Making Adjustments

by Ziller on Dec 16, 2008 6:18 AM PST in Recaps Comment 21 comments

Al Jefferson, first half: 21 minutes, 17 FGAs, 22 points. 0.81 FGA/min

Al Jefferson, second half: 12 minutes, 3 FGAs, 0 points. 0.25 FGA/min

That's a hell of an adjustment. The team trapped him hard in the third -- bringing Francisco Garcia or John Salmons down to take away Jefferson's step-back and spin moves. Spencer Hawes and Brad Miller provided good strength-based resistance, preventing Jefferson's bull moves.

On the other end, Kevin McHale didn't do a single thing differently as Kenny Natt's Kings took control. He did nothing to help Jefferson adjust to the new defense by offering strong side shooting help (Jefferson ended up with one assist), he didn't turn to the pick-and-roll, he didn't defend Garcia or Salmons in any sentient way. Of course, McHale's roster sucks. That's not his fault ...

Oh. Nevermind.

When the Kings are clicking, it's hard to defend them. In the late Adelman era, Miller had become so integral that San Antonio had success shutting down the assault by molesting Brad in the high post. But Miller is far less a focal point these days. It's real egalitarian offense right now (which began under Reggie Theus and continued Monday). Six Kings had at least 9 FGAs, and none more than 14. Eight players in double figures, with none scoring more than Garcia's 21. Mad balance.

And despite the bad looking box score, Beno Udrih played really well. He didn't rack up many assists, but he set up the offense beautifully in the first three quarters. Other than the bad outlet in the third, he didn't make bad decisions. That's what the Kings need from the point guard position, whether it be manned by Udrih, Bobby Brown or Bobby Jackson: hit a few shots, penetrate when the team needs a score, don't screw up. Udrih accomplished the task Monday.

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The biggest differences

Last night that I saw that can be attributed directly to the coach:

1. Better rotations. Starters being rested with two minutes to go in the quarter, and then rotated back in in the next quarter. And resting the starters during the 4th in the first of a back to back was key.

2. More patience on the offensive end of the court. What Cisco said last night about what Natt said about their horrible start (0-13!) was telling. “He told us to keep shooting, that it was ok and we were going to start making shots.” He didn’t abandon the game plan at the first sign of adversity.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Dec 16, 2008 7:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't mean to be a Reggie apologist LPA

But did Reggie propose the Kings stop doing that?

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Dec 16, 2008 7:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Stop doing what?

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Dec 16, 2008 7:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Tell the Kings to stop shooting when it went in?

I’m really not sure that’s an actual criticism.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Dec 16, 2008 10:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Reggie was more prone to panic

Which, obviously, the team as a unit did not respond to as well as they responded to a more pragmatic approach.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Dec 16, 2008 10:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps

I’m not sad Reggie is gone. To make this clear: It was a good move for all parties. Question is does anything really change from here on out?

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Dec 16, 2008 10:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Too soon to say

I was just pointing out two positive things I noticed last night.

Switch to decaf.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Dec 16, 2008 11:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't drink coffee

Which probably is not a good thing in Seattle.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Dec 16, 2008 11:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Christmas Wish

All I want for Christmas is Kevin Martin back in the lineup so we can see what sort of damage this team can really do.

A lonely Kings fan in a sea of gold and purple...

by Jaycee on Dec 16, 2008 8:33 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd for pure honesty I agree with

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Dec 16, 2008 10:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A good win

About what we would have expected before the season against a team like Minn., a fairly easy win on the home court. What’s become of Mike Miller? That guy has dissappeared for them.
JT is going to better than kevin Love. Right now JT seems to be fighting his shot around the basket (?) and losing some easy pts. Strange as earlier in the year he was having trouble from 15 ft – things have reversed on him in some rookie conundrum.

Natt claims to be more of a drill sargeant. Does he mean it? I wonder how the team will react to that long term. After thinking about it, I’m guessing its a waste of time to talk about coaches, none of the good ones will come in mid-season, especially as they’re being paid to sit elsewhere. We’ll have to see how this goes.

I didn’t see much difference in rotations other than the 4th Q resting of the starters. Interesting that Q and SW still didn’t get any minutes, I’m not sure why. I certainly might have given BobbJ some rest. We’re thin at the wings as I’ve said before and that needs to be addressed.

BMiller, as I said yesterday, doesn’t play well when things are confused or uncertain. He looked better right away now that he knows the immediate future.

Donte’ is getting better (a lot) and now does deserve some minutes. What ‘if’ he and JT (and BobbyB) make the kind of progress from this year to next that hawes made? hmmmm

I worry about BobbyB minutes once KM is back, Donte’ too.

If it were me, I’d still look to move MM first – and as soon as anything decent is offered. Its is his contract that is the most attractive with that buyout for next year. Donte’ can take some of his minutes and SW the rest.

Portland Tonight!

GO KINGS!!

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Dec 16, 2008 9:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think Reggie's team would have won this game as well.

Having said that the one thing I noticed is that the team looked more relaxed, even after the horrible start. The kids were having fun. I even saw Brad smile a couple of times.

It must have been hard for the team to hit the floor with Reggie’s career on their shoulders every game and Reggie had to be coaching with …………oh I don’t know…………a hint of desperation.

Once Joe Maloof mouthed off (even though the points he made were right) in public ,Reggie was done and from that point I was all for firing him because Maloof had undermined him to the point that whatever small chance Reggie had was effectively gone.

If Kenny Natt does nothing but focus on the basics for the rest of the season and teach the kids how to play the game of basketball then the season will not be a total loss.

"We are in the business of kicking butt and business is very, very good." - Charles Barkley

by Bluejohn on Dec 16, 2008 9:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he pushed too hard

Thats an easy thing to happen when so much has gone wrong. And yes, there was some desperation towards the end…..

As far as the kids getting better, haven’t Donte’ and BobbyB and JT gotten better? JT is having some struggles around the basket and I’m curious to see if the coaching change loosens that up or not(?). We’ll see soon I think. If so, then the desperation was sticking to his game.

And yes, Reggie would have won that one

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Dec 16, 2008 9:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, its a Miracle !!

Miller Benched most of crunchtime and the Kings WIN! Why? Because opponents easiest path to the bucket is thru #52. Miller is the softest player in the league. He whines so much the refs tell him to shut up and play. The more Miller rides the pine, and the more the younger players (ie Greene, Thompson, and Hawes) get playing time, the better the Kings will be. Miller has declined drastically this year, and so his minutes should decline as well. Mikey Moore is also soft, no matter what he pretends to be, so his benchtime should be increased too. I hope that Natt is the Cat to mold these young Kings into a cohesive unit. Theus seemed more preoccupied with his suits and his hair. Kinda reminds me of Mike Nolan. All Hat and No Cattle. Kings need to be rid of Miller, Moore, Kenny Thomas (is he still on the team?), Douby, and Sheldon Williams. Replace them with decent backups and the Kings might be a competative unit. Bench Miller! Also, they need to look at a PG in the draft, because Beno is a career backup. He has no business running an NBA franchise full time. Waste of the MLE, but who was better that they could get to come to Sacramento? Hopefully this young unit plays well enough to attract good free agents to come here. There will be money available in 2010, but if the Kings are terrible, the Kings will have to overpay for mediocre talent. Kinda like the Ray DUHS. Lets hope they improve their young core and gain some respectability.

by FaStRmAn on Dec 16, 2008 12:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Crunchtime?

When was that exactly?

14 points and 10 rebounds and only one turnover in 26 minutes last night. You might want to wait for one of his clunkers before you get up in his business, lest you look dumber than usual.

"Don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff." - My Dad, confusing me at a very young age.

by otis29 on Dec 16, 2008 12:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

don't waste your time otis

"You keep on using that word
I do not think it mean what you think it means"

by lietothegirls on Dec 16, 2008 1:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have to admit

Miller did look bad at the beginning of the game. He pulled one of his patented “I’m just going to get out of the way while this guy dunks” moves. I sympathize with what FastRamen is saying because I’m often disgusted with Miller’s effort. But like you said, Miller salvaged the game and put up good numbers in the end.

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Dec 16, 2008 2:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone look good that first 5?

"You keep on using that word
I do not think it mean what you think it means"

by lietothegirls on Dec 16, 2008 2:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No, but Brad looks bad as much as he looks good.

And missing shots is one thing. Zero defensive effort and a total inability to get off the ground is something else. It looks to me like Brad put all the weight back on that he lost last season and we’re seeing the result right now.

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Dec 16, 2008 2:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs