Big Cuz 15
All-Star
who should the touches go through with our current personnel? in other elite teams, there is a clear pecking order who gets the most shots.
what should the pecking order be with the current personnel?
- Thread starter Big Cuz 15
- Start date
Cousins
Evans
Thornton
Everyone else
[/thread]
I think you hit on a good point - I don't know that there was a pecking order (especially with Smart just telling everyone to "shoot more"), and I think it caused some of our dysfunction. Most of the time we did feed Cousins, but probably not as much as we should have - I think the ball should run through him just as much as it should run to him. Evans and Cousins open up shots for others based on defenses having to key on them, and Thornton, well, he likes his shots, and he makes them..in the 4th quarter, anyway.
To clarify, I read this as "who should have the ball" over "who should shoot the most". I don't think that my answer would change. If Evans ends up shooting fewer shots because he found an open cutter or a spot up for a three, then by all means he should give it up. Ditto Cousins.
Evans
Thornton
Everyone else
[/thread]
I think you hit on a good point - I don't know that there was a pecking order (especially with Smart just telling everyone to "shoot more"), and I think it caused some of our dysfunction. Most of the time we did feed Cousins, but probably not as much as we should have - I think the ball should run through him just as much as it should run to him. Evans and Cousins open up shots for others based on defenses having to key on them, and Thornton, well, he likes his shots, and he makes them..in the 4th quarter, anyway.
To clarify, I read this as "who should have the ball" over "who should shoot the most". I don't think that my answer would change. If Evans ends up shooting fewer shots because he found an open cutter or a spot up for a three, then by all means he should give it up. Ditto Cousins.
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Touches-wise I feel it should go:
Evans/ Cousins
Everyone else
The offense has to run through those 2 guys. Neither can be frozen out for anything more than 2 possessions in a row if they're on the floor. Initiate the offense through Cousins at times, and Evans at others to mix it up. Have the rest of the team play off of whatever those 2 create.
Evans/ Cousins
Everyone else
The offense has to run through those 2 guys. Neither can be frozen out for anything more than 2 possessions in a row if they're on the floor. Initiate the offense through Cousins at times, and Evans at others to mix it up. Have the rest of the team play off of whatever those 2 create.
DesertFox
Starter
If you mean touches, not shots:
Cousins (no question)
Evans (easy again)
Thomas (makes things happen)
Thornton (since he has regressed as a playmaker, but want him 1st or 2nd in shot attempts, on cuts and kickouts)
Thompson (has impressed with his new post up skills and can still handle the ball)
Everyone else
Obviously there should be someone, preferably a 3pt shooter, who should be in the class ahead of JT, replacing Salmons (yuck). Don't think Jimmer is quite ready, but that would be nice.
Cousins (no question)
Evans (easy again)
Thomas (makes things happen)
Thornton (since he has regressed as a playmaker, but want him 1st or 2nd in shot attempts, on cuts and kickouts)
Thompson (has impressed with his new post up skills and can still handle the ball)
Everyone else
Obviously there should be someone, preferably a 3pt shooter, who should be in the class ahead of JT, replacing Salmons (yuck). Don't think Jimmer is quite ready, but that would be nice.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Outlaw
Hayes
Jimmer/Whiteside pick and roll
Hayes
Jimmer/Whiteside pick and roll
We're not going to win many games like that.
Hayes ISO at top of the key.
Jimmer/IT pick and roll with IT rolling for the dunk.
Cousins and JT spreading the floor for 3s.
Outlaw as primary ballhandler.
Works much better.
vikinginferno
Starter
Cousins is the clear #1 guy on this team and there is no way anyone can debate that.
After that touch-wise, it gets pretty...touchy... IT is the best play-maker on the team and statistically, the team has played its best when he has the ball in his hands. Tyreke presents the biggest matchup problem for opposing lineups except when he is at the 3. Thornton is the best at just getting the ball and scoring out of the 3. I don't think you really need a pecking order after DMC, but I would like IT to have the "control" of the offense while allowing Tyreke to be the main attacker and Thornton to come in and shoot off the bench.
After that... JT then Jimmer and I don't really want anyone else getting many shots...
After that touch-wise, it gets pretty...touchy... IT is the best play-maker on the team and statistically, the team has played its best when he has the ball in his hands. Tyreke presents the biggest matchup problem for opposing lineups except when he is at the 3. Thornton is the best at just getting the ball and scoring out of the 3. I don't think you really need a pecking order after DMC, but I would like IT to have the "control" of the offense while allowing Tyreke to be the main attacker and Thornton to come in and shoot off the bench.
After that... JT then Jimmer and I don't really want anyone else getting many shots...
Cousins needs to be the primary guy but at the same time guys need to move when he gets it. We need cuts and screens to free up guys. Cousins is a very good passer and we need to use that more.
There was a thread last off season about what we expect out of Cousins Reke and Thornton this last year and I haven't gone back to check but I think I was expecting 19 11 and 4 assists based on the way he was passing and his turnovers last year but this one we just stopped him passing from anywhere.
Reke should be the one who instigates most of our plays but thornton should take more shots then him in any given game based on the way their games work. Thornton can work as a catch and shoot guard reke still needs to work on that. Thornton can also rebound well for a guard and I like that pairing.
I like IT as the primary guard off the bench and taking over primary handling when he comes in for either MT or Reke change of pace or not.
There was a thread last off season about what we expect out of Cousins Reke and Thornton this last year and I haven't gone back to check but I think I was expecting 19 11 and 4 assists based on the way he was passing and his turnovers last year but this one we just stopped him passing from anywhere.
Reke should be the one who instigates most of our plays but thornton should take more shots then him in any given game based on the way their games work. Thornton can work as a catch and shoot guard reke still needs to work on that. Thornton can also rebound well for a guard and I like that pairing.
I like IT as the primary guard off the bench and taking over primary handling when he comes in for either MT or Reke change of pace or not.
HighFlyingMonkey
Starter
In terms of number of plays called:
1. Cousins
2. Tyreke
3. IT
4. Thornton off the bench
5. Hayes high post off the bench
Nobody else should have plays called for them
1. Cousins
2. Tyreke
3. IT
4. Thornton off the bench
5. Hayes high post off the bench
Nobody else should have plays called for them
CruzDude
Senior Member sharing a brew with bajaden
Pecking order is the wrong term. We all know the ball needs to go through Cuz. But starting off as they did into the season without benefit of preseason or training camp with Coach Smart and very little practice time due to the compressed schedule there was no chance to determine much less carry out set plays based on player capabilities.
Play sets are made based on abilities and it wasn't until very late in the season that the Kings even knew 4 of the starting 5: IT, Evans (at SG), Cuz and JT. No real SF. But due to injuries and such Thornton played big minutes as did others making it nearly impossible to come up with play sets with little or no practice time and a bunch of "kids" and no vet leadership.
With Kings shooting problems Cuz had to stay out to get many of his points on 16-18 ft jumpers. To run sets the team needs to have good off-the-ball movement, knowledge of where and how to go, ability to set screens anytime anywhere. Not attributes the "kids" have learned very much yet. They will but it takes time and time was not available this year.
Thats why I look forward to Summer League this year more than ever before. I see IT and Jimmer at guards, Honeycutt and Whiteside as forwards and a new draftee as center. Heck we may even see Cuz there because the Olympic Select Team will be in Vegas practicing for 2 weeks before Summer League starts. He won't be on Olympic team so should be raring to go with summer league. Plus a cadre of others trying to break in and the traditional "diamond in the rough".
Pecking order? Doesn't matter as long as the ball goes through Cuz.
Play sets are made based on abilities and it wasn't until very late in the season that the Kings even knew 4 of the starting 5: IT, Evans (at SG), Cuz and JT. No real SF. But due to injuries and such Thornton played big minutes as did others making it nearly impossible to come up with play sets with little or no practice time and a bunch of "kids" and no vet leadership.
With Kings shooting problems Cuz had to stay out to get many of his points on 16-18 ft jumpers. To run sets the team needs to have good off-the-ball movement, knowledge of where and how to go, ability to set screens anytime anywhere. Not attributes the "kids" have learned very much yet. They will but it takes time and time was not available this year.
Thats why I look forward to Summer League this year more than ever before. I see IT and Jimmer at guards, Honeycutt and Whiteside as forwards and a new draftee as center. Heck we may even see Cuz there because the Olympic Select Team will be in Vegas practicing for 2 weeks before Summer League starts. He won't be on Olympic team so should be raring to go with summer league. Plus a cadre of others trying to break in and the traditional "diamond in the rough".
Pecking order? Doesn't matter as long as the ball goes through Cuz.
