Game thread: rockets at kings 15/12/2013

[pillwenney]

Toronto fan here. I like the way Gay is playing for your team. He and Cousins bring the best out of each other.

Yeah, the chemistry is starting to develop. Gay might be enjoying playing next to big not too unlike in his Memphis days.

He seems to thrive playing with others that have a diverse skillset. Demar's talents far too often mirrored his own, which made him somewhat redundant on a team that already wasn't too sure of its identity. With Cousins and Thomas, he has teammates who have unique skillsets that are different from his own. I'll keep an eye on how it plays out. If McLemore pans out, the last piece might be someone like Thaddeus Young. Derrick Williams may even be that piece.

If all others pan out, the last piece has got to be a shotblocking big to put next to Cuz. I have to suspect that's what the FO will look for next. Our offense looks good right now and really pretty cohesive considering how unfamiliar these guys are with each other. But Malone didn't really get the warriors D on track until bogut (even an unhealthy version of him) came along. That makes all the difference in the world.

As for tonight's game, it was really good on most fronts, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Houston looked worn down, missed a lot of open looks and FTs and lost harden for the second half. It's a good win, but not an incredible franchise altering one.

Our D was better but still has a long ways to go, which is why I suspect a shotblocker has got to be the next thing up.

Offensively, I really liked the way things looked more in the second half, but I'd still like to see more touches for cuz. Gay played well but I don't consistently want him shooting 20 times--especially to Cuzs 14. But they were probably 80% good shots. I just want to make sure this doesn't become a 1a and 1b situation. This is still Demarcus' team.

Love seeing Isaiah's progress as a starter though.

[SmellingColors]

It's really starting to look like that SG position is going to be the "crumbs" spot going forward. McLemore is a rookie indeed and it might be too much to ask that he speed up his own development or even hinder his offensive development by being a "glue" defensive player. Yeah, time to make that move for Shumpert Pete, or maybe look at another available option, just don't know who.

Yeah I really like Shump for this team. Athletic, doesn't need the ball, plays great defense. Plus, Dwill and Bmac really work well together I think and since we've been bringing Dwill off the bench (I think this is right but I've missed the first part of the last 2 games), it would make sense to move Bmac to the bench and have them on the same rotation while having Shump start. Use that time to get IT, Gay, and Cousins into an offensive flow and then have Bmac, Dwill and, eventually, Landry as the spark plug rotation.

But it depends on what the Lakers-Knicks trade entails though as far as Shump's availability. I've wanted him for the Kings ever since trade rumors began.

[pillwenney]

It's really starting to look like that SG position is going to be the "crumbs" spot going forward. McLemore is a rookie indeed and it might be too much to ask that he speed up his own development or even hinder his offensive development by being a "glue" defensive player. Yeah, time to make that move for Shumpert Pete, or maybe look at another available option, just don't know who.

I think it's about sacrifice but I think it can work. Isaiah has to look for him a little more and Ben has to get better moving off the ball. He doesn't need touches really, so I think it's workable if he learns how to be opportunistic and if our main guys are unselfish.

[SacKingZZZ]

I'm talking more about limiting mistakes on both ends and what type of player would fit at SG going forward. The thing is this franchise has made moves to win now, whatever they think they are doing or have done, that's what it is. Might be time to look for a more experienced role player. Ben should still play but it's a lot to put on the shoulders of a young somewhat raw player to check the other teams best offensive backcourt player while also limiting mistakes. I think he'd be better off playing in a 2nd unit and in a role more accustomed to his game now.

Ben has made a lot of progress already but he just isn't seasoned enough to not be a weakness for this team at times. Nothing to do with ability or talent, he just is going to be hindered by that learning curve all players go through.

Might be time to see if Tony Allen might be available as well if and when Memphis decides to light the fuse.

[enderwilson]

If all others pan out, the last piece has got to be a shotblocking big to put next to Cuz. I have to suspect that's what the FO will look for next. Our offense looks good right now and really pretty cohesive considering how unfamiliar these guys are with each other. But Malone didn't really get the warriors D on track until bogut (even an unhealthy version of him) came along. That makes all the difference in the world.

As for tonight's game, it was really good on most fronts, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Houston looked worn down, missed a lot of open looks and FTs and lost harden for the second half. It's a good win, but not an incredible franchise altering one.

Our D was better but still has a long ways to go, which is why I suspect a shotblocker has got to be the next thing up.

Offensively, I really liked the way things looked more in the second half, but I'd still like to see more touches for cuz. Gay played well but I don't consistently want him shooting 20 times--especially to Cuzs 14. But they were probably 80% good shots. I just want to make sure this doesn't become a 1a and 1b situation. This is still Demarcus' team.

Love seeing Isaiah's progress as a starter though.

This is my concern as well. Fortunately, it's really too soon in Gay's career in a Kings uniform to judge. As long as his all around game is solid, and he can consistently shoot at that percentage, I'm OK with the volume.

[Cruel_Ruin]

If all others pan out, the last piece has got to be a shotblocking big to put next to Cuz. I have to suspect that's what the FO will look for next. Our offense looks good right now and really pretty cohesive considering how unfamiliar these guys are with each other. But Malone didn't really get the warriors D on track until bogut (even an unhealthy version of him) came along. That makes all the difference in the world.

As for tonight's game, it was really good on most fronts, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Houston looked worn down, missed a lot of open looks and FTs and lost harden for the second half. It's a good win, but not an incredible franchise altering one.

Our D was better but still has a long ways to go, which is why I suspect a shotblocker has got to be the next thing up.

Offensively, I really liked the way things looked more in the second half, but I'd still like to see more touches for cuz. Gay played well but I don't consistently want him shooting 20 times--especially to Cuzs 14. But they were probably 80% good shots. I just want to make sure this doesn't become a 1a and 1b situation. This is still Demarcus' team.

Love seeing Isaiah's progress as a starter though.

This is my concern as well. Fortunately, it's really too soon in Gay's career in a Kings uniform to judge. As long as his all around game is solid, and he can consistently shoot at that percentage, I'm OK with the volume.

Its all a matter of context. The number of shots doesn't really matter as long as his shots are coming within the flow of the offense. If Gay is getting to the rim and hitting open shots 20 times a game, I'm not that concerned if Cousins doesn't necessarily get that many shots up. As long as Cousins is clearly #1 and the offense is flowing through him, I can live with Gay getting more shots on a particular night.