Hawes asks for more PT

[Warhawk]

Buried in the game recap article.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=271126023

Spencer Hawes gave the Kings key minutes off the bench a day after the rookie 7-foot center met with first-year coach Reggie Theus and made it known he wants more playing time.

In the first half, Hawes hit 3-of-4 field goals including a 3, had two rebounds and a blocked shot in 6 minutes.

Hawes, the Kings' top draft pick selected 10th overall out of Washington, is still recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. "I told him I didn't think he's 100 percent yet," Theus said. "He wants to play 30 minutes a game. I want to give him sustained minutes, more minutes."

 

[BawLa]

Dear rookie,

Take a chill pill.

Ask Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, and Quincy Douby how much playing time they got in their rookie years.

You are part of the near future of this franchise, so just be patient. Okay? Thanks.

Sincerely,

BawLa



PS: Keep that desire, we will need that fire down the road. And get to your post game dammit.

 

[piksi]

There is really no reason why he shouldn't play more

 

[DocHolliday]

I like it. He's a rookie and saying hey coach put me in, that's what I'm here for. I have no problem with it as long as it was done respectfully.

 

[Gary]

^^^^ Agree... Hawes has shown he is a better offensive choice than Moore, and a better rebounder (gets better position imp than Moore) But as it stands Moore is a better defender than Hawes, and as bad as he is in every other aspect of his game Moore should get the starting nod.

I believe Hawes plays his best when Paired along side of Miller. I don't think he should be converted to a PF, but for right now it's a good idea to pair him with Miller, because of Millers outside game. (I think there should only be one post player on the floor at a time because it would hurt the slashers ability to get to the basket if the middle is cloged w/ defenders that are defending the post players).

 

[BALLER4LIFE]

There is really no reason why he shouldn't play more

It's because the coach doesn't think he is 100% healthy yet, and sees no reason to risk another injury

 

[tyrant]

i think hawes has earned more minutes. he's scoring. i dont see why not. maybe he's not physically ready for 30 minutes a game yet. but i dont see why we cant move him from 8 minutes to at least 15 minutes a game.

 

[Jechtsphere]

He asked, at least he didn't demand more minutes

 

[Kingster]

That's exactly the number of minutes I said I wanted him to play - at least 30!

I have no problem with him asking for it. I knew this guy was intelligent!

 

[Kingster]

Dear rookie,

Take a chill pill.

Ask Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, and Quincy Douby how much playing time they got in their rookie years................PS: Keep that desire, we will need that fire down the road. And get to your post game dammit.

Guess what? Hawes is better in the first few games of this year than either Douby, Garcia, or Martin were in their first year. He should be playing a lot more!

PS I think the other players on the team have to get him the ball in the post, something they don't seem to be very good at.

 

[Vlade4GM]

As long as he did it in a professional manner, I think it's good. Shows initiative on his part and not complacency. He's ready to learn and get better. I would like for him to get much more PT once he's healthy because as of right now he's our future at center and the more he plays the more he'll learn and the faster he'll develop.

 

[kennadog]

The ESPN blurb left out a part of what was in the Bee.

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/522975.html

Earning time – Spencer Hawes went looking for Kings coach Reggie Theus on Sunday, wanting to discuss his limited playing time and how he could get more.
In essence, he was told to earn it......

The Kings rookie center may have done that against the Spurs, as he hit his first three shots upon entering in the second quarter and even blocked a shot. After hitting a three-pointer, Hawes blocked Fabricio Oberto's shot – a key considering Theus wants him to contribute consistently on the defensive end.........

Theus said he's hesitant to play Hawes more, in part, because he doesn't think Hawes is fully recovered from his October arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

I think the part they left out was important. He didn't just ask for more playing time, he went to ask the coach how he could get more minutes. He wants to know what he needs to improve on or do better. I like the desire and the initiative.

 

[CruzDude]

Great attitude for a rook! Plus he has a great playing attitude and didn't back down from Duncan. But Coach is being cautious until it's 100% the rook is 100% recovered. and I'll bet Coach Reggie loves that attitude as well.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Said it before, and will say it again. Big man rotation should be:
Moore (25-28 min)/Williams (17-20 min)
Miller (30-35 min)/Hawes (13-18 min)

 

[Spike]

The ESPN blurb left out a part of what was in the Bee.

What? ESPN leaving out important bits of information? Never.

I too, am cautious about his knee. Rookies also hit "the wall", so no need to rush him along; I'm sure he'll get his PT.

 

[6th]

I got a real chuckle out of this thread and the comments I have read.

Let me preface my comments first by saying that I really like what I see in Hawes, and I'll be the first to pack KT's bag when he leaves the Kings. However, when KT wants more playing time (demands or asks for depending how the press decides to spin it) we all rip him a new one. When Hawes wants more time (and he is just a rookie), we think it is great (as long as he is being repectful). He is showing initiative. LOL.........Our response is based solely on whether we like a guy or not. No worries! It absolutely reflects human nature...IMHO.

My response was much like BawLa's. Hawes, "You are a rookie. Take a chill pill. Your minutes and your time will come." The last thing I want to see is for a rookie to think so highly of himself that he puts himself before the team. Now, if he said, "Hey coach, I think my knee is doing well, and I'm ready for more minutes when you need me," then that is great.

Edit: Please read my post carefully. I DID NOT accuse Spencer of putting himself before the team.

 

[kennadog]

I got a real chuckle out of this thread and the comments I have read.

Let me preface my comments first by saying that I really like what I see in Hawes, and I'll be the first to pack KT's bag when he leaves the Kings. However, when KT wants more playing time (demands or asks for depending how the press decides to spin it) we all rip him a new one. When Hawes wants more time (and he is just a rookie), we think it is great (as long as he is being repectful). He is showing initiative. LOL.........Our response is based solely on whether we like a guy or not. No worries! It absolutely reflects human nature...IMHO.

My response was much like BawLa's. Hawes, "You are a rookie. Take a chill pill. Your minutes and your time will come." The last thing I want to see is for a rookie to think so highly of himself that he puts himself before the team. Now, if he said, "Hey coach, I think my knee is doing well, and I'm ready for more minutes when you need me," then that is great.

Edit: Please read my post carefully. I DID NOT accuse Spencer of putting himself before the team.

I read the Bee notes before the ESPN blurb and I guess I just read it differently. I didn't get that Hawes was asking for more playing time or saying he deserves more time. What I understood was he wants more playing time and asked his coach how he could get it. I think it's a pretty good idea to ask the coach what you need to do to get more playing time. Of course, it is the Bee reporter's interpretation of what happened, but, for now, I'll accept it at face value.

This is completely different to me, than someone who thinks he deserves to be a starter, just because he's been a starter or thinks he deserves it, which had been my impression from some of KT's comments. Now maybe KT did ask coach how he could get more minutes, but we only have KT's comments. I don't think I ever read or heard that KT asked coach how he could earn more minutes or a starting position. Maybe I missed it.

 

[VF21]

My two cents? No way Spencer needs to take a chill pill or change anything he's doing so far. He's expressed to his coach - NOT THE MEDIA - that he wants to know how to get more playing time. We don't know what actually was said. All we know was that Hawes and Theus discussed Hawes' playing time.

I'm pretty much in total agreement with kennadog. We don't know what Hawes said to Theus BUT we do know exactly what KT said. For that reason, I'm not about to assume that Hawes needs to take it down a notch simply because a reporter tried to make a story out of nothing.

 

[BawLa]

I like whatever he said. He wants to be a significant part of the Kings, both now and in the future. But he needs to recognize his place. He is a rookie that got injured before the season started. He needs to focus on getting 100% healthy before he can put his full attention towards developing as a professional basketball player. And he has much developing to do.

I like everything I have seen from this kid so far, and truthfully it is going similar to my expectations. What I did not expect, is a resurgance from Brad. Brad is actually raising his trade value, at least relative to last year.

That said, there is no real pressure for Hawes to take over the starting role. Which is great. Theus noted that he wants to give Hawes more minutes, so he must be seeing what we see. But there is no rush right now.


If I were Theus and Hawes came up to me and said "how can I earn more playing time?", I would respond something along the lines of:

1. get 100% healthy
2. continue to hit the weights and bulk up
3. establish your post game
4. focus on getting better at rebounding
5. limit mistakes like turnovers

And I would say there is no rush. Don't bite off more than you can chew right now. The minutes will come with time.

Then I would say down the line, we can work on getting you to play better defense and we can start running an offense through you.

And I would say keep up the good work...


EDIT: And if I were Obi Wan Kanobi I would say: You have much to learn my young padwan

 

[VF21]

If I were Theus and Hawes came up to me and said "how can I earn more playing time?", I would respond something along the lines of:

1. get 100% healthy
2. continue to hit the weights and bulk up
3. establish your post game
4. focus on getting better at rebounding
5. limit mistakes like turnovers

And I would say there is no rush. Don't bite off more than you can chew right now. The minutes will come with time.

Then I would say down the line, we can work on getting you to play better defense and we can start running an offense through you.

And I would say keep up the good work...

And I suspect that's almost exactly what Reggie did say, which is why I know I thought your original answer of "take a chill pill" was a little odd.

 

[BawLa]

And I suspect that's almost exactly what Reggie did say, which is why I know I thought your original answer of "take a chill pill" was a little odd.

I see that. When I said take a chill pill, I meant take it easy, take it slow, be patient.

Not take a back seat or watch what you say.

I read what Theus said, and it was something along the lines of "he wants to know what he can do to earn 30 mintues per game". He is a rookie and has much to learn before he can handle 30 mintues per game, let alone being able to handle those minutes due to health.

Kevin Martin had the skill when he was a rookie. But it took time before he could handle the starting role...he had much to learn. And when he was vaulted into the starting role, it was a sink-or-swim situation. We don't need to pressure Hawes into that situation, especially because of the way Brad has been playing. Believe me, I want to see Hawes get more minutes, but I would like to see Hawes gradually increased into his minutes.

 

[VF21]

I see that. When I said take a chill pill, I meant take it easy, take it slow, be patient.

Not take a back seat or watch what you say.

And there's the crux of my misunderstanding.

 

[love_them_kings]

I like it. He's a rookie and saying hey coach put me in, that's what I'm here for. I have no problem with it as long as it was done respectfully.

I agree completely. I get irritated when players go to the media and demand more playing time, but I have no problem with a player (respectfully of course) asking the coach if/how he can get more time.

 

[Gary]

I agree completely. I get irritated when players go to the media and demand more playing time, but I have no problem with a player (respectfully of course) asking the coach if/how he can get more time.

Agreed.. Shows eagerness..

When I am at work, and I feel I can take on more work I ask my sup..

when I want to be an a$$ about it I take it to my bosses boss, and say that I am bored with my work, and I have not been given the opportunity to progress.