Interesting stat/footnote

[Entity]

I beleive most would agree that our best games of the season were our first 5 and our last 3. Now there is something those 8 games and those 8 games only have in common that could be a key factor. Anybody wanna guess???




















Thats the only 8 games that Demarcus Cousins has started all year. The rest Dalembert has started. 2 of the 8 (both wins) Dalembert never played.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Thats the only 8 games that Demarcus Cousins has started all year. The rest Dalembert has started. 2 of the 8 (both wins) Dalembert never played.

It was obvious in the Wizards game that not only did they they not miss Dalemnert, but they're better off without him playing, or at least with him playing limited minutes. Sure he blocks shots but he rarely scores and he doesn't seem to have any chemistry whatsoever with the young guys. That's the one thing I really fault Paul Westphal on is taking Cousins out of the starting lineup when they were 3 and 1. Don't fix what isn't broken!

 

[Bricklayer]

It was obvious in the Wizards game that not only did they they not miss Dalemnert, but they're better off without him playing, or at least with him playing limited minutes. Sure he blocks shots but he rarely scores and he doesn't seem to have any chemistry whatsoever with the young guys. That's the one thing I really fault Paul Westphal on is taking Cousins out of the starting lineup when they were 3 and 1. Don't fix what isn't broken!

um...you're considerably confused about Dalembert's value in there.

And we were considerably broken early in the season, worst defensive team in the league in fact. Just playing the worst teams in theleague. As we did last night actually. this time round though there is more hope for OCuins as a starter. He's learned how to keep himself out of some of the foul trouble, sometimes, and we have better defensive personnel at the forwards now to try to cover for him.

Would throw the New Orleans game in there as one of our best too. Actully maybe our secodn best. BGest was Dallas, #2 New Orleans. Then maybe the wins.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

um...you're considerably confused about Dalembert's value in there.

I’d say you’re considerably overvaluing a guy who’s averaging 4 points a game just because he blocks a few shots. I’d also point out that he gets called for a lot of goaltends too so that shot blocking doesn’t come without a price.

And we were considerably broken early in the season, worst defensive team in the league in fact.

True but they had enough offensive power to come back and win games. Rather than change that lineup 4 games in, why not work on getting that lineup to play better defense?

 

[rainmaker]

Cousins needed to go to the bench when he did. He was struggling offensively, and that was by far his best end of the court. He was a foul magnet, and the fustration seemed to carry over into every other part of his game. We were 3-1, but that wasn't because Cousins came out as a dominant force. Far from it.

However about 3 weeks ago, when something seemed to click in his head, and he was suddenly able to stay out of foul trouble, and he had a better understanding of his defensive assignment and rotations, he started outplaying Dally on a nighlty basis. It's not that Dally suddenly played poorly, because his defense and rebounding have been consistent, but Cousins was just that much more impresive when not in foul trouble. He was conributing on both ends, having the offense run through him effectively on a few occasions, and dominating the glass.

He's just a far, far more versatile player on offense, and one we can run our offense through, when he's not in foul trouble.His time on the bench was needed without question. The game seemed to slow down for him, and that must partly be because he was able to sit and watch at the beginning of games. Combined with his impressive learning curve, I just think he took the starting position away from Dally, when he was ready. But I don't think starting Cousins all along would have been the right decision.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Cousins needed to go to the bench when he did. He was struggling offensively, and that was by far his best end of the court. He was a foul magnet, and the fustration seemed to carry over into every other part of his game. We were 3-1, but that wasn't because Cousins came out as a dominant force. Far from it.

However about 3 weeks ago, when something seemed to click in his head, and he was suddenly able to stay out of foul trouble, and he had a better understanding of his defensive assignment and rotations, he started outplaying Dally on a nighlty basis. It's not that Dally suddenly played poorly, because his defense and rebounding have been consistent, but Cousins was just that much more impresive when not in foul trouble. He was conributing on both ends, having the offense run through him effectively on a few occasions, and dominating the glass.

He's just a far, far more versatile player on offense, and one we can run our offense through, when he's not in foul trouble.His time on the bench was needed without question. The game seemed to slow down for him, and that must partly be because he was able to sit and watch at the beginning of games. Combined with his impressive learning curve, I just think he took the starting position away from Dally, when he was ready. But I don't think starting Cousins all along would have been the right decision.

I see your points. Something still seems wonky about changing the lineup when you're 3/1 though.

 

[Alacron]

These last few games Cousins hasn't been rushing. Amazing to see him figure it out before our eyes like that, when third-year JT has yet to do so (but is showing promising signs). Cousins can draw the double team every time, and obviously has the court vision and the willingness to pass out of it *coughunlikelandrycough*. However, defense is a big problem at this point, not only the fouls but a lack of intimidation around the hoop despite his size. When DMC was forcing it and not dominating on offense, Dalembert definitely gave us a better chance. We played like crap, but Dally wasn't the problem.

 

[fnordius]

Here's another interesting stat.

+/- for the season so far:
Dalembert +1.5
Cousins -9.2

Do I think this means a whole lot? Not at this stage. Check back in a few months.

Likewise for your observation.

 

[bajaden]

These last few games Cousins hasn't been rushing. Amazing to see him figure it out before our eyes like that, when third-year JT has yet to do so (but is showing promising signs). Cousins can draw the double team every time, and obviously has the court vision and the willingness to pass out of it *coughunlikelandrycough*. However, defense is a big problem at this point, not only the fouls but a lack of intimidation around the hoop despite his size. When DMC was forcing it and not dominating on offense, Dalembert definitely gave us a better chance. We played like crap, but Dally wasn't the problem.

I think Cousins defense will improve over time. Always tough on a rookie. Tougher on him because he comes in with a reputation. He's better with Thompson on the floor because he's a better weakside helper than Landry is. Someone like Whiteside could be the future frontcourt teammate. Hopefully it will be Whiteside.

 

[Gary]

IT's not all on Cousins.. You have to look how the REST OF THE starters/team play with him as opposed to Dalembert. Also how the opposing defense adjusts to Cousins opposed to Dalembert. It's much much more than just "this guy gives us defense and the other gives us more offense".

Personally Cousins is a better fit right now for the starting unit even if he does get into foul trouble. Cousins seems to take some of the foul load off of Thompson which seems to be a good thing and keeps Thompson from getting too frustrated. A frustrated Thompson is a Thompson that misses point blank shots and then stands there while the other team makes a layup.

 

[Entity]

IT's not all on Cousins.. You have to look how the REST OF THE starters/team play with him as opposed to Dalembert. Also how the opposing defense adjusts to Cousins opposed to Dalembert. It's much much more than just "this guy gives us defense and the other gives us more offense".

Personally Cousins is a better fit right now for the starting unit even if he does get into foul trouble. Cousins seems to take some of the foul load off of Thompson which seems to be a good thing and keeps Thompson from getting too frustrated. A frustrated Thompson is a Thompson that misses point blank shots and then stands there while the other team makes a layup.

something about your post gave me an opinion. Not sure why but it just popped in my head but. I wonder with somebody starting next to JT that is less experienced it gives him the confidence of being a veteran type player. Remember he has alway played with guys older and more experienced than he was. Now on this team he is starting to feel like a vet.

 

[Kingster]

something about your post gave me an opinion. Not sure why but it just popped in my head but. I wonder with somebody starting next to JT that is less experienced it gives him the confidence of being a veteran type player. Remember he has alway played with guys older and more experienced than he was. Now on this team he is starting to feel like a vet.

Maybe what gives Thompson even more confidence is this young guy who is getting fouls called him right and left and getting waaay too frustrated with those foul calls. No doubt, Thompson is counseling Cousins on just that. Who better?

 

[King Baller]

Maybe what is giving JT confidence is playing next to fired up a 6' 11' 270 pounder who draws a double team

Go Kings, play with Pooh and beat the Heat.
KB

 

[SCKingsfan]

Maybe what is giving JT confidence is playing next to fired up a 6' 11' 270 pounder who draws a double team

Go Kings, play with Pooh and beat the Heat.
KB

I good dose of flaming pooh should keep the heat at bay

 

[jcassio]

Regardless of who starts, I think Dalembert has been generally bad for the offense, but good for the defense. Gee, there's a surprise!
But the question is how bad has he been for the offense, and has he turned the corner yet? In a few of our games, I watched Dalembert lose us three possessions in a row. Either missing a shot, turning it over, or goal tending. His failures resulted in 5-9 point swings. Combine that with his awful shooting percentage (until more recently) and you have a player that was doing much more harm than good. I'm sure PW thought that you just keep giving him minutes and he'll turn the corner on our next possession! But giving him minutes when he was that bad offensively hurt us. Just like giving Landry minutes when he's not able to put points on the board hurts us (because of his size and inability to rebound or protect the basket). I don't want a coach that yanks players if they miss 2 shots in a row. But PW seems to be the kind of coach who will leave in a veteran even after he has missed 12 shots in a row.

 

[Bricklayer]

Regardless of who starts, I think Dalembert has been generally bad for the offense, but good for the defense. Gee, there's a surprise!
But the question is how bad has he been for the offense, and has he turned the corner yet? In a few of our games, I watched Dalembert lose us three possessions in a row. Either missing a shot, turning it over, or goal tending. His failures resulted in 5-9 point swings. Combine that with his awful shooting percentage (until more recently) and you have a player that was doing much more harm than good. I'm sure PW thought that you just keep giving him minutes and he'll turn the corner on our next possession! But giving him minutes when he was that bad offensively hurt us. Just like giving Landry minutes when he's not able to put points on the board hurts us (because of his size and inability to rebound or protect the basket). I don't want a coach that yanks players if they miss 2 shots in a row. But PW seems to be the kind of coach who will leave in a veteran even after he has missed 12 shots in a row.

Dalembert's defnse is much more important than his offense. He is only involved in the offense 1 play in 10. He is involved in the defense every play by simply taking things away from the opposition and alowing our perimter players to play their men differently. He is shooting .398 on the season. But he's only taken a grand total of 88 shots on the whole season, and hit 35 of them. Whihc basically means that this great offensive problem is a whole 9 made shots below shooting .500. Meanwhile in that same time he's grabbed 139 rebounds and blocked 33 shots.

 

[asakkings]

Against Miami we should just throw the ball in the post to Cousins on every play, there is no way anyone on that team can guard him. But I see him fouling out pretty fast against Lebron/Wade.

 

[ElRey]

Regardless of who starts, I think Dalembert has been generally bad for the offense, but good for the defense. Gee, there's a surprise!
But the question is how bad has he been for the offense, and has he turned the corner yet? In a few of our games, I watched Dalembert lose us three possessions in a row. Either missing a shot, turning it over, or goal tending. His failures resulted in 5-9 point swings. Combine that with his awful shooting percentage (until more recently) and you have a player that was doing much more harm than good. I'm sure PW thought that you just keep giving him minutes and he'll turn the corner on our next possession! But giving him minutes when he was that bad offensively hurt us. Just like giving Landry minutes when he's not able to put points on the board hurts us (because of his size and inability to rebound or protect the basket). I don't want a coach that yanks players if they miss 2 shots in a row. But PW seems to be the kind of coach who will leave in a veteran even after he has missed 12 shots in a row.

I don't know if you could blame the Kings offensive woes on Dalembert. The Kings offense relies on Tyreke's ability to penetrate and create for others. When Tyreke is injured (like this year) and can't penetrate like usual, the offense goes to the sh*ts. Demarcus is the only other Kings player that can create his own shot and create shots for other people. With a limited Tyreke this year, they need Demarcus in there for offense.