Grading the Kings through Christmas

[villatrynity154]

PW- B+
He was a great sign...he has done great in keeping the team on the same page and getting them to play hard every night...has done a real good job at making the kings fun to watch again and making the kings look like an actual team and not just a bunch of guys playing basketball individually...you can tell he and tyreke really communicate well....i was gonna give him an A- after the cleveland game because spencer really played well and maybe thought PW and the rest of the coaching staff finally got through to him, but after only 1 game im not sure....i need to see this from spencer more consistantly in order for PW and the staff to cross over to the A range...another thing he could work on is getting beno to stop fighting over control of the ball with tyreke....some of you have mentioned beno sometimes has trouble identifying who is gonna run the offense when he and tyreke are on the floor together...one thing i don't like is when he plays nocioni at PF too much...with brockman's appearance as one of our best rebounders and hustle guys...we should see this less and less each game!!!

Geoff Petrie- A
The only thing to say is he has drafted extremely well the last 3 years....this year being the most obvious year....also recognizing the PW sign...we couldn't have hired a better coach to go along with thise new team......he has done so much to make the kings relevant again...im so proud of this organization...petrie gets all the props...if he stays pat and doesn't buy into relieving cap for this summer and we finish the season strong he'll get the +... making a move in thinking we have a shot at a superstar during the summer i think would mess with our quemistry and i think its best to be patient...good things come to those who wait...

Tyreke- B+
What else can we say about tyreke that we haven't said already? he's wise beyond his NBA years....but he still needs to learn some more in terms of decision-making (specifically speaking about his match-up with lebron)...i don't knock him for shooting too much.....he's trying to develop that decent jumper...its all good to hit it in practices, but he needs to practice it in game situations so that the stroke come natural to him...the only way and do that is by shooting during the game...so as he starts making more and more shots from the outside and it becomes more consistant we should see him taking less and less only using it to keep defenses honest on him...if the laker game is close and tyreke makes the play to win the game (whether its him making the shot or recognizing a better play...it doesn't matter which as long as its the right call for him at the moment) he should get the bump to A- by the deadline

JT- A-
JT has demonstrated he was a steal from last year...nobody expected him to become a 20-10 guy so quickly...he has been one of our leaders this year and has demonstrated his versatility by covering the center spot at times when spencer has left much to be desired from (this has happened alot this year)...he has been our most mature and consistant starter so far...if we keep on winning and he keeps up the consistancy throughout the season and shows up his more tougher matchups (being gasol, duncan, garnett, etc...) ...i'll give him that bump to a solid A....

Omri- B
The most surprising rookie in this year's draft...has earned himself a spot in the rotation and in keeping up his game a spot in the starting line-up....i love his tenacity on d......he bothers ppl and he likes doing it...he had a bad game against chicago in the blowout W, but he came back strong against cleveland....he needs to hit the gym a little bit...not too much i don't want him to lose that much of a step on his drive....i think he's got the jumper down solid, his FT's don't seem to be that a catastrophic problem anymore, and if he can consistantly beat his man to the basket off the dribble then he could be REALLY DANGEROUS...other than that...he's a rookie...rookies will make mistakes on decision-making and with time he'll learn...i love his versatility and his passion...could be the most passionate of the bunch!!!

Donte- C+
Donte is slowly but surely making adjustments on his game....he's been showing more control and more maturity but he still has a ways to go....we know he can shoot...we just gotta get him bigger so he learns to post ppl up like dirk nowitzki does....that would bump him up to the B category....obviously wouldn't happen over night....just some things he should work on during the season and in the offseason...i would think that playing more down low would also see a much needed increase in his rebounds...if he could be that player that would really take pressure off of spencer to come off the bench and JT be our starting C (not saying its the way to go...just saying it could be a possibility...if JT somehow keeps improving and rakes command of that center position then this could be a really interesting outcome for us)...

Spencer- C-
He unquestionably had his best game against cleveland, but his inconsistancy really hurts him....if he could some how build on that game and have a good game against the lakers to start off that consistancy, he would really earn that solid C.....to earn that + he would have to be a consistant double figures scorer and rebounder and to reach that B category by season's end he would have to have great games against tougher matchups to show us that he is back on track in terms of his development and not behind schedule...as is his current status thus far this season...

Beno- B
He's been our most consistant shooter...handling the offense less has really done him good...has been great playing off the ball....for a bench player you can't really get a better grade than a B....if he and tyreke could get on the same page at times when together on the floor he would definately get that extra +... i love that he brings a championship attitude to the team so that it sticks to our core...

Nocioni- C
He is having a shooting slump...he's become a no factor on offense...nonetheless he's great at defending, he's a hustler and is good to keep defenders honest and not thinking about doubling anybody else on our team...he's a tough guy i hated that the kings were always thought as soft so its great to see we have some tough guys on our team now to erase that perception...that is enough to earn him PT but his shooting is really hurting his grade...not much else he can do but keep shooting.....shooters shoot even during slumps....that's the only way to get out of them...its part of that shooter's mentality...

Sergio- B-
He's fun to watch and at times we have been gratefull for the W thanks to him, but he gets lost on defensive assignments too much and that's why he's our 3rd string pg.....i would love for him to improve, but then he'd deserve more minutes....and this team is eventually not gonna be able to fullfill those requests for him so i rather him stay like he is and we use him when necessary...3 guard rotation with him beno and reke has been good most of the times...so that should continue to happen down the road depending on matchups...

Brockman- B
He hasn't seen much playing time, but damn can he hustle and get rebounds....he's a hard worker and if he was 4 inches taller he'd be our starting center...not much else can be asked from brockman other than to grow in height (which would be wishful thinking)...should see more minutes as the season goes on and he continues to earn minutes in our thin frontcourt rotation...

K9- B+
He hasn't done much recently....but his resurgance as an experienced veteran for this team....and being a factor in W's again...really deserves him of the grade...every team needs a foundation and the kings are providing a very good one for our future stars to build on...great to have him on the team as far as in practice and teaching our youngs is concerned...

Ime- B
He hasn't played much during the season but when he plays he always provides a defensive balance, and that game against chicago boy we really needed his fresh legs and shot to come away with the W.....great that he has the attitude and accepts that he could play more in another team but doesn't complain about PT....he's a great asset to our team...

Sean May- C
Hasn't played....hasn't complained....he's a big body with midrange shooting ability...and that's always good to have...he's a practice player and will not see PT unless we have an injury in our frontcourt...it's good that he's not hurting team quemistry....he will play out the season in sacramento, but will not be back with the team next season...

Kevin/Garcia- NO GRADE
Cisco hasn't played, but i read in an article he gets along with the new guys....he's been helping omri alot after practice and during nights so he adjusts to the league as quick as possible.....that's a great attitude to have towards someone that represents POSSIBLY less minutes for you...Kevin has played, but like garcia has not been part of this new recent kings movement that has been as surprising to the rest of the league as well as to us fans....so he doesn't get a grade either....however i love how he's staying involved and he really seems to get along with tyreke.....that's good considering his stay with us depends solely on how he can be able to get integrated into our team without disrupting our great team quemistry...

[darkadun]

good analysis. Pretty much agree, although IMO I'd give Tyreke a A+. Its funny, none of us thought he would be this good already. He has already done so much and been so fantastic that were expecting 2 20 year old rookie to be our go to guy at the end of games against guys like Lebron. Sure he's made mistakes but the fact our expectations are so high right now, I think he deserves a A.

[villatrynity154]

yeah you could make an argument he gets an A but not an A+....there are so many things he still could do better.....i don't wanna give him that cause then you are taking away room to improve....as far as im concerned....no player in development should receive an A+ because of that same reason....but you are right.....tyreke has been all that and a bag of chips for us!!!

[dozencousins]

Westpaul = A : Unlike all coaches after ADELMAN & before WESTPAUL coach westpaul knows how to coach , work the rotation & put players together that compliment each other not to mention he has the respect of his players .

Petrie = A+ easy he simply knows how to draft & evelauate talent

Tyreke = A+ Likely ROY & a stud future franchise player he is a playmaker & a future game changer

Kmart = INC incomplete has barely played

J thompson = A : Very solid overall needs to work on free throws & not fouling so much

BENO = B+ has improved alot since last years terrible season

Casspi = B+ great overall player , better than i expected for a guy of his position he should be making far more free throws than he has been

K9 = B+ again like Beno he has improved a ton & considering he has barely played the last 2-3 years he had a great turnaround Coach Westpaul has really found a way to get the maximum use out of k9

Spencer = D+ : Honestly one of my favorite Kings but his attitude has held him back , This guy thought he did not need to play before the season & it has hurt him alot hopefully he will change his attitude for the better & help himself & the team.

NOCIANI = C : Has been a bit dissapointing though has had his momemts of stepping up

F.GARCIA = INC has not played

S. MAY = D started season playing better than i expected has not played much sense

SERGIO = B : For a Backup / 3rd string point guard right now he has played really good mostly great additidion to this team for so cheap

IKE = C+ : Plays solid defense & great backup needs to work on his offensive game but honestly on this team he doesnt need much more offense than he puts out

D.GREEN : B- : Has greatly improved since last season he is more disciplined overall & has showm moments of fantastic play Coach Westpaul deserves alot of credit here for his turnaround as well as GREEN does as well nice improvement.

Brockman = C+ : I like his agreesiveness around the rim he blocks out well , gets alot of boards & does alot of the dirty work in the paint

[ICMTM]

I think I'd up Reke to an A- and Donte to a B-. I'd give Hawes a D. I like to see the consistency from him instead of once every three games.

Donte I think has shown the most growth from year 1 to 2 on the team. Last year I didn't even think he belonged in the NBA. He's still raw but I see the potential.

JT IMO is solid night in and out. He does some bonehead things every once in a while though. I'd slide him down to a B+ but he's one of my favorites.

[villatrynity154]

if the kings weren't winning i would have given spencer a D...but his inconsistancy hasn't been a factor in our winning and losing games so if he was to be more essential in our early season success then i would say yes definately cause he has been stinking up most of what has gone by this season.....definately if we hit a wall, or we start to need spencer more and more (as is the eventual case), then yes....as the season goes on and his production maintains inconsistant then he would receive a lower grade but given the time and our record and that he had a great game against cleveland....i mean consider the matchups.....shaq is arguably the most dominant center of the decade (we expected vintage LA shaq in arco on wednesday) and ilgauzcas isn't exactly butter either....these are 2 big centers and i think spencer held his own scoring 17 points grabbing 12 and blocking 3 shots he only had 2 fouls so he kept himself out of foul trouble so that tells me he was smart on defense and that allowed him to stay on the floor for 41 and a half minutes...that's a great game to build on....not ready to give him a solid C cause like i said...a solid C would require he be a double figures guy in scoring and rebounding night in and night out, but considering...i find it fair to give him a C-...

[dozencousins]

We are grading te KINGS players through christmas not the whole team as a team !
Spencer i swell deserved of a D .

[villatrynity154]

ok.....there's not much difference b/w a C- and a D...right?

[10B10]

I am not really all that concerned with grading every particular player, but I will say that this team has really surpassed any of my expectations. Also, I love that they are competitive night in and night out. With a young team, that is really all that you can hope for. Every close games teaches these guys valuable lessons for the coming seasons and I think that is key.

Sure, we can be frustrated with the sometimes mindless play of JT or when Tyreke shoots a couple of ridiculous jump shots or Donte's inconsistency. However, I think the only player that has been truly disappointing is Spencer, of course.

I just like how they are playing close games. Win or lose, those games are going to help us in the years to come.

[ICMTM]

The grades are for entertainment purposes

[villatrynity154]

I will say that this team has really surpassed any of my expectations. Also, I love that they are competitive night in and night out. With a young team, that is really all that you can hope for. Every close games teaches these guys valuable lessons for the coming seasons and I think that is key.

Sure, we can be frustrated with the sometimes mindless play of JT or when Tyreke shoots a couple of ridiculous jump shots or Donte's inconsistency. However, I think the only player that has been truly disappointing is Spencer, of course.

I just like how they are playing close games. Win or lose, those games are going to help us in the years to come.

i agree completely with what you are saying!!!100%

The grades are for entertainment purposes

sports for fans are for entertainment purposes buddy...

[SacTownKings4Life]

I'm not gonna breakdown every player, but as a team, I'll give them an A-.
They did everything they needed to do to put themselves in position to win each game, except actually WIN them. Two of the league's most elite teams came through Arco and just BARELY escaped by the skin of their teeth. Neither one especially "won" as much as we "lost" the games with mistakes. One win would have been a solid A, and both wins would have been A+.

[cuad]

Jon Brockman: A - Seriously what a player he is for this team. If he decides that it's time to add some more punch to his game, well then look out NBA.

Omri Casspi: A - Lots of people liked him heading into the draft, but/and he's still wowing us.

Tyreke Evans: A - Rookie of the year. Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year all in one.

Francisco Garcia: Hasn't played at all this year. Can't grade him just yet!

Donte Greene: B - He has big games more and more but the duds and chucking are still there.

Spencer Hawes: F - Best seven foot player on the team!

Kevin Martin: A - 30.6 ppg in 5 games isn't bad. Hopefully that drops way down when he comes back, for his health's sake.

Sean May: F - I don't even know why Petrie signed him.

Andres Nocioni: C - He's had some good games for us, but let's face it he sux.

Sergio Rodriguez: B - His field goal percentage has surprised me, but I still cringe when he shoots those threes and plays defense.

Kenny Thomas: B - Do I smell contract year?

Jason Thompson: A - What a beast. I love this guy.

Ime Udoka: C - He's played well early but the more I watch him the more I see that he sux.

Beno Udrih: A - It's that championship blood, baby. I bet he calls Popovich every night, talks a little bit about Tony Parker's play and then asks him, "How does my ass taste?"

[villatrynity154]

spencer's the only seven footer on our team...which is precisely why he is the best jajaja

[Silver Man]

Paul W- B
Geoff Petrie- A
Tyreke Evanns- A-
Jason Thompson- A-
Omri Casspi- B+
Donte Greene- C
Spencer Hawes- D+
Beno Udrih- B
Andres Nocioni- C+
Sergio Rodriquez- C+
Jon Brockman- B-
Kenny Thomas-B- B+
Ime Udoka- B-
Sean May- D
Kevin/Garcia- NO GRADE

[a-rod]

SACRAMENTO: Kevin Martin is proving to be a tough re-fit, but Omri Casspi and Tyreke Evans have given the Kings a huge boost, and have made better players of the rest of their teammates.
Grade: A-plus
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/rose ... des-012210

Paul W- C
Geoff Petrie- A+
Tyreke Evanns- A+
Jason Thompson- C+
Omri Casspi- B+
Donte Greene- C+
Spencer Hawes- C
Beno Udrih- A
Andres Nocioni- C+
Sergio Rodriquez- C+
Jon Brockman- B
Kenny Thomas-D
Ime Udoka- C
Sean May- D
Kevin/Garcia- NO GRADE