A look at the bottom 8 point differential

[blind prophet]

1 Cavs -5.8
2 Lakers -5.0
3 Celtics -3.7
4 Jazz -6.6
5 Kings -2.3
6 Magic -5.3
7 Sixers -9.6
8 Bucks -9.5

Any thoughts about this?

We also have made more roster adjustments than others, and have had some player absences recently.

We also play in the tougher West.

[Kings2013]

When we are fully healthy I literally think we can compete with anyone, anywhere except for maybe on the road in Indy or OKC. Aside from these last couple of games this team has shown the knack for competing nightly and that is a credit to the coaching staff.
For me personally, it is a decent situation to have a talented core who is getting better yet still is in position to get a good pick

[blind prophet]

When we are fully healthy I literally think we can compete with anyone, anywhere except for maybe on the road in Indy or OKC. Aside from these last couple of games this team has shown the knack for competing nightly and that is a credit to the coaching staff.
For me personally, it is a decent situation to have a talented core who is getting better yet still is in position to get a good pick

I really think Malone and staff deserve the competitive play compliment. I always expect if we play well a good game. I'm not afraid of anyone with our group and agree we have a shot nightly.

So we have a good looking core, Malone balancing our pros and cons decently with what he has.

Are we in better shape than our record shows?

I think we are if we invest wisely.

[Big_Cat]

When we are fully healthy I literally think we can compete with anyone, anywhere except for maybe on the road in Indy or OKC. Aside from these last couple of games this team has shown the knack for competing nightly and that is a credit to the coaching staff.
For me personally, it is a decent situation to have a talented core who is getting better yet still is in position to get a good pick

I really think Malone and staff deserve the competitive play compliment. I always expect if we play well a good game. I'm not afraid of anyone with our group and agree we have a shot nightly.

So we have a good looking core, Malone balancing our pros and cons decently with what he has.

Are we in better shape than our record shows?

I think we are if we invest wisely.

We are if we can land a top 4 pick this season. I'm fairly confident that this draft and how we draft will ultimately decide the future and the ceiling of success regarding this current core (ie a team built around Boogie).


We've thrown away 2009, 2011, 2012, and looking like 2013. You simply cannot have a competitive team by wasting so many picks like we have. However, this year's draft truly has the potential to change franchises...we just can't f**k it up (ie...foolishly making moves to win now or blowing a pick on a Jimmer/Robinson/McLemore).

[blind prophet]

When we are fully healthy I literally think we can compete with anyone, anywhere except for maybe on the road in Indy or OKC. Aside from these last couple of games this team has shown the knack for competing nightly and that is a credit to the coaching staff.
For me personally, it is a decent situation to have a talented core who is getting better yet still is in position to get a good pick

I really think Malone and staff deserve the competitive play compliment. I always expect if we play well a good game. I'm not afraid of anyone with our group and agree we have a shot nightly.

So we have a good looking core, Malone balancing our pros and cons decently with what he has.

Are we in better shape than our record shows?

I think we are if we invest wisely.

We are if we can land a top 4 pick this season. I'm fairly confident that this draft and how we draft will ultimately decide the future and the ceiling of success regarding this current core (ie a team built around Boogie).


We've thrown away 2009, 2011, 2012, and looking like 2013. You simply cannot have a competitive team by wasting so many picks like we have. However, this year's draft truly has the potential to change franchises...we just can't f**k it up (ie...foolishly making moves to win now or blowing a pick on a Jimmer/Robinson/McLemore).

We will probably have a hard time trying to maneuver with the combined sum of Landry, Thornton, Thompson, Williams contracts.

It is essential we do not make it worse, and if possible shave some of that payroll.

Yeah we need to draft, and draft big.

One more financial mistake and we will be screwed for awhile.

[SacKingZZZ]

It's easy, the Kings are much better because they have real talent now. Cohesion was coming along nicely until the injuries. Just have to see how they deal with the pending trade deadline. It can either make your team play better, or worse. And then after it's done they'll do what they do, screw up the draft pick that people think they should tank for.

This team will now only be limited by the style they play and the types of players they put around their stars. If they can keep it together, maybe pick up someone like Thabo Sefelosha in the offseason, trade for some more defensively oriented veteran players, etc. all you need from there is time and experience.

[Big_Cat]

This team will now only be limited by the style they play and the types of players they put around their stars. If they can keep it together, maybe pick up someone like Thabo Sefelosha in the offseason, trade for some more defensively oriented veteran players, etc. all you need from there is time and experience.

No, this team will be limited by the lack of players we will be able to add to the roster. Free agency is essentially a pipe dream right now simply because we no longer have the cap space to sign anyone. Contracts like Carl Landry, Jason Thompson, and Marcus Thornton are atrocious and unless we get EXTREMELY lucky, there is essentially no market out there for them. What team would honestly give up something valuable for those players?

Add the fact that all the young players and prospects we have on the roster have all shown very little to no promise (ie Jimmer and McLemore). If we trade them now, the value we get in return will be extremely low and entirely not worth it.


So if we don't have the cap space and we don't have the trading chips...where and how are we going to add any veteran or supporting players around Boogie?

[Silver Man]

Just talented enough to keep us in games, not deep enough to win many games.

[SacKingZZZ]

This team will now only be limited by the style they play and the types of players they put around their stars. If they can keep it together, maybe pick up someone like Thabo Sefelosha in the offseason, trade for some more defensively oriented veteran players, etc. all you need from there is time and experience.

No, this team will be limited by the lack of players we will be able to add to the roster. Free agency is essentially a pipe dream right now simply because we no longer have the cap space to sign anyone. Contracts like Carl Landry, Jason Thompson, and Marcus Thornton are atrocious and unless we get EXTREMELY lucky, there is essentially no market out there for them. What team would honestly give up something valuable for those players?

Add the fact that all the young players and prospects we have on the roster have all shown very little to no promise (ie Jimmer and McLemore). If we trade them now, the value we get in return will be extremely low and entirely not worth it.


So if we don't have the cap space and we don't have the trading chips...where and how are we going to add any veteran or supporting players around Boogie?

It's not that bad, not great, but not bad. Look at the Kings cap in two seasons. If they can shave one year off of JT's deal you're good, that might be possible in a larget deal where the Kings also pick up some need players. Doesn't mean they should tank for the summer after next, far from it, they need to bring in those need guys anyway possible but at least they'll have some options if they don't pick up more luxury players like Landry. Time to go all in for need.

The kinds of players the Kings need are the typically MLE sized contract players or vets that you may even get for a little less. The Kings will be able to use their MLE on someone like Sefelosha, or part of it, whatever it would take. There is always a chance you find someone on a somewhat bad contract where one team is essentially trading an overpaid player that isn't doing what they need to a team that needs what he brings and vice versa. It's easier once you can start picking up specialist types because at least you can narrow down that list. Problem is there ain't a ton of players fitting the bill right now. Well, there are a few, we'll see what Pete has in mind.

Worrying about low value on someone like McLemore or Jimmer is a ship that sailed before it even took off. This last draft didn't have a ton of value regardless of how high of a pick you had. This next draft might be more of the same. Could always find a need player though, there are a few options potentially.

[SacKingZZZ]

Just talented enough to keep us in games, not deep enough to win many games.

I don't think it's depth necessarily, but that is probably a part of it. It's the wrong depth. That's the issue.

[enderwilson]

Some adjustments will have to be made. It's been said before (by me and others) that there's a drop off in talent after our "big three". Some players I thought were duds but have seemingly turned things around and have had a positive impact as role players (ie Jimmer). Some of the talent we have is still too raw to make a decision on (ie Maclemore and McCollum). Others are new to the team and can contribute but have been inconsistent in their contributions (Acy and DWill). And then the rest is pretty much garbage, but we rely on them because we're too shallow in talent.

But adding talent and changing the roster is somewhat moot because this team over the last 4-5 years has changed completely changed personnel, but has consistently dwelled in the bottom of the league when it comes to defense. Defense is not about individual talent, but about teammates playing together. I'm also getting the sense that a minimum level of intelligence is needed to. I'm beginning to wonder if the collective BB IQ on this team is just too low to really get the defense to click. Either way, I think we can turn that negative differential upside-down if we can just improve on the defensive end. Even just a little.

[Big_Cat]

Just talented enough to keep us in games, not deep enough to win many games.

I don't think it's depth necessarily, but that is probably a part of it. It's the wrong depth. That's the issue.

Our depth is terrible.

Outside of Boogie/Gay/IT...which ones of our players makes it into the 8-9 rotation for Indiana? For San Antonio? For OKC?

[SacKingZZZ]

Just talented enough to keep us in games, not deep enough to win many games.

I don't think it's depth necessarily, but that is probably a part of it. It's the wrong depth. That's the issue.

Our depth is terrible.

Outside of Boogie/Gay/IT...which ones of our players makes it into the 8-9 rotation for Indiana? For San Antonio? For OKC?

I don't know, Carl Landry found his way into the rotation in GS last year. Depends on the team but taking 3 of the most competitive teams and wondering if your 7,8,9, or 10 guy on a losing team can make into the rotation on their team is probably the wrong question to ask. JJ Hickson couldn't get minutes to save his life in Sac, he's a starter with the Nuggets. Go figure. Guess situation does matter huh?

[Big_Cat]

I don't know, Carl Landry found his way into the rotation in GS last year. Depends on the team but taking 3 of the most competitive teams and wondering if your 7,8,9, or 10 guy on a losing team can make into the rotation on their team is probably the wrong question to ask. JJ Hickson couldn't get minutes to save his life in Sac, he's a starter with the Nuggets. Go figure. Guess situation does matter huh?

I don't really count Landry really, he's a DNP thus far in my mind. Hasn't really had enough time to justify him being good or bad.


And of course you need to look at the most competitive teams. If the goal is to win a championship, than you must compare yourself to the best.

Your answer is making my point, it's all dependent on the situation...meaning we do not have talent that will stand out regardless of which team they are on. We we need to evaluate the specific situation regarding if our 4th or 5th guy could get minutes on the 8th-10th spots on a contender...that says everything.