How close are we ?

[Bricklayer]

You have a point about what we did at the end of the season. Tyreke missed a stretch of games in which we were playing pretty good ball, and then fell off. If not for his concussion, we could have been a 30 win team.

But remember that we won a total of 6 games in January and February combined. 6-22, and that's with Reke really getting it in gear, locking down the ROY, and pre-trade/tank. Followed it up with a 4-13 March. We really didn't finish the year strong. I could see this angle if we started out 9-41, and then went .500 for the rest of the season to finish with 25 wins. That ain't what happened, though. It was actually more like the opposite.

While I agree with the point about the lack of momentum -- OKC for instance really accelerated down the stretch two years ago and so had alreayd been playing like a 50 win team for soem time before this past season, while we were still struggling kids -- the lack of a certain moping SG to disrupt things this season may make a repeat of such a futile stretch unlikely.

We went 4-18 with Kevin last season. 21-39 without him.

But that still doesn't mean we win 50 or something over the top like that. You just don't make jumps that big without the addition of a game changing star, and unless Cousins is ready to be 20-10 from Day 1 it just doesn't happen. Its hard to win that many games, and there are a ton of good teams in the West. But reaching for that .500 mark is not that farfetched if things work out. We're young, we'll make mistakes, have off nights, blow leads, and critically probably take a while to get the defense cranked up. But in the end as long as we can get enough shooting we've got the stuff now to face down and beat just about anybody on any given night. Just not consistently, not yet.

 

[sc3252]

Brick, I think it has more to do with Dalembert(actual center) and the maturity of the rest of the team than Cousins. Of course Cousins can either help us or hurt us by making rookie mistakes or not. We really won't get a feel with this team until the 10th game into the season. I just like to stay optomistic now, since it gives me something to look forward to in a few months no matter how unrelistic that is.

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

It was before my time watching basketball, but if Cousins works out brilliantly, on paper we're built similarly to the mid 90's Orlando Magic with Reke = Hardaway and Cousins = Shaq.

 

[piksi]

There is a more than realistic chance that we won't make playoffs again. We would have to add a very good FA, have rookies do well, have 2nd year players improve and stay healthy to have a shot.

 

[sc3252]

There is a more than realistic chance that we won't make playoffs again. We would have to add a very good FA, have rookies do well, have 2nd year players improve and stay healthy to have a shot.

I think its very possible that we do well next year. Like you said though it verys greatly on how Omri, Tyreke, Donte, DeMarcus, and Dalembert play. I think there are so many unknowns that I can legitimately be optimistic this year until the season starts... Belive me I will not be too disappointed if it goes south as long as I see progress.

 

[King Baller]

If Donte improves this season as much as last season he could be a border line All Star. He played some darned good "D" on Kobe and Lebron during those two close losses. I am hoping he is shooting until his arms ache in practice this summer.

Omri should be building his stamina after his first taste of the marathon NBA season. I expect a much improved player this season due to this alone.

Tyreke is putting up thousands of shots this summer. I suspect Mr. Layup Machine is adding a little pull up J to his arsenal.

Beno has figured out his training as last season showed. His jaunts dribbling at the end of the shot clock and either taking that 12 foot J or going to the hoop were master pieces.

Carl just needs to keep doing what he was doing, he good

JT works hard as anyone who watches him play knows. I expect JT to benefit the most from the new triple threat center rotation. He should only have to battle his man for rebounds for a change and he may not have to defend the other teams best Big constantly. His J is money

Cisco's recovery from injury has to be complete before he can play like we have seen him in the past. He is a scrapper who rebounds and blocks shots at a high rate for a wing player. There was a time when his 3 point shot was very reliable. If he is on his game he is our Doug Christie 2.0.

Brock just needs to keep doing what he is doing, without the back trouble. This man is the Kings designated banger who can tenderize opponents.

Samuel can take this year and make his new contract by accepting the challenge of the young draftee's he is competing for a job with. The Kings need him to Defend, Rebound, Block shots and jam the ball in the hole in ONE motion when Tyreke or Beno hand it to him, thats all

Demarcus will learn the NBA game fast. I suspect he will listen to the coaches who have all been there and done that. He has the game, it just needs to applied to the NBA.

Hassan can just ditto Demarcus's process but apply it to his different skill set.

A Two is needed. Wesley Matthews would fit nicely or another player in his mold.

Vets at the league minimum to round out the roster.

These players can win 40 if they play team ball and listen to the coaches.

KB

 

[Telemachus]

As much as I want to look at the Kings current roster and say I think they are going to the playoffs next season, it is just way too early to make any kind of real prediction IMO. I think it is pretty safe to say that the Lakers, Thunder, and Nuggets will be in the playoffs next season. There are question marks about all other teams in the West IMO. How good will Utah be if they don't resign Boozer? The same can be said for Phoenix and Amare, and Dallas and Dirk. Portland seems to be falling apart in the FO and it looks like age has finally caught up with San Antonio. Houston gets back Yao, but will he be 100% (and stay healthy?) Mephis and Sacramento seem to be the next 2 teams most likely to step up next season. Unfortuneately, we will all have to wait for TDOS to come to an end before most of these questions are answered.

 

[Chupacabra]

If we can lock up Evans/Cousins/Whiteside for the next decade I LOVE our chances of winning a championship. I honestly feel that those 3 players are the key. This trio gives you the inside-outside attack, superior rebounding, and excellent defensive ability. The combined wing span is unmatched. It wouldnt be difficult to find players to build around this trio. I get excited everytime i think about it.

 

[LilMissDiva]

I think we will be close, but we probably won't make the playoffs this year. We need a shooter, and all bets are on. I'm positive GP will find one next year or in a mid-season trade and we are in.