BJax24
Bench
Chris Webber B+
We did not know what Chris Webber was going to be when training camp began. It was a tough start when he began to miss pre-season games. Only to realize that this was laying the ground work to a very calculated regular season schedule. In spite of some recent struggles, overall Webb has been very solid and very consistant. We all know the numbers will always be there 20, 10 and 5. He is just that good. But we all hope that the physical part of his game improves: RUNNING, JUMPING, STAMINA, LATERAL MOVEMENT. As of late has had to depend on the jump shot that has been extremely flat. It would be great if Webb's shot selection would alter a little. But in my view, that is on the coaching staff to hammer in his mind, you can dominate in the low post, especially on nights when the 18 footer is not falling.
Peja Stojakovic C-
I think that every Kings fan has to be disappointed in Peja's performance this season. And we all have said that "he just doesn't look into it". To me everything about Peja is all mental, even the injuries. But I do think that there is still time to get his game right. I think when the intensity grows as the season progresses, we will see the real Peja Stojakovich. Whether that is good or bad remains to be seen. He has to get over Webber (if that is still an issue), Vlade, and Cutino. Somebody needs to grab his collar and say "Brotha, we need you in these last twenty nine games, shake yourself. Grab some boards, be the assassin you are capable of being, and defend.
Brad Miller B
What can we say about Brad. There is the good Brad Miller and the bad Brad Miller.
GOOD
1. 15 to 18 foot jump shot is money
2. He can pass with the best post men in the league
3. Is the ultimate team player and great influence in locker room.
4. Good rebounder, not great but bangs the boards on offense while Chris does on defense.
BAD
1. Does not shoot enough, defers to Chris way to much just like Vlade did.
2. Needs to stop whining
3. Post defense has been putrid. Makes Kaman and Prysbilla look like all stars
Overall though, Miller has been very good and on a nightly basis you know what you are going to get. The key for the rest of the season is to make post players take more difficult shots, defend the basket and he has to raise his intensity without getting into trouble.
Mike Bibby A-
He has been the Kings best player this season. My concern is that without a real backup point guard (sorry House) Bibby will be just like Steve Nash come playoff time; worn out and broke down. Has made a concerted effort to rebound better. Has times when he just disappears between the mid second and late third quarters, then all of a sudden big baskets begin to rain from the sky. Is by far the most big time, clutch player the Kings has ever had. On the ball defense is brutal. He in my view is the primary reason the Kings defense is bad. He allows who ever is guarding him the opportunity to just break him down and create massive opportunities for the opposing offense. BUT, AND A BIG BUT makes up for it on the other side of the ball, where I think other players (i.e. Webber and Miller) don't as much. I think Bibby is setting himself up for a huge post season if he stays healthy.
Cutino Mobley B
I think that "The Cat" has done a good job in his short time here, especially when you consider that he has not practiced at all. I do not know what we expect from him. All the guy does is be agressively on offense and plays above average, underrated defense. It is true that he has taken some of Peja's shots. But i think that in time, both will adjust to playing one another. He is the shooting guard, and what does the shooting guard do? That's right!!
Kevin Martin B-
Still a rookie, and has tremendous upside. Needs consistant minutes, will not happen this year.
Maurice Evans A-
Has been by far the surprise of the team. I think in time will be a star in this league. Relentless in attacking the basket offensively as well as rebounds. His shot is surprisingly consistant.
Greg Ostertagg D
Greg has been the biggest disappointment. Just seems to not fit in with what this team is trying to do. As we get closer to the playoffs, my hope of him playing a bigger role dwindles by the game.
Matt Barnes B-/C+
Great energy, great hustle. Plays way too fast. Turns the ball over too much. But it seems that when he is in the game, he is doing better in working within the flow with out thinking too much.
Darius Songaila B+
Solid ball player. Does everything good, but nothing spetacular. Also has a consistant 15-18 foot jump shot. Is a great backup and an even better fill in. Do not believe like some of our media that he can start on most NBA teams. But fits this one like a glove.
Eddie House B
Shot is beginning to fall. A good 6-8 minute backup. But just doesnt have enough talent to make a difference.
Eric Daniels inc.
Bobby Jackson inc.
I can not wait for Bobby to return. I feel that he is the key ingredent that is missing. It just seems that when Bobby Jackson does not play, we lose. And I think the record would prove that so.
Rick Adelman/Staff B+
This is the best coaching job that Adelman has done. I still think that he should be re-evaluated at the end of the year though. It seems to me that Rick's substitution pattern has developed. You see some consistancy. I know that others wish he would play the bench more. But the bottom line is that in the NBA you win with stars. You do not win with a bunch of Barnes, Songaila and Martins. I still think that defense starts with the coach. We may not have the talent, that means that the coach must do something to put his players in position to do well defensively
Geoff Petrie B/B-
Of course his track record speaks for itself. but I do believe that if the Kings falter, it will be because the right parts are not in place. That speaks to Petrie. His not upgrading this roster at the start of the season may come back to bite him. His philosophy is offense first. And I am not sure if that is going to fly.
Joe and Gavin Maloof B-
They are still in my mind the best owners in the NBA. Unfortunately their legacy is going to be tied to whether the Kings get a new arena. There have been more negative publicity in regards to the Maloofs more this year than in the previous 5 combined. They have to continue to put their money where their mouth is in order to put this franchise in the position to win an NBA title.
REST OF THE SEASON PREDICITON
29 GAMES = 19-10/52-30
5TH SEED IN WEST
1st Round vs Dallas - win 4 games to 2
2nd Round vs Phoenix - win 4 games to 2
WCF vs San Antonio - lose 4 games to 1
We did not know what Chris Webber was going to be when training camp began. It was a tough start when he began to miss pre-season games. Only to realize that this was laying the ground work to a very calculated regular season schedule. In spite of some recent struggles, overall Webb has been very solid and very consistant. We all know the numbers will always be there 20, 10 and 5. He is just that good. But we all hope that the physical part of his game improves: RUNNING, JUMPING, STAMINA, LATERAL MOVEMENT. As of late has had to depend on the jump shot that has been extremely flat. It would be great if Webb's shot selection would alter a little. But in my view, that is on the coaching staff to hammer in his mind, you can dominate in the low post, especially on nights when the 18 footer is not falling.
Peja Stojakovic C-
I think that every Kings fan has to be disappointed in Peja's performance this season. And we all have said that "he just doesn't look into it". To me everything about Peja is all mental, even the injuries. But I do think that there is still time to get his game right. I think when the intensity grows as the season progresses, we will see the real Peja Stojakovich. Whether that is good or bad remains to be seen. He has to get over Webber (if that is still an issue), Vlade, and Cutino. Somebody needs to grab his collar and say "Brotha, we need you in these last twenty nine games, shake yourself. Grab some boards, be the assassin you are capable of being, and defend.
Brad Miller B
What can we say about Brad. There is the good Brad Miller and the bad Brad Miller.
GOOD
1. 15 to 18 foot jump shot is money
2. He can pass with the best post men in the league
3. Is the ultimate team player and great influence in locker room.
4. Good rebounder, not great but bangs the boards on offense while Chris does on defense.
BAD
1. Does not shoot enough, defers to Chris way to much just like Vlade did.
2. Needs to stop whining
3. Post defense has been putrid. Makes Kaman and Prysbilla look like all stars
Overall though, Miller has been very good and on a nightly basis you know what you are going to get. The key for the rest of the season is to make post players take more difficult shots, defend the basket and he has to raise his intensity without getting into trouble.
Mike Bibby A-
He has been the Kings best player this season. My concern is that without a real backup point guard (sorry House) Bibby will be just like Steve Nash come playoff time; worn out and broke down. Has made a concerted effort to rebound better. Has times when he just disappears between the mid second and late third quarters, then all of a sudden big baskets begin to rain from the sky. Is by far the most big time, clutch player the Kings has ever had. On the ball defense is brutal. He in my view is the primary reason the Kings defense is bad. He allows who ever is guarding him the opportunity to just break him down and create massive opportunities for the opposing offense. BUT, AND A BIG BUT makes up for it on the other side of the ball, where I think other players (i.e. Webber and Miller) don't as much. I think Bibby is setting himself up for a huge post season if he stays healthy.
Cutino Mobley B
I think that "The Cat" has done a good job in his short time here, especially when you consider that he has not practiced at all. I do not know what we expect from him. All the guy does is be agressively on offense and plays above average, underrated defense. It is true that he has taken some of Peja's shots. But i think that in time, both will adjust to playing one another. He is the shooting guard, and what does the shooting guard do? That's right!!
Kevin Martin B-
Still a rookie, and has tremendous upside. Needs consistant minutes, will not happen this year.
Maurice Evans A-
Has been by far the surprise of the team. I think in time will be a star in this league. Relentless in attacking the basket offensively as well as rebounds. His shot is surprisingly consistant.
Greg Ostertagg D
Greg has been the biggest disappointment. Just seems to not fit in with what this team is trying to do. As we get closer to the playoffs, my hope of him playing a bigger role dwindles by the game.
Matt Barnes B-/C+
Great energy, great hustle. Plays way too fast. Turns the ball over too much. But it seems that when he is in the game, he is doing better in working within the flow with out thinking too much.
Darius Songaila B+
Solid ball player. Does everything good, but nothing spetacular. Also has a consistant 15-18 foot jump shot. Is a great backup and an even better fill in. Do not believe like some of our media that he can start on most NBA teams. But fits this one like a glove.
Eddie House B
Shot is beginning to fall. A good 6-8 minute backup. But just doesnt have enough talent to make a difference.
Eric Daniels inc.
Bobby Jackson inc.
I can not wait for Bobby to return. I feel that he is the key ingredent that is missing. It just seems that when Bobby Jackson does not play, we lose. And I think the record would prove that so.
Rick Adelman/Staff B+
This is the best coaching job that Adelman has done. I still think that he should be re-evaluated at the end of the year though. It seems to me that Rick's substitution pattern has developed. You see some consistancy. I know that others wish he would play the bench more. But the bottom line is that in the NBA you win with stars. You do not win with a bunch of Barnes, Songaila and Martins. I still think that defense starts with the coach. We may not have the talent, that means that the coach must do something to put his players in position to do well defensively
Geoff Petrie B/B-
Of course his track record speaks for itself. but I do believe that if the Kings falter, it will be because the right parts are not in place. That speaks to Petrie. His not upgrading this roster at the start of the season may come back to bite him. His philosophy is offense first. And I am not sure if that is going to fly.
Joe and Gavin Maloof B-
They are still in my mind the best owners in the NBA. Unfortunately their legacy is going to be tied to whether the Kings get a new arena. There have been more negative publicity in regards to the Maloofs more this year than in the previous 5 combined. They have to continue to put their money where their mouth is in order to put this franchise in the position to win an NBA title.
REST OF THE SEASON PREDICITON
29 GAMES = 19-10/52-30
5TH SEED IN WEST
1st Round vs Dallas - win 4 games to 2
2nd Round vs Phoenix - win 4 games to 2
WCF vs San Antonio - lose 4 games to 1
Maybe you're grading on potential, in which case Peja might only be a C+ (and then Ostertag would be a C ). But as it is, I'd give Peja at least a B. 
