Our Chances......

#61
i fully expect Peja and Bibby to take over this team and become all-stars next year... people always discount the fact that peja and bibby can still improve and step up their games... i expect peja to regain his all star form he had in 2003-04, when he was the main man... bibby will improve his defense and become an all-star next year...

improvement does not always have to come from trades and FA... the returning or "core" players can take their game to the next level now that cwebb is gone and they will become the new leaders...
 
#62
If I had to rate the starters at each position it would go as follows. I am ranking them against others at their position, not against the whole of the NBA.

Starters-

Miller: Offense/B+ Defense/D+
SAR: Offense/B+ Defense/C
Peja: Offense/A- Defense/C+
Wells: Offense/B- Defense/B
Bibby: Offense/B+ Defense/C

What's probally going to happen during the reg season is rebounding problems (although I don't think it will be as bad as last year) and that we are going to give up close to 100ppg. We will probally score 105-108 though. I predict that we will win the Pacific Division with about 53-55 wins and lose in the WCF to the Spurs.
 
#63
Gary said:
If I had to rate the starters at each position it would go as follows. I am ranking them against others at their position, not against the whole of the NBA.

Starters-

Miller: Offense/B+ Defense/D+
SAR: Offense/B+ Defense/C
Peja: Offense/A- Defense/C+
Wells: Offense/B- Defense/B
Bibby: Offense/B+ Defense/C

What's probally going to happen during the reg season is rebounding problems (although I don't think it will be as bad as last year) and that we are going to give up close to 100ppg. We will probally score 105-108 though. I predict that we will win the Pacific Division with about 53-55 wins and lose in the WCF to the Spurs.
I am hoping for the team defense to get an A grade myself.
 
#67
BobbyJ_for3! said:
im not sure on how thats gonna work personally

il cross my fingers tho
One thing I noticed last season, especiall after the big trade, is that the team was so bad in regards to team D that they didn't know when to even rotate. That was a huge factor in how badly we got whipped by the Sonics. I mean, it seemed like Kenny Thomans was the only one that knew how to rotate. Bibby would make his man go baseline and Darius would still be lumbering over to set up for the charge. It was truly rediculous. If the Kings learn when to rotate and set picks then the D should magically improve.
 
#68
Mad D said:
Here's to hoping he pulls a career crippling injury? I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
Yeah....thats pretty messed up to want someone to get hurt... wouldn't you want our kings to beat our opponents at their full strength???
 
#69
Yeah...reading this thread I get the feeling people would feel happy if every good player in the NBA outside of Sacramento went down in the playoffs. After what happened to us with Chris, I never want to take that route to a ring. I want to have the best team in the world playing for us, or if not, a damn good one that plays with heart and puts it all on the line and then manages to pull out wins over the heavyweights at full strength. I want a real contender, a real champion, not an accident of luck and injuries. or free throws...
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#70
kingsofnba said:
i fully expect Peja and Bibby to take over this team and become all-stars next year... people always discount the fact that peja and bibby can still improve and step up their games... i expect peja to regain his all star form he had in 2003-04, when he was the main man... bibby will improve his defense and become an all-star next year...

improvement does not always have to come from trades and FA... the returning or "core" players can take their game to the next level now that cwebb is gone and they will become the new leaders...
5 shooters in one lineup. It just doesn't work like how people want it too -- you don't get to just add up all of their points and its hunky dorry -- there are only a certain amount of shots in a game, and that many shooters end up robbing each other of shots.

When Peja had his big year he had two of his four teammates in the starting lineup who were primarily interested in getting him shots, and who had little interest in shooting themselves. He also had a Kings "rookie" in Brad Miller who was following along behind Vlade and rarely demanding the ball. It was the perfect setup for ANY offensive player to have big numbers as the primary option.

Times have changed -- all 4 of Peja's teammates are interested in shooting now, and only Brad has any passivity about it at all. Wells and Reef need shots, lots of them. Both Brad & Mike averaged a career high number of shots last year. The shots are not there for ANY of the guys to have huge seasons. The offense will be potent, but none of these players is enough better than the others to get a dominant share of the shots or points, and the leading scorers will probably be traded off on a nightly basis.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#71
As to the initial question: 55wins if it gels. Possibility to win the division if Phoenix stumbles. So #3 to #6 seed -- dogfight with Houston, Dallas, possibly Denver. If we win the division, should make it to a 2nd round exit, but with a lucky matchup maybe to the WCF. If we don't and sink into the #5 or #6 spots, we'll be in danger again in the first. In any case we'll probably be out whenever we run into San Antonio.
 
#73
BobbyJ_for3! said:
im not sure on how thats gonna work personally

il cross my fingers tho
Well it better work. Its the only way. Bonzi is really the only individual defensive stopper we have. Unless the others make some nice strides.
 
#76
Bricklayer said:
As to the initial question: 55wins if it gels. Possibility to win the division if Phoenix stumbles. So #3 to #6 seed -- dogfight with Houston, Dallas, possibly Denver. If we win the division, should make it to a 2nd round exit, but with a lucky matchup maybe to the WCF. If we don't and sink into the #5 or #6 spots, we'll be in danger again in the first. In any case we'll probably be out whenever we run into San Antonio.
Sounds about right.
 
O

ONEZERO

Guest
#78
I can't make any predictions until around september cause I feel that there still are tweeks in the roster that petrie has to attend to..... But to answer it according to our roster right now and how the rest of the west looks like, I would say we play phx for the division title very close.... Phx has more raw talent, but we have more depth.... Making it to the WCF? Well that all depends on standings... We could somehow face the spurs in the second round and get knocked out... Or we could face them in the WCF depending if we could end up 2nd in the west and them first.... But if we lose the division and still have a better record than all the non-division winners then we'll be 4th and would have to play san antonio in the second round. Wishful thinking and I mean WISHFUL THINKING, we beat out the spurs in the WCF.... Lol.
 
A

AriesMar27

Guest
#79
as long as the spurs(1) and kings(2) are the 1 and 2 seeds we should be okay..... facing the winner of the northwest division (3rd seed) in the 2nd round doesnt seem that bad at this point.... the nuggets if they make it or sonics(if they even make the playoffs) could be the jazz this year never know....
 
#80
Its good to think about what we ought to achieve, but there are probably too many variables to give a credible insght at this time. However, what does seem clear, (and i find it so encouraging) is that 'our chances' have taken a step in the right direction.

Shortly after we crashed out to the Sonics there was some discussion as to whether we might be better off going for a total rebuild perhaps via the lottery on a two year view! At least this team as it stands now appears more capable of competing than the one we finished last season with. Okay, so big question marks over defense remain, and they will have to be resolved in our favour if we are to have a crack at the WCF, but that isnt out of the question....only a few months now b4 we get this show on the road!
 
#81
The key is how well this new bunch of guys mesh together. How well the new guys conform to a passing style of play. I think we are better now then we were at the end of the last season. IMO the balance of power is still in the west, although, it is getting more balanced. I think with out injuries, the kings can win 55-60 games.
 
#82
I think this team is in a much better position than when it ended last year. But .......

Look at the center position. Given past history with Brad, this team only has Sampson as a back-up at the center position (not counting the 6-9 Skinner since too short). To me that is a huge concern.:(

Everything esle looks golden, the lack of depth at center might make it fools gold.
 
#83
whozit said:
I think this team is in a much better position than when it ended last year. But .......

Look at the center position. Given past history with Brad, this team only has Sampson as a back-up at the center position (not counting the 6-9 Skinner since too short). To me that is a huge concern.:(

Everything esle looks golden, the lack of depth at center might make it fools gold.
I agree, the center position needs to be addressed. If Brad goes down then we are in trouble. Although, skinner did play center last season and for the most part did a pretty good job until he hurt his wrist. :)
 
#84
Londonking said:
Its good to think about what we ought to achieve, but there are probably too many variables to give a credible insght at this time. However, what does seem clear, (and i find it so encouraging) is that 'our chances' have taken a step in the right direction.
well said!
 
#85
No predictions for me. I am just excited again about the season. I did not expect to be this year. I thought I was going to have to give myself false hope!!!! Now, there is that glimmer of a chance that we could be a top team again. Kind of makes me giddy!
 
#86
SacTownKid said:
My prediction is that this team is going to go out there and play as hard as they can, and try to shake the "soft" label. That and do everything humanly possible to bring home an NBA championship within our new 3 year window of opprotunity.
We are 1 big man away from a badass team......
 
#87
if we get a good center or at least a shot blocker like steven hunter, but the thing is, i don't see why thomas can't be our 6th man and back up if SAR gets in jured. Unless its cap space, which it always is with the kings.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#88
BibityBobtyBoom said:
if we get a good center or at least a shot blocker like steven hunter, but the thing is, i don't see why thomas can't be our 6th man and back up if SAR gets in jured. Unless its cap space, which it always is with the kings.
Steven Hunter has already signed in Philly.

Kenny Thomas gives us very little as a 6th we don't already have. 6th men/benchers should give you a burst of some sort. Not another player with the same strengths and weaknesses as everyone else.
 
#90
Bricklayer said:
Steven Hunter has already signed in Philly.

Kenny Thomas gives us very little as a 6th we don't already have. 6th men/benchers should give you a burst of some sort. Not another player with the same strengths and weaknesses as everyone else.
...don't forget...he's also not crazy about being a 6th man. And even if he says he's OK with it, he won't be for long.