We're the worst team in the league
- Thread starter BMiller52
- Start date
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Not on talent, but with these sleepwalking efforts we just might be. Its just gotten ugly, and for no good reason. How do you take a team wiht this much youth and talent and get them depressed and sleepwlaking before December?
This is what happens when you have no leadership on a team. We should've made some trades and consolidated talent this offseason. Now we're becoming the early 2000s clippers. Great...
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
That's always easy to say, had to do. In particular with a team so young - we didn't even know what we had, an neitehr did other teams.
Its almsot irrelevant anyway -- this team, with these players, should not be playing remotely like this. Everybody knew we might struggle, and how we might struggle. But that's not what's going on. If we weere flying aorunfd wiht the enthusias, of youth masking mistakes and losing games at the end that would be one thing. But its completely thew opposite. The energy has started to resemble that of the dead 17 win team froma couple of years back, and there is jst no ay it should have reachd this point within a month of starting the season unless the coach has just lost the guys.
est.1999
Starter
I was at the game. Sitting right by the kings bench. Pretty frustrating. Greene plays an awesome 1st quarter and almost doesn't play the rest of the way. Jeter playing for god knows what reason while Beno is on the bench. Evans is playing lazy(or hurt), there's no hustle on defense. The offense is just guard oriented on the perimeter with no post up plays(reminds me of a college team). Westphals rotations leave you scratching your head. I left early. My friends saw me on TV leaving early lol.
Sorry for the rant. Its just frustrating that I can't sit there and tell you what this team needs because I don't know what brand of basketball they wanna play. Maybe just bringing in talent next year can instantly change things but I can't sit there with a straight face and say it will.
Sorry for the rant. Its just frustrating that I can't sit there and tell you what this team needs because I don't know what brand of basketball they wanna play. Maybe just bringing in talent next year can instantly change things but I can't sit there with a straight face and say it will.
Sarunas
G-League
This is one of the 100 things I think is killing this team. I understand these are pro's and should be ready to play at all times, but how is a guy supposed to be ready to go full tilt at all times when he can play great for a quarter, then never be rewarded by playing more or staying in the game. He cools off and just becomes a spectator. I see this too much mainly with Greene and Head. I don't understand how guys can improve with each other when you don't know if you're going to play 28 mins or 9, and if those minutes are going to be consecutive, or separated by 2 quarters.
Arby's Roast Beef
Starter
At this point it's teamwide malaise. I caught snippets of this game, and let's just say that when Brian Cook is getting dunks, it's not going to look good for your team.
Evans clearly has lost a step from last year and while the mid-range J has improved, I'd prefer if he made inroads with his three point shooting or free throw shooting, but both have been relatively stagnant. He's definitely playing injured--the defense isn't even close to what it was last year in both team and man-to-man, his free throw rate has dropped like a rock and he's forced to take more shots off the dribble and pass less with the inefficient group of guys around him. A lot of it IMO is on the team--we need more shooters out there, whether it be Casspi, Garcia, and/or Head, to optimize Evans' passing and to limit his more predictable one-on-one scoring, and we need a better defensive culture, as it's pretty much affecting everyone's defense. The other part of it is his own personal injuries limiting his slashing game severely. But if it's that limited, as said it would help if he expanded his range.
I also want to add that Cousins is still learning--he was relatively invisible this game out, even at garbagetime, and I don't think he'll make great progress until after the trade deadline (when Landry/Dalembert most likely will be traded) and or until next year. Has that learning curve, and while he has the foundation he needs to minimize the warts (turnovers, fouls, shot selection) and it's hard to really quell all three of them at an effective rate by season's end. He'll have flashes, but when he doesn't show up like today, it might be gruesome especially if Evans can't do much either.
But yeah, there's absolutely no cohesion right now. The fact that the Clippers are a terrible defensive team (dead last in defensive efficiency) and we only shot 41% against them, and the fact that the Clippers have the second worst offense and shot 51% against us, tells the entire story. And they're missing Kaman and Davis, and we're not missing much at all with the exception of Garcia. I mean, at this point it's just team culture and trying to optimize the roles of our players, and it's just not happening. Very troubling sign.
Evans clearly has lost a step from last year and while the mid-range J has improved, I'd prefer if he made inroads with his three point shooting or free throw shooting, but both have been relatively stagnant. He's definitely playing injured--the defense isn't even close to what it was last year in both team and man-to-man, his free throw rate has dropped like a rock and he's forced to take more shots off the dribble and pass less with the inefficient group of guys around him. A lot of it IMO is on the team--we need more shooters out there, whether it be Casspi, Garcia, and/or Head, to optimize Evans' passing and to limit his more predictable one-on-one scoring, and we need a better defensive culture, as it's pretty much affecting everyone's defense. The other part of it is his own personal injuries limiting his slashing game severely. But if it's that limited, as said it would help if he expanded his range.
I also want to add that Cousins is still learning--he was relatively invisible this game out, even at garbagetime, and I don't think he'll make great progress until after the trade deadline (when Landry/Dalembert most likely will be traded) and or until next year. Has that learning curve, and while he has the foundation he needs to minimize the warts (turnovers, fouls, shot selection) and it's hard to really quell all three of them at an effective rate by season's end. He'll have flashes, but when he doesn't show up like today, it might be gruesome especially if Evans can't do much either.
But yeah, there's absolutely no cohesion right now. The fact that the Clippers are a terrible defensive team (dead last in defensive efficiency) and we only shot 41% against them, and the fact that the Clippers have the second worst offense and shot 51% against us, tells the entire story. And they're missing Kaman and Davis, and we're not missing much at all with the exception of Garcia. I mean, at this point it's just team culture and trying to optimize the roles of our players, and it's just not happening. Very troubling sign.
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bajaden
Hall of Famer
I really don't want to beat a dead horse. Especially on thanksgiving. But a team unto itself doesn't define its style of play. The coach does. Thats why Jerry Sloan's teams always play the same way. I can tell you why Jeter was in the game, at least from my prospective. The team look flat and I think he was hoping Jeter could give the team a spark. There's no doubt that this is getting ugly. Losing is one thing, but losing like you don't care is something entirely different.
Were just not playing like a team, at all. Large part of that has to be the constant fussing with the lineups. Starters aside, the rest of our lineups consist of a bunch of players randomly picked off the bench to play random roles. JT at the 3? Donte at the 4? Casspi at the 2? Beno at the 2 Pooh at the 1? Basketball is a team game and to be good or at least show improvement you have to develop as a team.
Now our starters should be a bit better. But i think Tyreke plays a large part in disallowing for consistency to be developed, he just doesnt seem to play a team game.
Now our starters should be a bit better. But i think Tyreke plays a large part in disallowing for consistency to be developed, he just doesnt seem to play a team game.
I dont know in the offseason when I thought about the West getting weaker and our draft I really got ahead of myself thinking these guys could sneak up on teams, however this is not the worst team in the league. We are the most confused/lazy/nausea inducing team in the league. We saw all of the Hornets game and pieces of others this team can play lockdown D when they want to, they just can't score to save their lives. The whole squad is just poorly ran and it falls directly on the coach, it's a shame too because last year PW had me believing. But he is turning into a weird guy who just does everything else but the OBVIOUS thing for this team. You'd think that a offseason that brought us a legit shot blocker and a couple bigs we'd have something going, but nope not at all. Whether it's putting Reke on Kobe as a learning experience or tonight having our damn defensive tone setter guarding Blake freakin Griffin just stupidity from him.
This team should be running up and down the floor on fast breaks, making stupid mistakes but in turn doing it with enthusiasm. When not on the break the offense should be going into the post when DMC is out there and when he isn't go through Reke with the dribble drive or a Beno/Landry pick n' roll. There is just no excuse as to why this team has no type of offense at all, there are too many offensive skilled guys on this team it should be the least of our problems. It's just frustrating ugly basketball and it's not something I've gotten used to as a Kings fan, hell even the last playoff run was watchable. This is crap and it's gonna damage these young guys....
The only solution I can think of is give Mario Elie his shot, he's paid his dues and maybe he can get a plan in place to get these guys going.
This is not the worst team in the NBA you'd be surprised how this squad would look with the SIMPLEST of tinkering.
This team should be running up and down the floor on fast breaks, making stupid mistakes but in turn doing it with enthusiasm. When not on the break the offense should be going into the post when DMC is out there and when he isn't go through Reke with the dribble drive or a Beno/Landry pick n' roll. There is just no excuse as to why this team has no type of offense at all, there are too many offensive skilled guys on this team it should be the least of our problems. It's just frustrating ugly basketball and it's not something I've gotten used to as a Kings fan, hell even the last playoff run was watchable. This is crap and it's gonna damage these young guys....
The only solution I can think of is give Mario Elie his shot, he's paid his dues and maybe he can get a plan in place to get these guys going.
This is not the worst team in the NBA you'd be surprised how this squad would look with the SIMPLEST of tinkering.
ArcoKings
Starter
Yes. Its getting bad. Really bad. They are just flat. No energy/enthusiasm tonight. I'm getting tired of PW's constant tinkering. Also, what is going on with Reke? Its going to be another looooooong season.
bloom
Starter
I personally think the whole thing starts from the head coach. Coach W’s energy is different from last years and I think that it greatly affects the team. It doesn’t help that he’s moving guys back and forth – DNP/guys playing out of position/out of their talents.
Our offense is disgusting – way, way, way too much one-on-one. I’ve seen some ugly shots.
A lot of people are saying Tyreke is injured, then I prefer him sitting out a few games and trying to rehab whatever problem he’s having because he really isn’t playing like last year. Why don’t we use him like we did last year? I see him standing around a lot, his defense isn’t as good as last year (totally agree with Arby's Roast Beef on that). Give him the ball and let the others around him cut and move. He does more damage with the ball in his hands and going to the basket.
We really should be an exciting team this year and we should be getting better instead of sinking into a black whole. We really are playing dead and it’s not healthy for the players, the fans, or this organization.
Our offense is disgusting – way, way, way too much one-on-one. I’ve seen some ugly shots.
A lot of people are saying Tyreke is injured, then I prefer him sitting out a few games and trying to rehab whatever problem he’s having because he really isn’t playing like last year. Why don’t we use him like we did last year? I see him standing around a lot, his defense isn’t as good as last year (totally agree with Arby's Roast Beef on that). Give him the ball and let the others around him cut and move. He does more damage with the ball in his hands and going to the basket.
We really should be an exciting team this year and we should be getting better instead of sinking into a black whole. We really are playing dead and it’s not healthy for the players, the fans, or this organization.
rainmaker
Hall of Famer
Just one of my many complaints. We were 3-1 with Cousins in the starting lineup. Yes against weak teams, but teams we beat one the road, who we wouldn't beat at home right now. Cousins could hurt some of these teams, but it seems we've somehow forgotten how to use the beast in the middle this team needed.
Why are we not using him effectively? We're not even giving him a chance to establish a rhythm, and Cousins establishing a rhythm would help this offense, if they even care any more.
Why are we not using him effectively? We're not even giving him a chance to establish a rhythm, and Cousins establishing a rhythm would help this offense, if they even care any more.
asakkings
Bench
When the young guys who are 15 game into the season play like 40yr olds there is something wrong with the team. I noticed this at the end of last year and even pre season this year, Tyreke has lost his swagger and aggressiveness. Now idk if its injury or if he just got a big head after we made him the franchise player but he seriously needs to get it together.
I saw thread for a Billups trade and at this point I think it would do wonders for this team, we need an experienced floor general out there. We still can't do basic things like post entry passes, why is cousins always getting passes so far away from the basket. If we wanted a face up player we should have drafted Ed Davis/Udoh. we have our beastly 270lb trying to dribble in traffic.
To anyone hating on Head, him,Dalembart and Greene are the only 3 guys out there who seem like they care and actually try to do something.
Sorry for the long rant but I am frustrated from watching crappy teams over and over.
I saw thread for a Billups trade and at this point I think it would do wonders for this team, we need an experienced floor general out there. We still can't do basic things like post entry passes, why is cousins always getting passes so far away from the basket. If we wanted a face up player we should have drafted Ed Davis/Udoh. we have our beastly 270lb trying to dribble in traffic.
To anyone hating on Head, him,Dalembart and Greene are the only 3 guys out there who seem like they care and actually try to do something.
Sorry for the long rant but I am frustrated from watching crappy teams over and over.
The purpose of the team, from my perspective, is to give fans such fun and exciting entertainment that they'll want to throw cash at tickets and jerseys and such, and keep coming back for more.
"Worst" can be interpreted in a number of ways, but I'd think that failing at their primary mission is a factor that should be weighted pretty heavily. Nausea just isn't an adequate substitute for fun.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Any coach that can get so little out of two talented players like Evans and Cousins clearly isn't doing something right. Why doesn't he go all in with a system based around those two guys??? It's like they're just aspects of an offense (not that we have one!) when they should be the aspects.
Also, if we're going to stink it sure would be nice to see Whiteside dressed in something other than a suit. Why the hell is Wright dressed instead of Whiteside?
Also, if we're going to stink it sure would be nice to see Whiteside dressed in something other than a suit. Why the hell is Wright dressed instead of Whiteside?
Like the Sonics... a fall from grace and then booed out of teh city.
I think we and the sixers are the worst teams in the league. Except their team is full of athletes and ours is full of stiffs. I think rotations might be an issue for them too, cause Evan Turner played about 15 minutes the other night.
I think we and the sixers are the worst teams in the league. Except their team is full of athletes and ours is full of stiffs. I think rotations might be an issue for them too, cause Evan Turner played about 15 minutes the other night.
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theclash4u5
Starter
The sad thing is, while we clearly have more talent than the 17 win team from 2 years ago, I'm not sure if we're a better team than them.
Tmassfan4life
G-League
PW's entire vibe has changed this year. Does anyone know if something outside basketball is affecting him? This just seems otherworldly to me.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
I still think he created some of this from the beginning of camp, and I do not know why. This was an easy year to coach. A hard year, but a simple one as far as who would be in the rotation, general style of play, and letting the kids go out and try to kick some butt and talent/enegy, learning brains along the way. But almost from the start of camp Westphal seemed unhappy, started tinkering with lineups, cracking the whip and trying to force young guys into limited roles, and just generally messing with what should have been an easy vibe from the beginning. I don't know why he did it, but I think it started this in motion. Then he made critically stupid mistakes alienating two core chemsitry/hustle guys in Donte/JT, jerking them around, bouning lineups. Of course now Beno is pissy, but we (and his NT) have seen that before -- when the going gets tough, Beno looks out for #1. Its been a different Westphal, and the new one is just dumb as rocks. Not only has all the messing around not helped, but I think he may have alienated almost the whole team, I'm not sure I can name one guy who would be a strong Westphal ally at this point. And how are you going to coach a young team when you don't have their confidence. They are just shuffling out there like they're going to their job, punching the clock, and doing what the boss tells them too even if it makes no sense. Its like an issue of Dilbert. He's taken the fun right out of the game for them...and us.
The Hammer
All-Star
It's almost like he's on some kind of bad medication, a statin drug with it's bad side effects or something, or else has some kind of mercury poisoning from metal fillings that were removed incorrectly. That, or something in his life is really going on. It's a good question. It does seem that he really has changed. Hope things are ok with him.
Doesn't help that Tyreke's jumpshot, in all honesty, does not look better at all. I don't know if it's the ankle or whatever, but frankly Tyreke Evans is no longer playing like the best guy on the floor for us anymore. And we don't have a good enough supporting cast/shooters to take advantage of teams just setting their entire defence to stop Evans penetration. Frankly speaking I wouldn't even be too worried if Tyreke penetrates these days, he's more than likely to just throw up some scoop shot that will roll off the rim.
RookieOfTheDay
Starter
At least they'll get another lottery pick. Not what most fans wanted but it is what it is, so might as well embrace it.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
ANd yet that is all maybe 6-7 games old. THere was a definite improvement, he seemed to be rounding into form...and then its just been getting worse and worse. Its hard to tell if its increasing pain, increasing depression, or what, but this isn't even the same player out there right now.
ZZ-TOP
G-League
So, who is better at the moment Reke or Jason Richardson?
UK_King
Starter
Wow didn't stay up for the game. Didn't expect a blow out got to be honest. Didn't think we'd win but this.
Something needs to change; would like to see whiteside getting at least 10 minutes a game now... if we're throwing away games like i assume we did last night then we should focus on the development of our young players.
Something needs to change; would like to see whiteside getting at least 10 minutes a game now... if we're throwing away games like i assume we did last night then we should focus on the development of our young players.
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