Preseason Wraps up Friday Against the Lakers

[VF21]

A new story entry has been added:

[drupal=10]Preseason Wraps up Friday Against the Lakers[/drupal]

Kings-Lakers 10-26-07

As the Kings take a day off in Las Vegas to prepare for their final pre-season game against the Lakers on Friday in the Thomas & Mack Center (home of the Running Rebels of UNLV), one thing is becoming more obvious.

This may not be a team on its way to the title, but it's certainly a much different team than we saw last year. The coach is animated, the players are energetic and involved and the games are fast-paced and fun, even when things don't go quite right.

Mike Bibby, for one night at least, found his stroke, leading more than a few fans to wonder if we could possibly give him some kind of post-hypnotic suggestion to convince him he's always on the road in Staples. We still don't have a clear idea of who will play at the power forward position, but seeing Ron Artest battle in there is certainly interesting.

The main difference is the man in the suit at the beginning of the bench. This is a COACH. This is a man who knows the game from both sides of the court and isn't so wrapped up in power point presentations that he forgets those are living, breathing people out there on the court with feelings and emotions. He doesn't like to see players make mistakes but he doesn't yank them out of games for trivialities. He COACHES; he points out what players could have done differently. As Quincy Douby said, "He lets me make mistakes and learn from them."

The Lakers might take the court looking very little like the Lakers we all love to hate. Bryant has a wrist injury, Odom is is still recovering from shoulder surgery, Walton sat out Tuesday and both Brown and Mihm are still coming back from injuries. Regardless, they're still the Lakers so we say... BEAT LA!!!

The game discussion thread is here.

The PBP thread is here.

 

[bloom]

"This is a man who knows the game from both sides of the court and isn't so wrapped up in power point presentations that he forgets those are living, breathing people out there on the court with feelings and emotions. He doesn't like to see players make mistakes but he doesn't yank them out of games for trivialities. He COACHES; he points out what players could have done differently. As Quincy Douby said, "He lets me make mistakes and learn from them."

lol. I love this part. This was one of the things that really bothered me about Muss. If the kids are part of the future, then you should allow them to make mistakes and play through it. Plus if the vets aren't getting it done either, then you should allow the rookies to get in there and get a feel for the real game. Good practices aren't everything.

 

[Gary]

As Quincy Douby said, "He lets me make mistakes and learn from them."

I like that part the most. It sounds like our younger players should get more time, and play better because of it. Player development is something our last coach lacked.

I even gave Adleman a tough time about it in re: to Wallace. Remember back when Peja, and Hedo were out and he started Wallace? The kid could ball. He would get double doubles in those 4 or so games he started. He's a player I wouldn't have mind seeing on our team.

 

[Bricklayer]

Numerous things:

1) we are at a different place now. When you are a serious title contender, kids making stupid mistakes isn't so haha. Now that we are no longer a serious team, it relieves that pressure.

2) its preseason. As in we haven't played one that matters yet. Makes a teensy bit of difference about how quick a coach's hook is. Its midseason, we've dropped three in a row, kid does something stupid...that will be the test. Minutes are messed up too, with big minute guys only getting 20 a night, thus opening up all these minutes for the kids. Its the way its supposed to be in preseason. But its not the way it will eb come the real thing.

3) We lack the talent we once had. Our idea of a veteran backup PG right now is Orien Greene. So you live with a kid like Douby's mistakes because you have few if any options. Seem to remember Rick living with a wild thing at PG throwing the ball over the arena in hsi first year -- he didn't have any better options. Once Bobby arrived in town, the wild thing's minutes started backsliding. We have no Bobby now.