Marty Mac: No "quit" in this Kings team

[VF21]

http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/156137.html

Marty Mac's World: There is no 'quit' in this Kings team
Sacramento never let up this season, even though its playoff streak ended at eight
By Martin McNeal - Bee Staff Writer
Published 6:47 am PDT Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Just a few days ago, a fellow New York homeboy surprised me at a Kings game by asking if the team had quit. It surprised me because my man knows hoops. The Kings were leading at the half over a more talented opponent headed for the playoffs.

The term "quit," as it pertains to the efforts of teams out of the playoff picture in any sport, is greatly overused. A lot of sportswriters and sportscasters throw the word around as if it's something that can be quantified and it's not. Secondly, even the hint of an entire team quitting condemns the character of too many people whom likely have been unable to get on the same page. Thirdly, players who've made it to the highest levels of their sports generally have a personal pride that won't let them intentionally ease off the gas pedal to be abused.

Sure, anyone in any profession can reach a level of frustration that erodes the performance. But quit, no, the Kings haven't quit. In fact, they've done anything but quit. No doubt, I've been critical of Kings coach Eric Musselman, but effort has not been a major problem from this perspective.

The Kings can be accused of playing dumb, sloppy and inefficient ball. They can be described as playing defense without a clue or a care for long stretches of games. They've also played an unathletic, non-aggressive brand of ball throughout much of the season because their on-court personnel didn't allow any other course of action.

The Kings' streak of eight consecutive seasons of making the playoffs ends this season, and perhaps it is a well-needed dose of reality for the team's fans. It's just part of the pro-sports territory to have success come and go. How long it stays and/or goes becomes the bottom line.

The longest stretch of consecutive NBA playoff seasons, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, is 22 held by the 76ers (1950-71). Ten other franchises -- Portland, Boston, the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Phoenix, Atlanta, San Antonio and Indiana -- have had longer consecutive playoff streaks than Sacramento's eight. Five of those teams will join the Kings in the lottery. And ironically, two of the NBA's best (Phoenix and Chicago) have chances to step in for Atlanta and New York, respectively, via trades depending upon how the pingpong balls bounce.

Musselman deserves credit for Sacramento's consistently strong effort . The players don't deserve that much credit for playing hard, since that's what they're supposed to do anyway.

About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.

 

[VF21]

I've been critical of Kings coach Eric Musselman, but effort has not been a major problem from this perspective.

Musselman deserves credit for Sacramento's consistently strong effort. The players don't deserve that much credit for playing hard, since that's what they're supposed to do anyway.

What team has Marty been watching?????? This is about the most ridiculous statement I have ever seen the Bee sports section.

I am virtually speechless. My first thought was this was the column Marty intended to write on April 1.

If I had to use one phrase to describe the most glaring problem this year, it would be a "lack of effort." How many times did we see the team come out in the second half looking like they had been subjected to intense torture during half-time with the result they barely had the will to live and even thinking about putting forth any effort for the game itself would just be completely out of the realm of possibility.

Marty Mac really blew it on this one, IMHO.

 

[Cal-Kings]

What team has Marty been watching?????? This is about the most ridiculous statement I have ever seen the Bee sports section.

I am virtually speechless. My first thought was this was the column Marty intended to write on April 1.

If I had to use one phrase to describe the most glaring problem this year, it would be a "lack of effort." How many times did we see the team come out in the second half looking like they had been subjected to intense torture during half-time with the result they barely had the will to live and even thinking about putting forth any effort for the game itself would just be completely out of the realm of possibility.

Marty Mac really blew it on this one, IMHO.

I'm not sure I'd use the word effort, I think it's been a lack of focus. Maybe they're the same thing. But early one we made such blunderheaded mistakes just in time to lose a game. It felt like we were setting new records for turnovers in a game.

 

[Oscar]

Marty, what a useless article. I guess you have to write something to fill your column. So what if the Kings haven't "quit." They haven't won either. It's like a chicken with its head chopped off doesn't quit running, but it runs without purpose and eventually falls down.

 

[VF21]

So what if the Kings haven't "quit." They haven't won either. It's like a chicken with its head chopped off doesn't quit running, but it runs without purpose and eventually falls down.

Great point. Thanks for the new sig.

 

[Kingster]

What team has Marty been watching?????? This is about the most ridiculous statement I have ever seen the Bee sports section.

I am virtually speechless. My first thought was this was the column Marty intended to write on April 1.

If I had to use one phrase to describe the most glaring problem this year, it would be a "lack of effort." How many times did we see the team come out in the second half looking like they had been subjected to intense torture during half-time with the result they barely had the will to live and even thinking about putting forth any effort for the game itself would just be completely out of the realm of possibility.

Marty Mac really blew it on this one, IMHO.

The vets haven't shown much effort; the kids have though. It looks to me like the vets have been going through the motions, especially after they figured out they just weren't that good. I really think that if we really had the inside dope has gone on in the locker room and in practice we would have a collective shudder.

Even though I can't stand the guaranteed contract "what the heck do I care" prima donna attitude of the Kings vets, it's not that it's unusual. I felt that I was watching the Kings when the Clippers came out in the first half in a TRUE must win and looked totally unprepared mentally for the game. It really looked like the Kings in the last Bobcats game, which turned out to be the game that really did them in. Does anyone want Dunleavy for next year's coach?

 

[VF21]

The vets haven't shown much effort; the kids have though. It looks to me like the vets have been going through the motions, especially after they figured out they just weren't that good. I really think that if we really had the inside dope has gone on in the locker room and in practice we would have a collective shudder.

But - the kids didn't play much until it was too late and they have something to prove.

IMHO anything - and there's not much - this team accomplished this year was IN SPITE of Musselman's efforts, not because of them. He reminds me most of the crazy captain in Mr. Roberts. He may be the paper tiger but it's the guys like Jason Hamm and Scott Brooks who actually got production out of the team. Give them the credit, not the guy who's more worried about his palm tree than anything else.

 

[CaminoChaos]

Marty, what a useless article. I guess you have to write something to fill your column. So what if the Kings haven't "quit." They haven't won either. It's like a chicken with its head chopped off doesn't quit running, but it runs without purpose and eventually falls down.

Freaking Classic. VF beat me to the sig.

 

[Wuster]

Heavens to Betsy, Marty Mac - this is one helluva piece of journalism! A masterpiece!

 

[fnordius]

I guess after all of his scathing anti-Muss pieces something happened which made him think he needed to make nice. In any other context, I'd have to think that this article was written by an impostor.

 

[hrdboild]

He reminds me most of the crazy captain in Mr. Roberts. He may be the paper tiger but it's the guys like Jason Hamm and Scott Brooks who actually got production out of the team. Give them the credit, not the guy who's more worried about his palm tree than anything else.

Hey! Good movie! Carry on.

 

[Kingster]

But - the kids didn't play much until it was too late and they have something to prove.

IMHO anything - and there's not much - this team accomplished this year was IN SPITE of Musselman's efforts, not because of them. He reminds me most of the crazy captain in Mr. Roberts. He may be the paper tiger but it's the guys like Jason Hamm and Scott Brooks who actually got production out of the team. Give them the credit, not the guy who's more worried about his palm tree than anything else.

Well, Muss did hire those guys. You have to give him credit for that. My irritation with Muss, and maybe with management, was why the heck didn't he figure out earlier that Garcia needed minutes in order to produce? If he saw the films of the last year's games, he could have seen it. Reynolds always talked about it on TV. It's like Reynolds and/or Petrie didn't talk to Muss near the beginning of the season about this kid. If they didn't, they sure should have. And if they did, then Muss ignored them. And continuing this theme, so we have another coach next year. Is the same deference to the vets over Garcia going to happen? Is somebody going to tell the new guy, play this kid and give him minutes and he'll produce, or are we going to see a re-run of this year in which it takes 1/2 the season for Garcia to get pt?

 

[Bricklayer]

Well, Muss did hire those guys. You have to give him credit for that. My irritation with Muss, and maybe with management, was why the heck didn't he figure out earlier that Garcia needed minutes in order to produce? If he saw the films of the last year's games, he could have seen it. Reynolds always talked about it on TV. It's like Reynolds and/or Petrie didn't talk to Muss near the beginning of the season about this kid. If they didn't, they sure should have. And if they did, then Muss ignored them. And continuing this theme, so we have another coach next year. Is the same deference to the vets over Garcia going to happen? Is somebody going to tell the new guy, play this kid and give him minutes and he'll produce, or are we going to see a re-run of this year in which it takes 1/2 the season for Garcia to get pt?

A couple of things.

1) Muss is an idiot

but

2) you know what? Cisco is not really his fault.

First, Cisco started off the season playign like a jackass again, and was so far from dependable it was not funny. His early season bonehead plays to great plays ratio was at least 2-1, and its little surprise that virtually any coach would have opted out of the big minutes rely on him angle.

Second, and even more importantly -- minutes from where? Even now, the only reason there are minutes for Cisco is because we as a team are shutting it down. But during the regular season with 35+ Bibby, 35+ Kevin, 35+ Artest, AND John Salmons, who has been a steady reserve and aomewhat duplicates Cisco...where would those magic minutes have come from? The PF spot? Muss has already smallballed quite enough thank you. No, the consturction of the team (that's on Geoff BTW) simply did not allow for major minutes for that many guys at those positions. Will not next year either unless we make one or more trades to move bodies...and in a unique concept, not bring bodies back. For Cisco to get big minutes he has to be either a starter or the top bench man at his positions. If we were, heaven forbid, to bring back largely the same crew of PG/OG/SFs, at least one of those 4 main guys would have to go in order to get Cisco consistent minutes.

 

[Kingster]

A couple of things.

1) Muss is an idiot

but

2) you know what? Cisco is not really his fault.

First, Cisco started off the season playign like a jackass again, and was so far from dependable it was not funny. His early season bonehead plays to great plays ratio was at least 2-1, and its little surprise that virtually any coach would have opted out of the big minutes rely on him angle.

Second, and even more importantly -- minutes from where? Even now, the only reason there are minutes for Cisco is because we as a team are shutting it down. But during the regular season with 35+ Bibby, 35+ Kevin, 35+ Artest, AND John Salmons, who has been a steady reserve and aomewhat duplicates Cisco...where would those magic minutes have come from? The PF spot? Muss has already smallballed quite enough thank you. No, the consturction of the team (that's on Geoff BTW) simply did not allow for major minutes for that many guys at those positions. Will not next year either unless we make one or more trades to move bodies...and in a unique concept, not bring bodies back. For Cisco to get big minutes he has to be either a starter or the top bench man at his positions. If we were, heaven forbid, to bring back largely the same crew of PG/OG/SFs, at least one of those 4 main guys would have to go in order to get Cisco consistent minutes.

I would have taken some minutes from Salmons, some from Artest, some from Bibby and some from Martin. But I agree with you - someone has got to go. I'm in favor of trading Salmons so that Cisco can get the minutes. In fact, I don't know why they got him to begin with. What was in Petrie's mind? That he was going to develop Cisco by trading for Salmons?

 

[Bricklayer]

I would have taken some minutes from Salmons, some from Artest, some from Bibby and some from Martin.

No, I really doubt you would have if you were the coach. Cisco has some skills, but you're out there trying to win you're not going to be bleeding minutes off of all of your stalwarts to try to get some wild kid an extra 6 min a game. Easy to look back in hindsight or whatnot, but just not a play a coach trying to win games would be likely to make. Nor as if Cisco really even gave Muss a reason to until the last month or so.

Really have to figure only 3 of the 4 of Kevin, Ron, Cisco and Salmons should be back next year. Ron of course being a logical target, but that meaning you end up rather dramatically downgrading your SF spot. kevin only in a deal for a big star or top pick. Salmons...might move him to make room, but he's been steady for us and doesn't have huge value around the league just by himself. Maybe part of a larger multi-player deal.