Oh look it's another trash Bill Simmons take!
Is there another kind?
Oh look it's another trash Bill Simmons take!
I think my two biggest disappointments last night besides officiating and what I assume was just an off night from Sabonis were Barnes all around and to a lesser extent Lyles jacking up some questionable shots. He did make a few of those, but all the same. Can't wait for Keegan to rejoin. Debut. whatever. Should fix a few of these issues. While I am fine with Barnes being replaced by Sasha next year, maybe we need something more immediate. Or maybe he can resolve this. But after last night I don't think I'm eager to bring him back even on a very team friendly deal next year.Back to the game though:
The only real big concern I had was Barnes defense. He got absolutely cooked the whole game by Hart and Grant and looks like he's lost a step or 2 in terms of his lateral quickness. The fix might need to be him coming off the bench and being the lead scorer there with KZ/Keegan starting, because I'm not so sure you can have Barnes out there late-game defending the top-tier wings anymore.
The 90s Bostonian in me says "that's not fair" even though I begrudgingly sorta need to admit you're right.Is there another kind?
Winslow is a beast on defense. In the modern game he can stump bigs. Maybe he could resurrect his career as someone like Hayes who just gets under bigs when they try and back him down.
I was (rightfully I think) mad about the officiating and hoped Brown would give a piece of his mind but in the end I'm glad he didn't. That's the old Kings thinking, even if it was true last night. I think Brown's early challenge didn't help - it's almost like they threw it back at him for having the gall to use the challenge early. So maybe he was owning that in a way too. But this upcoming stretch is tough and making excuses makes us weak. I just hope the team still works for him by the time we get out of it.Brown had some interesting remarks after the game. The one that stuck out for me was when he said,"We played correctly for 15 out of the 48 minutes." He didn't want to talk about the positives. When asked about the positive things like Heurter's performance he went on about things he didn't like. He's a tough coach and I like that.
Brown had some interesting remarks after the game. The one that stuck out for me was when he said,"We played correctly for 15 out of the 48 minutes." He didn't want to talk about the positives. When asked about the positive things like Heurter's performance he went on about things he didn't like. He's a tough coach and I like that.
He said he's looking forward to watching the film. lolHe also said he was going to watch some film, which made me all fuzzy and nostalgic.
Back to the game though:
The only real big concern I had was Barnes defense. He got absolutely cooked the whole game by Hart and Grant and looks like he's lost a step or 2 in terms of his lateral quickness. The fix might need to be him coming off the bench and being the lead scorer there with KZ/Keegan starting, because I'm not so sure you can have Barnes out there late-game defending the top-tier wings anymore.
We’re also not gonna have much of a shot at the playoffs if Murray doesn’t have an immediate and consistent impact. Too much inconsistency at all other positions especially in the front court.
All other shortcomings aside, we sure could have used 30 or so minutes of Keegan Murray. For all of Okpala's defensive...he plays hard, we stand to benefit tremendously from Murray's knack for being in the right place at the right time and hitting shots.
I really don't think he's been a competent defensive SF for the past couple of years honestly. I like Barnes as an overall strong player historically, but I really wish we would have moved him last year. I think this team will prove to be better off with KZ/Keegan as a tandum vs. KZ/Barnes or Keegan/Barnes. Unfortunately, Barnes is the type of "pros pro" that coaches love and I'm skeptical that Brown will ever make a move to put Barnes with the second unit. If he's hitting his threes at a 40% clip, that's probably OK overall; however, if he's struggling offensively I may just pull the last remaining hairs out of my head this year.Back to the game though:
The only real big concern I had was Barnes defense. He got absolutely cooked the whole game by Hart and Grant and looks like he's lost a step or 2 in terms of his lateral quickness. The fix might need to be him coming off the bench and being the lead scorer there with KZ/Keegan starting, because I'm not so sure you can have Barnes out there late-game defending the top-tier wings anymore.
If Barnes can't defend and Keegan proves to be a plus on that side I don't think Brown won't move him down. But otherwise I agree. The thing is we had no idea we were getting Keegan at the time we'd have moved Barnes. In hindsight a move would have been a good deal especially if it got us one of those late firsts that OKC or Detroit got.I really don't think he's been a competent defensive SF for the past couple of years honestly. I like Barnes as an overall strong player historically, but I really wish we would have moved him last year. I think this team will prove to be better off with KZ/Keegan as a tandum vs. KZ/Barnes or Keegan/Barnes. Unfortunately, Barnes is the type of "pros pro" that coaches love and I'm skeptical that Brown will ever make a move to put Barnes with the second unit. If he's hitting his threes at a 40% clip, that's probably OK overall; however, if he's struggling offensively I may just pull the last remaining hairs out of my head this year.
Glad to see the board has rallied around a new scapegoat.
All other shortcomings aside, we sure could have used 30 or so minutes of Keegan Murray. For all of Okpala's defensive...he plays hard, we stand to benefit tremendously from Murray's knack for being in the right place at the right time and hitting shots.
I really don't think he's been a competent defensive SF for the past couple of years honestly. I like Barnes as an overall strong player historically, but I really wish we would have moved him last year. I think this team will prove to be better off with KZ/Keegan as a tandum vs. KZ/Barnes or Keegan/Barnes. Unfortunately, Barnes is the type of "pros pro" that coaches love and I'm skeptical that Brown will ever make a move to put Barnes with the second unit. If he's hitting his threes at a 40% clip, that's probably OK overall; however, if he's struggling offensively I may just pull the last remaining hairs out of my head this year.
I've been a Barnes detractor for awhile now.
Even when he was "good", he disappeared more often than not when the going got tough. Dude is SAWFT.
Hopefully McNair can bamboozle another GM into trading for him this season, rather than lose him for nothing later. I'm sure Barnes will have his signature streak of 5-6 games of solid play before disappearing again. That'll be the time to hit the phones and try to squeeze something out of a playoff team looking for another piece.
Glad to see the board has rallied around a new scapegoat. I was thinking it would be Fox, now that Buddy is gone, but looks like the board has settled on HB. Pretty typical. There is always a bad guy on this board. And that isn't to say that Barnes might not be the weak link; just seems like it is awfully quick to have assigned a new scapegoat.