Today’s game will decide the battle between IT and GV

[morsatun]

If you look at the preseason stats, it would look like the battle for the PG starting spot is done and dusted. IT has played more minutes and has better assists in all categories. He has been instrumental in come backs in two of the last 3 games. More significantly, Vasquez had had increased numbers every game (dealing with his injured ankle carefully), but last game he went backwards in number of minutes played. One could even argue, that with these numbers it would be really hard for Malone to tell IT to his face you are in the bench.

However, Malone has said that he is not sure about who will start at PG on day one. One of the reasons for this dilemma is the fact that a lot of the things IT has done really well are things that could help the team a lot on the second unit. When you think about it, if there is no one but Cousins that can create its own shot in the first unit, that problem is probably more serious in the second.

Assuming that Cousins and IT are pretty much the only two players that can score by themselves, it is questionable if having them both at the same time on court is the best thing for the team. It looks to me that it is very likely that the Kings this year will be a one man offensive team in both units, with everyone playing for Cousins in the starting line-up, and IT playing for himself in the second unit. Now, that would only work if GV steps up to the plate, and delivers what he was brought here for in the starting line-up: Control, good passing, chemistry with DMC, and no hero ball attitude. Unfortunately, he has not shown that much of these things in preseason yet (with the exception of perhaps chemistry with DMC). So in my mind, tonight’s game is make or break for him. If he does these things for the team tonight, and mange to get some 30 minutes of play time, he will start next week. Otherwise it will be IT.

 

[bajaden]

Just my opinion, but I don't think there's a battle at the PG position. Unless Vasquez isn't healthy enough to play regular minutes, he's the starter and I think he's been penciled in as the starter from the get go. I've felt that Cousins and Vasquez are the only two players that had their positions locked down from the beginning. The other three positions are up for grabs though. Don't let Vasquez recent play affect your judgement. Malone knows what he can do. He just has a lot of rust on him right now.

 

[morsatun]

I agree, but would he start next week even if that rust does not appear to be gone yet?

 

[morsatun]

Just my opinion, but I don't think there's a battle at the PG position. Unless Vasquez isn't healthy enough to play regular minutes, he's the starter and I think he's been penciled in as the starter from the get go. I've felt that Cousins and Vasquez are the only two players that had their positions locked down from the beginning. The other three positions are up for grabs though. Don't let Vasquez recent play affect your judgement. Malone knows what he can do. He just has a lot of rust on him right now.

Last year GV had a terrible preseason, and then his best year yet, so he certainty could do that again. The only difference is that he was not coming back form injury.

In any case, if his name was penciled in from the beginning, has coach Malone being laying to everyone in all his interviews when he specifically says he has not decided the PG position?

 

[Bricklayer]

Its not a battle of stats, but styles. And one of the styles is much better for your anointed franchise guy.

 

[Gary]

GV is going to be starting. There is no battle. His style goes much better with starters and IT is much better off the bench as the proverbial "spark plug". I think the Kings want the starters to share the ball. The bench is limited in the scoring department so I assume they would want a scoring PG in that aspect.

 

[Livinthedream]

Its not a battle of stats, but styles. And one of the styles is much better for your anointed franchise guy.

This

 

[HndsmCelt]

Just my opinion, but I don't think there's a battle at the PG position. Unless Vasquez isn't healthy enough to play regular minutes, he's the starter and I think he's been penciled in as the starter from the get go. I've felt that Cousins and Vasquez are the only two players that had their positions locked down from the beginning. The other three positions are up for grabs though. Don't let Vasquez recent play affect your judgement. Malone knows what he can do. He just has a lot of rust on him right now.

More to the point bringing IT off the bench just makes sense when you consider his style, and the level of energy he brings. Heck I would not say starting GV sends IT to the bench as much IT''s play forces Malone to start GV. Once again I could care less who starts, I care who and how they end games.

 

[dude12]

I think Malone addressed it recently that starting, hearing your named announced during pre game activities, really isn't as important as who is finishing the game. That's what really counts. If Ben doesn't start...it's ok as long as he is getting his minutes and is on the floor at the end.

 

[KingMilz]

If anything the preseason has shown that Thomas is a very good back up and that's where he should be playing

 

[est.1999]

Someone just gave me free tickets behind the kings' bench. Anyone know if Cousins is playing??

 

[3me]

The only time you want your PG leading you in shot attempts and points scored is when his name is Derrick Rose.

 

[Entity]

Well if this is the case. I'm not very excited about coaching staff as its obviously not judging by performance but once again contract totals. Shame.

 

[DesertFox]

This game is a shining example of how the duo should go this season.

GV will start and try to establish Cuz and the offense. IT comes in and provides a spark, especially useful when Cuz misfires or gets into foul trouble like today.
GV again starts the half, tries to establish Cuz again. IT comes in give to GV a breather, and if the team is far behind, provide a last breath of offense.

 

[PurpleHaze]

and it's finally decided after last preseason game with this Kings PG stat line: GREVISISIAH: 27pts. / 16 assists

 

[jcwkings]

This game finally showed what Malone was looking for out of the PG spot. Vasquez sets up the first unit, IT comes in and runs it up the opponent's throat. Such a unique one two punch at PG. When someone here compared it to football, they were completely right, Vasquez establishes the run with Cousins inside, IT and the 2nd unit come in launching bombs.

 

[CruzDude]

Kings 110 @ Clips 100
Starters look like: Vasquez and MT, PPat and Salmons, and Cuz
Rotation looks like: IT and MLM, Hayes, JT and Outlaw
These groups worked really well together after the 1st period. IT off bench is a tremendous jolt and spark with Vasquez or Salmons to keep control. Once JT figures out his shooting woes, he and PPat together worked really well in Warrior game too.

 

[Gary]

IT's final pre-season stats: 26mpg --- 15ppg -- 5.4apg -- 3TOpg -- 3rpg -- 42.5%fg -- 25%3pt
GV's pre-season stats: 17mpg --- 4.6ppg -- 4.8apg -- 1.6TOpg -- 1.8rpg -- 30.8fg% -- 50%3pt

IT's stats are more stable because he was always over 24mpg where as GV was at 11 minutes one game, 20+ the other ect ect. If I just take GV's 20mpg stats then it looks more like what he's capable of. --- 21mpg -- 3.6ppg 7apg 2.3TOpg 2rpg 22%fg (which we all know will not be the case the whole year) and 40%3pt (which we also know that it's not going to be 40% at the end of the year)

Adjust GV's stats to where you think he'll end up and he is at about 8.5ppg 8.5aps 3rpg and about 2.5TOg. As for his shooting I would probably put it at 38%fg and 33%3pt.

 

[Cold]

There was never any battle at PG to be honest. Malone and Mark Jackson adopt the same approach during interviews: let everybody duke it out. The Kings' starting PG was decided sometime ago. Vasquez will start, rain or shine.

 

[Kingster]

I would imagine that Vasquez has to start. Do you want him to come off the bench if the starters have created a deficit in the game? No thanks. He doesn't provide the defense or the firepower of an IT. Vasquez may not be a better player than IT, but he needs to start because the alternative wouldn't win as many games for this team. The last couple of games IT has finished the game. I would expect more times than not IT will be finishing whereas Vasquez will be starting.

 

[jalfa]

Kings 110 @ Clips 100
Starters look like: Vasquez and MT, PPat and Salmons, and Cuz
Rotation looks like: IT and MLM, Hayes, JT and Outlaw
These groups worked really well together after the 1st period. IT off bench is a tremendous jolt and spark with Vasquez or Salmons to keep control. Once JT figures out his shooting woes, he and PPat together worked really well in Warrior game too.

the only thing I'd disagree with is pencilling in Salmons as the starter. as insane as it may sound, I'd prefer Outlaw, if he continues to play like he did in the preseason (unless of course Luc manages to get healthy). Outlaw seems to work better with the starters, being more able to keep out of the way and just spot up and space the floor. he's been shooting threes at 46% in the preseason and though history tells us that won't be sustainable, I have more faith in him as a spot up guy than I have in Salmons. the Vasquez/Thornton/Outlaw/PPat/Cuz lineup looked pretty decent in the 2nd half vs. the Clippers, at any rate. would like to see them get some run in the regular season.

 

[lwc]

Its not a battle of stats, but styles. And one of the styles is much better for your anointed franchise guy.

Bingo.

 

[lwc]

This game finally showed what Malone was looking for out of the PG spot. Vasquez sets up the first unit, IT comes in and runs it up the opponent's throat. Such a unique one two punch at PG. When someone here compared it to football, they were completely right, Vasquez establishes the run with Cousins inside, IT and the 2nd unit come in launching bombs.

Good perspective.

 

[ppine]

I have no trouble with GV as the starter even though I am a fan of IT. There will be many games this year when IT gets more minutes even if he is the second PG to hit the floor.

What is likely to be much more important is which PG finishes games. GV and IT are very different but complimentary players. When BMac gets acclimatized, I look forward to some more of the 3 guard sets.