[Grades] Preseason Grades v. Lakers 10/21/12

[Bricklayer]

Johnson ( C- ) -- okay, this was the worst game we have seen thus far from JJ, but he still contributed. Offensively he didn't get it done, as the Lakers length, anchored by the big drama queen guy, closed the middle, turning his drives into forces into the teeth, and his jumpers into...well, not what he does well. And with Metta coming to play, and every bit as strong, Johnson didn't grab any boards either, although he was frequently in the scrum. So so far, so F. Thing is we didn't bring him here to score, and in the other, oft forgotten about, half of the game he was an imapct player. Was active early, and notched a block on Howard inside. Closed the game with a great challenge of Kobe on the 3pt tying attempt at the 11 second mark. Throw is some passing help and you get enough going that this is about the highest grade you are ever going to see for a 0pt 0reb in 21min effort.

Robinson ( C+ ) -- middling game highlighted by two highlight reel follow dunks showing off his athelticism. The second one came in the second half and he was really flying, right over Dwight's back (see below). Thing is, other than those two plays, didn't get much done, and offensively again looked shaky, badly missing jumpers, forcing a drive, and engaging in a bit of open court ballhandling that reminded me of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland as he weebled and wobbled and nearly turned it over three times before finally trying to get it ahead to Reke. Defensively was maybe ok, but not able to provide Boogie with much interior help against the Lakers twin towers inside. The question of whether he can handle a near 7-footer in the post remains open. I'll plus him just for the following highlight though:

Cousins ( B- ) -- frustrating game for Boogie, but he got the last laugh. Was having problems against the Lakers frontline on both ends in the early going, not able to dominate against the twin towers set, frequently getting doubled by the two bigs, turning it over as the Lakers seemed to already have diagrammed many of our plays after only one meeting and were sitting on the passes, and having it all compounded by some good old fashioned Lakers star whistles. Some of his responses were undisciplined, such as again throwing up another junk three pointer for no reason. After having to be pulled early with three fouls, we put him back in in the late second, and he quickly picked up his 4th. But he also began to play himself into the game. If he wasn't able to challenge Howard at the rim, he was slapping at balls, and twice showed so strongly up top that he actually broke up Nahs pcika nd roll attettps, taking steals all the way down the court for dunks on the break. Chased away from the rim by Howard, but the vversatility came into paly as he splashed in jumpers. And then after being reinserted late in the game with the Lakers going full regular season on us and reinserting their full starting lineup to try to win it, it was Boogie who made the big plays down the stretch to win the game for us. Get's the half grade bump for the late heroics despite not being his strongest game for most of the night.

Evans ( B- ) -- got off to a strong start, hitting a three, then with a nice drive right into the teeth of the Lakers size. Was very actively checking Kobe on defense, but as we have seen over the years with Kobe it is often a good effort, limited luck thing no matter who is on him. Slowed as he and Cuz both telegraphed several passes meant for each other, and the Lakers were waiting on them. After hitting the first three settled for more of them as you could clearly see the Smart chuck 'em if you got 'em command take root. Unfortunately the rest did not go in. Capped the half for us as we were started to fade with a hard drive slamming into Howard for the big collision and 2 FTs. Played some great defense on Kobe to start the third...and again Kobe scored anyway as we just don't have that backline length, and Boogie was having to be careful. Made several more nice offensive plays in the third, but what is holding this grade back is simply that he did not hit enough of those jumpers. Took them without hesitation, as that seems to be Smart's one answer to any guard's woes -- just gun. But they were not shots Reke normally takes, and the misses pulled the percentage back down. Pretty strong game in other aspects however -- project this out to starter's min and its about 20pts 5reb 3ast. Certainly nothing like the struggle against the Lakers last time out.

Thomas ( C ) -- okay start going against a suddenly very pedestrian looking Nash. Assisted on a few shots, but did not feel like he was really generaling out there, and offensively it was interesting, because almost all of his shots came from three. I say interesting because the argument for Brooks as a starter next to Reke and Johnson is that he can provide the three point bombing that they cannot. So with Isaiah out there with Evans and Johnson, maybe that is what we were trying to do with him as well. Hit a couple, but still strugglignng with his percentages this preseason.

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Bench

Thompson ( B- ) -- not always effective or efficicent, but active this time out and gave us some bursts of energy as our "other big next to Cousins" position remains a mediocre scrum. Got into early foul trouble during the refs' early Lakers push, but it was never a factor. Was on the offensive glass, although in his touchless can't finish them off mode. Brought the energy in the second as the Lakers began to open things, on one play doing a nice job grabbing a d-board, leading the break, and then cleaning up Thornton's missed layup. Unfortunately his defense has never matched hsi size, and Mr. Irrelevant Robert Sacre was scoring on him back the other way. Was wavering on this grade, but did like the energy.

Brooks ( A ) -- great game by Brooks. Basically made one mistake in the game, unfortunately at a dumb and unfortunate time when he forced an off balance three with 1:20 to go in the game. But other than that moment was just an instant energy point a minute sparkplug whenever he was in the game. Hit a three, but he was also using that quickness on the drive, on the break, and the Lakers had nobody who could stay with him. Partially because of the Lakers intentional fouling even led us in FTs with a 7-7 night, during a game in which we shot 21-21 from the line. Like his defensive effort this preseason, getting to the line is not known as a big part of his game. Right now a real spark off the bench, but still would like to see how Brooks/Reke/Johnson/whoever/Cousins works as a starting unit.

Thornton ( C+ ) -- well, the 57% preseason shooting bubble finally burst for Marcus during a 1-7 first half (the one was his first shot after entering, but was begin guarded tightly and nothing else came easy). But this grade only sinks so far because even with the poor shooting he was still forceful out there. Just very active and aggressive in all aspects. And after he returned late in the 4th to help us stave off the Lakers starters, he knocked down back to back jumpers to stem the Lakers tide, grabbed a strong rebound at the 11 second mark and got the sealing FTs on an intentional foul by the Lakers, and generally was again a force in there. Considered a B- here, but that's tough with 30% shooting. Still, one of the important developments in preseason has been us winning games by guys contributing beyond their offense. Tonight Marcus, Reke, JJ, etc. all played better than their numbers, and its why we are winning these games.

Outlaw ( D+ ) -- came in and immediately hit a long contested jumper. That concluded his contributions as he did nothing else and his only other notable play was trying to force a drive into Howard's chest and ending up on his back.

Hayes ( B+ ) -- played a strong solid game off the bench as the best of our "not Cousins" bigs. Was doing a nice job of blocking guys out on the glass, and stripping them down low when they tried to post. Got several ofhis fufly little groudnbound flips to fall inside. Had a nice feed to a backcutting Thornton that did not notch an assist after Dwitht came over to intimidate, and was more involved as a passer this time (we only notched 17 assists again so can use any of it we can find).

Fredette ( C+ ) -- nothing special, but ok. Several moments, including soon after entering for the first time hitting the catch and shoot three after Cousins got trapped on the baseline by Howard/Pau -- that's key, becaus that's the one thing we need peopel to do heading forward. Scored on a drive to put us back up after three quarters. Reinserted in the final seconds in the interntional foul situation, got fouled, and hit both to put us up 3 at the 17 second mark.

Cisco ( C- ) -- really only did one thing all night, but it was a well timed one thing as he drained a three in the mid 4th to keep us in the lead after the Lakers put in all their starters. Airballed a shot at the 2:00 mark that he claimed he wws fouled on.

Ndiaye ( INC ) -- got a little bit of actual run as he was inserted alongside Ocusins for the stretch run here, and got to match up with Dwight and Pau. Unfortunately did not do much, which isn't a great sign with only a week to go until we start playing for real.

 

[Kings Faithful]

For a lot of teams the pre season games are pointless. I see it as a great opportunity to get our team used to WINNING. None of them know what it's really like and this at least gives them a taste. Hopefully we can translate it into the regular season.

 

[The_Jamal]

Yep. For a team that's had a losing culture the past 6 seasons, 2 wins over the Lakers dream team and a 4-1 overall preseason is a huge deal.

 

[Sac.1989]

we're going to meet these guys in the playoffs this season so every win counts

 

[HereWeBoogie]

lol check out the laker bench reaction when T-Rob dunks it

 

[VF21]

lol check out the laker bench reaction when T-Rob dunks it

Thanks. I hadn't noticed that part.

 

[kennadog]

lol check out the laker bench reaction when T-Rob dunks it

I didn't notice either. That is hilarious. Almost as much fun as the dunk itself.

Note: While beating the Lakers is always enjoyable, I'm not fooling myself into thinking this is the same as the Lakers team we'll see when the games count and Howard gets a few more games under his belt. We will have to play better, too. Here's to hoping we can be better.

 

[Section 101]

I didn't notice either. That is hilarious. Almost as much fun as the dunk itself.

Note: While beating the Lakers is always enjoyable, I'm not fooling myself into thinking this is the same as the Lakers team we'll see when the games count and Howard gets a few more games under his belt. We will have to play better, too. Here's to hoping we can be better.

Their bench is a huge problem. If Kobe and Pau have to play extended minutes they are going to break down later in the season.

 

[mac]

Woo yay we won!!! Easy thing we can improve on: bigs (I'm looking at you JT and TRob!) should get the ball to their guards a lot faster when we're breaking out.

I think special credit should be given to Chuck Hayes for some pretty good defense, creating a lot of turnovers!

I'm still looking to see Evans take the mid-range pullup or floater. That's what we all wanted him to work on, and if I remember correctly he wasn't planning on working on his 3 point shot so much as opposed to the midrange jumper. So far he's shown a willingness to shoot the open 3, and the results have been mixed. I want to see him pull up for a shot when he drives instead of forcing it into the defense. That will be the true money shot for him.

 

[Prog]

I think special credit should be given to Chuck Hayes for some pretty good defense, creating a lot of turnovers!

I was also impressed with his D. It's surprising to see how effective Hayes can be defending much taller players. I'm starting to think that against teams with big duos (such as the Lakers) he should start alongside Cousins.

 

[Kingster]

I didn't notice either. That is hilarious. Almost as much fun as the dunk itself.

Note: While beating the Lakers is always enjoyable, I'm not fooling myself into thinking this is the same as the Lakers team we'll see when the games count and Howard gets a few more games under his belt. We will have to play better, too. Here's to hoping we can be better.

That's for sure. The Lakers were very disjointed. You're not going to see repeated 3 second calls when the regular season rolls around, or as many missed opportunities in lob dunks, or shot blocks. But it's not as if the Kings are close to realizing their potential either. They are probably playing at about 65% of what they could ultimately do on the floor. The Kings future depends on what's between their collective ears. They must continue to player smarter.

 

[Kingster]

Tyreke's D

I'm re-watching the game. Start of the third quarter. Kobe beats Tyreke to the baseline to make the shot. A couple of plays later, Kobe beats Tyreke to the baseline again to make the shot. A couple of plays later Tyreke does get into Barnes's grill and forces him to the middle of the floor, where Barnes loses the ball in traffic. A couple of plays later he leaves Kobe to double team Howard about 17 ft from the basket. Howard gives the return pass to Kobe for an open shot, which Kobe misses. The following play, Tyreke takes a 3 pointer near the top of the key that misses, Kobe grabs the rebound, runs the floor, and fakes Tyreke into fouling him. A play later, Tyreke does guard Kobe without the ball as he cuts to in the paint. Following play he's guarding Kobe and Howard picks him about 20 ft from the basket near the top of the key. (It really was a moving screen). Kobe flashes to the paint, but doesn't receive the ball because of the traffic by other players in the paint. Lakers get the offensive rebound; Tyreke plays way off Kobe in the paint, but he's guarding nobody; it's like he's playing zone; Kobe is standing wide open at the 3 pt. line, but doesn't get the pass. The following play Kobe gets low post position on Tyreke about 12 ft from the basket, but doesn't have time to do his move because Howard gets a 3 second call. A couple of plays later Kobe gets the ball in post position on baseline; Cousins double teams and Kobe passes the ball. Next couple of plays Tyreke ends up guarding World Peace and does a pretty good job; WP takes a 3 pointer off a screen and tosses up an air ball. Now it's 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.

If you look at Tyreke's 1st quarter defense, it's just poor. For example, that slow mo fast break in which Gasol got to down the lane is because while Gasol was proceeding to go down the lane with the ball when Tyreke inexplicably trotted over to Thompson who was way out on the permiter and told Thompson to switch. Good luck with that. On another play, Tyreke and another King had Kobe stopped on the baseline; Kobe had picked up his dribble. Tyreke then moved to his left (away from the baseline), thereby surrending the baseline and allowing Kobe to step through easily for the shot. Go figure. On another play, Tyreke was guarding his man out near the corner of the free throw line; there were plenty of Kings to his left to offer help if his man went right; what does Tyreke do? He moves to his left, leaving the entire court open on his opponent's right side - mattador defense. Go figure again. The announcer laughed because it was so bad.

 

[mac]

I'm re-watching the game. Start of the third quarter. Kobe beats Tyreke to the baseline to make the shot. A couple of plays later, Kobe beats Tyreke to the baseline again to make the shot. A couple of plays later Tyreke does get into Barnes's grill and forces him to the middle of the floor, where Barnes loses the ball in traffic. A couple of plays later he leaves Kobe to double team Howard about 17 ft from the basket. Howard gives the return pass to Kobe for an open shot, which Kobe misses. The following play, Tyreke takes a 3 pointer near the top of the key that misses, Kobe grabs the rebound, runs the floor, and fakes Tyreke into fouling him. A play later, Tyreke does guard Kobe without the ball as he cuts to in the paint. Following play he's guarding Kobe and Howard picks him about 20 ft from the basket near the top of the key. (It really was a moving screen). Kobe flashes to the paint, but doesn't receive the ball because of the traffic by other players in the paint. Lakers get the offensive rebound; Tyreke plays way off Kobe in the paint, but he's guarding nobody; it's like he's playing zone; Kobe is standing wide open at the 3 pt. line, but doesn't get the pass. The following play Kobe gets low post position on Tyreke about 12 ft from the basket, but doesn't have time to do his move because Howard gets a 3 second call. A couple of plays later Kobe gets the ball in post position on baseline; Cousins double teams and Kobe passes the ball. Next couple of plays Tyreke ends up guarding World Peace and does a pretty good job; WP takes a 3 pointer off a screen and tosses up an air ball. Now it's 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.

If you look at Tyreke's 1st quarter defense, it's just poor. For example, that slow mo fast break in which Gasol got to down the lane is because while Gasol was proceeding to go down the lane with the ball when Tyreke inexplicably trotted over to Thompson who was way out on the permiter and told Thompson to switch. Good luck with that. On another play, Tyreke and another King had Kobe stopped on the baseline; Kobe had picked up his dribble. Tyreke then moved to his left (away from the baseline), thereby surrending the baseline and allowing Kobe to step through easily for the shot. Go figure. On another play, Tyreke was guarding his man out near the corner of the free throw line; there were plenty of Kings to his left to offer help if his man went right; what does Tyreke do? He moves to his left, leaving the entire court open on his opponent's right side - mattador defense. Go figure again. The announcer laughed because it was so bad.

I'll agree on the zone thing. Tyreke has this tendency to stay around the middle of the paint once his man moves without the ball. Now you figure it's because he wants to be in position to help on D, but at the same time he's leaving his man way too open. It's something that all of our guys used to last season. Hopefully the coaching staff picks up on this and tells him to stay on his man and trust the bigs to provide help D if the perimeter defender gets beat

 

[Gary]

Thomas didn't have a great game, but when he was out there with Nash he did limit Nash's effectiveness pretty well. He deserves a C+/B- in my book.

 

[Kingster]

I'll agree on the zone thing. Tyreke has this tendency to stay around the middle of the paint once his man moves without the ball. Now you figure it's because he wants to be in position to help on D, but at the same time he's leaving his man way too open. It's something that all of our guys used to last season. Hopefully the coaching staff picks up on this and tells him to stay on his man and trust the bigs to provide help D if the perimeter defender gets beat

Also, if Tyreke is "playing zone" in the paint to help on D, why is it we don't see him actually do just that? - help out on D? He doesn't take a charge in there; he doesn't block a shot in there; he rarely gets a rebound in there; he doesn't get the steal in there. He's just taking up space.

 

[mac]

Also, if Tyreke is "playing zone" in the paint to help on D, why is it we don't see him actually do just that? - help out on D? He doesn't take a charge in there; he doesn't block a shot in there; he rarely gets a rebound in there; he doesn't get the steal in there. He's just taking up space.

Not quite true. He got one or two weakside blocks in the Blazers game (was that the one before the first Laker game?). He's challenging the shot when guys get past their defender, and naturally the guy who's challenging isn't usually the one that gets the rebound. By then the bigs would recover to grab the board. Also, the whole reason this is an issue is because he's leaving his man open for a 3, which often happens leaving him racing out to the close out on the shot.

I mean dude, at some point you have to be a little bit more fair in your judgment. Cousins and JT don't take charges on every play, they don't block shots on every play, they too reach in and foul. Does this mean that all they do is take up space? Also, Tyreke has proven that he's a decent defensive rebounder and that he will crash the boards where possible. You're getting to the point where you're nitpicking on every single thing he does, and it really makes me question whether you actually want him to succeed. I don't give a rat's *** what your stance before the draft was, the fact is now you're completely overlooking any good he does and looking for silly things to prove your point that Tyreke is the worst thing that has happened to this franchise.