VSL Game 2 Thread - Kings vs. Warriors

[KingGiant49erFan]

David Thorpe's tweets on the game:

david b. thorpe: Evans and Kevin Martin may lead the league as a backcourt in free throws attempted. Evans is tough to defend while not fouling.

david b. thorpe: Evans has a lot to learn about shot selection. But learn he will.

david b. thorpe: Donte Greene is playing inspired D. He has a future.

david b. thorpe: Casspi playing a little too fast, but I like what he see's.

david b. thorpe: Something is wrong with Thompson. He just barely nicked the side of the rim on a ft. And he now has 1 board in 15 mins. The same as McNeal.

david b. thorpe: Evans just eats up space on drives. He's all arms, and he uses that great body.

david b. thorpe: Thompson is racing the floor better. But I keep looking at his rebound totals. 4 in 30+ mins over 2 games.


david b. thorpe Evans not forcing anything, and seems locked into what he's being asked to do.

 

[HighTopKicks]

From what I've seen in the highlights im going to say that Tyreke will eventually develop a killer mid range game, almost unguardable. He has that fade away release that players can't defend. I don't think he will ever be a dead eye 3 point shooter, but I do think he will develop a decent shot from outside. I can't wait to see these guys in some real NBA competition. No one should be taking the performances of JT and others to seriously these last two games. Yeah, JT is rebounding like crap, but I think I'm going to look more at the last 82 games he played with real NBA competition rather than 2 games in the summer league.

Westphal sat in with the play by play team, and said they aren't in a hurry to change his shot. But, he thinks that it can be improved. He wants him to use more leg and not take the ball back over his head as much. Evans did shoot well from outside, but midrange and from the 3. I'm sure he'll receive some attention Coachie, but I'm sure that improving his PG skills will be a higher priority.

 

[kingsnation]

Didn't get to see or even keep tabs on the game tonight. I did get a text from kings.com alerting me that Reke had a double-double?

Watching the highlights and maybe it's just because they are highlights, it looks to me that the one thing Reke does a bit too much is go 1-on-1. Anyone else notice this?

 

[AleksandarN]

Imo, they have absolutely nothing in common, completely different players.

well his post up ability and strength on the defensive end remind me of Chauncey.

 

[icp3425]

He hasn't been a good defensive rebounder, and a lot of his offensive rebounds have come from tip ins, and some of those are from his own misses. His scoring in the VSL have come from faceup mid range jumpers, driving the baseline, and dunks from feeds by the guards. These are generally PF type of scoring. There haven't been any low post feed and post moves to score. So, he maybe the center but he's playing like a PF.

Hopefully, Truck can show him how to rebound.

He might not have rebounded well in these first 2 VSL games but he did lead the team in rebounds last regular season... so lets not sell him short here. Obviously he knows how to rebound, but im sure there are lots of things Truck can teach him.

 

[swisshh]

The part of the Westphal interview that bugged me was that they asked him why they liked Evans over PGs like Rubio and Flynn or Curry, and he said he had Flynn and Curry in and Evans was able to score on them every time, that he dominated in 2 on 2s. That is a horrid way to pick/judge a point guard. It doesn't test any PG skills at all and at this point it is easy to tell that Evans isn't a 1 yet, he's a project at that position. Thorpe blogged about Billups and Deron Williams not having the natural ability when they came in and how it took Chauncey four years to figure it out.

I just wonder if management is PG smart enough to wait for him to figure it out.

 

[rainmaker]

I see some similarities between Tyreke and Billups, but I see more between Tyreke and D Rose. They both have a shaky perimeter game (although they can hit open jumpers), but they can get in the paint at will. Neither is a great playmaker, Rose is better at this point, but the ability to get into the paint will really open up passing lanes for both of them. They both are good finishers, and I would think Tyreke will be the better of the two in that regard because of his size.

In no way do think Tyreke is a carbon copy of Rose, but I do see a lot of similarities between the two, and I think Tyreke can have the same kind of an impact as D Rose did last year. We don't have a shot at the playoffs like the bulls did, but I think Tyreke will be a major part of our offense and will change the dynamic of our team.

 

[HighTopKicks]

The part of the Westphal interview that bugged me was that they asked him why they liked Evans over PGs like Rubio and Flynn or Curry, and he said he had Flynn and Curry in and Evans was able to score on them every time, that he dominated in 2 on 2s. That is a horrid way to pick/judge a point guard. It doesn't test any PG skills at all and at this point it is easy to tell that Evans isn't a 1 yet, he's a project at that position. Thorpe blogged about Billups and Deron Williams not having the natural ability when they came in and how it took Chauncey four years to figure it out.

I just wonder if management is PG smart enough to wait for him to figure it out.

I believe he said that Evans was quick enough to get by those guards and big enough to post them up. He also stated that if the choice is between two players of equal talent, you always take the bigger of the two. (paraphrased since I couldn't replay it & don't have a transcript) And let's wait until he has more than 3 practices and 2 games under his belt before we decide whether he's a 1 or not.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

He reminds of Chauncey Billups without the shot ofcourse.

Evans crossover is more elite, but you are right on the jumper...

 

[Prince_XY]

From the comments I'm reading about the Kings' past 2 summer legaue games, I am very happy that the Kings pick Evans among the players available at lottery pick 4. He is the best player available who could help the Kings now and the near future. And he covers a lot more of the Kings deficiencies at #1. He looks excellent at #1 right now, because he looks like a decent playmaker and it seems like he will cause a lot of mis-match problems for the other teams at point guard position. I think the way he played the past 2 summer league games, we can say he could become the Lebron James at point guard position.

 

[venom_7]

anybody else notice that Omri's shot is just a slightly better looking version of Marion's jumper?

 

[mac]

anybody else notice that Omri's shot is just a slightly better looking version of Marion's jumper?

Seriously? Man if we had someone who shot free throws with Marion's form it would be just so awesome (provided they go in). Shawn Marion's free throw shooting form is just pure entertainment

 

[ElRey]

From the comments I'm reading about the Kings' past 2 summer legaue games, I am very happy that the Kings pick Evans among the players available at lottery pick 4. He is the best player available who could help the Kings now and the near future. And he covers a lot more of the Kings deficiencies at #1. He looks excellent at #1 right now, because he looks like a decent playmaker and it seems like he will cause a lot of mis-match problems for the other teams at point guard position. I think the way he played the past 2 summer league games, we can say he could become the Lebron James at point guard position.

Evans penetration ability requires a tremendous amount of attention from the opposing team, and he has led to a lot of wide open shots for his teammates. I see a lot of similarities between him and Russel Westbrook, big guards who are explosive, can create for themselves and others, and learning to be more traditional point guards. OKC passed on Rubio bc of Westbrook, so they obviously like Westbrook more for their pg.

 

[Prince_XY]

Evans penetration ability requires a tremendous amount of attention from the opposing team, and he has led to a lot of wide open shots for his teammates. I see a lot of similarities between him and Russel Westbrook, big guards who are explosive, can create for themselves and others, and learning to be more traditional point guards. OKC passed on Rubio bc of Westbrook, so they obviously like Westbrook more for their pg.

Not to mention that Memphis passed on ( the now seemingly over-hyped ) Rubio too, and so did the Kings. The decision of Petrie is obviously making a lot of sense now after this past 2 games. Evans seems to be the more complete point guard package that somehow fills a lot of holes in the Kings team. You name it, and the guy seems to have shown the past 2 games that he's got some answers. We're lucky we might have found our own STAR finally.

 

[bajaden]

Jason looks so uncomfortable playing the 5...

Thats the position he played in college...

 

[KingGiant49erFan]

From the comments I'm reading about the Kings' past 2 summer legaue games, I am very happy that the Kings pick Evans among the players available at lottery pick 4. He is the best player available who could help the Kings now and the near future. And he covers a lot more of the Kings deficiencies at #1. He looks excellent at #1 right now, because he looks like a decent playmaker and it seems like he will cause a lot of mis-match problems for the other teams at point guard position. I think the way he played the past 2 summer league games, we can say he could become the Lebron James at point guard position.

Not to mention that Memphis passed on ( the now seemingly over-hyped ) Rubio too, and so did the Kings. The decision of Petrie is obviously making a lot of sense now after this past 2 games. Evans seems to be the more complete point guard package that somehow fills a lot of holes in the Kings team. You name it, and the guy seems to have shown the past 2 games that he's got some answers. We're lucky we might have found our own STAR finally.

Not to jump the gun or anything..

 

[bajaden]

Damnn randolph has looked impressive, this cat is not a bust like a lot people predicted here

I don't remember a lot of people predicting he would be a bust. There were reservations about his work ethic, but no one doubted his talent.

 

[Bricklayer]

I don't remember a lot of people predicting he would be a bust. There were reservations about his work ethic, but no one doubted his talent.

Oh, there have been a number of doubters -- often self-serving in these parts methinks in order to glorify our own pick.

But I mentioned it from the first time I saw the kid last year -- would have loved Golden State to be stupid enough to trade him to us while they were wavering and Nellie was trying to destroy the team. Alas did not happen, and now there is no shot.

 

[bajaden]

Thompson is my 2nd fav player, but he needs to bring that 12reb avg from college for sactown.

Larry, just keep reminding yourself. Its summer league. If he had 40 rebounds it wouldn't matter. Its like preseason football. Meaningless, except for those trying to impress and find a roster spot..

 

[bajaden]

Evans ties it up at 92 with a drive to the basket.

Does anyone else see Evans carrying the ball alot? Its very close almost every time ... I hope that isnt a problem in the NBA.

Massy, its one of my pet peeves. There's not a point guard in the NBA that doesn't carry the ball. Until they start inforcing the rule, I'm not going to worry about it.

 

[bajaden]

started like 0-8. Dude is inconsistent LOL

Webber went 2 for 22 one night. I suspose he was utter garbage too.. Great astute, concise observations...

 

[bajaden]

Curry is like a less faster Monta Ellis, more perimeter oriented, won't do so good in the real season Having to guard guys like CP3 DWILL Parker, then having those guards and their help guard him...

Lets not forget that he's on the Warriors. Their all about offense and defense is an afterthought. The word Guard, is an oxymoron on the Warriors.

 

[bajaden]

Is anyone else disappointed with JT and Donte? I mean they should be absolutely dominating. I didn't really see JT doing anything in the fourth quarter. He should be grabbing every board and man handling everyone.

I am very happy with Tyreke, I have a feeling he will eventually be a consistent 20/5/5 kind of player, which I would not mind.

To be honest, I thought JT looked a little tired in the fourth quarter. I think the back to back caught up to him. I though both he and Greene played good defense throughout the game. The only time JT had a problem was when he got matched up with Randoph, whose really a SF and a quicker than JT.

I would like to see JT and Greene involved in the offense a little more, but you never know what their trying to look at in summer league. Most 2nd and 3rd year guys are usually trying to work on different parts of their game. It would appear that defense is high on the list.

 

[bajaden]

now that the game is over, you need a time machine

If you pay the fourteen bucks for the feed, they do allow you to go back and watch the replay as many times as you want. I had serious freezing problems yesterday and went to another venue, which had no freezing problems at all.

 

[fnordius]

( the now seemingly over-hyped ) Rubio

Not to jump the gun or anything..

I'm sure that's based on the couple of NBA seasons that Rubio's played since draft night.

 

[bajaden]

WRT Rondo and Evans: Rondo's assist/TO ratio was a tolerable 1.8-1.9 to 1 in college, while Evans' was more like 1.1 to 1, which would not be acceptable in an NBA PG. Rondo had a rep as a real PG, and had played a 12-assist game. Evans has yet to show that he can play the 1 at a high level. In that respect, they're very different.

We are talking about two summer league games. If were still having this conservation three years from now then we have a problem. Does no one have patience? He had a great game for a 19 year old kid that played one half of a season at the point in college. He has all the instincts necessary to play the point. All the rest is mental and can be taught. But, I say again, But, its going to take time. Sorry, I'm a glass is half full guy..

 

[bajaden]

Imo, they have absolutely nothing in common, completely different players.

I just looked at pictures of both of them. Your right! They look nothing alike. They wern't even wearing the same kind of jerseys.

 

[fnordius]

We are talking about two summer league games.

Those were their college career stats. I'd never worry much about summer league stats.

 

[bajaden]

Didn't get to see or even keep tabs on the game tonight. I did get a text from kings.com alerting me that Reke had a double-double?

Watching the highlights and maybe it's just because they are highlights, it looks to me that the one thing Reke does a bit too much is go 1-on-1. Anyone else notice this?

You can't judge by the highlights. You have to see everything in the content of the game. His assist total could have been higher had some on the recieving end done a better job of finishing. But that could be true in any game. Remember that his main talent is getting to the basket, so its going to look like thats all he does in a highlight reel.

 

[bajaden]

The part of the Westphal interview that bugged me was that they asked him why they liked Evans over PGs like Rubio and Flynn or Curry, and he said he had Flynn and Curry in and Evans was able to score on them every time, that he dominated in 2 on 2s. That is a horrid way to pick/judge a point guard. It doesn't test any PG skills at all and at this point it is easy to tell that Evans isn't a 1 yet, he's a project at that position. Thorpe blogged about Billups and Deron Williams not having the natural ability when they came in and how it took Chauncey four years to figure it out.

I just wonder if management is PG smart enough to wait for him to figure it out.

Its pretty hard to judge point guard skills in two on two's or three on Three's. At least as far as passing the ball goes, or setting up teammates. It just doesn't translate to five on five. But you can judge defense on one on one skills, and thats an area of need for the kings on the perimiter. They couldn't stop him, and he could stop them.

There's no doubt that Flynn is ready made, just plug him in and let play point guard. One that I liked a lot. Curry has just as many questions about him, maybe more actually, than Evans did as a point guard. If you listen to interviews with Petrie and Reynolds etc. They all say the the work outs are just a small percentage of what they base their opinion on. So its fair to say they make their judgement on each players whole body of work. Small though it may be in Evans case. Nit picking aside, I've been pretty impressed with him so far..