[Grades] Grades v. Wizards 3/22/2015

[bajaden]

Thoughts:

* This was a fun game to watch, primarily because it showed the team stepping up and playing well together like we haven;t seen since the beginning of the year. Yes, it hurts the draft order, but it strongly suggests (to me) that this team isn't nearly as bad as they've been playing since firing Malone.
The conspiracy theorist in me asks, "How the hell can this team, with no change in players, possibly play this well, with solid role-players, but stink it up most every other game?"
It just doesn't make sense that everything can click one night, and then be Three Stooges bad most of the other nights. Something else is going on with this team, this year, other than just sheer talent/fit/coaching/execution, etc.
I still maintain that most nights, this team (mostly the FO) doesn't want to win the game. That's the biggest problem this year. When the shackles come off, and everyone wants (is allowed) to win, they get nights like tonight.

* When the Kings have a good game, the smart analyst will be just as critical pointing out things that should be fixed, or alarming observations, etc.
This delusional panacea that most KF's display whenever they have a good win, is frankly embarrassing.
Y'all act like if a tyrannical leader abused you for months, and then one day threw you some crusts of bread and handfuls of rice, you'd start to praise the leader for his benevolence.

* Some games are just like this for Boogie - the ball doesn't bounce his way. I've watched his low-rebound games closely, and they happen when he's in the right place for a rebound, but (almost every shot) the ball either clangs far away or it goes in. Some nights he just has opposite magnetic polarity for the ball.
The second Evans gets subbed in, the other team misses their shots and the ball is bouncing right into his hands.
But it IS quite worrisome for Demarcus to be removed from the offensive rebounding equation. He should almost NEVER be standing near the 3-pt line on the opposite side of the court from the ball. That's just a questionable waste of ORBD opportunities.

* Many people are buying this Derrick Williams act.
DON'T.
The second he gets a long-term contract, you can say goodbye to him being a benefit on the court.
Guy proved his approach to the game over the past 4 years - that's not going to change.
He's currently desperate to get paid next year - all he cares about is money and the cush NBA life, and the guy is so dumb he waited THIS LONG to try on the court. Do not let his act fool you, like short-memoried fans.
(Again) He's fool's gold.

Thoughts

Not that it will matter to you, but as soon as I post this, you will be going on my ignore list. Damm shame too, because obviously your a bright guy. But unfortunately, your also an arrogant condescending guy as well, and I can't stand people that think their smarter than everyone else to the extent they they say their embarrassed by them. You talk down to people and your proud of it. Your attitude overshadows all the points your trying to make. You know you can disagree with people without offending them. Don't bother responding to this post, because I won't be able to see it and you'll just be talking to yourself. Hey, since you think your the most important person here, that's probably the best person you can talk to. Adios!

 

[SacTownGrantFan]

You know Jamal, the reason I have spent a disproportionate part of my life being right is I really don't give an f whether I or we win or lose. The process, the principles, the game, does not care either. You understand them, and the game to game details don't matter. Make the right play once, you might win or lose. Make the right play 100 times in a row, and you will win in the end. The here and now means little.

And yes btw, we'll eventually win games under Karl after he gets enough junkballers in here. But then again, you know, Keith won some games too. Get a weak opponent, some tired legs, hey, who cares how it happens right? Its still the same setup. Get the big guy out of the way so all my little guards can run at the hoop. If he wants to run at the hoop too, cool. Now everybody make sure to run on back and try to stop the inevitable runs the other way. But don't worry too much if one or two get through just as long as you press it back the other way. Then we can get down to the games that matter, have a serious team cut the legs out from under us as has happened to every Karl team ever since he became a stat padder, and we'll lose, and sit around talking about next year because oh we are so talented, and hey, just look at all our stats if you don't believe me.

I don't understand why you would compare George Karl to Keith Smart.

 

[PoundForPound]

Just finished watching the game. Was sick yesterday and slept right through it. Thank god for DVR's. One difference I've noticed in Rudy's game of late, is that he's not pounding the ball nearly as much. When he gets the ball, he either shoots, or passes. Not always, old habits die hard, but in general, he's still getting his shots without being as ball dominate.

I also don't think this was just a run and gun game. We went through a lot of half court sets, and if Cuz hadn't gotten into foul trouble, he certainly would have gotten more touches. He needs to be shown all the fouls, or non calls he bitches about. There is no bigger fan of Cousins than me, but I have to honest, it's starting to wear on me. Just shut the F up and play. I think the team tried to run when it was there, and unfortunately they also tried to run a few times when it wasn't there. But it's a learning process. They've definitely had better ball movement. Sometimes without purpose, but it's a good habit to get into. I'm curious to see if Casspi can maintain this level of play the rest of the season.

I have loved seeing Rudy flourish under George Karl. It's obvious during the post-game interviews to see that Rudy, in respect to coach Malone, doesn't like to acknowledge this, noting that he was also playing great basketball statistically under his previous coach. I love his confidence, and I really don't mind when he misses, because he's taking great shots. His arsenal is tremendous, and he's a master at hitting difficult shots, though it's refreshing not seeing him have to take them. This should be a surprise to nobody, as Rudy has been a star since his Memphis days, he has amazing talent. His play-making has also been superb, might I add. Kings fans don't realize how truly lucky we are to have him.

Casspi is definitely someone who I'm becoming increasingly concerned with. When he plays well, it has a profound effect on this team, as his energy and hustle does wonders for us. He hit some threes, had a couple of great passes to set up DeMarcus Cousins, while he also had a couple of terrible passes that ended up as turnovers. It's really hit or miss with Omri, quite erratic. When he plays bad, which has been more often than not as of late, it's really bad. I want stability from that position, someone who can bring more consistency and can provide the coaching staff an assurance more or less of what he'll bring to the table night in night out.

 

[HighFlyingMonkey]

I don't understand why you would compare George Karl to Keith Smart.

Boogie under Keith Smart:
17/10/2 on .511 TS% in 30 mpg

Boogie under George Karl (so far):
23/11/3 on .575 TS% in 31 mpg

But yea, basically they're the same coach. Karl has no idea what he's doing.

 

[bajaden]

I have loved seeing Rudy flourish under George Karl. It's obvious during the post-game interviews to see that Rudy, in respect to coach Malone, doesn't like to acknowledge this, noting that he was also playing great basketball statistically under his previous coach. I love his confidence, and I really don't mind when he misses, because he's taking great shots. His arsenal is tremendous, and he's a master at hitting difficult shots, though it's refreshing not seeing him have to take them. This should be a surprise to nobody, as Rudy has been a star since his Memphis days, he has amazing talent. His play-making has also been superb, might I add. Kings fans don't realize how truly lucky we are to have him.

Casspi is definitely someone who I'm becoming increasingly concerned with. When he plays well, it has a profound effect on this team, as his energy and hustle does wonders for us. He hit some threes, had a couple of great passes to set up DeMarcus Cousins, while he also had a couple of terrible passes that ended up as turnovers. It's really hit or miss with Omri, quite erratic. When he plays bad, which has been more often than not as of late, it's really bad. I want stability from that position, someone who can bring more consistency and can provide the coaching staff an assurance more or less of what he'll bring to the table night in night out.

Yeah, Casspi is another Dr. Jeckell and Mr. Hyde player of late. He and B. Mac must be drinking from the same cup. When Casspi plays like he did last night, stupid turnovers aside, he's fun to watch, and he has a positive impact on the team. But boy, when he's bad, he's really bad. I honestly couldn't say I'd recommend keeping him, but at the same time, I can't say I'd endorse letting him go. I like a lot of what he brings, and he does give a lot of effort on defense. I suppose it would depend on how much money he wanted. I have similar feelings about D. Will. I really like him in college, but have been totally disappointed in him since. This is the first time I've ever seen him look like an NBA player for more than one game in a row. There's a part of me that would like to see if it could continue under Karl, but there's also a part of me that's scared to death to resign him.

 

[Siranthony]

DWill played great despite his box score. Same goes for stauskas I think he's figured it out, it's all about shots dropping and getting his weight up

I like Stauskas. He still has some learning to do though. He can't try to do a layup with two or three bigs in the paint. Ain't going to work. He will figure it out.

 

[PoundForPound]

Thank you, Coach Karl.

This team is actually now FUN TO WATCH!

The Kings had 4 out of the 10 top plays on NBA.com. Not including DMC's crossover on Nene. Nice.

 

[Bricklayer]

fugly note from the Sixers game preview:

http://www.nba.com/games/20150324/PHISAC/gameinfo.html

Rudy Gay's efficient offensive play has lifted the Sacramento Kings to back-to-back wins for the first time in four months.

 

[Chupacabra]

How about having one of the best half court scoring options for the moments, when the tempo is actually controlled and transition is cut off?
Isn't it the case, that an offense, which relies on one player in certain situations, is controlled too in the PO? Teams have taken away the low post for DMC even in the regular season. Karl is going to experiment for the rest of the season. Going small against one of the better, bigger frontcourts of the east was risky, but it payed off. Nothing wrong with trying something different when the games don't count anymore.
The way I see it, Indiana was the only team slowing it down on purpose and playing a half court dominant offense, that managed to get deep into the playoffs in 2014. And they had all kinds of trouble with the depleted Hawks in the first round, cause they couldn't handle the floor spacing of the Hawks well enough.
In the playoffs it's all about adapting to the opponent and taking what the defense gives you. Slowing it down at all costs doesn't necessarily result in PO success.


What was the last team, that won the championship with a smashmouth, low post oriented, halfcourt approach? Just curious, how this question is answered on this board.
Detroit 2004 (not really about low post, but very intense on defense)? San Antonio? Lakers?

Successful teams from the past that have based their scoring attack off of getting the ball into the low post were good at getting the ball into the low post. We are not good at getting the ball into any post. This isn't anything that good coaching can't fix. We have one player that's good at getting the ball to Cousins and he's the oldest player in the league.

 

[pshn80]

Successful teams from the past that have based their scoring attack off of getting the ball into the low post were good at getting the ball into the low post. We are not good at getting the ball into any post. This isn't anything that good coaching can't fix. We have one player that's good at getting the ball to Cousins and he's the oldest player in the league.

True, but they don't allow Miller to play with Cuz.
Getting the ball into the low post involves two people to work well.
If a team moves the ball and the players move then things get better for everyone.
This is not simply a case of Cuz against the world (coaches, front office, the other players).
Let it all play out in their (all of them) good hands. Everyone is trying to make the Kings work.