Hope come playoffs.

[Gary]

Kings seem like a team waiting for a "shot in the arm". That shot I think could be Jackson, and Miller returning.

If you went into the playoffs and had to face this lineup, or if you knew you had this lineup going into the playoffs would you think that you were a contender?

C-Miller (*all-star) / Skinner (Defense+shot blocking+rebounding)
PF-Thomas (great slasher+rebounding) / Songalia
SF-Peja (*all-star) / Corliss (*former 6th man)
SG-Mobley / Evans
PG-Bibby (one of the best PG in the league) / Jackson (*former 6th man)

This lineup I feel 1-10 is the best in the league. We have so many options here that it would scare any team meeting us in the playoffs.

My question is if we have all players available at 90-100% health and they instantly form sone kind of chemistry do we have a shot at the title? If not than why? This is just a what if guys.. So if our team had GREAT CHEMISTRY, and everyone was healthy I think we are a shoe in for the title.

 

[KP]

If you went into the playoffs and had to face this lineup, or if you knew you had this lineup going into the playoffs would you think that you were a contender?

Probably not.

 

[VF21]

I don't think there's any such thing as a shoo-in for the title.

After everything that has gone on the last couple of months, including the plethora of injuries, I'm simply happy we're still in line to make it to the playoffs. Anything past the first round is the cute little plastic flowers on top of the icing on the triple-layer cake.



Oops. In my zeal, I forgot to answer the question...

Are we contenders? Any team that makes the playoffs is, by definition, a contender. Are we LIKELY contenders? Nope. We still have major problems with defense and rebounding, even with the addition of Thomas and Skinner. And you have to keep in mind that once Brad is back, Skinner and/or Thomas will be getting fewer minutes.

We have an outside shot, but I'm not about to get ready for the parade quite yet.

 

[Gary]

Probably not.

That lineup I listed is one of (if not) the best lineups out there. Many interchangable parts, great offense, decent defense if needed.

Player for player (on paper) who could beat that ineup? All we need is to be healthy, and have some dang chemistry, and I think we have as much chance as anyone else to go all the way!

 

[KP]

That lineup I listed is one of (if not) the best lineups out there. Many interchangable parts, great offense, decent defense if needed.

I'm sorry it's not. JMO.

 

[Gary]

on paper name me one better player for player?

 

[Bricklayer]

on paper name me one better player for player?

Its a similar style lineup to Dallas or Memphis, which is to say not enough. Not enough defense. No true #1 (with the closest thing being a guy who has spent 6 years struggling in the playoffs and will be coming off of his worst year). Its a solid playoff squad, but there is no magic there, no scare factor. Just a group of good players. And of course when you throw in the injuries, so many new faces etc., we basically need a lot of teams ahead of us to suffer major injuries.

 

[KP]

on paper name me one better player for player?

Spurs, Phoenix, Seattle, Detroit, Indiana (Next year), and If you factor in the superstar factor(which you must) a lot more teams. You can have 6 or 7 guys better in your lineup then the other team but if they have 3 or 4 players that are way better then your top 4, and a decent supporting cast, you can't beat them, especially in a 7 game series. If Peja played like he did the other night every game maybe... but as of right now there are more than a few better starting 5's then us, not to mention better benches too. We are going to have to make changes to contend, I thought that was a given.

 

[Gary]

San Antonio-Kings

Nesterovich-Miller EDGE MILLER

Duncan-Thomas EDGE DUNCAN

Bowen-Peja EDGE PEJA

Ginobili-Mobley EDGE EVEN (maybe SLIGHT edge to Ginobili but if there is than it is not much)

Parker-Bibby EDGE BIBBY (slight edge)

Backups:

Mohammed-Skinner EDGE EVEN

Horry-Songalia EDGE HORRY

Willaimson vs. (none listed for Spurs)

Brown-Evans EDGE EVEN

Barry-Jackson EDGE JACKSON


On paper Kings are better

 

[Mad D]

On paper Kings are better

on paper the Kings have always been better

 

[KP]

San Antonio-Kings

Nesterovich-Miller EDGE MILLER

Duncan-Thomas EDGE DUNCAN

Bowen-Peja EDGE PEJA

Ginobili-Mobley EDGE EVEN (maybe SLIGHT edge to Ginobili but if there is than it is not much)

Parker-Bibby EDGE BIBBY (slight edge)

Backups:

Mohammed-Skinner EDGE EVEN

Horry-Songalia EDGE HORRY

Willaimson vs. (none listed for Spurs)

Brown-Evans EDGE EVEN

Barry-Jackson EDGE JACKSON


On paper Kings are better

For each one of those you have to think, "How much of an edge"? Then add it up.

 

[Gary]

I know I am just doing what the newspapers do heh..

But you all have to realize that we are patched together right now not even playing our style of offense!!! With Miller AFTER the trade we were 2-0.. I think Miller is the game breaker with us because of the style we play. I am just saying to wait. Miller has more of an impact than a lot of people will give him credit for. Especially with the style of offense our team plays.

 

[KP]

I know I am just doing what the newspapers do heh..

But you all have to realize that we are patched together right now not even playing our style of offense!!! With Miller AFTER the trade we were 2-0.. I think Miller is the game breaker with us because of the style we play. I am just saying to wait. Miller has more of an impact than a lot of people will give him credit for. Especially with the style of offense our team plays.

He'll help our offense, but wait... are you saying that this team if everyone is healthy and we make no moves can win a title next year?

 

[Gary]

Of course we can win a title. I really think our 3 stars (Bibby, Miller, and Peja) if healthy can carry this team. Mobley, Thomas, Skinner, Williamson, Jackson, Songalia, and Evans is a REAL NICE supporting cast don't you think?

2 6th men in that cast, a shot blocking, rebounding defensive player, a couple athletes and tweeners. What more could a coach want?

 

[KP]

Of course we can win a title. I really think our 3 stars (Bibby, Miller, and Peja) if healthy can carry this team. Mobley, Thomas, Skinner, Williamson, Jackson, Songalia, and Evans is a REAL NICE supporting cast don't you think?

I think it's a solid team that could win 45-50 games and make the playoffs(6th,7th, or 8th seed) and then get beat.

 

[Kingsgurl]

Why does everyone keep talking about Bobby being back, let alone anywhere close to 100% for the play offs? Last I heard (Thursday before the Mavs game) Grunt Napear said Bobby had the pins removed 2 weeks ago, at which time the Dr put the time frame for possible return at 8 weeks. 6 left of that recovery period puts him tentatively back just PAST the first round. Am I missing something?

 

[Gary]

WOW. barely above .500? What do you think we need to win?

What part of this team needs to be replaced?

I think this team if healthy is a 55 win team easy. AT LEAST 55 wins.

 

[KP]

What do you think we need to win?

Better players.

 

[VF21]

Gary - Just as you've assumed Bobby is going to come back 100%, you're assuming the same for Miller. Why????

You asked for people's opinions. You made a pretty out-there statement in saying you think the Kings, as you've shown them, are a shoo-in for the title. IMHO you've drastically underestimated a lot of other teams whose one or two legitimate superstars far outshine the "on paper" match-ups of the rest of the team.

"On paper" doesn't mean squat. I've heard they actually prefer the teams to play the games.

 

[Bricklayer]

I think it's a solid team that could win 45-50 games and make the playoffs(6th,7th, or 8th seed) and then get beat.

Ditto. Maybe 52 games + then out.

Let's not forget that Miller returning = better offense, but there goes the defense again. Can't win a title with a core of Bibby/Peja/Miller alone because all your susposed stars are varying degrees of soft in rebounding and/or defense. There is no post game. Little interior defense. No stoppers. We have become Dallas.

 

[Twix]

I'm with ya, Gary. Good posts!

I don't think we're contenders right now. But we have a shot if every Kings players is healthy and the chemistry is there.

"You don't need Superstars, you just need winners." ~NY Post

 

[Gary]

Gary - Just as you've assumed Bobby is going to come back 100%, you're assuming the same for Miller. Why????

Basically just saying "what if" because I feel our players are good enough to win a title.

 

[VF21]

We have become Dallas.

 

[VF21]

Basically just saying "what if" because I feel our players are good enough to win a title.

Okay, I'll help...

And what if Bibby suddenly decided to become a defensive whirlwind?

And what if Cuttino morphed into Doug defensively, while stile retaining his lethal shooting from outside?

And what if Miller decided to become a big mean white guy in the middle, tougher than nails and a brick wall?

And what if Peja suddenly realized he WAS 6'10" and started grabbing rebounds like they were his and his alone?

And what if Thomas gained 3 inches in height and about 60 pounds, retained his quickness AND developed a move to the hole that had opposing PFs quivering in their expensive sneakers?

Sorry, but I didn't realize this was going to be a "what if" thread.

Feel free to continue...

I'll just go find something else to talk about.

 

[Gary]

Geez, I will never convince the "Webber Homers"

With Vlade, Webber, Peja, Christie, and Bibby we were Weaker on the boards, weaker defensively, and weaker mentally.. How is that a better lineup than Miller, Thomas, Peja, Mobley, and Bibby?

We lost some in the passing department, but I feel we got tougher, and better defense and rebounding.

 

[Gary]

I am saying only "what if" the players were healthy.. I am not giving them any abilities that they don't currently have..

Goodness people lighten up. It is not unheard of for a team to go healthy into the playoffs, except in Sacramento

If we were healthy I think we would be in the running for the title.

 

[acisking]

Geez, I will never convince the "Webber Homers"

With Vlade, Webber, Peja, Christie, and Bibby we were Weaker on the boards, weaker defensively, and weaker mentally.. How is that a better lineup than Miller, Thomas, Peja, Mobley, and Bibby?

We lost some in the passing department, but I feel we got tougher, and better defense and rebounding.

I always find this sort of a statement to be very funny...the truth is the stats prove that the Kings are equally as soft defensively and in rebounding. Its not like the trade improved the areas which we were weakest in. And as for your "Webber homers" statement - the truth is that nothing anybody said had anything even remotely related to Chris. Kingsgurl, VF, KP, and Bricklayer all just commented on how they felt about the current teams chances (which you brought up) and about the likelihood of Bobby/Miller returning.

 

[teamdimechampionship]

Suns are way more stacked than us. And Shaq/Wade..... c'mon

 

[VF21]

Geez, I will never convince the "Webber Homers"

With Vlade, Webber, Peja, Christie, and Bibby we were Weaker on the boards, weaker defensively, and weaker mentally.. How is that a better lineup than Miller, Thomas, Peja, Mobley, and Bibby?

We lost some in the passing department, but I feel we got tougher, and better defense and rebounding.

You know what? I'm sick and bleeping tired of the "Webber homer" crap. I didn't see this as a thread about Webber. Sorry I couldn't discern your hidden agenda.

If you're going to call me a Webber Homer, you might as well call yourself a Webber hater.



You posted a question and I replied. I'm infinitely sorry if I don't subscribe to your belief. You can feel we got tougher, and better defensively and in rebounding but the statistics do NOT bear that out.

And I'm not talking about Webber in any way, shape or form. If you wanted to make this ANOTHER thread to extole the trade and how much better you think we've gotten since then, why not just be honest about it?

Lighten up? Fine. Quit tossing the stupid labels around.

 

[Bricklayer]

Geez, I will never convince the "Webber Homers"

With Vlade, Webber, Peja, Christie, and Bibby we were Weaker on the boards, weaker defensively, and weaker mentally.. How is that a better lineup than Miller, Thomas, Peja, Mobley, and Bibby?

We lost some in the passing department, but I feel we got tougher, and better defense and rebounding.

No, you will never convince people who have watched the NBA for the past 25 years. I'm sure all of those "Webber homers" out in the national media don't believe either because of their notorious love for CWebb.

Now as for how we were better, how about:
a) we were BETTER defensively, by quite a bit actually. And had a first team all defensive stopper in the lineup. From 2001-2003 we were a Top 10 defensive squad. In '03 we were the #1 defensive team in OppFG%.
b) we were BETTER rebounders, at least in our prime years Vlade was as good as Miller (about 8 in 30mpg to Miller's 9 in 38), Webb was at least as good as Thomas (all he did was lead the league in '99 and average between 10-11 a year for the next 5 years), and Doug was one of the best OG rebounders in the league, while Cat is simply not. And that's before we get into the tale of two Pejas.
c) We were a FAR better passing team with Vlade, Webb and Doug all better passers than their repalcements (and only Vlade/Miller even being close).
d) we had a significant post game with both Vlade and a younger Webb.
e) We were bigger/longer at all three positions that have changed, and particularly when it comes to interior defense there is no comparison -- Vlade/Webb were not all defense but were significant shotblockers.

The ONLY thing the new crew does better is shoot jumpers. We should know better than that. There are reasons we dismissed Dallas for all those years.