[Grades] Kings @ Bucks (#10) 11/4/18

[Tetsujin]

Not gonna pretend I have enough time to grade today's game (or that I would even if I could, given the bajillion point blow out)

Instead, here are some positives and negatives from the game.
POSITIVES
-De'Aaron and Bagley both look like future all-stars. De'Aaron possibly this year and Bagley in a year or two when he becomes a starter.
-JJ and Troy Williams made our SF depth chart not look crapty for a night.
-We went 3-1 on a road trip.


NEGATIVES
-Bjelica and Shump played like wet diarrhea farts.
-Willie got in massive foul trouble trying to slow down Giannis (Spoilers: He didn't)
-Bud's offensive system in which players shoot a ridiculous amount of threes even if they suck at them resulted in the team setting a franchise record.
-I still don't know what a Fiserv is.

 

[kingdivac]

The Vegas Line was off....by alot - Kings were slated to lose by 10 but lost by <gulp>, 35. The Bucks are a good team, but the Kings made em look like the Warriors. Largest single point differential defeat of the young season for the Kings and back to the drawing board.. The Kings had a"good" loss against the Jazz, but the other 3 playoff-level teams toasted the Kings.'lack of defense

 

[burekijogurt]

Negatives:
Poor shooting: Bjelica 2/8, Shump 2/8, Bagley 3/10.
Poor FT shooting: 50% as a team, WCS 2/6, Bagley 4/9.


Positives:
- Buddy still efficient even though the Bucks could concentrate on him since he was having no help in that starting unit from Bjelica and Shump.
- Fox another all around game, good 3pt shooting (although not as much impact but its hard in a blowout like that)
- Willie more aggressive defending the rim. Had 2 blocks and was whistled for fouls on some of his other contests, but looked to me like he was showing more effort to try and get blocks. Not sure if this aggression came from frustration about all the fouls being called on him or a concentrated effort to improve as a rim protector.

 

[Kingsfan23]

Shump is gunning for a new contract IMO. Every time he can, be shoots, with intent

 

[kingdivac]

Shump is gunning for a new contract IMO. Every time he can, be shoots, with intent

That would be ok - if he made a fair % of them.

 

[burekijogurt]

That would be ok - if he made a fair % of them.

even though he had a rough night tonight and was 1-5 from three, he is still shooting over 40% for three. so hopefully he can keep that going..

 

[kingsboi]

22 three pointers allowed & Justin Jackson as your leading scorer? yup that about sums it up

 

[Gliesian]

Shump is gunning for a new contract IMO. Every time he can, be shoots, with intent

I can't recall too accurately, but his first possession as a Kings player ended up with a low% selfish shot. Then he caught fire with that 6/7 3 pt game. He seems to take more selfish shots than anyone else on the team and I can't help but think he is using the Kings to restart his career. That, and I don't like his vocal contributions. I'm thankful he helped us win some games, but he's just not for me.

 

[Kingz19]

Shumpert actually doesn’t shoot that much. With the exception of the OKC game, where he was on fire. Even then he only took 13 shots. He hasn’t taken more than 8 shots in a game, and most games he shoots less. That’s the least from the starters and Bagley and Jackson also shoot more.

Shumpert hasn’t been in business for himself in the slightest. He’s played well or at the very least blended well within the team concept. His shot taking is still basically what it was for Cleveland and Knicks with Melo. He isn’t trying to be more than a role player. Just he’s probably the most iso type guy on the team but he also needs to be established as a threat. He’s been featured very sparingly just enough to establish him or subtract him offensively. I know for some, one Shump shot is too many cause he’s old or something but he’s not chucking

 

[The Hammer]

One word:

Defense.

We'll get there.

 

[kb02]

Kings lost, because they were sped up on defense. Bucks are long and athletic.
On offense, they have Giannis. He warps the defense. Everyone plays a step in and even then, he still gets to the hoop. I know folks love Middleton, who is a damn solid player, but I think everyone on that Bucks team benefits from Giannis. I wouldn't want to over pay for Middleton. His numbers are inflated.


When we meet them again, we need WCS and Bags to be in the same line up. Bucks mostly run a 4 and out. Basically allowing Giannis to drive or dish. The defense warps in and everyone else pretty much becomes jump shooters. Need two bigs, who can bother him (impossible to do on a consistent basis, I know) and slide to the wing when he dishes. Bags was the only player who was able to get Giannis to settle for a jump shot in tonight's game. That's the most promising take away from tonight's game.

 

[SLAB]

I can’t stand Shumpert’s game. Never have. Never will. Give his minutes to Troy Williams plz.

 

[EIM86]

I mean Giannis is a.monster. we not ready for him yet. Took a haymaker to the chin, Im more curious to see how we bounce back

 

[Fear the Putin]

There are some guys in the league that you know are going to make a shot when they release it and some guys who you know will get to the rim at will with every step. Giannis Antepoopohead is the latter.

 

[Agent23]

You guys see what the Raptors are doing to Lakers today. Sheesh. Back to the Bucks game. Giannis is a dang monster.

 

[Kingsfan23]

You guys see what the Raptors are doing to Lakers today. Sheesh. Back to the Bucks game. Giannis is a dang monster.

It’s making me question going to the game against Toronto. If there is good about the current attendance level is that these are the times of the 10 dollar stubhub ticket, so I’ve been going to all. But Toronto, especially if Kawhi is there? Might be tough.

On another note, about the game - I don’t think it’s by accident that Jackson had his game of the year when it was out of hand. He’s a talented kid, and hard working, but IMO lacks confidence/alpha mentality. When the game is out of hand, pressure off. Pressure a lot more different than during close games and pressure on your three ball

 

[rosa u podne]

Bags was the only player who was able to get Giannis to settle for a jump shot in tonight's game. That's the most promising take away from tonight's game.

WCS too on rare occassions referees did not call a phantom foul on GA.

 

[rosa u podne]

On another note, about the game - I don’t think it’s by accident that Jackson had his game of the year when it was out of hand. He’s a talented kid, and hard working, but IMO lacks confidence/alpha mentality. When the game is out of hand, pressure off. Pressure a lot more different than during close games and pressure on your three ball

He scored a lot when we tried to close the gap. Let's be fair, it was ugly loss, but we got efficient contribution at least on ofense from JJ. Too bad we wasted a good game by JJ, with terible one from Bjelica on offense and bad defense overall. Also turnovers, rush, Kings had no flow on offense. Were missing Bogdan badly on a bad night by Bjelly.

 

[Kangztillidie]

Eh JJ did his damage when the game was out of reach. He fought yes but he hasn't fought when the games were winnable. I wanna see him fight to help a Dub. And Mason is KILLING ME. Damn he is garbage usually. I look at games from an ex player (SG) standpoint and he would frustrate the pee out of me. A lot of his shots should be passes. There are wide open teammates and he ignores them to get his own up. Come on Frank!!! Pick your spots better dude.

 

[Chupacabra]

I will say that whoever is running the Kings' youtube channel gets an A for not clipping the giannis dunks. Im very on the fence about looking it up.

 

[Chupacabra]

Oh lord. Giannis is such a freak that he needs to be tackled when he has a full head of steam to the rim.

 

[Nokidding]

It's amazing just how big and long Giannis is, he just makes other guys looks so small like WCS/Bags/Bjeli looked small compared and the fact that no human being in the history of mankind has ever been to able to move like him at his size is unreal, if he gets any form of a consistent jumper you could be looking at god level seasons coming up in a few years.

 

[Kingfanpaul]

It's amazing just how big and long Giannis is, he just makes other guys looks so small like WCS/Bags/Bjeli looked small compared and the fact that no human being in the history of mankind has ever been to able to move like him at his size is unreal, if he gets any form of a consistent jumper you could be looking at god level seasons coming up in a few years.

I'm not even sure that he needs a better shot. It's sufficient enough now that he's already nearly unguardable.

 

[King Baller]

When the Refs won't let you touch Giannis there no way to stop him. The rest of that team is pretty good to. Their 5 man just runs to the corner and Giannis runs the ball down the throat of the defense. Ref blows whistle touch foul, rinse, repeat

 

[allrightythen]

I didn't get a chance to see much of this one. It was a tough one for sure. Just gotta stick together and keep growing.

 

[JCTNKINGFAN]

Giannis is going to get his, they don’t call him “The Freak” for nothing. I was curious to see if Willie could slow him down any, but foul trouble (whether caused by Giannis’ skills or the refs protectiveness of him) severely limited any chance Willie had.

I’m not really going to comment on the officiating other than to say I only started watching NBA games again about 4 years ago after a long hiatus and I have been really disappointed in the officiating. The NBA is a multi-million dollar industry and I expected much better officiating than I was used to seeing at the college level with true professional officials. I realize it’s a difficult job, but I really expected better and really expected to see the games called evenly.

Willie only played a little less than 19 minutes total due to the foul trouble and shared the court with Giannis for 15:10 seconds. Giannis played about 30 and ½ minutes total.

During their shared 15 minutes, Giannis scored 10 points on 3-6 shooting (0-1 3pt), 4-4 FT, 6 Rebounds (3 offensive), 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.

During the time Giannis was on the court without Willie (about 14 minutes), he scored 16 points on 5-5 shooting (1-1 3pt), 5-8 FT, 9 Rebounds (all defensive), 8 assists, 0 steals, and 0 blocks.

So, Willie might have slowed him a little or he might have just been getting warmed up. For what it’s worth (probably not much with that sample size), if you PER36 those numbers, it’s 24 points and 14 rebounds with Willie on the court and 41 points and 23 rebounds without him. Just fun with numbers

 

[Padrino]

Giannis is going to get his, they don’t call him “The Freak” for nothing. I was curious to see if Willie could slow him down any, but foul trouble (whether caused by Giannis’ skills or the refs protectiveness of him) severely limited any chance Willie had.

I’m not really going to comment on the officiating other than to say I only started watching NBA games again about 4 years ago after a long hiatus and I have been really disappointed in the officiating. The NBA is a multi-million dollar industry and I expected much better officiating than I was used to seeing at the college level with true professional officials. I realize it’s a difficult job, but I really expected better and really expected to see the games called evenly.

The thing is, it's intentional. And this isn't some next-level conspiracy theory nonsense. The league itself has flat-out said that they have engineered rule changes and emphasized a style of refereeing that will discourage defenses from stopping high-powered offenses. In the last few years, the NBA has decided that they want to become a no-contact sport in an effort to increase scoring (as if the game honestly needed further juicing in the pace and space era).

My guess is we're going to see "historic" seasons from a number of players/teams this year, as the referees pile on foul call after foul call until teams simply throw in the towel on the defensive end. The casual fan will think they're seeing something incredible, when in reality, those numbers will be inflated by the castration of defenses at the league's behest.

These are professionals, after all. Of course they're going to hit wide open shots and of course they're going to score more when unhindered by contact. It's not magic. It's not a revolution in the way the game is played. It's just what happens when you let NBA players roam the court freely without the defense there to stop them.

I don't know how any team can be expected to even minimally contain a player like Giannis without being allowed to put a body on him. That kid is going to be great, and I have no idea why the NBA thinks it needs to make things easier for a guy like that. Frankly, I think it's all very silly. I'd been a huge supporter of Adam Silver's tenure as league commissioner until it became clear that the league was no longer interested in presenting a top-shelf product where the best of the best compete, but instead have decided to turn the NBA into a series of glorified pick-up games where defense is barely a passing concern.

It's true enough that I'm thrilled to see the Kings are playing better, and I'm even becoming slightly less resistant to the pace and space style of play. But I don't think I'll ever truly enjoy the NBA the way I once did. And this isn't nostalgia for some bygone era that never was. It's just that I think the league should give a sh*t about defense, and it doesn't. Plain and simple.

 

[Kingster]

In the Boston vs Bucks game (in which Boston won) the Greek Freak in 36 minutes had 33 points off of 22 shots, 11 rebounds, and only two assists.

In the Kings game, the Greek Freak in 30 minutes had 26 points off of 11 shots, 15 rebounds, and a whopping 11 assists.

The Celtics had good enough man defense on GF to "limit" him to excellent shooting efficiency, very good rebounding efficiency, and below average assists. The Kings' defense on GF allowed for him to be super efficient in shooting, outstanding in rebounding, excellent in assists. The stats reflect the fact that the Kings were so inadequate in man defense on GF they sloughed off their own man to double and triple team GF, leaving his team mates wide open for 3 point shots; thus GK got 11 assists, while only getting two against Boston.

 

[63royals]

The thing is, it's intentional. And this isn't some next-level conspiracy theory nonsense. The league itself has flat-out said that they have engineered rule changes and emphasized a style of refereeing that will discourage defenses from stopping high-powered offenses. In the last few years, the NBA has decided that they want to become a no-contact sport in an effort to increase scoring (as if the game honestly needed further juicing in the pace and space era).

My guess is we're going to see "historic" seasons from a number of players/teams this year, as the referees pile on foul call after foul call until teams simply throw in the towel on the defensive end. The casual fan will think they're seeing something incredible, when in reality, those numbers will be inflated by the castration of defenses at the league's behest.

These are professionals, after all. Of course they're going to hit wide open shots and of course they're going to score more when unhindered by contact. It's not magic. It's not a revolution in the way the game is played. It's just what happens when you let NBA players roam the court freely without the defense there to stop them.

I don't know how any team can be expected to even minimally contain a player like Giannis without being allowed to put a body on him. That kid is going to be great, and I have no idea why the NBA thinks it needs to make things easier for a guy like that. Frankly, I think it's all very silly. I'd been a huge supporter of Adam Silver's tenure as league commissioner until it became clear that the league was no longer interested in presenting a top-shelf product where the best of the best compete, but instead have decided to turn the NBA into a series of glorified pick-up games where defense is barely a passing concern.

It's true enough that I'm thrilled to see the Kings are playing better, and I'm even becoming slightly less resistant to the pace and space style of play. But I don't think I'll ever truly enjoy the NBA the way I once did. And this isn't nostalgia for some bygone era that never was. It's just that I think the league should give a sh*t about defense, and it doesn't. Plain and simple.

It's about the eternal tug of war between a pure sports competition and an entertainment business. Right now the entertainment business is winning. If Little Johnny comes to his first game to see Joe Superstar, and Joe has a terrible game, then Little Johnny might not want to come back. So let's make sure Joe gets lots of points and his team wins by helping the superstars. Globetrotters vs Generals rather than a pure sports competition. If this was a pure sports competition, the Kings would have won in 2002.

 

[VF21]

We still went 3-1 on a road trip. I had no real expectation that we'd win against the Bucks and I truly believe we learned some lessons - including some about how the game is going to be officiated (see Padrino's post above).

It's definitely not gonna be a walk in the park this year. Our Kings are young. They're gonna make some mistakes but they will learn from them.

It's STILL a good time to be a Kings fan!