I think they intend and have always intended to start Casspi at the beginning of the season. That has given them the luxury of trying out everybody else in order to see who stays and who doesn't. Pretty logical, especially if this board is right and they have some small problems with where Casspi's head is.
Kings search for a small forward continues.
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mr. moustache
Bench
Egos aside, AND assuming Donte is able to play with some semblance of consistency; it's obvious the best thing for the team is Donte starting with Casspi coming off the bench. In exchange for coming off the bench, Casspi should have a longer leash than he would starting. Whoever gets minutes in crunchtime depends on what the team needs in crunchtime. If we need points, I'd go with Casspi. If we need defense; that *should* be Greene's forte. I've seen him play fantastic defense in fits, but I think it's a stretch to say he's a much better defender than Casspi.
I really wish Greene could rebound the ball. I'd feel better about him in the starting lineup if he could.
Nighthawk1
Starter
I'm happy with that, let them battle it out for the rest of pre-season and regular season... may the best man win
gunks
Hall of Famer
I actually think Omri is better than Donte at this point. Way better on the boards, better shotblocker, slightly more consistant offense, and (despite being labeled selfish) a better passer.
So...Yeah, I like him on the second unit. I could see him being our Manu in a couple years.
So...Yeah, I like him on the second unit. I could see him being our Manu in a couple years.
PurpleHaze
All-Star
I agree after watching both this pre-season. The other factor you didn't mention is confidence - Casspi has more of it. Sometimes it's maybe over-confidence but stacked up against Donte's apparent lack of it - I'll take Omri. Also, as has been pointed out by many around the NBA, Casspi has a bit of a mean streak, Donte, a cute streak - I'll take the mean streak. I also notice Casspi gets his hands on a lot of loose balls, works the defensive angles, which Donte seems to rather shy away from for some unknown reason. Donte has a few more pre-season games (as does Casspi) to change my mind and I really don't care which starts. Maybe Omri off the bench is the smart way to go. Bottom line is, Omri would seem to deserve more minutes than Greene at the 3. More times than not should be on the court at the end of games.
gunks
Hall of Famer
Good point!
Donte does seem pretty passive at times (like, all the time). Whereas Om is pretty fearless. Greene did have the better game tonight, I like that he got to the line 8 times and hit his threes. Neither of our youngins were really great against the Lakers though, but hey...Ron Ron is a scary matchup
Donte does seem pretty passive at times (like, all the time). Whereas Om is pretty fearless. Greene did have the better game tonight, I like that he got to the line 8 times and hit his threes. Neither of our youngins were really great against the Lakers though, but hey...Ron Ron is a scary matchup
Jechtsphere
Starter
So looks like it will be Greene.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
There's also the thinking that Casspi plays better off the bench. It's almost as if he's so mad that he's not starting, he comes into the game with more fire.
Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/sports/kings/archives/2010/10/greene-starts-f.html#ixzz12U3IyAUg
Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/sports/kings/archives/2010/10/greene-starts-f.html#ixzz12U3IyAUg
There might be some truth to that...
Tetsujin
The Game Thread Dude
There's also the thinking that Casspi plays better off the bench. It's almost as if he's so mad that he's not starting, he comes into the game with more fire.
Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/sports/kings/archives/2010/10/greene-starts-f.html#ixzz12U3IyAUg
There might be some truth to that...
I'm pretty sure Omri would play mad whether he started or not.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
I think the latest article also answers the question of what kind of weight Donte put on. He sat in his mom's kitchen and didn't work out much. Which he admits. I like Donte a lot, but I simply don't understand how a player with that much promise, who knew he was in competition for the starting position, could just sit around and do nothing. Especially when his best friend on the team, Thompson, is a work out junkie. I hope he's learned his lesson..
SCKingsfan
Bench
Not sure what the lesson is.... that if you are talented enough on a lottery team, you can be fairly complacent all summer, not stay in shape, and still earn the starting job? The guy is destined to be a career bench player if that is his over-the-summer attitude, particularly at his young age and this early period in his career. I don't know what the payoff for JT's summer work ethic will be, but I already see what appears to be improvements in his offensive game since last season, which is what you expect of a younger player trying to earn value in the league. Can he slow down sometimes and stay out of foul trouble - that remains to be seen.
kingsboi
Hall of Famer
If indeed it is true about Donte just eating and stuffing his face while putting no time and effort in the weight room, that is sad on his part. I mean, you are projected to compete with Casspi for a starting spot and for a young team that is slowly looking to build it's reputation again by starting to win some games and he just goes along like he doesn't care and lacks the intelligence to go to the gym and keep working on his game. His game still needs a lot of work, I don't know what his peak will be and whether he will reach it or not, but by displaying lazyness like this is not a step in the right direction, obviously. I am disappointed in Donte about this, I thought he actually gained MUSCLE in the offseason, I guess I was wrong. I sure hope he gets his act together because if he doesn't start for too long, I would not blame Westphal for yanking him and showing him what it takes to be a starter for this team.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
From todays article in the Bee:
I think early, Donté was battling conditioning issues, and he also was probably battling himself a little bit," Westphal said. "I didn't think he was bringing the same enthusiasm that we've come to expect, that's when he's at his best. And he was thinking too much. Now, I see him playing a little looser."
Greene admittedly spent more time in the offseason at home in Baltimore than he probably should have. When training camp started on Sept. 28, he wasn't in the best condition. He also said that extra conditioning to lose the weight might have drained him.
"I went home this summer," Greene said. "I wasn't here in Sacramento, and I didn't have the facilities, but I'm here now, and we're going to put that behind us and keep it moving."
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/10/16/3108409/greene-to-start-for-kings-at-small.html#ixzz12Y096lK4
I think early, Donté was battling conditioning issues, and he also was probably battling himself a little bit," Westphal said. "I didn't think he was bringing the same enthusiasm that we've come to expect, that's when he's at his best. And he was thinking too much. Now, I see him playing a little looser."
Greene admittedly spent more time in the offseason at home in Baltimore than he probably should have. When training camp started on Sept. 28, he wasn't in the best condition. He also said that extra conditioning to lose the weight might have drained him.
"I went home this summer," Greene said. "I wasn't here in Sacramento, and I didn't have the facilities, but I'm here now, and we're going to put that behind us and keep it moving."
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/10/16/3108409/greene-to-start-for-kings-at-small.html#ixzz12Y096lK4
rainmaker
Hall of Famer
I'm a little confused as to where exactly the breakdown in communication happened. I read the article in the Bee, and Donte seems to have taken responsibility for what happened. Basically saying he screwed up by spending too much time at home and showing up overweight, really not working hard enough this offseason.
But here's what I don't get. Anyone following Donte's twitter this summer saw that he was in Sac for nearly the entire month of June working out. Then, he returned in July for a few days, and then played with the team in the summer league. He was back in Sac yet again working out in Aug. So, it's not as if the coaching staff didn't see him all summer. Even if Donte went off and did his own thing as he says he did, how can the coaching staff possibly be so clueless as to Donte's weight gain? My guess is there's more to it then the public knows, which is fine, and that both Donte and the team are moving on.
However, wherever the breakdown was I'm concerned about something similar happening in the future. I would hope during Cousins first few years in the league we do a better job of keeping tabs of his weight gain/loss during the offseason. Entering training camp last year Donte, JT, and Spencer hadn't had the best of offseasons, and I'm somewhat surprised more attention wasn't directed to that area this offseason.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Mom must be a good cook.
And its another time to grow up thing for Donte. Can't live in mama's kitchen your whole life. Sooner or later you have to strike out and take responsibility yourself.
This changes things a little. First of course it takes it off the coaching staff and puts it on Donte -- getting fat is on noone else. Second it really does make you wonder about the dedication again. And hey, coming into training camp out of shape and working your way into it is very common around the league, and really no harm done. But I can only imagine that if he was inactive enough over the summer to put on 25lbs of non-muscle, then how much could he have been working on his game?
asakkings
Bench
His mom needs to cook him some healthier food, I always lose weight when I go home since my mom makes healthier food than what I normally eat by myself.
Tetsujin
The Game Thread Dude
His mom's dead.
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