Q&A with Darren Collison

[VF21]

http://www.nba.com/kings/blog/kings-qa-collison-part-1?linkId=9145163

How do you think your team-first approach can help the Kings?

“I think it should always be about the team. If you look at some of the contending teams, whether it’s the Spurs, OKC or Miami last year – these guys found a way to come together despite their talent. Everybody wants to talk about LeBron James or Tony Parker, but those guys will tell you, their team was just as valuable as them.”

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I like it.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Well that is different perspective than someone else we had around. Good to hear

 

[PurpleHaze]

That's clearly 50% of the battle and other 50% the overall talent level. Unfortunately last year Kings were always struggling with first part which made second part too often a mute point - thus the 28 wins. Now, with such right team attitude as expressed brilliantly by Mr. Collison - onward and upward!

 

[funkykingston]

The proof will be in the pudding. Everything D'Alessandro, Malone and even Collison has said would seem to indicate more ball movement next season. I certainly hope that's the case.

 

[FaStRmAn]

This is not a championship level team. As it is presently constructed, you cant even make a case for a borderline playoff team. The truth is that the purging of talentless, defenseless players has almost been completed. The stain of the Ma(00f era has almost been erased. But it will take more time to actually build a winner capable of challenging for a playoff spot. The first phase is almost complete. 28 win teams that don't make wholesale changes remain 28 win teams. First radical roster renewal, then roster improvement thru drafting smart and intelligent free agent signings and trades. So far so good. I look forward to seeing the improved product on the floor. But I have NO illusions that this is anything but a 25-35 win team as it is presently constructed. Hopefully we are able to make another trade or 2 before the season starts in order to move toward the goal of respectability.

 

[funkykingston]

I don't think anyone is thinking this Kings team is a contender.

So then the measuring sticks used have to be about stated goals. And what have we heard from the team's FO and coaches? Their stated goals for improvement are:

• Improved defense
• Increased versatility ("positionless" basketball)
• Better outside shooting
• More ball movement on offense
• Adding a shot blocker next to Cousins
• Being willing to gamble with non essential pieces (read ending contracts) in big trades

I'm not as wrapped up in the win total for next season (though I will be disappointed if it isn't an improvement over last season) but I will be watching closely to see if there are gains made in the areas that D'Alessandro and Malone have themselves communicated.

 

[The Hammer]

The proof will be in the pudding. Everything D'Alessandro, Malone and even Collison has said would seem to indicate more ball movement next season. I certainly hope that's the case.

But ALREADY these things are way different than the stuff coming out of IT's mouth, and his body language. Plus, Collison's history shows he's a team guy.

This was such a savvy move. We save 3 mil, and get a pg that I believe will alone contribute to more wins, just on his style of play. As far as the missed scoring... we have enough guys that can take up the load. Cousins will get more shots and more pts without IT, and so will Gay. Consider the drafting of Stauskas, trading for Ellington, this is starting to look like an actual plan. I'm not worried about our offense. Adding Moreland to the equation... and I'm starting to feel the beginning of actual excitement. Go Gerbil Go!

 

[The Hammer]

Give this team and front office two more years eveybody. We're all heading toward the first season in the new building. THAT's when this will start to really get exciting. Cousins will be absolutely killing it.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Give this team and front office two more years eveybody. We're all heading toward the first season in the new building. THAT's when this will start to really get exciting. Cousins will be absolutely killing it.

It does appear that we could potentially be carrying a ton of positive momentum into that first season in the new arena. All things considered, the energy in that new place should be something to behold

 

[Spike]

Go Gerbil Go!

 

[pdxKingsFan]

40 wins seems a realistic goal (though hopefully they are preaching playoffs).

 

[upinsmoke]

Well last year we fielded two teams. Vasquez/MT

 

[Kingster]

The Kings were around .500 ball with Rudy, Cousins and IT playing, so if in fact there is improvement of this team they should be above .500 next season.

 

[funkykingston]

It will help slightly that one of the teams that finished above the Kings in the West last season - the Timberwolves - should see a drop in wins.

Minnesota's roster (assuming the Love trade is consummated) has a lot of long term potential. They'll likely start:

C Nikola Pekovic
PF Thaddeus Young
SF Andrew Wiggins
SG Kevin Martin
PG Ricky Rubio

With LaVine, Budinger, Shved, Dieng, Glenn Robinson III, Luc Mbah a Moute and Muhammed off the bench. They have too many swingmen, lack PF depth and overall size but with Wiggins and LaVine showing some glimpses of big potential and having the Heat's 2015 (top 10 protected) pick as well as their own for next season the Wolves could possibly be a big up and coming team soon.
But for next season I think they'll take a step back meaning one less team ahead of the Kings for a potential eighth seed in the West.