Game #80: Rockets @ Kings

[JohnWillow]

oh yeah i forgot, let's go Mavs and T'Wolves.

[JohnWillow]

loving aggresive Skal

[Eisenheart]

what a score

[Eisenheart]

oh no, oh no, i don't like this right now

[Eisenheart]

fun game to watch. now let's pray for a L against the Suns

[City of Trees]

One loss down, two to go

Sent from my SM-J700T using RealGM mobile app

[SacKingZZZ]

Decent development game overall. Nice to see Skal continue his tremendous play. Tough game for Buddy, but they need to keep cranking the pressure up on him. With so few games left there isn't time to waste to see how he responds to the higher expectation level on both ends. With that said they really need to put in some easy backdoor plays or pin downs closer to the rim to get him a few easy ones.

[benchmobbin02]

I'm just saying that in the course of the typical game offensively that's been about the limit so far. Even more than that it's how they'll go entire quarter or so of sticking him at the corner having him watch. They need to start devising a gameplan around their best offensive talent (Buddy and Skal IMO) before the end of the season so they can use that info to make signings, draft picks, etc. Time to cram for the summer.

You neglected to mention in the few games that Ive seen him not getting the shots for periods of time in these last games, it is because they are either trying to get Skal, WCS or Papa looks (which is a good thing) or someone else has a hot hand that you feed i.e. Galloway, AA or Ben. Others scoring helps the team as well.

It happens in almost every game, and how does feeding AA or Ben help this team next year? That's where the focus needs to be right now. I'm talking about usage, and using certain players as a primary option in the offense in a more consistent manner. I understand team ball, but when parts of said team will be doing those things for other teams next year how does it help you? I think the in game disappearance of some of the Kings young guards for extended periods of time is an issue right now and I would like to see coaching measures taken to see if it can be curtailed or at least determine if it is a bigger issue that may need to be addressed in some other manner moving forward. I say feed shots to the 4 young guys and put everyone else in the corner for a change. It might look ugly, but it might help these guys as time goes on. Just as it appears playing them in real games has.

Well you said part of it. Team ball. Temple, Ben and AA are gonna get mins just because we have to put people on the floor and while they are out there they will be in positions to get shots with the style of game that we play well in. When we are sharing the ball and moving and cutting we get easier shots. Just by the nature of that style, different guys are gonna get open shots. They shouldn't pass on them just because Buddy and Skal need 20 shots each.

Also for Ben, there it the fact that he is a RFA next year. I don't include AA in this part because I expect him to be waived before June 22. We are still looking at Ben and grading whether or not we will pick up that option IMO. It also increase the time other teams get to see him as a potential asset as a high volume shooter like he was in college. Not as big a reason but explaining his usage as a shooting option off the bench currently.

Buddy is already getting the majority of the shots and he is the #1 guy that you would say the ball stops in his hands when he has it. Alot of the times when I see him get the ball on the wing and do that little jab step and I know this is gonna be a stutter step into a bad shot. Yes, I think the team needs to improve in the play calling to get him more easy shots but I also see teams sagging off him a bit defensively and daring him to take the longer lower % shot. That would negate any box screens or curls in the mid-range area we would run most of the time. We just have to live with the jumper for the most part until he improves his ball-handling enough to where he can break down his man consistently. That will pose the threat that he can get to the rim, draw that screeners defender and create for others. The potential is there. He has a True shooting % of 61, has a relatively low Turnover % of 15, and is at about 22% in usage. I think he will need to improve his play-making to the point where he can consistently get you 5asts instead of 2 and he really will be dangerous.

[SacKingZZZ]

You neglected to mention in the few games that Ive seen him not getting the shots for periods of time in these last games, it is because they are either trying to get Skal, WCS or Papa looks (which is a good thing) or someone else has a hot hand that you feed i.e. Galloway, AA or Ben. Others scoring helps the team as well.

It happens in almost every game, and how does feeding AA or Ben help this team next year? That's where the focus needs to be right now. I'm talking about usage, and using certain players as a primary option in the offense in a more consistent manner. I understand team ball, but when parts of said team will be doing those things for other teams next year how does it help you? I think the in game disappearance of some of the Kings young guards for extended periods of time is an issue right now and I would like to see coaching measures taken to see if it can be curtailed or at least determine if it is a bigger issue that may need to be addressed in some other manner moving forward. I say feed shots to the 4 young guys and put everyone else in the corner for a change. It might look ugly, but it might help these guys as time goes on. Just as it appears playing them in real games has.

Well you said part of it. Team ball. Temple, Ben and AA are gonna get mins just because we have to put people on the floor and while they are out there they will be in positions to get shots with the style of game that we play well in. When we are sharing the ball and moving and cutting we get easier shots. Just by the nature of that style, different guys are gonna get open shots. They shouldn't pass on them just because Buddy and Skal need 20 shots each.

Also for Ben, there it the fact that he is a RFA next year. I don't include AA in this part because I expect him to be waived before June 22. We are still looking at Ben and grading whether or not we will pick up that option IMO. It also increase the time other teams get to see him as a potential asset as a high volume shooter like he was in college. Not as big a reason but explaining his usage as a shooting option off the bench currently.

Buddy is already getting the majority of the shots and he is the #1 guy that you would say the ball stops in his hands when he has it. Alot of the times when I see him get the ball on the wing and do that little jab step and I know this is gonna be a stutter step into a bad shot. Yes, I think the team needs to improve in the play calling to get him more easy shots but I also see teams sagging off him a bit defensively and daring him to take the longer lower % shot. That would negate any box screens or curls in the mid-range area we would run most of the time. We just have to live with the jumper for the most part until he improves his ball-handling enough to where he can break down his man consistently. That will pose the threat that he can get to the rim, draw that screeners defender and create for others. The potential is there. He has a True shooting % of 61, has a relatively low Turnover % of 15, and is at about 22% in usage. I think he will need to improve his play-making to the point where he can consistently get you 5asts instead of 2 and he really will be dangerous.

It's not even about shots, it's role. Standing in a corner watching the game is not the kind of usage you want out of a player you just traded your franchise guy for and someone you are depending on to be a major part of your core in the future. Buddy has taken very few "bad" shots since he's been here from what I've seen. At this point in the season I think you want to give him any shots he can get so he can find a way to create good shots out of bad shots because that's what good players do. That doesn't even necessarily mean he's the one taking the shot in the end. The question is when you see him in the triple threat what can you expect out of him. Rather than one on one plays I'd like to see more screens in pick and roll for him, and more plays that take him out of his comfort zone. They ran a lot of pick and roll through him against the Warriors and it looked pretty good. I'm not sure he'll ever be a 5 apg guy, that would largely depend on role, but I know you can't get there spreading the floor as a decoy, which is the point. Apparently Joerger agrees because he used him much differently in this one. Now it's time to see how he responds with the green light and continue on that path in these last couple of games.

The Kings have Hield, hopefully Bogdan, Malachi, Temple, and who knows in the draft. Picking up Ben would just be a disservice to him at that point. The Kings aren't going to be able to salvage value out of Ben, and it's especially unlikely that the QO at 4 million whatever is going to give the Kings an upper hand. It's possible but teams are going to have to spend money this summer anyway. I remember people posing the same arguments with Artest and Salmons pre blow up and we've seen where it gets you. Fabricating some sort of team game or building chemistry with non building blocks is useless. This team should be starting from zero next year if all things work out right, but that doesn't mean you can't get players like Skal or Buddy's feet wet in a role that they may have to assume next year regardless. Skal said it after the game, the best way to learn is on the floor and IMO the time is now.

[RIPskaterdude]

With Dallas and Minny in full tank mode, this was a must loss. We can't even win another game this season or we could seriously finish in the 10th spot

[benchmobbin02]

It happens in almost every game, and how does feeding AA or Ben help this team next year? That's where the focus needs to be right now. I'm talking about usage, and using certain players as a primary option in the offense in a more consistent manner. I understand team ball, but when parts of said team will be doing those things for other teams next year how does it help you? I think the in game disappearance of some of the Kings young guards for extended periods of time is an issue right now and I would like to see coaching measures taken to see if it can be curtailed or at least determine if it is a bigger issue that may need to be addressed in some other manner moving forward. I say feed shots to the 4 young guys and put everyone else in the corner for a change. It might look ugly, but it might help these guys as time goes on. Just as it appears playing them in real games has.

Well you said part of it. Team ball. Temple, Ben and AA are gonna get mins just because we have to put people on the floor and while they are out there they will be in positions to get shots with the style of game that we play well in. When we are sharing the ball and moving and cutting we get easier shots. Just by the nature of that style, different guys are gonna get open shots. They shouldn't pass on them just because Buddy and Skal need 20 shots each.

Also for Ben, there it the fact that he is a RFA next year. I don't include AA in this part because I expect him to be waived before June 22. We are still looking at Ben and grading whether or not we will pick up that option IMO. It also increase the time other teams get to see him as a potential asset as a high volume shooter like he was in college. Not as big a reason but explaining his usage as a shooting option off the bench currently.

Buddy is already getting the majority of the shots and he is the #1 guy that you would say the ball stops in his hands when he has it. Alot of the times when I see him get the ball on the wing and do that little jab step and I know this is gonna be a stutter step into a bad shot. Yes, I think the team needs to improve in the play calling to get him more easy shots but I also see teams sagging off him a bit defensively and daring him to take the longer lower % shot. That would negate any box screens or curls in the mid-range area we would run most of the time. We just have to live with the jumper for the most part until he improves his ball-handling enough to where he can break down his man consistently. That will pose the threat that he can get to the rim, draw that screeners defender and create for others. The potential is there. He has a True shooting % of 61, has a relatively low Turnover % of 15, and is at about 22% in usage. I think he will need to improve his play-making to the point where he can consistently get you 5asts instead of 2 and he really will be dangerous.

It's not even about shots, it's role. Standing in a corner watching the game is not the kind of usage you want out of a player you just traded your franchise guy for and someone you are depending on to be a major part of your core in the future. Buddy has taken very few "bad" shots since he's been here from what I've seen. At this point in the season I think you want to give him any shots he can get so he can find a way to create good shots out of bad shots because that's what good players do. That doesn't even necessarily mean he's the one taking the shot in the end. The question is when you see him in the triple threat what can you expect out of him. Rather than one on one plays I'd like to see more screens in pick and roll for him, and more plays that take him out of his comfort zone. They ran a lot of pick and roll through him against the Warriors and it looked pretty good. I'm not sure he'll ever be a 5 apg guy, that would largely depend on role, but I know you can't get there spreading the floor as a decoy, which is the point. Apparently Joerger agrees because he used him much differently in this one. Now it's time to see how he responds with the green light and continue on that path in these last couple of games.

The Kings have Hield, hopefully Bogdan, Malachi, Temple, and who knows in the draft. Picking up Ben would just be a disservice to him at that point. The Kings aren't going to be able to salvage value out of Ben, and it's especially unlikely that the QO at 4 million whatever is going to give the Kings an upper hand. It's possible but teams are going to have to spend money this summer anyway. I remember people posing the same arguments with Artest and Salmons pre blow up and we've seen where it gets you. Fabricating some sort of team game or building chemistry with non building blocks is useless. This team should be starting from zero next year if all things work out right, but that doesn't mean you can't get players like Skal or Buddy's feet wet in a role that they may have to assume next year regardless. Skal said it after the game, the best way to learn is on the floor and IMO the time is now.

You must not be watching the games all the way thru or something if you think Buddy hasn't taken many bad shots. You also tend to get carried away after one game of something you don't like. Buddy is a rookie playing the most minutes, taking the most shots and having the highest usage % on the team of late. Doesn't require an role adjustment for Buddy. He had a one game with a period of time when someone else had the hot hand and we were getting the big guys involved. Now if your argument is he should be the one handling to help his teammates get more involved then I agree. He absolute can avg 5 assist easily by doing what I said, improving his ballhandling next year. Pretty simple. I'll spell it out again if necessary and I do think that is where his game has the most room to evolve. Well, there and on the defensive end. He already has the greenlight. Jacking up 20 shots a game isn't how we wanna play next year so we shouldn't be doing it now. He, Skal and WCS are already starting and playing the most minutes as they should. Next step is them complimenting each others areas of strength to make a better team overall. We already see it some with Papa and WCS and altittle with Buddy and Skal/WCS on high screens. Just needs to improve there which we agree on I think.

Your statement about fabricating with non building blocks is beyond funny tho. It's the style they are gonna play next year IMO and running it now gets the whole team experience in it even if a few of the piece on the floor at times won't be here next year. The other guys are still benefiting from the system being run and getting more comfortable.

I am not convinced we won't still try to gain from Ben as an asset. There is a huge difference between where he is age wise and as an affordable piece for a team than Artest or Salmons were. Not even a comparison. How it could or will happen, I don't know, but if you told me this time last year that we could flip Belinelli for a 1st rder I would have laughed at you. Stranger things have happened is all I will say.

[benchmobbin02]

With Dallas and Minny in full tank mode, this was a must loss. We can't even win another game this season or we could seriously finish in the 10th spot

We'd have to win both our final games for the chance to finish 10th.

[City of Trees]

With Dallas and Minny in full tank mode, this was a must loss. We can't even win another game this season or we could seriously finish in the 10th spot

We'd have to win both our final games for the chance to finish 10th.

10th isn't happening (pre lotto balls). I wouldn't sweat it.

Sent from my SM-J700T using RealGM mobile app

[SacKingZZZ]

Well you said part of it. Team ball. Temple, Ben and AA are gonna get mins just because we have to put people on the floor and while they are out there they will be in positions to get shots with the style of game that we play well in. When we are sharing the ball and moving and cutting we get easier shots. Just by the nature of that style, different guys are gonna get open shots. They shouldn't pass on them just because Buddy and Skal need 20 shots each.

Also for Ben, there it the fact that he is a RFA next year. I don't include AA in this part because I expect him to be waived before June 22. We are still looking at Ben and grading whether or not we will pick up that option IMO. It also increase the time other teams get to see him as a potential asset as a high volume shooter like he was in college. Not as big a reason but explaining his usage as a shooting option off the bench currently.

Buddy is already getting the majority of the shots and he is the #1 guy that you would say the ball stops in his hands when he has it. Alot of the times when I see him get the ball on the wing and do that little jab step and I know this is gonna be a stutter step into a bad shot. Yes, I think the team needs to improve in the play calling to get him more easy shots but I also see teams sagging off him a bit defensively and daring him to take the longer lower % shot. That would negate any box screens or curls in the mid-range area we would run most of the time. We just have to live with the jumper for the most part until he improves his ball-handling enough to where he can break down his man consistently. That will pose the threat that he can get to the rim, draw that screeners defender and create for others. The potential is there. He has a True shooting % of 61, has a relatively low Turnover % of 15, and is at about 22% in usage. I think he will need to improve his play-making to the point where he can consistently get you 5asts instead of 2 and he really will be dangerous.

It's not even about shots, it's role. Standing in a corner watching the game is not the kind of usage you want out of a player you just traded your franchise guy for and someone you are depending on to be a major part of your core in the future. Buddy has taken very few "bad" shots since he's been here from what I've seen. At this point in the season I think you want to give him any shots he can get so he can find a way to create good shots out of bad shots because that's what good players do. That doesn't even necessarily mean he's the one taking the shot in the end. The question is when you see him in the triple threat what can you expect out of him. Rather than one on one plays I'd like to see more screens in pick and roll for him, and more plays that take him out of his comfort zone. They ran a lot of pick and roll through him against the Warriors and it looked pretty good. I'm not sure he'll ever be a 5 apg guy, that would largely depend on role, but I know you can't get there spreading the floor as a decoy, which is the point. Apparently Joerger agrees because he used him much differently in this one. Now it's time to see how he responds with the green light and continue on that path in these last couple of games.

The Kings have Hield, hopefully Bogdan, Malachi, Temple, and who knows in the draft. Picking up Ben would just be a disservice to him at that point. The Kings aren't going to be able to salvage value out of Ben, and it's especially unlikely that the QO at 4 million whatever is going to give the Kings an upper hand. It's possible but teams are going to have to spend money this summer anyway. I remember people posing the same arguments with Artest and Salmons pre blow up and we've seen where it gets you. Fabricating some sort of team game or building chemistry with non building blocks is useless. This team should be starting from zero next year if all things work out right, but that doesn't mean you can't get players like Skal or Buddy's feet wet in a role that they may have to assume next year regardless. Skal said it after the game, the best way to learn is on the floor and IMO the time is now.

You must not be watching the games all the way thru or something if you think Buddy hasn't taken many bad shots. You also tend to get carried away after one game of something you don't like. Buddy is a rookie playing the most minutes, taking the most shots and having the highest usage % on the team of late. Doesn't require an role adjustment for Buddy. He had a one game with a period of time when someone else had the hot hand and we were getting the big guys involved. Now if your argument is he should be the one handling to help his teammates get more involved then I agree. He absolute can avg 5 assist easily by doing what I said, improving his ballhandling next year. Pretty simple. I'll spell it out again if necessary and I do think that is where his game has the most room to evolve. Well, there and on the defensive end. He already has the greenlight. Jacking up 20 shots a game isn't how we wanna play next year so we shouldn't be doing it now. He, Skal and WCS are already starting and playing the most minutes as they should. Next step is them complimenting each others areas of strength to make a better team overall. We already see it some with Papa and WCS and altittle with Buddy and Skal/WCS on high screens. Just needs to improve there which we agree on I think.

Your statement about fabricating with non building blocks is beyond funny tho. It's the style they are gonna play next year IMO and running it now gets the whole team experience in it even if a few of the piece on the floor at times won't be here next year. The other guys are still benefiting from the system being run and getting more comfortable.

I am not convinced we won't still try to gain from Ben as an asset. There is a huge difference between where he is age wise and as an affordable piece for a team than Artest or Salmons were. Not even a comparison. How it could or will happen, I don't know, but if you told me this time last year that we could flip Belinelli for a 1st rder I would have laughed at you. Stranger things have happened is all I will say.

What does many mean. You just touted his field goal efficiency. So, by that measure even if he's taking bad shots, which yes, I disagree with the notion he's taken many bad shots by my own definition of many, then he's still hitting shots at an elite clip. So, where's the issue again? My whole point is exactly that, him being involved in some way. I can't see how I could have made it any clearer and specifically cited him standing in the corner on the weakside away from the action as a decoy and described specific ways I think thing could use him better including as a pick and roll ball handler.

Where did it appear as if I got carried away? Any suggestion is an attack in YOUR mind, hence you the issues you tend to have on this board with others. I simply think they should be using him in a different manner. His usage rate is 2nd only to Tyreke right now, but 22 is still on the average, average overall and something you tend to see among clear 2nd to possibly 3rd option types around the league. My point is I would like to see that jump with both he and Skal, if you disagree that's fine. Now that jump doesn't necessarily mean jacking up more shots. I'd like to see him get to the line a bit more, maybe clear out some space in the middle, be used in some of the play sets I've described previously. Like I said, it's more about role than anything.

[benchmobbin02]

With Dallas and Minny in full tank mode, this was a must loss. We can't even win another game this season or we could seriously finish in the 10th spot

We'd have to win both our final games for the chance to finish 10th.

10th isn't happening (pre lotto balls). I wouldn't sweat it.

Sent from my SM-J700T using RealGM mobile app

I promise I don't.

[benchmobbin02]

It's not even about shots, it's role. Standing in a corner watching the game is not the kind of usage you want out of a player you just traded your franchise guy for and someone you are depending on to be a major part of your core in the future. Buddy has taken very few "bad" shots since he's been here from what I've seen. At this point in the season I think you want to give him any shots he can get so he can find a way to create good shots out of bad shots because that's what good players do. That doesn't even necessarily mean he's the one taking the shot in the end. The question is when you see him in the triple threat what can you expect out of him. Rather than one on one plays I'd like to see more screens in pick and roll for him, and more plays that take him out of his comfort zone. They ran a lot of pick and roll through him against the Warriors and it looked pretty good. I'm not sure he'll ever be a 5 apg guy, that would largely depend on role, but I know you can't get there spreading the floor as a decoy, which is the point. Apparently Joerger agrees because he used him much differently in this one. Now it's time to see how he responds with the green light and continue on that path in these last couple of games.

The Kings have Hield, hopefully Bogdan, Malachi, Temple, and who knows in the draft. Picking up Ben would just be a disservice to him at that point. The Kings aren't going to be able to salvage value out of Ben, and it's especially unlikely that the QO at 4 million whatever is going to give the Kings an upper hand. It's possible but teams are going to have to spend money this summer anyway. I remember people posing the same arguments with Artest and Salmons pre blow up and we've seen where it gets you. Fabricating some sort of team game or building chemistry with non building blocks is useless. This team should be starting from zero next year if all things work out right, but that doesn't mean you can't get players like Skal or Buddy's feet wet in a role that they may have to assume next year regardless. Skal said it after the game, the best way to learn is on the floor and IMO the time is now.

You must not be watching the games all the way thru or something if you think Buddy hasn't taken many bad shots. You also tend to get carried away after one game of something you don't like. Buddy is a rookie playing the most minutes, taking the most shots and having the highest usage % on the team of late. Doesn't require an role adjustment for Buddy. He had a one game with a period of time when someone else had the hot hand and we were getting the big guys involved. Now if your argument is he should be the one handling to help his teammates get more involved then I agree. He absolute can avg 5 assist easily by doing what I said, improving his ballhandling next year. Pretty simple. I'll spell it out again if necessary and I do think that is where his game has the most room to evolve. Well, there and on the defensive end. He already has the greenlight. Jacking up 20 shots a game isn't how we wanna play next year so we shouldn't be doing it now. He, Skal and WCS are already starting and playing the most minutes as they should. Next step is them complimenting each others areas of strength to make a better team overall. We already see it some with Papa and WCS and altittle with Buddy and Skal/WCS on high screens. Just needs to improve there which we agree on I think.

Your statement about fabricating with non building blocks is beyond funny tho. It's the style they are gonna play next year IMO and running it now gets the whole team experience in it even if a few of the piece on the floor at times won't be here next year. The other guys are still benefiting from the system being run and getting more comfortable.

I am not convinced we won't still try to gain from Ben as an asset. There is a huge difference between where he is age wise and as an affordable piece for a team than Artest or Salmons were. Not even a comparison. How it could or will happen, I don't know, but if you told me this time last year that we could flip Belinelli for a 1st rder I would have laughed at you. Stranger things have happened is all I will say.

What does many mean. You just touted his field goal efficiency. So, by that measure even if he's taking bad shots, which yes, I disagree with the notion he's taken many bad shots by my own definition of many, then he's still hitting shots at an elite clip. So, where's the issue again? My whole point is exactly that, him being involved in some way. I can't see how I could have made it any clearer and specifically cited him standing in the corner on the weakside away from the action as a decoy and described specific ways I think thing could use him better including as a pick and roll ball handler.

Where did it appear as if I got carried away? Any suggestion is an attack in YOUR mind, hence you the issues you tend to have on this board with others. I simply think they should be using him in a different manner. His usage rate is 2nd only to Tyreke right now, but 22 is still on the average, average overall and something you tend to see among clear 2nd to possibly 3rd option types around the league. My point is I would like to see that jump with both he and Skal, if you disagree that's fine. Now that jump doesn't necessarily mean jacking up more shots. I'd like to see him get to the line a bit more, maybe clear out some space in the middle, be used in some of the play sets I've described previously. Like I said, it's more about role than anything.

I agreed with his being more involved and told you specifically how it will happen as he improved in areas and specifically why it isn't happening now.

22% is avged for the whole year. And his usage rate in the past few weeks is 24%. More in line with a #1 option but again as his skills increase, he will get the ball more and keep that high shooting and AST to TOV ratio IMO. In other words, he will continue to develop in a controlled way, within the system the team runs and while helping the team. My whole point.

[SacKingZZZ]

You must not be watching the games all the way thru or something if you think Buddy hasn't taken many bad shots. You also tend to get carried away after one game of something you don't like. Buddy is a rookie playing the most minutes, taking the most shots and having the highest usage % on the team of late. Doesn't require an role adjustment for Buddy. He had a one game with a period of time when someone else had the hot hand and we were getting the big guys involved. Now if your argument is he should be the one handling to help his teammates get more involved then I agree. He absolute can avg 5 assist easily by doing what I said, improving his ballhandling next year. Pretty simple. I'll spell it out again if necessary and I do think that is where his game has the most room to evolve. Well, there and on the defensive end. He already has the greenlight. Jacking up 20 shots a game isn't how we wanna play next year so we shouldn't be doing it now. He, Skal and WCS are already starting and playing the most minutes as they should. Next step is them complimenting each others areas of strength to make a better team overall. We already see it some with Papa and WCS and altittle with Buddy and Skal/WCS on high screens. Just needs to improve there which we agree on I think.

Your statement about fabricating with non building blocks is beyond funny tho. It's the style they are gonna play next year IMO and running it now gets the whole team experience in it even if a few of the piece on the floor at times won't be here next year. The other guys are still benefiting from the system being run and getting more comfortable.

I am not convinced we won't still try to gain from Ben as an asset. There is a huge difference between where he is age wise and as an affordable piece for a team than Artest or Salmons were. Not even a comparison. How it could or will happen, I don't know, but if you told me this time last year that we could flip Belinelli for a 1st rder I would have laughed at you. Stranger things have happened is all I will say.

What does many mean. You just touted his field goal efficiency. So, by that measure even if he's taking bad shots, which yes, I disagree with the notion he's taken many bad shots by my own definition of many, then he's still hitting shots at an elite clip. So, where's the issue again? My whole point is exactly that, him being involved in some way. I can't see how I could have made it any clearer and specifically cited him standing in the corner on the weakside away from the action as a decoy and described specific ways I think thing could use him better including as a pick and roll ball handler.

Where did it appear as if I got carried away? Any suggestion is an attack in YOUR mind, hence you the issues you tend to have on this board with others. I simply think they should be using him in a different manner. His usage rate is 2nd only to Tyreke right now, but 22 is still on the average, average overall and something you tend to see among clear 2nd to possibly 3rd option types around the league. My point is I would like to see that jump with both he and Skal, if you disagree that's fine. Now that jump doesn't necessarily mean jacking up more shots. I'd like to see him get to the line a bit more, maybe clear out some space in the middle, be used in some of the play sets I've described previously. Like I said, it's more about role than anything.

I agreed with his being more involved and told you specifically how it will happen as he improved in areas and specifically why it isn't happening now.

22% is avged for the whole year. And his usage rate in the past few weeks is 24%. More in line with a #1 option but again as his skills increase, he will get the ball more and keep that high shooting and AST to TOV ratio IMO. In other words, he will continue to develop in a controlled way, within the system the team runs and while helping the team. My whole point.

But it started happening tonight in a lot of ways, as my comments BEFORE the game indicated it being what I hoped to see. Usage rate is a tricky thing and I'm not one who thinks advanced stats tell the whole story by any means but his usage rate in April seats him at 69th in the league for the month of April and 49th among starters. Yeah, I won't be writing home about it quite yet.

[benchmobbin02]

What does many mean. You just touted his field goal efficiency. So, by that measure even if he's taking bad shots, which yes, I disagree with the notion he's taken many bad shots by my own definition of many, then he's still hitting shots at an elite clip. So, where's the issue again? My whole point is exactly that, him being involved in some way. I can't see how I could have made it any clearer and specifically cited him standing in the corner on the weakside away from the action as a decoy and described specific ways I think thing could use him better including as a pick and roll ball handler.

Where did it appear as if I got carried away? Any suggestion is an attack in YOUR mind, hence you the issues you tend to have on this board with others. I simply think they should be using him in a different manner. His usage rate is 2nd only to Tyreke right now, but 22 is still on the average, average overall and something you tend to see among clear 2nd to possibly 3rd option types around the league. My point is I would like to see that jump with both he and Skal, if you disagree that's fine. Now that jump doesn't necessarily mean jacking up more shots. I'd like to see him get to the line a bit more, maybe clear out some space in the middle, be used in some of the play sets I've described previously. Like I said, it's more about role than anything.

I agreed with his being more involved and told you specifically how it will happen as he improved in areas and specifically why it isn't happening now.

22% is avged for the whole year. And his usage rate in the past few weeks is 24%. More in line with a #1 option but again as his skills increase, he will get the ball more and keep that high shooting and AST to TOV ratio IMO. In other words, he will continue to develop in a controlled way, within the system the team runs and while helping the team. My whole point.

But it started happening tonight in a lot of ways, as my comments BEFORE the game indicated it being what I hoped to see. Usage rate is a tricky thing and I'm not one who thinks advanced stats tell the whole story by any means but his usage rate in April seats him at 69th in the league for the month of April and 49th among starters. Yeah, I won't be writing home about it quite yet.

Yup as he develops more under Coach J and learns how to use the defense played vs him to not only get his own shot but to setup his teammates all his stats will improve.

Advanced stats give insight in specific areas. Of course, they don't tell the whole story. I think it is key is to look at the type of system that we will run. It seems that it will be ball motion with aspects of high low games, meaning some pick and rolls and side two man sets worked in. With this in mind I don't think anyone will have a usage rat over 30% unless we hit the jackpot and get an all-star level pg in the draft who's skill demands it. I think our 1st 2nd and even 3rd (bench 6th man scorer) option will all hover around 25-30%.