Kings Summer League

[Duncanfan]

Jason did very well tonight. Like I said the last time, this kid will do great in the league. I watched the game just to see how he does and he didn't disappoint me. Its a good pick Sacto fans, just have patience and you'll love this kid in a few months.

[SacKingZZZ]

Not too bad of a game over all.

Like others, I was disappointed with Spencer's game, but I'm not worried. He just still needs to put on more weight. He doesn't have to become really bulky or anything, he just has to be able to hold position down low. I think that, along with some kind of selfish guard play is what kept him from getting any really nice post-up opportunities in this game. That and his shot was just generally off. His D wasn't bad though.

I really liked what I saw from Jason. I think people underrate him in the same way that they kind of did Brandon Roy when he was coming out of college (not saying he'll be that good, just using it as an example). I think the assumption that he can't be a really good player just because he's more of an "all-around" player than a guy who stands out in a particular area is false. This guy can be quite a good player in this league.
And I would like him for stretches at SF, but when push comes to shove, there is just no way that I'm trusting a 6'11, 250 pounder to be a starting SF in this league. It's nice that he can do a nice job on some SFs in summer league, but he just won't be quick enough laterally to stay with the great SFs of the league. No way.
However his quickness both laterally and off the dribble are pretty damn awesome for a guy his size. This tells me that he could afford to add some weight while still maintaining a great advantage in this respect. If he adds some weight he could improve on his post D. I think his potential as a PnR/perimeter defender is already pretty damn good though. And offensively, there won't be many PFs that will have a shot at staying with him.

With Quincy, well, I think we can at least say that we know what we have, and I think the guy definitely will have a place in this league. And it's too bad, because if were about 2 inches taller and quite a bit stronger, he could be a damn fine SG in this league. But the fact of the matter is that the guy just doesn't have an ounce of PG blood in him. He'll have a place in this league, but probably not with this team unless some things change in the future. We either have to have a situation where he can basically play SG or he has to develop some inkling of a PG mentality--not even a lot, we're just talking like a Terry or a prime B-Jax--just so that the guy's mentality isn't to try to score every single time he has the ball.

Singletary continued to impress. I agree that his PnR defense could have been better, but you also have to consider that a) I think a lot of his mistakes came from being overly aggressive, which is a good thing in many ways and b) they were giving out fouls to both teams like they were candy on Halloween, which is pretty annoying, really. But over all, he looks to have great potential as a defender if he can just stay a little more under control and he also looks to have a nice combination of offensive skills.

Shelden once again looked nice, doing mostly what I would expect of him. He still has some things to work on offensively, but he really can become a nice mid-range shooter, and while his post game isn't pretty, he just has to be competent down there, and he's relatively close to being just that. But he defended and rebounded well and he does seem to be in shape and able to add a nice dose of toughness to our front line.

He may be close to 6'11" but there is no way this kid is 250 pounds. I remember reading somewhere he is really about 230 or 235. He looks nothing close to 250. Word has it he did pretty decent against Lebron at the Stoudemire camp last year. He really is starting to look more and more like a cross between Lamar Odom and Sheed Wallace style and size wise.

I agree I really would like to see Shelden somewhat abandon the post game, it really is what it is, and focus on that 15 foot jumper. Sean didn't look good on the pick and roll on both ends of the floor.

[pillwenney]

Not too bad of a game over all.

Like others, I was disappointed with Spencer's game, but I'm not worried. He just still needs to put on more weight. He doesn't have to become really bulky or anything, he just has to be able to hold position down low. I think that, along with some kind of selfish guard play is what kept him from getting any really nice post-up opportunities in this game. That and his shot was just generally off. His D wasn't bad though.

I really liked what I saw from Jason. I think people underrate him in the same way that they kind of did Brandon Roy when he was coming out of college (not saying he'll be that good, just using it as an example). I think the assumption that he can't be a really good player just because he's more of an "all-around" player than a guy who stands out in a particular area is false. This guy can be quite a good player in this league.
And I would like him for stretches at SF, but when push comes to shove, there is just no way that I'm trusting a 6'11, 250 pounder to be a starting SF in this league. It's nice that he can do a nice job on some SFs in summer league, but he just won't be quick enough laterally to stay with the great SFs of the league. No way.
However his quickness both laterally and off the dribble are pretty damn awesome for a guy his size. This tells me that he could afford to add some weight while still maintaining a great advantage in this respect. If he adds some weight he could improve on his post D. I think his potential as a PnR/perimeter defender is already pretty damn good though. And offensively, there won't be many PFs that will have a shot at staying with him.

With Quincy, well, I think we can at least say that we know what we have, and I think the guy definitely will have a place in this league. And it's too bad, because if were about 2 inches taller and quite a bit stronger, he could be a damn fine SG in this league. But the fact of the matter is that the guy just doesn't have an ounce of PG blood in him. He'll have a place in this league, but probably not with this team unless some things change in the future. We either have to have a situation where he can basically play SG or he has to develop some inkling of a PG mentality--not even a lot, we're just talking like a Terry or a prime B-Jax--just so that the guy's mentality isn't to try to score every single time he has the ball.

Singletary continued to impress. I agree that his PnR defense could have been better, but you also have to consider that a) I think a lot of his mistakes came from being overly aggressive, which is a good thing in many ways and b) they were giving out fouls to both teams like they were candy on Halloween, which is pretty annoying, really. But over all, he looks to have great potential as a defender if he can just stay a little more under control and he also looks to have a nice combination of offensive skills.

Shelden once again looked nice, doing mostly what I would expect of him. He still has some things to work on offensively, but he really can become a nice mid-range shooter, and while his post game isn't pretty, he just has to be competent down there, and he's relatively close to being just that. But he defended and rebounded well and he does seem to be in shape and able to add a nice dose of toughness to our front line.

He may be close to 6'11" but there is no way this kid is 250 pounds. I remember reading somewhere he is really about 230 or 235. He looks nothing close to 250. Word has it he did pretty decent against Lebron at the Stoudemire camp last year. He really is starting to look more and more like a cross between Lamar Odom and Sheed Wallace style and size wise.

I agree I really would like to see Shelden somewhat abandon the post game, it really is what it is, and focus on that 15 foot jumper. Sean didn't look good on the pick and roll on both ends of the floor.

You have to look at how strong his legs are. And his upper body isn't all that thin either. To me he doesn't look all that much smaller than Brad. In fact with Brad as trimmed down as he was last year, he's probably bigger right now.

Regardless, to use some hearsay from a game that probably didn't matter at all as a way to project a pretty extreme idea for what his career could be is pretty ridiculous. There has to be much better evidence than that, because the list of guy's Jason's size that could have ever been a really effective perimeter defender goes like this.

1. Kevin Garnett

[mobiuseinz]

I have a feeling that the reason they are playing Jason at the SF position is that him, Shelden, and Spencer get more playing time together. He might play SF in the league during small stretches but he is definitely our future PF.

[OGSactownballer]

Not too bad of a game over all.

Like others, I was disappointed with Spencer's game, but I'm not worried. He just still needs to put on more weight. He doesn't have to become really bulky or anything, he just has to be able to hold position down low. I think that, along with some kind of selfish guard play is what kept him from getting any really nice post-up opportunities in this game. That and his shot was just generally off. His D wasn't bad though.

I really liked what I saw from Jason. I think people underrate him in the same way that they kind of did Brandon Roy when he was coming out of college (not saying he'll be that good, just using it as an example). I think the assumption that he can't be a really good player just because he's more of an "all-around" player than a guy who stands out in a particular area is false. This guy can be quite a good player in this league.
And I would like him for stretches at SF, but when push comes to shove, there is just no way that I'm trusting a 6'11, 250 pounder to be a starting SF in this league. It's nice that he can do a nice job on some SFs in summer league, but he just won't be quick enough laterally to stay with the great SFs of the league. No way.
However his quickness both laterally and off the dribble are pretty damn awesome for a guy his size. This tells me that he could afford to add some weight while still maintaining a great advantage in this respect. If he adds some weight he could improve on his post D. I think his potential as a PnR/perimeter defender is already pretty damn good though. And offensively, there won't be many PFs that will have a shot at staying with him.

With Quincy, well, I think we can at least say that we know what we have, and I think the guy definitely will have a place in this league. And it's too bad, because if were about 2 inches taller and quite a bit stronger, he could be a damn fine SG in this league. But the fact of the matter is that the guy just doesn't have an ounce of PG blood in him. He'll have a place in this league, but probably not with this team unless some things change in the future. We either have to have a situation where he can basically play SG or he has to develop some inkling of a PG mentality--not even a lot, we're just talking like a Terry or a prime B-Jax--just so that the guy's mentality isn't to try to score every single time he has the ball.

Singletary continued to impress. I agree that his PnR defense could have been better, but you also have to consider that a) I think a lot of his mistakes came from being overly aggressive, which is a good thing in many ways and b) they were giving out fouls to both teams like they were candy on Halloween, which is pretty annoying, really. But over all, he looks to have great potential as a defender if he can just stay a little more under control and he also looks to have a nice combination of offensive skills.

Shelden once again looked nice, doing mostly what I would expect of him. He still has some things to work on offensively, but he really can become a nice mid-range shooter, and while his post game isn't pretty, he just has to be competent down there, and he's relatively close to being just that. But he defended and rebounded well and he does seem to be in shape and able to add a nice dose of toughness to our front line.

He may be close to 6'11" but there is no way this kid is 250 pounds. I remember reading somewhere he is really about 230 or 235. He looks nothing close to 250. Word has it he did pretty decent against Lebron at the Stoudemire camp last year. He really is starting to look more and more like a cross between Lamar Odom and Sheed Wallace style and size wise.

I agree I really would like to see Shelden somewhat abandon the post game, it really is what it is, and focus on that 15 foot jumper. Sean didn't look good on the pick and roll on both ends of the floor.

You have to look at how strong his legs are. And his upper body isn't all that thin either. To me he doesn't look all that much smaller than Brad. In fact with Brad as trimmed down as he was last year, he's probably bigger right now.

Regardless, to use some hearsay from a game that probably didn't matter at all as a way to project a pretty extreme idea for what his career could be is pretty ridiculous. There has to be much better evidence than that, because the list of guy's Jason's size that could have ever been a really effective perimeter defender goes like this.

1. Kevin Garnett

I completely disagree with you here. Any big man with good fundamental positioning skills and even decent speed can be taught to use his LENGTH and footwork to maintain reasonable position against a perimeter player on the pick and roll and force at the worst a bad shot selection and at best funnel him into the weakside defender/shotblocker if he makes that perimeter guy (guard/SF) attempt to go inside.

A prime and classic example is Karl Malone. Slow as molasses, but one of the best perimeter big man defenders ever. Why? Watch film of him and you will see that when he would get switched onto the guard/SF on the P and R he would IMMEDIATELY get himself into ideal position to use his footwork to stay with his man enough laterally to be able to get his hands/arms in front. This IS a teachable ability, but if the big has natural quickness like Jason appears to, then it becomes so much easier.

I am not saying that he is or is not going to be that level of player, but I am saying that big long guys can get by in limited need on the perimeter if they have the tools and are properly coached.

Robert Horry is another good example of a guy who is primarily an inside defender who can swing out when needed.

[SactownHrtBrks8]

I still see Thompson turning out as A little like David West

hopefully he can have an impact similar to Rasheed

[pillwenney]

I completely disagree with you here. Any big man with good fundamental positioning skills and even decent speed can be taught to use his LENGTH and footwork to maintain reasonable position against a perimeter player on the pick and roll and force at the worst a bad shot selection and at best funnel him into the weakside defender/shotblocker if he makes that perimeter guy (guard/SF) attempt to go inside.

A prime and classic example is Karl Malone. Slow as molasses, but one of the best perimeter big man defenders ever. Why? Watch film of him and you will see that when he would get switched onto the guard/SF on the P and R he would IMMEDIATELY get himself into ideal position to use his footwork to stay with his man enough laterally to be able to get his hands/arms in front. This IS a teachable ability, but if the big has natural quickness like Jason appears to, then it becomes so much easier.

I am not saying that he is or is not going to be that level of player, but I am saying that big long guys can get by in limited need on the perimeter if they have the tools and are properly coached.

Robert Horry is another good example of a guy who is primarily an inside defender who can swing out when needed.

Oh I'm not arguing this--I agree that Jason would be effective in certain situations in this regard. I'm talking about starting at SF, like as his main position. I agree that he can do fine there in stretches and he can be a fine PnR defender in that respect. I just don't want to put him in a position where he constantly has to guard guys like Lebron, Pierce, Butler, etc. I think he can actually be a very good perimeter defender for a PF--but there's a big difference between the two positions.

[SacKingZZZ]

Just like I said with Hawes (he's still a PF!), Jason is a SF! I wasn't sure Petrie knew what he was talking about when he said he had 3 skills, but after seeing it, I now understand. Would he be a full time SF? No. But he could definitely play as many as half of his overall minutes there IMO.

[Ballings7]

On the game vs. Blazers

Really liked what I saw from Thompson, Shelden, Quincy, Singletary (needs to adjust a bit defensively), Ewing Jr. (some things), Hawes(some things; bad overall game, but finished pretty well late, and liked his defense at times (and not at others). Game wasn't anything of significance for the future, though)

I think Shelden's going to stick... I love how he boxes out, and did so numerous times yesterday. Boxing out is something that isn't pointed out nearly enough, yet when it doesn't happen, it gets pointed out a lot. I think that's stupid. Shelden played a very nice game yesterday, and apparently the game before. Still need to see that game. I love his presence on both ends.

Definitely intrigued about the size and agility, and the ability on both ends of the court we should have.

The interview with Reggie was cool, I agree with him about Ewing Jr. i think he's going to stay around, and a lot of what he does won't show up in numbers (which was present a few times yesterday).

I'd say Thompson can probably see regular minutes at SF (which only relates more to why Odom doesn't make sense for us, another little wrinkle there), but his primary position is and should be PF. Especially as he gets bigger. This guy isn't going to be a bust, he's too skilled (which doesn't just mean offense) physically gifted, and too into the game. Especially with having a chip on his shoulder to an extent, because of coming from Rider.

I have a feeling that the reason they are playing Jason at the SF position is that him, Shelden, and Spencer get more playing time together. He might play SF in the league during small stretches but he is definitely our future PF.

Agreed.

[ethiosew]

Kings vs Dallas on NBATV right now

[UKF]

Is it working for you guys?

[go_kings01]

The online feed is now up here:

http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/nba/9912/500_nba-league_pass_dallas_051201.asx

[UKF]

Ok its working now...

[UKF]

Hawkins is straight up ballin'!

[go_kings01]

Hawkins has been a scoring machine. I like what Thompson's doing too. But Hawes needs to finish better inside. He's looking like Brad Miller with those missed shots from so close.

Edit: But at least Spencer's been active on the boards.

[SacKingZZZ]

They look really tired and are struggling. How come Shelden isn't there?

[SacKingZZZ]

Well, that was a the definition of a "fatigue" game. OT last night and then to have to come back out less than 24 hours is a very hard thing to do I am sure.

Nothing really of note. Once again the best lineup we put on the floor was a big one with Jason at the 3.

The passing is just (Please Use More Appropriate Word). I haven't been very impressed with Singletary thus far in the summer league outside of his man to man defense.

[BMiller52]

The only player I was impressed with out of our young guys was Thompson. From the bench guys though, Hawkins and Townes were decent.

[Ballings7]

I'll be catching the replay

[Ballings7]

Actually I don't think I'll bother with the Dallas game