Reflections of this summer: Excitement

[PoundForPound]

Same team...same results...

I think I'm missing something here. How has this summer created any excitement?
We basically have the same team that ended the dreadful nightmare called the 2008-2009 season. Sure, we had a high draft pick and expect him to have an impact (along with the other picks), but other than that, what have we done to make Kings fans excited for the upcoming season? I believe many fans expect to see a different product on the floor, so I won't blame the fans for staying home. Another coaching change? I don't think a spirited Gavin Maloof speech is going to do much. Is it another year of experience our young bigs have gained? I don't think that's going to make so much of difference. Bottom line is...we have the same team...don't expect different results. If that's what you call "Exciting", you must have a pretty boring life.

 

[VF21]

I think I'm missing something here.

Obviously.

 

[Kings Faithful]

Obviously.

Seriously, Buzzkillington.

 

[PoundForPound]

Well what is it that I'm missing?

 

[OnYouLikeGlue]

I think I'm missing something here. How has this summer created any excitement?
We basically have the same team that ended the dreadful nightmare called the 2008-2009 season. Sure, we had a high draft pick and expect him to have an impact (along with the other picks), but other than that, what have we done to make Kings fans excited for the upcoming season? I believe many fans expect to see a different product on the floor, so I won't blame the fans for staying home. Another coaching change? I don't think a spirited Gavin Maloof speech is going to do much. Is it another year of experience our young bigs have gained? I don't think that's going to make so much of difference. Bottom line is...we have the same team...don't expect different results. If that's what you call "Exciting", you must have a pretty boring life.

Laker fan?

 

[PoundForPound]

God no! I hate the Lakers. I'm just honest.

 

[Prince_XY]

I think I'm missing something here. How has this summer created any excitement?
We basically have the same team that ended the dreadful nightmare called the 2008-2009 season. Sure, we had a high draft pick and expect him to have an impact (along with the other picks), but other than that, what have we done to make Kings fans excited for the upcoming season? I believe many fans expect to see a different product on the floor, so I won't blame the fans for staying home. Another coaching change? I don't think a spirited Gavin Maloof speech is going to do much. Is it another year of experience our young bigs have gained? I don't think that's going to make so much of difference. Bottom line is...we have the same team...don't expect different results. If that's what you call "Exciting", you must have a pretty boring life.

You are basically missing a lot. I don't blame you. You are probably sleeping while the changes happened.

Have you checked how young the roster will be? Just the addition of 3 young players from the recent draft is a big change already. We've got Evans instead of Rubio which is pretty much a big controversy already. And it is very exciting to know how this will turn out to be.

Are the experts right from seeing Rubio as all-hype and nothing but a flashy, but not-so-ready NBA-player? Remember that basically Rubio should have been at #2 if experts bought all the hype surrounding him, but he was left out at #5. Basically 3 teams passed on him in favor of Thabeet, Harden, and our very own Evans.

The new coach who is definitely an upgrade is also a big change from last year.

What more are you asking for?

Do you want the FO to change the whole roster?

Do you want the Kings to pick-up Rick Adelman, or Phil Jackson, or Larry Brown?

Are those really realistic?

Well, you got to be a millionaire/billionaire to be able to buy the franchise, and only then you can do something more than what the Maloofs have done.

 

[NoBonus]

I think I'm missing something here. How has this summer created any excitement?
We basically have the same team that ended the dreadful nightmare called the 2008-2009 season. Sure, we had a high draft pick and expect him to have an impact (along with the other picks), but other than that, what have we done to make Kings fans excited for the upcoming season? I believe many fans expect to see a different product on the floor, so I won't blame the fans for staying home. Another coaching change? I don't think a spirited Gavin Maloof speech is going to do much. Is it another year of experience our young bigs have gained? I don't think that's going to make so much of difference. Bottom line is...we have the same team...don't expect different results. If that's what you call "Exciting", you must have a pretty boring life.

Boring life? No. But the winds of change are in the air in Sacramento and when you are already in last place, the winds of change can only make things better. This team just went from pushovers to tough with the draft and trade to get Nocioni...

Not much of a difference? Half the roster has changed and mostly changed from unatheletic, apathetic veterans to excited, tough youngsters; I don't think there is too much more this team could do to change. The coaching situation was what really killed the Kings last year IMO... Natt never had the ear of the players because they knew he was gone at the end of the season... now they have to deal with the long-term prospect of playing for Westphal. What's changed? Everything... and how is that not exciting?

 

[OnYouLikeGlue]

boring Life? No. But The Winds Of Change Are In The Air In Sacramento And When You Are Already In Last Place, The Winds Of Change Can Only Make Things Better. This Team Just Went From Pushovers To Tough With The Draft And Trade To Get Nocioni...

Not Much Of A Difference? Half The Roster Has Changed And Mostly Changed From Unatheletic, Apathetic Veterans To Excited, Tough Youngsters; I Don't Think There Is Too Much More This Team Could Do To Change. The Coaching Situation Was What Really Killed The Kings Last Year Imo... Natt Never Had The Ear Of The Players Because They Knew He Was Gone At The End Of The Season... Now They Have To Deal With The Long-term Prospect Of Playing For Westphal. What's Changed? Everything... And How Is That Not Exciting?

This.

 

[bajaden]

Sometimes delusion is justifiable self-defense.

Somehow it didn't make the guy with the knife go away.

 

[bajaden]

Because tomorrow will become today, and we will still suck.

Liked your post, but nothing really has got me excited over this team.. At least not yet.

Gary, with all due respect. The wake is over! The body is buried and you've had your time to grieve... Its time to move on, and in a positive direction, at least until we have reason not to. No one wants someone on thier team that thinks were going to fail before we even start. Or, as they say in the Marine Corps, I wouldn't want you in my foxhole. So my advice, which is worth nothing, is to stop your whining until you actually have something to whine about.. You'll be a happier person..

 

[VF21]

Gary, with all due respect. The wake is over! The body is buried and you've had your time to grieve... Its time to move on, and in a positive direction, at least until we have reason not to. No one wants someone on thier team that thinks were going to fail before we even start. Or, as they say in the Marine Corps, I wouldn't want you in my foxhole. So my advice, which is worth nothing, is to stop your whining until you actually have something to whine about.. You'll be a happier person..

In all fairness to Gary, you're quoting a post he made on July 2...and received a lot of flak for, some of which has now been deleted as it got way too contentious.

As a general comment to any who may think he's off base or out of line for expressing his frustration, he's entitled to his disappointment about the team. We need to remember one of the prime tenets of the board: Make your post about other posts and not other posters.

Thanks all.

 

[bajaden]

I think I'm missing something here. How has this summer created any excitement?
We basically have the same team that ended the dreadful nightmare called the 2008-2009 season. Sure, we had a high draft pick and expect him to have an impact (along with the other picks), but other than that, what have we done to make Kings fans excited for the upcoming season? I believe many fans expect to see a different product on the floor, so I won't blame the fans for staying home. Another coaching change? I don't think a spirited Gavin Maloof speech is going to do much. Is it another year of experience our young bigs have gained? I don't think that's going to make so much of difference. Bottom line is...we have the same team...don't expect different results. If that's what you call "Exciting", you must have a pretty boring life.

What your missing:

Three new players, and probably more to be added before camp begins.
Hawes and Thompson starting the year with more experience, and hopefully a healthy Martin. We'll also have Nocioni for a full year ( unless traded ) and we've added another point guard in Rodriquez

Many of the players that contributed to last years record are gone. No more Mikki Moore, John Salmons, or Brad Miller. Moore was an impersonator of a PF. Miller played uninspired basketball and Salmons, while talented, was a bad fit on the team. All three took away minutes from younger players, thereby slowing their development.

New coaching staff with more experience. A staff that hopefully will bring a system that utilizes the players that we have in a way that helps them develop as players and as a team. This team need an identity. Both offensively and defensively. In truth, the Kings scored enough pts to win games last year. If they can improve on the defensive end by a couple of pts, which shouldn't be hard, they could win 10 more games. If they can improve dramaticly, then I can see them approaching 30 wins. Maybe more. but there's no doubt, thats where the biggest improvement has to come.

So I think there's plenty to be optimistic about. As they say, hope springs eternal. At the moment were in first place. We have a lot of company there, but that should be our goal. 50% of winning is mental. The other half is ability. I don't want players on my team that say their going to try and win. I want players that say their going to win. The word TRY is a substitute for the word FAILURE. OK, thats my pep talk for the day..

 

[PoundForPound]

I'm going to keep it short and sweet. I understand what everyone is saying, young players = exciting. Sure, I understand that. But I'm one of those fans who cares about winning more than being exciting. I look at this roster we have and don't see any reason to believe we're going to be very successful. The Kings need better players.

 

[Jerryaki]

I'm going to keep it short and sweet. I understand what everyone is saying, young players = exciting. Sure, I understand that. But I'm one of those fans who cares about winning more than being exciting. I look at this roster we have and don't see any reason to believe we're going to be very successful. The Kings need better players.

sure, and i need to win the lotto. but neither of these things are going to happen just by wishing, right?

 

[gunks]

Reason to be excited: No more Natt.

 

[NoBonus]

I'm going to keep it short and sweet. I understand what everyone is saying, young players = exciting. Sure, I understand that. But I'm one of those fans who cares about winning more than being exciting. I look at this roster we have and don't see any reason to believe we're going to be very successful. The Kings need better players.

Development of young players = better players.

 

[CruzDude]

I have an idea!! This site is called " KingsFans". For fans of the kings, thru thick and thin, winning and losing, during good and bad times. Then ther're the "fair weather fans" : those who are only fans during winnng seasons and when the Kings win. Let's make a new category: FairWeather.KingsFans.com

Every team has that group of fans and they share similar views. The rest of us fans can then share in some "excitement" whether they win or lose and just enjoy NBA basketball and the exciting times 3 or 4 rookies will bring. Exciting is fun, so is winning so if we're going to have more exciting times than winning thats fine by me. The winning WILL come again.

 

[PoundForPound]

Oh, boy. Do we really have to start accusing people of being fair-weather fans to have a good discussion. ^ So what you're saying is that you care more about being exciting than winning? Wow, I guess everyone has their own opinion. I just hope that's not the attitude of the Kings.

 

[VF21]

Oh, boy. Do we really have to start accusing people of being fair-weather fans to have a good discussion. ^ So what you're saying is that you care more about being exciting than winning? Wow, I guess everyone has their own opinion. I just hope that's not the attitude of the Kings.

If you care more about winning than excitement, maybe you should follow a different team or come back when the Kings are back in the playoffs. It might work out better all the way around.

If not, you're certainly entitled to your opinion but I have to wonder if, at this point, you're simply arguing to stir things up. While that's cool on some boards, and some that no longer exist, it's not the way we do things around here.

You might want to check the Tips for Posting at Kingsfans.com - rule #1.

Now, can we get back - those of us who are interested in the journey as well as the result - in talking about the OP?

We're get where you're coming from so I cannot imagine you needing to burden yourself any further in this particular thread.

 

[bajaden]

In all fairness to Gary, you're quoting a post he made on July 2...and received a lot of flak for, some of which has now been deleted as it got way too contentious.

As a general comment to any who may think he's off base or out of line for expressing his frustration, he's entitled to his disappointment about the team. We need to remember one of the prime tenets of the board: Make your post about other posts and not other posters.

Thanks all.

Sorry about that. I should have checked the date of the post. Sorry Gary...

 

[NoBonus]

Now, can we get back - those of us who are interested in the journey as well as the result - in talking about the OP?

The journey is what it is all about.

 

[Jechtsphere]

We've had time off from being so bad last season and it seems no matter how bad after the year passes and we've gotten time off I know for me I get pumped up and am ready for more Kings basketball.

I can't wait to see our new kings or rather our young kings suit it up and play, I'm excited to see Spencer, JT, Greene and the rookies.

I'm excited because I love Kings basketball!

If your going to be out of playoff contention at least be young and exciting, it gives us a taste of things to come so if you can't get excited get out from under the rock.

 

[Telemachus]

Oh, boy. Do we really have to start accusing people of being fair-weather fans to have a good discussion. ^ So what you're saying is that you care more about being exciting than winning? Wow, I guess everyone has their own opinion. I just hope that's not the attitude of the Kings.

Obviously, winning is the ultimate goal of any team. But you have to start somewhere in the rebuilding process. Getting YOUNG players and letting them develop into good players is part of the process. Do you think that JT and Hawes won't be any better this season?? What about Donte Greene? Evens is the #4 pick and many experts think he could end up being the 2nd best player to come out of this draft. And we don't yet know what we have in Casspi.

You claim this is the "same team" as last year, but Martin is likely the only remaining starter from last season projected starting lineup of Beno, Martin, Salmons, Moore, and Miller. That seems like quite a difference to me.

And I haven't even memtioned the coaching staff. The Kings lost how many games by 5 pts or less last season? I know it was a lot. That reflects mostly on coaching. A good coaching staff probably would have won at least 30 games with the Kings last season (IMO). So I would say their is plent to be exited about the Kings this season.

 

[vikinginferno]

Obviously, winning is the ultimate goal of any team. But you have to start somewhere in the rebuilding process. Getting YOUNG players and letting them develop into good players is part of the process. Do you think that JT and Hawes won't be any better this season?? What about Donte Greene? Evens is the #4 pick and many experts think he could end up being the 2nd best player to come out of this draft. And we don't yet know what we have in Casspi.

You claim this is the "same team" as last year, but Martin is likely the only remaining starter from last season projected starting lineup of Beno, Martin, Salmons, Moore, and Miller. That seems like quite a difference to me.

And I haven't even memtioned the coaching staff. The Kings lost how many games by 5 pts or less last season? I know it was a lot. That reflects mostly on coaching. A good coaching staff probably would have won at least 30 games with the Kings last season (IMO). So I would say their is plent to be exited about the Kings this season.

I agree with pretty much everything said here, but I believe a big part of why we lost so many games so close was because of a lack of a player that can take over and create for himself late in a game. It is also on the coaching staff, but I think it is mostly on the players.

 

[CruzDude]

Oh, boy. Do we really have to start accusing people of being fair-weather fans to have a good discussion. ^ So what you're saying is that you care more about being exciting than winning? Wow, I guess everyone has their own opinion. I just hope that's not the attitude of the Kings.

There were no accusations in my "FairWeather" thread. But if the shoe fits...... I did not say I care more about exciting than winning. Rather I care about both. Please try to be accurate when you get personal. When I played college BB we were exciting but only finished in the middle of our league. The Kings played many exciting games last year that they lost due to lack of a "closer" on the team. I enjoyed those games. After all they only won 17 games. There were even a couple of those wins that were real "ugly" wins. A win but not very enjoyable to watch.

 

[PoundForPound]

Sorry, something gave me the feeling that you were implying I'm a fair-weather fan, but I guess I was wrong. Anyways, you lost me here:

The Kings played many exciting games last year that they lost due to lack of a "closer" on the team. I enjoyed those games. After all they only won 17 games. There were even a couple of those wins that were real "ugly" wins. A win but not very enjoyable to watch.

What are you saying? So with those few games that you enjoyed, were you happy with that? I, for one, would rather have a boring team and win a championship then have an exciting team that went to the finals. I think you're losing track of the goal at hand, it's not realistic but every team wants to win a championship no matter how they win it. So I don't understand what you're saying, please explain?

 

[Jaylee209]

Of course we all want the kings to win a championship. But that's not going happen for a while. This team is not good right now, but the point is, we're heading in the right direction. We have 3 new players and a whole new coaching staff. We're going to be better than last years team, why not be excited about that?

The other poster hasn't accused you of being a fair-weather fan, but I am.
You say we shouldn't be excited about this team until their winning? I think that's the very definition of "fair-weather", my friend...

 

[kennadog]

Teams go through cycles. Its even harder to regenerate a winning team in a smallish market. We're finally cleared of most burdensome contracts and aging vets. We can see the team is definitely into the rebuild. We have a new coach, too.

So while every team and every team's fans wants to win a championship. I'm not going to wait until we get one or look like we could, then be excited. To me, it's not about "exciting" teams versus "dull" teams. You're right, I'd take a dull championship team over an "exciting" losing team. That's not the point at all here.

I'd also choose to have a 50-loss team that's young, learning, hopefully coming together and is improving, than a 50-loss team full of tired old vets, who've lost the passion and are clearly on the downward slide with little to no hope of getting any better.

Since we are clearly rebuilding, very young, seem to have some promising talent and a new, more experienced coach, I'm excited to see how they develop, grow, come together. It's just the excitement of seeing some hope. Will it work out and will we start a climb back up? Only time will tell. But I'd rather be excited about the hope that upswing is coming, than be unexcited because we're not there yet.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

You say we shouldn't be excited about this team until their winning? I think that's the very definition of "fair-weather", my friend...

I thought the definition of "fair-weather" was someone who was not a fan except when the team was winning. There's a difference between being a fan, and being excited.

For instance, I hardly think my own attitude towards last year's team could be described as "excited". We weren't going to make the playoffs, and we knew we weren't going to. The season was pretty blah.

On the other hand, I watched upwards of 75 games last year. I missed a few because I failed to set the DVR, but outside of that I watched them all. I kept tabs on the rookies, I monitored potential draft picks, I scrutinized our cap situation and looked at deals we might make, etc. Any way you slice it, that's fandom.

Winning breeds excitement. Chances at championships breed excitement. And, yes, mere improvement can breed excitement. But you don't have to be excited to truly be a fan.