[Grades] Grades vs. Bucks

[ESP47]

I think the Wizards and the Bucks show the athletic deficiencies of the Kings. When faced with those kind of teams it seems that the Kings are just overwhelmed by the length, quickness, speed and strength of their opponent. The Kings seem to have two very good athletes on their current team - Fox and WCS. They need more. It's something for Vlade to keep in mind as he makes future personnel decisions. It's ok now to currently have experienced but less athletic players to show the kids the ropes, but as the kids get more experienced I'd like to see experienced but slow and earthbound players be replaced by some very good athletic types. Kelly Oubre, for example.

Yep, they've accumulated a lot of skill players but not much athleticism. Vlade and Webber's Kings didn't have a whole lot of athleticism either but they had a ton of skills that compensated for that. What they gave up in athleticism on the defensive end, they made up on the offensive end with ball movement and pure scoring abilities. The current team doesn't have that. You're correct about WCS and Fox but Fox is so weak right now that he can't even use his athleticism half the time. Giles won't be as athletic as he could be after all the knee injuries but he should be in that group with WCS and Fox when he starts playing.

In the upcoming draft, Doncic is a lot of peoples favorite but he's the least athletic of the upper tier prospects. He's also arguably the most skilled. It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Yep, they've accumulated a lot of skill players but not much athleticism. Vlade and Webber's Kings didn't have a whole lot of athleticism either but they had a ton of skills that compensated for that. What they gave up in athleticism on the defensive end, they made up on the offensive end with ball movement and pure scoring abilities.

Yet, during our three-year run before Webber blew his knee (2000-2001 to 2002-2003) our league rank in DRtg was: 7, 6, 2. Athletic or not, we were VERY good defensively. This year, so far, we are ranked #29. If we want to argue that there is a similar lack of athleticism on this year's team to our glory years team (I can't really say whether that's accurate one way or another as my eye for athleticism isn't great and the mists of time have clouded my memory, but let's assume it's true) then it's hard to say that skill on the offensive end was the only thing separating these teams. Our glory years teams clearly had a lot of skill on the defensive end as well. And one hell of a coach on top of that.

 

[Kingster]

Yep, they've accumulated a lot of skill players but not much athleticism. Vlade and Webber's Kings didn't have a whole lot of athleticism either but they had a ton of skills that compensated for that. What they gave up in athleticism on the defensive end, they made up on the offensive end with ball movement and pure scoring abilities. The current team doesn't have that. You're correct about WCS and Fox but Fox is so weak right now that he can't even use his athleticism half the time. Giles won't be as athletic as he could be after all the knee injuries but he should be in that group with WCS and Fox when he starts playing.

In the upcoming draft, Doncic is a lot of peoples favorite but he's the least athletic of the upper tier prospects. He's also arguably the most skilled. It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

I agree about Fox. His athletic talent will shine as he gets stronger, but also as he understands how to change speeds in combination with changing directions, which has more to do with experience. It's a lot easier for a defensive player to zero-in on very fast straight line speedster than on one using different speeds combined with a change in direction. (See the Eurostep). When Fox gets that "skill-set" down, as well as a consistent 8-18 footer, look out NBA.

I also agree about the old Kings team, but I don't see the old Kings' team competing with the type of athletes that we see today in the NBA. Looking to the old Kings' team as a model is the wrong way to go, and based on the drafts of Divac so far I feel comfortable enough that he puts a high value on athleticism (as well as on BBIQ).

And I agree about Giles also. We'll just have to wait and see. I'm hopeful on that score. He could be the 3rd very good athlete on this current team, despite his past injuries.

I don't want Donic. We need a uber athlete on this team who can refine his basketball skills over time. To maximize the skills of some players like Bogs, the Kings need to reach a certain threshold of overall athleticism that they just don't have currently.

 

[Folsomkingsfan]

Seems like every player on the Bucks has an 8ft wingspan.

Are the refs giving Fox the rookie treatment or what? The guy can't get a call no matter how hard he gets fouled. Yet Giannis can just bull rush into anyone and get the call. Despite all that, Fox still played horribly passive. We need to get this guy away from Zbo because when they're both out there, he just passes the ball to ZBo and runs and hides.

Speaking of hiding, where in the H-E double hockey sticks was Hill all night?

That lob Bogie threw up for WCS needs to go on his personal career highlight reel. Best moment of the night.

Best moment other than everyone booing the hell out of Jason Terry.

Oh and Deandre Liggins can play some defense...wow.

Agree 100% about Fox and Zbo. Not sure what went on behind closed doors, but Fox went from an aggressive spark plug who zipped across the court trying to make plays to a guy who dribbles slowly to half court and passes to Zbo and retreats to the 3 point line. No one on our team has benefited less from our shiny new veteran additions than Fox.

 

[FoxOnTheRun]

Hill and Temple - 44 minutes

Richardson and Jackson - 15 minutes

...in a massive blowout is completely unacceptable.

I'm sorry but the guys on the floor who barely scratched out 11 points in the 2nd quarter should have been riding the bench the rest of the game after that BS display of basketball. Absolutely pathetic.

Couple other observations...

I'd be completely ok with Kosta never touching the ball on offence ever again. He's not reliable at all. It's a coin toss if he'll actually catch it, and when he does it's some prayer of a hook shot or an air ball floater. I'm also convinced he's scared to dunk. Last night he had a wide open lane with nobody in front of him and he quickly floated up a brick. Every other 7 footer in the league would have dunked it.

What is also bugging the hell out of me is how under utilized Fox has been. Could we clear out some space and run a GD iso play for this kid?!

All and all, Dave Jeorger does not get a passing grade from me so far this year. He's been absolutely terrible.

 

[King Baller]

that title goes to Embiid, barring injury of course IMO.

I respectfully disagree it is Giannis.