Kings Preseason Takeaways, Opinions and Observations

[Gary]

This year we won't be seeing a lot of games where we have more turnovers than assists *hopefully*. Looks like we will be seeing a lot of 20+ assist nights with 15 or less turnovers.

I think we will have an issue with spacing, even if Cousins is out on the perimeter.

In regard to the spacing issue I feel that our bench is deep enough that if Karl sees that we aren't scoring then he will go to the bench quickly. I can see Karl subbing Belinelli and Collison for Rondo and McLemore or Anderson (whoever starts) if things don't work out at the start of the game, but I cannot see him changing the starting lineup much with exception to moving WCS and McLemore in and out of the starting lineup (depending on the matchups).

I think we have a REALLY good bench with Collison/Belinelli/Casspi/Koufos and to a lesser extent Butler. Put in Cousins with that group, or Gay (at pf) in the group and it would kill the opposing bench.

I am really hoping that we wear out opposing teams that have to keep their starters in longer than usual because of our bench being so good. I don't know of a bench as good as ours this year.

 

[Gliesian]

This year we won't be seeing a lot of games where we have more turnovers than assists *hopefully*. Looks like we will be seeing a lot of 20+ assist nights with 15 or less turnovers.

I think we will have an issue with spacing, even if Cousins is out on the perimeter.

In regard to the spacing issue I feel that our bench is deep enough that if Karl sees that we aren't scoring then he will go to the bench quickly. I can see Karl subbing Belinelli and Collison for Rondo and McLemore or Anderson (whoever starts) if things don't work out at the start of the game, but I cannot see him changing the starting lineup much with exception to moving WCS and McLemore in and out of the starting lineup (depending on the matchups).

I think we have a REALLY good bench with Collison/Belinelli/Casspi/Koufos and to a lesser extent Butler. Put in Cousins with that group, or Gay (at pf) in the group and it would kill the opposing bench.

I am really hoping that we wear out opposing teams that have to keep their starters in longer than usual because of our bench being so good. I don't know of a bench as good as ours this year.

Funny how our bench turned from the reason we lost to the reason we will win lol. I support WCS starting but I'd have him stay mostly out the way on offense and pray he can shoot jumpers. He just looked so good out there with Cuz.

 

[lawlman91]

Maybe Ben does need to play with the bench unit. His best games have been when he had nothing to lose, so this may be the best place to get opportunities from him. Test that out. If that doesn't work out, it is clear that the Collison/Beli two-headed monster belongs in the second unit. But to maximize usefulness, maybe put Ben in the second unit.

 

[jcwkings]

Maybe Ben does need to play with the bench unit. His best games have been when he had nothing to lose, so this may be the best place to get opportunities from him. Test that out. If that doesn't work out, it is clear that the Collison/Beli two-headed monster belongs in the second unit. But to maximize usefulness, maybe put Ben in the second unit.

If your gonna put Ben in the second unit you have to start Anderson. Bellinelli works better with the bench so he and Collison can alternate ball handling.

Collison
Bellinelli
Ben
Casspi
Koufos

Thats if Karl wants to go 10 deep. I see the rotation at 8-9 on most nights. Rondo, Collison, Bellinelli, Gay, Casspi, Cuz, WCS, Koufos being the top 8 and Ben being the 9th man.

 

[kingsboi]

Maybe Ben does need to play with the bench unit. His best games have been when he had nothing to lose, so this may be the best place to get opportunities from him. Test that out. If that doesn't work out, it is clear that the Collison/Beli two-headed monster belongs in the second unit. But to maximize usefulness, maybe put Ben in the second unit.

If Ben goes to the bench, we won't get much out of him anymore or any less than when he is in the starting unit IMO. Belinelli is nice to have off the bench because you need some firepower from there and DC and Belli will provide plenty of it because they will have the green light to shoot.

 

[Chupacabra]

If Ben goes to the bench, we won't get much out of him anymore or any less than when he is in the starting unit IMO. Belinelli is nice to have off the bench because you need some firepower from there and DC and Belli will provide plenty of it because they will have the green light to shoot.

Omri too.

 

[kingsboi]

Omri too.

I don't know if I can depend on Omri to give me offense every game like the other two

 

[andjel]

Cousins 3pt focus got attention:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...ing-3s-ranking-who-should-and-shouldnt-try-it

 

[sono]

If your gonna put Ben in the second unit you have to start Anderson. Bellinelli works better with the bench so he and Collison can alternate ball handling.

Collison
Bellinelli
Ben
Casspi
Koufos

Thats if Karl wants to go 10 deep. I see the rotation at 8-9 on most nights. Rondo, Collison, Bellinelli, Gay, Casspi, Cuz, WCS, Koufos being the top 8 and Ben being the 9th man.

Better off trading him, if Anderson is going to take his spot or even Bellinelli, a good scoring punch from the bench. Ben would be a damaged good that doesn't circulate and takes up valuable shelf space.

 

[Bricklayer]

With a spot on analysis too.

Its not cool nor necessary. Adding a three point shot is a gimmick for scrub bigs looking for a trick to keep them in the league, not something elite interior players have to or should be fooling with.

 

[jcassio]

Big men with long range shooting ability:
Dirk Nowitzki
LaMarcus Aldridge
Chris Bosh
Marc Gasol
Serge Ibaka

Dirk is perhaps the only one from this group who is a constant 3-point threat. But the others have developed their 3-point shot to where they will generally take 2-5 long-range shots per game.

This probably goes without saying, but... the ability for a big man (x) to hit the occasional 3-pointer does this:
1) Draws x's primary defender out and away from the basket (opens up the paint);
2) Gives x and teammates more easy baskets;
3) Gives x the ability to stick the dagger in the heart with a well-timed 3-pointer

However, if the big man can't hit his long range shots at a respectable clip, then it's obviously not an effective weapon. So the question in my mind is not whether Karl is misusing his greatest asset (Cuz), but whether Cuz can get to where his 3-pointer is an effective weapon - without it contributing to us losing games in the meantime. I have enough faith in Karl to believe that he'll know if Cuz's long range shooting is effective or not, and will act accordingly.

 

[Bricklayer]

Dirk Nowitzki -- former softie, got serious and dangerous precisely when he cut down on threes, and became one legged post god
LaMarcus Aldridge -- soft, just started shooting threes, did not help anything, has a .528TS%, compared to .530 career
Chris Bosh -- soft, got even softer in Miami shooting threes as a passive guava juice drinking 3rd wheel weenie
Marc Gasol -- overrated as a shooter, has taken a total of 63 threes in 7 years, and made 10 of them (.159)
Serge Ibaka -- roleplayer


Cuz should be emulating exactly zero of those guys on offense. Inf act, Dirk aside, who found his own answers but is now done, they should be emulating Cuz. Go inside, draw a foul. Quit being a wuss. Create a damn shot, don't settle for the easy way out.

 

[Warhawk]

With a spot on analysis too.

Its not cool nor necessary. Adding a three point shot is a gimmick for scrub bigs looking for a trick to keep them in the league, not something elite interior players have to or should be fooling with.

And this quote from that article is spot-on:

The problem with trying to extend his range beyond the arc is that you're taking him away from the basket, and if anybody on this list should be near the basket, it's the category 5 Kaiju the Kings put a No. 15 jersey on every night.

 

[kingsboi]

since Karl loves using social media, someone should post that article on his twitter page or whatever social media outlet he uses...same with Cousins

 

[jcassio]

Dirk Nowitzki -- former softie, got serious and dangerous precisely when he cut down on threes, and became one legged post god
LaMarcus Aldridge -- soft, just started shooting threes, did not help anything, has a .528TS%, compared to .530 career
Chris Bosh -- soft, got even softer in Miami shooting threes as a passive guava juice drinking 3rd wheel weenie
Marc Gasol -- overrated as a shooter, has taken a total of 63 threes in 7 years, and made 10 of them (.159)
Serge Ibaka -- roleplayer


Cuz should be emulating exactly zero of those guys on offense. Inf act, Dirk aside, who found his own answers but is now done, they should be emulating Cuz. Go inside, draw a foul. Quit being a wuss. Create a damn shot, don't settle for the easy way out.

But didn't you just say "Adding a three point shot is a gimmick for scrub bigs looking for a trick to keep them in the league..."? And now you dismiss as wusses all these "bigs" who have a legit long-range shot? I don't think anyone wants Cuz to become a perimeter player, Karl included. Just giving the man another weapon to make him even more effective. If he develops that skill and then becomes a wuss, you can say "I told you so."

 

[Gary]

Funny how our bench turned from the reason we lost to the reason we will win lol. I support WCS starting but I'd have him stay mostly out the way on offense and pray he can shoot jumpers. He just looked so good out there with Cuz.

Agree.. WCS is smart.. High BBall IQ and he knows his role and where he needs to be. He knows his limitations, and he knows that if he plays within the flow of the game then he will get his shots/dunks. Don't see that much in rookies. At KY I knew that he was a smart player, but didn't know that you could put him in a new situation and he would do THIS well.

 

[HighFlyingMonkey]

I'm not buying that if a big man shoots threes he's a weenie, but if he takes two steps closer and chucks up midrange jumpers he's all of a sudden a rugged manly man. Just fake machismo crap from keyboard warriors.

There are zero reasons why someone who can shoot threes as a decent percentage shouldn't take more threes than midrange jumpers. Just isn't one. Internet trolls can beat their chests all they want how soft the game has gotten while they wipe the potato chip grease off their keyboards. This is the NBA. You exploit every competitive advantage you have or you die.

That being said, I'm not convinced Boogie can hit threes. He's 1/12 in preseason. 11/69 now in his career (15%). His catch-and-shoot midrange game is actually really good (43% this past season, 47% in the meningitis-free season before). He's not a good shooter off the dribble (35% off the dribble last year, 36% the year before).

The Kings really need to define Boogie's game for him. He has a ton of skills that he's just successful enough to keep trying but not successful enough to build a good offense around. As a result his efficiency really isn't as high as it should be and his turnover problems speak for themselves.

The Kings need to cut out the stuff he's not good at. No more threes. No more midrange twos off the dribble unless the shot clock is winding down. Limit "Magic Cousins" to clear lanes to the basket. Post up smaller bigs and pound them into submission. Attack the girthy bigs (the Gasols, the Boguts, etc.) out on the perimeter off of pick-and-pops and dribble pitches. Every possession used by Boogie should be a FGA in the paint, a free throw, or a catch-and-shoot midrange jumper.

The efficiency will fix itself. A Boogie trip to the free throw line is more efficient than a Steph Curry three. Boogie's catch-and-shoot midrange game is good enough to keep defenders honest. Boogie is much better in the post than he's shown, and more assisted baskets in the paint will help him down low. I want to see Boogie be a .57-.58 TS% player this season. He's good enough, Karl just has to design the right system around him.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I'm not buying that if a big man shoots threes he's a weenie, but if he takes two steps closer and chucks up midrange jumpers he's all of a sudden a rugged manly man. Just fake machismo crap from keyboard warriors.

There are zero reasons why someone who can shoot threes as a decent percentage shouldn't take more threes than midrange jumpers. Just isn't one. Internet trolls can beat their chests all they want how soft the game has gotten while they wipe the potato chip grease off their keyboards. This is the NBA. You exploit every competitive advantage you have or you die.

That being said, I'm not convinced Boogie can hit threes. He's 1/12 in preseason. 11/69 now in his career (15%). His catch-and-shoot midrange game is actually really good (43% this past season, 47% in the meningitis-free season before). He's not a good shooter off the dribble (35% off the dribble last year, 36% the year before).

The Kings really need to define Boogie's game for him. He has a ton of skills that he's just successful enough to keep trying but not successful enough to build a good offense around. As a result his efficiency really isn't as high as it should be and his turnover problems speak for themselves.

The Kings need to cut out the stuff he's not good at. No more threes. No more midrange twos off the dribble unless the shot clock is winding down. Limit "Magic Cousins" to clear lanes to the basket. Post up smaller bigs and pound them into submission. Attack the girthy bigs (the Gasols, the Boguts, etc.) out on the perimeter off of pick-and-pops and dribble pitches. Every possession used by Boogie should be a FGA in the paint, a free throw, or a catch-and-shoot midrange jumper.

The efficiency will fix itself. A Boogie trip to the free throw line is more efficient than a Steph Curry three. Boogie's catch-and-shoot midrange game is good enough to keep defenders honest. Boogie is much better in the post than he's shown, and more assisted baskets in the paint will help him down low. I want to see Boogie be a .57-.58 TS% player this season. He's good enough, Karl just has to design the right system around him.

Eh, I feel like the real "keyboard warriors" are the ones who throw the accusations out, but YMMV.

Frankly, all jump shooting bigs have a little "weenie"-ness about them. I agree with you inasmuch as a guy who takes shots from two steps inside the line isn't any less of a "weenie" than the guy taking his shots from outside, but that's as far as I'm willing to go with that. IYAM, the guy who takes all his shots from two steps inside the line is a "weenie," too. If you're six-ten or taller, and you take more shots from >18' than in, you're a "weenie," as far as basketball is concerned.

A big man should shoot exactly enough long-distance jumpers that he's not an offensive liability on a pick and roll, no more and no less. Basically, he needs to be able to shoot well enough to make the defense respect his shot fake. Sure, if you can, in fact, hit three-point shots at "a decent percentage," then you should take those instead of long two-point shots. But the false premise that is implied in that statement is the belief that a three-pointer and a long two are equally difficult shots. And they're not. If a three-pointer weren't any harder than a long two, they'd be worth the same amount of points. And, not only that, but that "long two" is typically right around where the college three-point line is; those "two steps" are not an insignificant difference. I don't think that it's unreasonable to suspect that a player has determined, through trial and error, that that's as far away from the basket as they reliably can shoot. To say nothing of the fact that not everybody who takes a lot of threes hits a lot of threes; if you shoot under .300 from distance, then your ass needs to color inside the lines. A three is only a better shot than a long two if you can actually hit it.

I think that we can all agree that Cousins is at his best when he's able to use his talent to capitalize on his defenders' weaknesses, however that plays out in any particular game, whether that is posting up a smaller guy, or taking a larger one off the dribble. He's obviously not a one-dimensional player, so trying to turn him into either Ryan Anderson or Al Jefferson would be hustling backwards; leaving him on the perimeter would be waste of his size and power, and telling him to plant roots in the paint, like he's Shaq, would be a waste of his athleticism.

 

[Bricklayer]

But didn't you just say "Adding a three point shot is a gimmick for scrub bigs looking for a trick to keep them in the league..."? And now you dismiss as wusses all these "bigs" who have a legit long-range shot? I don't think anyone wants Cuz to become a perimeter player, Karl included. Just giving the man another weapon to make him even more effective. If he develops that skill and then becomes a wuss, you can say "I told you so."

I said precisely that, and your examples only illustrated that.

Dirk aside, who's entire early game was based on it -- he didn't add it, it was who he was, like a bigger Peja -- all of those guys had inherent wuss tendencies that were just amplified, and none gained respect by running away to the perimeter with the skirts between their legs. Dirk excepted (and again goat big man shooter who shot less when it mattered), you would very appropriately never expect any of those guys to carry his team to a title, because they didn't have "it". They didn't create problems. They settled and finessed and took the easy way out.

 

[Hadlowe]

The further out Cousins is, the fewer offensive rebounds he will get. Putbacks are often free points.
From the elbows, Cousins is a credible threat off the dribble, hitting a backdoor cutter, playing high-low with Koufos, or with his jumper. From three point range, you take away the threat off the dribble, the jump shot, and the passing when his defender sags and clogs the passing lanes. Cousins is a 5 with the skillset of a 4. He does not have the skillset of a 3, and it's a mistake to try to develop it.

 

[Chupacabra]

The further out Cousins is, the fewer offensive rebounds he will get. Putbacks are often free points.
From the elbows, Cousins is a credible threat off the dribble, hitting a backdoor cutter, playing high-low with Koufos, or with his jumper. From three point range, you take away the threat off the dribble, the jump shot, and the passing when his defender sags and clogs the passing lanes. Cousins is a 5 with the skillset of a 4. He does not have the skillset of a 3, and it's a mistake to try to develop it.

Lest we not forget that when Cousins is playing closer to the basket he draws more fouls on opposing bigmen. This has perhaps the biggest positive effect of all.

 

[SacKings384]

I love me some Cassipi, but we need a 3 and D guy to guard wing players. If we were to somehow acquire one then Cassipi would be the odd-man out (with Beleneli/B-Mac/Gay taking up the 2/3 position). I'm very pleased with WCS and how he has played so far. Can't wait to see him get in "game-shape" as he called it. I think playing alongside Boogie will do him some good in terms of learning new skills. Rondo looks great and seems to be into basketball again.

Main concerns:

• Defending the wings (KD, Thompson, LBJ, Kawhi, Westbrook, Wade, DeRozan, etc.)
• Shooting: With Rondo, Boogie, and WCS we are relying on B-Mac or Belinelli as our only real shooters. Rudy isn't reliable enough from outside to be a huge threat
• Cousins' three ball expedition. I am hoping this a pre-season anomaly.

Haven't been this excited about the start of a season in a long time!

 

[dude12]

I like what Karl is saying about Ben.......in general, it's time to step up and he hasn't to point, meaning he's going to lose playing time. Nothing against Ben or any other player but its winning time and not time to give a guy 30 minutes so he can develop.

 

[FaStRmAn]

The further out Cousins is, the fewer offensive rebounds he will get. Putbacks are often free points.
From the elbows, Cousins is a credible threat off the dribble, hitting a backdoor cutter, playing high-low with Koufos, or with his jumper. From three point range, you take away the threat off the dribble, the jump shot, and the passing when his defender sags and clogs the passing lanes. Cousins is a 5 with the skillset of a 4. He does not have the skillset of a 3, and it's a mistake to try to develop it.

I agree 100%. But not only that, I do NOT want Cousins running after stretch 4's on defense. That will get him in foul trouble quicker than normal. When WCS is in there, Cousins needs to be in the post, being the best center in the league. If he is matched up with Kufos, then Cousins has the talent to step out on offense and take jumpers, and develop an inside out game with Kufos. Kufos does not have the outside jumper game and is much more effective under the basket with his post moves and hook shots. But there is no telling against whom or how often those 2 will be in the game at the same time or for how long. Probably not as often as most would think unless they are going against a big front line such as Memphis. And lets not forget that Rudy could play some stretch 4 against some teams.

What is exciting is that the Kings HAVE these options ! They had NO backup center at ALL last year. The rotation in the front court was anemic. At least we HAVE players to rotate in that are not scrubs ! That is why I am so excited about this season. They actually have a full team (starters AND bench). Now if McLemore can just step up his GAME, they are gonna surprise a few teams.

 

[rainmaker]

I like what Karl is saying about Ben.......in general, it's time to step up and he hasn't to point, meaning he's going to lose playing time. Nothing against Ben or any other player but its winning time and not time to give a guy 30 minutes so he can develop.

Where'd he say that?

 

[Bricklayer]

Where'd he say that?

http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2015/...ndicates-a-reduction-in-ben-mclemores-minutes

 

[dude12]

Where'd he say that?

In the Sacbee today, he said Ben would probably lose time.......not only because of Bellinelli, but because of Collison. A blurb was mentioned that Anderson is playing better defense. Also, the coaches were working with Ben on making quicker decisions and because he's younger, he's not as "savvy" as the vets. Also working with him on staying confidant in his game even when he misses some shots. Karl likes him but maybe the best thing that could happen to him is that he plays less.....more or less.

 

[jcwkings]

It might benefit Ben to watch from the sidelines than play. I mean he should get some minutes but not close to the 30 plus mpg he averaged last year. I have him at 18-20 mpg at seasons end.

 

[dude12]

Karl has mentioned this but he is going to have his hands full getting playing time for guys.....Vlade almost got too many guys.....you can never have enough depth but the problems that come with it are keeping guys sharp and satisfied. I guess that is where the leaders come in and keeping all on the same page in reaching goals.

I'm sure Karl, as well as everyone, would rather have this problem than not having enough talent.....good problem to have.

 

[Warhawk]

Karl has mentioned this but he is going to have his hands full getting playing time for guys.....Vlade almost got too many guys.....you can never have enough depth but the problems that come with it are keeping guys sharp and satisfied. I guess that is where the leaders come in and keeping all on the same page in reaching goals.

I'm sure Karl, as well as everyone, would rather have this problem than not having enough talent.....good problem to have.

Obviously, if we get hit with any injuries the depth REALLY helps. But like you said, at times there will be guys who think they should be getting (more) minutes and that is up to the coaches and management to handle.