[Grades] Grades v. Knicks 12/28/2012

Kings Player of the Game?

  • Cousins

    Votes: 3 6.7%
  • Thornton

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Johnson

    Votes: 31 68.9%
  • Brooks

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Fredette

    Votes: 11 24.4%

  • Total voters
    45
  • Poll closed .

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Just the way they drew it up...

kingsflix highlights:

Boxscore

Stats: 29min 8pts (3-9, 2-4, 0-2) 1reb 3ast 2stl 2blk 1TO
Salmons ( C ) -- you know, at no point had much of an impact on this one, but despite more anemic numbers may once again have helped keep the ball moving, and even got the assist on the game winning three from JJ, after Salmons was heavily contested for his own attempt in the corner and threw it desperately up top. Got his first shot of the game actually blocked, and other than one three in the first quarter, and one more in the early third, it was a parade of little missed jumpers. Was frequently having to check J.R. Smith, and predictably J.R. kind of did what he pleasd, not because Salmons is a bad deefender or wasn't challening him, but just because that is J.R. Smith -- you could put Bruce Bwoen in his prime on him and not make a difference -- he makes or misses shots entirely according to his own internal clockwork. In any case, John was working hard on both ends, and looked very tired by the late third, when he stepped to the line and missed both of a pair of FTs. for the 100th time in the last couple of years, gave us no boardwork at all as a SF, and foir the 100th time in the last couple of years our bigs did not get any rebounding support from our littles, and as a result we got whipped on the glass again.

Stats: 28min 6pts (3-8, 0-0, 0-0) 8reb 2ast 0stl 1blk 1TO
Thompson ( C ) -- nice early work with Cousins as both big guys were unselfishly passing the ball back and forth, but never did get much going offensively, sevral tiems tryign to directly challenge Chandler, which seemed a dumb fascination by both our bigs. Despite all of our rebounding coming from our frontcourt, Jason and Cuz were both having problems not quite getting a lot of boards as the Knicks were expertly tipping and struggling them away. Night got shorter when the Knicks gimmicked Jaosn out of the game in the late 3rd, inserting Novak as a "pwer" forward, adn bombing threes on us until we had tyo pull JT in favor of Johnson in response. Our attempts to do the obvious and feed Jason inside the other way to take advantage of the scrawny wretch were ineffective. Got a few spot minutes in teh 4th buying time until Cousins could return, but wasn't there for the stretch run.

Stats: 31min 15pts (5-14, 0-0, 5-6) 10reb 5ast 3stl 1blk 2TO
Cousins ( B ) -- got off to a solid start to this one, and during the second quarter in particular we got to see how effective the offense could be with an unselfish Cousins passing out of doubles and scoring efficiently. Was on the defensive glass, and while I can't say his defense was great, he was just staying in the area letting the Knicks incompetent offensive centers miss and then snatching the resulting missed shots off the glass. Really began pouring it on in the second, as he was the bigman centerpiece amongst a swirling storm of three point bombers. Took care of the glass, played witin himself. At halfitme he had 11pts 8rebs in about as efficient aan effort as we have seen out of him. Had himself a coupel of little blocks in the third, but as we began to struggle the other way, so did he, or perhaps it was vice versa. Was still battling on the glass, but Chandler was doing a great job of reaching over his back and just barely tipping the ball away before DeMarcus could fully snatch it. Was our strongest boardr with 10...but his guy got 18 the toher way. And with the general decline of his game into inefficeiny, began to rack up his loose fouls again, and went from having only 1 foul at halftime, to having to sit with 4 by the end fo the quarter. For some reason we kept trying to go to him 1 on 1 in the post vs. Chandler in the late going, and the resulting shots were ugly at best as the efficiency numbers plummeted. But came up with a couple of huge plays, including a big reb and kick to Cisco for a three to cut the lead to 1 late in the game, and on our final defensive possession, ti was Boogie who came up with the huge steal reading the backdoor alley oop play to Chandler, then the outlet to start the break the other way which eventually ended with Johnson canning the game winner. Takeaway from this one could be the post game, but I already knew that. So I'm looking the other way, at the return of the passing, in the first half in particular, and how much easier that made it for all the chuckers to chuck effectively.

Stats: 28min 18pts (5-12, 2-6, 6-6) 3reb 1ast 0stl 0blk 0TO
Thornton ( B- ) -- came out in this one very aggressive and dynamic. Was maybe the only guy on the team not joining in the teamwide passing game early, as he was taking his role as designated "finisher" very seriously. Got fouled on an early three and hit all the FTs, then followed with another three point play on a tough drive. Was firing back and forth with J.R. Smith, as trhey have a lot of each other in thier games. Had all of our points in the early third as he was the onyl guy hitting little jumpers to fend off their imminent run. Finally notched his only assist of the night setting up Salmons for a three. Got very quiet down the stretch. Got his 18th point on a layup with 4 minutes to go in the third, and never scored again.

Stats: 29min 11pts (3-10, 3-6, 2-2) 1reb 4ast 1stl 0blk 0TO
Thomas ( C+ ) -- not creating much as the PG in the early going, but not needing to as the ball was hopping and we were getting creativitty from numerous corners. But hit back to back spot up threes on kickouts from that teamwide passing for his first half points. Was ineffective in the third aside from a single assist to Thornton for a three early in the period, began to force a little and get in trouble with 1 on 2 attempts, and by the time IT left the lead has been sliced all the way down to 10. By the time he came back after a wild stint from Aaron Brooks, it had entirly dissipated. But quickly hit his third and final three to staunch the bleeding as we wobbled down the stretch. A near out of control drive with 33 seconds to go got him to the line to cut the lead to 2 with 33 seconds to go and set up the win, but he nearly choked the finish as he was the first King with a shot on that final possession, and he clunked it so badly it didn't even draw iron.
 
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Bench

Stats: 29min 17pts (8-14, 1-1, 0-1) 7reb 3ast 1stl 1blk 2TO
Johnson ( A- ) -- and the man of the hour capped his recent revival with a turn as hero. But really, he played well all game long, it wasn't just that last shot. Ironically may have been better on offense than defense this tiem, as he was using hsi driving ability to overpwoer smaller Knicks for his own scores and setupos to teammates, and then the jumper -- its been seen in flashes, and tonight it was flat on. Its similar to the Reke progressions this season. Some coach over there might be making a difference. Hit several tough contested twos. Still on the border of being dumb several times, like when he returned to action in the late third and immediately threw up a jumepr ice cold off the bench. Yeah, you can hit a few jumpers JJ, you're not Kobe yet. On defens ethough was actually having trouble with Copeland. And if you say "who" that jsut makes you liek every other person in the country who lives outside the New York Metropolitan area. But Copeland can score a bit. And he did on JJ, more than a bit. JJ still got several good pokeaways down inside to ignite breaks and whatnot, but his own man wasn't exactly locked up. In the 4th thouhg gave us a boost scopping up lkoose balls and taking them the other way to help hold us in it. And then of course the big shot. A desperation three against the clock to win or lose the game..and boom. His first three point hit of the entire season, and it wins a game where we were up 27, and blew the entire lead before JJ bailed us out. I still have real doubts his game is going to work alongside Rkee/Cousins -- he likes to handle/dribble/shoot too much. But at the very least this will hopefully guarantee him a proiminent rotation spot and no more of the Outlaw nonsense.

Stats: 24min 6pts (2-4, 2-4, 0-0) 1reb 2ast 2stl 0blk 0TO
Garcia ( C+ ) -- in one of those true ultimate roleplayer sorts of games, Cisco came in and did two things --first, he drew the tough assignment trying to guard J.R. Smith, and as I noted with Salmons, that can be almost futile as no matter how good or bad your defense is he's either going to hit them or not according to whether he's hot or not. Secondly, he shot threes. And that's all he did. He moved the ball, he defended, he shot threes. he hit one as poart of the big first half barrage. He hit another one that was huge late in the 4th onthe Cousins kick. But he also damn near airballed one at the 1:30 mark that could've finsihed us. Really his only particularly bad play of the night though, so gets a little bump just for being efficient roleplayer guy.

Stats: 19min 10pts (4-6, 2-3, 0-0) 1reb 3ast 1stl 1blk 3TO
Brooks ( B- ) -- a tale of two halves here, as a great second quarter stint as the quarterback (although again more just one part of a full on mob) of our second quarter explosion gave way to a wild and sloppy second half stint that nearly sunk us. In the first half had some great plays including a high high arcing flip on the drive, two threes as part of our barrage, and started a beautiful sequence that made the highlight reels when he raced back to block a shot on the break from Copeland, who's 8 inches taller than him, trihggeirg a break the other way that ended in a Fredette three. But as mentioned, when he returend int he late third, he immediately greeted the court with a wild dribble and a pass ofd JTs foot for a TO, and played through the first half of the 4th making only one notable play -- a wild over the shoulder flip for a layup from JJ -- while looking perpetually on the border of turning it over. The passes were comging later and later as our first half passing attakc broke down, and when he did make them, they were often high risk or off target. Mercifully replaed by IT at the midway of the 4th, who if not spectacular, at least was comparatively steady.

Stats: 19min 15pts (6-9, 3-6, 0-0) 2reb 4ast 1stl 0blk 2TO
Fredette ( A- ) -- the first half was so ridiculously explosive for us that there would have been numeous "A" type grades had the game just ended then, and none higher than Jimmer's, who likley would have had the elusive "A+" for what was likley his best quarter as a pro. The only reason I use the term "likely" is because with everybody going off in ridiculous, unsustainable, fashion, it wasn't clear Jimmer was carrying us (the normal marker for an A+ in these grades) so much as just the first amongst equals. But it was nearly flawless for the quarter. His only miss of the quarter came when he took his only practice/college three off the dribble of the quarter. Otherwise everything he put up with his feet set, he hit. And just as impressively, he was setting up others. Just looked very comfortable out there, set up Cisco with a nice drive and kick, made a beautiful pick and roll pass threading the needle to Boogie for the tough finish. Finsihed our explosive 2nd quarter with 15pts and I think 3 assists. Lost the sparkle on his A when he wasn't able to duplicate the performance after half. the rhythm was gone for him and the team, he missed an open three off a JT pick to start the 4th, started to ovrdribble looking for the shot again, makin his passes less crisp and getting to other guys out of rhtyhm etc. No production in the first half of the 4th as the Knicks stormed back and took the lead, but the lingering glow of the first half burst was still enough for some sort of A I think.

Stats: 4min 0pts (0-0, 0-0, 0-0) 0reb 1ast 0stl 0blk 0TO
Hayes ( INC ) -- in a surprise move that I think actually may have made sense for this game, but is bad news for our stubby "bigs", including our struggling lottery pick, Smart shortened his big man rotation to only 3 names tonight, and none of them was Chuck Hayes (Johnson was the third, which made some sense given that the Knicks had nobody for Chuck to defend, and Smart may have been saying if Chuck isn't going to be able to impact defensively, what's the point?). So Chuck made no appearance in the first half at all. And only popped up for 3 minutes in the 4th when JT joined DeMarcus over on the bench with 4 fouls. Didn't do much. Don't even remmeber the assist. Did get posterized as the Knicks went vertical on him with a Chandler alley oop. Fortunately for him it would have to be a really long poster to stretch all the way from where Chandler's arm was on the play down to where Chuck's head was.
 
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Just the way they drew it up...

iloled-pam.jpg
 
I was just thrilled that it didn't end up being some stupid one-on-one stepback play. Seeing the ball move around waiting for the open man warmed my heart. Having Johnson actually make the shot was the candle in the little pink holder on the icing of the cake.
 
Player of the game - Cousins, Fredette, even Thomas who isn't on the list. But if JJ who was solid throughout misses that shot Kings lose.
 
Player of the game - Cousins, Fredette, even Thomas who isn't on the list. But if JJ who was solid throughout misses that shot Kings lose.

Agreed. Anybody notice who got the assist on that shot? I'd like to give him credit for passing up his own shot.
 
Best players were Johnson, Jimmer, and Cousins when he wasn't isolated on offense(why isolate an average iso player with no post moves against some of the best defensive bigs in the NBA?). Garcia hits some big 3's, Isaiah played ok.
 
Again, I am writing-in my vote of no player of he game. Another total team effort. 28 assists and 12 turnovers? seriously, what has gotten into this team of late?
 
Agreed. Anybody notice who got the assist on that shot? I'd like to give him credit for passing up his own shot.

Salmons? Well he didn't catch the ball cleanly, would have been absolutely stupid of him to take that shot with the defender closing on him. IT was also looking to drive, got cut off by 3 defenders and ... "smartly" passed the ball to the corner to Salmons.
 
Agreed. Anybody notice who got the assist on that shot? I'd like to give him credit for passing up his own shot.

I need to see replay again - maybe someone can post the vid. It was Thomas with the ball and looking to pass with NY defense surrounding him, finally getting it (tight near steal) to Salmons with around 6 seconds who had more D collasping on him, who somehow got it to JJ - for Kings buzzer beater winning shot of the year.
 
Again, I am writing-in my vote of no player of he game. Another total team effort. 28 assists and 12 turnovers? seriously, what has gotten into this team of late?

And we barely come out with a win with a JJ 3 pointer.
 
Got to go with JJ tonight. 17 points 7 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and of course, the game winner. I really want to experiment with IT-Reke-JJ-JT-Cousins again as our starting 5 since JJ has confidence in that jumper and Reke showed his improved jumper before he got hurt
 
Got to go with JJ tonight. 17 points 7 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and of course, the game winner. I really want to experiment with IT-Reke-JJ-JT-Cousins again as our starting 5 since JJ has confidence in that jumper and Reke showed his improved jumper before he got hurt

You need 3 point shooting though. JJ has shown improvement in his midrange jumper, but the defense can still sag if JJ can't hit 3s.
 
Got to go with JJ tonight. 17 points 7 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and of course, the game winner. I really want to experiment with IT-Reke-JJ-JT-Cousins again as our starting 5 since JJ has confidence in that jumper and Reke showed his improved jumper before he got hurt

JJ and IT just like the ball too much for that. If they hit their shots its ok for them to like the ball...but not when they are out there with their betters who also like the ball. Salmons has been steady enough as the guy who'll pass. If Isaiah can just be the guy who spots up on threes he can be used their in palce of Brooks, althoguh its fairly pointless then. Together though its asking way too much for them to both step back simultaneously.

Nonetheless, Johnson with a jumpshot does become a rotation player again, which helps us considerably defenisvely.
 
Again, I am writing-in my vote of no player of he game. Another total team effort. 28 assists and 12 turnovers? seriously, what has gotten into this team of late?

Well the trend before this game was that Big Cuz and Tyreke were at fault for the bad assist to TO ratio this team had. Now that Big Cuz played and the passing was good, we can just blame Tyreke again.
 
Now I really hate Keith Smart and want him fired and what not, and frankly am embarrassed with our second half, so forgive me for sounding like a debbie downer. Still, it's pretty cool that we beat the Knicks!
 
Besides the JJ shot, what was most alarming to me is Cousins has no go to move what so ever. He seriously needs to work with someone and get some moves, I mean being ground bound doesn't mean you have to get your shot blocked or throw up circus shots. I'm thinking that's what Cliff was trying to do with him, but based on the reports of them two having an argument who knows what happened from there. Regardless, it would be in his best interest if the Kings hired Chris Webber.
 
You need 3 point shooting though. JJ has shown improvement in his midrange jumper, but the defense can still sag if JJ can't hit 3s.

True. As long as you have guys who can hit outside shots on the floor, you can get away with having 1 elite shooter on the floor. Maybe experiment with Jimmer since he's excelled so much off the ball anyways and he let's Tyreke control the ball. It's just really exciting watching Johnson's game really open up as he's added that jumper to his arsenal.
 
Another total team effort. 28 assists and 12 turnovers! seriously, what has gotten into this team of late?

That is major progress. A necessary step to a next level. Minus for Brooks for too many dumm plays but most impressive block of the year.. Jimmer progressing a bit every week. Cuz still trying to shoot into triple teams down low. JJ making big progress. IT big game.
 
Besides the JJ shot, what was most alarming to me is Cousins has no go to move what so ever. He seriously needs to work with someone and get some moves, I mean being ground bound doesn't mean you have to get your shot blocked or throw up circus shots. I'm thinking that's what Cliff was trying to do with him, but based on the reports of them two having an argument who knows what happened from there. Regardless, it would be in his best interest if the Kings hired Chris Webber.

...who kinda famously didn't have a goto shot in the post either. :p

Cousins at this point is a mismatch nightmare, but we, and he, frequently blow it when we misunderstand that and try to go strength on strength. One of the reasons I continue to have half a mind about him as a PF is not only does he have the PF jumpshot, and not only is he not a rim protector, but when he's guarded by smaller players, THEN he becomes a post beast by simply overpowering them. There is a temptation there. Get him guarded by Paul Milsaps and Carl Landrys and watch the monster come to town. But when he is guarded by big centers his post game is not at the stage where he can consistently take them. When he, and we, try to force it under those circumstances, it gets ugly. That's when his advantage switches to jumpers and drives which big centers typically aren't comfortable guarding (Chandler of course is great and can likely handle them). Cuz's immense versatility is essenitaly his strength. He should have an answer for everything, but its about being smart and choosing the right weapon to use each time. Just calling "rock, rock rock" everytime playing rock, paper, scissors is eventually going to get you in trouble.
 
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Agreed. Anybody notice who got the assist on that shot? I'd like to give him credit for passing up his own shot.

Great point. Very rarely on this team do you see a player pass the ball with the clock running down. Props to Salmons. Seems like he is almost always playing his role and not trying to be a hero.
 
JJ is a completely different player with his improved jump shot. Even if that game winner doesn't go in and we lose, it was still JJs best game of the season.
 
...who kinda famously didn't have a goto shot in the post either. :p

Cousins at this point is a mismatch nightmare, but we, and he, frequently blow it when we misunderstand that and try to go strength on strength. One of the reason I continue to have half a mind about him as a PF, is not only does he have the PF jumpshot, and not only is he not a rim protector, but when he's guarded by smaller players, THEN he becomes a post beast by simply overpowering them. There is a temptation there. Get him guarded by Paul Milsaps and Carl Landrys and watch the monster come to town. But when he is guarded by big centers his post game is not at the stage where he can consistently take them. When he, and we, try to force it under those circumstances, it gets ugly. That's when his advantage switches to jumpers and drives which big centers typically aren't comfortable guarding (Chandler of course is great and can likely handle them). Cuz's immense versatility is essenitaly his strength. He should have an answer for everything, but its about being smart and choosing the right weapon to use each time. Just calling "rock, rock rock" everytime playing rock, paper, scissors is eventually going to get you in trouble.

I understand your approach here. However, he still needs to watch tape or have someone mentor him about where to attack on the court. How about finding a spot on the court where he can operate consistently? I'm fine with him taking a few jumpshots a game, what I am not fine with is him being at the top of the key or trying to run around and set screens for everyone when he should patrol the painted area and draw attention from there. Whether that falls on the coach or him or it could be both...it's his third year I understand that but his tendencies really haven't changed much from day one.
 
3-10FG and nearly threw up the game losing force = big game?

4 assists 0 turnovers in 28 minutes, hit a huge 3 in the 4th, and calmed the game down when Brooks was going crazy with To's and forces. Didn't have a great shooting night, but he did what we needed him to do at the end of the game in a good roleplayer effort
 
...who kinda famously didn't have a goto shot in the post either. :p

Cousins at this point is a mismatch nightmare, but we, and he, frequently blow it when we misunderstand that and try to go strength on strength. One of the reasons I continue to have half a mind about him as a PF is not only does he have the PF jumpshot, and not only is he not a rim protector, but when he's guarded by smaller players, THEN he becomes a post beast by simply overpowering them. There is a temptation there. Get him guarded by Paul Milsaps and Carl Landrys and watch the monster come to town. But when he is guarded by big centers his post game is not at the stage where he can consistently take them. When he, and we, try to force it under those circumstances, it gets ugly. That's when his advantage switches to jumpers and drives which big centers typically aren't comfortable guarding (Chandler of course is great and can likely handle them). Cuz's immense versatility is essenitaly his strength. He should have an answer for everything, but its about being smart and choosing the right weapon to use each time. Just calling "rock, rock rock" everytime playing rock, paper, scissors is eventually going to get you in trouble.
Who are you going to put on the floor to force other teams to put their smaller players on Cousins? Bringing him away from the basket will work if he is stroking the jumper but then the smaller players can easily defend him. The bottom line is he needs a couple of post moves.
 
JJ saved Smart's *** bigtime

If the Kings lost this one, this is totally on Smart for letting the Knicks climb back without putting back those group of players that extended the lead in the first half. We we're running around the Knicks and on the 3rd he suddenly start doing half-court plays and lived with JT-Boogie front court that was easily controlled by Chandler and company. A lot of times this season, we were saved because of our mere team talent and luck and NOT because we have a smart coach at all.
 
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