Primary Reason Kings are Losing

[LoungeLizard]

All I am saying is that with Bibby/Bonzi/Artest/SAR/Miller we have a solid core that we should play with the rest of the year to see where we are at. How many games have they played together? NONE. When Bonzi comes back and SAR is 100% that starting 5 will be as competetive as any. With the addition of a gunner off the bench and a rebounding/shot blocking/defensive minded big man and some consistency with the player rotation we will be right back where we need to be. My point is, let the rest of the season with those 5 as your core be the barometer of what moves should be made during the offseason. Now, if some amazing deal is presented to us that is too good to pass up, by all means take it, but that is not likely.

 

[Bricklayer]

All I am saying is that with Bibby/Bonzi/Artest/SAR/Miller we have a solid core that we should play with the rest of the year to see where we are at. How many games have they played together? NONE. When Bonzi comes back and SAR is 100% that starting 5 will be as competetive as any. With the addition of a gunner off the bench and a rebounding/shot blocking/defensive minded big man and some consistency with the player rotation we will be right back where we need to be. My point is, let the rest of the season with those 5 as your core be the barometer of what moves should be made during the offseason. Now, if some amazing deal is presented to us that is too good to pass up, by all means take it, but that is not likely.

I understand, but a lot of the difference is I know that this "core" is only marginally more solid than the last one. There's been a lot of namby-pamby-let's-take-baby-steps-because-I'm-just not sure and really don't want to mess with this great looking fantasy team stuff going on this year. And we should know better. And Geoff should certainly know better. Half a season is not going to make us rebound, its not going to cause somebody to grow 6 inches and give us shotblocking. Its not going to ease the massive shot crunch from having too many offensive minded players.

In short, the deficiencies are right there and plain to see. There is no need to tiptoe around like insecure wallflowers when there is major work to be undertaken.

Peja had absorbed Webb's scapegoat status there by the end, but it was always overblown. One Artest for Peja deal does NOT make it all better, and we already know, or should know, why that is true.

 

[LoungeLizard]

The same was said of the Vlade/Webber/Peja/Bibby core when we had all of them. They are too "soft" and too offensive minded, but time showed they adapted to each other's game and found the niche. Did we win a championship? NO, but pretty damn close. My main concern with the current core is Miller/SAR but I'm willing to give them the rest of this season to prove me wrong.

 

[Kings113]

I expect at least another move, mainly to the bench, as it clearly needs it

 

[coolhandluke]

We need shotblocking in the worst way. At the very least a bulky body that will make the opposing guards think twice before going to the rim. Then again, how many shotblocking, rebounding big guys (who are not a total embarassment on offense) are available out there? Ben Wallace / Chandler? Pipe dream. Przybilla / Nazr? Maybe.

 

[Kings113]

We have one in Brian Skinner, Rick simply doesn't play him. Also, while lighter, there's Sampson who proved he isn't just some tall guy with Charlotte.

I'd love to get Pryzbilla.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

We need Bonzi, ohhh I can't wait to see our perimeter Defence and double teams with Bonzi and Artest!!!

 

[LilMissDiva]

To me our biggest problems are #1 Defense and coming in a close #2 inconsistency.

 

[Sacto=Slappo]

We have one in Brian Skinner, Rick simply doesn't play him. Also, while lighter, there's Sampson who proved he isn't just some tall guy with Charlotte.

And Skinner's not that bad offensively...what 5.5 pts per game w/ 18 mins avg. Not Sooper but plenty of juice off the bench for the shot blocking he provides.

 

[Kings113]

Indeed, and proved that last year when he came to Sac, and in Milwaukee.

Above 6 last year: 15 pts, 12 (x2), 8 (x2), 9 (x3), 14 (x2), 13 (x2)

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Yah Skinner Should be gettin some playing time.

 

[The Freak]

primary reason? lack of bench development.

 

[Kings113]

Martin/Garcia are. But it's personnel.

 

[joejoe]

That's actually precisely why you should get the wholesale changes that you know you are going to need anyway out of the way all at once if you can. Coherence and consistency do count. Part of our edge there for many years. But if you intentionally go for half measures and leave gaping holes in the team, then you are going to be stuck making major changes in 6 months, a year, 2 years, whatever, and the team will never be able to settle down and gel. We have no chemistry anyway at this point, let's do what needs to be done for the future and THEN put on the "patience" hats and see what develops.

I agree that knowing your teamates is critical, and that the team will get better with time. But if you think about it, this overhaul of the Kings *has* been very quick. In one and a half seasons, we went from:

Bibby
DC
Peja
Webber
Divac

to this

Bibbly
Wells
Artest
SAR
Miller

By NBA standars, 1.5 years is *fast." There's no way that you could have made all these changes with one mega trade. So let's allow these guys to have some practices and gel (remember, Wells has been out about half the season so far, and SAR is still far short of 100%). I can totally see this team running on all cylinders by April and running over most teams.

 

[Bricklayer]

I can totally see this team running on all cylinders by April and running over most teams.

This remains the Petrieesque delusion and may actually be what ends up getting him fired hbere at some point.

What I can see them doing is fight over the ball, collectively establish no rhythm, be unable to take care of the glass, unable to protect the rim, all of which frustrates Mr. Artest (something you do NOT want to have happen) and sends Bonzi scurrying off to greener and better run pastures.

I utterly defy anybody to come up with ANY team that has 5 15+pt scorers on it. Just no way to make that work. It is still exactly the same dynamic we had to start the year, when we were stupid and sat around waiting for it to gel. Worse even. Artest wants to be a #1 option. He wants the ball. A lot. The shot crunch will be worse than ever.

Everybody in Kingsland wants this trade to be a magic bullet. It is not. It is a step. An imprtant step. But if it all you do there is simply NO way it takes one of the NBA's worst teams and makes them into one of the best. More work to be done, and I hope to God we don't go cowardly lion before the job is finished.

 

[bozzwell]

This remains the Petrieesque delusion and may actually be what ends up getting him fired hbere at some point.

What I can see them doing is fight over the ball, collectively establish no rhythm, be unable to take care of the glass, unable to protect the rim, all of which frustrates Mr. Artest (something you do NOT want to have happen) and sends Bonzi scurrying off to greener and better run pastures.

I utterly defy anybody to come up with ANY team that has 5 15+pt scorers on it. Just no way to make that work. It is still exactly the same dynamic we had to start the year, when we were stupid and sat around waiting for it to gel. Worse even. Artest wants to be a #1 option. He wants the ball. A lot. The shot crunch will be worse than ever.

Everybody in Kingsland wants this trade to be a magic bullet. It is not. It is a step. An imprtant step. But if it all you do there is simply NO way it takes one of the NBA's worst teams and makes them into one of the best. More work to be done, and I hope to God we don't go cowardly lion before the job is finished.

You know, you could have waited with that harsh reality stuff for another week. I was just starting to enjoy watching Artest out there, even though we're still a team of complimentary scorers + Artest and no inside defense and hustle to speak of.

 

[ParniValjak]

I understand, but a lot of the difference is I know that this "core" is only marginally more solid than the last one. There's been a lot of namby-pamby-let's-take-baby-steps-because-I'm-just not sure and really don't want to mess with this great looking fantasy team stuff going on this year. And we should know better. And Geoff should certainly know better. Half a season is not going to make us rebound, its not going to cause somebody to grow 6 inches and give us shotblocking. Its not going to ease the massive shot crunch from having too many offensive minded players.

In short, the deficiencies are right there and plain to see. There is no need to tiptoe around like insecure wallflowers when there is major work to be undertaken.

Peja had absorbed Webb's scapegoat status there by the end, but it was always overblown. One Artest for Peja deal does NOT make it all better, and we already know, or should know, why that is true.

Never a truer word spoken.

 

[hoops4kings]

My question is... why is Skinner getting no PT? I mean there's times when we can use that interior D and the man sits. I don't get it.

Sure, he's not the greatest O threat, but damn... I like his energy and hustle.

RA is a damn good coach, but c'mon... at least he can use Skinner's skills to some extent, much like Pollard's.

 

[Troy]

My question is... why is Skinner getting no PT? I mean there's times when we can use that interior D and the man sits. I don't get it.

Sure, he's not the greatest O threat, but damn... I like his energy and hustle.

RA is a damn good coach, but c'mon... at least he can use Skinner's skills to some extent, much like Pollard's.

Agreed, especially now more than ever with Brad being hurt. I would like to see Skinner start at PF and have SAR come off the bench then Kenny could back up Artest at SF until Artest gets in better game shape. It sucks though that the moment Ron comes out, the other team goes on a run. At the very least play Skinner some more, he deserves it by the intensity he brings.