Kings-Trailblazers game discussion for 10-21

[mac]

I really hope the fantastic free throw shooting continues. Miller KT and Martin should be shot for missing a FT each , causing the free throw % to be a horrible 90%. Really amazing, and strangely enough it's the reverse of the previous game's score but +10 to each team. As for the rebounding, we shouldn't get too hyped yet because Aldridge didn't play. Nevertheless, hope the excellent play continues!

 

[dude12]

That was right after he came in and that ended up being his only turnover. He ended up notching 4 assists, with a steal, a block and 7 pts. ... not a bad night handling the ball IMO.

He's certainly getting better but an NBA PG should not get picked one on one just bringing the ball upcourt. During the regular season, I think teams will pressure him full-length looking for the easy turnover. Dude's getting better though.

 

[Jespher]

Man it sure looked easy out there for the Kings without Roy and Aldridge playing. I think this team will really step it up at home this year, especially with it's renewed passion for defense, so I'd expect to see a lot more home wins than last year. The road will be tough though...

 

[jcassio]

Nice game for the Kings, despite the fact that they were playing against sub-par competition. But they took care of business, and that's all you can ask.
Important game for Cisco and Mikki. Nice to see them playing in a good rhythm.
Encouraging performance by Darryl Watkins, especially in the shadow of concern cast by the Justin Williams question. But like someone else pointed out, Justin has that 'energy' for rebounding & blocking shots that could mean so much to the Kings. Watkins may eventually be a nice all-around big man, but he's not the answer to the team's pressing need for rebounds & blocks.
Speaking of rebounds, Miller is just not good at it. (I'm trying to be kind.) Even with his new body, the only time he gets decent rebound numbers is when a game comes and a few loose rebounds just fall into his hands. Otherwise he just doesn't compete well for rebounds. I'd guess he rebounds at a rate of about 5 per game (not counting the 1-3 freebies). As long as Miller's playing near the basket, the Kings are going to have a rebound deficit. Unless you pair him with a monster rebounder...

 

[CruzDude]

This is the first game in which Watkins got some real playing time and showed what he is capable of. Lets see how he does vs. Clips and Fakers this week. If he strings together 2-3 good games then we all can be giddy at the front court we never had before. Plus as said, he is a good FTer. Plus he was a 4-yr guy at Syracuse against better competition than Williams.

Douby continues to impress as does Bibbs better D.

I love Brads game now.

KT is such an enigma: great rebounder, bad finisher, but is trying more mid-range shots.

SAR and Hawes will really change the mix when they get back to 100% as they will take time from Watkins and Williams for sure and maybe Mikki, but Mikki is showing abilities around the basket that Kings sorely need and that SAR doesn't have too much.

SAR should be 100% about the time Ron Ron gets back and with the experience being gained by Watkins and Mikki, Kings should finally have a front court that can do some damage and gain some advantages they have never had. Yep, never had. When did we have 5 bigs who can rebound, block and score??? I'm becoming a much happier camper.

 

[bajaden]

This is the first game in which Watkins got some real playing time and showed what he is capable of. Lets see how he does vs. Clips and Fakers this week. If he strings together 2-3 good games then we all can be giddy at the front court we never had before. Plus as said, he is a good FTer. Plus he was a 4-yr guy at Syracuse against better competition than Williams.

Douby continues to impress as does Bibbs better D.

I love Brads game now.

KT is such an enigma: great rebounder, bad finisher, but is trying more mid-range shots.

SAR and Hawes will really change the mix when they get back to 100% as they will take time from Watkins and Williams for sure and maybe Mikki, but Mikki is showing abilities around the basket that Kings sorely need and that SAR doesn't have too much.

SAR should be 100% about the time Ron Ron gets back and with the experience being gained by Watkins and Mikki, Kings should finally have a front court that can do some damage and gain some advantages they have never had. Yep, never had. When did we have 5 bigs who can rebound, block and score??? I'm becoming a much happier camper.

For those of you not familiar with Watkins, here are his senior year stats.

29 minutes a game, 54.4FG%, 8.1Pts, 7.5 rebounds, 3.4 blocks.

His adjusted per 40 minutes a game would be.

11.1 Pts, 10.4 rebounds, 4.7 blocks.

I think you'll find that his stats compare favorably with Williams. I think Williams is a little more athletic than Watkins, but that Watkins has more of an all around game, and a better understanding of the offensive end. I find Watkins intriguing and he may have more long range potential than Williams. In a perfect world, I would keep both, but Williams problems may just give Watkins the nod...

 

[fnordius]

Great game, but I'm going to hold back before reaching any conclusions.

Watkins is kind of the microcosm edition. He was known for being a talented underachiever. He'd show occasional glimpses, but a lot of the time he didn't seem very motivated. Maybe he's totally changed, or maybe this was just one freakishly good game.

We will see.

 

[Jerryaki]

When did we have 5 bigs who can rebound, block and score??? I'm becoming a much happier camper.

which 5 are you speaking of?

 

[Kingster]

For those of you not familiar with Watkins, here are his senior year stats.

29 minutes a game, 54.4FG%, 8.1Pts, 7.5 rebounds, 3.4 blocks.

His adjusted per 40 minutes a game would be.

11.1 Pts, 10.4 rebounds, 4.7 blocks.

I think you'll find that his stats compare favorably with Williams. I think Williams is a little more athletic than Watkins, but that Watkins has more of an all around game, and a better understanding of the offensive end. I find Watkins intriguing and he may have more long range potential than Williams. In a perfect world, I would keep both, but Williams problems may just give Watkins the nod...

Watkins definitely has an edge over Williams because of free throw shooting. Unless you are a demi-god of blocked shots and rebounding you just can't make it in the NBA without being able to shoot free throws.

 

[fnordius]

Unless you are a demi-god of blocked shots and rebounding you just can't make it in the NBA without being able to shoot free throws.

Our starting PF is a 51.3% FT shooter. Unless they cut KT's minutes and skip over Brad, SAR, Moore and Hawes, I doubt that our 6th-string big's FT percentage is going to change the outcome of many games.

Anyway, you don't have to be Shaq or Ben Wallace or Tim Duncan to brick your FTs. You can be Biedrins (52%) or Gadzuric (46%) or Steven Hunter (49%) and still be a keeper.

 

[Kingster]

Our starting PF is a 51.3% FT shooter. Unless they cut KT's minutes and skip over Brad, SAR, Moore and Hawes, I doubt that our 6th-string big's FT percentage is going to change the outcome of many games.

Anyway, you don't have to be Shaq or Ben Wallace or Tim Duncan to brick your FTs. You can be Biedrins (52%) or Gadzuric (46%) or Steven Hunter (49%) and still be a keeper.

I don't see your point. Biedrins is an *excellent* athlete - shot blocker, rebounder, finisher. I'd take the guy right now, despite his FT %, over anybody the Kings have. JW isn't in his class.

 

[BMiller52]

I don't see your point. Biedrins is an *excellent* athlete - shot blocker, rebounder, finisher. I'd take the guy right now, despite his FT %, over anybody the Kings have. JW isn't in his class.

Over any player on the roster or any big man?