RealGM

Basically the trade is:

Out:
Kevin Martin
Sergio Rodriguez
Hilton Armstrong

In:
Carl Landry
Joey Dorsey
Larry Hughes

I'm thinking something like this:

Evans/Udrih
Garcia/Udoka
Greene/Casspi
Landry/Brockman
Hawes/Thompson

I really like the Landry acquisition. Although he's not a great rebounder, he's a good defender overall, a terrific finisher around the rim, and is tough as nails. He's going to do wonders for our frontcourt.

I bet Landry comes off the bench, it's his specialty. The only thing is I think is a problem Thompson and Landry are a tad bit duplicative and neither address the main issues of this team. Brockman and Dorsey are excellent defensive players but they are stuck behind a bunch of offensive minded players that either don't rebound or are too soft! hahaha.

I can't see Garcia starting since he just came back from injury. I'd imagine Landry continues to come off the bench. Garcia/ Udoka at SG - ugh.

Evans/Udrih
Udrih/Garcia/Udoka
Greene/Casspi/Udoka
Thompson/Landry/Brockman
Hawes/Thompson/May

Anyone want to buy my season tickets?

I actually would like to see Thompson @ the 5.

In any event Thompson has been getting more minutes than both Hawes and Greene lately IIRC so it's about the minutes. I don't really care who starts.

Landry is better off the bench IMO...he's only ever started a handful of games for us (if that)

Can Casspi play some 2-guard?

Are we all forgetting about Noc? I know we wanted him gone, but denial never got anybody anywhere.

Personally, if Cisco can get back healthy (he showed some decent signs in the GS game), I'm all for this.

Evans\Udrih
Garcia\Casspi\McGuire
Greene\Nocioni\Udoka
Thompson\Landry\May\Thomas
Hawes\Brockness\Dorsey

I'm assuming that we've already gone through the process of waiving Hughes, Kenny or May. Otherwise, I don't see how the McGuire deal could have happened. I hope it was Hughes. That guy hasn't helped a team win a game in like 5 years.

I would also be fine, especially situationally, with this lineup.

Evans\Udrih
Garcia\Udoka\McGuire
Casspi\Nocioni
Greene\Landry\Brockman\Thomas
Thompson\Hawes\Dorsey\May

The main thing, I suppose, is that I want Cisco or Beno starting. I just think that we need that extra ballhandler, and right now, we don't get that from Donte and Omri.

SacKingZZZ wrote:I bet Landry comes off the bench, it's his specialty. The only thing is I think is a problem Thompson and Landry are a tad bit duplicative and neither address the main issues of this team. Brockman and Dorsey are excellent defensive players but they are stuck behind a bunch of offensive minded players that either don't rebound or are too soft! hahaha.

Not really. Landry's finishing ability gives this team something it has very sorely been lacking. Jason McFumbles Thompson, and Spencer "I get blocked 10 times as much as anybody else in the history of the universe when driving to the basket" Hawes, weren't providing that.

mitchweber wrote:
Not really. Landry's finishing ability gives this team something it has very sorely been lacking. Jason McFumbles Thompson, and Spencer "I get blocked 10 times as much as anybody else in the history of the universe when driving to the basket" Hawes, weren't providing that.

True, but has it really been sorely lacking? I mean, it has to an extent but over other areas of need I'd place it lower on the list. The pick and roll play between he and Evans will be nice however. Reke has to look at the middle of the paint off that pick though.

SacKingZZZ wrote:

mitchweber wrote:
Not really. Landry's finishing ability gives this team something it has very sorely been lacking. Jason McFumbles Thompson, and Spencer "I get blocked 10 times as much as anybody else in the history of the universe when driving to the basket" Hawes, weren't providing that.

True, but has it really been sorely lacking? I mean, it has to an extent but over other areas of need I'd place it lower on the list. The pick and roll play between he and Evans will be nice however. Reke has to look at the middle of the paint off that pick though.

I'd say it has definitely been sorely lacking. Tyreke has gotten so many great opportunities for both of them around the basket this year, and if those opportunities are going to be now going to a guy that can actually finish them, then that's absolutely huge, and it's a huge boost for our offense.

I don't think our offense has been the thing needing a boost, although our pick and roll is more dangerous for sure. One definite positive is the toughness we gain via this trade by both the subtraction and the addition. Even with the McGuire deal we got a lot tougher.

mitchweber wrote:
Evans\Udrih
Garcia\Udoka\McGuire
Casspi\Nocioni
Greene\Landry\Brockman\Thomas
Thompson\Hawes\Dorsey\May

The main thing, I suppose, is that I want Cisco or Beno starting. I just think that we need that extra ballhandler, and right now, we don't get that from Donte and Omri.

I'm a little confused on how this will all work out. Right now, we only have two point guards if you consider Beno and Tyreke. But most will agree that Tyreke and Beno should be starting together. So, who backs up who? Eventually I feel Garcia can be inserted into the starting lineup at SG, but considering his recent return from injury, IMO he's not 100% ready. I've said it this week, and you should have been a witness mitchywebb, I feel Udoka is solid enough to play decent minutes. I feel he can even start for the time being. Some of you will scold me for this since its not a dream scenario, but honestly the guy is capable short-term until Garcia feels fully comfortable to take over. Throwing Garcia into the starting lineup right away will be something I think we'd regret if he re-injured himself. I would like to see Garcia's minutes increased slowly over time. I'd just hate to see him get hurt again because nobody wants to swallow egos and play Udoka. I dunno maybe we cut May or buyout Thomas and add a backup point through FA...

I actually think there are a couple different starting lineups we could see. A couple things:

1) Stylistically I think it makes sense to play Beno/Hawes together a good portion of the time while playing Hawes without Evans as much as possible. Hawes & Evans (as they currently are) don't have games that mesh well. Beno's cuts & PnP does fit with Hawes.
2) I don't think you should play Hawes & Landry at the same time. Landry's problem is that he's a poor rebounder (and mediocre defender). That's pretty much Hawes to a T.
3) I think playing Landry with Evans is a big plus. It gives Evans someone who can finish and, thus, someone he can consistently run a PnR roll with.
4) I think it's in our best interests to give Casspi and Greene lots of PT so they can develop.
5) Playing Garcia off the bench makes a lot of sense because it gives the 2nd team another guy who can handle the ball and create for others. Right now we really only have 3 guys on our team who can create for others: Evans, Beno, & Garcia. Evans does it FAR better than the other 2 so, logically, it makes sense to put the 2 weaker creators together as opposed to putting just 1 of them on the floor by himself.

Thus, here's who I'd start:
PG - Evans
SG - Greene
SF - Casspi
PF - Landry
C - JT

2nd team:
PG - Beno
SG - Garcia
SF - Udoka
PF - Brockman
C - Hawes

I'd also try and play Brockman and Landry together every time I saw the opposition goto a lineup where they didn't have any top notch bigs in the game.

Garcia running the point last night was a sight for sore eyes. He can do it. Long term he's the PERFECT running mate in the backcourt next to Tyreke. Garcia will get the bulk of the backup minutes right now I would think, which won't be that many in reality. He looks to be waaay out of shape, but he can still contribute.

I just can't wait to see this lineup:

PG: Evans
SG: Garcia
SF: Casspi
PF: Landry
C: Brockman

TOUGHNESS, with a capital T!

SacKingZZZ wrote:I don't think our offense has been the thing needing a boost, although our pick and roll is more dangerous for sure. One definite positive is the toughness we gain via this trade by both the subtraction and the addition. Even with the McGuire deal we got a lot tougher.

I'll agree that defense is the bigger problem in general, but it's not like we take a step back defensively here, and we still could have used some improvements offensively. I really believe that we could've won a couple more games this year if we had a big that could finish plays.

Why would you start Thompson over Hawes at center? Thompson has been beasting off the bench and Hawes right now is putting in as much effort as I've seen all year. Plus Landry is infinitely better than Thompson.

My starting line-up is:

Evans/Beno/Garcia
Greene/Garcia
Casspi/Nocioni/Udoka
JT/Landry
Hawes/Brock/Dorsey

In suits at the end of the bench: May, Hughes, McGuire

I would start Garcia, but he is just not ready yet.. Landry/JT are interchangeable to me right now..

BTW according to the Kings press release they will be top 4 in terms of salary cap flexability.

Westphal is on the radio and the 1st lineup he's going to try is:

Evans
Garcia
Casspi
Landry
Thompson

mitchweber wrote:Not really. Landry's finishing ability gives this team something it has very sorely been lacking. Jason McFumbles Thompson, and Spencer "I get blocked 10 times as much as anybody else in the history of the universe when driving to the basket" Hawes, weren't providing that.

I agree. But if JT can't finish, what good is he? Are DRs enough? At least Hawes can play the high post like a road show Brad Miller.

Everytime we make a move we get further away from the prototypical Princeton 5 type. Something has to change with the way we view the team as well. Nobody exists from that era except Cisco, and he really isn't a guy that was with us during the really good years anyway.

ICMTM wrote:Everytime we make a move we get further away from the prototypical Princeton 5 type. Something has to change with the way we view the team as well. Nobody exists from that era except Cisco, and he really isn't a guy that was with us during the really good years anyway.

Our Personnel Is a Good Fit For Princeton Offense. Carl landry is great fit for the Princeton offense.

ICMTM wrote:Everytime we make a move we get further away from the prototypical Princeton 5 type. Something has to change with the way we view the team as well. Nobody exists from that era except Cisco, and he really isn't a guy that was with us during the really good years anyway.

Can still run plays from that though, and to be honest, the most consistent crunch time play has been Spencer looking for cutters. No reason to go away from that. I still think the drive and dish and pick and roll/pop is the way for this team to go with Evans as the guy. Hawes is a better shooter than Thompson and he makes far less mistakes. His downside is he can't come in off the bench with the punch that JT brings. They are like complete opposites in the way the effect the game.