Why the Kings Aren't Playing Hard - A Cynical View

[Kingster]

Let's leave aside the youngins for a moment. We know they play hard.
Let's focus on the veterans. Ask yourself: How many times do you think Kings veterans have called their respective agents asking them to be traded? Do you think it might be quite a bit? So if you are a veteran and you are not "encumbered" by the love of the game, or the honor of playing the game, and you want to get the hell off this team, what might you do? How about this: Passive Resistance. At times you will play very hard, like the 4th quarter of the Washington game. At other times, you will not play hard, like, well, often. When you play hard you will show GMs around the league of what you are capable of. They will value your services. They will want to trade for you because they see your potential. When you don't play hard, you will send a message to Petrie - get me the hell out of here, or else this is what you can expect from me for the rest of the season. This good player-bad-player dynamic may not be the only thing that causes the now-you-see-me-now-you-don't defensive play. Naked shame may play a part (the shame of the game preceeding the Golden State game for example), but I think that deep down this is one of the major reasons for the trash that we are witnessing on the basketball floor.

 

[keflanag]

Let's leave aside the youngins for a moment. We know they play hard.
Let's focus on the veterans. Ask yourself: How many times do you think Kings veterans have called their respective agents asking them to be traded? Do you think it might be quite a bit? So if you are a veteran and you are not "encumbered" by the love of the game, or the honor of playing the game, and you want to get the hell off this team, what might you do? How about this: Passive Resistance. At times you will play very hard, like the 4th quarter of the Washington game. At other times, you will not play hard, like, well, often. When you play hard you will show GMs around the league of what you are capable of. They will value your services. They will want to trade for you because they see your potential. When you don't play hard, you will send a message to Petrie - get me the hell out of here, or else this is what you can expect from me for the rest of the season. This good player-bad-player dynamic may not be the only thing that causes the now-you-see-me-now-you-don't defensive play. Naked shame may play a part (the shame of the game preceeding the Golden State game for example), but I think that deep down this is one of the major reasons for the trash that we are witnessing on the basketball floor.

I think you give the veterans a little too much credit that they put a lot of thought into what they are doing. I think it's as simple as this: It's hard to give 100% effort when there doesn't really seem to be any payout. They know even if this teams gives its all every night, they aren't going anywhere this year. That's where the lack of effort comes in.

But every professional athlete does have pride. And even the "lazy veterans" who aren't really motivated to do much don't want to get embarassed. That's where the ocassional effort and hustle comes in.

I really don't think any thought about trades is put into it.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

Let's leave aside the youngins for a moment. We know they play hard.
Let's focus on the veterans. Ask yourself: How many times do you think Kings veterans have called their respective agents asking them to be traded? Do you think it might be quite a bit? So if you are a veteran and you are not "encumbered" by the love of the game, or the honor of playing the game, and you want to get the hell off this team, what might you do? How about this: Passive Resistance. At times you will play very hard, like the 4th quarter of the Washington game. At other times, you will not play hard, like, well, often. When you play hard you will show GMs around the league of what you are capable of. They will value your services. They will want to trade for you because they see your potential. When you don't play hard, you will send a message to Petrie - get me the hell out of here, or else this is what you can expect from me for the rest of the season. This good player-bad-player dynamic may not be the only thing that causes the now-you-see-me-now-you-don't defensive play. Naked shame may play a part (the shame of the game preceeding the Golden State game for example), but I think that deep down this is one of the major reasons for the trash that we are witnessing on the basketball floor.

I think we see a mix of things, some veterans who are just going through the motions because the season is meaningless and/or they know they are not a part of the organization's future. Some who are playing hard, but only for their own stats in an effort to get traded or increase their value, which is also very poisonous in an quinessential team game like basketball.

Overall, I do think our team is actually playing worse than the sum of its parts and there are some very salvagable pieces on this team. However, right now there are also some poisonous pieces mailing it in or playing for their own self-gorification.

 

[Kingster]

I think you give the veterans a little too much credit that they put a lot of thought into what they are doing. I think it's as simple as this: It's hard to give 100% effort when there doesn't really seem to be any payout. They know even if this teams gives its all every night, they aren't going anywhere this year. That's where the lack of effort comes in.

But every professional athlete does have pride. And even the "lazy veterans" who aren't really motivated to do much don't want to get embarassed. That's where the ocassional effort and hustle comes in.

I really don't think any thought about trades is put into it.

If they play Orlando or Boston, maybe they don't see a chance of winning ("no payout") and so they find it difficult to put out a 100% effort in vain, but Washington??? They must know there's at least a 50-50 shot at "payout" there. Yet they only play for one quarter? Where is the pride there? I just don't see the pride that you talk about. As I mentioned, shame or embarrasment is a factor, but some of these guys (like Miller) are almost shameless. It's only when they are beyond pitiful in a game that they try to redeem themselves.

 

[fnordius]

Well, what's in it for 'em? Brad's on the block, but he's been comfortable in Sac for a long time, and while he might not mind being traded to the Pacers, somewhere like Chicago or Toronto is more likely, and why'd he want to go to somewhere like that? The hunting in NorCal isn't all that great, but compared to Chicago it's pretty good. And after this contract, he's probably done, unless he likes coming off the bench for low pay.

Likewise for Salmons, he'll either be a big fish in a polluted little pond, like he is now, or he'll be coming off the bench, which he hates. Why should he want to be moved?

And so on, down the line. Nobody older than Cisco has any real motivation for playing well, and he & Kevin have long enough contract extensions that their careers are going to have peaked before they're likely to be going anywhere.

Only the kids on rookie contracts have much to play for.

 

[bajaden]

Only the kids on rookie contracts have much to play for.

Then I would suggest to coach Natt, thats who he should play. I know he probably believes that this is his chance to be the miracle worker, and frankly, I don't blame him for grabbing at the brass ring. However, he's not the future. Nor is Miller, Salmons, Williams, Douby, Moore, Thomas or Jackson. Unless being showcased for a possible trade, the bulk of the minutes should go to the young players.

 

[Kingster]

Well, what's in it for 'em? Brad's on the block, but he's been comfortable in Sac for a long time, and while he might not mind being traded to the Pacers, somewhere like Chicago or Toronto is more likely, and why'd he want to go to somewhere like that? The hunting in NorCal isn't all that great, but compared to Chicago it's pretty good. And after this contract, he's probably done, unless he likes coming off the bench for low pay.

Likewise for Salmons, he'll either be a big fish in a polluted little pond, like he is now, or he'll be coming off the bench, which he hates. Why should he want to be moved?

And so on, down the line. Nobody older than Cisco has any real motivation for playing well, and he & Kevin have long enough contract extensions that their careers are going to have peaked before they're likely to be going anywhere.

Only the kids on rookie contracts have much to play for.

Those are valid points about Miller and Salmons - that they don't necessarily have the power to get traded where they wanted. But Petrie seems to send our players to pretty good teams typically, not exactly the Clippers. And I think he does it more for his own interest, not because he's nice. Let's say you're Salmons and sign here as a FA and Petrie sends you the Wizards. Does that induce future FAs to come here? No. If you don't treat the FA well, then that gets around in the league. Brad Miller falls into a different category, but again, I've seen Petrie send our guys to up and comers like Orlando and Atlanta, not the dregs like the Clips.

 

[CruzDude]

Going back over the years with Miller, he never had to play his butt off when he had a good cast around him who could and would defend the paint. He became a high post "Big" who could grab a few, hit the mid-range jumper and once in awhile be part of a fast break.

Now the other vets don't move much, the motion aspect of the Kings game is gone, tho' maybe being brought back by Coachie, and his high post effectiveness therefore gone. Remember the triple-doubles from Brad 3, 4 and 5 years ago? Not even close the last couple of years. Why? lack of motion from the other players. Right now Salmons and Mikki are the main problem. Mikki I think has the most gigantic minus rating of any player on the team and maybe in the west. Salmons and BJax still try to make their own shot and dribble too much.

However, Hawes, who we all would love to see step up in the 5, has still not matured enough to play defense without fouling and JT is coming along by leaps and bounds but still has a way to go on his defense. JT does however, go get rebounds down low.

So IMHO Brad can only play "hard" infrequently as he didn't have to for so many years. Mikki is a waste, a 7-footer who brings nothing other than enthusiasm and actually is a big minus on the court. And Thumper, who has game but is not really a mover is the 3rd vet slowing down the overall progress or lack thereof.

Beno, Martin and JT are fine. Cisco is powerful off the bench but is necessary for big minutes at the 3-spot. Salmons can be great one game and a goat the next. If Coachie can be him to move without the ball a lot more, it would help. But then who comes off the bench other than Cisco who can help. Now the bench is an immediate downgrade. If Donte Greene can see the opportunity and learn to play better defense consistently, he would be great.

I have an idea!! Why not try Sheldon Williams at the center spot? A big body, better defender than any other big we have, and has 4-years of Duke learning from Coach K in his head. Plus married to the best female BBaller in the world. At 6-9 a bit small but at 265 has the beef. Why not? Sure can't hurt any more than now.