NewArena
All-Star
Word is that the starters had just thoroughly embarrassed the young guys the day before. Probably took it easy on them combined with tired legs but it's all the same team and i love how competitive this camp seems to be.
Kings training camp 2025 open thread
- Thread starter Tetsujin
- Start date
sono
Starter
It is encouraging, Scott and Doug are on the same page. Doug clearly feels enthusiastic.
NewArena
All-Star
Agreed. I know fans must see it to believe it, but Doug has never struck me as someone that says things he doesn’t mean. He’s been around this franchise for years, so for him to say that he feels and sees a synergy that hasn’t been there since his playing days, that’s a big deal to me.
Once again, Doug talking the talk about defense. Can he back it up if the vets (Dennis/LaVine/DDR/Monk/Domas) aren't following through?
Kingster
Hall of Famer
SO WHAT? What has that got to do with the fact that he doesn't even know what identity they are trying to form? His language is BS and is as waffling as his defense. Does anyone think that Christie hasn't had conversation with him and everybody else on the team about defense? Come on. And instead of getting an answer from LaVine like: "We're going to form an identity around defense and being physical and tough and competing for 48 minutes" we get: "We're going to try to form an identity." LOL. LaVine is so weak he cannot even communicate a desire to play defense, much less play it.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
Fox and Brown weren't even around when LaVine was here. It doesn't make sense you're even bringing them up in reference to LaVine. Look, I get the whole discontinuity, lack of cohesion, chaos thing prior to the entrance of LaVine. But when Christie took over I think it was clear to any moron that his expertise was clearly on the defensive end. So why should there be chaos, ambiguity, confusion about THAT? There shouldn't. Period. So why should there be any doubt whatsoever that this team should in great part form an identity around defense? Is that confusing? No. Does it make sense? Yes. So why the hell can't LaVine just enunciate the words: We're going to play fricken defense like our lives depend upon it! Instead, we get waffling answer that would make any politician proud: We're going to try to form an identity. Now that's a call to arms! Come on team - let's try to form an identity!
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SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
And if the defense isn't there it's up to Doug to make his words matter and make rotation choices.
Caccia
Starter
I am less interested in the rotations than in the overall strategy. Defending "94 feet" is an aspiration, not a defensive strategy for closing out three-point shooters, stopping pick-and-roll plays in the paint, or boxing out, or help defense. The four pre-season games should give us a good idea of what the team plans to roll out this year.
NewArena
All-Star
Very true. I don't expect them to share exact plans in these small press interviews, but, like you, I'm very very curious to see it. I think last season taught most of these guys that preseason most definitely matters to an extent and I expect a much more serious approach this time around.
I'll take not helping off every god damn corner 3pt shooter and allowing opponents to shoot the best 3pt% in the league vs us.
Telemachus
Starter
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Yeah, they should. I think the idea is basically ball pressure which is the right call these days. Now, the tell tale will be his strategy on pick and roll. That will definitely show if his commitment is to pressure defense.
NewArena
All-Star
Maybe it can happen it times if what coach DC says about their extensive effort is true. Obviously there’s only so much all of them can do together on the defensive side of the ball, but i do expect them to be better under this staff and as they build real chemistry.
NewArena
All-Star
I’m super intrigued
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Him coming into camp in the shape he did is a good sign. Hopefully he pans out because his defensive potential is off the charts.
Cardwell remains a real interesting case. Anchor the best defense in college, just pop off the screen in every aspect of being a defensive player... but legitimately starting from level 1 on offense. I don't know if we've seen an NBA caliber player thats as bad as he is offensively in a long time.
I didn't pay attention to him until he got to the Pistons, maybe Ben Wallace?
Yeah, idk if Ben would even survive the post 2014 Warriors era of basketball at all. You just can't punt an offensive player anymore like you could pre-Steph Warriors. Spacing the floor and having all 5 guys be a threat has become too important. How many times has Rudy Gobert, one of the best defensive players this league has ever seen, been played off the floor in the playoffs at this point?
Still if he's a D+ on offensive and a A on defense, that's rotation worthy imo, considering the vast amount of bigs that somehow still have a job today. Just got to bet on him being able to figure SOMETHING out on offense.
Telemachus
Starter
Probably the closest player to him on offense is Clint Capella.
Jdbraver137
Bench
He would have been a good layer in the 90s. And maybe if the rooks were 20 instead of 25 we could see upside to his offense. But at 25 they are what they are.
