Now before anyone thinks I'm being a homer, let me point out what both rookies did NOT do so well. IT, while certainly speedy, often tried to do "too much," which caused him to make some sloppy plays and turn the ball over. Jimmer, on the other hand, looked gun-shy at times, and also had a couple sloppy turnovers. Obviously they both have room to improve.
With that said, however, let's consider for a moment what we witnessed last night: two rookie guards - with an extremely shortened practice period due to the lockout - one just over 6 feet and one just under 6 feet - playing in their FIRST game against the LA LAKERS - and both playing a very big role in leading the Kings to victory. Yes, I said BIG role, because I believe both of these guys really were a large piece of the victory pie... maybe not the majority of it, but a big piece of it.
The thing that stood out most for me was that - despite not making as many big plays as Tyreke and Thornton did - Jimmer and IT ran the offense better. As pretty as Tyreke's moves are, I feel like I'm watching street ball when I watch him play... dribble, crossover, dribble, dribble, drive on 3 defenders, throw up a wild shot, etc. etc. He's got talent, no doubt, but as a guy who plays guard himself (proud to say I'm taller than IT), it was refreshing to see Jimmer and IT go out onto the court and actually run an offense.
Overall, when you consider the situation, the atmosphere, and who the opponent was, it's amazing just how poised Jimmer and IT looked, and how large of a role they were able to play in the victory. Most rookies would have been a liability in such a game, but coach W. actually had these guys playing toward the end of the game, which says that he must feel the same way I do.
With that said, however, let's consider for a moment what we witnessed last night: two rookie guards - with an extremely shortened practice period due to the lockout - one just over 6 feet and one just under 6 feet - playing in their FIRST game against the LA LAKERS - and both playing a very big role in leading the Kings to victory. Yes, I said BIG role, because I believe both of these guys really were a large piece of the victory pie... maybe not the majority of it, but a big piece of it.
The thing that stood out most for me was that - despite not making as many big plays as Tyreke and Thornton did - Jimmer and IT ran the offense better. As pretty as Tyreke's moves are, I feel like I'm watching street ball when I watch him play... dribble, crossover, dribble, dribble, drive on 3 defenders, throw up a wild shot, etc. etc. He's got talent, no doubt, but as a guy who plays guard himself (proud to say I'm taller than IT), it was refreshing to see Jimmer and IT go out onto the court and actually run an offense.
Overall, when you consider the situation, the atmosphere, and who the opponent was, it's amazing just how poised Jimmer and IT looked, and how large of a role they were able to play in the victory. Most rookies would have been a liability in such a game, but coach W. actually had these guys playing toward the end of the game, which says that he must feel the same way I do.
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