What should be Tyreke's role?

[Bricklayer]

That's a little harsh, don't you think?

Not particularly. I have heard Reke accused of being dumb, lazy, selfish, fat, scared and unable to beat his man by supposed Kings fans in the last two weeks. Now the latest is that he played coach killer. Its just asinine.

Now as for last night it was simple enough, Smart quit fighting him or asking him to fight himself, featured the main stars, and let Reke play his game his way. And contrary to popular thought Reke has learned quite a bit in the last couple of years about the need to pass. He will never be a traditional PG, nor should he be given that when he's on his game he's going to kick the asses of most traditional PGs. But given space and a structure to follow very few players can match his gifts.

 

[Glenn]

Now as for last night it was simple enough, Smart quit fighting him or asking him to fight himself, featured the main stars, and let Reke play his game his way. And contrary to popular thought Reke has learned quite a bit in the last couple of years about the need to pass. He will never be a traditional PG, nor should he be given that when he's on his game he's going to kick the asses of most traditional PGs. But given space and a structure to follow very few players can match his gifts.

Help me a little. I thought he looked more like his rookie year except he had the recognition that there were other skilled players on the court and was more willing to pass and share. In other words, it's the same old Reke in attitude and impulse but a far different team which by virtue of being different, allows him to do other things. If this is orrect, at the least it means he isn't going to be asked to be a different ballplayer than he is. He can improve on his longstanding skills (like correcting the jumper form) but doesn't have alter his basic game.

It will take him time to adjust to Thornton and Cuz but not long.

Another few games are necessary to see if he maintains this style but I swear I haven't seen this Reke in over a year.

Off topic: man, that guy is in shape. He played 42 minutes last night after 5 games in 6 days. He didn't seem to take a play off but I'll bet having other studs on the floor allows a little down time every once in awhile. Thornton played a minute more.

 

[Tetsujin]

Help me a little. I thought he looked more like his rookie year except he had the recognition that there were other skilled players on the court and was more willing to pass and share. In other words, it's the same old Reke in attitude and impulse but a far different team which by virtue of being different, allows him to do other things. If this is orrect, at the least it means he isn't going to be asked to be a different ballplayer than he is. He can improve on his longstanding skills (like correcting the jumper form) but doesn't have alter his basic game.

It will take him time to adjust to Thornton and Cuz but not long.

Another few games are necessary to see if he maintains this style but I swear I haven't seen this Reke in over a year.

Off topic: man, that guy is in shape. He played 42 minutes last night after 5 games in 6 days. He didn't seem to take a play off but I'll bet having other studs on the floor allows a little down time every once in awhile. Thornton played a minute more.

It should also be mentioned that he didn't play much of the second half of the game in Denver because he was puking in the locker room at half.

 

[Kingster]

Not particularly. I have heard Reke accused of being dumb, lazy, selfish, fat, scared and unable to beat his man by supposed Kings fans in the last two weeks. Now the latest is that he played coach killer. Its just asinine.

Now as for last night it was simple enough, Smart quit fighting him or asking him to fight himself, featured the main stars, and let Reke play his game his way. And contrary to popular thought Reke has learned quite a bit in the last couple of years about the need to pass. He will never be a traditional PG, nor should he be given that when he's on his game he's going to kick the asses of most traditional PGs. But given space and a structure to follow very few players can match his gifts.

Totally agree on this point. Smart (unlike Westphal) didn't ask of him something that he either doesn't want to do, or is incapable of doing, or both. Hence, a very happy Tyreke. I just don't know if going forward if that is going to be enough for this team to progress. If he is satisfied with his current game, is that enough? To me, he's going to have to become more capable than he is some areas for the team to succeed. I just don't know if he cares to put in the work to do it.

 

[beb0p]

No one thought Hawes could be a starting center until Collins had a year with him.

Speak for yourself, some of us have beening saying he's a starting center for years. Myself included.

 

[Tetsujin]

Speak for yourself, some of us have beening saying he's a starting center for years. Myself included.

To be fair, a lot of those same people were happy that we traded him for Dalembert.

 

[mac]

You can't look to last night's game for anything. Throw it away. Forget about it. It doesn't matter. You have to look at a great number of games to see the theme for Tyreke. And in particular, look at how he functions against several teams over .500, teams that know how to defend. They are going to take away his one trick - driving all the way to the basket. When they do, he's done. No more tricks to pull out of the hat. The guy desperately needs to add a floater to his arsenal. Just give me a 10-12 foot floater and you open up the heavens with Tyreke. Then he's not forced into making spectacular dipsee-do-alley-oop plays at the basket; he could then make simple efficient plays that could help this team win. He could also decrease his risk of injury.

I think it's also a lot about spacing. Tyreke can drive well and make good kick outs if the spacing on the floor is good. The floater thing is something I've been saying for ages as well. I really felt that Tyreke should work on two main things in terms of individual scoring - 3 point shooting (set), and a floater. I've never understood why there was such a great emphasis on a mid range shot. I get the pullup jumper thing, but IMO Tyreke is more comfortable penetrating more and taking the shot while moving (like in a layup) as opposed to coming to a stop, where balance becomes an important factor in the jumpshot. It's not like we're gonna have him curling off screens for midrange jumpshots so I really couldn't understand why the emphasis on that as opposed to developing a floater. Also, the bigs have to be able to just catch the ball while they are on the ground, then jump up and dunk it. JT tends to put the ball down for no reason, and Hayes/Cousins seem to have trouble finishing in a crowd even when Tyreke drives in and hands the ball off to them under the rim. Hickson won't even catch the ball so no need to go there ...

 

[Uk kings fan]

well what ever it is he needs to be given a role instead of doing what he likes

 

[mr. moustache]

In this order:

1. Lockdown defensive leadership. He has the tools to dominate on this end against multiple positions. If he gets elite here, it will inspire a better effort from the other players.

2. Clutch baskets. This is probably controversial, but he can get a basket when he needs one. Execution here, especially last year, wasn't great, but the potential is there. He needs another shot from 8-10ft out. Floater, pull-up, whatever.

3. 20/5/5. Fill the stat sheet without dominating the ball unnecessarily or turning it over excessively.
---

I understand the criticisms, but this is a player you make your team around. There is A LOT of room for him to grow and no good reason to think he won't. My biggest concern is his ankles.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

In this order:

1. Lockdown defensive leadership. He has the tools to dominate on this end against multiple positions. If he gets elite here, it will inspire a better effort from the other players.

2. Clutch baskets. This is probably controversial, but he can get a basket when he needs one. Execution here, especially last year, wasn't great, but the potential is there. He needs another shot from 8-10ft out. Floater, pull-up, whatever.

3. 20/5/5. Fill the stat sheet without dominating the ball unnecessarily or turning it over excessively.
---

I understand the criticisms, but this is a player you make your team around. There is A LOT of room for him to grow and no good reason to think he won't. My biggest concern is his ankles.

just following up with your post. he should probably learn the pick and roll. it would give him another option to go to.

 

[mr. moustache]

just following up with your post. he should probably learn the pick and roll. it would give him another option to go to.

Definitely. Right now his game is entirely self-created lay-ups with a bad jumpers thrown in. He needs a few more offensive moves/plays. It would expand everything.

 

[Bricklayer]

just following up with your post. he should probably learn the pick and roll. it would give him another option to go to.

Pick and pop might be more effective with Reke. He IS the inside option on a pick play, getting him isolated 1 on 1 on a big = its over.

 

[Chupacabra]

I cant wait to see the explosion on this forum once the Kings play the twolves lol. There are going to be Kings fans secretly or outwardly rooting for the other team.

 

[Tetsujin]

I cant wait to see the explosion on this forum once the Kings play the twolves lol. There are going to be Kings fans secretly or outwardly rooting for the other team.

I don't know about that. Outside of Rubio, Love, and Rick, the Wolves are still the TWolves

 

[ElRey]

I cant wait to see the explosion on this forum once the Kings play the twolves lol. There are going to be Kings fans secretly or outwardly rooting for the other team.

Yeah a lot of Ricky Rubio fans/Tyreke haters on here. Ailene Voison ahem.

 

[Glenn]

Being a Minnesota native, I clearly will be rooting for the Timberwolves.















Cough!













And if you believe that, I'll send my avatar to awaken you in the middle of the night

 

[Tetsujin]

Yeah a lot of Ricky Rubio fans/Tyreke haters on here. Ailene Voison ahem.

I do have to compliment Rubio on his facial hair. Apparently Adam Morrison's mustache found a new host.

 

[Gary]

Everyone who says Reke can't be a point, are judging him by how he looked in a completely unorganized, make it up as you go Westy offense.

We don't know how he'd do running the point in a structured offense, playing inside out, which calls more set plays where Reke knows both where he should be, but also his teammates.

Yes he's looked poor at times with Westy. So has our entire roster, as well as guys like Hawes who look better since moving on. No one thought Hawes could be a starting center until Collins had a year with him. Now look at him. It's early, but I'm impressed. Our offense should be centered around Cousins anyway, and why would we need a more pure pg to simply come down the floor and dump it into him. I'll wait to see how Reke performs with a coach with a structured offense, where Cousins is a dominant feature, and not just an after thought.

Reke has made some pretty dumb decisions on the court. But I also have never seen Westy attempt to correct them. Could a coach like Sloan or Pop turn Reke into a more effective, walking mismatch of a pg? Probably. So I don't buy the argument Reke can't play point at this point. Not with Westy still having been his only NBA head coach.

If Smart fails will we be saying the same thing about Evans? When does it fall on Evans just not being PG material?

 

[OptimusRhyme]

I think it's also a lot about spacing. Tyreke can drive well and make good kick outs if the spacing on the floor is good. The floater thing is something I've been saying for ages as well. I really felt that Tyreke should work on two main things in terms of individual scoring - 3 point shooting (set), and a floater. I've never understood why there was such a great emphasis on a mid range shot. I get the pullup jumper thing, but IMO Tyreke is more comfortable penetrating more and taking the shot while moving (like in a layup) as opposed to coming to a stop, where balance becomes an important factor in the jumpshot. It's not like we're gonna have him curling off screens for midrange jumpshots so I really couldn't understand why the emphasis on that as opposed to developing a floater. Also, the bigs have to be able to just catch the ball while they are on the ground, then jump up and dunk it. JT tends to put the ball down for no reason, and Hayes/Cousins seem to have trouble finishing in a crowd even when Tyreke drives in and hands the ball off to them under the rim. Hickson won't even catch the ball so no need to go there ...

I think Rose is a master of these types of floater shots Reke should learn. Maybe he should watch some video on him.

Minus the crazy spin, I think its as simple as Evans adding this shot to his repitoire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XmHZcS9k5I&feature=related

 

[ElRey]

If Smart fails will we be saying the same thing about Evans? When does it fall on Evans just not being PG material?

If Tyreke fails as a PG, then he fails... None of our young players have grown under Westpaul, so we have to give Evans a chance.

 

[bajaden]

I think Tyreke's biggest lesson to learn, is recognition. The ability to realize when its there, and when its not, and to pass the ball when its not. His outside shot is improving, contrary to what some want to believe. Its a process. A slow process, particularly in games when a player always has a tendecy to go back to what got him there. We, as fans always tend to be impatient, almost to the extent of not even noticing the improvements that have been made.

In fact, if you remove his three pt shots attempted and made from his stats, he's shooting just under 50%. I've never felt that Tyreke had to become a polished 3 pt shooter to be effective. All he needs is a good midrange to become a more complete player. Even with the 3 pt shot, he's a far more consistent shooter when set, than when shooting pullups or coming off screens. So there's no reason he can't become good enough in a post set to space the floor.

If your arguement is that he's not a PG. Fine, I don't really care what you call him. Bottom line is, he's a very talented player with star potential. I think the biggest problem is that right now, there are three players on the perimiter that are most effective with the ball in their hands. Of those three, two are more guilty of killing the clock than the other. Those two are Salmons and Evans. Thornton not as much, because he makes quicker decisions with the ball. No offense to Salmons, because I think he's really trying to fit our needs, but I think we need a SF that matches up better with other SF's around the league, and is capable of hitting the open 3.

 

[mac]

I think Rose is a master of these types of floater shots Reke should learn. Maybe he should watch some video on him.

Minus the crazy spin, I think its as simple as Evans adding this shot to his repitoire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XmHZcS9k5I&feature=related

Hmm I was thinking more along the lines of what Tony Parker does a lot of, and I've seen Thornton kinda try to do it as well but not as effectively.

 

[Lockehead]

I think, just as a player, few can match Tyreke's dribble drive ability. Which is one of the reasons why i think a midrange jumpshot is so important to Tyreke. Defenders already anticipate playing him off the dribble. All it takes is for him to post up his defender, get the ball, and face him up. He will get a wide open jumpshot all the time. Once he starts knocking them down its going to force the defender to play him closer, and from there he can utilize his best ability - his dribble drives - to beat his defender. He would be pretty much unguardable one on one if he had the ability to knock down that wide open midrange jumper. And from there he can incorporate pumpfakes, expand his kick out game, drop off passes to big men etc.

 

[UK_King]

The floater is a very effective shot; if Tyreke added that to his arsenal he could be unstoppable.

it just means he doesn't have to force things at the rim as much. He has extra height as well.

I'm surprised just how few point guards go to that shot on a regular basis.

 

[King Baller]

I think Tyreke's biggest lesson to learn, is recognition. The ability to realize when its there, and when its not, and to pass the ball when its not.

I agree with this statement 100%. Tyreke plays great a large part of the time. When he fails it most always because he fails to see the defense is stacked to take away his play. He needs to learn to recognize this and to pass the ball. Also I think Tyreke would benefit from learning to play decoy and setting up his team mates more often.

KB

 

[Prince_XY]

Reke/Salmons/Donte would be a matchup nightmare as long as these guys run an offense.

This is very interesting.

I hope coach Smart tries this combination together with Cousins and Hickson.

 

[Gary]

I seriously think they should put a 8 shot limit on Evans for a couple weeks.. See what he can do with that. See if he starts to figure out how to pass the ball. He's supposed to be our PG and he's averaging 3.8 apg and 2.8 TOpg.. That's beyond horrible. Not to mention he's still taking 2 3pt shots a game when he KNOWS he's only hitting 20% of them. It's these little things that he needs to do in order to be a better player. I don't know if he thinks he HAS to shoot those shots or if he lacks the ability to see the floor or both.. Who knows.

 

[Dime Dropper]

I seriously think they should put a 8 shot limit on Evans for a couple weeks.. See what he can do with that. See if he starts to figure out how to pass the ball. He's supposed to be our PG and he's averaging 3.8 apg and 2.8 TOpg.. That's beyond horrible. Not to mention he's still taking 2 3pt shots a game when he KNOWS he's only hitting 20% of them. It's these little things that he needs to do in order to be a better player. I don't know if he thinks he HAS to shoot those shots or if he lacks the ability to see the floor or both.. Who knows.

With all due respect, that is a terrible idea. You don't decide before a game how many shots you take. Evans has the ability to create his own shot as good as anyone in the league, why would you want to limit that? He's been playing like a genuine superstar the last two games, and now you're complaining? PGs don't always have to average a lot of assists as long as they make good decisions (something he does need to work on) and the team shares the ball. You cannot expect him to pass up open 3s, and I want him to take them as long as it's not forced. I know it's particularly hard for you to see what a certain someone is doing in his rookie season, but if Evans can keep playing at the level he's been at recently, then it's not even debatable who the better player is/will be.

 

[Bricklayer]

I seriously think they should put a 8 shot limit on Evans for a couple weeks.. See what he can do with that. See if he starts to figure out how to pass the ball. He's supposed to be our PG and he's averaging 3.8 apg and 2.8 TOpg.. That's beyond horrible. Not to mention he's still taking 2 3pt shots a game when he KNOWS he's only hitting 20% of them. It's these little things that he needs to do in order to be a better player. I don't know if he thinks he HAS to shoot those shots or if he lacks the ability to see the floor or both.. Who knows.

Indeed, teams often do this when their young stars start dominating basketball games. Wonderful idea.

 

[Gary]

With all due respect, that is a terrible idea. You don't decide before a game how many shots you take. Evans has the ability to create his own shot as good as anyone in the league, why would you want to limit that? He's been playing like a genuine superstar the last two games, and now you're complaining? PGs don't always have to average a lot of assists as long as they make good decisions (something he does need to work on) and the team shares the ball. You cannot expect him to pass up open 3s, and I want him to take them as long as it's not forced. I know it's particularly hard for you to see what a certain someone is doing in his rookie season, but if Evans can keep playing at the level he's been at recently, then it's not even debatable who the better player is/will be.

Was kind of trying to use it as an example to get Evans to play like a PG..

With most people on this board I can't win either way. I come out when we draft him and say he's not a PG and get railed on, and now when I say I want him to TRY to play like a PG people ***** at me and say he's not that kind of player. Which is it?