No cigar, redux???

I think the organization believes in 'Kings" basketball. I also think it's flawed. Let's generalize and say that the Kings' offense and it's players are formatted to fit some
version of the Princeton Offense. With that out of the way, I'll use Wiki to define just how such an offense should be run.

"...Having a strong post player is important because this player is critical to passing to backdoor cutters, and can draw help defense to open outside shots..."

"...All five players in the offense-- including the center-- should be competent at making a three point attempt, further spreading the floor..."

The 'glory era' Kings had an array of 3 shooters at 1-3, but weak at long range C and PF.
Vlade Divac's only 3 was packs a day.
Chris Webber, the Buffalo Bills in gym shorts.
Scott Pollard, love ya, but...
Lawrence Funderburke(insert painful joke here)

But look around you now.
See a dead roster rise again.
Dream of the comparisons and see a future just 2 years ahead...see the plan in action.

A little prognostication:
A young 5 who can pass, shoot, and get ugly when necessary(making D. Lee unnecesary).
Losers at the 4.
An athletic 3 who doesn't miss much.
A D-minded 2 who will get his.
Another Bibby-type PG who'll fall off in 3 yrs.

I like to make comparisons, because within I find the difference. So let's take a look @ those 'glory' years, and today.

Mike Bibby>Beno Udrih, Douby,  et al.
Simply when Mike wants to play, Mike is an  all-star. I believe Bibby CAN play defense, but it's one or the other for him. Beno Udrih has his moments, but I'm concerned there's a 'Bibby factor" to his game(Not much proven, not much defense, and commanding too much $$$ to keep him).

No one else on the roster is an NBA guard. They just play one on TV.

Doug Christie<Francisco Garcia.  Playing styles and habits are as identical as their personalities differ. Both used for ball-handling in certain situations, able to put up the occasional 20 point night, and attack ball-handlers every day.<p> Kevin Martin>Peja Stojakovic.  Martin's proved consistently that with all thing's considered, he's the team's best player. One shoots ugly, the other smooth, but the results are the same. Money.  His greatest advantage over Stojakovic is his speed and willingness to atack and throw himself to the wolves.

Chris Webber<(L.)Ron Artest. Chris while being statistically better, never had the passion to win like Artest does. Chris looked shocked sometimes at the amazing things he pulled off, while L. Ron doesn't care, he just wants to kill you. Artest is certifiable, but that kind of certfiable would've got us over the Lakers in '02. You can't let your C get popped in the teeth, or your PG elbowed in the face w/o repercussions, there's alot to be said for enforcers of the Laimbeer type. You don't like 'em, but you WIN with 'em. Webber was much too finesse-y for a PF his size and ability, PEja-shy about contact, and inclined to let his teammates stagnate for the love of his own game.  

(If  I wonder how many of us remember that when Chris wanted a max deal, that SAR was being thrown about to replace him, and get some cap room? I wanted that deal, SAR was solid then. Now it looks like Webber would still be an upgrade over every PF on this team.)

Spencer Hawes>Vlade Divac. Vlade's unbelievable passing skills (and being money on big shots)was offset by smoking and a phobia of weight rooms. Hawes should be being groomed for that same high-post pick and pop but with more muscle and a hell of alot more youth. Shawes' attitude is alot more aggressive and with another year or two under his belt be as good or better than Divac ever was.

This roster seems so familiar. Remember where familiar got us?