What should be Tyreke's role?

[jcwkings]

The experiment of him being a point gaurd is done, its not gonna work. His court vision isn't there, and his first instinct is to score. He is a sg, he could be a great wing defender. With his size and length. I think we should treat him in the mold of an Andre Igoudala, not gonna lead the team in scoring, but is a great defender, can fill up the stat sheet, and is deadly in the open floor. The mistake was Westphal thinking Tyreke was the next Derrick Rose, he is not, but he could be a good 2nd or 3rd piece of a playoff team. The thing is now convincing Tyreke that he is not the "man". He should still get his touches, but his primary focus should be having tenacious defense to create turnovers and get him and Thornton out on the open floor.

 

[Bricklayer]

The experiment of him being a point gaurd is done, its not gonna work. His court vision isn't there, and his first instinct is to score. He is a sg, he could be a great wing defender. With his size and length. I think we should treat him in the mold of an Andre Igoudala, not gonna lead the team in scoring, but is a great defender, can fill up the stat sheet, and is deadly in the open floor. The mistake was Westphal thinking Tyreke was the next Derrick Rose, he is not, but he could be a good 2nd or 3rd piece of a playoff team. The thing is now convincing Tyreke that he is not the "man". He should still get his touches, but his primary focus should be having tenacious defense to create turnovers and get him and Thornton out on the open floor.

We'll try him at PG under another coach and see. I have noted before there are relatively few PGs" as classically devised running NBA teams. Many/most have gunning on their minds as much as creating, and of the rest half are roleplayers. This Westphal thing this year was a mess, and its the only coach Reke has had in the pros. What he will do for a coach who might actually call plays and focus the offense we will see.

Two other notes: 1) Reke's jumper has much better form this year. Its jsut been auch an unorganized disaster out there that there have been few chances to use it; 2) the anser all along that Westphal did not seem to go with was to run a lot of the offense through Cousins. Perhaps Smart will be smart (aha!) about that. If so many of the guard problems solve themselves.

 

[SacTownKid]

I'm interested to see what another coach does with him because I have to think Westphal was partially instructing him on how to play because if not, I don't know how benching Cousins helps with Rekes inability to listen to his coach.

 

[swisshh]

Anybody coaching the Kings who wants to win will not be playing Evans at PG. It's time for him to focus on scoring, off the ball awareness and defense. He needs to FINALLY show improvement somewhere. Those are the aspects that would serve him best.

 

[LA King Fan II]

I would like to see them stop relying on 4 guys trying to spot up when Tyreke or anyone else drives. IMO he is having a tough time creating his own shot in the half court offense. In contrast, I'd also like to see Tyreke cut to the hoop or benefit from screens away from the ball on his man. When was the last time (or first time) you ever saw Tyreke catch a pass coming off a screen?

That horrible pass Fredette threw to nobody last night was because he was anticipating Tyreke cutting to the basket rather than standing at the three point line.

 

[jcwkings]

but tyreke doesn't have the mentality of a pg, a pg is supposed to get the team into the offense as quick as possible. if he isn't driving to the basket with blinkers over his eyes on the fastbreak, he is skipping up the court doing some pointless dribbles and our offense starts 15-17 second into the shotclock. that is just not enough time to set up a quality shot. i like tyreke, but not as the man setting up our offense, if we realized this from the start, he would be on his way to mastering his craft, instead he is confused on what his role is supposed to be out there.

 

[rainmaker]

Reke really needs to learn to play off Cousins. Also really needs to learn to run a pick & roll.

I expect to see more of both. Don't think Westy ever really taught him how to do either.

 

[Lockehead]

I would like for him to develop as a SG. But i dont mind seeing him try the PG position under Coach Smart. I wonder if Smart's going to be running the "just a guard" backcourt that WP had.

 

[upinsmoke]

At his age I would like to see him guard the opposing 2 or 3. Reke's game is very versatile especially in the open court but I dont see much of any PG skills.

 

[Sac.1989]

He can easily be our PG if we run the offense through boogie.

 

[xrzn]

He's a mismatch against any other opponents PG. If Smart can utilize him at that position, Reke can dominate the other team's PG like he did his rookie year. Only team that could probably defend him is a team that runs zone or the Heat.

 

[rainmaker]

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.

 

[sdballer]

He's a mismatch against any other opponents PG. If Smart can utilize him at that position, Reke can dominate the other team's PG like he did his rookie year. Only team that could probably defend him is a team that runs zone or the Heat.

That's always been my big problem with the Reke/Thornton backcourt pairing. Opponents can just put their 2 guard on Reke and let their point cover Marcus.

 

[Section 101]

That's always been my big problem with the Reke/Thornton backcourt pairing. Opponents can just put their 2 guard on Reke and let their point cover Marcus.

teams do that all the time. That's why the whole premice is useless. They are going to put their best defender on the other teams best offensive player. If you want Evans on the point guard then set a screen and make them switch.

 

[xrzn]

That's always been my big problem with the Reke/Thornton backcourt pairing. Opponents can just put their 2 guard on Reke and let their point cover Marcus.

That's why some of us wanted to grab a bigger body at the 2 before, or use Garcia at that position or a Donte. We wanted to find a Doug Christie or a Bonzi Wells type of player. That way, the opposing side would have to pick their poison; get manhandled by Reke or beasted by a bruiser type 2 guard.

The plus side with Thornton is that when he shoots well, he's dangerous. If he catches on fire, then he would get double teamed, causing Reke to use his "improved" shot to do the damage. In theory, this is a good pairing, but ideally you would want a Christie/Bonzi player. Heck, Salmons might even work. Reke/Salmons/Donte would be a matchup nightmare as long as these guys run an offense.

 

[pshn80]

On the OP's question. Let Smart figure it out and watch what happens. It means squat what my wishes might be for Evans. It means a helluva lot what Smart's thought on the subject is. Go Kings!!!!

 

[Section 101]

That's why some of us wanted to grab a bigger body at the 2 before, or use Garcia at that position or a Donte. We wanted to find a Doug Christie or a Bonzi Wells type of player. That way, the opposing side would have to pick their poison; get manhandled by Reke or beasted by a bruiser type 2 guard.

The plus side with Thornton is that when he shoots well, he's dangerous. If he catches on fire, then he would get double teamed, causing Reke to use his "improved" shot to do the damage. In theory, this is a good pairing, but ideally you would want a Christie/Bonzi player. Heck, Salmons might even work. Reke/Salmons/Donte would be a matchup nightmare as long as these guys run an offense.

A bigger body is pointless. they will still put the better defender on the the best offensive player. That bigger player would need to be able to take advantage of the smaller player. Doesn't always work that way especially with guards who arent good post up players.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Anybody coaching the Kings who wants to win will not be playing Evans at PG. It's time for him to focus on scoring, off the ball awareness and defense. He needs to FINALLY show improvement somewhere. Those are the aspects that would serve him best.

+ 1 ... but who do we play at point then? Jimmer confidence is shot right now, IT is a bench player... Jimmer does have the potential to pass and his shooting touch will really spread the floor as a PG.

I've always liked the idea of Jimmer,MT,Reke,Hayes,Cousins

Reke may be a little undersized for the three, but it cant be worse then Salmons there.
Then IT off the bench at PG and Salmons in for the backup two (which is his best position), Outlaw backup 3.

I think thats a better scenario for Reke to learn, and for John to succeed offensively and defensively.
Also It opens up time for IT & Jimmer to learn to take the Point by the reigns...

just a thought.

 

[HighFlyingMonkey]

Tyreke's role should be as the main playmaker. We should use him the same way LA uses Kobe, NY uses Melo, Miami uses DWade etc. God am I sick of watching Chuck Hayes with the ball in the high post, Hickson ISOs, Outlaw chucking, Salmons being Salmons, and Jimmer running around like a headless chicken. Its time to define some roles, and its gotta be Reke as #1, DMC in the post as #2, and Thornton as #3. Everyone else needs to cut their teeth on defense, hit open shots, and do the dirty work.

 

[BMiller52]

[/B]

+ 1 ... but who do we play at point then? Jimmer confidence is shot right now, IT is a bench player... Jimmer does have the potential to pass and his shooting touch will really spread the floor as a PG.

I've always liked the idea of Jimmer,MT,Reke,Hayes,Cousins

Reke may be a little undersized for the three, but it cant be worse then Salmons there.
Then IT off the bench at PG and Salmons in for the backup two (which is his best position), Outlaw backup 3.

I think thats a better scenario for Reke to learn, and for John to succeed offensively and defensively.
Also It opens up time for IT & Jimmer to learn to take the Point by the reigns...

just a thought.

i like it.

 

[Tetsujin]

Tyreke's role should be as the main playmaker. We should use him the same way LA uses Kobe, NY uses Melo, Miami uses DWade etc. God am I sick of watching Chuck Hayes with the ball in the high post, Hickson ISOs, Outlaw chucking, Salmons being Salmons, and Jimmer running around like a headless chicken. Its time to define some roles, and its gotta be Reke as #1, DMC in the post as #2, and Thornton as #3. Everyone else needs to cut their teeth on defense, hit open shots, and do the dirty work.

Uh oh, you said the J word.

 

[xrzn]

A bigger body is pointless. they will still put the better defender on the the best offensive player. That bigger player would need to be able to take advantage of the smaller player. Doesn't always work that way especially with guards who arent good post up players.

Christie/Bonzi both handled themselves very well on the offensive end. The point is not to get a scorer but a defensive player who can drill the open shot and post up.

[/B]

+ 1 ... but who do we play at point then? Jimmer confidence is shot right now, IT is a bench player... Jimmer does have the potential to pass and his shooting touch will really spread the floor as a PG.

I've always liked the idea of Jimmer,MT,Reke,Hayes,Cousins

Reke may be a little undersized for the three, but it cant be worse then Salmons there.
Then IT off the bench at PG and Salmons in for the backup two (which is his best position), Outlaw backup 3.

I think thats a better scenario for Reke to learn, and for John to succeed offensively and defensively.
Also It opens up time for IT & Jimmer to learn to take the Point by the reigns...

just a thought.

This all sounds so wrong. Jimmer/Thorton/Reke would get destroyed on defensive end.

 

[xrzn]

Tyreke's role should be as the main playmaker. We should use him the same way LA uses Kobe, NY uses Melo, Miami uses DWade etc. God am I sick of watching Chuck Hayes with the ball in the high post, Hickson ISOs, Outlaw chucking, Salmons being Salmons, and Jimmer running around like a headless chicken. Its time to define some roles, and its gotta be Reke as #1, DMC in the post as #2, and Thornton as #3. Everyone else needs to cut their teeth on defense, hit open shots, and do the dirty work.

Money.

Although you could also use DMC as a playmaker as well, this is the perfect situation for the players on the roster as of now.

 

[Tetsujin]

Money.

Although you could also use DMC as a playmaker as well, this is the perfect situation for the players on the roster as of now.

It's worked for countless other teams in NBA history, no reason why it couldn't work for us.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Christie/Bonzi both handled themselves very well on the offensive end. The point is not to get a scorer but a defensive player who can drill the open shot and post up.



This all sounds so wrong. Jimmer/Thorton/Reke would get destroyed on defensive end.

You got any better ideas to make this team run smoother? instead of just putting mine down.

 

[Npliam]

Tyreke's role should be as the main playmaker. We should use him the same way LA uses Kobe, NY uses Melo, Miami uses DWade etc. God am I sick of watching Chuck Hayes with the ball in the high post, Hickson ISOs, Outlaw chucking, Salmons being Salmons, and Jimmer running around like a headless chicken. Its time to define some roles, and its gotta be Reke as #1, DMC in the post as #2, and Thornton as #3. Everyone else needs to cut their teeth on defense, hit open shots, and do the dirty work.

Tyreke isn't anywhere near as good as the players you listed.

 

[Bricklayer]

You got any better ideas to make this team run smoother? instead of just putting mine down.

It really is as simple, or could be as simple, as focusing the offense around our three top talents, and defining roles for the support personnel.

After the All Star break last season Tyreke (6.0) Thornton (3.4) and Cousins (3.8) combined to average 13.2 ast/game between them. Thus far this year they are averaging Reke (3.0) Thornton (1.4) and COusins (0.8), total 5.2!!

The talent is there is our main players to rack up 8.0 more assists a night, and that was all as 1st or 2nd year players. We just need to get guys playing hard, put the ball back in the hands of the guys who matter, and no more stupid coaching.

 

[Tetsujin]

It really is as simple, or could be as simple, as focusing the offense around our three top talents, and defining roles for the support personnel.

After the All Star break last season Tyreke (6.0) Thornton (3.4) and Cousins (3.8) combined to average 13.2 ast/game between them. Thus far this year they are averaging Reke (3.0) Thornton (1.4) and COusins (0.8), total 5.2!!

The talent is there is our main players to rack up 8.0 more assists a night, and that was all as 1st or 2nd year players. We just need to get guys playing hard, put the ball back in the hands of the guys who matter, and no more stupid coaching.

Making shots would be helpful too.

 

[Arkitect]

Making shots would be helpful too.

Well if other players would get out of the way and know what was going on the, they would get easier/better shots. Proper spacing is key. Tyreke generally has no problem getting past/over/through his own guy, but if he has to spin around Thorton's guy and the guy guarding Cousins comes flying over to block his shot because they are not properly spaced, he is going to have a hard time putting it in the hoop.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

It really is as simple, or could be as simple, as focusing the offense around our three top talents, and defining roles for the support personnel.

After the All Star break last season Tyreke (6.0) Thornton (3.4) and Cousins (3.8) combined to average 13.2 ast/game between them. Thus far this year they are averaging Reke (3.0) Thornton (1.4) and COusins (0.8), total 5.2!!

The talent is there is our main players to rack up 8.0 more assists a night, and that was all as 1st or 2nd year players. We just need to get guys playing hard, put the ball back in the hands of the guys who matter, and no more stupid coaching.

I dunno what to think anymore, maybe Smart can turn Reke into the PG we all want, but if i had to bet i would say he wont, and im usually optimistic about things. I want reke to succeed as a player as much as anyone, but i'm not connvinced it will be at that position if he does, i feel like they are grooming him farther away from what he actually is as a player, which is confusing him.. He's too much of a scorer, and its almost like hes has to force every pass he makes, it seems like passing just dosent come natural to him.. . Its like hes lost between knnowing when to score and when to pass. Which would be confusing for anybody considering our F/O is counting on him to be one of our top scorers AND distributors.

We could still utilize Reke as a passer if he played the two or three (but of course the size advantage would be taken away), i liked the Iguodala comparison. With Reke and another passing PG on the court im sure our passing would increase alot, and Reke could focus on shredding the defense and scoring instead of making everybody else happy. plus Reke would be forced to learn more of the game (off the ball movement) which would make him a complete player.

I respect your opinion on Reke, everyones entitled to their own opinion. But I'm just curious, what makes you think so strongly towards him being our future PG? I feel like i'm missing something here that alot of people are seeing?