[Grades] Grades v. Wolves 3/16/2014

[ShastaKingsFan]

Just think how good the Kings (Cuz, Gay, IT and JT) would be if we had journeyman starter at SG. I'd love to see it but it'd be a tough FO decision to demote Ben to backup SG next season. It'll cost them money and be a real test of financial commitment. Hope it happens.

"Just" a solid all around player, like a Wes Matthews for example, could make a huge difference

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Starting Evans over Love stopper JT, I don't get that.

We're tanking man. Why else do you think Travis Outlaw is getting minutes? Why else do you think Malone rested Cousins just because "He's banged up and been carrying this team". He's not resting him for the playoffs, i'll tell you that much

 

[Siranthony]

Despite some criticism and some overreaction to Malone's facial expressions... I like what I have seen from the team the last two games. The coach even said the same which no one mentioned. The defense is much better and the team appears to be playing harder. Yes we still lost, but at this point I don't mind if I'm entertained, and I was.

I thought not long after Evans and McCallum started playing here that they would eventually start. I think JT is worth having off the bench. His problem is he just doesn't have that much of an impact on the game most of the time. He is solid and is playing harder off the bench.

I have criticized the coach in the past but I think I can see the plan for this team unfolding to this point. I hope to see continued improvement and a couple of moves in the off season with draft picks and personnel. Next year should be better.

BTW I like Gordon in this years draft. I wish we could somehow get two first round picks this year.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

We're tanking man. Why else do you think Travis Outlaw is getting minutes? Why else do you think Malone rested Cousins just because "He's banged up and been carrying this team". He's not resting him for the playoffs, i'll tell you that much

Also to confirm this line of thinking,...in the post game interview he was asked, why he didn't start JT at center when he found out that Pekovic wasn't starting. His reply was that instead of "changing at tipoff", they wanted to reward Aaron Gray with some minutes, because he hadn't played and is always working hard to stay ready

 

[Siranthony]

Also to confirm this line of thinking,...in the post game interview he was asked, why he didn't start JT at center when he found out that Pekovic wasn't starting. His reply was that instead of "changing at tipoff", they wanted to reward Aaron Gray with some minutes, because he hadn't played and is always working hard to stay ready

It sounds like he told Gray he would start and did not want to change it on him because he warks hard. I don't see any problem in that. Especially as we aren't getting into the playoffs.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

BTW I like Gordon in this years draft. I wish we could somehow get two first round picks this year.

Maybe someone who likes looking at IT's box scores will give us a first rounder for him

 

[upinsmoke]

i think this is almost all we need to know. for a team in transition, the kings are a fairly respectable 17-19 with cousins/gay/thomas in the lineup, with a fairly respectable point differential, to boot. but the kings are a staggering 0-10 without cousins in the lineup, with a massive difference in point differential between when he plays and when he doesn't. to me, this sample squashes the oft-repeated argument that you cannot build a winner around demarcus cousins. when he's on the court with a talented running mate, the kings win almost as much as they lose, which means something for a team that hasn't finished above .350 since 2008. without demarcus cousins, well... the kings simply lose. i'd say he has a rather tremendous impact on the outcomes of games, wouldn't you?

Of course Cousins makes a huge difference on the court especially when the team is in a rhythm. Just for fun here is a youtube mix but he makes some plays that honestly no other Center can make in the league and his rebounding ability is off the charts. Centers take a while to fully develop and Cuz still has so much room to improve. Get your mind right Cuz and the world is yours.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

It sounds like he told Gray he would start and did not want to change it on him because he warks hard. I don't see any problem in that. Especially as we aren't getting into the playoffs.

Yeah, I don't have a problem with it now either.

On the other hand, if winning the game was a top priority, you definitely start JT at the 5

 

[Capt. Factorial]

On the other hand, if winning the game was a top priority, you definitely start JT at the 5

If winning is the top priority, you start JT at the 4 - or least matched up against Kevin Love. Who takes Gorgui Dieng doesn't really matter, so if you want to start JT at the 5 and have your PF take Dieng, that's OK too.