Head coach & GM options

[Kingster]

I wouldn't mind seeing Petrie stick around in an advisory role because IF he has actually been doing his job over the past few seasons he will know these players better than anyone. He shouldn't be the decision maker any more, but he drafted Evans, Evans improved his jumper the season after working with Petrie ... and if the new GM is thinking about letting Evans walk, If keeping Petrie around could convince that next guy to keep Evans, than hell yea. It's worth it.

Same can be said about Toney Douglas and Cole Aldrich. If we clean house, the contributions those guys made to this team at the end of last season could go unnoticed. Honestly, the play of Douglas makes IT and Jimmer expendable (because I believe IT should be a bench player anyway. Douglas and MT off the bench makes more sense than IT and MT). You're talking about the ability to sign a player (Douglas) for low money while also creating two trade chips (IT and Jimmer) .. that's valuable. And Cole Aldrich ... He's just better than Chuck Hayes. I don't even think it's a question. He'd come in for minimun dollars and provide the same, if not better production than a guy you're paying 5+ mil per year.

Petrie, if his head is screwed on straight, could be the best asset we have in terms of keeping the right players from this roster. I'm sure the new GM and staff will watch all the tape, blah blah blah, but there is a difference between watching film and seeing things unfold live.

I know I'd feel much better about this roster going into next season if the team looked like this:

PG - Sign a Vet / draft Burke (not high on) or MCW (high on) with Douglas as the backup. Possibly even start Douglas / Sign Beno for Vet backup.
SG - Evans, Thornton, Salmons
SF - Sign/trade/draft for starter, Salmons and Evans backup.
Bigs - Start Cousins, possibly package JT or Patterson with other assets (Jimmer, IT, draft pick) for a defensive minded big to pair with Cousins. One of Patterson/JT becomes third big, Aldrich 4th.

That is the kind of 'house cleaning' I'm looking for. Keep your big guns (Evans, Cousins, and MT - I still like Thornton, but he could be dealt under certain scenarios AKA Granger).

Clean out the guys who are redundant. We don't need IT or Jimmer because we have Thornton. We don't need Hayes cause he's not good and we have Cole. We don't need Patterson AND JT because they give you the same kind of production (granted they do it differently).

IT is not similar to Douglas or Jimmer. He's a far superior ball handler to both of them, a much better shooter than Douglas, a better defensive player than Jimmer. Douglas is a superior defender to both IT and Jimmer. So there is no reduncancy there. If they draft Burke, then there could be overlap with IT.

The closest thing this team has to redundancy is Jimmer and Thornton. Both are shooters who aren't great defensively and not the best of ball handlers. Unfortunately, Thornton is getting paid $8 million, so that makes him more difficult to trade.

When the new GM comes in I would expect he would look carefully at every single player on the roster. No player is safe from a trade.

 

[Kingster]

Here is the thing, any coach that has even the slightest bit of confidence in their ability as a coach, he will believe that he can get the best out of DeMarcus Cousins. If they start thinking, **** how do I handle this guy, then they are definitely not worthy of being a coach in the NBA.

Do you honestly think that someone like Phil Jackson would even think about if he could control Cousins? Here is the coach that has controlled and gotten the best out of some of the most flamboyant, "uncoachable" players in the history of the NBA.

Great coaches NEVER think about whether they can control a player. They KNOW that they can!

Jackson has been around the block. He knows that even he can't conrol the uncontrollable.

 

[kingsnation]

Jackson has been around the block. He knows that even he can't conrol the uncontrollable.

Phil got the best out of Dennis Rodman and Metta World Peace....DMC is fun and games compared to them.

 

[Glenn]

Jackson has been around the block. He knows that even he can't conrol the uncontrollable.

That's an incredible conclusion. So you think Cousins is uncontrollable? Well, heck then let's get rid of him for ... well, you tell me what a decent deal would be. I personally think you are wrong and think a better approach is to get a coach he can respect and see if that works rather than throw in the towel already. Smart and Westphal have been nowhere near what Cousins could respect. Actually neither have been anything I would respect either.

I don't know Mike Malone nor do I suspect the average fan does. If we hire another person who is unknown to the average fan, it will have a deja vu feeling to it. Rebuilding the team from the bottom up with unknowns would discourage me a great deal. Can Mile Malone control Cuz?

 

[Kingster]

That's an incredible conclusion. So you think Cousins is uncontrollable? Well, heck then let's get rid of him for ... well, you tell me what a decent deal would be. I personally think you are wrong and think a better approach is to get a coach he can respect and see if that works rather than throw in the towel already. Smart and Westphal have been nowhere near what Cousins could respect. Actually neither have been anything I would respect either.

I don't know Mike Malone nor do I suspect the average fan does. If we hire another person who is unknown to the average fan, it will have a deja vu feeling to it. Rebuilding the team from the bottom up with unknowns would discourage me a great deal. Can Mile Malone control Cuz?

No, I didn't say that. I did say that any coach worth his salt is going to evaluate the pros and cons of Cousins. Otherwise, I would highly doubt that coache's judgement. Also, I don't buy that Jackson thinks he could coach any personality on the planet. We all know there are types out there that are not controllable. Whether Cousins is one of those types is an open question, one which Ranadive & Co. is going to have fun answering.

 

[Bricklayer]

Phil got the best out of Dennis Rodman and Metta World Peace....DMC is fun and games compared to them.

Yeah, this. The only guys Phil ever had a problem with were the ones who didn't care enough. That's 180 degrees opposite of Cousins case.

As long as we can avoid the mistake of getting a coach abrasive enough that Cousins gets defensive and says **** you, there are a lot of ways forward on this.

 

[Gary]

OMG. Do you want to start an epidemic of heads exploding? Nellie? Seriously?

NO, no, no...no. No, nope, no way, never, no. No... no... no...

And, oh HELL NO.

It was just a thought that if we were to go with an older coach that he would be an option since he's old and players seem to respect him. I don't like his small ball either, and don't really want him. I just think because of his age he might be respected. It doesn't seem that we have had a coach for the current players that they've actually respected as a coach.

I would rather have Sloan 100 times out of 100 over Nelson. I was just throwing names out there

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

IT is not similar to Douglas or Jimmer. He's a far superior ball handler to both of them, a much better shooter than Douglas, a better defensive player than Jimmer. Douglas is a superior defender to both IT and Jimmer. So there is no reduncancy there. If they draft Burke, then there could be overlap with IT.

The closest thing this team has to redundancy is Jimmer and Thornton. Both are shooters who aren't great defensively and not the best of ball handlers. Unfortunately, Thornton is getting paid $8 million, so that makes him more difficult to trade.

When the new GM comes in I would expect he would look carefully at every single player on the roster. No player is safe from a trade.

It's not all about overlap, but I think you kind of missed my point.

In my opinion, Douglas, Jimmer, Thomas, and Thornton are all bench guards. On the same roster coming off the same bench, you don't need them all. There are only so many minutes in a game. Out of those players, Jimmer, Thomas, and Thornton are what I would consider scorers and to be effective they need shots/the ball. We only want one of those guys.

My pick out of the three would be Thornton. He's under contract, and he'd be harder to trade. I'd keep Douglas because like you said, he gives us something different. We will never be able to split up Evans and Thornton's minutes at the 2, again, not enough minutes to go around there. Under a certain scenario, we could theoretically sign Beno, trade Jimmer and Thomas, sign Douglas, then Start Douglas at point, Evans at the 2, with Evans basically playing backup PG when Thornton is in (so those two can play together) and let Beno pick up any extra minutes. A lot of people hate the idea of Evans as the PG, I disagree with those people, but at the very least he can certainly play primary ball handler for the bench unit.

Start Douglas and Evans, Sub Douglas out first for Thornton, then later sub Evans out for Beno, then put Evans back in for Thornton. On a lot of nights, Douglas would be the guy getting the least amount of minutes even though he is the 'starter'. If we have no one he needs to defend, simply put Beno in there in the 2nd quarter and let him finish the half.

Just one scenario, but that's more of what I'm talking about with some of the guards being redundant. We just don't need them all, particularly the 3 scorers, Thornton, Thomas, and Jimmer.

 

[Bricklayer]

It was just a thought that if we were to go with an older coach that he would be an option since he's old and players seem to respect him. I don't like his small ball either, and don't really want him. I just think because of his age he might be respected. It doesn't seem that we have had a coach for the current players that they've actually respected as a coach.

I would rather have Sloan 100 times out of 100 over Nelson. I was just throwing names out there

You seem to have JVG and Nellie reversed. JVG always had the respect of all of his players, one of his leading traits actually was that everybody liked him despite a highly structured system inherited from Riley. Meanwhile Nellie was notorious for alienating any number of them, including our own franchise's greatest high maintenance player of all time.

 

[Glenn]

No, I didn't say that. I did say that any coach worth his salt is going to evaluate the pros and cons of Cousins. Otherwise, I would highly doubt that coache's judgement. Also, I don't buy that Jackson thinks he could coach any personality on the planet. We all know there are types out there that are not controllable. Whether Cousins is one of those types is an open question, one which Ranadive & Co. is going to have fun answering.

They can ask me.

 

[Glenn]

Yeah, this. The only guys Phil ever had a problem with were the ones who didn't care enough. That's 180 degrees opposite of Cousins case.

As long as we can avoid the mistake of getting a coach abrasive enough that Cousins gets defensive and says **** you, there are a lot of ways forward on this.

I agree totally, of course. Cuz wants to win. Heck, he has said many times he wants to carry the Kings to the promised land or at least deep into the playoffs. He so far is devoted to this team and to winning. As a coach, I'd love to deal with that.

 

[Glenn]

It's not all about overlap, but I think you kind of missed my point.

In my opinion, Douglas, Jimmer, Thomas, and Thornton are all bench guards. On the same roster coming off the same bench, you don't need them all. There are only so many minutes in a game. Out of those players, Jimmer, Thomas, and Thornton are what I would consider scorers and to be effective they need shots/the ball. We only want one of those guys.

My pick out of the three would be Thornton. He's under contract, and he'd be harder to trade. I'd keep Douglas because like you said, he gives us something different. We will never be able to split up Evans and Thornton's minutes at the 2, again, not enough minutes to go around there. Under a certain scenario, we could theoretically sign Beno, trade Jimmer and Thomas, sign Douglas, then Start Douglas at point, Evans at the 2, with Evans basically playing backup PG when Thornton is in (so those two can play together) and let Beno pick up any extra minutes. A lot of people hate the idea of Evans as the PG, I disagree with those people, but at the very least he can certainly play primary ball handler for the bench unit.

Start Douglas and Evans, Sub Douglas out first for Thornton, then later sub Evans out for Beno, then put Evans back in for Thornton. On a lot of nights, Douglas would be the guy getting the least amount of minutes even though he is the 'starter'. If we have no one he needs to defend, simply put Beno in there in the 2nd quarter and let him finish the half.

Just one scenario, but that's more of what I'm talking about with some of the guards being redundant. We just don't need them all, particularly the 3 scorers, Thornton, Thomas, and Jimmer.

As a general idea, I think you are on the right track. What fascinates me is that this major problem, and indeed I think our glut of mini chuckers is a major problem, could be solved so easily. If we did what you are saying, just as an example, there would be a major change in how this team played. Then get that shot blocker and we would be a perfect SF away from a vert good team. I have a feeling people don't believe me perhaps because I am wrong but I think the solutions for this team are not so difficult. The hard part is finding two studs. We already have them.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

sorry if this has been already been brought up, but i dont want to read through 16 pages.

but how about the Spurs assistant coach, the guy that coached the Rising stars game. Mike Budenholzer. a guy who has spent a lot of time under Greg Popavich could be a great coach.

 

[Krunker]

sorry if this has been already been brought up, but i dont want to read through 16 pages.

but how about the Spurs assistant coach, the guy that coached the Rising stars game. Mike Budenholzer. a guy who has spent a lot of time under Greg Popavich could be a great coach.

He could be good - he is supposedly in the running for the Detroit position. But he might be better off to wait for Pop to retire and take over the Spurs.

 

[Telemachus]

Yeah, this. The only guys Phil ever had a problem with were the ones who didn't care enough. That's 180 degrees opposite of Cousins case.

As long as we can avoid the mistake of getting a coach abrasive enough that Cousins gets defensive and says **** you, there are a lot of ways forward on this.

I'm not sure that Cousins would have much of a problem with an abrasive coach (you can't get more abrasive than Calipari and they got along fine). He has more of a problem with coaches that speak out of both sides of their mouths. Give him a straight shooter and you will get the best out of Cousins.

 

[Kingster]

It's not all about overlap, but I think you kind of missed my point.

In my opinion, Douglas, Jimmer, Thomas, and Thornton are all bench guards. On the same roster coming off the same bench, you don't need them all. There are only so many minutes in a game. Out of those players, Jimmer, Thomas, and Thornton are what I would consider scorers and to be effective they need shots/the ball. We only want one of those guys.

My pick out of the three would be Thornton. He's under contract, and he'd be harder to trade. I'd keep Douglas because like you said, he gives us something different. We will never be able to split up Evans and Thornton's minutes at the 2, again, not enough minutes to go around there. Under a certain scenario, we could theoretically sign Beno, trade Jimmer and Thomas, sign Douglas, then Start Douglas at point, Evans at the 2, with Evans basically playing backup PG when Thornton is in (so those two can play together) and let Beno pick up any extra minutes. A lot of people hate the idea of Evans as the PG, I disagree with those people, but at the very least he can certainly play primary ball handler for the bench unit.

Start Douglas and Evans, Sub Douglas out first for Thornton, then later sub Evans out for Beno, then put Evans back in for Thornton. On a lot of nights, Douglas would be the guy getting the least amount of minutes even though he is the 'starter'. If we have no one he needs to defend, simply put Beno in there in the 2nd quarter and let him finish the half.

Just one scenario, but that's more of what I'm talking about with some of the guards being redundant. We just don't need them all, particularly the 3 scorers, Thornton, Thomas, and Jimmer.

I don't understand the fascination with Beno. IT is a better offensive and defensive player than Beno. Beno got torched repeatedly on the defensive end because of his lack of foot speed.

We'll have to agree to disagree on your lineup. I think the lack of pg ability from both Tyreke and Douglas would be highly problematic.

 

[Padrino]

I don't understand the fascination with Beno. IT is a better offensive and defensive player than Beno. Beno got torched repeatedly on the defensive end because of his lack of foot speed.

We'll have to agree to disagree on your lineup. I think the lack of pg ability from both Tyreke and Douglas would be highly problematic.

i wouldn't say there's a fascination with beno. it's mostly that, apart from JT, beno was one of the last true roleplayers in the kings' starting lineup. the very fact that IT is a better offensive player than beno presents a problem. one ball, and all that. but beno didn't need it in his hands to be effective. he rather seamlessly acted as either primary or secondary ballhandler opposite tyreke, and he had the kind of veteran midrange game that complements 'reke's dribble-drive (and would also complement demarcus' post game). as you've noted, though, beno's defensive deficiencies are a real red flag, so, while i'd be satisfied if the kings brought him back, i'd be more interested in finding a player who has a similar offensive game, but can also compete on the defensive side of the ball...

 

[Padrino]

stan van gundy wasn't anywhere near the top of my list of head coaching candidates, but i know there were a few at kf.com who were interested in seeing him come to sacramento. well, you can scratch his name off the list of available head coaches:

As you get down the road more and the longer you are out, the harder it is to get back in and that was certainly a difficult part of the decision process for me because [coaching is] certainly something that I miss and don’t want to close the door on for the rest of my life, but, it is not right now anyway, in the best interest of my family, so it won’t be next year.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/227777/Stan-Van-Gundy-Confirms-He-Wont-Coach-Next-Season

 

[Mike]

stan van gundy wasn't anywhere near the top of my list of head coaching candidates, but i know there were a few at kf.com who were interested in seeing him come to sacramento. well, you can scratch his name off the list of available head coaches:



http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/227777/Stan-Van-Gundy-Confirms-He-Wont-Coach-Next-Season

I've always like Stan Van Gundy as a coach. He did a very good job with the Magic, and a solid job with the Heat. If we ever appointed him as our next head coach, then I feel that he could do a very good job here if he has the roster. Not sure what his ability is like rebuilding, but if the pieces are already in place and need a few tweaks here and there, that type of job should suit him.

 

[Padrino]

I've always like Stan Van Gundy as a coach. He did a very good job with the Magic, and a solid job with the Heat. If we ever appointed him as our next head coach, then I feel that he could do a very good job here if he has the roster. Not sure what his ability is like rebuilding, but if the pieces are already in place and need a few tweaks here and there, that type of job should suit him.

i don't like his fondness for calling out his players in the media. his loose lips make for a sports' journalists wet dream, but it certainly doesn't bode well for any potential relationship he might have with demarcus cousins in the hypothetical role as head coach of the kings. not to mention he used the kings as leverage to angle a better deal with the magic when they initially hired him. as a fan, i don't take it personally, but i'm also not terribly jazzed by the idea of hiring a coach who isn't really committed to this team or this city...

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

I don't understand the fascination with Beno. IT is a better offensive and defensive player than Beno. Beno got torched repeatedly on the defensive end because of his lack of foot speed.

We'll have to agree to disagree on your lineup. I think the lack of pg ability from both Tyreke and Douglas would be highly problematic.

I understand your point, where I think we disagree most is with Thomas. I think we'd have the same lack of PG ability with Thomas as we would with Douglas. Neither guy is a great point guard, which is why having a hybrid SG like Evans is important.

The problem with Thomas is that he doesn't pass. And I know that's a little harsh, but that's my point. Douglas will get out of the way. When Thomas is on the court you can't help but notice him because he always has the ball.

As far as Beno goes - Padrino said it best. I love everything he does on offense. Perfect role playing guard for both Evans and Thornton. He's very good off the ball, not only because of his jumper, but he's a good cutter.

Of couse you want him to be better defensively, but then he's going to cost you 6 million instead of 4, or whatever his price will be. I want him in a bench role where the defense doesn't matter and you have Douglas there incase he's getting torched.

 

[Warhawk]

Vinny D anyone?

Clip let him go per Adrian W. Not advocating, just mentioning.

 

[VF21]

Vinny D anyone?

Clip let him go per Adrian W. Not advocating, just mentioning.

See my response to the suggestion of Donnie Nelson.

 

[bajaden]

I understand your point, where I think we disagree most is with Thomas. I think we'd have the same lack of PG ability with Thomas as we would with Douglas. Neither guy is a great point guard, which is why having a hybrid SG like Evans is important.

The problem with Thomas is that he doesn't pass. And I know that's a little harsh, but that's my point. Douglas will get out of the way. When Thomas is on the court you can't help but notice him because he always has the ball.

As far as Beno goes - Padrino said it best. I love everything he does on offense. Perfect role playing guard for both Evans and Thornton. He's very good off the ball, not only because of his jumper, but he's a good cutter.

Of couse you want him to be better defensively, but then he's going to cost you 6 million instead of 4, or whatever his price will be. I want him in a bench role where the defense doesn't matter and you have Douglas there incase he's getting torched.

I'm not sure what this love affair is with Thomas. Unless all those in love with him are under 5'10" in height. You know, birds of a feather. Last season Thomas shot 35.8% from beyond the arc, took 10.5 attempts a game in 27 minutes a game, which I might add is only one shot less than Tyreke took in 31 minutes a game (which one is the shooting guard) while he averaged 4.0 asssists a game. Beno on the other hand shot 39.6% from beyond the arc while taking only 8 attempts a game in 27 minutes. Beno averaged 6.1 assists per game. Both players averaged around 2 rebounds a game, and Beno barely squeeked out an edge with 0.9 steals per game to Thomas 0.8 steals per game. Stat wise, Beno is the better shooter, and the better assist man. Defensively Thomas is a terrible pick and roll defender, and if you don't think so, then your in denial. He can't fight through a screen for the life of him, and worse yet, he gives up on too many playes.

This nonsense about him being a good defender is just that, nonsense. I don't dislike Thomas, but I'm not about to inflate what he is, and what he is, is a good change of pace guard off the bench that can make some plays and disrupt the defense. He's not terrible at creating for others, but he's not great either, and looks for his own shot far too often. I want him on the team. He's fun to watch, but he will never lead this team anywhere as our starting PG. That may be true of Beno as well, but Beno is a better compliment to Cousins and Evans, and is more willing to defer.

 

[funkykingston]

I'm not sure what this love affair is with Thomas. Unless all those in love with him are under 5'10" in height. You know, birds of a feather. Last season Thomas shot 35.8% from beyond the arc, took 10.5 attempts a game in 27 minutes a game, which I might add is only one shot less than Tyreke took in 31 minutes a game (which one is the shooting guard) while he averaged 4.0 asssists a game. Beno on the other hand shot 39.6% from beyond the arc while taking only 8 attempts a game in 27 minutes. Beno averaged 6.1 assists per game. Both players averaged around 2 rebounds a game, and Beno barely squeeked out an edge with 0.9 steals per game to Thomas 0.8 steals per game. Stat wise, Beno is the better shooter, and the better assist man. Defensively Thomas is a terrible pick and roll defender, and if you don't think so, then your in denial. He can't fight through a screen for the life of him, and worse yet, he gives up on too many playes.

This nonsense about him being a good defender is just that, nonsense. I don't dislike Thomas, but I'm not about to inflate what he is, and what he is, is a good change of pace guard off the bench that can make some plays and disrupt the defense. He's not terrible at creating for others, but he's not great either, and looks for his own shot far too often. I want him on the team. He's fun to watch, but he will never lead this team anywhere as our starting PG. That may be true of Beno as well, but Beno is a better compliment to Cousins and Evans, and is more willing to defer.

Well said, and I agree on all counts. When I look at our guards I see a starter and possible cornerstone in Tyreke and bench players in Thornton, Jimmer, IT and Douglas. Douglas to me is a great third PG on a team who will play tough and not hurt you if you have to give him minutes. Jimmer is potentially a bench shooter but still a project. Thornton can be a volume scorer either as a starter on a bad team or a 6th or 7th man on a good team. IT is a scoring PG who really should be used as a change of pace off the bench IMO.

Personally I'd like to see Fredette and Thornton traded, Douglas resigned (if the price is right) and IT moved to the bench to play a Jason Terry/JJ Barea type role. If Tyreke is made the primary ballhandler with a new starting SG (Oladipo? Crabbe?) then Thomas can come in to the game and change the energy and flow of the game with his speed and scoring.

 

[Padrino]

I'm not sure what this love affair is with Thomas. Unless all those in love with him are under 5'10" in height. You know, birds of a feather. Last season Thomas shot 35.8% from beyond the arc, took 10.5 attempts a game in 27 minutes a game, which I might add is only one shot less than Tyreke took in 31 minutes a game (which one is the shooting guard) while he averaged 4.0 asssists a game. Beno on the other hand shot 39.6% from beyond the arc while taking only 8 attempts a game in 27 minutes. Beno averaged 6.1 assists per game. Both players averaged around 2 rebounds a game, and Beno barely squeeked out an edge with 0.9 steals per game to Thomas 0.8 steals per game. Stat wise, Beno is the better shooter, and the better assist man. Defensively Thomas is a terrible pick and roll defender, and if you don't think so, then your in denial. He can't fight through a screen for the life of him, and worse yet, he gives up on too many playes.

This nonsense about him being a good defender is just that, nonsense. I don't dislike Thomas, but I'm not about to inflate what he is, and what he is, is a good change of pace guard off the bench that can make some plays and disrupt the defense. He's not terrible at creating for others, but he's not great either, and looks for his own shot far too often. I want him on the team. He's fun to watch, but he will never lead this team anywhere as our starting PG. That may be true of Beno as well, but Beno is a better compliment to Cousins and Evans, and is more willing to defer.

kid's got heart. or somethin' like that. it's what i've heard, anyway...



i've not understood the love affair, either, except to say that sacramento kings fans are occasionally prone to gimmickry. it doesn't take a cynic to recognize that the maloofs drafted jimmer fredette to sell a few extra jerseys. kings fans lapped it up until isaiah thomas eventually overtook the majority of jimmer's minutes. then they lapped that up, too...

like you, i don't dislike thomas. i think a player of his caliber is useful, because his size will always dictate his cost. he is then an inexpensive sixth man who offers the kind of change of pace that coaches often look for in sixth men. there's hardly shame in that, and i've never understood why thomas' most ardent supporters bristle at the notion that a reserve role is where he's best suited. it's a truly rare feat for an undersized 60th pick to stick in the nba, much less carve out a niche as the first guard off the bench, which is what i expect we'll see from thomas if he remains a king heading into next season...

 

[rainmaker]

I'm not sure what this love affair is with Thomas. Unless all those in love with him are under 5'10" in height. You know, birds of a feather. Last season Thomas shot 35.8% from beyond the arc, took 10.5 attempts a game in 27 minutes a game, which I might add is only one shot less than Tyreke took in 31 minutes a game (which one is the shooting guard) while he averaged 4.0 asssists a game. Beno on the other hand shot 39.6% from beyond the arc while taking only 8 attempts a game in 27 minutes. Beno averaged 6.1 assists per game. Both players averaged around 2 rebounds a game, and Beno barely squeeked out an edge with 0.9 steals per game to Thomas 0.8 steals per game. Stat wise, Beno is the better shooter, and the better assist man. Defensively Thomas is a terrible pick and roll defender, and if you don't think so, then your in denial. He can't fight through a screen for the life of him, and worse yet, he gives up on too many playes.

This nonsense about him being a good defender is just that, nonsense. I don't dislike Thomas, but I'm not about to inflate what he is, and what he is, is a good change of pace guard off the bench that can make some plays and disrupt the defense. He's not terrible at creating for others, but he's not great either, and looks for his own shot far too often. I want him on the team. He's fun to watch, but he will never lead this team anywhere as our starting PG. That may be true of Beno as well, but Beno is a better compliment to Cousins and Evans, and is more willing to defer.

There's only a small group here with a love affair with IT, although some in the media do as well like Bruski who thinks he's a top 15 PG. Don't disagree with anything you said.

But a question. Do you really want him here next year? With MT and Douglas? Or IT over one or both of them? Do you want IT, MT and Douglas? Would you pick IT or Douglas as your backup PG? I don't know what context to put your I want IT here next year statement.

Personally, given the makeup of our team, I don't know why so many are convinced IT should be the 6th man. I think he could be a good 6th man, but not on a team with MT who also is 6th man material. Having two shoot first 6th man types in addition to Reke, and any minutes Jimmer might get makes little sense. And in looking at our roster, I'd either consider moving Reke back to point and getting a good spot up shooter and defender at the 2 who can play good D, or keep Reke at the 2 and upgrade the PG spot with a Hinrich/Chalmers type. Actually, I'd strongly consider a Douglas/Reke pairing as Douglas reminds me of Hinrich. Defender who can set up the offense, hit the open shot but isn't aggressive in looking for his shot and looks to play off others. But if upgrading at PG, I'd think a defensive minded PG off the bench in Douglas would be better for the team, especially if next to MT off the bench.

 

[Kingster]

I'm not sure what this love affair is with Thomas. Unless all those in love with him are under 5'10" in height. You know, birds of a feather. Last season Thomas shot 35.8% from beyond the arc, took 10.5 attempts a game in 27 minutes a game, which I might add is only one shot less than Tyreke took in 31 minutes a game (which one is the shooting guard) while he averaged 4.0 asssists a game. Beno on the other hand shot 39.6% from beyond the arc while taking only 8 attempts a game in 27 minutes. Beno averaged 6.1 assists per game. Both players averaged around 2 rebounds a game, and Beno barely squeeked out an edge with 0.9 steals per game to Thomas 0.8 steals per game. Stat wise, Beno is the better shooter, and the better assist man. Defensively Thomas is a terrible pick and roll defender, and if you don't think so, then your in denial. He can't fight through a screen for the life of him, and worse yet, he gives up on too many playes.

This nonsense about him being a good defender is just that, nonsense. I don't dislike Thomas, but I'm not about to inflate what he is, and what he is, is a good change of pace guard off the bench that can make some plays and disrupt the defense. He's not terrible at creating for others, but he's not great either, and looks for his own shot far too often. I want him on the team. He's fun to watch, but he will never lead this team anywhere as our starting PG. That may be true of Beno as well, but Beno is a better compliment to Cousins and Evans, and is more willing to defer.

It's skewed to look at Thomas's stats for the entire year when he juggled by Smart with a cast of characters at the pg for the first part of the season. Take a look at his stats after the All-Star break when Smart settled on the pg position. Then discuss. Just like the prior year I might add.

Thomas is a far superior defender to Beno. Not even close. Not in a million billion freaking years do I think Beno is a better defender or player than IT. Talk about a walk in the park. Heck, I'm 56 years old and I think I could beat Beno off the dribble. And IT's better defensively than Bibby was when he was with the Kings. Again not close. Douglas is obviously better than IT on D (and Tyreke for that matter). So when it comes to D, I guess it all depends on who you are comparing him to.

I don't know about "love affair." I think it's more about going with the prettiest girl of the bunch. He doesn't have a lot of competition right now when it comes to the pg position.

 

[Hoovtrain]

Vinny D anyone?

Clip let him go per Adrian W. Not advocating, just mentioning.

No thanks. That guy is the king of underachieving at the coaching level with very talented rosters.

 

[kingjatt]

No thanks. That guy is the king of underachieving at the coaching level with very talented rosters.

not entirely, he made it to the playoffs 2 years back to back with a pretty mediocre roster in chicago, then the 2nd round in his first year w/CP3 and i believe if it hadnt been for blake griffin messing up his ankle they would have gotten passed memphis and a beaten up OKC team to be in the WCF right now.


Hes certainly better than smart and runs a really nice pick and roll spread offense but he's a retread now and there are many better options available, whats bad about his firing for us is one of our top canidates, mike malone, is now said to be the front runner for the clipper job.