[Game] Kings v. Trailblazers - 4/5/16 - 7 PT, 10 ET

[King Baller]

Was it you before the season or during talking about how Harkless has become decent he's been terrific since they replaced him with Vonleh in the starting line up. Also Ed Davis and Plumlee has slaughtered plenty of teams on the glass. Blazers are by far the most athletic team in the NBA in terms of rotation players there worst athlete is CJ and he's decent and they got elite athletes for days.

The Blazers have done a nice job with that team. They scored in the draft with Lillard and CJ. Then they made trades and signed free agents to round out the team. Harkless, Plumlee, Aminu and Davis are hard nosed rebounders and defenders. Lillard, CJ, along with Crabbe and Henderson are a great guard line who all can knock down the three ball.

The Kings lost this game on rebounds and turnovers. Rebounds - Blazers = 49 and Kings = 34 Along with 19 turnovers for the KingsBut I'm not disappointed in this loss. I liked watching the young guys compete.

 

[ESP47]

Rondo with another James Hardenesque defensive effort.

I'm pretty convinced not resigning this guy would be the best thing for the team. He puts up numbers that look impressive and his passing skills are incredible but he gives up so much on the defensive end, it's astounding. He just floats around looking for steals and rebounds seemingly without a care in the world for the other team scoring.

 

[gilly420]

Ironically, the constant whining and critiquing over Cousins demeanor/behaviour is far worse and predictable than anything the kid actually does. Everyone preaching about what he needs to do should heed your own advice and stop incessantly complaining about it. Give it a damn rest already.

Sorry man, I am a paying customer and I am not happy with the product that the Kings are putting out. The "kid" needs to grow the hell up. Season ticket holders who pay the freight are sick and tired of it.

 

[jaysutton2003]

Completely off topic but I didn't know where to ask this. Does anyone know where I can watch the Playing to Win documentary? I was really looking forward to watching it then it got pulled. I've tried to find it online with no luck.

 

[Chubbs]

Sorry man, I am a paying customer and I am not happy with the product that the Kings are putting out. The "kid" needs to grow the hell up. Season ticket holders who pay the freight are sick and tired of it.

If you can explain how the product will improve by getting rid of the best player I'd love to hear it.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

All those flexible pieces we'll get back in exchange, of course.

 

[Jose]

Ironically, the constant whining and critiquing over Cousins demeanor/behaviour is far worse and predictable than anything the kid actually does. Everyone preaching about what he needs to do should heed your own advice and stop incessantly complaining about it. Give it a damn rest already.

I've stayed away from the whole Cousins "thing" - if you look at my posts, I rarely post and this was my first Cousins-related post. I'm not preaching about what he needs to do - I'm talking about what he needs to STOP doing. As a basketball coach, I would NEVER, EVER let one of my players get away with what he did last night. Completely unprovoked and unnecessary. This "kid" (as someone else called him) needs to be coached / counseled / advised / whatever you want to name it. No respectable organization would condone this. No employer would tolerate this behavior from one of their employees. Are you saying you would?

 

[gilly420]

someone help me try to figure this one out, how do the Kings get out rebounded 19 to 3 on the offensive glass with a 6'11 and 7'0 ft bigs on the court?

Willie needs to bulk up a bit so he can get in there with the big boys. He is easily moved off his spot by physical bigs. That is my read on it.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Willie needs to bulk up a bit so he can get in there with the big boys. He is easily moved off his spot by physical bigs. That is my read on it.

Rebounding has long been an issue with Willie, from what I recall reading and discussing before the draft. Baja, feel free to correct me, though!

 

[Capt. Factorial]

All those flexible pieces we'll get back in exchange, of course.

I don't know why expectations are so low on Cousins trade returns. I mean, he's the best big man in the league, right?

Let's not even try to compare the return for Webber with what a Cousins return might look like. Webber had a broken knee and a four-year contract that varied between 34-40% of the league salary cap. That's an albatross. You trade that, you get "flexible pieces". Cousins is (minor foot issue aside) completely healthy and has a two-year contract that's going to be at about 17% of the league salary cap (salary cap still TBD, so can't be specific). The best big man in the league not even making 20% of the salary cap? You trade that, you get a haul - or you don't trade it.

 

[LPKingsFan]

If you can explain how the product will improve by getting rid of the best player I'd love to hear it.

I like watching Cousins play. I pay to see Cousins play.

I would prefer that he stop doing things that jeopardize his ability to play.

Is that too much to ask?

 

[LPKingsFan]

The more I see of Curry the more I think the list of offseason needs is shrinking:

Cousins
Cauley Stein
3rd big (Anderson?)
Koufos (expendable if necessary to get other pices)
Acy

3 and D SF
Casspi

3 and D SG
Curry

Rondo
Collison

Head Coach

Curry's development during this last stretch is certainly encouraging, but I wonder if it's made him less likely to opt-in. The ball is in his court, right? We shall see.

To your broader plan, I'm glad you recognize that something has to give with the Cousins-Gay-Rondo core. The consensus on this site seems to be that the core is fine and that firing Karl will fix everything. I'm not convinced it is that simple or easy. There are issues with fit and leadership that need to be addressed. It is not all coaching.

If Rondo stays, I'm not sure we should keep Collison, although I like him. But if you are committing to play Rondo, Collison, and Curry all decent rotation minutes, you are going to be playing quite small.

And I'm agreed on Koufos. He seems to have finally rediscovered his touch around the hoop, but while I supported the signing last summer I don't think the fit is there given that it seems like he shouldn't play much next to Cousins. That limits his effectiveness given that Cousins should be playing major minutes. If you can get a third big like Anderson, you can likely get away with an Aldrich-type backup center.

I'm still worried we might not have enough assets to really make a retooling around Cousins successful before he turns into an expiring contract pumpkin, but I still like it better than the alternative at this point.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I don't know why expectations are so low on Cousins trade returns. I mean, he's the best big man in the league, right?

Why would expectations be so low on a trade involving the Sacramento Kings? I can't imagine.

 

[Telemachus]

Curry's development during this last stretch is certainly encouraging, but I wonder if it's made him less likely to opt-in. The ball is in his court, right? We shall see.

To your broader plan, I'm glad you recognize that something has to give with the Cousins-Gay-Rondo core. The consensus on this site seems to be that the core is fine and that firing Karl will fix everything. I'm not convinced it is that simple or easy. There are issues with fit and leadership that need to be addressed. It is not all coaching.

If Rondo stays, I'm not sure we should keep Collison, although I like him. But if you are committing to play Rondo, Collison, and Curry all decent rotation minutes, you are going to be playing quite small.

And I'm agreed on Koufos. He seems to have finally rediscovered his touch around the hoop, but while I supported the signing last summer I don't think the fit is there given that it seems like he shouldn't play much next to Cousins. That limits his effectiveness given that Cousins should be playing major minutes. If you can get a third big like Anderson, you can likely get away with an Aldrich-type backup center.

I'm still worried we might not have enough assets to really make a retooling around Cousins successful before he turns into an expiring contract pumpkin, but I still like it better than the alternative at this point.

I don't think most believe that firing Karl fixes everything. I think most feel that a better coach would have got this team to play around. 500, which would've put them in the playoff hunt. That would still leave plenty of problems to fix before this team is thinking of anything other than just trying to make the playoffs.

 

[bajaden]

All those flexible pieces we'll get back in exchange, of course.

Sounds like a catch 22. Dammed if you do, and dammed if you don't.

 

[bajaden]

Rebounding has long been an issue with Willie, from what I recall reading and discussing before the draft. Baja, feel free to correct me, though!

No, your correct. The problem is trying to get a read as to why. The way he's been used has something to do with it. When you put him out on the perimeter guarding the ball, it makes it difficult for him to get back and rebound. However, to some extent I think he's bought into that scenario. Where I take issue with his rebounding in on the offensive end. Too often it appears he's more of a spectator than a participant. Willie has always played on a team with a good rebounder, and, to the best of my knowledge, has never been asked to make rebounding a priority.

It's an area that he needs to improve, and I think he will. One thing Willie is known for is being a hard worker. No doubt another 20 pounds of muscle will help in that dept. I expect a new Willie next season.

 

[ppine]

On a night when the alumni of the Sacramento Kings were in attendance, Cousins could still not manage to contain his emotions in the fourth quarter and got called for a blatant tech foul and will sit another game. His talent was on full display, and so were his mental weaknesses.

 

[bajaden]

Why would expectations be so low on a trade involving the Sacramento Kings? I can't imagine.

Well, your not trading for the franchise, your trading for the best center in the league. Two entirely different issues. I would certainly remind any trading partner of that. I realize that your speaking to fan expectations. Fortunately the fans aren't making the trade decisions. Now of course if it were me making the decisions...........

 

[Capt. Factorial]

On a night when the alumni of the Sacramento Kings were in attendance, Cousins could still not manage to contain his emotions in the fourth quarter and got called for a blatant tech foul and will sit another game. His talent was on full display, and so were his mental weaknesses.

After the initial suspension, subsequent suspensions come at every two technicals, not at every one. Cousins is not currently suspended for any future game and will not receive another suspension this year unless he receives one more tech.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Well, your not trading for the franchise, your trading for the best center in the league. Two entirely different issues. I would certainly remind any trading partner of that. I realize that your speaking to fan expectations. Fortunately the fans aren't making the trade decisions. Now of course if it were me making the decisions...........

I would argue that it isn't necessarily fortunate that the fans aren't making the trade decisions. Probably depends on the fan.

Not me, though: if nominated, I will not run. If elected, I will not serve.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Sounds like a catch 22. Dammed if you do, and dammed if you don't.

It occurs to me that it's only a catch-22 if you stipulate that you are, in fact, damned if you don't. I do not so stipulate.

 

[HndsmCelt]

After the initial suspension, subsequent suspensions come at every two technicals, not at every one. Cousins is not currently suspended for any future game and will not receive another suspension this year unless he receives one more tech.

But after that next T ppine will be free to complain about mental weakness and team cancer on multiple threads!

 

[Bricklayer]

I've stayed away from the whole Cousins "thing" - if you look at my posts, I rarely post and this was my first Cousins-related post. I'm not preaching about what he needs to do - I'm talking about what he needs to STOP doing. As a basketball coach, I would NEVER, EVER let one of my players get away with what he did last night. Completely unprovoked and unnecessary. This "kid" (as someone else called him) needs to be coached / counseled / advised / whatever you want to name it. No respectable organization would condone this. No employer would tolerate this behavior from one of their employees. Are you saying you would?

You take great ones as you find them.

I have mentioned before that not just some, but perhaps as many as MOST of the truly great players have had some pretty significant personality flaws. It might even run in the breed. The ones who weren't choking each other out and getting in brawls, were knocking up strippers in every state, getting AIDS from prostitutes, punching out people in bars, living in different cities and forcing the team to hold practices in the afternoon so they could recover form their nights of debauchery, pissing on casino floors, escaping rape charges, firing coaches, engaging in feuds with teammates, sometimes sleeping with teammates wives, rampant homophobes, alcoholics, beating up teammates in practice, hitting their wives/gfs at home, gambling addicts, and oh yes, some of them don't like the refs.

That's before we get to guys who were just kind of assholes like Kareem or KG,

I wonder how Kings fans would have reacted if we gotten Dennis Rodman back in the day.

 

[kupman]

^^^Ironically, Charles was able to make it to the finals by working with Paul Westphal - not against him.

But I am sure that we will find the right coach for DMC next time.

 

[bajaden]

I would argue that it isn't necessarily fortunate that the fans aren't making the trade decisions. Probably depends on the fan.

Not me, though: if nominated, I will not run. If elected, I will not serve.

Damm, and I was about to ask you to be my chief assistant.....

 

[bajaden]

You take great ones as you find them.

I have mentioned before that not just some, but perhaps as many as MOST of the truly great players have had some pretty significant personality flaws. It might even run in the breed. The ones who weren't choking each other out and getting in brawls, were knocking up strippers in every state, getting AIDS from prostitutes, punching out people in bars, living in different cities and forcing the team to hold practices in the afternoon so they could recover form their nights of debauchery, pissing on casino floors, escaping rape charges, firing coaches, engaging in feuds with teammates, sometimes sleeping with teammates wives, rampant homophobes, alcoholics, beating up teammates in practice, hitting their wives/gfs at home, gambling addicts, and oh yes, some of them don't like the refs.

That's before we get to guys who were just kind of assholes like Kareem or KG,

I wonder how Kings fans would have reacted if we gotten Dennis Rodman back in the day.

The difference is winning. The fans would love Attila the Hun if the team was winning. Everyone hated Danny Ainge when he was with Boston, but when he came to the Kings, well, he was our Danny Ainge. We loved him. It's more about winning than anything else. It cures most of the problems.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

^^^Ironically, Charles was able to make it to the finals by working with Paul Westphal - not against him.

Barkley also went to a team that had won 53 games the year before, without him. When does Cousins get one of those?

 

[Bricklayer]

The difference is winning. The fans would love Attila the Hun if the team was winning. Everyone hated Danny Ainge when he was with Boston, but when he came to the Kings, well, he was our Danny Ainge. We loved him. It's more about winning than anything else. It cures most of the problems.

Which makes the fans the problem in the equation.

Danny Ainge was Danny Ainge. And he lost for us actually. Didn't change who or what he was. Wasn't a worse guy or a better one. A bigger winner or a bigger loser. Just the same guy on a worse team.

The fans have been "acting out" for some time now. Frustrated and looking for scapegoats. That's hardly a platform from which to lauch attacks about other people's maturity.

 

[King Baller]

On a night when the alumni of the Sacramento Kings were in attendance, Cousins could still not manage to contain his emotions in the fourth quarter and got called for a blatant tech foul and will sit another game. His talent was on full display, and so were his mental weaknesses.

Henderson and Cousins were chippy all night, this was not an isolated instance. Cousins needs to be more subtle but still be physical. If Garnett does the same thing people say he is just "protecting his turf". Plumlee and the other Blazers were banging Cousins all game long. Cousins needs coaching on how to respond to physical play not some sort of intervention.

I am always amazed that the Kings best player, who has stated he wants to be in Sacramento draws all this criticism.

 

[kupman]

Barkley also went to a team that had won 53 games the year before, without him. When does Cousins get one of those?

Maybe this summer.