Starting lineup?

[Twizman]

Just wanting to know since I drafted Koufos in my fantasy league.

[SacKingZZZ]

Koufos and Cuz didn't look that great as a combo, but Koufos looked fantastic with Cousins on the bench. His defense was terrific. The last I heard from Karl it sounded like Rondo, Ben McLemore, Gay, Cauley-Stein, and Cousins are the likely starting unit and Koufos probably looked better coming off the bench according to him.

[teerfour+40LG]

Koufos probably won't start.

[benchmobbin02]

Koufos and Cuz didn't look that great as a combo, but Koufos looked fantastic with Cousins on the bench. His defense was terrific. The last I heard from Karl it sounded like Rondo, Ben McLemore, Gay, Cauley-Stein, and Cousins are the likely starting unit and Koufos probably looked better coming off the bench according to him.

When did Karl say WCS was starting over Koufos? I think I missed that...Link?

Last I heard Karl talk about the starting lineup, he wasn't sure about the SG (2) and PF (4). He stated that it would be dependent on what he wanted to do to start the game mean matchups and how he wants to start the offense.

[SacKingZZZ]

Koufos and Cuz didn't look that great as a combo, but Koufos looked fantastic with Cousins on the bench. His defense was terrific. The last I heard from Karl it sounded like Rondo, Ben McLemore, Gay, Cauley-Stein, and Cousins are the likely starting unit and Koufos probably looked better coming off the bench according to him.

When did Karl say WCS was starting over Koufos? I think I missed that...Link?

Last I heard Karl talk about the starting lineup, he wasn't sure about the SG (2) and PF (4). He stated that it would be dependent on what he wanted to do to start the game mean matchups and how he wants to start the offense.

It was after one of the recent preseason games, the Spurs I think. I'm pretty sure the video is on Kings.com somewhere, don't have a link offhand. I watched it after one of the games.

Here's a link talking about it.

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/sacramento-kings-willie-cauley-stein-likely-to-start-regular-season/

Of course I saw that Willie spraining his ankle in practice so maybe he'll be out, I don't know.

I did read that about the rotating lineups but IIRC that was coming off the heels of a Ben McLemore question. Last of anything I heard clearly was Karl stating Koufos probably looked better with the 2nd unit. If he starts Koufos, Rondo, and Cuz it would have been smarter to really give them more minutes in preseason after the initial failure. He also said who starts doesn't matter, it's who finishes, which I don't entirely agree with. Karls been pretty all over the board with his comments in preseason, I just hope things are more solid going into the season compared to how they appear.

[benchmobbin02]

Koufos and Cuz didn't look that great as a combo, but Koufos looked fantastic with Cousins on the bench. His defense was terrific. The last I heard from Karl it sounded like Rondo, Ben McLemore, Gay, Cauley-Stein, and Cousins are the likely starting unit and Koufos probably looked better coming off the bench according to him.

When did Karl say WCS was starting over Koufos? I think I missed that...Link?

Last I heard Karl talk about the starting lineup, he wasn't sure about the SG (2) and PF (4). He stated that it would be dependent on what he wanted to do to start the game mean matchups and how he wants to start the offense.

It was after one of the recent preseason games, the Spurs I think. I'm pretty sure the video is on Kings.com somewhere, don't have a link offhand. I watched it after one of the games.

Here's a link talking about it.

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/sacramento-kings-willie-cauley-stein-likely-to-start-regular-season/

Of course I saw that Willie spraining his ankle in practice so maybe he'll be out, I don't know.

I did read that about the rotating lineups but IIRC that was coming off the heels of a Ben McLemore question. Last of anything I heard clearly was Karl stating Koufos probably looked better with the 2nd unit. If he starts Koufos, Rondo, and Cuz it would have been smarter to really give them more minutes in preseason after the initial failure. He also said who starts doesn't matter, it's who finishes, which I don't entirely agree with. Karls been pretty all over the board with his comments in preseason, I just hope things are more solid going into the season compared to how they appear.

First,
In what way has he been all over the place with his comments? Give examples...
Just because he is keeping his cards close to his vest as to who will start and the lineups that he is gonna use doesn't mean anything really. It's the preseason and he is handling the constant media push for information. Reporters and bloggers are very eager to take anything and turn it into a "taking a dump on the Kings" story. This week "sources" came out with stories about the minority ownership and saying that Karl was on the hot seat. Both ridiculous claims but they, of course, backed it up with things that happened last year. He is talking to the media, not to his players. He has to be the suit of armor that takes the shots and deflects the blows that could hurt or distract the team and I think he is doing a great job.

Next,
Yes, the rotational lineups came up after talking about Ben but it was a separate question and he explained his answer very well. He made it clear that the SG and PF were the spots that weren't necessarily set yet. He will use different lineups. He said that because he meant it. He has a versatile team and 8 guys that could realistically start in the NBA. He is smartly going to use them where they fit the best in different situations.

Also,
The article that you linked was from Oct 9th. Here is one from the same place (which is a fantasy based blog BTW) that say him and Kosta are both in the running and Karl would use a rotation from Oct 17.

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/kings-willie-cauley-stein-in-the-running-for-a-starting-spot/

[SacKingZZZ]

When did Karl say WCS was starting over Koufos? I think I missed that...Link?

Last I heard Karl talk about the starting lineup, he wasn't sure about the SG (2) and PF (4). He stated that it would be dependent on what he wanted to do to start the game mean matchups and how he wants to start the offense.

It was after one of the recent preseason games, the Spurs I think. I'm pretty sure the video is on Kings.com somewhere, don't have a link offhand. I watched it after one of the games.

Here's a link talking about it.

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/sacramento-kings-willie-cauley-stein-likely-to-start-regular-season/

Of course I saw that Willie spraining his ankle in practice so maybe he'll be out, I don't know.

I did read that about the rotating lineups but IIRC that was coming off the heels of a Ben McLemore question. Last of anything I heard clearly was Karl stating Koufos probably looked better with the 2nd unit. If he starts Koufos, Rondo, and Cuz it would have been smarter to really give them more minutes in preseason after the initial failure. He also said who starts doesn't matter, it's who finishes, which I don't entirely agree with. Karls been pretty all over the board with his comments in preseason, I just hope things are more solid going into the season compared to how they appear.

First,
In what way has he been all over the place with his comments? Give examples...
Just because he is keeping his cards close to his vest as to who will start and the lineups that he is gonna use doesn't mean anything really. It's the preseason and he is handling the constant media push for information. Reporters and bloggers are very eager to take anything and turn it into a "taking a dump on the Kings" story. This week "sources" came out with stories about the minority ownership and saying that Karl was on the hot seat. Both ridiculous claims but they, of course, backed it up with things that happened last year. He is talking to the media, not to his players. He has to be the suit of armor that takes the shots and deflects the blows that could hurt or distract the team and I think he is doing a great job.

Next,
Yes, the rotational lineups came up after talking about Ben but it was a separate question and he explained his answer very well. He made it clear that the SG and PF were the spots that weren't necessarily set yet. He will use different lineups. He said that because he meant it. He has a versatile team and 8 guys that could realistically start in the NBA. He is smartly going to use them where they fit the best in different situations.

Also,
The article that you linked was from Oct 9th. Here is one from the same place (which is a fantasy based blog BTW) that say him and Kosta are both in the running and Karl would use a rotation from Oct 17.

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/kings-willie-cauley-stein-in-the-running-for-a-starting-spot/

Go back to last year, they were going to play small. Now they are going to use different lineups at the 2 and 4. Before that it was WCS starting and Koufos off the bench. There is playing it close to your vest, as in being vague or not saying too much about a subject and then there is saying a bunch of different things that don't really fall in line with each other. And we've already seen first hand what Karl "talking to the media" can do. Need I say more? That's besides the point of this topic anyway so we'll get back to the point of the thread.

In regards to the OP and his question, right now smart money is probably on Koufos coming off the bench. Who knows how the ankle thing effects that though. Also it's hard to be too sure especially if Karl is going to slot in different players around Rondo, Cuz, and Gay.

And a fantasy blog post is pretty fitting for the topic don't you think, considering it's someone asking about a player largely for FANTASY purposes. The fantasy blogs are still saying Cauley-Stein is a better pick for the end of the draft. Will that be the case in reality? I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised to see any combo starting at this point. Yesterdays after practice interview I saw had Karl using a lineup of Rondo, Collison, Marco, Gay, and Cuz.

My personal opinion is still the same, Koufos off the bench makes this team much stronger and from what I saw in preseason that was indeed the case.

[Kings2013]

I heard Anderson was on the starting unit in practice yesterday. I wouldn't hate on it. It's a bad look for Ben when I feel more comfortable with James. But I still expect Ben getting the nod

[SacKingZZZ]

Just ventured over to Kings.com and saw this:


"Coach Karl indicated that Trill will likely get the starting nod come Wednesday’s Home Opener.
Sacramento will receive a day off on Sunday before returning to practice on Monday and Tuesday."

http://www.nba.com/kings/blog/practice-notes-trill-learning-quickly

[benchmobbin02]

So you're taking 3 completely different thing: one statement from last year (small lineups), one statement that he actually said at the end of this preseason(different lineups from his interview) and assumptions from reporters and bloggers that WCS would start as Karl being all over the place. Hahaha, you are hopeless if you can't get how that doesn't fit the description of being all over the place or need it explained further.

You sound like a Warrior or a 76er fan trying to stir the pot because Karl said that a player needs to work on somethings. It wasn't a secret and it wasn't something that the player hadn't already said that he was working on. It' wasn't said in a malicious or without explain why he felt that way or without saying that he knows Ben will improve. Get outta of here with that veiled garbage. That is what the clueless national media does. We hold Kings fans to a higher standard.

To the issue of the starting lineup... The OP asked what it was gonna be. The answer is we don't know yet. You gave you're opinion on what was best for the team and that's cool but he was looking for inside info we might have and we don't. Karl has said the the lineup will change depending on what he wants to put out there. None of us know what he is looking for with certain lineups or his reasoning for having guys play at certain times in the preseason unless you are with the team. Everything else is just a guess or your opinion.

[benchmobbin02]

Just ventured over to Kings.com and saw this:


"Coach Karl indicated that Trill will likely get the starting nod come Wednesday’s Home Opener.
Sacramento will receive a day off on Sunday before returning to practice on Monday and Tuesday."

http://www.nba.com/kings/blog/practice-notes-trill-learning-quickly

Okay hearing that from the Kings website is more credible but still the words 'indicated" and 'likely should be noted along with the fact that he didn't quoted Karl as saying Trill would get the start when he clearly was part of the interview. Also it was indicated it was for the opener and said nothing of past that. Karl probably likes WCS running the floor with Griffin and DeAndre even tho Koufos will get some minutes vs them.

[teerfour+40LG]

Okay hearing that from the Kings website is more credible but still the words 'indicated" and 'likely should be noted along with the fact that he didn't quoted Karl as saying Trill would get the start when he clearly was part of the interview. Also it was indicated it was for the opener and said nothing of past that. Karl probably likes WCS running the floor with Griffin and DeAndre even tho Koufos will get some minutes vs them.

3:55
Interview with George Karl

[benchmobbin02]

Okay hearing that from the Kings website is more credible but still the words 'indicated" and 'likely should be noted along with the fact that he didn't quoted Karl as saying Trill would get the start when he clearly was part of the interview. Also it was indicated it was for the opener and said nothing of past that. Karl probably likes WCS running the floor with Griffin and DeAndre even tho Koufos will get some minutes vs them.

3:55
Interview with George Karl

That was nothing new. Exactly what I said. Said WCS will proabaly get the start, still not sure. Also nothing new with adding on Wednesday night. Meaning it is for just this game and he will decide other games as they come. All the guys bring different strengths and we have a rich stock of depth and Karl will be smart as to how he uses them so we have the best chance to be successful.

What advantage does it give the Kings for Karl to tell the media or bloggers before game day who is gonna start?

All it does is give them and opponents more info. The national media has shown they are quick to paint the franchise in a negative light and locally they want every bit of the game plan and player status to have the scoop among their peers. Both locally and nationally they are doing their job but what I'm saying is it doesn't benefit the Kings in anyway to share much knowledge with them. Karl is playing it correctly for a team composed of some many new, young and temperamental who are seemingly under siege from a negative narrative and countless local news gatherers. Once again, Karl is protecting the TEAM.

[SacKingZZZ]

Once again, the whole point of the thread was in an inquiry about a player for fantasy purposes. That's all. All that needs to be said is that most likely at this point Koufos won't be starting.

As long at the players know well in advance who's starting everything should be OK. Rotating lineups is a novel idea, yet depending on how it looks or how it's implemented can breed inconsistencies on the court as much as anything.

[benchmobbin02]

Once again, the whole point of the thread was in an inquiry about a player for fantasy purposes. That's all. All that needs to be said is that most likely at this point Koufos won't be starting.

As long at the players know well in advance who's starting everything should be OK. Rotating lineups is a novel idea, yet depending on how it looks or how it's implemented can breed inconsistencies on the court as much as anything.

Once again, it has only been established that Koufos won't be starting the opener most likely. The thread expanded on the starting lineup and media topics as they were brought up. That is what happens normally in a forum thread. It's okay if you don't wanna talk about it because you know I'm right about those aspects. Just say that. Well, you kinda just did.

[teerfour+40LG]

Bazinga

[tweet]https://twitter.com/SeanCunningham/status/659097799179395072[/tweet]

[SacKingZZZ]

Well, hopefully this is all media games because if this is this far up in the air it might be a tough stretch to start the season. Also watched the interview with Karl yesterday and it sounded like Rudy being there was a bit up in the air.

[benchmobbin02]

Well, hopefully this is all media games because if this is this far up in the air it might be a tough stretch to start the season. Also watched the interview with Karl yesterday and it sounded like Rudy being there was a bit up in the air.

Why would it be a tough start to the season if we have two guys capable and worthy of starting at the same position?

Both players bringing different strengths, athletic profiles and experience levels. It gives a coach who is looking to take advantage of match ups game to game different options to go to and also provides depth in case of injury or "youthful" struggles.

Rudy's S/O is in labor so he is a gametime decision, tho what I've read so far is he will probably play.

[SacKingZZZ]

Well, hopefully this is all media games because if this is this far up in the air it might be a tough stretch to start the season. Also watched the interview with Karl yesterday and it sounded like Rudy being there was a bit up in the air.

Why would it be a tough start to the season if we have two guys capable and worthy of starting at the same position?

Both players bringing different strengths, athletic profiles and experience levels. It gives a coach who is looking to take advantage of match ups game to game different options to go to and also provides depth in case of injury or "youthful" struggles.

Rudy's S/O is in labor so he is a gametime decision, tho what I've read so far is he will probably play.

The two guys shouldn't be a problem, but the question marks about who is going to play and how it affects the team might be. The starting unit never looked like it was on the same page all preseason. Teams were also more focused on their own attack rather than stopping the Kings, in the real season teams will attack those weaknesses. Hopefully they know what they are doing out there tomorrow.

Yeah, I just read somewhere that the babys out so he should be playing I would think.

[benchmobbin02]

Wrong again, vs the Lakers and the Spurs the starting units looked in sync and sharp and vs the Suns we had good energy and solid execution but just missed some shots early. Vs the Pel and the first game vs Por, the opposing team just came out hot. Not a symptom of who was starting.

Rondo DMC and Rudy are the constants on the floor on the starting unit and the coaching staff has been preparing the team for this all offseason by resting guys and starting different units. Like Karl said it is more about how you finish then how you start. That is shown by our 5-1 record regardless of what you call 'weaknesses' or 'not being on the same page' starting the game. As long as the team is committed in practice and playing for each other, the unit that starts shouldn't matter as long as they are executing and focused. As the season goes on adjustment will be made as thing arise.