Spencer Hawes | Improvement

[bloom]

Maybe all Spencer needed was some tough love from our coach, cause it seems like Spencer has responded – or is starting to respond like the way some/most expected him too…..And yes, he’s still not grabbing a decent amount of rebounds a game and he sometimes turns his head around and runs off instead of waiting to see if he can grab a rebound, and he does need to add good muscle to his frame, etc…..But Spencer seems to be buying or doing what coach is asking him to and that’s a good start. And maybe that will be crucial for both his summers work outs and entering next year.

You can click the links on the bottom to read the articles but I like that Spencer is listening to our coach and working more on the defensive side.

Hawes Continues to Progress, Impress

Spencer Hawes continues to receive praise for his defense.
Kings coach Paul Westphal repeated his belief that statistics aren't always the best measure of Hawes' effectiveness.

"In general, Spencer's understanding his team defensive responsibilities better, and he's embracing the things he has to do to show improvement," Westphal said. "And that's the thing I'm caring about."

"He's really fitting in nicely into the things we're trying to do," Westphal said. "He's a good complement for the rest of our players offensively, and he's improved defensively quite a bit."

"I just continue to work on what they continue to ask me and just being in a flow, being in a rhythm," Hawes said. "Sometimes, you don't know why; you're just playing better. And this is one of those times."
Hawes isn't putting too much into the recent stretch. He's taking the realistic approach.

"I've still got a long way to go before I'm even close to where I need to be," Hawes said. "And the only way you can do that is to keep listening to the coaching staff and keep putting in the effort, and good things will come from it."

Source: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/22/2624002/kings-notes-hawes-continues-to.html

Statistics Don't Tell the Whole Story for Kings Center Hawes

His defensive effort against one of the bigger front lines in the NBA perhaps was more impressive.

He didn't back down against Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol, and is taking the time to learn the nuances of defensive basketball.

"At first you come in thinking you know it all," Hawes said after Wednesday's practice. "I think there's still a little bit of that aspect with me, but all our coaches have something to offer us and we can take something from all of them. And keep being dedicated to improving above everything else."

But Kings coach Paul Westphal isn't evaluating the effectiveness of Hawes based on the box score.

"I don't look at numbers that much," Westphal said. "I look at each individual play. If he did the right thing on the play and the ball bounced somewhere else, you can't blame him for not getting the rebound."

After having his defense scrutinized much of the season, Hawes said direction from coaches and experience are starting to yield results. [. . .]

"I think I'm just making a concerted effort and I'm getting better at (the defensive) end," Hawes said. "Smarter, learning more tricks of the trade and every day trying to pick up something to contribute on that end to try to be the backstop of the defense."

Source: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/18/2615186/statistics-dont-tell-the-whole.html

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[DocHolliday]

So, basically, the biggest problem here has been Hawes being hard headed. That's really what it seems like it boils down to. We know that he is an outspoken person, with distinct views, with a somewhat hot head.

So, he thought he knew it all, and probably kept telling himself "They don't know what they are talking about, I know how to do this".

And, now we're finally getting to the point where the coaching staf has broken through his head partially and got it in his head that "Hey, Spencer, you've been kind of sucking. Listen to us, you have work to do."

That's good an unfortunate, just for the fact that he has slowed his own progress by thinking he knew it all.

 

[Kingster]

He's definitely improved since the Westphal episode. You don't need stats to see it. At times he looks great, and may I say, aggressive. He just needs to be aggressive continually. The Memphis game, for example, he plays great in the first half, then in the second half he started floating to the outside rather than going for offensive rebs. It's just more practice, more focus, and more aggression that is needed. Even though I've bashed him, I'm still hopeful.

 

[sactownfan]

we all know Hawes isn't going to be the next Josh Smith or Dikembe Mutombo on defense... or a Big Ben (in his prime) on the boards.

but Hawes could have been better this season if he hadn't wasted his offseason. of course then he started off the year ditching the summer league... but worst of all his refusing to do the things he wasn't "good at" and using that as an excuse to not do them at all... which in turn lost him his place in the starting line up and cost him a lot of playing time all year....

it always has been and will be an attitude issue with Hawes... he has the talent he just needs the motor running all the time...

he needs to actually try plus work on banging in the paint... I think he can do it... but he really needs to hit the weights and work hard this offseason

 

[sactownfan]

He's definitely improved since the Westphal episode. You don't need stats to see it. At times he looks great, and may I say, aggressive. He just needs to be aggressive continually. The Memphis game, for example, he plays great in the first half, then in the second half he started floating to the outside rather than going for offensive rebs. It's just more practice, more focus, and more aggression that is needed. Even though I've bashed him, I'm still hopeful.

I agree... he has overall looked better since the benching... i like the big jump in blocks... thats what this team needs.

 

[JB_kings]

I think he could be one of the better shot blockers in the league. But he has to want to be that guy. I'm not so sure he has the nose for the ball to be a double digit rebounder though. Maybe he can surprise me, but so far I've seen what looks like a guy who waits for the ball to be near him. He doesn't seem to track and anticipate and go get the ball. I wish he would prove me wrong...

 

[Double-K]

but Hawes could have been better this season if he hadn't wasted his offseason. of course then he started off the year ditching the summer league... but worst of all his refusing to do the things he wasn't "good at" and using that as an excuse to not do them at all... which in turn lost him his place in the starting line up and cost him a lot of playing time all year....

it always has been and will be an attitude issue with Hawes... he has the talent he just needs the motor running all the time...

Is this Mr. Westphal?

It's funny how much you know about the relationship between Hawes and the Kings organization, and how sure you are about Hawes, a human being, attitude won't change for the rest of his life.

I mean, I was a brat when I was 20 years old.

By the way, if you are indeed Mr. Westphal, I love what you're doing with the team.

 

[matthew76]

lol, sactownfan's favorite topic

 

[Aenadin]

spencer to me is the type of player who would do well in the later part of the season. its like he's feeling his game out for the like 3/4s or so of the season and then get solid numbers. lately his numbers are good his shotblocking is like good too.

if he can mantain that in a year he could be that 13ppg 8rpg 3apg 2bpg center

 

[ParniValjak]

Whenever I see Bogut, I regain some hope in Hawes. Its taken Bogut 5 years to get there. Hopeflly Hawes follows similar path!

 

[Prince_XY]

Hawes is now okay if what we're looking for is a capable back-up center, or if we're looking for a 30-40 win record next season. But if you're looking for that legit defensive anchor for this team to get us to the playoffs next season, then you are looking for another center not named Hawes to start at the 5.

Hawes is still too slow and too inconsistent. But he is only 21 years old and there is hope he can still develop a game especially that we've seen a little bit of improvement. I hope the fans keep on pressuring Hawes to continue his best effort to try to improve his game especially at the defensive end.

BTW, I myself saw some improvement in Hawes' game, but I am not convinced yet he could be the "future" center of this team if our eyes are fixed at that championship in the future.

 

[jcassio]

credit where credit is due

I'm another one who has often criticized Hawes on this board, which means that I need to give him credit for his general improvement since the Westphal incident. Can he become a legit starting center in this league (as opposed to a sometimes-starter on a lottery team)? I believe it is possible. But the keyword there is 'possible.' He's still got a lot of work to do, and his instinct to avoid physical confrontation is perhaps his biggest challenge. He can bulk up until he looks like Mr. Universe, but if he's still a stick in his own head, it won't help his game. If he can't get over that challenge, he's destined to become another Brad Lohaus. But though I may get frustrated with him, I am pulling for him.

 

[mac]

Well...Rasho Nesterovic was a starting center on a contending team, and I think he did fine. Oberto, Elson ... I think Hawes is way better than any of them. Of course their 4 is a lot better than ours.

 

[Bricklayer]

Well...Rasho Nesterovic was a starting center on a contending team, and I think he did fine. Oberto, Elson ... I think Hawes is way better than any of them. Of course their 4 is a lot better than ours.

Its a lot like the Derek Fisher situation in L.A. -- SOMEBODY up front has to take care of the big man stuff. Somebody has to rebound, has to defend, block shots, score in the post. You can play basketball for a thousand years and if you don't have anybody doing those things you aren't going to win jack. But once you get somebody who can do all those things, then you can plug a limited roleplayer next to them and still compete. Same deal as the Derek Fishers and John Paxsons next to KObe/MJ class players. Its almost a separate track of players. Do you need a guy to actually contribute and be a part of your winning? Or do you jsut need him to hold down the spot and not screw anything up? Spencer is more talented than any of the players in the latter category, but its also questionjable that he could do what they do -- he's not built to an effective defensive/banging roleplayer. So he probably has to succeed in the first category, as a legit talent. Or at the very least can only be your start if you get an all around beast at PF to do all the big man stuff. Landry has the post game, but not the rest. Until we get that "rest" filled in by somebody, we just aren't going to be able to hang with the big boys.

 

[Kingster]

Its a lot like the Derek Fisher situation in L.A. -- SOMEBODY up front has to take care of the big man stuff. Somebody has to rebound, has to defend, block shots, score in the post. You can play basketball for a thousand years and if you don't have anybody doing those things you aren't going to win jack. But once you get somebody who can do all those things, then you can plug a limited roleplayer next to them and still compete. Same deal as the Derek Fishers and John Paxsons next to KObe/MJ class players. Its almost a separate track of players. Do you need a guy to actually contribute and be a part of your winning? Or do you jsut need him to hold down the spot and not screw anything up? Spencer is more talented than any of the players in the latter category, but its also questionjable that he could do what they do -- he's not built to an effective defensive/banging roleplayer. So he probably has to succeed in the first category, as a legit talent. Or at the very least can only be your start if you get an all around beast at PF to do all the big man stuff. Landry has the post game, but not the rest. Until we get that "rest" filled in by somebody, we just aren't going to be able to hang with the big boys.

I think Landry and our forgotten 3s need to rebound better. I think our 3s do a woeful job of rebounding compared to what they should be doing. In fact, I think relative to their ability, they are doing a worse job than Hawes and don't get nearly the flack they should for it. Both Greene and Casspi (I'll leave Noc out of it for now) need to focus much more on that aspect of their game. Casspi was rebounding there for a while and then took a break. Greene is a total underachiever in rebs when you take a look at his athletic ability.

 

[rainmaker]

I think Landry and our forgotten 3s need to rebound better. I think our 3s do a woeful job of rebounding compared to what they should be doing. In fact, I think relative to their ability, they are doing a worse job than Hawes and don't get nearly the flack they should for it. Both Greene and Casspi (I'll leave Noc out of it for now) need to focus much more on that aspect of their game. Casspi was rebounding there for a while and then took a break. Greene is a total underachiever in rebs when you take a look at his athletic ability.

I tend to agree with what you said. You can make the arguement that our top 2 rebounders for their respective positions in the starting lineup are Beno and Tyreke. Not good. Spencer has been better as of late, but a 7' starting center should be getting a minimum of 8 rebs a night. Landry has been disappointing, and our sf's non-existent.

I also have noticed of late that Spencer is helping on defense and being much more aggressive challenging shots. The resulting problem is that neither Landry or Donte is rotating over and rebounding the damn ball, and thats where all the easy putbacks recently are coming from. IMO, Landry has the offensive game to be a quality starting pf. His defense is about average for starting pf's. His rebounding is well below average. If he doesn't find a way to get his rebounding numbers up to 8 a game, either he or Spencer will go back to the bench at some point in favor of either a new center or new pf.

We can't have both our starting bigs averaging under 7 rebs. That simply won't cut it. Ultimatly, I think Spencer has more potential than Carl in that area. Not consistently, at this point. But down the road I see Spencer grabbing 8-10 rebs a game.

 

[Kingster]

I tend to agree with what you said. You can make the arguement that our top 2 rebounders for their respective positions in the starting lineup are Beno and Tyreke. Not good. Spencer has been better as of late, but a 7' starting center should be getting a minimum of 8 rebs a night. Landry has been disappointing, and our sf's non-existent.

I also have noticed of late that Spencer is helping on defense and being much more aggressive challenging shots. The resulting problem is that neither Landry or Donte is rotating over and rebounding the damn ball, and thats where all the easy putbacks recently are coming from. IMO, Landry has the offensive game to be a quality starting pf. His defense is about average for starting pf's. His rebounding is well below average. If he doesn't find a way to get his rebounding numbers up to 8 a game, either he or Spencer will go back to the bench at some point in favor of either a new center or new pf.

We can't have both our starting bigs averaging under 7 rebs. That simply won't cut it. Ultimatly, I think Spencer has more potential than Carl in that area. Not consistently, at this point. But down the road I see Spencer grabbing 8-10 rebs a game.

I think part of the reason for the guards getting so many rebs of late is that the coaching staff has told Spencer and Landry to first and foremost block out their man, and secondarily go for the ball. That leaves the other guys to get those rebounds. All the more reason for the 3s to get more rebounds, and not just leave it to the guards. There is no reason for guys with their quickness to not get back into the paint after the shot is taken, mix it up with the opposing team, and get those rebounds.

 

[sactownfan]

Whenever I see Bogut, I regain some hope in Hawes. Its taken Bogut 5 years to get there. Hopeflly Hawes follows similar path!

I totally agree with you... and i still believe Hawes could be even better than Bogut...

 

[bloom]

He's definitely improved since the Westphal episode. You don't need stats to see it. At times he looks great, and may I say, aggressive. He just needs to be aggressive continually. The Memphis game, for example, he plays great in the first half, then in the second half he started floating to the outside rather than going for offensive rebs. It's just more practice, more focus, and more aggression that is needed. Even though I've bashed him, I'm still hopeful.

I agree. He just needs to keep going with this mind set. If he adjusts his attitude more towards being aggressive all the time, he can become a really good player.

we all know Hawes isn't going to be the next Josh Smith or Dikembe Mutombo on defense... or a Big Ben (in his prime) on the boards.

but Hawes could have been better this season if he hadn't wasted his offseason. of course then he started off the year ditching the summer league... but worst of all his refusing to do the things he wasn't "good at" and using that as an excuse to not do them at all... which in turn lost him his place in the starting line up and cost him a lot of playing time all year....

it always has been and will be an attitude issue with Hawes... he has the talent he just needs the motor running all the time...

he needs to actually try plus work on banging in the paint... I think he can do it... but he really needs to hit the weights and work hard this offseason

How do you know he wasted his offseason? From what I’ve read he was working out, and working more on his defense. Even though that it didn’t show most of the year. But I do agree that missing summer league was not only bad for him, but bad for his relationship with Coach W.

I also think the problem all along with Spencer has been his head. If he would have allowed others to help/teach him, he probably could have improved more sooner.

I really hope that Spencer keeps improving. I believe he can.

Spencer to me is the type of player who would do well in the later part of the season. its like he's feeling his game out for the like 3/4s or so of the season and then get solid numbers. lately his numbers are good his shotblocking is like good too.

if he can mantain that in a year he could be that 13ppg 8rpg 3apg 2bpg center

Are you basing this only on this year? I thought he did pretty well during the 08/09 season.