VF21 said:
You don't ask a player to be something he's not?
Then why are people asking/expecting/demanding Peja to play help defense?
I can deal with someone asking a player to play harder defense - since, in my opinion, defense is an effort thing and not so much a talent thing. Having talent is great and a bonus - but you don't NEED talent to be a decent defender.
Offense is a skill. It's a learned thing. It's harder to up and do something different.
Sorry, but I think fans have every right to ask/hope that the players on their favorite team will be able to add something to their repertoires.
I think that's fair to ask - but to ask it within the first half of a season is a little unfair.
I would LOVE Reef to add more to his game. I LOVED the beginning of the year when he was getting 8 assists a game out of the high post! I was thinking --- "HA! I knew he was a decent passer, dammit!" (Yes, I know ... it's a little self-centered ... but it's what I was thinking)
If SAR was playing his game and the Kings had been winning, then I could better support your position. But, for the most part, SAR has been playing his game and the team has been losing. Is that the fault of SAR? Is it the team? Is it the coach?
I think it's the team. We didn't start using Reef the way Reef is most effective until well after Bonzi got hurt and when Peja was in his slump. Reef performed, but there was no one backing him up.
That's why I keep saying I'm interested to see how they do when they all come back healthy. I want to see how Reef in the post works with the team hitting on more than half it's cylinders. I want to see Reef get some more of those assists in the high post. (granted this is all "Reef-centric" ... but it intrigues me)
I think we started to play quite well when we were going to Reef in the post. We beat Minnesota, hung with the Spurs, played better than before against the Pistons and pretty much played 3 QTRs even with the Mavs.
Considering we had two players out and a malfunctioning bench - I still hold out hope.
I think the Reef injury could very well turn out to be a good thing. It'll give our bench confidence ... as long as they don't cause issues when they return to the bench ... we could actually have something. A full team.
Not to mention, Reef's back HAS been bothering him. He tweaked it early in the Bobcats game. Hopefully it will be nice and rested.
We're never going to view SAR the same way. Especially since, based on some things you've said in the past, you have a much closer relationship with him than probably any of us.
That's true. Reef and I go way back to Wheeler - so I admit my bias.
I'm just not anywhere NEAR convinced he's the right PF for the Kings.
Nor am I.
My mind isn't going to be changed by discussions here. It's how my beloved Kings do that will dictate whether or not my opinion changes.
Despite the fact that I love Reef - I want him to be a part of something great. And I'd love it if it were Sacramento. So, I'm with you. We both want the same thing.