RealGM

Don't know if you're following or not, but while the FO working (or not) on next season, Casspi is exploding in the qualifying games for the Eurobasket 2011.

He started slowly at the first game in italy, but last night just burst in flames, with 30pts, 4-7 for 3pt, 9-19 total, 8-10 FT, and 4 rebs, and just kept Israel alive all along the game, to beat Montenegro for the first time since it (Montenegro) was founded(!) - up until now - they were perfect 13-0 in official matches.

So, just to let you know.

I did hear something about Casspi lighting it up. Good for him and I hope he carries it into the NBA season. He was kinda hit or miss during summer league.

I saw the highlights. Casspi seemed more confident (if that's even possible haha) and a bit more controlled. His shot looked like money.

I like my chances with Casspi at the starting 3 if he manages to translate his success from the qualifying matches to the start of the season.

The issue with casspi is the same now as it was last season. He tries to do too much. Sometimes that works to his advantage especially if he's the focus of the offense, but when he is expected to defer to other players it becomes a problem. He then will try to force the game instead of letting the game come to him within the flow of the offense. If he stays under control and realizes he needs to focus more on doing less then he will be fantastic.

longfellow44 wrote:The issue with casspi is the same now as it was last season. He tries to do too much. Sometimes that works to his advantage especially if he's the focus of the offense, but when he is expected to defer to other players it becomes a problem. He then will try to force the game instead of letting the game come to him within the flow of the offense. If he stays under control and realizes he needs to focus more on doing less then he will be fantastic.

Agree with that. He does sometimes force the game, but on the brighter side, he does that much less than he used to in the past. Plus he has a great vision of what's going on around him, and he often translates that into assists or great passes than can push the offense. Another thing he does great when he doesn't force the game, is moving without the ball - a major plus to his resume.

Hopefully this will be a big confidence boost for him. Good to see him make his free throws too.

Highlights of Casspi against Montenegro

Look like he really went hard on both end of the court.

Also, nice FT%, did he does the same in SL ? Because I mean 67% last season... though, unless Beno all our team sucks at the line.

He is still young - I would rather have a player who tries to do to much, then sits around and under achieves. I think that eventually he'll be able to find a comfort zone on the court and do what the team needs him to do whether it be take a back seat while our main scoring threats are on the court, or take control of the game while they're resting or our shot is not falling.

Don't expect to much from our young players right now, hope for the best, prepare for the worst. This up coming year we're going to have a brand new team, with many new faces and some of our old faces are gone - so its going to be a big adjustment sure they'll have the whole off season to mesh but nothing makes up for a regular season nba game ....I am just trying not to get my hopes up to high, or set any unrealistic expectations because I want to be able to enjoy next season and our new players regardless of our record... and if we win or lose.

Casspi must improve his defense, he should learn to move is fit better on defense!

^^Casspi was a solid defender last season. The issue was that he got overly energetic at times and would get caught closing out on his man only to find that he bit on a pump fake and his guy is moving past him. The key to better defense for casspi is for him to calm down just a little bit and again just let the game come to him.

According to Casspi's facebook status, he and JT are hanging out together in Yavne, Israel, eating dinner at his parent's house. It's nice to see the Kings bonding together during the off-season too.

sl1mshad33 wrote:According to Casspi's facebook status, he and JT are hanging out together in Yavne, Israel, eating dinner at his parent's house. It's nice to see the Kings bonding together during the off-season too.

The chemistry this team has is reminiscent of the Webber-era Kings. It's great to see that and shows that Petrie knows what he's doing.

http://israelsportsradio.com/

ITW of JT in Israel. He'll spend a week over there, seeing games, hangin with Omri... Though, happy he doesn't forget his homework

I think Omri is having a good time while he's there.

"Hey guys. I want to fit into this pic, but I also have to pee. I'm multi-tasking."

^^^sorority pose.

Jewish guido.

Casspi's gay pose FTL.