Who do you think should start at C?

Who should start at center?

  • Demarcus Cousins

    Votes: 74 50.3%

  • Samuel Dalembert

    Votes: 73 49.7%
  • Total voters
    147
D

dvirc218

G-League
Option 1: Demarcus Cousins
Option 2: Samuel Dalembert

And how do you think the minutes should be divided between them and Whitside?
I personaly think Samuel Dalembert should get more minutes than Demarcus Cousins.
 
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You start Dalembert and dangle the starting job over Cousins head like a carrot seeing how he reacts. If he gets his butt into shape and proves his ready (I think he's more than ready) than you give him the Reke treatment and watch him go.
 
Start Dalembert, he complements Landry better for now.
25 min for Dal, 20 for Cousins, but the other way around by the end of the year.
JT will steal some PT at center when they want to run.
 
Well I think this is something that shakes out in training camp. But I think you have to pencil in Dalembert going into training camp. Regardless, of who starts, Cousins has to get his minutes. Remember he only averaged 23 minutes a game in college, so even if you were to split their minutes, he would still average more minutes than he did in college, and would be playing in twice as many games.

Its also highly likely that Cousins will have some games where he plagued by fouls. Fairly common for a rookie big man. Especially one that plays physical. Bottom line, I don't think getting either one minutes will be a problem. At least not at the beginning.
 
Yeah game 1 you start Dalembert. But I doubt it will be very long before Cousins has the job.

The big issue wont be starting, it will be minutes because Cousins will be in foul trouble a lot until he learns how to defend without fouling. There is a reason he played a handful over 20 minutes a game in college.
 
showcase Dalanbert and Landry at the beginning of the year. then see who wants to trade for them at the deadline.

although if Cousins dominates from the get-go he should be starting
 
Cos. I don't really wanna making feel uncomfortable with us.
Nobody gives a **** about making Dalembert uncomfortable though.
 
maybe we should wait until DC actually plays a couple minutes before we decide whether to start him.....just sayin :rolleyes:
 
Most likely Dalembert. Big guys need some time to figure it out, however I don't think he should only be playing 8-10 a game. I think as he gets acclimated he should be given more and more minutes to no matter who is starting the minutes are split pretty evenly. If DMC actually progresses that fast, who cares what Dalmbert is making DMC is the future and you play more minutes.

It will depend on what happens in traiining camp though on who actually starts to begin with.

--On a side note I want to see Whiteside get some consistant minutes as well. We want to see what he can do and if he's going to develop.

And as I type this Sam Amick just tweeted that he is told the logical front for the Kings is Dalembert/Landry, with JT and Cousins coming off the bench...but of course things can change.
 
Dalembert all the way at first. No reason to stir him up - he expects to start and should at his fresh new home.

Maybe the poll should be who do you want to END the games?
 
I want Cousins starting, plain and simple. And I want JT given a shot to start next to him. I think JT would play real well next to Cousins. Let Landry go back to being a 6th man, and have Dalembert back up Cousins, or in effect split the minutes at center.

IMO, Cousins isn't only too talented, but also too versatile to come off the bench. I'm not concerned with forcing him into the starting lineup to quickly. Go for it, and if he gets into foul trouble, we have Dalembert coming off the bench immediatly. I would love to see JT get an opportunity to start next to a real center, and let Landry go back to what he does best. Instant energy off the bench.
 
I say start the future now. Cousins is ready to step in and start right away and we need his scoring in the post. If Dalembert is still going to be with this team in a year than he'll have to learn to come off the bench anyway. I would start Cousins and Thompson and let them get comfortable playing together. We know what Landry and Dalembert can do and there should be plenty of minutes for both of them off the bench. Yes we want to win, but far more important is establishing our young foundation and seeing how good they will be.

I should also add that I think Dalembert and Landry compliment each other well and should be playing together for solid stretches. That might be the duo closing out most games as well this season while Cousins matures and Thompson tries to work out his foul problems.

We could be conservative and start the two veterans, but Thompson will be in his third year. This is his chance to prove he's a starter. And Cousins could give us back to back ROYs if he starts from day one. I think we should give both of those guys every chance to prove themselves and gain confidence. If Landry and Dalembert are deemed expendable by the end of the year (not that we won't sign them for depth, but they won't be key pieces) than we'll be in good shape for the future.

EDIT -- I suppose a case could be made that starting Landry and Dalembert to boost their trade value and turn them into assets at the trade deadline might be the best course of action. That's the only reason I can see why you wouldn't start Thompson and Cousins from day one. And you might cost Cousins his shot at rookie of the year to do it, so I'm still wary of that option. If the vets play well enough off the bench they'll still have trade value.
 
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I have now heard Voison, Napear, Lamb, Amick, and Henry Turner all suggest Cousins should come off the bench. I disagree with all of them. Cousins will be a top 10 center the day training camp starts. He has the size and skill to start right away. A very versatile offensive game, and should be our best rebounder. His rebounding and size alone should be enough to start him.

Throw him out there. Only thing I'm worried about is foul trouble. But he has to play and has to learn. Take advantage of the fact Dalembert can back him up for 25 mins a game. Thank god Westphal isn't afraid to hurt feelings when it comes to the starting lineup. He plays who produces. Just given how excited Petrie and Westphal were to get Cousins, and the fact they were hot after him ever since his workout in Sac, and the Maloofs are promoting our star pg and star center combo, I don't see how Cousins comes off the bench. Of course we have all summer to worry about this.
 
I think we should start DMC. He needs minutes from the beginning to make all the experience he needs and to grow as fast as possible. Then, I don't really care if Dalembert would be unhappy. Teams will make offers for him anyways, just because he's an expiring, we don't need to showcase him.
 
Dalembert. Even if Cousins was great in training camp, I'd still start Dalembert because he's an NBA vet and Cousins has a lot to learn. Keep Cousins hungry, working hard, and earning every minute.
 
You must start Cousins, and play him at least 28-30 mpg. He can not be a 23-25 mpg player, he needs to be condidtioned to be a big minute player. Dalembert probly won't be thrilled playing 18-20 mpg, but who cares?

We've won 42 games total over the last two years. You do not f' around with your new franchise center's development with stupid rules about Dalembert being a vet and thus, having "proved it". Dalembert just got here too, he ain't proved sh**, and he's not gonna be here next year most likely. Did Shaq, Yao, Dwight Howard, and Tim Duncan start their rookie years? Of course they did. Challenge Demarcus with the responsibility of being a major player his first year, then as he succeeds, challenge him with more: Franchise cornerstone, team leader.

Maybe you can pay lip service and put the charade of a competition in place during camp, but Cousins needs to start.
 
Start Dalembert. No need to force Cousins along. If DMC earns the job during the season then give it to him.

Anyways, as a rookie big man, Cousins will be limited by foul trouble anyways.
 
hammystyle said:
You must start Cousins, and play him at least 28-30 mpg. He can not be a 23-25 mpg player, he needs to be condidtioned to be a big minute player. Dalembert probly won't be thrilled playing 18-20 mpg, but who cares?

We've won 42 games total over the last two years. You do not f' around with your new franchise center's development with stupid rules about Dalembert being a vet and thus, having "proved it". Dalembert just got here too, he ain't proved sh**, and he's not gonna be here next year most likely. Did Shaq, Yao, Dwight Howard, and Tim Duncan start their rookie years? Of course they did. Challenge Demarcus with the responsibility of being a major player his first year, then as he succeeds, challenge him with more: Franchise cornerstone, team leader.

Maybe you can pay lip service and put the charade of a competition in place during camp, but Cousins needs to start.
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This. Cuz is an elite bigman prospect. He should be out there. Dally is more than likely gone next season, heck maybe by the trade deadline.

The only reason I could think of for him coming off the bench would be one of conditioning. If he's still pushing 290 by the start of the season it might be better to have him come off the bench.

He's probably going to be coming off the bench at first though. I have a feeling that because of the supposed red flags about his character, the coaching staff is going to want Cousins to "earn" the start, and if he's any bit as monstrous in the NBA as in the NCAA (which I dont doubt), he's probably going to earn that start within 10 games max.
 
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I get what you are saying Hammy, but for a guy who only played 23 minutes a game in college how is he supposed to hold up through the rookie wall when playing alot more games and more minutes each game ? I guess thats what we have to get out of the way this year though, his conditioning and ability to spend quality minutes in the game.

I don't think anybody is saying that we should be giving Dalembert minutes because of his feelings, but that maybe by bringing Cousins in for 20+ minutes off the bench would led him be able to develop without as much pressure and let him know he needs to work for his spot on the team.

If Cousins shows up this year in shape and ready to play then I say we should start him, but obviously if he doesn't put in the time then let him know thats not going to get you anywhere. I believe that he will put in the effort and start opening day.
 
rainmaker said:
I have now heard Voison, Napear, Lamb, Amick, and Henry Turner all suggest Cousins should come off the bench. I disagree with all of them. Cousins will be a top 10 center the day training camp starts. He has the size and skill to start right away. A very versatile offensive game, and should be our best rebounder. His rebounding and size alone should be enough to start him.

Throw him out there. Only thing I'm worried about is foul trouble. But he has to play and has to learn. Take advantage of the fact Dalembert can back him up for 25 mins a game. Thank god Westphal isn't afraid to hurt feelings when it comes to the starting lineup. He plays who produces. Just given how excited Petrie and Westphal were to get Cousins, and the fact they were hot after him ever since his workout in Sac, and the Maloofs are promoting our star pg and star center combo, I don't see how Cousins comes off the bench. Of course we have all summer to worry about this.
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Like usual, I agree with your take on things..

However I won't disagree with Kingster's take on it either and hold the position over DMC's head and see how he will take it from a mental standpoint and really push his drive. Most of us feel DMC's a top 10 center without playing a game yet, but I would like to see if he feels he's entitled to that starting spot and reacts that way or if he works his *** off for it which I hope he would if this is the scenario
 
DMC played 23 minutes a game on a college schedule, and isn't the best conditioned guy in the world.
I hope he can play 30+ minutes, but with this roster he doesn't have to, and can work his way up as the season goes on.
 
Megalodon said:
I get what you are saying Hammy, but for a guy who only played 23 minutes a game in college how is he supposed to hold up through the rookie wall when playing alot more games and more minutes each game ? I guess thats what we have to get out of the way this year though, his conditioning and ability to spend quality minutes in the game.

I don't think anybody is saying that we should be giving Dalembert minutes because of his feelings, but that maybe by bringing Cousins in for 20+ minutes off the bench would led him be able to develop without as much pressure and let him know he needs to work for his spot on the team.

If Cousins shows up this year in shape and ready to play then I say we should start him, but obviously if he doesn't put in the time then let him know thats not going to get you anywhere. I believe that he will put in the effort and start opening day.
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This is just my third rate psychology, but I think you want to put pressure on him. You want to illustrate to him your belief in him and have him rise to it. You want the expectation level really high. And he flat out needs to be conditioned for long minutes...we don't want a 25 minute player.

What I didn't factor in which is relevant is that he is very young. All the guys I mentioned were a couple years older. Bynum is actually probly the best comparison and if you cancel out his rookie year with Cousin's college year, Bynum then started 53 out of 82 and played 22mpg. Then up to 29 the next year when he broke out.

I think my main thing is there is a fine line between making sure he's ready, or making him "pay his dues". If he's ready, great, let's not BS around and lets just get this thing rocking. If he needs a little time, let him know exactly where he needs to get to and then push him to get there.
 
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