[Game] Kings v. Thunder - 2/29/16 - 7 PT, 10 ET

[Capt. Factorial]

I don't suppose you've considered that, if we didn't play so fast, maybe Cousins wouldn't be the last player down the court as often?

I've considered it. But given that we play 4.5 possessions per game faster than the average team, and that Cousins plays about 72% of our minutes, that translates to about 3.2 extra trips (one trip = one back and forth) per game. Do I believe that if he played 3.2 fewer trips per game Cousins would be among the first players down the floor most trips? No, I do not. So yes, I've considered this hypothesis, but I've rejected it as a reasonable explanation.

Also, why would Collison being our best bench player mean that he has to be played in conjunction with two other guards all the time?

That's true, Collison being our best bench player does a better job of explaining him being played out of position at the SG so much, and not the three-guard lineups.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I've considered it. But given that we play 4.5 possessions per game faster than the average team, and that Cousins plays about 72% of our minutes, that translates to about 3.2 extra trips (one trip = one back and forth) per game. Do I believe that if he played 3.2 fewer trips per game Cousins would be among the first players down the floor most trips? No, I do not. So yes, I've considered this hypothesis, but I've rejected it as a reasonable explanation.

I submit, then, that you may be looking at the games too much in isolation, rather than considering the cumulative effect over the course of a full season. Pennies add up; you can't just dismiss it as, "Nah, three extra trips ain't gonna wear the big fella out!", as if every game is opening night, or the first night after the All-Star break, or something.

 

[KingsCitizen]

what for? do you really think putting a band aid on this wound will help salvage anything of any sort? just accept the losing and take it like a champ because that's what this organization is known for.

In most occasions, band-aid actually helps cure wounds. It prevents foreign objects to infect the wound further. Now back to the NBA......

 

[Sac.1989]

You add players like those when you are a contender and looking for more depth to add to your roster. Not when you are a bottom dweller or mediocre team with no direction and identity. It's spinning the wheel.

Martin or MT would be a significant upgrade over what we have currently though at SG - yeah these additions are normally for contenders but you need to explore all you can when you're in a situation like ours where you have a position which just isnt performing as is.

 

[kingsboi]

Martin or MT would be a significant upgrade over what we have currently though at SG - yeah these additions are normally for contenders but you need to explore all you can when you're in a situation like ours where you have a position which just isnt performing as is.

You really want to bring in more offense and no defense? That's what MT or Martin would provide...as if the team doesn't score enough. This is not the right move to make right now, you want to salvage a lost season now?

 

[Sac.1989]

It's far from lost. We have our easiest segment of the schedule coming up and it's not like we've played with a defensive mentality all season. Give Karl what he wants and off we go, a sg who can hit long and make plays off a screan would do well for us.

 

[funkykingston]

I've considered it. But given that we play 4.5 possessions per game faster than the average team, and that Cousins plays about 72% of our minutes, that translates to about 3.2 extra trips (one trip = one back and forth) per game. Do I believe that if he played 3.2 fewer trips per game Cousins would be among the first players down the floor most trips? No, I do not. So yes, I've considered this hypothesis, but I've rejected it as a reasonable explanation.

It isn't just the number of possessions, it's the whole approach. Cousins is asked to run at every opportunity and that does wear on a big body but moreover he's often asked to attack the defense starting at the 3 point line. Banging in the post takes a physical toll too but I haven't seen Boogie hit the floor in the offensive end so often in any other season. A 270 lb dude shouldn't be trying to go at he hoop like a guard so often.

 

[kingsboi]

It isn't just the number of possessions, it's the whole approach. Cousins is asked to run at every opportunity and that does wear on a big body but moreover he's often asked to attack the defense starting at the 3 point line. Banging in the post takes a physical toll too but I haven't seen Boogie hit the floor in the offensive end so often in any other season. A 270 lb dude shouldn't be trying to go at he hoop like a guard so often.

Hopefully after this season we won't be seeing that anymore out of him.

 

[Bricklayer]

You really want to bring in more offense and no defense? That's what MT or Martin would provide...as if the team doesn't score enough. This is not the right move to make right now, you want to salvage a lost season now?

Season is not lost yet.

And there is some real value this time in making sure it doesn't turn into another debacle.

Cuz's mindset
Vlade's job
Rondo's return
caliber of new coaching candidates who will consider it
quality of free agents who will consider it

all of those things are in play now, and notably different if we were to quit again and win 29 vs. making a run and still having a mathematical shot in the last week or some such, let alone actually pulling it off.

 

[hrdboild]

Season is not lost yet.

And there is some real value this time in making sure it doesn't turn into another debacle.

Cuz's mindset
Vlade's job
Rondo's return
caliber of new coaching candidates who will consider it
quality of free agents who will consider it

all of those things are in play now, and notably different if we were to quit again and win 29 vs. making a run and still having a mathematical shot in the last week or some such, let alone actually pulling it off.

I agree this time. The drawbacks of tanking this year far outweigh the advantages. We need to play hard right up to the final game and then assess where we're at. If nothing else it's important to show DeMarcus that our commitment to winning is 100%.

 

[randymoss1881]

Tanking!! Is this crap serious in the words of steve smith "Ice up son"

 

[kingsboi]

Season is not lost yet.

And there is some real value this time in making sure it doesn't turn into another debacle.

Cuz's mindset
Vlade's job
Rondo's return
caliber of new coaching candidates who will consider it
quality of free agents who will consider it

all of those things are in play now, and notably different if we were to quit again and win 29 vs. making a run and still having a mathematical shot in the last week or some such, let alone actually pulling it off.

That's nice to look at in hindsight but the truth of the matter is, this team does not have the hunger or the drive. I really don't see the desire to play for this coach, the players are going through the motions. Do you really believe bringing in a Kevin Martin let's say...will change that approach all of a sudden? I don't see it. Maybe you're more optimistic than I. Kudos.

 

[VF21]

That's nice to look at in hindsight but the truth of the matter is, this team does not have the hunger or the drive. I really don't see the desire to play for this coach, the players are going through the motions. Do you really believe bringing in a Kevin Martin let's say...will change that approach all of a sudden? I don't see it. Maybe you're more optimistic than I. Kudos.

I think the players are just worn out, physically and mentally, at this point. They do have the hunger and the drive but it's hard to maintain on a consistent basis when your head coach is acting like the Mad Hatter.

 

[kingsboi]

I think the players are just worn out, physically and mentally, at this point. They do have the hunger and the drive but it's hard to maintain on a consistent basis when your head coach is acting like the Mad Hatter.

I see hunger from Boogie, Acy, Collison and Trill. That's it. It's as if those meetings between Rondo, Cousins and Karl didn't process or something because they are still playing at the same pace.