Ray and Ben have played together for a year. Williams almost as long. It's understandable that Nik is getting less touches at this stage of the game. With Williams apparently done with Summer League, and the games getting tougher, I expect we'll see more of an effort to get Nik involved in the next game. The good thing is he's used his limited touches very well which is the first step in becoming a key part of the rotation. He'll be fine. He's already way ahead of where Thomas Robinson and Ben McLemore were during their first Summer League.
[Game] Kings v TWolves - 7/17 - 1 pm PDT
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Ben was terrific today, showed some real NBA skills. Still has the shaky hands but in the first quarter he was pretty much flawless and played within himself. The passing was encouraging today, and of course his shot was falling. Hope it gives him a confidence boost. Made a very difficult shot at the basket and also had a big time block on the other end.
It just bothers me to see player fans come on here and comment about how their player aren't getting enough touches. If said player happens to be the best center in the NBA, then we got a problem, but when it comes to a rookie SG, I hardly see the room to comment.
If you want to look at time of possession, sure he probably didn't have as much as some of the other guards, but to hint at him getting frozen out is ridiculous. I think by now, the team knows he is a very, very willing passer. Teammates don't usually think twice about giving the ball to those types of players. He had his touches today and he used them well. I was very happy with his performance.
If you want to look at time of possession, sure he probably didn't have as much as some of the other guards, but to hint at him getting frozen out is ridiculous. I think by now, the team knows he is a very, very willing passer. Teammates don't usually think twice about giving the ball to those types of players. He had his touches today and he used them well. I was very happy with his performance.
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Nik was sort of passive in this game as well. The thing is that he was still a positive impact for the team even if he wasn't scoring much.
If this is the sort offense the Kings run in the regular season, except with more posts up, then the secondary scorer is going to differ game to game. There will be shots, but they'll be based off of what the defense gives up. Some nights Nik will have a chance to score 20, and some nights he'll just be a cog in the system while someone else is hot.
If this is the sort offense the Kings run in the regular season, except with more posts up, then the secondary scorer is going to differ game to game. There will be shots, but they'll be based off of what the defense gives up. Some nights Nik will have a chance to score 20, and some nights he'll just be a cog in the system while someone else is hot.
Indeed, this sort of performance does not bother me, because its precisely why I think he might be useful to us. Not as a star. As a grease guy. Most of our guys are completely worthless if they are not having a hot shooting night. But you want to build a winning team you need people who keep things rolling even without their shots.
What makes you think player fan is a dig?
I'm a player fan of a few players across the league, but I don't go posting on a team's board about their shots, touches, minutes, etc. If I was on a Stauskas board, then the general purpose of the board is to discuss Stauskas and what's best for him. Same thing here except we discuss the Kings and what is best for them.
I'm a player fan of a few players across the league, but I don't go posting on a team's board about their shots, touches, minutes, etc. If I was on a Stauskas board, then the general purpose of the board is to discuss Stauskas and what's best for him. Same thing here except we discuss the Kings and what is best for them.
I'm not a player fan. Nice assumption, though.
Also, I think you're reading into what I said a bit too much. It was more of me hinting that the staff knows what they have in him and are trying to keep from showing too much of their hand.
Again, in touches, he is getting far fewer than ben or ray. I think Acy might even have more. Nik's done well with what he's had, but the kings didn't draft him to dish 5 assists and 4 points. The regular season should be different.
Also, I think you're reading into what I said a bit too much. It was more of me hinting that the staff knows what they have in him and are trying to keep from showing too much of their hand.
Again, in touches, he is getting far fewer than ben or ray. I think Acy might even have more. Nik's done well with what he's had, but the kings didn't draft him to dish 5 assists and 4 points. The regular season should be different.
For the record, I grew up in Michigan. Became a bulls fan before Jordan won anything. And became a fan of the kings in the mitch days and then a full on kings fan soon after. I feel something for the pistons as they are from my home state, but wouldn't call myself a fan. Moved to Sac in 2001. Been here ever since.
Detroit has my loyalty in every other pro sport and I've always been Wolverine's fan.
Edit: to clarify, im a bulls and kings fan, but favor kings in head to head matchups
Detroit has my loyalty in every other pro sport and I've always been Wolverine's fan.
Edit: to clarify, im a bulls and kings fan, but favor kings in head to head matchups
We didn't? I thought we drafted him for his playmaking, ability to stretch the floor, and score? Remember you can stretch the floor without ever taking a shot. There were many players that had the hot hand today so Stauskas did what any player with reasonable IQ would do. Get them the ball.
It's about winning, not getting your own shots off. Stauskas seems to understand that.
It's about winning, not getting your own shots off. Stauskas seems to understand that.
You said the Kings didn't draft him to dish 5 assists. That is above average for any SG in the NBA which would indicate he is a good playmaker. Therefore, you basically said the Kings didn't draft him for his playmaking. I don't think you really believe that, but you can see why your statement is confusing.
Furthermore, I think Stauskas will be a decent roleplayer this year. The only time I worry about my roleplayer's shots is when they are getting too high. That is why I called out your touches observation in the first place. We really shouldn't care that much. It's summer league. There is hardly any ball movement and assists to begin with. For a guy like Stauskas, I didn't expect him to take that many shots because he's very unselfish and will likely not see the ball again when he gives it up (and he gives the ball up a fair amount). That's not to say his teammates are freezing him out. It just points to the IQ, lack of chemistry, lack of an offensive system, and talent level in this league. Summer league can be deceiving for certain players. I think Stauskas' game will flourish a little more at an NBA level.
Furthermore, I think Stauskas will be a decent roleplayer this year. The only time I worry about my roleplayer's shots is when they are getting too high. That is why I called out your touches observation in the first place. We really shouldn't care that much. It's summer league. There is hardly any ball movement and assists to begin with. For a guy like Stauskas, I didn't expect him to take that many shots because he's very unselfish and will likely not see the ball again when he gives it up (and he gives the ball up a fair amount). That's not to say his teammates are freezing him out. It just points to the IQ, lack of chemistry, lack of an offensive system, and talent level in this league. Summer league can be deceiving for certain players. I think Stauskas' game will flourish a little more at an NBA level.
I said 4 points and 5 assists. Assists are good, but if that's all the kings wanted, payton would have been the pick. If Nik is the playmaker we wanted, then he needs the ball in his hands. If he's using his touches so well, i would think he'd get more. It just seems they've emphasized ben and ray to be the playmakers, which is fine, I guess. Just seems to go against the reason for getting Nik.
I am just curious as to why he's getting less touches (by that, i mean literal touches) than the other guys. The #8 pick should be getting the ball whenever he's open and plays should be run for him in SL. Numbers aren't a big deal to me now. The touches he's had are. I haven't watched today's game yet, but i suspect to see more of ben with the ball in his hands by a huge margin...again.
I am just curious as to why he's getting less touches (by that, i mean literal touches) than the other guys. The #8 pick should be getting the ball whenever he's open and plays should be run for him in SL. Numbers aren't a big deal to me now. The touches he's had are. I haven't watched today's game yet, but i suspect to see more of ben with the ball in his hands by a huge margin...again.
Yeah, no offense but around here that's not a good way to try and win an argument. 
I personally don't care when he was drafted. I care about whether or not his game fits with what we need. So far, so good. There aren't as many questions about Nik as there are with Ben. Do you really think we should just write Ben off and kick him to the curb in favor of Nik?
I hate, detest and abhor it when Kings fans start to promote one player at the expense of another Kings player. It never ends well and it almost always causes rifts in the fanbase. I'd love to see just one year where there weren't Ben camps vs. Nik camps (just as an example).
Bottom line is it should be about the name on the front of the jersey before the name on the back.
/end rant
I personally don't care when he was drafted. I care about whether or not his game fits with what we need. So far, so good. There aren't as many questions about Nik as there are with Ben. Do you really think we should just write Ben off and kick him to the curb in favor of Nik?
I hate, detest and abhor it when Kings fans start to promote one player at the expense of another Kings player. It never ends well and it almost always causes rifts in the fanbase. I'd love to see just one year where there weren't Ben camps vs. Nik camps (just as an example).
Bottom line is it should be about the name on the front of the jersey before the name on the back.
/end rant
That is insanity.
First off, and it should be obvious, not everyone reaches their potential.
If you play the player with potential who eventually busts, you're far worse off than if you'd played the steady player with the good game but little upside.
Now I'm hoping that Ben takes a major leap this year, but I have more confidence right now in Stauskas' game than I do Bens.
No matter what Ben's potential is...he will never have the passing and ball-handling skills of Stauskas.
And you know what is the most important component of a championship team?
Dominant players who play on the court with players who know their role and execute their role at a high level.
Stauskas' game is pretty much tailored-made to play with Cousins and Rudy on the offensive end.
I don't expect him to ever be a 'star' player, but I do expect him to play a vital role in helping to maximize Cousins' potential on the court.
Now if Ben can turn into a lock-down defender, hit his open shots at a very high rate, and not do too much resulting in turn-overs then he's absolutely someone who can help this team.
But sometimes fit is far more important than potential upside.
This is one of those cases where when you look at what Ben did last year and compare it to what Stauskas can do right now, Stauskas looks to be the better complimentary piece to Cousins and Rudy. Now if Ben really turns it around on the defensive end and Stauskas is a horrible liability (which I don't see both of those things happening at the same time) then it would be time to re-visit this discussion.
First off, and it should be obvious, not everyone reaches their potential.
If you play the player with potential who eventually busts, you're far worse off than if you'd played the steady player with the good game but little upside.
Now I'm hoping that Ben takes a major leap this year, but I have more confidence right now in Stauskas' game than I do Bens.
No matter what Ben's potential is...he will never have the passing and ball-handling skills of Stauskas.
And you know what is the most important component of a championship team?
Dominant players who play on the court with players who know their role and execute their role at a high level.
Stauskas' game is pretty much tailored-made to play with Cousins and Rudy on the offensive end.
I don't expect him to ever be a 'star' player, but I do expect him to play a vital role in helping to maximize Cousins' potential on the court.
Now if Ben can turn into a lock-down defender, hit his open shots at a very high rate, and not do too much resulting in turn-overs then he's absolutely someone who can help this team.
But sometimes fit is far more important than potential upside.
This is one of those cases where when you look at what Ben did last year and compare it to what Stauskas can do right now, Stauskas looks to be the better complimentary piece to Cousins and Rudy. Now if Ben really turns it around on the defensive end and Stauskas is a horrible liability (which I don't see both of those things happening at the same time) then it would be time to re-visit this discussion.
S
like every other basketball fan... your suffering from spurs itish........ with these roles and hitting open shots... you need to erase that from your mind.... and potential is what wins... who has been the best player on the west for the last 15 years... kobe... if you open your eyes he is what ben mac was early in his career... the perfect ex. of potential... not sayn he will be kobe.. but thats what wins finding those types of players and pushing them to reach there potential.... nik mayb a fan fav... becuz u knw ( he is white and ppl especially in the Sacramento region love to see those players do well) but he will be average at best... and average doesn't cut it in the nba
I don't appreciate the racist undertone. While I agree with your sentiment on Ben. I do however thin nik could be above average as a shooter and a better passer than most great shooters. Think kapono, Kroger, Peja.... None of them really thought of as a good ball handler or good passer. Stauskas could be all three thus putting him above average. I still do however think Ben is going to figure it out and be a very good player. Maybe not Kobe good but for lack of thought at the moment and recent rumors. Ben could be j r smith without the baggage
good lord.
Jason Williams was amazing to watch. People around the whole country loved watching him play
Nobody likes Spencer Hawes
Jimmermania came from BYU, that isn't something that started in Sacramento. It would have followed him to wherever he got drafted
Nik is showing signs of being a solid player who is more than just a catch and shoot guy and can probably contribute at the NBA level right away, why shouldn't people like that?
Jason Williams was amazing to watch. People around the whole country loved watching him play
Nobody likes Spencer Hawes
Jimmermania came from BYU, that isn't something that started in Sacramento. It would have followed him to wherever he got drafted
Nik is showing signs of being a solid player who is more than just a catch and shoot guy and can probably contribute at the NBA level right away, why shouldn't people like that?