Kings vs Portland

[SacKingZZZ]

We saw in the first two games against Portland that he is no physically capable of matching up with these guys.

I don't think that stopped Smart putting players in despite the (dis)advantages of his own players. When Portland was in a 2-3 zone, Jimmer would have busted it wide open .

I might be looking too far into this but, a guy who was producing lately for several games and not bringing him in today's game is questionable imo.

The bigger overall issue I have is that Jimmer is one of your better shooters period. Some of the lineups he put on the floor just aren't capable of making a ton of shots and spacing is going to be an issue. Now, if he wants to continue to use Jimmer as a slasher or whatever you're better off not using him. He needs to be a floor spreader/spot shooter or coming off of screens. He's been used that way more and while Thomas is a great hustle guy, the difference in this teams inability to spread the floor and shoot will be exposed in time. He opted for defense tonight over offense, in time Smart needs to find a proper balance between the two. It's why I think it's critical to play Hayes and Cousins together. Far more balanced because JT and Cousins just doesn't get it done defensively the same way it can with Hayes and Cousins out there.

[RekeHavoc]

Im no trolling guys... Detroit, Sacramento both losses. Aren't I entitled to be furious when our loser of a coach keeps messing my team up time and time again? I want to be like you guys, at least you have a direction. LA/ Batum for matching salaries, i'd be down.

We have cap space so you guys don't even have to match salaries. We'll totally take Aldridge and Batum off your hands for Jason Thompson and JJ Hickson, and we'll even toss in Donte Greene because we're really nice like that

[SacKingsPejaFan]

The Hayes worshipping is absurd. There is nothing to "get." Virtually everyone he's guarded this season has had an above average game in points and/or FG%, and rebounds. Check the box scores again because you must have been wearing blinders during those games when he was getting abused and out-rebounded. He is not value added, period. Thank goodness Hayes fans don't run basketball teams. Houston is better without him and we're largely the same with him, only because it's hard to get worse.

[sackings916]

We saw in the first two games against Portland that he is no physically capable of matching up with these guys.

I don't think that stopped Smart putting players in despite the (dis)advantages of his own players. When Portland was in a 2-3 zone, Jimmer would have busted it wide open .

I might be looking too far into this but, a guy who was producing lately for several games and not bringing him in today's game is questionable imo.

The bigger overall issue I have is that Jimmer is one of your better shooters period. Some of the lineups he put on the floor just aren't capable of making a ton of shots and spacing is going to be an issue. Now, if he wants to continue to use Jimmer as a slasher or whatever you're better off not using him. He needs to be a floor spreader/spot shooter or coming off of screens. He's been used that way more and while Thomas is a great hustle guy, the difference in this teams inability to spread the floor and shoot will be exposed in time. He opted for defense tonight over offense, in time Smart needs to find a proper balance between the two. It's why I think it's critical to play Hayes and Cousins together. Far more balanced because JT and Cousins just doesn't get it done defensively the same way it can with Hayes and Cousins out there.

I dont think anyone wants to use Jimmer as a slasher. We know what Jimmer's strength is, but so does the rest of the league. They're not going to give him easy open looks from the perimeter.

[SacKingZZZ]

The Hayes worshipping is absurd. There is nothing to "get." Virtually everyone he's guarded this season has had an above average game in points and/or FG%, and rebounds. Check the box scores again because you must have been wearing blinders during those games when he was getting abused and out-rebounded. He is not value added, period. Thank goodness Hayes fans don't run basketball teams. Houston is better without him and we're largely the same with him, only because it's hard to get worse.

So, where do I send the guide cane?

See, one problem is you think it's "worship" to acknowledge fact and to highlight positives just because your side of the argument is there are none. This very game you used an example to prove a point, the example was wrong and your assertions in this very instance were proven WRONG in very short order. You can check the box scores all you want, it's already been discussed how wrong it was then and it's remains just that as of today. I guess you see Aldridge destroying the Kings tonight and therefore substitute Hayes in there as "scapegoat"? Well, I encourage you to re-watch this particular game and make a point to watch every single play after Hayes switched to guarding Aldridge and use the totality of what you see to formulate your opinion instead of this flawed logic of "I think, therefore it is".

[SacKingZZZ]

I dont think anyone wants to use Jimmer as a slasher. We know what Jimmer's strength is, but so does the rest of the league. They're not going to give him easy open looks from the perimeter.

Yeah, they are if the offensive play set calls for that as a part of the offense. Tyreke has been getting Jimmer quite a few open looks off of penetration. That's how to use him. Another way would be as an out of the post passing option for Cousins. They've also started to run some staggered screens for him. These are all ways to get him open without him having to create off the dribble. In games where he's hit a few spot shots in a row, he's seemed to become that much more dangerous with the ball.

[pillwenney]

Wait, did others seriously not see what happened with Hayes tonight? When JT was on Aldridge, Aldridge dominated, when Hayes was on him, I think he scored like 4 points. Now that's not 100% on JT because Aldridge made some tough, tough shots, but seriously, I don't know what game some of you guys were watching there.

Anyway, in terms of the offense, it seems like we're only able to win lately when we play some kind of unsustainable game offensively like this one--or otherwise win with our D. Kind of annoying.

[LeBron's Time]

Started watching the game on the 4th quarter, what happened with cuz?

No clue.

He was in a bit of foul trouble earlier in the game but should have played in the fourth quarter though.

if you're one of 2 star player on your team, thats an insult. in 14 minutes he did ok with 8 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast. star player should have played in the 4th if not fouled out yet.

[twoolfork1]

I was at the game last night and it was good to see them get a win. First time I've been at a home game victory in about 3 years.

Isiah Thomas is the steal of the draft. He brings energy and deserves minutes over Jimmer right now.

Chuck Hayes had a solid defensive second half but the dude is seriously a liability on offense. Everytime he gets a rebound I hold my breath that he doesn't take it up and get swatted or try to pass and throw the ball away.

He had another defensive rebound tonight where he pulled it down and tried to make the outlet pass but through it right to the other team giving them a free layup. This has to be one of the dumbest plays a basketball player can make and I swear he's done that WAY too much this season.

He needs to find a way to be able to contribute offensively in some way because right now he's no threat passing or scoring.

[twoolfork1]

And as far as I'm concerned the ONLY reason we won this one was because JOHN SALMONS scored 19 points AND shot a high percentage including 3/4 from three point range.

IF Salmons can knock down shots from that 3 position this team can compete. I think this is the first game all season where I can say that he actually had a good OFFENSIVE performance and it shows. Evans and Cousins often struggle to find their shot in the half court offense and we need someone else from that wing position that can score.

[twoolfork1]

Started watching the game on the 4th quarter, what happened with cuz?

No clue.

He was in a bit of foul trouble earlier in the game but should have played in the fourth quarter though.

if you're one of 2 star player on your team, thats an insult. in 14 minutes he did ok with 8 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast. star player should have played in the 4th if not fouled out yet.

I don't have a problem with Smart leaving Cousins on the bench in the 4th. The team was playing well when Big Cuz was in foul trouble and there's no need to force Cousins back in the game just to give him minutes when the guys out there are performing well.

[VeeJay24]

Started watching the game on the 4th quarter, what happened with cuz?

No clue.

He was in a bit of foul trouble earlier in the game but should have played in the fourth quarter though.

if you're one of 2 star player on your team, thats an insult. in 14 minutes he did ok with 8 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast. star player should have played in the 4th if not fouled out yet.

I believe Smart has already said he doesn't have any stars that he has to get minutes to, so you are already not in tune with this team. Cousins was in foul trouble; the team on the floor was playing well, there was no need to bring him back in. If we win every night that Jimmer doesn't play; I am fine with that. It is strange that he didn't play but it is not the end of the world.

[SacKingZZZ]

I was at the game last night and it was good to see them get a win. First time I've been at a home game victory in about 3 years.

Isiah Thomas is the steal of the draft. He brings energy and deserves minutes over Jimmer right now.

Chuck Hayes had a solid defensive second half but the dude is seriously a liability on offense. Everytime he gets a rebound I hold my breath that he doesn't take it up and get swatted or try to pass and throw the ball away.

He had another defensive rebound tonight where he pulled it down and tried to make the outlet pass but through it right to the other team giving them a free layup. This has to be one of the dumbest plays a basketball player can make and I swear he's done that WAY too much this season.

He needs to find a way to be able to contribute offensively in some way because right now he's no threat passing or scoring.

And that's the really annoying thing IMO, he was brought in to be a BIG part of the offense. Not as a freaking post player coach! but as a FACILITATOR. He shouldn't be used as anything other than a passer and as every day goes by, the more his passing ability and Demarcus' passing is wasted. There are almost 10 apg between those 2 and an immeasurable amount of easy baskets for Tyreke and others sitting right there. I just hope Smart sees that, Westphal didn't even though he cited passing through he and Demarcus as the centerpiece of his "system". And if you haven't noticed the entire team makes bonehead plays once and awhile, case and point that final play. When things are off, they are off with everyone and everything. Time, patience, practice, utilization, that should be the mantra with this team.

[SacKingZZZ]

I don't have a problem with Smart leaving Cousins on the bench in the 4th. The team was playing well when Big Cuz was in foul trouble and there's no need to force Cousins back in the game just to give him minutes when the guys out there are performing well.

I just really hope it doesn't become a habit, because I think Westphal proved the point that the 1/10 times it works ain't the way to play the game. Most nights you leave Cousins on the bench you're going to lose. Cousins and Hayes, that's the frontline for this team, perfect combination of defense and scoring. I think JT could be a great post option off the bench. I'd like to see Smart bring JT and Salmons off the bench and literally run the offense through them, JT has become that solid in the post. I'm shocked JT has become this legit as a post scorer. The way he's running things now is Hayes is being used as the backup C, and while I love Hayes as the PF counterpart to Cousins, I don't like him as the backup C. That's where his rebounding as size just isn't the same. Defensively he isn't in a position to guard the pick and roll, his specialty, as much and it is going to hurt this team.

[SacKingZZZ]

I believe Smart has already said he doesn't have any stars that he has to get minutes to, so you are already not in tune with this team. Cousins was in foul trouble; the team on the floor was playing well, there was no need to bring him back in. If we win every night that Jimmer doesn't play; I am fine with that. It is strange that he didn't play but it is not the end of the world.

My only problem is that it's more indicative of lack of understanding of what this team needs long term in order to survive in this league. This team is going to need shooting, and to ignore one of your better shooters, while it may work every once and awhile, does not bode well for this team long term and is almost Westphalian in it's thought process.

[PDXKnight]

Hey guys another post from me haha. Anyways, I LOVED you guys back in 02 and I would love to see you guys get back to that level. I was gonna make another thread to ask this but I decided against it since I assumed it would be unneeded. First of all, I respect Sacramento fans more than any other, 2002 was an incredible run, and as a Blazer fan, I LOVED the makeup of that team, I've never liked a starting five that much. Nonetheless, I just wanted to see how close you guys think you are after seeing that success a little while ago? As a Blazer fan I know what its like to rebuild but honestly how long will it be till the Kings are a threat again realistically? I'm not asking this to diss, just an honest question. I would like nothing more than to see the kings on top again, and once you hit the playoffs again, I'll root for you guys against everyone but the blazers, ha ha. Is there any chance that I can see my dream come true of seeing the Kings win pretty soon? You guys definitely have the gm, and you seem to be getting some nice talent, but I'd love to see the Kings continue to build on that. My Chris Webber bobblehead from Carl's is nice, but I want to add another to my collection pretty quick ha ha.

[SacKingZZZ]

Have no idea. When this team gets the right system and can use their best players to full effectiveness I think they'll turn it around. You can never compensate for experience though. I think it's a good thing that some of the young players on this team show flashes of polish that a lot of super young players don't. Still a work in progress but if after next season this team isn't towards the back end of the lotto or sniffing the 8th spot maybe you think about which guy to build around. I'm just interested to see what this team looks like with some home games and more practice. Now, it all depends on how Smart uses them and I'm just glad he semi-ditched this idea that they are going to be a running team. I saw his chat from yesterday and he still seems to think they can be, but the guy asking the question called the '02 Kings a running team, THEY WEREN'T. They were a deadly half court team with the ability to run. Too major differences there. It's like the Suns a few years ago, yes they ran and got fastbreak points, but how do you think they got the other 75 points a game they scored!? Half court offense.