[Game] Preseason Game 1: Suns at Kings, 10/5/10 7pm PST

[PurpleHaze]

Grades?

Tyreke: A Ho hum, inside/outside all around town superstar tune-up
Beno: B+ Very solid - again!
Cousins: A- WoW! Just a few things to clean up like the careless TOs
C. Landry: C Off tonight, seemed to be looking for and looking out for bro' Marcus
M. Landry: B Can make the squad if keeps this type perfomance up

JT: A+ Looks ready for breakout season to say the least
Omri: B Solid at 11/7/4 The four assists seem like he's heard the rap
Greene: C- Didn't make the best of his limited minutes
Wright - D Same as Donte only worse
Jeter - Inc
Head - Inc

 

[nickmcclure]

How can you know he is forcing the shot when you're not even watching the game?

Gary Gerould said Omri forced a few shots

 

[nickmcclure]

How do you know it wasn't a wide open shot? Is it better to dribble the ball until the defense is set and try to make a play with the clock running low? You can't know the context of the shot by just listening. Some people already mentioned the label thing. Now that some posters have labeled Casspi as selfish, any shot he takes there will be someone who complains about how he forces them up every time.

Yeah and sometimes those people will be right

 

[Jechtsphere]

Hope JT keeps it up and takes the starting spot, I've felt him and Cousins would be the best pairing and Carl can be our super 6th man type.

 

[nickmcclure]

only thing im not happy about is Donte's 11 minutes...wtf westphal??

Yeah man, I hope it's just a preaseason thing.

 

[Tetsujin]

Gary Gerould said Omri forced a few shots

Well Gary Gerould has obviously never watched a game of basketball in his life.

 

[Asaf]

Yeah and sometimes those people will be right

Just like those people who labeled Cousins as a headcase who is destined to be a bust in the NBA? Or those people who labeled Tyreke as a ballhog who can only be a star on small teams with no talent around them (while Curry is a future MVP...)? How did people label Kobe after his rookie year? Or Nowitzki? What were your feelings about Gerald Wallace after one year in the league? Good thing these people aren't on the front office because otherwise pretty much every other rookie would've been shipped off after his first year.

 

[Asaf]

Well Gary Gerould has obviously never watched a game of basketball in his life.

I'm not saying Omri didn't force shots. I, of course, wouldn't be surprised if he did because I am aware of the fact that he does that. My problem is not that people criticize his forced shots - I would criticize him too if I saw them - my problem is that in many instances that criticism comes not from actually seeing those shots, but from preconceived notions and labels that are later almost impossible to shake, whether they are founded in reality or not.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Hope JT keeps it up and takes the starting spot, I've felt him and Cousins would be the best pairing and Carl can be our super 6th man type.

So we'd have a bench of Mandry, Garcia, Dalembert, Donte, Whiteside...that's with a 10 man rotation, having a starting 5 of Reke, Beno, Casspi, JT and DMC. Not sure how the chips will fall, but I'm going to REALLY like that lineup!

 

[rainmaker]

I know it's only a preseason game, and Cousins most likely got the start because Dally is out, but after gabbing 16 boards in his first game, in under 30 mins, I wonder if Westphal will take Cousins out of the starting lineup before/if his play declines. Talk about getting your first opportunity and making the most of it. If Dally is healthy and ready to go on thur, I don't see how Westphal pulls Cousins out of the starting lineup. If he continues to get 15+ rebs per, I don't see how Westphal can send him to the bench before the regular season.

Aside from that, and I know I know it's early, very early, but I'm disappointed with Carl's rebounding total. If there was one thing he needed to work on, and if there is one obvious part of his game which seperates him from the better starting pf's, it's his rebounding. If it hasn't improved, I wouldn't waste any time plugging JT into the starting lineup. Anyone else excited about the rebounding potential of a JT/Cousins pairing up front? It would also be much more versatile on the offensive end compared to Landry/Dally.

 

[The Hammer]

Just like those people who labeled Cousins as a headcase who is destined to be a bust in the NBA? Or those people who labeled Tyreke as a ballhog who can only be a star on small teams with no talent around them (while Curry is a future MVP...)? How did people label Kobe after his rookie year? Or Nowitzki? What were your feelings about Gerald Wallace after one year in the league? Good thing these people aren't on the front office because otherwise pretty much every other rookie would've been shipped off after his first year.

All the other things aside, Wallace was always going to be a beast.

 

[The Hammer]

I know it's only a preseason game, and Cousins most likely got the start because Dally is out, but after gabbing 16 boards in his first game, in under 30 mins, I wonder if Westphal will take Cousins out of the starting lineup before/if his play declines. Talk about getting your first opportunity and making the most of it. If Dally is healthy and ready to go on thur, I don't see how Westphal pulls Cousins out of the starting lineup. If he continues to get 15+ rebs per, I don't see how Westphal can send him to the bench before the regular season.

Aside from that, and I know I know it's early, very early, but I'm disappointed with Carl's rebounding total. If there was one thing he needed to work on, and if there is one obvious part of his game which seperates him from the better starting pf's, it's his rebounding. If it hasn't improved, I wouldn't waste any time plugging JT into the starting lineup. Anyone else excited about the rebounding potential of a JT/Cousins pairing up front? It would also be much more versatile on the offensive end compared to Landry/Dally.

Count me in that group. But even then... Dally backing them up! We could develop a reputation as an insane rebounding team... after this game it appears the potential is right under our nose (for the ball!).

 

[Tetsujin]

All the other things aside, Wallace was always going to be a beast.

Yeah, I don't think anyone had much animosity towards GW his first year in the league. We were all just in awe of his raw athleticism. (kind of like how we all are with DOnte now, only Buckets is 4 inches taller and doesn't like to rebound)

 

[PurpleHaze]

I thought PW comments after the game were interesting as usual. One thing he mentioned was how DeMarcus is still working to get into top shape, while praising is performance. I would say, why not just start DMC every remaining Kings game this pre-season just to get and keep him in shape. Dalembert and JT can also be in the mix on that front line but let the 19 year old kid be our big inside anchor heading into the season - and maybe start opening night in Minnesota if he deserves it.

 

[The Hammer]

Just like those people who labeled Cousins as a headcase who is destined to be a bust in the NBA? Or those people who labeled Tyreke as a ballhog who can only be a star on small teams with no talent around them (while Curry is a future MVP...)? How did people label Kobe after his rookie year? Or Nowitzki? What were your feelings about Gerald Wallace after one year in the league? Good thing these people aren't on the front office because otherwise pretty much every other rookie would've been shipped off after his first year.

Asaf may not understand this, but it's people like him with reactions like his that actually help solidify those labels. GARY GEROULD said Omri forced a few shots. Big deal. He forced a few. So has Cisco, and people have called him on it. You didn't see every Dominican Republic national start in with the persecution complex. Asaf should stop taking himself and his player so seriously. I really hope this isn't some ongoing trend from Omri's fans.

Tyreke's label fell away completely. Cousins label has lost all credibility within the Sac fanbase. OMRI FORCED A FEW SHOTS. Just like we all saw him do at times last year.

 

[pshn80]

Just got home from game. Great fun to watch. Cousins looks quite talented and not in shape. Beno and Tyreke looked like last year and you can take them to the bank. Thompson was himself and had a very good game. Omri looked good, made shots, didn't hog at all. M. Landry's shots were on and in. Carl looked just so so but OK. Jeter made three early jumpers and showed his speed and hustle. Amongst the rest -Wright, Greene and Head - nobody stood out. Seven behind at half, even after 3, and a heck of a fourth quarter. Good to see them back.

 

[63royals]

I was at the game tonight. During warmups before the game, Tyreke passed the ball to a kid sitting with his father along the baseline, looked to be about 15. The kid fed Tyreke with a snap pass, but Tyreke missed the shot. So Tyreke got another ball, fed the kid with another bounce pass, and this time took the return pass and sank the shot, then walked away.

Great moment.

 

[Asaf]

Asaf may not understand this, but it's people like him with reactions like his that actually help solidify those labels. GARY GEROULD said Omri forced a few shots. Big deal. He forced a few. So has Cisco, and people have called him on it. You didn't see every Dominican Republic national start in with the persecution complex. Asaf should stop taking himself and his player so seriously. I really hope this isn't some ongoing trend from Omri's fans.

Tyreke's label fell away completely. Cousins label has lost all credibility within the Sac fanbase. OMRI FORCED A FEW SHOTS. Just like we all saw him do at times last year.

That was one of the more condescending posts I've seen in a while...

So, let me get this straight - I am not allowed to call people out on what I believe to be unfair criticism just because I'm from Israel? It was ok when I defended JT, Hawes, and Noc last year, but I'm banned from stating a different opinion when it comes to Omri? Should I just let Bajaden, Rainmaker, and Brick be the voices of reason here when it comes to Omri because I am so blinded by my infatuation with my "hero" Omri?

Just for the record, I think I have earned my right to not be perceived as an Omri homer when I was the one who criticized him much more harshly than others last year when I thought his problems had to do with much more than just the rookie wall and that the initial success of last season went to his head. I think I have also shown that I can praise any player on the team as well as criticize him when I think he deserves it (and that includes Omri and Tyreke).

I think it's fair to criticize a player for a bad play, whether his name is Omri, Donte, JT, or Tyreke. I also think it's important to call out a player on continuous bad attitude, or anything of that sort. However, it's a completely different story when that criticism comes in the form of a kneejerk reaction to anything that player does, just because he has been labeled in a certain way, and not based on actually witnessing what that player did. Imagine if Rubio or Curry fans went "ugh" after every bad shot that Tyreke takes. I am sure you would be on their case, accusing them of wrongly labeling Tyreke just because they have a different horse in the race.

 

[Asaf]

Asaf may not understand this, but it's people like him with reactions like his that actually help solidify those labels. GARY GEROULD said Omri forced a few shots. Big deal. He forced a few. So has Cisco, and people have called him on it. You didn't see every Dominican Republic national start in with the persecution complex. Asaf should stop taking himself and his player so seriously. I really hope this isn't some ongoing trend from Omri's fans.

Tyreke's label fell away completely. Cousins label has lost all credibility within the Sac fanbase. OMRI FORCED A FEW SHOTS. Just like we all saw him do at times last year.

BTW check out pshn80's post. But then again, what does he know? He was only at the game. He didn't hear it on the radio like the cool kids...

 

[kingsboi]

Cousins looks quite talented and not in shape.

For not being in shape he sure performed pretty well.

 

[bajaden]

Yeah, I don't think anyone had much animosity towards GW his first year in the league. We were all just in awe of his raw athleticism. (kind of like how we all are with DOnte now, only Buckets is 4 inches taller and doesn't like to rebound)

I love Donte, and I think he's a very good athlete, but Wallace was in a different world athleticaly. And thats not a knock on Greene. Gerald was one of my favorite players during his stay with the Kings, and it killed me to see him go. I think Donte's problem right now is that he's really trying to play the game the right way, and in the process he's lost some of his agressiveness. I think he'll be just fine. The light hasn't gone on just yet, but it will.

 

[The Hammer]

That was one of the more condescending posts I've seen in a while...

So, let me get this straight - I am not allowed to call people out on what I believe to be unfair criticism just because I'm from Israel? It was ok when I defended JT, Hawes, and Noc last year, but I'm banned from stating a different opinion when it comes to Omri? Should I just let Bajaden, Rainmaker, and Brick be the voices of reason here when it comes to Omri because I am so blinded by my infatuation with my "hero" Omri?

Just for the record, I think I have earned my right to not be perceived as an Omri homer when I was the one who criticized him much more harshly than others last year when I thought his problems had to do with much more than just the rookie wall and that the initial success of last season went to his head. I think I have also shown that I can praise any player on the team as well as criticize him when I think he deserves it (and that includes Omri and Tyreke).

I think it's fair to criticize a player for a bad play, whether his name is Omri, Donte, JT, or Tyreke. I also think it's important to call out a player on continuous bad attitude, or anything of that sort. However, it's a completely different story when that criticism comes in the form of a kneejerk reaction to anything that player does, just because he has been labeled in a certain way, and not based on actually witnessing what that player did. Imagine if Rubio or Curry fans went "ugh" after every bad shot that Tyreke takes. I am sure you would be on their case, accusing them of wrongly labeling Tyreke just because they have a different horse in the race.

Who are you even talking to? You've now lumped me in with the glob that has become your enemey.

And I probably would have protested if you defended Noc at all last year.

I never said you were allowed to or were not allowed to do anything. But I wish I had the power to not allow you to act crazy.

If you are so easy with the criticism of even your favorite player, then why did you freak out so much when someone made a criticism? He was going off what G man was calling on the radio. For all we know G man may have even described the shot as quick or rushed. He said as much at some point in the broadcast we know. You're acting like the poster couldn't have known it was rushed, but what if it was announced that way? G man is pretty much the Michael Jordan of basketball playcalling just so you know. He even moonlights with other sports.

I can't believe I'm even having this conversation.

And to answer the bolded question... Yes. Let's have you take a break from you commenting on Omri. All three that you stated, and me, will be allowed to give our opinions on Omri. That was a good idea.

 

[MoneyMike916]

Were people really chanting "Pooh" when Jeter was on the floor. Haha.

 

[Asaf]

Who are you even talking to? You've now lumped me in with the glob that has become your enemey.

And I probably would have protested if you defended Noc at all last year.

I never said you were allowed to or were not allowed to do anything. But I wish I had the power to not allow you to act crazy.

If you are so easy with the criticism of even your favorite player, then why did you freak out so much when someone made a criticism? He was going off what G man was calling on the radio. For all we know G man may have even described the shot as quick or rushed. He said as much at some point in the broadcast we know. Your acting like the poster couldn't have known it was rushed, but what if it was announced that way. G man is pretty much the Michael Jordan of basketball playcalling just so you know. He even moonlights with other sports.

I can't believe I'm even having this conversation.

Can you please point me to the "crazy" parts in my post. And also to where I said or implied that you or anyone else here is my enemy?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bajaden]

I obviously didn't see the game, and I had no way of listening to the broadcast. So as an outsider looking in let me just say this. I think the point Asaf was trying to make is that if your listening to the broadcast and the announcer says Omri pulls up with a quick jumper, or how ever he said it, its pretty hard to say he took a bad shot, since you really couldn't see the shot. For all we know he could have had a wide open shot. Or not! Point is, we wouldn't know, so why make an assumption.

However, if the announcer said Casspi pulled up and forced a jumper, then thats a different story. Then obviously he forced the shot. But thats not how it was reported on the fourm at the time. And to be honest, when I saw the post, my first thought was, how do you know it was a bad shot without seeing the shot. Now apparently after the fact, Gerold reported that Casspi forced a couple of shots. Which is an affirmation of the original post, and kudos to the original poster for invisible perception. I'd like to add that this constant bickering through the entire game was somewhat distracting. I'll have to remind myself of that the next time I start to bicker.

Nice game by Evans, Cousins, Thompson, M. Landry, Jeter, and dare I say it, Casspi......

 

[Fear the Putin]

so, how did they chant Pooh's name?

"Poo, poo! Poo, poo!"

?

 

[Asaf]

Who are you even talking to? You've now lumped me in with the glob that has become your enemey.

And I probably would have protested if you defended Noc at all last year.

I never said you were allowed to or were not allowed to do anything. But I wish I had the power to not allow you to act crazy.

If you are so easy with the criticism of even your favorite player, then why did you freak out so much when someone made a criticism? He was going off what G man was calling on the radio. For all we know G man may have even described the shot as quick or rushed. He said as much at some point in the broadcast we know. You're acting like the poster couldn't have known it was rushed, but what if it was announced that way? G man is pretty much the Michael Jordan of basketball playcalling just so you know. He even moonlights with other sports.

I can't believe I'm even having this conversation.

And to answer the bolded question... Yes. Let's have you take a break from you commenting on Omri. All three that you stated, and me, will be allowed to give our opinions on Omri. That was a good idea.

Hmm let's see: First I am "unable to understand", then I am acting crazy, followed by "freaking out", and finally I am denied the right to comment on an issue you disagree with me on. Lovely. Too bad you aren't the moderator of this board. It would be so much more pleasant when everyone just agrees with you and everyone else is just sent to the foreigners board...

 

[Asaf]

I obviously didn't see the game, and I had no way of listening to the broadcast. So as an outsider looking in let me just say this. I think the point Asaf was trying to make is that if your listening to the broadcast and the announcer says Omri pulls up with a quick jumper, or how ever he said it, its pretty hard to say he took a bad shot, since you really couldn't see the shot. For all we know he could have had a wide open shot. Or not! Point is, we wouldn't know, so why make an assumption.

However, if the announcer said Casspi pulled up and forced a jumper, then thats a different story. Then obviously he forced the shot. But thats not how it was reported on the fourm at the time. And to be honest, when I saw the post, my first thought was, how do you know it was a bad shot without seeing the shot. Now apparently after the fact, Gerold reported that Casspi forced a couple of shots. Which is an affirmation of the original post, and kudos to the original poster for invisible perception. I'd like to add that this constant bickering through the entire game was somewhat distracting. I'll have to remind myself of that the next time I start to bicker.

Nice game by Evans, Cousins, Thompson, M. Landry, Jeter, and dare I say it, Casspi......

Thanks Baja. I guess when you say it it doesn't sound "crazy"...

 

[Prince_XY]

I'm not saying Omri didn't force shots. I, of course, wouldn't be surprised if he did because I am aware of the fact that he does that. .

Gary Gerould said Omri forced a few shots

Listening. Quick shot off the dribble from the perimeter with twenty seconds on the clock is not a smart play.

It seems like all the post are saying the same thing - Omri forced shots. And this is not a very smart play with 20 seconds on the clock.

So what's up with the over-reaction?

 

[Tetsujin]

I love Donte, and I think he's a very good athlete, but Wallace was in a different world athleticaly. And thats not a knock on Greene. Gerald was one of my favorite players during his stay with the Kings, and it killed me to see him go. I think Donte's problem right now is that he's really trying to play the game the right way, and in the process he's lost some of his agressiveness. I think he'll be just fine. The light hasn't gone on just yet, but it will.

By no means am I comparing the two athletically. I was rather comparing the way that fans are about both players.