Tanking means dumping your best overpaid players in hopes of future gains. Think the Kings would dump MT if they could? Yes. Even if meant they would win fewer games this year? Yes.
Tanking means dumping your best overpaid players in hopes of future gains. Think the Kings would dump MT if they could? Yes. Even if meant they would win fewer games this year? Yes.
My personal theory on MT is that after playing for Malone in New Orleans and (reportedly) being found wanting on the defensive end, then traded, he knows that the writing is on the wall. He can't hide the fact that he really, really wishes he weren't here, because he knows that this team isn't in his future as long as Malone is here. I don't have any inside knowledge...that's just the way it looks to me.
It's shocking that MT is getting Jimmer's minutes at this point. Makes zero and I mean zero sense. Jimmer has obviously transcended his game and is easily better than the MT we are watching.
It's shocking that MT is getting Jimmer's minutes at this point. Makes zero and I mean zero sense. Jimmer has obviously transcended his game and is easily better than the MT we are watching.
That was similar to my opinion before the season began. I watched a lot of the Hornets while he was there, and I kind of bought into the idea that he was benched for his lack of defense and offensive discipline.
I have changed my opinion somewhat. Thornton doesn't look to be on a short leash, and, maybe as a result of that, he does seem to be reining in the chucking for the most part, actually making a concerted effort to not throw up garbage and to move the ball better. Oh, he still throws up the garbage, but at only half the rate he used to.
Which sort of leads to a different set of problems. Remember that deer in the headlights look Jimmer had his first year? He had such a deep green light at BYU, but came into the league knowing he had to defer to his teammates and take his shots within the offense. That led to him passing up a lot of good looks because he was doing the mental calculations of whether the shot was a good shot, whether he had an open teammate, etc. I see that look on Thornton a little bit now. There's that half-second pause while he is trying to figure out what the right move is with the ball. Before, the calculation was easy. "Do I have the ball? If yes, then shoot. If no, then goback to 1." Now there are half a dozen additional calculations he is trying to make when he has the ball instead of just launching it on the catch. That should sort itself out, but look for him to continue to look lost for the next ten games or so. I think he is learning the game of basketball for the first time instead of just a very well-compensated game of horse.
Obviously.
Transcended?The only possible "transcending" that he's gonna do anytime soon, is in the D-League. He's a good dude, but a spade is a spade
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Hmm.... as GM, who would Jimmer pick as his supporting cast?
Would Shawn Bradley make a triumphant return to the NBA?
It's shocking that MT is getting Jimmer's minutes at this point. Makes zero and I mean zero sense. Jimmer has obviously transcended his game and is easily better than the MT we are watching.
If they're trying to showcase MT, Salmons or Patterson for trade...boy oh boy. Those three have been abysmal.
LOL I had the same exact thought. Toss Hayes in there as well.
Clearly, Tim Tebow would start at center and pf. Jimmer would play the other positions.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/11/05/5881304/kings-notes-slow-starts-concern.html#mi_rss=Kings/NBA
Sounds like it won't be long until Jimmer is the starter and MT is out, as it should be based on talent and production.
"I want to give this group an opportunity before we make changes, but I will also say this starting lineup is not set in stone for 82 games," Malone said of the bunch that scored just 22 points Saturday at Golden State.
Guarded talk – Jimmer Fredette is behind Marcus Thornton and Ben McLemore at shooting guard, but Malone hasn't ruled out going to Fredette if the Kings play poorly.
"Right now, his role is limited, obviously, but that can change with this group in a pretty quick manner, I guess," Malone said.
Thornton is averaging 9.3 points through three games on 37.0 percent shooting. Malone is content to bring McLemore off the bench, and the Kings continue to rave about the rookie's progress.
So if Fredette is going to play, he'll have to supplant Thornton.
"We're giving Marcus the opportunity (to start), but the reality is if we continue to struggle, we will not just stay with a lineup to say, 'These are our starters,' " Malone said.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/11/05/5881304/kings-notes-slow-starts-concern.html#mi_rss=Kings/NBA
Sounds like it won't be long until Jimmer is the starter and MT is out, as it should be based on talent and production.
"I want to give this group an opportunity before we make changes, but I will also say this starting lineup is not set in stone for 82 games," Malone said of the bunch that scored just 22 points Saturday at Golden State.
Guarded talk – Jimmer Fredette is behind Marcus Thornton and Ben McLemore at shooting guard, but Malone hasn't ruled out going to Fredette if the Kings play poorly.
"Right now, his role is limited, obviously, but that can change with this group in a pretty quick manner, I guess," Malone said.
Thornton is averaging 9.3 points through three games on 37.0 percent shooting. Malone is content to bring McLemore off the bench, and the Kings continue to rave about the rookie's progress.
So if Fredette is going to play, he'll have to supplant Thornton.
"We're giving Marcus the opportunity (to start), but the reality is if we continue to struggle, we will not just stay with a lineup to say, 'These are our starters,' " Malone said.
Why the hell not? Every professional athlete in every sport should want to start. But, if you're not starting, hell, even if you're not even playing, you should be engaged, and encouraging of your teammates. Jimmer Fredette should be a World Champion cheerleader right now, and so should Hamady N'Diaye, and so should Ray McCallum, and whoever else isn't getting playing time.... Body language was appropriate to someone who is not playing but wants to play. Would not be appropriate to be the over-enthusiastic cheerleader...