[Grades] Grades v. Spurs 11/16/2016

[Bricklayer]

If Joeger wants pace it's really easy. Substitute out of the starting lineup:
Koufos, Lawson, Afflalo for Willie, Collison, and Benny Mac. Problem solved.

This narrative that Joerger wants pace, as in offensive pace, I think is widely off the mark.

Joerger wants defensive pace. Aggression, energy.

Now Lawson wants offensive pace, which of course he would because that's his game and has been his system since reaching the NBA.

 

[BeerNerd916]

This narrative that Joerger wants pace, as in offensive pace, I think is widely off the mark.

Joerger wants defensive pace. Aggression, energy.

Now Lawson wants offensive pace, which of course he would because that's his game and has been his system since reaching the NBA.

I never said anything about offensive pace Bricksta, don't get it twisted. That move I suggested gives a major upgrade to both offense and defense as it allows the team to change both ends quickly and seamlessly.

 

[BeerNerd916]

What needs to happen when Cousins gets doubled, is someone slashing/cutting to give him a target rather than standing around. I have seen posters (not you specifically) criticize DMC for not making the pass from the double team, without addressing the fact that no one is consistently providing him an out. SOMEONE is open if he is getting doubled. If he can pass out of the double to ANYONE then you can pass, pass, and pass again if need be to get the best look. It is frustrating to watch sometimes.

A fair AND valid point. During the preseason there were a lot of cuts and shifts on the perimeter that don't seem to be happening right now. Don't know why, but it is stagnating the offense either way. Which in turn, leads to easy rebounds and leak outs.

 

[SacTownKid]

This narrative that Joerger wants pace, as in offensive pace, I think is widely off the mark.

Joerger wants defensive pace. Aggression, energy.

Now Lawson wants offensive pace, which of course he would because that's his game and has been his system since reaching the NBA.

I know he's mentioned the defense needing to be more aggressive and physical and while that's true, I don't remember him implying that by pace he meant defensive pace. If he did it would be encouraging but there have been more than a few post games where he's talked directly about the offense being a key issue, if not the key issue, such as turnovers a few games back when that was more of an problem. However the reality is when they aren't turning it over they still consistently give up near league worst rates defensively. When they play well offensively, the league worst defensive rates stand. I'm not sure he's seeing what the stats are telling him. Or maybe he is and it's all a part of his plan. I certainly hope so.

 

[Siranthony]

Yes, disgruntled fans projecting. That includes the Brick.

"At least until we mount an epic final 3 minutes fake hustle rush that we took so far that it almost wasn't fake anymore" I did not see the game, but it sure sounds like last year.

Part of the culture change is that there ARE no disgruntled stars right now. There are disgruntled fans projecting.

Someone up above asked what the team's strengths are, well I can tell you what they are MEANT to be:

-- inside scoring
-- gritty defense
-- veteran steadiness
-- competitiveness

Now of those 3 of the 4 have been spotted fairly consistently, including the veteran steadiness and competitiveness. Its the single best thing the team has done so far. Outside of the Milwaulkee game, which was straight #KANGZ, this team has not given up yet this season. Even when outmatched it never turns into a debacle. The other team starts to open the lead, and we punch back with a little flurry to keep within shouting distance. There isn't panic, and there isn't quit.

Once again the panic and quit are being imported by the viewers.

P.S. the big thing that has not consistently appeared is the gritty defense. That's the big key to making a setup like the one we have work. Gotta defend. We have enough individual defenders to do it, but we've only seen spurts. Its got to be driving Joerger crazy.

 

[KingMilz]

Not to take away from your point, as Tolliver getting 8mil to warm the bench sucks, but the Mavs just waived Acy. For whatever thats worth.

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/mavericks-quincy-acy-waived-by-mavs/

A PF who can actually finish around the rim and at times shoot the 3 while providing toughness......maybe we could use him again there's no way he could be worse than WCS and last season he outplayed both WCS and Kosta for long stretches.

 

[Tetsujin]

A PF who can actually finish around the rim and at times shoot the 3 while providing toughness......maybe we could use him again there's no way he could be worse than WCS and last season he outplayed both WCS and Kosta for long stretches.

That is also Anthony Tolliver. Look, Quincy seems like a great guy but he just got cut by one of the worst teams in the league after riding the bench despite Dirk being hurt and there literally being no depth ahead of him at the forward spot.

 

[KingMilz]

That is also Anthony Tolliver. Look, Quincy seems like a great guy but he just got cut by one of the worst teams in the league after riding the bench despite Dirk being hurt and there literally being no depth ahead of him at the forward spot.

Harrison Barnes (best player on the team) is the starting PF and played there as well when Dirk was healthy (Wes played the 3 as did Anderson) and they gave Dwight Powell a 8million dollar deal since they are trying to develop him. He's in the same spot as Tolliver playing behind Cousins (who plays C as well) and a developing player in WCS.

Don't think Tolliver is what I would call a finisher either

 

[Blob]

There's one difference between Acy and Tolliver ... Quincy Acy is getting paid $1 million to sit on the bench and Tolliver is getting paid $8 million to sit on the bench.

Depressing.

 

[Blob]

If Joeger wants pace it's really easy. Substitute out of the starting lineup:
Koufos, Lawson, Afflalo for Willie, Collison, and Benny Mac. Problem solved.

I don't see any reason to reward or promote Willie regardless of how bad Koufos has been. The guy is averaging 2 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game. With his length and athleticism that's inexcusable. Willie is WAY too content being a complementary player. We should have drafted Myles Turner as I was advocating pre-draft. That guy has the mindset of a winner and leader, not a follower and a win-or-lose-who-cares mindset.

I am definitely in favor of switching out our starting backcourt for Ben and DC, however, at least those guys are capable of alleviating the scoring burden off our two stars Boogie and Rudy. I have seen enough of A-Slow-O and Lawson to conclude it ain't gonna happen with them.

 

[kingsboi]

I don't see any reason to reward or promote Willie regardless of how bad Koufos has been. The guy is averaging 2 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game. With his length and athleticism that's inexcusable. Willie is WAY too content being a complementary player. We should have drafted Myles Turner as I was advocating pre-draft. That guy has the mindset of a winner and leader, not a follower and a win-or-lose-who-cares mindset.

I am definitely in favor of switching out our starting backcourt for Ben and DC, however, at least those guys are capable of alleviating the scoring burden off our two stars Boogie and Rudy. I have seen enough of A-Slow-O and Lawson to conclude it ain't gonna happen with them.

He isn't the only one on this team with that mindset. It's unfortunate he isn't around players that are hungry enough and want to win at all costs in order to set an example for him and show him that his production so far is not up to par.

 

[Blob]

He isn't the only one on this team with that mindset. It's unfortunate he isn't around players that are hungry enough and want to win at all costs in order to set an example for him and show him that his production so far is not up to par.

That's something at least I can respect and admire about Boogie. There's no doubt this guy puts on the line every night, with willingness to give up his body and attack the paint instead of settling for jumpers. The results aren't always there, but his emotion and passion to win is genuine.

I haven't been reading the comments here or following the team in the media. I don't even watch the games with the sound on. That might be part of why my takes are not homogenized with the conventional thinking, if there is such a thing. But I really think right now the team is on precipice. Changes are necessary and I think Joerger will recognize that too. I think there is a 70-90% chance Darren starts tonight, a 50% chance that Ben starts tonight.

This team is sputtering bad, and if this sputtering continues, they are going to dig themselves a hole too deep to dig out of. I think Willie and Omri are prime trade candidates and one or both is unlikely to make it to the end of the season as a King unless there is dramatic change in production and efficiency.

 

[Suicide King]

WCS has shown improvement since his DNP in Toronto. Both DMC and Rondo went to bat for him to Karl last season. Perhaps there is more than meets the eye. Not to mention, if Cousins or Koufos or both are traded at some point, WCS may be our starting center sometime in the near future. It might be in our best interest to really give him a shot( i.e. more than a season or two) to see what he has in him.

 

[Blob]

WCS has shown improvement since his DNP in Toronto. Both DMC and Rondo went to bat for him to Karl last season. Perhaps there is more than meets the eye. Not to mention, if Cousins or Koufos or both are traded at some point, WCS may be our starting center sometime in the near future. It might be in our best interest to really give him a shot( i.e. more than a season or two) to see what he has in him.

If there is one positive to this depressing start is Boogie's trade value is through the roof, or higher than it's ever been. I wonder if we could get (1) Avery Bradley (2) Jaylen Brown (3) Brooklyn pick and (4) Jae Crowder for Boogie and dumping A-Slow-O??? That's the only kind of granddaddy offer that would pique my interest. It would be a blueprint reset and trigger trade of Rudy and Collison too, and calling up up three rookies and throwing them into the fire. I could see something like this happening if the season continues on present course.

 

[BeerNerd916]

I don't see any reason to reward or promote Willie regardless of how bad Koufos has been. The guy is averaging 2 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game. With his length and athleticism that's inexcusable. Willie is WAY too content being a complementary player. We should have drafted Myles Turner as I was advocating pre-draft. That guy has the mindset of a winner and leader, not a follower and a win-or-lose-who-cares mindset.

I am definitely in favor of switching out our starting backcourt for Ben and DC, however, at least those guys are capable of alleviating the scoring burden off our two stars Boogie and Rudy. I have seen enough of A-Slow-O and Lawson to conclude it ain't gonna happen with them.

I don't think it is so cut and dry, black and white as you state. Willie KILLS it next to Cuz, your preferred hating target.

 

[kingsboi]

That's something at least I can respect and admire about Boogie. There's no doubt this guy puts on the line every night, with willingness to give up his body and attack the paint instead of settling for jumpers. The results aren't always there, but his emotion and passion to win is genuine.

I haven't been reading the comments here or following the team in the media. I don't even watch the games with the sound on. That might be part of why my takes are not homogenized with the conventional thinking, if there is such a thing. But I really think right now the team is on precipice. Changes are necessary and I think Joerger will recognize that too. I think there is a 70-90% chance Darren starts tonight, a 50% chance that Ben starts tonight.

This team is sputtering bad, and if this sputtering continues, they are going to dig themselves a hole too deep to dig out of. I think Willie and Omri are prime trade candidates and one or both is unlikely to make it to the end of the season as a King unless there is dramatic change in production and efficiency.

so much for that. I am very surprised he threw the same starting five out there tonight...which once again, provided nothing and in the process having Afflalo and Gay trying to post up in the same area of the court, hilarious.

 

[ppine]

My real point here is that he drives into doubles pretty often. It is hard to miss when he does it three times in a row at the end of game and can't get a shot off. Cousins is the best player in a Kings uniform by far, but I still think he can be utilized a lot better. He is kind of like a baseball player that leads the team in homeruns, but also in strikeouts. He must lead the team in turnovers.