was defending Mello for stretches, and doing a good job, but just as importantly is his effort and success at playing within the offense as a team player. He is looking to make the smart pass, and hustling to be in the right place to get the smart pass for the easy bucket.

 

[gil renard]

Yep... I was screaming at my TV during this play. We left him WIDE open right under the basket, with plenty of time for him to receive a pass and take a shot. Dodged a bullet there.

Well, see that was actually smart strategy. Leaving Melo's teammates wide open actually makes it more likely for him to try some Kobe hero ball BS.

 

[funkykingston]

Rudy was engaged and active defensively. He had a rough night shooting but he rebounded well and made things difficult for Melo.

Four straight days off at home is nice and only 2 games in the next 9 days is even better. Gives Boogie a chance to heal and a rare chance to get in consecutive days of practice to tweak things a bit.

The Kings really need to start beating some of the teams ahead of them if they want to have any chance to make the playoffs so wins against the Rockets and Wolves would be a great boost.

 

[ESP47]

Are there really that many Kings Fans that legit don't watch any NBA basketball besides the Kings? Because I don't seem to hear any of this backlash about Barkley or anybody else on the national stage being stupid, uninformed, un-entertaining, et cetera, unless they're talking about the Kings. Do Kings Fans seriously make judgments on how good national heads are according to how complimentary or "fair" they are to the Kings?

It wasn't offensive or anything to me. I've watched enough TNT (and basketball in the 90's) to know that Barkley is an idiot. He's entertaining to watch but he's not very bright or well informed.

I think for Kings fans these days, we rarely ever get any nationally televised games, so people get a little more irritated than normal when someone like Barkley starts spouting off completely false stuff about the team. Most people in the country only get to watch the Kings play once or twice a year so the barrage of false statements stick with them regardless of how untrue or outdated they are.

 

[itzcoatl]

Definitely, these next two against the Rockets and Wolves will be crucial for the playoff hunt.

 

[Spike]

Well, he was born in Canton Ohio.

Despite being born in Ohio, is what I think the OP meant.

 

[notoriousBEN3]

The last 2 games have been very interesting as far as being wins that you still don't feel too great about. I am noticing Karl does seem to be making a lot of the adjustments that this board has been pleading for throughout the season, but it's as if he fixes up one thing, but then finds another way to screw things up! Cuz was composed last night, not yelling about each foul. The rotations have been tighter, and i did not see quite as many uncontested perimeter shots last night. But then Karl goes and plays Rondo and Collison down the stretch in the 4th and just blows any good-will he earned in the previous 3 quarters.

I get it, he wants his vets out there to close games. He wants 2 ball handlers out there and Collison is a very good foul shooter. But come on, how long is going to take to see that Darren completely nullifies Rondo, who happens to be a really, REALLY good player?! I love Darren as a player, he is very good at what he does, but i don't want him out there if he is going to make Rondo, one of our most savvy, cool under pressure vets, a completely insignificant player.

To be blunt, less Darren, more Ben. Ben has been playing solid and i think with some extra playing time especially down the stretch, he can get his confidence up and be a super important piece of the puzzle. We shot 3 of 16 from 3 last night. Absolutely must have someone out there to stretch the floor. Cuz and Rondo are clearly the 2 best players out there, and we must surround them with capable perimeter shooters. Darren is not that guy and i think we need to let him lead the 2nd unit, or trade him for someone who better compliments the roster.

 

[FaStRmAn]

I feel tempted to rate the broadcasting crew, because it was a game on TNT for a much larger audience than usual for the Kings.

Why is this lazy, uninformed and insulting guy Charles Barkley allowed to comment on NBA basketball games?
This was one of the worst performances I ever witnessed from a professional TV analyst.

Not only his incredibly biased and flat out wrong comments about DMC.
But to top it, he really tries to mock international players? I know, that the prototypical US american, that is so arrogant, that he doesn't even bother to inform himself about foreign countries let alone to try to learn a language other than his native tongue, is mainly a silly prejudice. But Barkley really acts like this and TNT gives him the platform to do so.
What a clown!

"I was out of shape, but I was successful!" God how can someone this dumb be this full of himself.
Cuz is right to ignore everything, that comes out of Barkleys mouth, because all this guy wants is to fuel the negative media agenda about DMC.

Glad we came away with the W.
But we allowed the Knicks to get back into the game and this needs to be adressed.
Happy with our defense. We had multiple let downs, but showed good effort overall, are switching less screens and did a good job contesting shots. Only problem is, that we struggle to finish the defensive possession with a rebound.

Sir Charles is a blowhard, but i dont have a problem with what he said about Cuz. He IS out of shape. Napear said on his show yesterday he thought that Cousins was a bit overweight and had lost some explosiveness. I believe that Charles is correct in saying that Cousins gets hurt way too often because he is not in great shape. I also believe that Chuck was correct when he said that Demarcus Cousins is the best big man in the league when he IS in shape.

Now the rest of the Anti Kings - Anti Sacramento sentiment just solidifies my belief in the East Coast Bias the national media has with regard to any team in the West. They just don't watch the games. They are asleep before the west coast games come on. Bunch of old opinionated men who are more entertainment than informative.

On a side note, Porzingas looks like a damn fine forward. Knicks may have gotten lucky there...

 

[VF21]

Are there really that many Kings Fans that legit don't watch any NBA basketball besides the Kings? Because I don't seem to hear any of this backlash about Barkley or anybody else on the national stage being stupid, uninformed, un-entertaining, et cetera, unless they're talking about the Kings. Do Kings Fans seriously make judgments on how good national heads are according to how complimentary or "fair" they are to the Kings?

I don't know about anyone else, of course, but I tend to treat color narrative as background noise unless they're actually talking about the Kings.

 

[VF21]

I generally think Kings fans take more offense and are more sensitive to national media than most, as if the national media has a responsibility to be fair or even lean in a positive direction towards this franchise. They don't. We've been a well earned embarrassment for almost a decade. We go thru this all the time. This summer folks were repeatedly talking about how the national media wasn't fair to us because of what Vlade did and we were ranked to low in various polls, etc. And here we are, excited about beating NY and being 9-15 to the point last night some couldn't even comprehend how others were pointing out yet another late game collapse and to just enjoy the win. That's the way fans of a perennial loser feel. Meanwhile, if Melo picks out Porzingis at the end, the game goes to OT and we very well might have lost.

While I also believe both Barkley and Webber have a bias towards Cuz and the gushing of a player, say Anthony Davis would have been quite different if it was Davis putting on that same performance on national tv, it doesn't bother me that much as it's also true Cuz has never been on a team who's won more than 30 games. I know why he hasn't and a major part is the toxicity of this franchise, but national media isn't required to give Cuz the benefit of the doubt. When he starts beasting the playoffs, it'll likely be different. And despite some folks appearing offended that Barkley would say Cuz isn't in good enough shape, there is some truth to it. He's often not in good enough shape to close out games down the stretch in the 4th.

But some Sac fans seem to take on the victim role and I do question if they see other teams get their fair share of stick too. Look at the LAC. They actually have been a playoff team for awhile, turned around the franchise, yet Barkley slams them all the time, particularly Griffin for being soft. He also slammed GS up until they closed out Cle and literally won the title.

I maintain the opinion of bias towards Sac is largely in the Sac fan base's head. When we were actually good, winning 50+ games regularly, national media loved us. The way to get that respect is to win, point blank. You don't get it just because "Vlade" or just because "Rondo/Cuz". If we put it together and are top 8 in the West by the AS break, we'll get some love.

I think the persecution complex started in 2002...and has only grown from then. And, to be honest, it's not as though we've been wrong the whole time. Unrighted wrongs can really eat at you after a while.

 

[lwc]

I was waiting for somebody to point that out.

Did it in the game thread

Isn't Kosta from Ohio? They talking like he is from Russia.