Thank you!I keep saying this when people comment that player effort is the reason we can't defend or secure rebounds. It's not all effort. How are you going to call these guys scrubs when we're playing under-sized at two positions because that's what the coach has decided to do for the entire season? It would take a tremendous effort for us to even be average under that handicap.
Bobby Jackson: "The Kings didn't have the effort, and that's why they lost tonight."
Boogie did a great job today (1) completely ignoring the refs (2) finding teammates in the half court. This is the Boogie we can build around.
I mentioned this before but even though Karl is epic fail as a coach he did make Boogie a better player by expanding his game.
Not sure what Rondo was out there doing except playing himself out of a new contract.
In the grand scheme of things if these losses net us Dunn or Buddy Hield it is worth it.
Let someone else get swept 4-0 by the Warriors and pretend their season was a success.
We definitely need a better number 2 player besides Gay.
I don't know if that's true or not. The Rudy Gay we had with Coach Malone for almost a year was good enough. He was an opportunistic 20 point scorer who shot a very good percentage, got to the line 5 or 6 times a game, and chipped in 3 or 4 assists per game for good measure. This year's version is definitely not cutting it. How much of this is George Karl and how much is Rudy declining physically/checking out mentally/worn out by all the running I can't really say. I can understand replacing him if you just want to wash the foul taste of this season out of your mouth. I'm not convinced that we have to replace him though.
Or how much is Rondo freezing him out. There are no assists giving it to Gay when he is going to go ISO and eliminate the assist. There are better players to throw the ball to in order to pad your assist stats.I don't know if that's true or not. The Rudy Gay we had with Coach Malone for almost a year was good enough. He was an opportunistic 20 point scorer who shot a very good percentage, got to the line 5 or 6 times a game, and chipped in 3 or 4 assists per game for good measure. This year's version is definitely not cutting it. How much of this is George Karl and how much is Rudy declining physically/checking out mentally/worn out by all the running I can't really say. I can understand replacing him if you just want to wash the foul taste of this season out of your mouth. I'm not convinced that we have to replace him though.
I don't know if that's true or not. The Rudy Gay we had with Coach Malone for almost a year was good enough. He was an opportunistic 20 point scorer who shot a very good percentage, got to the line 5 or 6 times a game, and chipped in 3 or 4 assists per game for good measure. This year's version is definitely not cutting it. How much of this is George Karl and how much is Rudy declining physically/checking out mentally/worn out by all the running I can't really say. I can understand replacing him if you just want to wash the foul taste of this season out of your mouth. I'm not convinced that we have to replace him though.
I hope it's us.....
If we got swept by the Warriors, we wouldn't be "pretending" that our season was a success.
I'd add Collison to the list of players I'd like back next season, but otherwise, I agree with your post.I listened to the first quarter or so of this game on the radio, gave up and went to gym and then against my better judgement I watched some of the third quarter and all of the fourth.
Yes, the Kings did enough late to make it look like it was a game, but I think that was more about the Jazz going cold and taking their foot off the gas than the Kings storming back. And it didn't really do anything to take away my frustration from the complete lack of effort to start the game.
I get that the team has lost faith in Karl as a coach. I get that the playoffs are not a real possibility but when the team comes out that flat and listlessly it makes me think that there's not a ton worth salvaging of this roster outside of Cousins.
What am I supposed to look at and think, "yeah, if they only had a real coach this team could compete"? Certainly nothing from Rondo or Gay today. Rudy has never been a great compliment to Cousins and when he just doesn't even bother showing up what's the rationale to keep him? And I don't care how much Cousins might want him back, how can the team resign Rondo to a big money deal when he doesn't show any fire, any real effort on defense and is outplayed by Utah's third string PG?
I'd like to see Cousins, Cauley-Stein, Casspi, Curry and maybe Koufos return next season.
Let me put it this way, better you than Houston.I hope it's us.....
Or how much is Rondo freezing him out. There are no assists giving it to Gay when he is going to go ISO and eliminate the assist. There are better players to throw the ball to in order to pad your assist stats.
That hurts a little.Let me put it this way, better you than Houston.
But, honestly, I'm pulling for Denver.
I don't know if that's true or not. The Rudy Gay we had with Coach Malone for almost a year was good enough. He was an opportunistic 20 point scorer who shot a very good percentage, got to the line 5 or 6 times a game, and chipped in 3 or 4 assists per game for good measure. This year's version is definitely not cutting it. How much of this is George Karl and how much is Rudy declining physically/checking out mentally/worn out by all the running I can't really say. I can understand replacing him if you just want to wash the foul taste of this season out of your mouth. I'm not convinced that we have to replace him though.
Kings players are playing to get traded, not playing to prevent from being traded. Why not be nice and accommodate them? Quitters play for their own stats - it's good for their next contract - and take siesta on the defensive end.
Only problem is that the clock is ticking on Cousins. We still have a lot of time, but the enough time is small enough to get just a bit worried.Ya, after talking it over with some friends last night, they were able to let me see the light on DMC. We have to deal with the laziness and the T's, if we lose him it is 76ers bad. With him, at least we will always have hope for the future. We definitely need a better number 2 player besides Gay.
Shots fired. I was skeptical about the Rondo signing, still am. Would rather have gotten something else besides at PG. We wouldn't be able to post up as effectively, I guessed. I saw some instances where that happened. But I still doubt his stat-padding tendencies, maybe he disguises it for all I know.Or how much is Rondo freezing him out. There are no assists giving it to Gay when he is going to go ISO and eliminate the assist. There are better players to throw the ball to in order to pad your assist stats.
Rondo is a factor, though Rudy Gay was taking about 15.5 shots per game under Coach Malone (and 5.5 free throws) and this year he's down to around 14.5 and 3.5 respectively so it's not a huge difference. Rondo will pass it to anyone who's in a position to score -- you can call it hunting assists, I just call it doing his job. The big difference I think from last year to this year is that we were setting up Rudy a lot more in his favorite spot at the free-throw line extended last year and letting him bully in for a post attempt. This year he's spending a lot more time spotted up at the three point line (pace and space) and while he's still hitting a respectable 36% from out there, he's not getting to the line nearly as much which is why his overall scoring is down.
This is what Malone/PDA got right about using Rudy Gay efficiently when they brought him here from Toronto -- he's deadly attacking the basket from 18-20 feet and below average when he has to start his drive from the three-point line. If we're obsessed with "spacing the floor" by pushing all of our wing players out to the three-point line than we might as well trade Rudy Gay because he's not going to excel in that role. Once again failure to formulate a plan and stick with it for more than a year dooms us to perpetual roster turnover.
I'd say that its more because we are using a 2 PG lineup that our defense stinks. Doesn't allow us to mask our small mistakes.Id like to see Collison given the reigns like last season, Rondo is a great passer and is very smart but he is the most ball dominant guard we have had in a long time, even more than Evans or IT and problem is he isnt a threat to score, so he just dribbles a ton and we know he is going to pass eventually. If Cousins is going to stay we must use him as the primary facilitator like he was late last season and was getting a ton of triple doubles. Collison is much more useful at that point than Rondo. His defense is god awful as well.
I honestly don't understand if you agree with me or not. It's a guess on my part based on the idea that Rondo, in his mind, must lead the league in assists. He is looking for one last big contract and leading the league looks good on the resume.Rondo is a factor, though Rudy Gay was taking about 15.5 shots per game under Coach Malone (and 5.5 free throws) and this year he's down to around 14.5 and 3.5 respectively so it's not a huge difference. Rondo will pass it to anyone who's in a position to score -- you can call it hunting assists, I just call it doing his job. The big difference I think from last year to this year is that we were setting up Rudy a lot more in his favorite spot at the free-throw line extended last year and letting him bully in for a post attempt. This year he's spending a lot more time spotted up at the three point line (pace and space) and while he's still hitting a respectable 36% from out there, he's not getting to the line nearly as much which is why his overall scoring is down.
This is what Malone/PDA got right about using Rudy Gay efficiently when they brought him here from Toronto -- he's deadly attacking the basket from 18-20 feet and below average when he has to start his drive from the three-point line. If we're obsessed with "spacing the floor" by pushing all of our wing players out to the three-point line than we might as well trade Rudy Gay because he's not going to excel in that role. Once again failure to formulate a plan and stick with it for more than a year dooms us to perpetual roster turnover.
I honestly don't understand if you agree with me or not. It's a guess on my part based on the idea that Rondo, in his mind, must lead the league in assists. He is looking for one last big contract and leading the league looks good on the resume.
He will pass to the people who will get him the assists. Cuz is #1. I don't know how many assisted baskets Cuz makes a game compared to assisted baskets by Gay but I will bet Cuz is gold to a guy who wants assists.
In my mind and perhaps in my mind only, this quest also explains wild ass passes that end up in the stands or in one way or another become a TO.
I may be wrong but it bothers me that we seem to have lost Gay especially as the season progresses. Rudy used to be a clear Robin to Boogies's Batman but now I am not sure what he is. I am exploring reasons. Perhaps Gay having a child is a problem. Perhaps he is injured. Perhaps Rondo is freezing him out. It all is worth a thought as a decision about Gay is coming up. If his troubles are because of Rondo, that's one thing. If it is Rudy losing his game, that's another.
He essentially said after the game that Omri looked tired and slow, because he had played a lot of minutes earlier in the game.Karl is the worst coach ever. Why to switch Casspi that has the best +/- at the team with Rondo that was the worst player at the team? :/