PROGRAM ALERT: Geoff Petrie on Sportsline 1140 within the Hour

[VF21]

I can't see a business reason to blow this thing up though.

Because you're never going to achieve the desired results with the current equipment, so to speak?

Have you been watching the same games I've been watching? This isn't a team; it's a group of players that has no identity, no trust in each other, no reason to develop said trust, and no guarantee that things can possibly get better in the foreseeable future.

We don't need another quick fix.

 

[most_casual_observer]

Because you're never going to achieve the desired results with the current equipment, so to speak?

Have you been watching the same games I've been watching? This isn't a team; it's a group of players that has no identity, no trust in each other, no reason to develop said trust, and no guarantee that things can possibly get better in the foreseeable future.

We don't need another quick fix.

I'm just not convinced that the current equipment is at fault. A BMW won't run properly on Regular Gasoline either, not the cars fault. Muss may not have the Octane rating we need for the team to perform, or maybe he is consciously misusing them, but I don't blame the players for that...I've seen them play TOO WELL at various times this year to write them off. There is something else at play. Someone doesn't want to win, and I doubt if that is reflective of the collective consciousness of the players. And yes, I watch every minute of every game with great interest. It has been a fascinating opera so far.

 

[VF21]

The separate pieces may have a lot going for them but when you put them together, they simply don't run properly.

To use your example, I don't think this team is a BMW. The body may be a BMW, but the wheels are mounted on a Ford axle, the wiring was done in Japan, the steering wheel is on the wrong side and the dashboard clock is permanently set on European time.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'm just not convinced that the current equipment is at fault.

One does wonder what exactly it would take.

EVERY team, EVERY one has moments. In fact most of the bad ones have far more inspiring ones than we do. Its more a question of clinging than anything else.

Fear of change and the unknown paralyzes many who should know better. Quite possibly our front office included.

And in some ways it does not matter -- from all indications we are about 3 months from a collapse of the season ticket base. If that's not a business reason to blow the thing up, there never was one. And the desperate need is for rejuvenation. Not patchwork -- that's not going to suffice anymore to save the business end. Rejuvenation. Even if this current lineup magically won 8 of the next 10, people wouldn't believe or care at this point. To save the business end, as well as the oncourt end, there needs to be a *bang*.

 

[most_casual_observer]

The separate pieces may have a lot going for them but when you put them together, they simply don't run properly.

To use your example, I don't think this team is a BMW. The body may be a BMW, but the wheels are mounted on a Ford axle, the wiring was done in Japan, the steering wheel is on the wrong side and the dashboard clock is permanently set on European time.

Well, I like your style...and you may be right, but I'm sticking to my guns on this one, I don't see Petrie blowing the old jalopy to smithereens, Muss will go first, in my humble opinion, or they will simply weather the potentially self induced "storm". In either case, I don't think we are too far away from some action, just don't expect it to be the complete dismantling. It would be eminently satisfying to see a demolition job, don't get me wrong. I just don't think it makes business sense to do it, and I don't expect GP to do it just for our entertainment .

 

[VF21]

One does wonder what exactly it would take.

EVERY team, EVERY one has moments. In fact most of the bad ones have far more inspiring ones than we do. Its more a question of clinging than anything else.

Fear of change and the unknown paralyzes many who should know better. Quite possibly our front office included.

And in some ways it does not matter -- from all indications we are about 3 months from a collapse of the season ticket base. If that's not a business reason to blow the thing up, there never was one. And the desperate need is for rejuvenation. Not patchwork -- that's not going to suffice anymore to save the business end. Rejuvenation. Even if this current lineup magically won 8 of the next 10, people wouldn't believe or care at this point. To save the business end, as well as the oncourt end, there needs to be a *bang*.

Exactly.

As someone else has said here recently, "It's time to blow up the clown."

 

[most_casual_observer]

One does wonder what exactly it would take.

EVERY team, EVERY one has moments. In fact most of the bad ones have far more inspiring ones than we do. Its more a question of clinging than anything else.

Fear of change and the unknown paralyzes many who should know better. Quite possibly our front office included.

And in some ways it does not matter -- from all indications we are about 3 months from a collapse of the season ticket base. If that's not a business reason to blow the thing up, there never was one. And the desperate need is for rejuvenation. Not patchwork -- that's not going to suffice anymore to save the business end. Rejuvenation. Even if this current lineup magically won 8 of the next 10, people wouldn't believe or care at this point. To save the business end, as well as the oncourt end, there needs to be a *bang*.

Again, as I just replied to VF21, the BANG would be great entainment for the reasons you stated. Let the REAL GAMES begin!

 

[VF21]

Well, I like your style...and you may be right, but I'm sticking to my guns on this one, I don't see Petrie blowing the old jalopy to smithereens, Muss will go first, in my humble opinion, or they will simply weather the potentially self induced "storm". In either case, I don't think we are too far away from some action, just don't expect it to be the complete dismantling. It would be eminently satisfying to see a demolition job, don't get me wrong. I just don't think it makes business sense to do it, and I don't expect GP to do it just for our entertainment .

At least it gives those of us who still care about the team something to talk about.

Hmmmm...

I feel a poll coming on.

 

[kingsfan101]

Well, I like your style...and you may be right, but I'm sticking to my guns on this one, I don't see Petrie blowing the old jalopy to smithereens, Muss will go first, in my humble opinion, or they will simply weather the potentially self induced "storm". In either case, I don't think we are too far away from some action, just don't expect it to be the complete dismantling. It would be eminently satisfying to see a demolition job, don't get me wrong. I just don't think it makes business sense to do it, and I don't expect GP to do it just for our entertainment .

Think the main reason it won't be done (even assuming Petrie plans it, and Maloofs consent), is that it can't be done (well, technically, it can be done. However, we shall just get 2 cents on the dollar if we take that approach). The complete rebuild, if that means trading away most of our vets for enders, picks, is not going to happen this year. We just won't find good deals for all the guys. Finding just a couple alone would be tough.

If we don't go for a patchwork job, I think this is the way it shall fold out

• We end up with a reasonably high draft pick in this draft (with some luck and continued sucking, a very high pick).
• Hopefully, one or more of vets are traded this year. As tough as it is to trade them when their value is low, there are teams that need to win now (Spurs, Heat), and are a piece away. Hopefully, we can satisy some of their needs.
• Martin is signed to an extension next year.
• Corliss is re-signed for a couple of years.
• Over the next two-three years, vets are traded (hopefully, again for enders/picks). As the pending length of their contracts reduce, it shall be easier to trade them (will take very long for Miller and KT).

If this does work out, the team should start to show improvement from next year onwards (hopefully, they can't be much worse. With a high pick, as well as some internal growth from the kids, we shall hopefully be better). It shall take 2-3 years at the minimum, for us to become contenders again.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Think the main reason it won't be done (even assuming Petrie plans it, and Maloofs consent), is that it can't be done (well, technically, it can be done. However, we shall just get 2 cents on the dollar if we take that approach). The complete rebuild, if that means trading away most of our vets for enders, picks, is not going to happen this year. We just won't find good deals for all the guys. Finding just a couple alone would be tough.

If we don't go for a patchwork job, I think this is the way it shall fold out

• We end up with a reasonably high draft pick in this draft (with some luck and continued sucking, a very high pick).
• Hopefully, one or more of vets are traded this year. As tough as it is to trade them when their value is low, there are teams that need to win now (Spurs, Heat), and are a piece away. Hopefully, we can satisy some of their needs.
• Martin is signed to an extension next year.
• Corliss is re-signed for a couple of years.
• Over the next two-three years, vets are traded (hopefully, again for enders/picks). As the pending length of their contracts reduce, it shall be easier to trade them (will take very long for Miller and KT).

If this does work out, the team should start to show improvement from next year onwards (hopefully, they can't be much worse. With a high pick, as well as some internal growth from the kids, we shall hopefully be better). It shall take 2-3 years at the minimum, for us to become contenders again.

this isn't a time to get picky about getting proper value, we don't have the luxury of time.

 

[vfettke]

i kind of agree with most_casual_observer, that there's something there (or not there) that's causing this group of really talented players to to just suck. for some reason, last year we had almost the same group and they played well together. KT still had a crap attitude. Artest was still a little nuts, although he was on his best behavior. Miller was still soft and unathletic. Bibby was still losing hope. And we also had Bonzi Wells, who was another headcase. And they clicked together at the end of the season. I think part of that is because of Adelman, whom the players respected and had no real reason to dislike him. Another part, was Ron's drive in the last half of the season. We don't have that anymore. Adelman was replaced by some "youngster" coach who has yet to earn his players' respect. And Artest seems to not care. Muss having no respect, and Artest (their spiritual leader, so to speak) not caring is going to kill this team. I think the only people on the team that care about playing are Martin, and all of our youngsters. The rest of the starters seem to have given up. There's no fire there, and there's nothing to light a fire like Artest did last season.

i was watching the Mavs/Lakers game tonight. It occured to me how great it would be to have a coach like Avery Johnson. A few minutes into the game its tied 4-4. Dallas calls a time out. There weren't really any bad plays made, or anything to worry about for the Mavs. But what does Johnson do? He lays into his starters. 2 minutes into a game that's tied at 4 apiece and he's yelling at his guys? it sounds nuts. but they listened to him. they respect him. here's this little mean guy yelling at players like Dirk Nowitzki who, in case you forgot, is a 7 foot monster that could crush Avery Johnson like a bug. and Dirk listens to him. he commands respect. and he's been doing it since last year when he won coach of the year and took his team to the NBA Finals... that was also his first full season as a head coach

now, there is no doubt in my mind that if we could some how measure the overall talent of our 5 starters, and the starting lineup of the Dallas Mavericks, that our guys would be better. looking at their careers, which players would you rather have? Bibby or Terry? Harris or Martin? Howard or Artest? Choosing between Miller and Dampier is tough because Miller can score, but Dampier can block shots and rebound. Nowitzki vs our little PFs is a no brainer. But, overall we have the better group of guys. But that's all the Kings are: a group of guys that are all really good at basketball. the Mavs have a team. they are all accountable for what they do on the court, and they all answer to Avery Johnson, who scares the hell out of every one of 'em. who does Musselman scare? maybe Justin Williams, who doesn't have a guaranteed contract yet? he's probably scared of Artest. Bibby just doesn't care. Martin doesn't get enough plays called for him even though he's their scoring leader and takes the least amount of shots. why should Martin care? Shareef just isn't as productive as he's been in the past, and KT's ego is as big as he is undersized. and Brad looks like he's daydreaming about his next hunting trip while he's playing. this isn't even close to a team.

i'm not saying we should try to hire Avery Johnson (it'd be nice). i'm just saying that if the current "team" were really a team we wouldn't be in this mess. the players have lost their motivation and Musselman just isn't the guy to help them find it.

 

[VF21]

this isn't even close to a team.

That pretty much says it all, really...

 

[6th]

Excellent post, vfettke, with some really good points. I agree that Musselman just does not command the respect of his players. And, he sure hasn't found a way to make these guys go on the court as a TEAM!

 

[kingsfan101]

this isn't a time to get picky about getting proper value, we don't have the luxury of time.

It's more than getting change on the dollar. We can lose talent, if we are taking back enders or short term contracts and prospects, picks etc., but that is quite tough. Exchanging our long term contracts, with some other team's long term contract is, as Piksi put in another thread, just trading garbage for garbage.

If deals can be found that shall replace our veterans with expiring/short term deals, then we should go for it, even if it means a loss of talent in the short term. I believe it shall happen over the next couple of years, and only to a limited extent this year.

 

[Vlade4GM]

It's more than getting change on the dollar. We can lose talent, if we are taking back enders or short term contracts and prospects, picks etc., but that is quite tough. Exchanging our long term contracts, with some other team's long term contract is, as Piksi put in another thread, just trading garbage for garbage.

If deals can be found that shall replace our veterans with expiring/short term deals, then we should go for it, even if it means a loss of talent in the short term. I believe it shall happen over the next couple of years, and only to a limited extent this year.

but the most important thing is that we get the highest pick we can get and that means letting all the youngsters play and in turn losing games.