[Game] Preseason Game 2: Clippers at Kings 10/7 7 pm
- Thread starter ReinadelosReys
- Start date
I stayed at the game until the bitter end. Let's see:
Griffin looked fabulous and no one on the Kings even slowed him down. He's strong, athletic and really quick for his size.
Poor Cousins got beat pretty bad out there against Griffin and Kaman. At least he now knows how hard its going to be in the NBA and met the big man that will be his competition for any chance at ROY. I hope it motivates him.
We were a bad team at the free throw line last year and it looks just as bad this year. How can so many bad free throw shooters be on one team? Is it a requirement in Sacramento, lately?
The team pretty much looked lost on both ends of the floor. Not much team play on either end. I got tired of their bigs dominating and the lay-up drills the Kings couldn't seem to stop most of the night.
Reke looked good out there, although it was like he was out there to practice some jump-shooting against competition for a bit and then sit the rest of the game.
It was pretty excruciating to sit through.
Some on-the-bubble players got a chance to step up and.......didn't.
Its only the second pre-season game with a bunch of young guys. Tomorrow is another day.
I'm probably grumpy and negative, because I wanted to strangle a ref or all the refs. Or at least shove their whistles down their throats. I could not believe all the foul calls! It was like a game tried, but failed to break out in the middle of a free throw shooting contest. I swear it added a half hour to the game time. It felt like an eternity.
Griffin looked fabulous and no one on the Kings even slowed him down. He's strong, athletic and really quick for his size.
Poor Cousins got beat pretty bad out there against Griffin and Kaman. At least he now knows how hard its going to be in the NBA and met the big man that will be his competition for any chance at ROY. I hope it motivates him.
We were a bad team at the free throw line last year and it looks just as bad this year. How can so many bad free throw shooters be on one team? Is it a requirement in Sacramento, lately?
The team pretty much looked lost on both ends of the floor. Not much team play on either end. I got tired of their bigs dominating and the lay-up drills the Kings couldn't seem to stop most of the night.
Reke looked good out there, although it was like he was out there to practice some jump-shooting against competition for a bit and then sit the rest of the game.
It was pretty excruciating to sit through.
Some on-the-bubble players got a chance to step up and.......didn't.
Its only the second pre-season game with a bunch of young guys. Tomorrow is another day.
I'm probably grumpy and negative, because I wanted to strangle a ref or all the refs. Or at least shove their whistles down their throats. I could not believe all the foul calls! It was like a game tried, but failed to break out in the middle of a free throw shooting contest. I swear it added a half hour to the game time. It felt like an eternity.
This was funny:
[video]http://www.nba.com/kings/video/2010/10/08/SACLAChighlightsmov-1434021/index.html[/video]
What passes for highlights in a beatdown like that. But what I liked was how its a 2 minute highlight package, and basically the entire first minute was Tyreke highlights. He played 9 minutes. That's when you know it was a bad one.
[video]http://www.nba.com/kings/video/2010/10/08/SACLAChighlightsmov-1434021/index.html[/video]
What passes for highlights in a beatdown like that. But what I liked was how its a 2 minute highlight package, and basically the entire first minute was Tyreke highlights. He played 9 minutes. That's when you know it was a bad one.
I was at this game.
I had amazing (ie expensive) seats where I enjoyed watching future kings superstars the likes of...pooh jeter...marcus landry...luther head...darnell jackson...conner atchley...and joe crawford.
As much as I'd like to provide some insight, I have to concentrate on keeping the vomit down.
What a sh*t show.
I had amazing (ie expensive) seats where I enjoyed watching future kings superstars the likes of...pooh jeter...marcus landry...luther head...darnell jackson...conner atchley...and joe crawford.
As much as I'd like to provide some insight, I have to concentrate on keeping the vomit down.
What a sh*t show.
But...you got to see the dance team up close and personal right? 
I would like our shotblockers back now. After going half a decade without any, now that we have some it would be nice if they could actualy, you know, play. Which is also a glancing shot at one of the issues we will have to figure out in the future -- good as Cousins might end up being offensively and on the glass, he can't anchor a defense. Which means you pair him and JT or Landry and the interior defense is only a small step up from what it was the latter half of last year, and so far both teams that we have faced have scored early and often against us. Again.
I would like our shotblockers back now. After going half a decade without any, now that we have some it would be nice if they could actualy, you know, play. Which is also a glancing shot at one of the issues we will have to figure out in the future -- good as Cousins might end up being offensively and on the glass, he can't anchor a defense. Which means you pair him and JT or Landry and the interior defense is only a small step up from what it was the latter half of last year, and so far both teams that we have faced have scored early and often against us. Again.
But...you got to see the dance team up close and personal right?
I would like our shotblockers back now. After going half a decade without any, now that we have some it would be nice if they could actualy, you know, play. Which is also a glancing shot at one of the issues we will have to figure out in the future -- good as Cousins might end up being offensively and on the glass, he can't anchor a defense. Which means you pair him and JT or Landry and the interior defense is only a small step up from what it was the latter half of last year, and so far both teams that we have faced have scored early and often against us. Again.
I would like our shotblockers back now. After going half a decade without any, now that we have some it would be nice if they could actualy, you know, play. Which is also a glancing shot at one of the issues we will have to figure out in the future -- good as Cousins might end up being offensively and on the glass, he can't anchor a defense. Which means you pair him and JT or Landry and the interior defense is only a small step up from what it was the latter half of last year, and so far both teams that we have faced have scored early and often against us. Again.
Cuz and Daly will work! Cuz reminds me a lot more of C-Webb than he does Shaq. I think Westphal is really over estimating the defensive liabilities of Cousins at PF. Regardless, I think Dalembert can guard quicker guys. If you're getting killed by a fast team switch, but it's not like that fast team won't get killed in the paint on the other end.
Been a great while since I've posted on Kings boards but I've checked in regularly. Took my daughters to the game last night and it wasn't all bad... my wife and I got a free soda and popcorn for being designated drivers.
A few observations for those who weren't "privileged" to see this one with their own eyes. This wasn't a game so much as a learning experience for both the players and the coach. I'd say we learned we have a long way to go in figuring out what to do against extremely athletic teams. We learned that our plethora of small forward candidates all have issues with creating offense for themselves at this point be it from timidity (Landry) wild shotgunning (Omri) or carrying bowling balls in a backpack (Donte). I am a pretty optimistic fellow when it comes to the team, but Donte and Omri disappointed me greatly in how unprepared for whatever reason each seemed for this season. Granted, talent means a lot in this league and Reke has plenty of it, but Tyreke's game was effortless last night and you could clearly see how he had worked on his game over the summer and improved. I would have thought for sure that Omri and Donte would have done the same but if anything it looked like their games have gotten worse. It is kind of baffling. Casspi was throwing up garbage shots all night and Donte can barely move anymore. Forget about him guarding Kobe anymore. I don't get it.
I will go on record right now saying the Griffen-Kamen duo may be the best complimentary big man duo in the league. It was a little much to expect DMC to be able to single-handedly deal with them both (which he got stuck doing alot with our other bigs riding pine and with JT still doing his every-other-game disappearing act (*sigh*) again) and to ask him to do it on a night that the refs were breaking in a new box of whistles was just too much. There were at least three calls that Blake got over DMC, apparently on reputation alone, and DeMarcus is just gonna have to roll with it because that may happen a lot this year for him. I must say he handled himself well and shook it off. He will be fine as he learns the ropes.
With Beno out and Tyreke getting an All-Star's view of preseason from the bench it was clear that we could really use another guy to run the offense. Pooh was ok, I guess, but I thought his one advantage was supposed to be quickness (in lieu of size) and he was getting beat off the dribble all night and he did a poor job of initiating the offense. Basically we looked completely lost out there when Reke sat down. Casspi looked like he tried to take control but to him that meant either throwing up a quick three or driving into the waiting arms of Chris and Blake and having to throw up a shot which would ricochet off the top of the backboard. We need to pray that Beno's injury is minor.
Not sure what else to take away from this game, since without a true playmaker for most of the game it became playground ball for three quarters and the only way you can be somewhat effective in that mode is if you are bigger and more athletic than your opponent which we were neither.
But hey... did I mention the free popcorn and coke that we got?
A few observations for those who weren't "privileged" to see this one with their own eyes. This wasn't a game so much as a learning experience for both the players and the coach. I'd say we learned we have a long way to go in figuring out what to do against extremely athletic teams. We learned that our plethora of small forward candidates all have issues with creating offense for themselves at this point be it from timidity (Landry) wild shotgunning (Omri) or carrying bowling balls in a backpack (Donte). I am a pretty optimistic fellow when it comes to the team, but Donte and Omri disappointed me greatly in how unprepared for whatever reason each seemed for this season. Granted, talent means a lot in this league and Reke has plenty of it, but Tyreke's game was effortless last night and you could clearly see how he had worked on his game over the summer and improved. I would have thought for sure that Omri and Donte would have done the same but if anything it looked like their games have gotten worse. It is kind of baffling. Casspi was throwing up garbage shots all night and Donte can barely move anymore. Forget about him guarding Kobe anymore. I don't get it.
I will go on record right now saying the Griffen-Kamen duo may be the best complimentary big man duo in the league. It was a little much to expect DMC to be able to single-handedly deal with them both (which he got stuck doing alot with our other bigs riding pine and with JT still doing his every-other-game disappearing act (*sigh*) again) and to ask him to do it on a night that the refs were breaking in a new box of whistles was just too much. There were at least three calls that Blake got over DMC, apparently on reputation alone, and DeMarcus is just gonna have to roll with it because that may happen a lot this year for him. I must say he handled himself well and shook it off. He will be fine as he learns the ropes.
With Beno out and Tyreke getting an All-Star's view of preseason from the bench it was clear that we could really use another guy to run the offense. Pooh was ok, I guess, but I thought his one advantage was supposed to be quickness (in lieu of size) and he was getting beat off the dribble all night and he did a poor job of initiating the offense. Basically we looked completely lost out there when Reke sat down. Casspi looked like he tried to take control but to him that meant either throwing up a quick three or driving into the waiting arms of Chris and Blake and having to throw up a shot which would ricochet off the top of the backboard. We need to pray that Beno's injury is minor.
Not sure what else to take away from this game, since without a true playmaker for most of the game it became playground ball for three quarters and the only way you can be somewhat effective in that mode is if you are bigger and more athletic than your opponent which we were neither.
But hey... did I mention the free popcorn and coke that we got?
Last edited:
No, but they have some talent and they used it. The Kings were trying to figure out who to cut/keep, not win that game.
I'm saying that not too much should be read into early pre-season games because they really don't much matter. I mean, do you think we'll walk over PHX during the regular season? Not hardly. And the Clips won't walk over us in regular season either.
Pre-season doesn't mean that much. We know the big picture of this season. A pre-season win or loss will not change that.
I'm saying that not too much should be read into early pre-season games because they really don't much matter. I mean, do you think we'll walk over PHX during the regular season? Not hardly. And the Clips won't walk over us in regular season either.
Pre-season doesn't mean that much. We know the big picture of this season. A pre-season win or loss will not change that.
Fixed
Ive said it once, and I'll say it again .. Unless im proven wrong by actually seeing these guys play together, I dont get why Dally and/or Whiteside cant play with Cousins. Both Dalembert and Whiteside are athletic enough to chase around quicker 4's. There are only a handful of PF's I can see them having a real problem with .. but I think they would be fine on defense against enough teams to make it worth starting the pair.
When you look at our roster, the BEST defensive pairing is probly JT and Dalembert, but that group just doesnt provide enough offense, and you dont want two post players ( Landry and DMC ) coming off your bench.
The other alternative? Landry and Dally. So I guess its a pick your poison sort of situation. I personally think being "too big" and maybe a little slow is better than being "too small". I'd take Dally and DMC together over Landry and Dally any day.
When you look at our roster, the BEST defensive pairing is probly JT and Dalembert, but that group just doesnt provide enough offense, and you dont want two post players ( Landry and DMC ) coming off your bench.
The other alternative? Landry and Dally. So I guess its a pick your poison sort of situation. I personally think being "too big" and maybe a little slow is better than being "too small". I'd take Dally and DMC together over Landry and Dally any day.
Holy crap, long time no see, BigO! Pleasure to be of service to you. I am sure you are still giving some of the most insightful takes here of any fan.
MKF, I agree with you and think that as the season progresses it might become harder and harder to keep Whiteside on the bench. He just disrupts a driving team's offense too much, even if he doesn't block a shot just the fact he is there gets inside the other team's head, and to paraphrase Yogi Berra, being able to win in basketball, like baseball, is 90% mental.
This really speaks to the Kings' problems as well the last few years. They have guys who on any given night can light it up. The problem is with those OTHER any given nights when they take-a-rest/dissappear/pout whatever. Consistency -- which is the outcome of mental toughness -- wins games. Unfortunitely guys like JT, Omri and Donte have shown no consistency.
MKF, I agree with you and think that as the season progresses it might become harder and harder to keep Whiteside on the bench. He just disrupts a driving team's offense too much, even if he doesn't block a shot just the fact he is there gets inside the other team's head, and to paraphrase Yogi Berra, being able to win in basketball, like baseball, is 90% mental.
This really speaks to the Kings' problems as well the last few years. They have guys who on any given night can light it up. The problem is with those OTHER any given nights when they take-a-rest/dissappear/pout whatever. Consistency -- which is the outcome of mental toughness -- wins games. Unfortunitely guys like JT, Omri and Donte have shown no consistency.
My thoughts are based on what I've read, and from talking to someone that was at the game. Our perimiter defense wasn't very good. To make matters worse, none of our perimiter players could hit a shot with any consistency. Tyreke was the only player that was a threat, and once he left the game for good, the Kings became a ship without a rudder. Thompson got into early foul trouble and landed on the bench, leaving Cousins, a rookie to deal with both Kaman and Griffin. He apparently got the rookie treatment from the ref's. From what I've been told, at least two of his fouls shouldn't have been called, possibly three. But thats the NBA and you have to deal with it.
When you look at some of the lineups we had in the game, and the fact that the Clippers, who came out loaded for bear after getting killed in their first game, played their starters for most of the game, its no wonder we got murdered. As I told my son when he was excited about how good the 49er's looked during the exhibition season, Its meaningless, except for individual performances. And thats what pre-season is really all about. Getting a good look at different players in different lineups and seeing how they play. And hopefully getting some consistency from the whole team by the end of pre-season.
I'm certainly not thrilled by the result, but I'm hardly depressed over it. By the way, I wish the ref's would lighten up in the pre-season, and let the guys play a little bit. I'm not saying they shouldn't call fouls, but stop with the ticky tacky calls. Fan's arent' interested in watching guys shoot freethrows.
When you look at some of the lineups we had in the game, and the fact that the Clippers, who came out loaded for bear after getting killed in their first game, played their starters for most of the game, its no wonder we got murdered. As I told my son when he was excited about how good the 49er's looked during the exhibition season, Its meaningless, except for individual performances. And thats what pre-season is really all about. Getting a good look at different players in different lineups and seeing how they play. And hopefully getting some consistency from the whole team by the end of pre-season.
I'm certainly not thrilled by the result, but I'm hardly depressed over it. By the way, I wish the ref's would lighten up in the pre-season, and let the guys play a little bit. I'm not saying they shouldn't call fouls, but stop with the ticky tacky calls. Fan's arent' interested in watching guys shoot freethrows.