Spencer Hawes Will Not Play Tonight

[NoBonus]

I don't like players or coaches taking problems to the press, but I think this is more Spencer's fault, than Westphal's. What's amazing to me is most people here have been complaining about Spencer's lack of maturity, lack of work ethic, lack of toughness and his whiny, cry-babiness. But now we want to blame the coach for showing some of the same irritation with Spencer, however ill-advised?

I don't like how Westphal did this, but c'mon, PW's been sending "messages" to Hawes ever since he got here. To me Hawes's quotes were just the final straw and that's why he got benched and not the other players.

I'm still hoping Spence will get it, but I've thought from the beginning he acted pretty immature for his age. He also acts like he thinks the starting center position was his by right, after Brad was gone.

I don't feel like Spencer has made much progress in three seasons in either maturity, attitude or work ethic. This isn't Spencer's first coach and assistant coaches in the NBA. No one has gotten or seems to be getting much improvement or consistency out of Spencer.

He's still only 21, and I still think its too early to pass any final judgements, but this kid needs to act like a responsible, mature man. He's overdue on that front. He needs to take responsibility for his game and quit pointing fingers.

That's what I am saying! Hopefully, this punishment will open Spencer's eyes quickly... Also, it sounds like, from Paul's interview, that this is not a new issue (I know I am taking a lot from his tone of voice). It seems like this is something they have been fighting about internally for some time and Spence took it to the papers. Also, good work, Spence, on saying stuff like this when Paul's wife is in bad shape. Nice timing...

 

[DocHolliday]

OMG!! Go watch this video on Cowbell Kingdom. BAHAHAHAHA!!! I laughed so hard.

"Possible Behind The Scenes Footage of Spencer Hawes’ Benching"

http://www.cowbellkingdom.com/

 

[Merdiesel]

Spencer needs to grow up. He should not be talking or blaming anyone but himself. Plus, Westphal may be pissed still about his skipping of summer league.

There you have it.
Spencer should keep his mouth shut right now. He hasn't done **** this year. Dude, if you're the starting center, and you're grabbing a single board a game, you need to check yourself. You're damn near a bust right now, so STFU and prove that you even deserve a voice in this league.

Paul Westphal's NBA Career highlights and awards

1× NBA Champion (1974 as player)
5× NBA All-Star (1977–1981)
3× All-NBA First Team (1977, 1979, 1980)
1× All-NBA Second Team (1978)

Spencer Hawes NBA Career highlights and awards

::crickets::

 

[Kingster]

Nobody is dumping PW, but he needs to realize that he may have gone too far and take steps to mend the situation.

The coach needs only to realize that he is supported by ownership, the GM, and the fans. Not that he should be taught by the all-knowing fans how to coach. He should be given the benefit of the doubt in this situation. Spencer undermined his authority. That's the first step to a downward death spiral. Westphal needed to put the kabosh on that immediately, and if he feels he has to do it publicly, then so be it. Undoubtedly there is much behind the scenes that we aren't privy to that has gotten underneath Westphal's skin about Spencer. Just a guess: It wasn't the first time he questioned Westphal's authority, either directly, or indirectly. The authority of Westphal needs to be established, not undermined by players or fans. Otherwise, this team will be doomed to softness and a never ending coaching carousel. I pray the Maloofs stay out of this squabble. Otherwise, their meddling will end very badly and everybody will be wondering why we have such a mess of a team - two years from now.

 

[Mike0476]

"I guess he knows his role," Westphal said when asked about the decision regarding Hawes.

Hence forth Paul Westphal will be referred to as "the Rock" for telling Spencer Hawes to know his role and shut his mouth...jabroni.

 

[LWP777]

OMG!! Go watch this video on Cowbell Kingdom. BAHAHAHAHA!!! I laughed so hard.

"Possible Behind The Scenes Footage of Spencer Hawes’ Benching"

http://www.cowbellkingdom.com/

That video was fantastic! I think I'm going to use that site and create some sort of video to freak my wife out.

 

[DocHolliday]

That video was fantastic! I think I'm going to use that site and create some sort of video to freak my wife out.

Seriously I laughed soooo hard. I love how Paul just completely misses the point of what Spencer is trying to say and goes on and on about Tyreke...lmao

 

[Fear the Putin]

So, let me get this straight...

Hawes plays no defense. Doesnt rebound. Is intimidated by anyone above 6'8". Constantly complains on and off the floor. Has a pissy attitude.

Yet SOME people are trying to shield Spencer from the oh so horrible Westphal tyranny?


Hawes should be benched for as long as he needs to, until he realizes he isnt hot ****.

 

[Rookie]

Good entertainment.

 

[Jechtsphere]

OMG!! Go watch this video on Cowbell Kingdom. BAHAHAHAHA!!! I laughed so hard.

"Possible Behind The Scenes Footage of Spencer Hawes’ Benching"

http://www.cowbellkingdom.com/

That is comedy gold!

Would be hilarious if the coach really did say "you are benched vs the pistons now go make Tyreke and sandwich" lol

 

[Jaylee209]

So, let me get this straight...

Hawes plays no defense. Doesnt rebound. Is intimidated by anyone above 6'8". Constantly complains on and off the floor. Has a pissy attitude.

Yet SOME people are trying to shield Spencer from the oh so horrible Westphal tyranny?


Hawes should be benched for as long as he needs to, until he realizes he isnt hot ****.

This.

 

[BosnianBaller_]

not sure if this video was posted because i haven't taken the time to read all the posts but here is the lockerroom video that caused westphal to bench hawes.

http://www.cowbellkingdom.com/?p=1098

 

[Amory]

not sure if this video was posted because i haven't taken the time to read all the posts but here is the lockerroom video that caused westphal to bench hawes.

http://www.cowbellkingdom.com/?p=1098

hahaha

 

[Sac.1989]

Actually, I think Spencer got put in his place. It's time for him to quit with the pissy attitude and play in the direction coach says.

Dam straight, im sure Pauls sick of his excuses and pee poor attitude. He's goota man up and accept his role whatever that may be.

Im sick of his constant whining and weak play, he dam well deserves the bench time until he comes out and plays with some passion and fire.

6 rebounds for a 7 footer with so much promise, i aint buying the lack of consistent mins argument

 

[swisshh]

lol Teareek is the savior to the franchise!

That's pretty good.

 

[cstorm]

PW on air with Grant. Talking about Spencer.

 

[Jaylee209]

not sure if this video was posted because i haven't taken the time to read all the posts but here is the lockerroom video that caused westphal to bench hawes.

http://www.cowbellkingdom.com/?p=1098

Oh man...that's epic!

 

[OptimusRhyme]

not sure if this video was posted because i haven't taken the time to read all the posts but here is the lockerroom video that caused westphal to bench hawes.

http://www.cowbellkingdom.com/?p=1098

hahahahhahahaahahahaha

 

[Rockmeister]

PW on air with Grant. Talking about Spencer.

What did PW say?

 

[cstorm]

What did PW say?

Nothing surprising. Offered an explanation why Sean May not punished, but Tyrekes was a little weak. He said Sean came to him and explained he was misquoted, or didn't mean for his statements to come out that way. His excuse for Tyreke was youth and inexperience dealing with press.

PW did seem to confirm that he felt Spencer thought too highly of himself. I'm paraphrasing. He was more diplomatic.

 

[Warhawk]

Nothing surprising. Offered an explanation why Sean May not punished, but Tyrekes was a little weak. He said Sean came to him and explained he was misquoted, or didn't mean for his statements to come out that way. His excuse for Tyreke was youth and inexperience dealing with press.

PW did seem to confirm that he felt Spencer thought too highly of himself. I'm paraphrasing. He was more diplomatic.

No, he said Tyreke merely affirmed that it could be difficult for players to deal with changing minutes, etc., which is entirely true. Spencer was benched because he decided to go public with his entirely different kind of remarks (regarding his "role") remarks instead of coming to the coaching staff with them, as per team policy.

 

[Rockmeister]

Sam Amick tweeted this

"Westphal said "We'll see" when asked if Hawes would be active Friday against Utah".

 

[cstorm]

No, he said Tyreke merely affirmed that it could be difficult for players to deal with changing minutes, etc., which is entirely true. Spencer was benched because he decided to go public with his entirely different kind of remarks (regarding his "role") remarks instead of coming to the coaching staff with them, as per team policy.

Correct. I should have said in part because. I will have to re-read the article, but I thought Spencer and Tyreke agreed to the same premise Amick was presenting.

 

[hiero]

Dam straight, im sure Pauls sick of his excuses and pee poor attitude. He's goota man up and accept his role whatever that may be.

Im sick of his constant whining and weak play, he dam well deserves the bench time until he comes out and plays with some passion and fire.

6 rebounds for a 7 footer with so much promise, i aint buying the lack of consistent mins argument

Couldnt agree more. his play is so soft then he comes out in the bee and basically says let me be a big soft creampuff that shoots threes because that's what i do best. really Spencer? westphal benching hawes and then punking him postgame and being visibly disgusted to hear the one who shall not be spoken made me love Westphal even more. hopefully next year he pushes the fo to trade hawes and gets us another great trade like this year.

 

[BosnianBaller_]

i think last season's success has really affected hawes negatively. him putting up 11 and 7 in his second season seems to have made him think that he can cruise through the nba. he really needs to get to the weight room in the offseason and work on his rebounding to develop into a reliable starting center in the league. i still have hope he can be good because he's only 21 and has shown flashes of good play and his passing is advanced at his age

 

[cstorm]

It seems that it is becoming obvious that there is more to Spencer's problems than 'being young'. Something many on this board have recognized for many months. I'm not including myself on this list as I have been a bit of a fence sitter on this subject.

 

[mac]

Spencer definitely needs to toughen up and earn his minutes. But I'm sure you all remember countless games where Spencer has a good start and then doesn't see any 2nd half time at all and stuff like that. That has to get a guy frustrated. He was definitely wrong for so called complaining about his minutes but it's not as if he is always soft and never tries. When he does try he gets benched anyway

 

[swisshh]

I have not been a Spencer fan, but I am getting annoyed that everyone is forgetting that he had begun to man up, started blocking shots and playing tough inside and easily outplaying JT leading straight up to his sudden removal from the starting lineup and subsequent doghousing. When that happened all that progress Spencer had finally made was lost.

I find the explanation for the handling very tough to swallow, but putting that aside, what lead up to Hawes' statement was a total screwup by Westphal and that is not being addressed enough in this.

These are adult NBA players, they are not seven year olds who hit their little brother. They don't need timeouts. They don't start fights just for the hell of it. They can have legitimacy to the complaints and when that Amick article was released, many found themselves nodding their head in agreement.

Hawes is being made a scapegoat for Westphal's substitution panic. This whole thing has drawn attention away from the real issue of in-cohesive playing time and the in-cohesive play seen on the court.

 

[hiero]

Spencer definitely needs to toughen up and earn his minutes. But I'm sure you all remember countless games where Spencer has a good start and then doesn't see any 2nd half time at all and stuff like that. That has to get a guy frustrated. He was definitely wrong for so called complaining about his minutes but it's not as if he is always soft and never tries. When he does try he gets benched anyway

I'm sorry but is this really what you wanted to say? Spencer and all NBA players should give their all any chance they get. you see tyreke out there giving up when things don't go his way? he tries even harder. did Donte give up because he was so highly touted in high school and hadn't been playing? no he stepped up to the plate and worked his butt off to be a defender and is slowly working himself into a starter.
hawes on the other hand is an entitled little brat. we've all worked with them before and probly some of these people are too, people that do the bare minimum and then wonder why they haven't got a raise or promotion. Spencer clearly doesn't get life he's been a spoiled little brat his entire life his family probably treated him like the golden child. some people just don't get it. they're willing to do everything they can to prove they're right except work harder. point fingers, pass blame, make excuses, etc.. Spencer needs to go spend the summer in tyrekes neighborhood and see what life is really like. he's just been so pampered and babied his entire life he can't understand why westphal hasn't deemed him the golden child instead of doing what he should be which is getting stronger, getting in the weight room, hustling on defense, looking like he gives a crap when teams repeatedly drive to the hole over and over, crashing the boards. it's everyones fault except spencies and it doesn't look like that's ever going to change. he's got a ton of potential but clearly doesn't have what it takes mentally to ever really be anything other than a bench role player.

 

[eflat]

In all this discussion of Spencer, there's one question that I haven't seen speculated upon...and there's been quite a bit of speculating so I think it's fair game. Does Spencer want to be or care about being a King? Has he made up his mind that he's just riding this out until he's traded or can leave and sign elsewhere? Does he play well if he's happened to have a good day and is feeling into it, but if he's dragging a bit doesn't bother to psych himself up for the game? My general feel, without anything to solid to substantiate it, is he's at best ambivalent about being here.

There.