How is this happening?
- Thread starter Npliam
- Start date
Bjelica has been exactly what I've been hoping for for the past few seasons: knockdown shooter at 4 spreading the floor. Also makes good decisions and can put the ball on the floor a little as expected. This is exactly what happpens like when you a) run a lot and b) have 4 shooters on the floor (and two of those great shooters). The offense is so much better with him. If I had to put together a closing lineup, Bjelica would probably be the first name I'd draw up.
I love couple of plays we run when Bjelica is on the floor. In one play Fox gets the ball by handoff from willy, Bjelica comes to make a screen and Wily screens Bjelicas man while he pops. Play is basically unguardable without switching that WCS-Bjelica action AND going under on the initial Fox-Bjelica screen and still we would get at least an open pull up for Fox. That play doesnt work without knockdown shooter at 4.
The other play is similar but in this play WCS sets the screen for Fox and rolls to the rim while Shump (or whoever is the sf) screens Willys man and it often leads to open alley oop. This type of play is possible especially when you have two knockdown shooters spotting up so that their defenders cant help the Wcs roll.
That is some beautiful basketball. The difference seems huge when we play frontcourt like KK and Bagley. Things get a lot more clogged up because both of them likes to play near the hoop and its a lot easier to rotate on defense, since the spacing is worse you cant get easy buckets with plays like those and we seem to be forced to take a lot more mid range jumpers.
Defensively I like the effort. If I could change something I would probably switch little more. Especially through 2-4 and even some 2-5 or 1-4. Doesnt force as much defensive rotations in pick n roll situations and forces opponents secondary ball handlers beat Bjelica/Bagley/Wcs 1-1 or their wings to play 1-1 in the post.
All in all very positive start to the season. Having a player like Bjelica imo has transformed this offense. Also Fox's imorovement has been crucial since primary ball handlers are very important for the offense. He has made couple of beautiful reads when he has beaten his defender and when the D rotated, he has been able to get the ball to the man whose defender had to help the helper, meaning he had anticipated the move by defense and beat it accordingly. Also very encouraging performance from Buddy and Willy thus far. Wcs balling out makes things quite interesting since he is not a natural fit with Bagley but we'll see
I love couple of plays we run when Bjelica is on the floor. In one play Fox gets the ball by handoff from willy, Bjelica comes to make a screen and Wily screens Bjelicas man while he pops. Play is basically unguardable without switching that WCS-Bjelica action AND going under on the initial Fox-Bjelica screen and still we would get at least an open pull up for Fox. That play doesnt work without knockdown shooter at 4.
The other play is similar but in this play WCS sets the screen for Fox and rolls to the rim while Shump (or whoever is the sf) screens Willys man and it often leads to open alley oop. This type of play is possible especially when you have two knockdown shooters spotting up so that their defenders cant help the Wcs roll.
That is some beautiful basketball. The difference seems huge when we play frontcourt like KK and Bagley. Things get a lot more clogged up because both of them likes to play near the hoop and its a lot easier to rotate on defense, since the spacing is worse you cant get easy buckets with plays like those and we seem to be forced to take a lot more mid range jumpers.
Defensively I like the effort. If I could change something I would probably switch little more. Especially through 2-4 and even some 2-5 or 1-4. Doesnt force as much defensive rotations in pick n roll situations and forces opponents secondary ball handlers beat Bjelica/Bagley/Wcs 1-1 or their wings to play 1-1 in the post.
All in all very positive start to the season. Having a player like Bjelica imo has transformed this offense. Also Fox's imorovement has been crucial since primary ball handlers are very important for the offense. He has made couple of beautiful reads when he has beaten his defender and when the D rotated, he has been able to get the ball to the man whose defender had to help the helper, meaning he had anticipated the move by defense and beat it accordingly. Also very encouraging performance from Buddy and Willy thus far. Wcs balling out makes things quite interesting since he is not a natural fit with Bagley but we'll see
For all the Kings' fans, here's a story for you about Vlade's motivation. When talking in a personal conversation with Napear he said that the reason he took the Kings' job had nothing to do with money, it had to do with winning. He said that his old Kings' team couldn't get done what they wanted to get done. He's here for one reason and one reason only: Unfinished business. That's a great slogan for this team going forward, this year, and the years to come - Unfinished business.
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This is the start of something special, a bunch of young players, enjoying playing with each other, playing hard for each other, trust, buying into the game plan. Not only are they having a good time improving their skills, they are playing hard, growing together as a team and as individuals, looks as if almost all ego and selfishness has disappeared from this team. They also want to be here, I am happy with what I am seeing.
I had actually predicted 37 wins at one stage. However, after the preseason (and I guess influenced by all the bad press and lack of optimism from the fans), I said that I was probably over optimistic. Should have stuck to my original prediction, and more 
Few days back I had said the team will not compete for 8th in the West for much long. Boy, how I would love if the team makes me look like an idiot.
Few days back I had said the team will not compete for 8th in the West for much long. Boy, how I would love if the team makes me look like an idiot.
The Kings style of play is now gaining some notoriety. It is logical that the smart coaches of the NBA will start doing things to slow down the Kings. They may press some of the time like after made baskets. Some teams may get very physical, which Joerger has described as a weakness. In order to continue to prosper, the Kings are going to have to get ready from some new schemes being thrown at them.
The one big advantage that our team has this year is the NBA is promoting more freedom of movement and isn't allowing the same physicality they did in the past. This could work our really well for our young team and mitigate that advantage the more experienced teams would have had on us in the past.
This represents an immense tension for me as a fan of the Kings and a fan of NBA basketball. It's not that referees aren't allowing "the same physicality they did in the past." They're not allowing any physicality this season. Almost all contact results in a foul this season, and defenses are being forced to throw in the towel. Final scores have jumped into the stratosphere as a result. 50-point nights by individual players are becoming a regularity (Derrick effing Rose managed to hang 50 on one of the best defensive teams in the NBA last night).
It's just video game-level silliness, at this point. It may be enjoyable for casual fans, I suppose, but I find it absolutely hideous to watch. I'm not even advocating a return to an era of slow, methodical, plodding, grind-it-out basketball (though I must confess that I tend to favor this style of play). Just a regression to the mean would be fine with me. Give teams a chance to stop the opposition. Swallow the whistles from time to time. Not every game needs to net well over 200 points between both teams.
All of that said...... the Kings are admittedly a huge beneficiary of the continued de-emphasis of defensive basketball in the NBA. Their young legs, lightning fast pace, and relentless pursuit of the rim will continue to be devilishly hard to stop in a league that's being officiated like this. If they can sustain their pace of play, don't shy away from contact, and start hitting their free throws at an acceptable rate, I predict they'll continue to win games at a solid clip.
It's just video game-level silliness, at this point. It may be enjoyable for casual fans, I suppose, but I find it absolutely hideous to watch. I'm not even advocating a return to an era of slow, methodical, plodding, grind-it-out basketball (though I must confess that I tend to favor this style of play). Just a regression to the mean would be fine with me. Give teams a chance to stop the opposition. Swallow the whistles from time to time. Not every game needs to net well over 200 points between both teams.
All of that said...... the Kings are admittedly a huge beneficiary of the continued de-emphasis of defensive basketball in the NBA. Their young legs, lightning fast pace, and relentless pursuit of the rim will continue to be devilishly hard to stop in a league that's being officiated like this. If they can sustain their pace of play, don't shy away from contact, and start hitting their free throws at an acceptable rate, I predict they'll continue to win games at a solid clip.
Carmichael Dave doesn't think it is really happening. He still has a prediction of 25 wins for the Kings.
It's like hitting the lottery, but still going out and buying the beater pickup that you had planned to buy. If you buy the beater, then maybe the lottery thing is really true and you're pleasantly "surprised." If you go out and get the 100K 4X4 then you're doomed - it's all been a big mistake.
It's like hitting the lottery, but still going out and buying the beater pickup that you had planned to buy. If you buy the beater, then maybe the lottery thing is really true and you're pleasantly "surprised." If you go out and get the 100K 4X4 then you're doomed - it's all been a big mistake.
Dave won't change his prediction ... or his tune. For someone who I believe says he's not superstitious he has certain "habits". Know what I mean, Vern?
False expectations? If you say so... I'm gonna continue to be excited, to go with the moment, and to encourage everyone else to do the same. You might want to skip over my posts. It's been WAY too long since the Kings were this much fun to watch. If you cannot just let yourself go and enjoy each step of the journey, that's on you.
GO KINGS!!
GO KINGS!!