Grades v. Suns 12/05/09

[SCKingsfan]

Spencer Hawes does not belong in the same sentence as Chris Webber. Second of all, i keep hearing this "he's 21 years old!" excuse. It's annoying. He doesn't have ups and downs, he has downs, downs, occasional up, and more downs. We're not basing this on a "few" games. Have you watched this season??? Even last year, he wasn't as bad as he is now but we still would like more out of him. Jesus christ, why are you all on Spencer's....?

I'm definitely not a Hawes apologist; his uneven performances this year have driven me crazy. As much as I love the kings, i've never yelled more at the TV watching him play. That being said, he's shown me enough this year to say it's too early to throw him out with the bathwater.

We all know what he's sucked at as of late: settling for 3s, generally being soft inside (O and D), not rebounding to his potential. Trying to see the positive in what he brings, I think he's becoming a legit inside shotblocker (when did we last have one of those?), he runs the floor well, and he is a talented passer. People will say toughness is not something you can teach, and I agree to a large extent, but I also think that dedicated work on his post play, against stronger opponents, will perhaps give him the confidence to be more of the kind of player we want him to be, at least in situations that merit it (v. warriors, rockets, suns, etc).

He's not doing it now, and that's what gives me a negative mind about him. But i'm willing to give him some time. I'd like to see us get a near all-star big man, because I don't think Hawes' ceiling extends that far, but he could be a more-than-adequate role player and a good force coming off the bench. Until we have that person, Spence is going to keep gobbling the minutes at center.

 

[Gliesian]

Another Hawes thread? JT reminded me of C-Webb last night with those outside jumpers (and the look on his face when he got benched for foul trouble- almost like a puppy that got scolded for something the cat did )

 

[dbfish]

Thompson and Hawes are making the biggest arguement for getting another big man. Hawes was pathetic and Thompson wasn't much better. If he doesn't stop his whining to the refs his career might be over before he starts to get some calls go his way. Kenny thomas was a man amongst boys. Too bad the boys were JT and Spencer.

 

[VF21]

Thompson and Hawes are making the biggest arguement for getting another big man. Hawes was pathetic and Thompson wasn't much better. If he doesn't stop his whining to the refs his career might be over before he starts to get some calls go his way. Kenny thomas was a man amongst boys. Too bad the boys were JT and Spencer.

That's the thing that absolutely drives me nuts. He's got tremendous potential, he shows flashes of brilliance and then he either pouts or makes a bitter beer face or raises his eyebrows towards the ceiling or exaggerates a shrug of disbelief or something that makes me want to sit him in a corner until he grows up.

I don't know why some of these athletes revert to being 6 years old when something doesn't go their way but I sure wish it was pointed out to them on a regular basis. Perhaps a montage of his most ridiculous gestures and grimaces shown on the Jumbotron might help...at least make him aware just how foolish he looks and how poorly the officials react to such antics.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

Spencer being 21 isn't an excuse, its the reality. Its also the reality that in the nba big men do not reach their potential at age 21. What if Dallas gave up on Dirk when he was 21, when the fans were calling for his head? How good was Vlade at 21?

Obviously Spencer has had his ups and downs, and I agree he's had more downs than ups this year. But he's starting to improve, and the 3 games leading up to the Phoenix game were a pretty good stretch for Spencer. I can see truth in the arguement that Spencer might not be ready for a starting role, or 30+ min a game. But you're acting as if he's a total bust and we should give up on him.

I trully believe Spencer will be a top 10 center in this league in another 5 years. I'm all for bringing in help. Attaining another center should be our first priority. But you have to give Spencer a chance to develop. Don't forget he should be a senior at Washington right now.

Well said.

 

[Larry89]

Hey guys, we can always Start Sean May over Spencer, it will make everything better!

 

[rainmaker]

Hey guys, we can always Start Sean May over Spencer, it will make everything better!

Why didn't I think of that.