Spencer Hawes needs to come off the bench

[VF21]

We have toughness at all the other spots except center. We've discussed Hawes and May here but we do have another big that has toughness to spare: John Brockman. I don't understand why we aren't playing him more in the middle. Sure he's only 6'7" but he's a big body that can clog up the lane and he isn't afraid to bang.

6'7" is not 'another big.' Brockman has talent and toughness and he's great off the bench but he is not the answer to our starting center question.

 

[Sparky6string]

6'7" is not 'another big.' Brockman has talent and toughness and he's great off the bench but he is not the answer to our starting center question.

At 255 he is indeed "another big" and could be our answer. We've tried everything else, might as well try toughness.

 

[VF21]

You don't play a 6'7" player at center. We've tried it before and if never works out well in the long run. Sorry, but Brockman - who is one of the players whose hustle I really love and admire - is not the answer. And again, this idea we need to toss Hawes out at this point in the season is just incredibly naive.

 

[Sparky6string]

You don't play a 6'7" player at center. We've tried it before and if never works out well in the long run. Sorry, but Brockman - who is one of the players whose hustle I really love and admire - is not the answer. And again, this idea we need to toss Hawes out at this point in the season is just incredibly naive.

I think Hawes should start also, but I still say to split the minutes between him and Brockman. I've seen many teams start shorter centers and while not the most ideal of situations it works if the guy is strong enough for the position. You're right it's not the answer, but we don't have the answer so we need to work with what we have available.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

I honestly believe that a certain percentage of our fan base isn't happy unless they're griping about someone. KT has been very disappointing as far as that goes this year, so the obvious choice for the face on the dart board fell to Hawes.

I agree with most of your other points on Hawes ( as far as him trying, ect ) but I think the criticism of Hawes is fair. Everyone else on our team has 'bought in' on what where doing .. Everyone else has played to or above expectation, while Hawes seems to have gotten worse. Its hard to have a positive attitude on a guy that is playing this poor. I think most of us were high on Hawes last year and his rookie year, but players in their third year are supposed to get better, not worse.


Again, Im not saying bench him, but he needs to figure it out and fast. I think he can do it, but I dont know if he will.

 

[rainmaker]

We have toughness at all the other spots except center. We've discussed Hawes and May here but we do have another big that has toughness to spare: John Brockman. I don't understand why we aren't playing him more in the middle. Sure he's only 6'7" but he's a big body that can clog up the lane and he isn't afraid to bang.

How the hell will Brockman clog the lane when he's 1" taller than our pg?

 

[dbfish]

I am also beginning to question whether or not Spencer is ready to be a starting center in the nba, it appears it might just be to much for him at this point. I'm not basing this off stats, but the fact Spencer looks completely lost out on the court the majority of the time.

What I really find troubling is last week Spencer said he was "still trying to figure out where he should be in Westphal's offense"-I'm paraphrasing. How much of a connection is there between Spencer missing summerleague and not understanding the offense?

There's a difference between lack of confidence and lack of preperation. The confidence I don't have much of an issue with because Spencer is only 21, and the confidence will return. But I fear a lot of his struggles are a result of not having a productive offseason, and not coming into camp as prepared as the rest of the young guys.

But in terms of benching Spencer, thats not an option with our current roster.

I couldn't agree with you more.

 

[VF21]

I agree with most of your other points on Hawes ( as far as him trying, ect ) but I think the criticism of Hawes is fair. Everyone else on our team has 'bought in' on what where doing .. Everyone else has played to or above expectation, while Hawes seems to have gotten worse. Its hard to have a positive attitude on a guy that is playing this poor. I think most of us were high on Hawes last year and his rookie year, but players in their third year are supposed to get better, not worse.


Again, Im not saying bench him, but he needs to figure it out and fast. I think he can do it, but I dont know if he will.

I am not talking about the criticism of Hawes, just like I've never complained about valid criticism of any player, including my favorites at various times. What I'm talking about is the comments that go beyond criticism, the ones who call a player garbage and condemn him as lazy or stupid or anything similar.

In recent memory that criticism has fallen on KT, even when he didn't step on the court. Now, however, since Kenny is getting a few minutes and actually contributing, it seems - as I said - those fans who want/need a Kings player to ridicule have picked Hawes. I think it's deplorable. Criticism is one thing; name calling and ridicule is beneath the standard I think this board is all about.

 

[Sparky6string]

How the hell will Brockman clog the lane when he's 1" taller than our pg?

Because he's a big body (255 lbs) that doesn't run from contact.

 

[dbfish]

No, you don't rebench Hawes. He's going to either sink or win as a starting center. Last year he was swimming. This year he is sinking. But either way throwing some midget into the starting lineup ahead of him is stupid, as is going smallball. We're playing pretty well, we can afford to let him work it out.

This answer changes if you are talking about either moving him or if we bring in a third legit big. For now, he's what we've got. And fan frustration benchings or whatever are fortunately not part of Westphal's demeanor. Not after 11 games anyway. Not with no legitimate options. Play them so they develoip applies to Hawes as well as it does to Donte or Casspi or anybody else.

I have to agree with you. You don't have to like Hawes but you have to play with the roster we have now. He will either work it out or get a replacement for him somewhere. But that replacement isn't on the roster now.

 

[Jechtsphere]

We don't have anyone other than Hawes that can play center, he shot well last night but for myself that doesn't make is defensive play ok.

At this point he is a liability on defense, he's not strong enough to handle any of the Rockets small big guys. It was sickening to watch.

JT isn't much better so he doesn't get a free pass either.

Only reason why he starts is we have no one else, not even a back up.