Interesting Tidbits for Voison Chat

[rainmaker]

You might have seen this elsewhere, , and I generally don't trust Voison too much, but we're looking for any news to talk about, and there is some interesting news here.

The roster isn't finished yet. I know they are working on one and possible two trades. The frontcourt of Cousins and Thomas Robinson has great potential -- a few coaches here came up to me and talked about that. The Kings still need shooting and they still need a point guard.

Working on one, possibly two trades? Good news.

We obviously need shooting, but the PG remark is interesting. Is that her opinion, or the FO's? Possible that the earlier rumor that the FO doesn't think IT is a fulltime PG and they want an upgrade has some weight to it. Then why not get in on the Lowry deal?

DeMarcus has had an excellent camp here after a very difficult start. As you probably heard, he was throwing elbows and complaining to the referees in last Friday's first scrimmage. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo criticized him as "immature." In retrospect, I believe Colangelo feels he overreacted. Since then, Cousins has been terrific. He was a major top of conversation with USA Basketball types last night at dinner. One USAB type told me DeMarcus was the best player on the court yesterday. Signs look really good for him for 2014.

Great news!

He told me he weighs 290 pounds, which is about 10-15 pounds more than desired. He said the extra weight will be long gone by training camp. He also plans to join some of the Kings in Sacramento for informal workouts later in the month.

I'll warn people as I used to be a personal trainer. It's very common to increase caloric intake and gain weight while gaining muscle in order to make a decent jump in strength, and then cut the fat so to speak over 4-6 weeks later on. It's a bulking period. Body builders often do it. Needs more calories to gain muscle quickly, and later cut calories to lose the fat later on, where you have a stronger muscular base underneath.

Don't need to hear, "oh my god, Cuz put on weight, he's not committed". It could entirely be part of the plan.

DeMarcus loves Sacramento. He told again yesterday that he's a small town guy. He likes living close to the arena, restaurants, and, yes, the pace of living. Plus, he says there are plenty of good sushi restaurants.

Again, great news. Don't screw this up! Surround him with the right talent. Don't want to see Kevin Love part two, or worse, D12 part two down the road.

The Kings are not extending Tyreke's contract right, but that doesn't mean they want to trade him. I think they go back and forth about him... The plan is to use him in the backcourt, sort of a hybrid two guard who handles the ball some.

Second rumor this week stating the Kings plan on extending Reke. Good news, although some disagree. This season will be telling.

I know the Kings have had conversations with Terrence's agent, Aaron Goodwin, and I think both parties want to make it happen. Again, the Kings probably will wait to sign him until they have a better idea of what they're doing trade wise.

Interesting. TWill might be dealt with after the trade(s).

The Kings looked at everybody, and of course, Keith Smart has a good read on Dorell Wright from their time together in Golden State. The sense I got is that they don't think Wright was an enough of an upgrade.

Very good news if they're targeting a better upgrade at SF. Bad news if it doesn't get done. Have to wait and see. Iggy?

The plan is to max out DeMarcus Cousins when his rookie deal expires, and offer Tyreke a new contract based on his performance this season.

Cool.

Who can predict the Maloofs? Not even Commissioner Stern can predict the Maloofs - and he works for them. But I spoke with Joe and Gavin about a week ago, and just saw Joe in the gym. And he was adamant yet again. He says they are not sellling, and they're not moving. They are talking to people in Sacramento about the whole renovating/refurbishing of Power Balance Pavilion. (They own it, they operate it, it enables them to maintain control), Again, if they relocated, they would only be tenants. Same situation if the downtown arena deal had come to fruition.

**** off, Maloofs. No one is renovating Arco.

I believe JT signed a five-year deal, for $5-6 million per season average, with the Kings holding option on the final year for $2.5 million.

If true, even a better deal for us than we thought. Very good deal.

 

[kennadog]

Let's see...how many times over the years have the Maloofs AND the league said renovating PBP isn't an option? I don't think the city likes it as an option either. You can't expand the arena under the current building moratorium in Natomas. At least I don't think so.

 

[DesertFox]

Very intersting indeed. The PG thing sort of throws me off, I don't disagree, but at the same time that has to mean a corresponding move involving one of MT/IT/Reke. I'm hoping MT, just because of Reke's potential and IT's cheap contract.
If the offseason ends up with a good SF, and a flawed but OK veteran backup PG, for the cost of MT and one of the bad contracts (Salmons/Hayes /Outlaw), I will be satisfied.

 

[Bricklayer]

Wait...did Voison actually just have an actual use for Kings fans?

that actually sounded like a bunch of interesting tidbits!?

P.S. BTW, peeps concerned about the PG thing -- note how she wrote that! ALWAYS pay attention when Voison writes. Notice the way she first says there might be 1 or 2 trades. Then line stop. New sentence. The Kings still need... That's called Voison editorializing. She just writes it in such a way if you aren't paying attention you think she was passed that information too.

 

[ESP47]

Excellent post, thank you! I'm excited that Dorell Wright wasn't enough of an upgrade. Makes me curious to see who they are targeting. I'm guessing they're looking to move Thornton for an SF.

 

[Nighthawk1]

Wait...did Voison actually just have an actual use for Kings fans?

that actually sounded like a bunch of interesting tidbits!?

Never fear, I just saw a pig flying towards the moon

 

[slugking50]

Wait...did Voison actually just have an actual use for Kings fans?

that actually sounded like a bunch of interesting tidbits!?

Even the Wicked Witch of Sactown can be useful sometimes.

 

[Gilles]

...

I believe JT signed a five-year deal, for $5-6 million per season average, with the Kings holding option on the final year for $2.5 million.

There's something wrong with this statement. I think it should be $7.5 million, not $2.5.

 

[bajaden]

There's something wrong with this statement. I think it should be $7.5 million, not $2.5.

I saw that too, and the only thing I can think of is that its a deal similar to Mikie Moore. Where its sort of a buy out of the last year where the Kings cut him but still have to pay him 2.5 mil.

 

[ParniValjak]

There's something wrong with this statement. I think it should be $7.5 million, not $2.5.

Not necessarily. It could be a partially guaranteed final year. Similar to what Salmons has. His final year is for some $7 million but only $1.5 million is guaranteed. If he is still on the roster after a certain date then the rest of the deal is guaranteed.

On the chat, I am liking the sound of a few things BUT I am inclined to be sceptical when it comes to Voison. She does have a habit of passing off her opinion as that of the front office.

I did like comments relating to Cousins. We know he loves it in Sacramento and has said in the past he prefers to be like Durant and stick with his team than gang up with someone else. I do like that they are planning on playing Tyreke at guard where he will handle more than he did at SF. I also liked the comment that Wright was not thought of as enough of an upgrade implying that we are after someone much better. Having said that, if your read it carefully, its Voison's opinion and not necessarily that of the front office.

The comment about IT not being a long term starter is just logical thinking and bringing T-Will back pending on the outcome of other trades is interesting. Could MT be on the trading block for that SF and T-Will becomes the first G/F off the bench?!

From the rest of her chat, it sounds like we have given up on a shot blocker and are hoping Whiteside makes massive improvement or he will be cut?!

 

[Kingster]

You might have seen this elsewhere, , and I generally don't trust Voison too much, but we're looking for any news to talk about, and there is some interesting news here.


Working on one, possibly two trades? Good news.

We obviously need shooting, but the PG remark is interesting. Is that her opinion, or the FO's? Possible that the earlier rumor that the FO doesn't think IT is a fulltime PG and they want an upgrade has some weight to it. Then why not get in on the Lowry deal?


Great news!


I'll warn people as I used to be a personal trainer. It's very common to increase caloric intake and gain weight while gaining muscle in order to make a decent jump in strength, and then cut the fat so to speak over 4-6 weeks later on. It's a bulking period. Body builders often do it. Needs more calories to gain muscle quickly, and later cut calories to lose the fat later on, where you have a stronger muscular base underneath.

Don't need to hear, "oh my god, Cuz put on weight, he's not committed". It could entirely be part of the plan.


Again, great news. Don't screw this up! Surround him with the right talent. Don't want to see Kevin Love part two, or worse, D12 part two down the road.


Second rumor this week stating the Kings plan on extending Reke. Good news, although some disagree. This season will be telling.


Interesting. TWill might be dealt with after the trade(s).


Very good news if they're targeting a better upgrade at SF. Bad news if it doesn't get done. Have to wait and see. Iggy?


Cool.


**** off, Maloofs. No one is renovating Arco.


If true, even a better deal for us than we thought. Very good deal.

There's no mention in the quote that the Kings say they need a "fulltime" point guard (whatever that is). The Kings had one pg last year that could play - IT. The Kings have said they only want to play him a maximum of about 30 minutes a game because he can get worn down playing more than that. That leaves 18 minutes. So, yes, at the minimum they need a pg to play 18 minutes. Jimmer is not proven in that area. T-Will was a filler; a nice ballhandler at the 3, but not pg material. It makes sense that they are looking for a veteran point guard. No doubt, if they could get a top 5 pg for the right price they'd go for it, but Lowry is certainly a top 10 and they apparently didn't go for him. My guess is they are looking for a vet pg, but not someone to command starter's minutes, such as a Lowry.

 

[DesertFox]

There's no mention in the quote that the Kings say they need a "fulltime" point guard (whatever that is). The Kings had one pg last year that could play - IT. The Kings have said they only want to play him a maximum of about 30 minutes a game because he can get worn down playing more than that. That leaves 18 minutes. So, yes, at the minimum they need a pg to play 18 minutes. Jimmer is not proven in that area. T-Will was a filler; a nice ballhandler at the 3, but not pg material. It makes sense that they are looking for a veteran point guard. No doubt, if they could get a top 5 pg for the right price they'd go for it, but Lowry is certainly a top 10 and they apparently didn't go for him. My guess is they are looking for a vet pg, but not someone to command starter's minutes, such as a Lowry.

Since that takes up all the PG minutes, that only leaves time at SG for everyone else.

That would either mean no more MT/Reke, or a lot more Reke at SF.
I'm hoping the former, and if they do move MT, they better get back that starting SF.

 

[upinsmoke]

Jimmer at the backup point is very risky in a perfect world he lives up to expectations but the liability he creates on the defensive end can't be ignored. Another reason it's important to re-sign T-Will because he can run and guard the 1 in limited mins. I think Jimmer and Williams showed they play well off eachother and could fit nicely as the reserve backcourt.

 

[Kingster]

Since that takes up all the PG minutes, that only leaves time at SG for everyone else.

That would either mean no more MT/Reke, or a lot more Reke at SF.
I'm hoping the former, and if they do move MT, they better get back that starting SF.

It probably would depend on matchups who plays pg and for how much. Tyreke could still play pg, but not necessarily in every game or the same minutes. My hope is that Tyreke plays at least 80% of the time at the 2-guard.

 

[bajaden]

I think its obvious that the Kings are doing everything they can to bring Jimmer up to speed. So far everyone has nothing but good things to say about him at practice. Summer league is the next step. When Jimmer came to BYU, he was a very raw player, and every offseason he worked his butt off, and came back a better player than in the prior year. So well see. I haven't written him off yet. Far too early. Lets remember, rightly or wrongly, the Kings picked him in the lottery. They have money invested in him. Far more money than whats invested in Whiteside. So they're going to do everything they can to help him succeed.

So before we decide that he can't play defense, and that he can't dribble, and that he can't run a team, lets wait and see if he has improved, and how much. I know we could play woulda, coulda, shoulda, but we have to deal with what is, and whats possible going forward. Also, I've listened to two Bobby Jackson interviews, and the impression I got from him is that the Kings see IT as a change of pace PG off the bench. If you look at history, there have been quite a few diminutive PG's that have had successful careers, but, very few have been starters in the league. And I'm referring to players 5'9" and under.

 

[Kingster]

I think its obvious that the Kings are doing everything they can to bring Jimmer up to speed. So far everyone has nothing but good things to say about him at practice. Summer league is the next step. When Jimmer came to BYU, he was a very raw player, and every offseason he worked his butt off, and came back a better player than in the prior year. So well see. I haven't written him off yet. Far too early. Lets remember, rightly or wrongly, the Kings picked him in the lottery. They have money invested in him. Far more money than whats invested in Whiteside. So they're going to do everything they can to help him succeed.

So before we decide that he can't play defense, and that he can't dribble, and that he can't run a team, lets wait and see if he has improved, and how much. I know we could play woulda, coulda, shoulda, but we have to deal with what is, and whats possible going forward. Also, I've listened to two Bobby Jackson interviews, and the impression I got from him is that the Kings see IT as a change of pace PG off the bench. If you look at history, there have been quite a few diminutive PG's that have had successful careers, but, very few have been starters in the league. And I'm referring to players 5'9" and under.

Regarding Jimmer, I agree with all of that, except for the defense. You either have the ability or you don't, and I just don't see the footspeed with Jimmer to think that he has it. Petrie just needs an insurance policy when it comes to Jimmer. He has a 2nd year guy who he has hopes for, but he can't count on just yet. All the more reason to get a veteran pg in case Jimmer doesn't progress as fast as what we all hope.

As for IT's future role, it all depends on the alternatives at their disposal. Last year IT was head and shoulders above Jimmer, and Tyreke. If they get a top notch pg I can see him coming off the bench. If they don't, he's going to playing just as much as last year for the simple reason he's better than everybody else and if Smart wants to win that's who he's going to have to play, regardless of what B. Jackson sees as his future role.

 

[Mal]

Thomas is 5' 10 1/2", but whatever.

 

[bajaden]

Thomas is 5' 10 1/2", but whatever.

Actually your right, with shoes. He's 5'9" without shoes. He needs to find out where Jae Crowder gets his shoes!

 

[bajaden]

Regarding Jimmer, I agree with all of that, except for the defense. You either have the ability or you don't, and I just don't see the footspeed with Jimmer to think that he has it. Petrie just needs an insurance policy when it comes to Jimmer. He has a 2nd year guy who he has hopes for, but he can't count on just yet. All the more reason to get a veteran pg in case Jimmer doesn't progress as fast as what we all hope.

As for IT's future role, it all depends on the alternatives at their disposal. Last year IT was head and shoulders above Jimmer, and Tyreke. If they get a top notch pg I can see him coming off the bench. If they don't, he's going to playing just as much as last year for the simple reason he's better than everybody else and if Smart wants to win that's who he's going to have to play, regardless of what B. Jackson sees as his future role.

I don't disagree. If they don't aquire another PG, then I see IT being the starter by default. I disagree on the defense part. While some of Jimmers problems on defense might be related to lateral quickness, most of it comes from having never playing defense in his college life. He was esentially starting from scratch, and in the NBA. Bad combination! Lets remember that he did well in the sprint and the lateral quickness tests at the combine. So if nothing else, it showed he has the potential.

It also doesn't help to be a learning, bad defensive player, on a team that plays poor defense overall. Hayes said it! No one talks on defense. When no one talks, your guards run into screens because they don't know they're there. Not saying that Jimmer will ever be a great defender. But less athletic guys than him have managed to play decent to good defense. First order of business, is that you have to want to, and I think Jimmer is the type that will always give his best effort.

 

[Kingster]

I don't disagree. If they don't aquire another PG, then I see IT being the starter by default. I disagree on the defense part. While some of Jimmers problems on defense might be related to lateral quickness, most of it comes from having never playing defense in his college life. He was esentially starting from scratch, and in the NBA. Bad combination! Lets remember that he did well in the sprint and the lateral quickness tests at the combine. So if nothing else, it showed he has the potential.

It also doesn't help to be a learning, bad defensive player, on a team that plays poor defense overall. Hayes said it! No one talks on defense. When no one talks, your guards run into screens because they don't know they're there. Not saying that Jimmer will ever be a great defender. But less athletic guys than him have managed to play decent to good defense. First order of business, is that you have to want to, and I think Jimmer is the type that will always give his best effort.

I agree that Jimmer will improve on defense; I just don't think his ceiling is all that high on D. TOTALLY agree on the Kings not talking on defense. It hurts all the guards on defense when they don't talk. And it's ridiculous that we only have one guy (Hayes) out there that talks. They ALL should talk. Cousins should be a motor mouth on defense, as well as Thompson and whoever else is out there. That's where they all need to step up and take some responsibility. The "they're young" excuse should be eliminated at this point. They are all old enough to take responsibility and talk on D.

 

[Section 101]

I agree that Jimmer will improve on defense; I just don't think his ceiling is all that high on D. TOTALLY agree on the Kings not talking on defense. It hurts all the guards on defense when they don't talk. And it's ridiculous that we only have one guy (Hayes) out there that talks. They ALL should talk. Cousins should be a motor mouth on defense, as well as Thompson and whoever else is out there. That's where they all need to step up and take some responsibility. The "they're young" excuse should be eliminated at this point. They are all old enough to take responsibility and talk on D.

TRobb has been calling out defense in practice.

 

[Dime Dropper]

I'll warn people as I used to be a personal trainer. It's very common to increase caloric intake and gain weight while gaining muscle in order to make a decent jump in strength, and then cut the fat so to speak over 4-6 weeks later on. It's a bulking period. Body builders often do it. Needs more calories to gain muscle quickly, and later cut calories to lose the fat later on, where you have a stronger muscular base underneath.

Don't need to hear, "oh my god, Cuz put on weight, he's not committed". It could entirely be part of the plan.

I'll be honest, I think you're being too kind. I'm disappointed with Cuz for coming in out of shape. It's not a huge deal, but this third year should be his true breakout one, and it's really not ideal. Putting on 20lbs over a couple months constitutes a ridiculously dirty bulk, and that's if that even is the goal. A professional athlete with his resources and facilities/trainers should be clean bulking. 20lbs in a couple months is excessive even for a dirty bulk, despite his size. There's no doubt that Cousins should be hitting the weights, but it doesn't look like he's been taking the nutritional side of things seriously, or else he's been getting bad advice.

I will stop here, as I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill. But it's a little disappointing to me. Here's to hoping he's not still trying to shed the last few lbs during the season, as it will seriously hinder his effectiveness. I wish he'd used the off-season to clean bulk and get leaner. It would have done wonders for his stamina, defense and staying out of foul trouble.

 

[Kingster]

TRobb has been calling out defense in practice.

That's great. Now if the veterans can follow his lead, we'll be looking up.

 

[Bricklayer]

TRobb has been calling out defense in practice.

The latest in a string of individuals that have been noted for doing so (Hayes, Nocioni) only I think to give up and throw their hands up in disgust after awhile when nobody else joins in. We need several more seriosuly defensive minded personnel to acheive some sort of critical mass there and be culture changing.

 

[Kingster]

I'll be honest, I think you're being too kind. I'm disappointed with Cuz for coming in out of shape. It's not a huge deal, but this third year should be his true breakout one, and it's really not ideal. Putting on 20lbs over a couple months constitutes a ridiculously dirty bulk, and that's if that even is the goal. A professional athlete with his resources and facilities/trainers should be clean bulking. 20lbs in a couple months is excessive even for a dirty bulk, despite his size. There's no doubt that Cousins should be hitting the weights, but it doesn't look like he's been taking the nutritional side of things seriously, or else he's been getting bad advice.

I will stop here, as I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill. But it's a little disappointing to me. Here's to hoping he's not still trying to shed the last few lbs during the season, as it will seriously hinder his effectiveness. I wish he'd used the off-season to clean bulk and get leaner. It would have done wonders for his stamina, defense and staying out of foul trouble.

If Cousins doesn't come into camp in GREAT shape it will be a dissapointment.

 

[VF21]

I'll be honest, I think you're being too kind. I'm disappointed with Cuz for coming in out of shape. It's not a huge deal, but this third year should be his true breakout one, and it's really not ideal. Putting on 20lbs over a couple months constitutes a ridiculously dirty bulk, and that's if that even is the goal. A professional athlete with his resources and facilities/trainers should be clean bulking. 20lbs in a couple months is excessive even for a dirty bulk, despite his size. There's no doubt that Cousins should be hitting the weights, but it doesn't look like he's been taking the nutritional side of things seriously, or else he's been getting bad advice.

I will stop here, as I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill. But it's a little disappointing to me. Here's to hoping he's not still trying to shed the last few lbs during the season, as it will seriously hinder his effectiveness. I wish he'd used the off-season to clean bulk and get leaner. It would have done wonders for his stamina, defense and staying out of foul trouble.

Considering all the reports coming out of summer league about DMC's performance, I think you're way over-reacting. I think we'll be able to judge for ourselves after tonight's game. Hope you're able to see it.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Considering all the reports coming out of summer league about DMC's performance, I think you're way over-reacting. I think we'll be able to judge for ourselves after tonight's game. Hope you're able to see it.

The reports about his play are definitely encouraging. However, we already know DeMarcus is a great player. It's not a huge deal, but I would have preferred him not to have put on so much weight. I'm not making it out to be huge, it's just a minor issue as of now. If it effects his play during the season it will be a bigger deal. I'm Cousins biggest fan and have been since long before he was drafted. But he can be a superstar, and I'd have liked him to show up in improved shape for the select team, not worse. Having said that, I'll certainly give him the benefit of the doubt and wait until the season starts.

Unfortunately, I won't get to see tonight's game (unless it's streamed somewhere online). Hopefully he makes a case for himself again for replacing Griffin.

 

[UK_King]

I'm a bit surprised he's gained weight, he was in sac (apparently) working out a month before the select team met up.

 

[Tetsujin]

I'm a bit surprised he's gained weight, he was in sac (apparently) working out a month before the select team met up.

You have to gain weight though to gain muscle. My dad's a bodybuilder (Don't ask) and before he could focus on toning and shaping and building lean muscle, he had to gain excess weight. The same thing can probably be said about Cuz's weightloss regiment.

 

[Dime Dropper]

You have to gain weight though to gain muscle. My dad's a bodybuilder (Don't ask) and before he could focus on toning and shaping and building lean muscle, he had to gain excess weight. The same thing can probably be said about Cuz's weightloss regiment.

As I've already pointed out, it would have had to have been a pretty dirty bulk (ie. eating all kinds of bad foods just to hit his macros) for Cousins to gain 20lbs in that span of time. A professional athlete is not a bodybuilder, he should be clean bulking (getting a surplus of calories through eating complex carbs, proteins and healthy fats) if he's trying to gain muscle.