Sacramento @ Los Angeles

[pillwenney]

We did fine last night and tonight when not relying on the zone. Reggie didn't need to do that, our help defense was OK and should only get better. Reggie has a tendency to stick with the zone for 4 or 5 straight possessions. I don't care if you're big, small, medium, or whatever, you stick to the same look on defense that many times and the other team is going to go to that open 3 time and time again if they have shooters.

If a mismatch works you use it. I just happen to think this is the type of mismatch that could take us very far in time and maybe become a staple. It's not a "Nellie-ish" type of mismatch where you are trying to cheat or you are at a severe statistical disadvantage. Why? Because Jason is a freak in terms of his mobility and skill set. I have never seen a player with that size have the tools to play on the wing and bang in the post, and I'm not talking about like when Sheed played the 3 and would go to that fadeaway, I am talking BANG guys around. It's the type of ball (rebounding, paint protection, and post play) that wins championships, well supposedly. I don't think it's that cookie cutter myself but that's another argument.

And I think, just like Spencer at PF!!!, it's a position he should play at least half of his minutes at, and even start at full time possibly. Then later on in games we could switch him to PF and C to give the team a completely opposite look and from the sounds of it they are planning on doing that having him learn all 3 spots and all. The unique thing about it is that even with Hawes at PF and Jason at SF they are mobile enough to run and get back on defense. Plus they can still spread the floor, etc. Petries versatility fetish and how it fits in is becoming clearer and clearer. And with that versatility, yes, maybe that means Jason plays more PF some nights, maybe more C. Maybe Spencer plays all his minutes at C, or most at PF. It all depends on the matchups. But I just like seeing other teams having to adjust to us for a change. But, if the time comes the Kings are versatile enough to matchup.

The only problem I've seen so far is the spacing, which did look a lot better with Hawes and Brad out there BTW. I don't know if Mikki will fit. Mikki is a garbage man type and hangs around for the offensive putback and in doing so tonight drew about 3 defenders in on Jason and clogged the lane repeatedly for John. In theory Mikki could fit because he is a very good shooter but I think you get half of Mikki Moore at that point which isn't enough.

Just think of the average SF in this league. Heck, think of Jason trying to guard a John Salmons. Is that really realistic? You can talk about help D all you want, but you also need somebody that can actually guard their position effectively in the starting 5. It's nice to be able to create mismatches, and playing Jason at the 3 at times, should help with that, but all literal mismatches like that go both ways. It's the old Corliss Williamson complex--he was too strong for SFs and too quick PFs, but he was also too short to guard PFs and too slow to guard SFs.

Jason does have great, great quickness for his size and could eventually probably guard some bigger SFs like the ones he has had to guard so far, but it's not the kind of thing you can rely on to where you'd want that to be his main position.

[SacKingZZZ]

We did fine last night and tonight when not relying on the zone. Reggie didn't need to do that, our help defense was OK and should only get better. Reggie has a tendency to stick with the zone for 4 or 5 straight possessions. I don't care if you're big, small, medium, or whatever, you stick to the same look on defense that many times and the other team is going to go to that open 3 time and time again if they have shooters.

If a mismatch works you use it. I just happen to think this is the type of mismatch that could take us very far in time and maybe become a staple. It's not a "Nellie-ish" type of mismatch where you are trying to cheat or you are at a severe statistical disadvantage. Why? Because Jason is a freak in terms of his mobility and skill set. I have never seen a player with that size have the tools to play on the wing and bang in the post, and I'm not talking about like when Sheed played the 3 and would go to that fadeaway, I am talking BANG guys around. It's the type of ball (rebounding, paint protection, and post play) that wins championships, well supposedly. I don't think it's that cookie cutter myself but that's another argument.

And I think, just like Spencer at PF!!!, it's a position he should play at least half of his minutes at, and even start at full time possibly. Then later on in games we could switch him to PF and C to give the team a completely opposite look and from the sounds of it they are planning on doing that having him learn all 3 spots and all. The unique thing about it is that even with Hawes at PF and Jason at SF they are mobile enough to run and get back on defense. Plus they can still spread the floor, etc. Petries versatility fetish and how it fits in is becoming clearer and clearer. And with that versatility, yes, maybe that means Jason plays more PF some nights, maybe more C. Maybe Spencer plays all his minutes at C, or most at PF. It all depends on the matchups. But I just like seeing other teams having to adjust to us for a change. But, if the time comes the Kings are versatile enough to matchup.

The only problem I've seen so far is the spacing, which did look a lot better with Hawes and Brad out there BTW. I don't know if Mikki will fit. Mikki is a garbage man type and hangs around for the offensive putback and in doing so tonight drew about 3 defenders in on Jason and clogged the lane repeatedly for John. In theory Mikki could fit because he is a very good shooter but I think you get half of Mikki Moore at that point which isn't enough.

Just think of the average SF in this league. Heck, think of Jason trying to guard a John Salmons. Is that really realistic? You can talk about help D all you want, but you also need somebody that can actually guard their position effectively in the starting 5. It's nice to be able to create mismatches, and playing Jason at the 3 at times, should help with that, but all literal mismatches like that go both ways. It's the old Corliss Williamson complex--he was too strong for SFs and too quick PFs, but he was also too short to guard PFs and too slow to guard SFs.

Jason does have great, great quickness for his size and could eventually probably guard some bigger SFs like the ones he has had to guard so far, but it's not the kind of thing you can rely on to where you'd want that to be his main position.

Well John is still quick and a good enough ball handler to give just about every other SF in the league fits anyway. And you say average SF, like who!? I don't see that many SF's out there that woud destroy Jason on D anymore than they would anybody else. Maybe LeBron? Wait, didn't Jason supposedly step up in one of those camps to gaurd LeBron when nobody else would and he supposedly did a pretty decent job? He's passable at least. They get no more athletic than Al Thornton and he did pretty good considering it was a back to back and he really isn't in the optimum condition to play on the perimeter right now.

And bringing up the point about Corliss does nothing but help the argument about playing Jason at the 3. Jason is too strong for SF's, too quick for PF's (maybe, not totally sold on this yet), tall enough to gaurd PF's and not too slow to where he is useless defensively on the perimeter. Like I said, the mismatch if used right could work in our favor the majority of the time. That's what matters. Just like with Spencer playing PF and how much heat I got about it at the time, it's a way to get him on the court and make us very dangerous for stretches. How well it's working dictates how long it's done during games. That's the great thing about versatile players, play them where you need them or they work best. Jason could also be a great off the bench player in time still getting to play starter minutes between the 3 power spots thanks to his versatility.

Theus is right, Jason will have a hard time finding minutes at the 3 when Cisco comes back, but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't look as good without the "Triple Towers" lineup to see it return. And like it was brought up earlier it may be a factor in opening up the options in the draft. There may be less fear of over drafting at a given spot.

[King Baller]

That was a fun game and great win Beno was cooking in the pick and roll. And the Triple Towers DOMINATED the boards. Mikki plays a role, he takes fouls on the other teams better offensive Big while playing good D. Mikki does box out and takes a couple of charges a game.

I hope this team stays healthy after Cisco and KMart come back. I also hope this team gets to play together with no trades. The growth Spencer is making is fun to watch. Thompson is NBA ready. Bobby Brown is a player. Donte Greene played a few minutes in LA and was impressive, later in the season he could be a lot of help to the bench mob. The addition of these 3 rookies and Hawes has made the Kings fun to watch. Thanks Kings front office

KB

[pillwenney]

Well John is still quick and a good enough ball handler to give just about every other SF in the league fits anyway. And you say average SF, like who!? I don't see that many SF's out there that woud destroy Jason on D anymore than they would anybody else. Maybe LeBron? Wait, didn't Jason supposedly step up in one of those camps to gaurd LeBron when nobody else would and he supposedly did a pretty decent job? He's passable at least. They get no more athletic than Al Thornton and he did pretty good considering it was a back to back and he really isn't in the optimum condition to play on the perimeter right now.

And bringing up the point about Corliss does nothing but help the argument about playing Jason at the 3. Jason is too strong for SF's, too quick for PF's (maybe, not totally sold on this yet), tall enough to gaurd PF's and not too slow to where he is useless defensively on the perimeter. Like I said, the mismatch if used right could work in our favor the majority of the time. That's what matters. Just like with Spencer playing PF and how much heat I got about it at the time, it's a way to get him on the court and make us very dangerous for stretches. How well it's working dictates how long it's done during games. That's the great thing about versatile players, play them where you need them or they work best. Jason could also be a great off the bench player in time still getting to play starter minutes between the 3 power spots thanks to his versatility.

Theus is right, Jason will have a hard time finding minutes at the 3 when Cisco comes back, but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't look as good without the "Triple Towers" lineup to see it return. And like it was brought up earlier it may be a factor in opening up the options in the draft. There may be less fear of over drafting at a given spot.

John is kind of the average SF that I was talking about. But you could also look at a Caron Butler, Corey Maggette, Mike Miller, Josh Howard, Melo, Jackson, Gay, Pierce, Jefferson, Hedo....I mean those are just some more perimeter oriented guys (well mostly), that I couldn't see him consistently guarding throughout any kind of really consistent basis. And really using that anecdotal Lebron example....I mean that just doesn't hold much weight.

My whole point is that Jason isn't quick or agile enough to guard most SFs. He'll do it better than just about anybody his size, but that's still not saying much. The only guy his size to ever be able to guard SFs with the kind of ability that we would need from him was Kevin Garnett. Having a bunch of mismatches on offense is nice, but you can run a great offense without it. You can't run a great defense with people playing out of position.

[SacKingZZZ]

Wait a minute, is the fear perimeter shooting or Jason getting beat off the dribble time and time again? I only see about 2-3 names on that list that are the type to really go at someone and drive to the basket time and time again, and they aren't really even super speedy guys to begin with. Jason couldn't do much worse than giving them their averages. My argument is that most SF's aren't able to guard the top notch SF's PERIOD. If they could guys like LeBron, Pierce, Howard, etc. wouldn't average the numbers they do. It may take some more dedication and conditioning on his part, but with his motor it's possible. Obviously I'm not saying he should be a full time SF, but I think it may be best to make him a full time true multi-position player.

Like I said, at SF it's the guy he's playings job to try and stay out of foul trouble on the other end. And we aren't going to most likely have a great defense anytime soon, but from what I saw the last two games having an at least passable one is very possible. Especially with allowing less possessions than we currently do thanks to the added size, length, and rebounding ability.

[pillwenney]

Wait a minute, is the fear perimeter shooting or Jason getting beat off the dribble time and time again? I only see about 2-3 names on that list that are the type to really go at someone and drive to the basket time and time again, and they aren't really even super speedy guys to begin with. Jason couldn't do much worse than giving them their averages. My argument is that most SF's aren't able to guard the top notch SF's PERIOD. If they could guys like LeBron, Pierce, Howard, etc. wouldn't average the numbers they do. It may take some more dedication and conditioning on his part, but with his motor it's possible. Obviously I'm not saying he should be a full time SF, but I think it may be best to make him a full time true multi-position player.

Like I said, at SF it's the guy he's playings job to try and stay out of foul trouble on the other end. And we aren't going to most likely have a great defense anytime soon, but from what I saw the last two games having an at least passable one is very possible. Especially with allowing less possessions than we currently do thanks to the added size, length, and rebounding ability.

It's all kinds of perimeter defense. It's not just about drives to the hoop but moving around the floor with wing players.

And it's not like those were all elite guys. If they were, then most of the starting SFs in the league are "elite". But that's beside the point. The point is that you could say "well most guys can't guard the elite players at the position" for every position in the league. That doesn't mean you should just be resigned to having average defense at every position so that you can create offensive mismatches. That's not how successful teams are built--true contenders never have merely "passable" defense.