[Grades] Grades v. Spurs 11/15/2014

[The Hammer]

What five would you reckon we ought to have on the floor against New Orleans, if it's a one-possession game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, and their lineup is Holiday, Rivers, Evans, Anderson and Davis?

I'll take this one.

Cousins
Casspi
Gay
Ben
Collison

I'm very impressed with Casspi's defensive improvement since his first stint here. The kid got better.

 

[rainmaker]

According to ESPN:

The Kings, who own a 6-4 record, are the only team this season to not allow an opposing player to score 25 or more points in a game. The streak is now 10 games, matching the single-season record in the shot clock era, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

 

[KingMilz]

What five would you reckon we ought to have on the floor against New Orleans, if it's a one-possession game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, and their lineup is Holiday, Rivers, Evans, Anderson and Davis?

Our starting line up since JT has owned Davis in the past

 

[Bricklayer]

According to ESPN:

The Kings, who own a 6-4 record, are the only team this season to not allow an opposing player to score 25 or more points in a game. The streak is now 10 games, matching the single-season record in the shot clock era, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Really? No team has never allowed a 25pt scorer for 11 straight games during the same season??

That's really surprising.

 

[Bricklayer]

Our starting line up since JT has owned Davis in the past

Yes it has.

But this may be a different animal this time. The numbers Davis has put this season are staggering, at least in an efficiency perspective. Cuz STILL is producing more per minute, but Davis, really every since he and Reke were finally teamed up late last year, is just doing it so easy. 56% shooting, no turnovers, no fouls, stl/block numbers like an offensively skilled Kirilenko.

One interesting and encouraging note though: the one game when he got shut down? Precisely his game against the big physical Memphis Grizzlies where he was once again the skinny finesse player getting bounced by the full grown men. And this season we might be the team in the league who resembles Memphis the most. Big physical frontline, no 3pt shooting, surges of exceptional defense etc. JT has to stay out of foul trouble though, because he's been a big key against Davis, and I don't see anybody else on the roster who could slow him except Cuz, who obviously needs to be shielded from fouls if possible.

 

[Siranthony]

According to ESPN:

The Kings, who own a 6-4 record, are the only team this season to not allow an opposing player to score 25 or more points in a game. The streak is now 10 games, matching the single-season record in the shot clock era, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

I just saw that the Kings have the 3rd toughest schedule so far this season. So there's that also. The Griz and rockets have much easier schedules.

 

[KingMilz]

Yes it has.

But this may be a different animal this time. The numbers Davis has put this season are staggering, at least in an efficiency perspective. Cuz STILL is producing more per minute, but Davis, really every since he and Reke were finally teamed up late last year, is just doing it so easy. 56% shooting, no turnovers, no fouls, stl/block numbers like an offensively skilled Kirilenko.

One interesting and encouraging note though: the one game when he got shut down? Precisely his game against the big physical Memphis Grizzlies where he was once again the skinny finesse player getting bounced by the full grown men. And this season we might be the team in the league who resembles Memphis the most. Big physical frontline, no 3pt shooting, surges of exceptional defense etc. JT has to stay out of foul trouble though, because he's been a big key against Davis, and I don't see anybody else on the roster who could slow him except Cuz, who obviously needs to be shielded from fouls if possible.

Yeah but he's still scoring his point the same way through spoon feeds, put-backs and the odd open mid range jumper, he's got the kind of skillset JT has shown he can stop unless Tyreke/Jrue are completely killing us on the pick n roll in particular Reke. Defensively Davis impresses the hell out of me but even though he's putting up monster numbers on offense I still feel like he can be easily stopped by a decent man to man defender if you take away the Pelicans fastbreaks and 2nd chances. With our squad we should be able to take away the 2nd chance point from the Pels. The kid is a freak no doubt.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

-Was at the game tonight. Will watch DVR tomorrow to get a better analysis but damn what a fun game to be at. Sold out crowd going crazy at the end.

-Casspi was HUGE off the bench. Cousins was just a monster in the 2nd half. Wish the guy could stay on the floor more.

-Was it just me or was the charging on him in the first quarter ridiculous???

-And i don't think tonights T will get rescinded, he turned away from a ref and started walking to the bench and yelled so loud i could hear him curse from my seat in the front row of the upper level. The referee at the scorers table saw it and called a T. He wasn't yelling directly at an official but he did yell obscenities extremely loud


-Rudy Gay was forcing some complete garbage in the paint just looking for whistles. On a few of the shots he wasn't even looking at the rim

 

[The_Jamal]

According to ESPN:

The Kings, who own a 6-4 record, are the only team this season to not allow an opposing player to score 25 or more points in a game. The streak is now 10 games, matching the single-season record in the shot clock era, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Neat random little stat. Just one of those random things that you'd never think about happening

 

[mac]

-Was at the game tonight. Will watch DVR tomorrow to get a better analysis but damn what a fun game to be at. Sold out crowd going crazy at the end.

-Casspi was HUGE off the bench. Cousins was just a monster in the 2nd half. Wish the guy could stay on the floor more.

-Was it just me or was the charging on him in the first quarter ridiculous???

-And i don't think tonights T will get rescinded, he turned away from a ref and started walking to the bench and yelled so loud i could hear him curse from my seat in the front row of the upper level. The referee at the scorers table saw it and called a T. He wasn't yelling directly at an official but he did yell obscenities extremely loud


-Rudy Gay was forcing some complete garbage in the paint just looking for whistles. On a few of the shots he wasn't even looking at the rim

I thought the charge was warranted. On the Kings broadcast G&J said the ref came over to explain the call during a timeout as well.

 

[KingsFanGER]

Great game from JT, playing defense and moving the ball. Got to give him credit for it.

DMC couldnt stay on the floor again and To be honest, i didnt see any really Bad calls by the ref's this time. He just needs to play smarter.

 

[Tetsujin]

Rewatching the game. I think it speaks to Ben McLemore's development as a player that he could miss all of his outside shots, be consistently outsmarted by Manu Ginobli (who, to be fair, is possibly the craftiest player in the NBA), and yet still not be a total waste of space.

Also, for some reason, the Spurs decided to put Leonard on McLemore at times in the second half, even with Rudy on the floor, something that I never expected to type unironically but now sorta makes sense because he's our only consistent perimeter shooter at this point.

Also, cannot overstate how absolutely awesome Boogie was in the fourth quarter. He made one of the greatest to ever play look like a drunk dude playing in the park.

The Rudy Gay/Omri Casspi 1-2 punch is probably one of the better SF tandems in the league right now, which is something I never thought I would type in a non-sarcastic manner. Omri was EVERYWHERE against the Spurs. Per-36, this is his best season to date and his passing and playmaking ability are a great boost off the bench.

Not quite sure what that D-Will nonsense was in the first quarter though.

 

[Chubbs]

Yeah but he's still scoring his point the same way through spoon feeds, put-backs and the odd open mid range jumper, he's got the kind of skillset JT has shown he can stop unless Tyreke/Jrue are completely killing us on the pick n roll in particular Reke. Defensively Davis impresses the hell out of me but even though he's putting up monster numbers on offense I still feel like he can be easily stopped by a decent man to man defender if you take away the Pelicans fastbreaks and 2nd chances. With our squad we should be able to take away the 2nd chance point from the Pels. The kid is a freak no doubt.

I don't know about "easily be stopped" but the Kings have been able to give AD trouble in the past. One of very few teans that have been able to do that lately. He just such an athlete, and if you lose sight of him he's jumping a passing lane, getting a dunk on the other end before you know what happened. Or on a put back.

But the Kings have the kind of squad he still struggles with.

 

[CruzDude]

JT was "on" vs. Spurs. When he is he seems to do great against opposing tall, slender bigs like Duncan and Davis and Nowitzki. If he can be more consistant then the Kings can matchup all the better with playoff teams. Thought this was JT's best game so far this year. Now if they can have some plays for him to build his shooting confidence that will be another block on the steps to the next level.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

Rewatching the game. I think it speaks to Ben McLemore's development as a player that he could miss all of his outside shots, be consistently outsmarted by Manu Ginobli (who, to be fair, is possibly the craftiest player in the NBA), and yet still not be a total waste of space.

Also, for some reason, the Spurs decided to put Leonard on McLemore at times in the second half, even with Rudy on the floor, something that I never expected to type unironically but now sorta makes sense because he's our only consistent perimeter shooter at this point.

Also, cannot overstate how absolutely awesome Boogie was in the fourth quarter. He made one of the greatest to ever play look like a drunk dude playing in the park.

The Rudy Gay/Omri Casspi 1-2 punch is probably one of the better SF tandems in the league right now, which is something I never thought I would type in a non-sarcastic manner. Omri was EVERYWHERE against the Spurs. Per-36, this is his best season to date and his passing and playmaking ability are a great boost off the bench.

Not quite sure what that D-Will nonsense was in the first quarter though.

Pop does some funky things, but would assume he put Leonard on McLemore because Leonard was dealing with some foul issues. McLemore is such a safe guy to defend, almost no chance of picking a foul there.

 

[ArcoKings]

Good win for the Kings. I got a little nervous at the very end but the Kings prevailed. DC played well and he will only improve as the season moves forward. Rudy is missing way too many shots. His shots aren't falling in for him as he's forcing too many. He'll come through. No doubt. Omri is a breath of fresh air. He's making his minutes count. Just to think the Kings could be 8-2 right now.

Go KINGS!

 

[LPKingsFan]

The Kings, and JT in particular, had success against Davis and the Pelicans when they were starting Ajinca, on whom you could "hide" Cousins. You can do that against Asik, but Slim's question was about when/if Anderson is on the floor to close the game. I don't think having Cousins chase Anderson is in our best interest, and, from what I've read this season, teams have had some success putting younger guys on Anderson to pester him on the perimeter. I think you put Casspi on Anderson and Gay on Evans if the Pelicans close with that lineup.

 

[Kingster]

There were offensive miscues aplenty, but the defense overcame. Rudy was pigly, (Yes, I'm adding to the buzkill), Collison forced some things at the end, Cousins short-changed himself with his fouls, but it was excellent defensive effort that overcame. I like that Landry was much more involved in the offense. And I don't know about everybody else, but I sure felt a lot more at ease having Casspi on the court at the end instead of Thompson. If Malone chooses to replace Thompson with Casspi at the end of close games, he gets no opposition from me.

 

[Gilles]

If Spurs had Duncan and Splitter at the end of the game, I surely wouldn't be confident with Casspi along with Rudy/Boogie in the frontcourt.

 

[Chubbs]

I'm curious if people will ever realize the King's wouldn't be where they are without Rudy instead of this attitude they are 6-4 despite Rudy.

He's having a career year. Give the guy a break already.

 

[Tetsujin]

I'm curious if people will ever realize the King's wouldn't be where they are without Rudy instead of this attitude they are 6-4 despite Rudy.

He's having a career year. Give the guy a break already.

Well now that IT's gone, Ben is playing like an actual NBA player, JT has become a good enough man-defender to compensate for doing a lot of dumb things, and Demarcus is pretty much too good to complain about, Rudy's become target number one. We Kings fans need something to complain about.

 

[Chubbs]

Well now that IT's gone, Ben is playing like an actual NBA player, JT has become a good enough man-defender to compensate for doing a lot of dumb things, and Demarcus is pretty much too good to complain about, Rudy's become target number one. We Kings fans need something to complain about.

It's super early, but right now Boogie AND Rudy would merit serious all star consideration. Rudy really is putting up the best numbers of his career. Career high points and assists. Rarely does he get credit for the assists.

Lots of teams will want him.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Pretty incredible that we are 6-4 considering our first 10 game schedule. I think most people looked at the schedule before the season started and predicted 0 to 3 wins in the first 10 games. I know i did. Glad the team could surprise us all!

 

[pshn80]

It's super early, but right now Boogie AND Rudy would merit serious all star consideration. Rudy really is putting up the best numbers of his career. Career high points and assists. Rarely does he get credit for the assists.

Lots of teams will want him.

Yes, yes, yes, it is way too early. Right now the challenge is to do mostly good things twice in a row. Truly believe it is a step at a time situation and will be for a while. Great last night, great.

 

[Chupacabra]

Pretty incredible that we are 6-4 considering our first 10 game schedule. I think most people looked at the schedule before the season started and predicted 0 to 3 wins in the first 10 games. I know i did. Glad the team could surprise us all!

We're an 8-2 team with a 6-4 record.

 

[Glenn]

Also, I would like to take a second to praise the team in general. The last 3 losses sucked, especially the last 2, but they picked their heads up and beat the defending champs. What's also relatively scary is we could have been 8-2 right now had it not been for some growing pains, blown calls, too many calls, and generous shot clock management. Regardless, the effort has been there and I am more than pleased with that!

This is major. The Kings are playing "like they've been there before" so to speak. The team added some vets and I think that has helped a lot.

Pretty incredible that we are 6-4 considering our first 10 game schedule. I think most people looked at the schedule before the season started and predicted 0 to 3 wins in the first 10 games. I know i did. Glad the team could surprise us all!

I sure didn't pick 6 wins.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Haven't even played an Eastern Conference team yet either. that schedule starts to look a lot nicer when November ends.

If the Kings wanna be that surprise playoff team that sneaks into the playoffs and beats out Americas new favorite Anthony Davis and the Pelicans, we need to punch them in the mouth on NBA TV on tuesday

 

[lwc]

I went with DeMarcus Cousins because of the obvious and the not-so-obvious. I considered Casspi for his energy but that isn't enough. I considered Darren but he only had 5 assists to 3 turnovers. I expect better for a PG. Cousins was unstoppable. Only Cousins can stop Cousins. He also only had 1 turnover. That is impressive. If the Kings can get a 20-10 game with only 1 turnover from Boogie every game, they WILL make the playoffs.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

The biggest thing that sticks out to me this year so far, is the Kings are beating or competing with very good teams, in games where not everything is coming together for our team.

For example: In PHX, DMC fouled out, we still won. Our bench has been a disaster in many of the games we have won or been close in. DMC has been in foul trouble in many games. There are games like tonight where some people struggled to score, especially Rudy with 7/20, yet we beat the Spurs. Games where we got NOTHING from the SG position and managed to win.

That is huge to me, it shows that we don't need to have our guys playing out of their minds just to win on a given night like we used to.

Biggest reason for this? DEFENSE

 

[Glenn]

The biggest thing that sticks out to me this year so far, is the Kings are beating or competing with very good teams, in games where not everything is coming together for our team.

For example: In PHX, DMC fouled out, we still won. Our bench has been a disaster in many of the games we have won or been close in. DMC has been in foul trouble in many games. There are games like tonight where some people struggled to score, especially Rudy with 7/20, yet we beat the Spurs. Games where we got NOTHING from the SG position and managed to win.

That is huge to me, it shows that we don't need to have our guys playing out of their minds just to win on a given night like we used to.

Biggest reason for this? DEFENSE

Yes, DEFENSE!!!

 

[CruzDude]

Improvements in all areas for sure but missing a good backup 5, continued disappointment in DWill and Hollins is, well, uhh mmmm, tall. Solution to me is putting JT on bench when match ups don't require him starting then he can backup Cuz much better all around than Evans. Start Landry as the 4 with Cuz. JT off bench with Omri as stretch 4, or Evans if needed then Omri as a 3 behind Gay. Kinda went like that vs. Spurs. The Landry-Casspi dua worked out really well this time.