Taking off the purple-tinted glasses

[VF21]

Sometimes you want something so badly you try and accept something that's close but just not quite what you wanted. That's the way it is with our current Kings team. There are just enough flashes of good play to give us hope. Unfortunately, it's a false hope.

This is NOT a championship caliber team. Not yet.

Look at this roster: Bibby, Wells, Artest, KT, Miller, Martin, SAR, Cisco... so far so good, right? Then comes the problems... Hart, Williamson, Price, Potapenko, Monia, Sampson.

We have an eight-man team and a bunch of guys sitting around in spare uniforms. Not an 8-man rotation. An 8-man team. The drop-off in talent and suitability after Garcia (and unfortunately including Williamson because he's just past his prime) is so definitive as to be frightening.

This team still has glaring weaknesses, to steal CruzDude's phrase from another thread. Our starting five is adequate most of the time, but there are still some holes in the picture you could drive a tank through.

We got Ron Artest and his presence has helped but it hasn't solved all our problems. He's rapidly being burned out because there is no one behind him on the bench who can put forth the type of effort on defense he brings to the game. Bibby is exhausted and playing through injuries because his backup is...Jason Hart. Our two-guard position was arugably our best tandem but when Bonzi is ejected and Kevin can't play, we're forced to put Cisco in way over his head. The power forward position is a mind-boggling morass. KT can bring rebounding and hustle inside, but at the price of some stupid turnovers, etc. SAR can pound inside, but not consistently and he's not putting up very good board numbers. At center we have...Brad. Behind Brad, we have either SAR unless he's playing forward or Corliss. (Insert disbelief emoticon here...)

Unless we can find a way to get a few minute's rest for our key guys, they may not live long enough to be in the playoffs. We went through it before when Tag rusted on the bench and it appears we're going to go through it again with Vitaly.

My recommendation is that we enjoy the game, savor the wins but realize the losses are gonna occur. This is not this year's NBA version of George Mason University. As much as I would like it to be differently, the sad truth is the Kings are still a couple of pieces away from being TRULY competitive going down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Regardless, GO KINGS!!!

 

[SacTownKid]

I think we are going to have a DANGEROUS team next season. Petrie will have fun with this roster during the offseason me thinks!

Also the truth is that Rick Adelman isn't going to go much farther than 8 deep. Even if we had the talent all we would have is a very talented 10th man that is totally p*ssed that he doesn't get minutes. If Rick Adelman is the coach next year Petrie has to find a way to maximize that 8-9 man rotation.

I just hope that somehow we can address the interior problems we have been plagued with. After that problem is solved I think then the process of letting this team gel and get used to eachother can begin!

 

[Fillmoe]

the truth is... we need to get some interior defense.... im sick of watchin role players burn us inside....

 

[quick dog]

I generally agree with your assessment of the team, but I am not entirely pleased with the starting squad. I think there must be one more major trade because one of our starting five exhibits some of the same critical weaknesses that ultimately resulted in the dissolution of the 2001-2002 team. We can not have a key player that "goes on vacation", especially when it occurs so frequently as to become predictable. We need eight guys that never lay on the oars, even if they are not making shots.

 

[Fillmoe]

miller for jamal magloire

 

[beemerr23]

It's simple, really. I've said it all year long and been called ignorant, but we need an inside presence, not a 7 foot jump shooter who stands around with the ball. The reason Bonzi gets 8 boards a game at 6'7 is because our Center doesn't box out, and thus the reason the other 6'7 KT is getting 11 boards a game. I'm sorry, but Miller isn't going to bring you a championship, or bring you far in the playoffs - at least without a GREAT passing PF like Webber was. Bring Bobby and Webber back, they both look awesome this year.

As for the future of the Kings, you need to get rid of Miller, KT, Bonzi, and let Garcia and Martin develop into better players than they already are.

 

[beemerr23]

I'm not a complete Miller basher though, I will say this - he's a great passer, shooter at the top of the key, and free throw shooter, for a big man. Still, that won't get you to the ultimate goal. There is a reason post players have been putting up career-high stats (see Garnett, Kirilinko/Boozer, Foyle).

 

[Loyal 2 The Game]

i want camby.. dude is a walking block party....

 

[Kings113]

Camby's great, but can't stay healthy, has a huge contract, and is 32. I love 'em though.

I haven't seen anyone say this is a championship caliber team yet. It's a team in development, and is 2-3 additions away from being back to a top team. I expect those additions to be added in the off-season.

I still expect us to make the playoffs though. I also expect us to win at least 2 out of the next 3 games after this unexpected (yup) loss.

 

[yanon]

Championships are won by the star players and the top 7-8 players of a team. Thus, the true weakness in this team is that it has players that either don't/can't play their traditional role. We have a point guard who plays like a shooting guard. We have a shooting guard who plays like a powerfoward. Worst yet, we have a center who plays like a point guard. These guys might be good because they are multi-dimensionals but they are playing out of their position. When matched up against really good players who play their natural position, the aforementioned players' weakness are exposed. Miller might be a good passer and shooter for a center but this team needs a center who rebound and defend in the low post. If we can get a big low post guy (either power forward or center) who can really rebound well and defend well, then the interior defense is solidify. Kevin Martin continuing develop his offensive game will push Bibby back to his traditional point guard role. This will create a more balanced team.

 

[captain bill]

Championships are won by the star players and the top 7-8 players of a team. Thus, the true weakness in this team is that it has players that either don't/can't play their traditional role. We have a point guard who plays like a shooting guard. We have a shooting guard who plays like a powerfoward. Worst yet, we have a center who plays like a point guard. These guys might be good because they are multi-dimensionals but they are playing out of their position. When matched up against really good players who play their natural position, the aforementioned players' weakness are exposed. Miller might be a good passer and shooter for a center but this team needs a center who rebound and defend in the low post. If we can get a big low post guy (either power forward or center) who can really rebound well and defend well, then the interior defense is solidify. Kevin Martin continuing develop his offensive game will push Bibby back to his traditional point guard role. This will create a more balanced team.

Yah. Trade our 9th and 10th guys for the end of the Spurs or Pistons benches, and we still won't beat them.

The starting five is NOT adequate most of the time. They've been inconsistent all year long. Ron has been a shot in the arm, but they still can't win on the road. And a team with a hole to "drive a tank through" is adequate? The bench is low on my list of concerns right now. Here's my list of things that need to be fixed: Brad, Reef, contracts, Kenny, coaching (as in commit to RA or bring in a new regime), Bonzi's future (and Kevin's, which is tied to it), Ron's future, the draft, Garcia's development, arena issues, getting fresh blood on the bench. In that order.

 

[ParniValjak]

I never believed that this team as is currently constructed is a championship caliber team. We have some very glaring holes in our roster that need to be addressed if we want to progress further.

1. We just do not have a back up PG. God forbid but if Bibby sustained a serious injury that causes him to miss games, we are royally screwed. We MUST address this during the off-season.

2. We have NO interior defence. None what so ever. One of Thomas or Reef need to go and bring in a 4/5 combo who can defend the ring, block some shots and pull some rebounds. I think we are one good move away to address this area and really have a deepish frontcourt.

This team is good to make the play offs but get out in first round. A couple of good moves and we can contend.

 

[quick dog]

I never believed that this team as is currently constructed is a championship caliber team. We have some very glaring holes in our roster that need to be addressed if we want to progress further.

1. We just do not have a back up PG. God forbid but if Bibby sustained a serious injury that causes him to miss games, we are royally screwed. We MUST address this during the off-season.

2. We have NO interior defence. None what so ever. One of Thomas or Reef need to go and bring in a 4/5 combo who can defend the ring, block some shots and pull some rebounds. I think we are one good move away to address this area and really have a deepish frontcourt.

This team is good to make the play offs but get out in first round. A couple of good moves and we can contend.

I would keep Thomas and Rahim and lose some others. These guys always try hard, and are usually effective. They both like to work inside, one on defense, the other on offense.

 

[Bricklayer]

I would keep Thomas and Rahim and lose some others. These guys always try hard, and are usually effective. They both like to work inside, one on defense, the other on offense.

If you could magically merge them into one palyer with all their strengths, noen of their weakness,s and then then grow him some arms or muscle to battle the big boys and block shots..sure. Otherwise, we are considerably underequipped at thaat position, and are tryign to fake it through via platoon.

 

[Evenstar]

the kings are in dire need of a someone who can defend and rebound in the paint. kenny has done a nice job rebounding for his size, but kenny guarding tim duncan or kevin garnett?? i don't think so

a better backup PG would be great. i think garcia is doing a very nice job as a backup 2/3.

another thing this team needs is time. they just haven't been together long enough. with more time, they will develop better consistancy IMO.

i think this group with the addition of a defensive minded big man and a better backup PG has the makings to be a very good team for years to come.

 

[VF21]

Championships are won by the star players and the top 7-8 players of a team. Thus, the true weakness in this team is that it has players that either don't/can't play their traditional role.

No, championships are won by BALANCED teams with role-players who can come off the bench and spell the starters so they can do their jobs throughout the season and not be exhausted by the time March roles around.

And a team with a hole to "drive a tank through" is adequate?

Adequate probably wasn't the right word but I was trying to avoid dumping on them...

The current structure of the team is good enough to win some games; in fact, they'll win just enough games to keep hope alive for a lot of fans. But, IMHO, those wins are actually more problematic than the losses. They tend to keep people from realizing that this is still a team in transition, that this isn't the vision of the future Petrie has, and that there will be losses like last night's until some more changes are made.

I was primarily posting in response to a few people who are so upset and disillusioned by the apparent collapse of the team after what looked so promising when Ron Artest first arrived.

I think SacTownKid said it best:

I think we are going to have a DANGEROUS team next season. Petrie will have fun with this roster during the offseason me thinks!

I still love this team and am a lot more excited about the potentials for next year...

 

[yanon]

wrong, when the game is on the line, it is the stars that carry the team on their back. If a team has to depend on the 9th guy or 10th guy to win the game. Then the team is not championship caliber. Top 7 to 8 players are the ones that matter in playoff. How many time have you saw MJ, Hakiem, Horry (he is usually the top 6-7 guy), Kobe and Ginobili making game deciding shots for their teams? How many time have you seen players like Mark Madsen (not sure about spelling but he is the goofy white guy who played for the Lakers back in their chamionship years) making a crucial play to win the game? You can't dispute facts.

 

[dukeswh]

I think the kings are only two good moves away from being a contender once again. I believe they only need to have a good shotblocking/rebounding, tough player down low and a good backup for mike. The current lineup is good and performing well considering the personnel changes. Right now they are on a slump for maybe a lot of reasons - too many minutes for main guys, key players returning from injuries/injured, player/s(Artest/Bonzi) still trying to fit into the system, and a lot more w/c we might not know about. I will give this team up to this time next year before i can say if they are truly contenders or just pretenders, and may need major changes. But as i see it now, i think the kings have a very good lineup. I found this quote from Dime: "You already know about Bibby and Artest, but between Brad Miller, Kevin Martin and Kenny Thomas, Sac-town has quietly put together one of the best starting fives in the League. Not to mention their first three off the bench (Bonzi, S.A.R. and Francisco Garcia) are quality role players. "

 

[VF21]

wrong, when the game is on the line, it is the stars that carry the team on their back. If a team has to depend on the 9th guy or 10th guy to win the game. Then the team is not championship caliber. Top 7 to 8 players are the ones that matter in playoff. How many time have you saw MJ, Hakiem, Horry (he is usually the top 6-7 guy), Kobe and Ginobili making game deciding shots for their teams? How many time have you seen players like Mark Madsen (not sure about spelling but he is the goofy white guy who played for the Lakers back in their chamionship years) making a crucial play to win the game? You can't dispute facts.

You're missing my point. Yes, "when the game is on the line, it is the stars that carry the team." BUT if the stars are totally exhausted and there's no one on the bench to step in for even a few minutes and relieve them, they're going to collapse under the weight.

Mark Madsen was just signed for a pretty impressive five-year deal. And it's not because he's a star. It's because he ALWAYS brings the hustle off the bench, leaves it all out there on the court, and gives a few minutes of rest for those who are the stars.

I'm not disputing facts. I'm saying the facts you're using aren't the only considerations.

 

[VF21]

I think the kings are only two good moves away from being a contender once again. I believe they only need to have a good shotblocking/rebounding, tough player down low and a good backup for mike. The current lineup is good and performing well considering the personnel changes. Right now they are on a slump for maybe a lot of reasons - too many minutes for main guys, key players returning from injuries/injured, player/s(Artest/Bonzi) still trying to fit into the system, and a lot more w/c we might not know about. I will give this team up to this time next year before i can say if they are truly contenders or just pretenders, and may need major changes. But as i see it now, i think the kings have a very good lineup. I found this quote from Dime: "You already know about Bibby and Artest, but between Brad Miller, Kevin Martin and Kenny Thomas, Sac-town has quietly put together one of the best starting fives in the League. Not to mention their first three off the bench (Bonzi, S.A.R. and Francisco Garcia) are quality role players. "

I agree with everything but the comment from Dime... I think we have a decent starting five, but I'm not convinced they're one of the best in the league... In the aggregate, perhaps, but there's plenty of room for improvement.

Regardless, I am going to continue to cheer my lungs out. ALL I have ever asked of the Sacramento Kings since they first stepped onto the court at old Arco is that they put forth effort. As long as they do that, I can wait for this summer to see what kind of additional magic Petrie has up his sleeve.