i was reading some write-ups of spencer when he was playing in college…they all tout him as an amazing low post player, with the ability to step out into the high post. the picture painted (to me) was that he basically makes a living in the post.

could it be that spencer just needs more reps, more playing time, to get his feel for operating in the post? maybe he needs to get into, similar to shooters, his “post rhythm”?

Coach Theus should nip this in the bud now. It was painfully evident that the Kings are lacking in the inside defense and rebounding aspect. Any team the Kings play who has a physical big man in the middle (most of them) will be real trouble. Miller coming back won’t be able to help that much. Hawes needs to hit the weights, bulk up and man up. The Kings don’t need another outside shooter. They have plenty. They need somebody who will bang and work the boards. Theus needs to put it to Hawes bluntly. You either play down low and in the post or start lobbying for a trade.

NO One looked good offensively except Cisco and maybe Greene’. Defensively the man to man coverage was horrible. So, let’s not just concentrate on Hawes.

Yea , he got 3 quick fouls on Oden’s big opening night. IMHO, 2 of them were bad calls. With Miller out Reggie had to sit Hawes for the rest of the half. Coming back in he gets blocked by Oden, but that was only one of the six blocks they got on us. Hawes never got totally back into the offense, but neither did anyone else.

I watched the video’s of Hawes and JT going against each other in the low post. Neither seemed to have a problem scoreing on each other, and neither did a great job defending. Maybe, if they had a good low post defender they could work with they’d have a chance to get better. I never found it helpful to practice against someone I could easily beat.

That is true, but it’s unwise to ignore clear aspects of Spencer’s game that need work. That article in the Bee was excellent, IMO, in pointing out some things that Spencer has to improve on in order to be effective. He needs to commit to being primarily a post player first of all, and not Brad Miller’s backup clone. He needs to have that mentality every game, and if he focuses on it then he will gain confidence there.

Oden is a monster. But Spencer’s going to have to get over that mental block that prevents him from going at Oden in the post regardless. Because there will always be an “Oden” who will physically be over him. It’s time to stop playing scared.

And yet, it is Game 1 of the Preseason, and we’re talking about the holes in a 20 year old kid’s game. That kind of expectations should speak volumes about the kind of talent that Spencer has.

and predict that Shelden gets his option picked up even if it is a bit overpriced. I think the Kings are concerned enough that Hawes development will be a longer rather than shorter term project that they will want to put a stop gap in place to shore up the center position. It’s only 1 year and they can then re-assess the situation at the end of the season. They could look to sign or trade for another center but Shelden is a bird in hand and played well enough in recent history (i.e. end of last season to the present) to be the least risky option. I think the biggest effect of this Hawes situation is to create a huge opportunity for Shelden to get some minutes at center.

To be honest I was going to refrain from any negative comments after just one pre season game. I really wanted to let my fingers fly, but… The truth is, before the Kings drafted him ( I wanted Thornton) I told friends if the Kings drafted him I was done watching the team. I thought not another plodder, un athletic big man ( he actually runs the floor well, what surprise) who can’t jump over a ?. you get the picture. I realize it’s still way to premature to pass judgment on whether or not he’s a bust, but it’s not looking very good.

Looks like he did just fine last night. Man some people are quick to judge.