PurpleHaze
All-Star
Good point, but truth is Indiana played as good defense tonight as Kings - actually a bit better since they won.
[Grades] Grades v. Pacers 11/3/2012
- Thread starter Bricklayer
- Start date
Good point, but truth is Indiana played as good defense tonight as Kings - actually a bit better since they won.
Kings Faithful
Starter
Very disappointing start to the season. We really needed to gin up fan enthusiasm this year. So far this isn't the way to do it.... makes it that much easier for the team to get moved out of town.
Then who?
Was I watching the Grant/Jerry broadcast? Yes. Was I screaming at the TV to the point that I didn't hear a dang word they were saying anyway? Yes to that, too.
Just re-watch the last five minutes of regulation, and both OT periods, and try to make an argument that Hayes hasn't been the defensive anchor for this team. I'd say you can credit his man-to-man defense on West as the primary reason we even got to OT1 and to OT2, and he had a couple of big team D plays on top of that. Other guys have played good D as well. I'd start with Tyreke and JJ on that list. But Hayes' calling card is defense, and when he's on the floor the defensive intensity for the team seems to go up. Best defender of the road trip? Yeah. I give it to him, and I don't really hesitate.
PurpleHaze
All-Star
It is disappointing to lose three staight road games to start season no matter what excuses, no matter that Kings D appears to be better. Bottom line is if this team can't now crank it up and win starting with Golden State next up (already near sell out) plus at least protect home court in a big way - this could well be a debacle brewing and a final one that wisks them away for good.
HereWeBoogie
Hall of Famer
Wow even the Hornets are better than us now. They beat Chicago eith anthony Davis and Eric Gordon both out.
Tetsujin
The Game Thread Dude
Are you off your pills or something?
Kingsfan23
All-Star
Also, Grant certainly does like to emphasize the clutch abilities of Thornton.. Thornton was certainly clutch tonight, as he has been on previous occasions, which means we'll hear more about it in the coming games
While our defense has improved, I think a weak area that has gone unnoticed is our defensive rebounding. I don't have the stats to back it up but it looks to me like we're giving up way too many offensive rebounds to the other team. Our defense has been great in creating turnovers, but not so in keeping them to one possession with a bad shot. Couple that with an offense that likes to start breaking out and you can see why 2nd chance points are hurting us a lot.
Robinson played better and looked like a decent part of rotation. Fouls are a problem and most likely will be the rest of his rookie season, but overall he was solid on D. Cousins needs a lot of patience and decision-making. He can't finish against the wall of 2 or 3 guys due to the lack of hops and need to swing the ball out. Johnson is given all the space possible when he's on the perimeter, either don't give him the ball there at all or he has to gather, set his feet and try to shoot. He only needs 3 consistent perimeter shots: 3 from the top of the arc and both corners. The moment Cous or Tyreke goes inside, guys must start moving. If they want to watch the game, charge them for front row tickets. Defensive rebounding is a big problem. Kings go small, that's part of the problem, the second part is Kings are finally defending and when opposing player releases the ball towards the basket they relax for a bit from defensive efforts and think the job is done when in fact they need to find someone to give a cold shoulder right at that moment.
MassachusettsKingsFan
All-Star
Finally sitting down to watch the game, and Evans had about 5 outstanding defensive plays in the last 5 minutes of the 1st quarter. I can't imagine many players have been playing better defense then him through this first week of games. Wow. His offense hasn't totally been there yet, but I hope he isn't discouraged with how he has played so far. I'm impressed and happy with what I've seen overall.
While I agree, last night I was very impressed that Cousins didn't get in foul trouble early, he was able to play a whole game and even in OT - all of which in my book is a huge and important accoumplishment. If he can keep doing this he will come around. Much more important than poor shooting in this game. IMHO.
I think Smart is doing just fine. Keep it up, Keith.
HereWeBoogie
Hall of Famer
how are you guys voting for Hayes? yes he did a fantastic job shutting down david west last night from the 4th quarter on, but Tyreke was a defensive presence for all 3 games.....................
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Hayes won't look flashy or control the boards, but he sets way better screens and is a waaaay better defender in man and help than JT. JT would be a good energy guy off of the bench. The starting unit for this team is clear. Thornton and Hayes in their two man game could really settle the Kings offensive woes early if things are out of whack as well.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Because defense isn't just about steals, it's also about the little things and when they stopped doubling on the pick and roll and just had Chuck and Cuz play it honest, they pretty much shut down the other teams pick and roll on almost every single play. That's true consistent defense and if you can be good at it, you can pretty much make life hell for all the top 5 teams in the league. Both did an excellent job and it could go either way but when Hayes took over on West the first time I believe he was 3-6. He finished 7-21.
The motto for this team should be this:
Keep the defense honest, and play honest defense. You do the first by spreading the floor and the second by proper positioning and not gambling all the time. The few times West was open for the jumper it's because Smart has the bigs doubling on the pick and roll rather than hedging hard then retreating. They started doing that late and it's one of the reasons Hayes was so sought after last summer, honest pick and roll defense.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Hayes was so sought after by basically nobody but us. There are teams that would not mind having a solid defensive minded vet like him around. Once you get you tealent in place, defensive roleplayers are the way to go. But the good ones are thinking an 18min a night guy, not an MLE type payout.
Nonetheless, right now he is playing like a rotation big. What that means for TRob once Cousins starts notching 30-35 every night I don't know.
Nonetheless, right now he is playing like a rotation big. What that means for TRob once Cousins starts notching 30-35 every night I don't know.
HereWeBoogie
Hall of Famer
another sign of our talent this year, Minnesota just got rolled by the Raptors today
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
on the road
HereWeBoogie
Hall of Famer
so Lakers won tonight, are we the only winless team in the league now? this is somewhat pathetic, even the Bobcats have won a game.....
Section 101
All-Star
Detroit, Washington, Denver
Knicks, Magic, Bucks and Spurs haven't lost. Guess they will be fighting for the title.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Yeah, I guess the Rockets going after him even with a heart condition doesn't count, oh, and our boy Rick Adelman trying to persuade him to join him in Minnesota. No Jason Thompson would probably be the example of MLE payout in a one horse race.
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