Thomas or Shareef

[Purple Reign]

Based on what you have seen tonight, who has the edge in the starting Power Forward spot.

My vote is still for Abdur-Rahim, even though I liked what Kenny did tonight. A whole lot. I still think that Shareef gets the edge based on his height and length and ability to get to the basket off of the dribble

 

[Rain man]

Please no mountains out of mole hills. SAR will be the starter, no matter how much Kenny pouts about it. Kenny can be a very good 6th man, but no team serious about contending would start him at PF. Rick knows that (he is just appeasing Kenny right now), Geoff knows it (he signed SAR knowing Kenny wouldn't cut it), and SAR knows it. Only guy who doesn't yet know it is Kenny, but he better get ready for the news...

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Well either way K-9 is gonna get alot of time, he just brings too much positives to the table to not play him.. So it really dosen't matter who starts and who comes off the bench.

 

[nebs]

I think Kenny will be great off the bench and I truly hope this doesn't become an issue for him.

 

[kingsfan916]

It was great but SAR just blew me away with his great ability to drive in

 

[Kings241]

Shareef was great today, i loved what he can do in the post, passing, and that outside shot. I also heard he has a 3pt touch too once in a while.

 

[funkykingston]

The bottom line is that Shareef has three things going for him: Slightly better size (though he's also a bit small for a 4), more of a low post presence, and most importantly, a better mentality for a starter.

I had figured as much before, but tonight it was clear that Reef is going to fit well into the team framework. He doesn't force the action and gets his shots in the flow of the offense and is unselfish with the ball.

Kenny looked good in the 2nd half, but he still did put up a few questionable shots. IMO he is just better suited for a sixth man role. If he comes in and is knocking it down and making plays, you leave him in. If he's jacking up clankers, then you cut his minutes. Much easier to do with a reserve than a starter.

And I'm not slighting Thomas. In fact I think he's actually better off as a reserve. I think it CAN be a very good role for him if he's willing to accept it.

 

[KP]

Shareef, there is no question about it.

 

[VF21]

I have to agree, funky. It seemed as though Kenny was trying to hard as the starter. Once SAR had had some court time, and Kenny came back in, he looked more focused. I think he might just be MUCH better when someone else sets the bar for him to try and get over.

I had to stop myself more than once while I was typing the PBP. Typing "from the post" or "out of the low post" isn't something I've done much of recently. Seeing SAR in that role gives me a lot of hope that once he and Bibby get their timing, etc. together, we could see very good things.

 

[sc3252]

I hate kenny more than any player on the kings, I hope he is traded really soon. I was really disapointed when I turned on the tv to see that loser power forward playing.

 

[Fillmoe]

why does kt even care if hes a starter.... he knows hes gonna get his 30-35 regardless..... i dont know why its such a big deal for him to have a starting role......

 

[Andriod_KiNg]

Shareef ..

 

[Bricklayer]

why does kt even care if hes a starter.... he knows hes gonna get his 30-35 regardless..... i dont know why its such a big deal for him to have a starting role......

No way on those type of minutes. 20-25 mabye. But even there that means he basically has to get about 100% of the minutes behind Peja and Reef, which I am not sure about at all.

 

[ParniValjak]

The bottom line is that Shareef has three things going for him: Slightly better size (though he's also a bit small for a 4), more of a low post presence, and most importantly, a better mentality for a starter.

I had figured as much before, but tonight it was clear that Reef is going to fit well into the team framework. He doesn't force the action and gets his shots in the flow of the offense and is unselfish with the ball.

Kenny looked good in the 2nd half, but he still did put up a few questionable shots. IMO he is just better suited for a sixth man role. If he comes in and is knocking it down and making plays, you leave him in. If he's jacking up clankers, then you cut his minutes. Much easier to do with a reserve than a starter.

And I'm not slighting Thomas. In fact I think he's actually better off as a reserve. I think it CAN be a very good role for him if he's willing to accept it.

What he said

Shareef is better fit as a starter and KT could really be one of the top 6th men in the league if he is willing to embrace his role like Bobby embraced his while he was a King.

Plenty of depth on this year's roster but still quite a few question marks.

 

[Purple Reign]

I hate kenny more than any player on the kings, I hope he is traded really soon. I was really disapointed when I turned on the tv to see that loser power forward playing.

Why all the hate. I do agree that he is not one of my favorite Kings. I do not appreciate him whining last year and this year about starting, but for the most part, Thomas is a good ball player that hustles and rebounds. We need that off of the bench.

 

[Jkbiker]

What shocked me was Shareef playing Center for almost all of the fourth quarter! With Cisco and Corliss filling behind Paja, is this RA's solution to get SAR and KT more minutes?

Everyone has said Shareef is barely big enough for PF and may be better at SF, so what do we do ? Make him a center?

Lets see SAR at C. Corliss PF, Cisco at SF??

Its like lets see how I can placate everyone of the 11 players for game minutes by playing eveyone out of position?

I hope this is just preseason senarios only and these type of player positioning doesnt come in the the regular season.

 

[SacTownKid]

I have to agree, funky. It seemed as though Kenny was trying to hard as the starter. Once SAR had had some court time, and Kenny came back in, he looked more focused. I think he might just be MUCH better when someone else sets the bar for him to try and get over.

I had to stop myself more than once while I was typing the PBP. Typing "from the post" or "out of the low post" isn't something I've done much of recently. Seeing SAR in that role gives me a lot of hope that once he and Bibby get their timing, etc. together, we could see very good things.

Thats right, Kenny looked much better off the bench. Reef is just too good down low, and with Brad up at the elbow, when this team figures it out, they should be dangerous.

 

[SacTownKid]

What shocked me was Shareef playing Center for almost all of the fourth quarter! With Cisco and Corliss filling behind Paja, is this RA's solution to get SAR and KT more minutes?

Everyone has said Shareef is barely big enough for PF and may be better at SF, so what do we do ? Make him a center?

Lets see SAR at C. Corliss PF, Cisco at SF??

Its like lets see how I can placate everyone of the 11 players for game minutes by playing eveyone out of position?

I hope this is just preseason senarios only and these type of player positioning doesnt come in the the regular season.

Its called preseason. We are most likely going to see some pretty whacky lineups. Adelman has to make sure that everyone is accustomed to one another, it'll take some time but I am confident it'll get there.

You know Shareef was a lot bigger than I remember. I heard he is more like 6'10" and he looked it. He also looks to have bulked up a bit. Still I don't want to see him at C. I just hope Brad and Reef get plenty of court time together b/c I predict they will get a lot during the season!

 

[iheartBrad]

Somebody said this elsewhere but i have to agree that I'm gonna give the edge to SAR...not that SAR would suck off the bench or that Kenny would suck as a starter but just that I think if SAR where to come off the bench he'd end up trying to do too much himself...whereas if Kenny came off the bench he'd still play within the flow of the game...I dunno thats what I think...

I wouldn't be surprised to see Kenny start the season as the starter eventually losing the role to SAR

 

[thesanityannex]

Well either way K-9 is gonna get alot of time, he just brings too much positives to the table to not play him.. So it really dosen't matter who starts and who comes off the bench.

No Vote.

Exactly. I don't care who starts. If Thomas needs to start to be happy, fine. If he can come of the bench without hassles, fine. I don't see Abur-Rahim as one to gripe about starting, especially since coming to the Kings. Rahim played solidly with the second unit. Both guys bring a different look on the court, each with their own strengths, as long as they each get their minutes, the starting job is irrelevant.

 

[Gtronic]

I love to see KT come off the bench and run around with the likes of Hart, Martin and Cisco. ENERGY!

 

[6th]

While I voted for SAR to start, I think it will come down to who fits our need at that position the best. I happen to think that will be SAR. If Kenny whines about that and disrupts the team then ship his butt somewhere. I am not in a hurry to see anyone in a Kings uniform (no matter what color) who cannot do what is best for the TEAM. If anyone's ego gets in the way, dress em up in gold lamé; give em a matching purse, and ship em to another team.

 

[tyrant]

well the way everyone talks about shareef i'll have to go with him. i didnt see the game, but some of you did. and if most of you believe that rahim will mesh better with the starters then i guess he's our guy. i think kenny will be great off the bench. he needs to accept his role.

 

[Bricklayer]

well the way everyone talks about shareef i'll have to go with him. i didnt see the game, but some of you did. and if most of you believe that rahim will mesh better with the starters then i guess he's our guy. i think kenny will be great off the bench. he needs to accept his role.

Reef's always had the post game, which works better with all of our jumpshooters. When even your center is a jumpshooter, you've got a problem. And of course being taller than your average OG also means he's a bit more of a defensive impediment -- although only a bit. One area of concern is rebounding -- there have been a few analyses suggesting that Reef would improve our rebounding, and that's bunk. KT may be a midget, but he tries hard on the glass, is active and is actually a better rebounder than Reef. Wasn't amused to see Reef grab all of two last game. Nonetheless have to believe SAR will be the starter, being the more accomplished and bigger player. Lining up KT vs. Duncan or Dirk in a big game would be kind of sad and akin to running up a white flag.

x factor is probaby Bonzi -- as an OG who brings both a post game and rebounding himself, he could be used as an excuse to go either way -- either he's the postup guy so we can afford Kenny, or his extra rebounding means we can afford Reef. Either way depending on your 6'5" OG to provide you with a post game and rebounding is borderline comical, but it is what it is. Still think it may be Bonzi more than whoever the PF is who is the key to the season. We are desperate for what he brings, and we need him to not only hold it together, but even imprint some of his will on the team. Asking a lot from him, but amazingly for his position he may be the best combination post player/rebounder/defender on the entire team.

 

[FrenchCanadianKING]

Please no mountains out of mole hills. SAR will be the starter, no matter how much Kenny pouts about it. Kenny can be a very good 6th man, but no team serious about contending would start him at PF. Rick knows that (he is just appeasing Kenny right now), Geoff knows it (he signed SAR knowing Kenny wouldn't cut it), and SAR knows it. Only guy who doesn't yet know it is Kenny, but he better get ready for the news...

word

 

[thesanityannex]

Still think it may be Bonzi more than whoever the PF is who is the key to the season.

word.

 

[tyrant]

we can't win a championship with kenny starting. we need a postgame.

 

[PFFFT!!]

Tonight we will have a better picture of whether its KT or SAR. SAR played with the bench guys and did good. KT sort of ball hogged playing with the starters. I think he was trying to proove a point at the wrong time.

 

[Kings113]

SAR will be starting (full-time or the majority) during the season. Bookmark it.

 

[Rockin' in the Free World]

I'd be excited to see two Kings players with competant post games (SAR and Bonzi) on the floor at the same time. I know Corliss can post, but he's a bit of a black hole once he does, that ball isn't going anywhere but in/at the hoop. Both Bonzi and SAR showed the willingness and the ability to pass out of a double team/post situation and with Peja, Mike, and Brad on the floor at the same time that could result in some great looks for three outstanding jumpshooters if we can keep the ball moving like the Spurs have been so fantastic at doing (they're an underappreciated passing team). Kenny is a very skilled player, but it just seems that Shareef would give a little more to the starting five.

Not to mention, in crunch time I think Shareef would get the nod over Kenny, so why not let him develop some chemistry with the other four? Just my two cents. Excited to see it all play out though. Won't be too proud to admit later that I'm wrong since its all speculation (even if its educated speculation) right now, I hope we all can do that.