[Game] Spurs @ Kings (pre-season) discussion - 10/8/15

[macadocious]

I'd say the goals in preseason are ranked about as follows:

(1) Avoid injuries
(2) Acclimate players to the system
(3) experiment with new ideas and wrinkles
(4) win games

I think younger teams put more emphasis on winning preseason contests because it might help create a winning mindset but in general I don't think anyone puts too much stock in a teams preseason record.

I think win games is even lower.

 

[VF21]

Maybe he doesn't like how Karl already said to the media that he doesn't like his negative emotion on the court?

Or maybe, just maybe, there are a whole bunch of people around here trying to read WAY TOO MUCH into the littlest things.

 

[celtics33]

Or maybe, just maybe, there are a whole bunch of people around here trying to read WAY TOO MUCH into the littlest things.

ahahahahah! thumbs up, really!

 

[ForlornKing]

Or maybe, just maybe, there are a whole bunch of people around here trying to read WAY TOO MUCH into the littlest things.

Of course, but again, yet again.................. this. is. a. message. board.

 

[CurseOfTheSalmons]

Was at the game. Don't know if Cuz was not feeling well or tired but he was moving around the court/dead ball situations like a slug. Hung his head a lot just didn't look really motivated. Was wondering what his facial expressions looked like on TV?

Honestly, Cuz has looked like that all preseason. He hasn't been playing as smart as we know he is. He's jacking threes, abusing the Magic Cousins thing, and forcing a whole lot of passes and shots that are so out of rhythm that they ruin the transition defense.

I thought that Cousins was gonna be way better this preseason, but I'm not worried.

 

[Sac.Kings]

Rondo highlights:

 

[nebs]

I missed these Rondo quotes do you have a link?

Those were George Karl quotes. I believe they were from last season.

 

[nebs]

Rondo highlights:

That didn't even have the alleyoop to Rudy lmao

 

[Sac.Kings]

That didn't even have the alleyoop to Rudy lmao

They left out one of the best parts!

 

[VF21]

Of course, but again, yet again.................. this. is. a. message. board.

Yes, it's a message board ... has been for a very long time. That doesn't mean jumping straight off assumption cliff and into conclusion pond is any more justified now than it has been over that very long time.

All I'm saying is that it seems to be the style nowadays to read way too much into situations.

 

[King Baller]

This quote I assume?

“I think DeMarcus has to make a commitment just to not allow frustrations to cause a disruption in the game,” Karl said earlier this week. “I don’t like negative emotion in a game. I think it’s a sign of frustration, it’s a sign of we’re losing. If there is any emotion in a game, it should be positive.”

“We gave away too many possessions that cheapen the game because of our emotional outbursts,” Karl added. “You can’t do that. You can’t ruin the game because you get emotionally frustrated.”

He's right. I don't have a problem with Cuz being emotional out there, it's part of what makes him who he is. The problem comes in when it effects his game or others. How many times have we seen Cuz get frustrated then resort to a bad foul out of frustration, only to see him go to the bench? Guys like KG, Kobe, Westbrook, all emotional guys out there but they don't let frustration take them out of the game. But this is also where Rondo will be valuable. He knows the difference between playing on emotion and that emotion hurting the team after years with KG. He won't hesitate to tell Cuz to knock it off.

In general, my biggest question about Cuz and what I'm looking most this year is does he have the maturity to be able to truly lead a team. That requires picking the team up and putting it on your back, leading on the floor and setting the tone off the court. It requires preparation, attention to detail, building guys up when needed and calling them out when needed. I thought Rondo's recent quotes about trying to get Cuz to open up, to talk more, to be our leader on defense were telling. That's vital to success, having your big talking on defense. It's leadership. If Cuz wants to win as much as he says he does, he'll do it. I actually think Rondo could end up being the forceful vet that years from now will be looked at as one of the ebst things to have happened to Cuz. From everything I've read Rondo has taken on a full leadership role in practice, always directing, showing how it's done. Cuz has never had that before.

 

[rainmaker]

I missed these Rondo quotes do you have a link?

Rondo believes communication is vital to the Kings’ chances for success. He also thinks his talkative ways can be contagious. Ideally, Rondo’s voice won’t be the only one heard on the court.

“No doubt,” Rondo said. “I’m talking to Cuz (DeMarcus Cousins) every day to try to get him to open up.”

“Playing with bigs that didn’t talk as much, you’re out there at halfcourt and you don’t know what’s going on behind you,” Rondo said. “When you have a big who can organize the defense and let guys know where to be on the floor, it helps a lot.”

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article37697538.html

 

[lawlman91]

 

[Sac.Kings]

Utterly pointless to exchange jerseys. This isn't soccer. Ironically, Ray played better than Ben. At least he could hit shots. Maybe if Ben focused more on his game than his haircut and shoes....

 

[VF21]

Utterly pointless to exchange jerseys. This isn't soccer. Ironically, Ray played better than Ben. At least he could hit shots. Maybe if Ben focused more on his game than his haircut and shoes....

Wow. You really have to go there to criticize Ben? It's obvious to all that you don't like him, but when you have to get down to things like his haircut and his shoes, I personally think you might want to ease up just a bit.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Wow. You really have to go there to criticize Ben? It's obvious to all that you don't like him, but when you have to get down to things like his haircut and his shoes, I personally think you might want to ease up just a bit.

Alternatively, if you start talking about a player's haircut and shoes, as if it was a valid criticism, it's also a handy indicator that the rest of us don't need to bother taking your opinion seriously.

 

[Sac.Kings]

Wow. You really have to go there to criticize Ben? It's obvious to all that you don't like him, but when you have to get down to things like his haircut and his shoes, I personally think you might want to ease up just a bit.

Heat of the moment! I went a little too far, I admit. And to Mr. Slim, you can take my opinion any way you like, I won't lose any sleep over it!

 

[upinsmoke]

Utterly pointless to exchange jerseys. This isn't soccer. Ironically, Ray played better than Ben. At least he could hit shots. Maybe if Ben focused more on his game than his haircut and shoes....

 

[Sac.Kings]

Alright alright, I already admitted I made a mistake. I took it too far. No need to crucify me any longer, the lesson has been learned. I usually don't say things like that about anybody, but my emotions beat out my sensible self this round.

In my defense, I like Ben as an individual. He seems like a nice guy, truly. But this is the NBA and what I care most about is the product on the court.