Kings Starting Line-up for Preseason Opener Announced

by Ziller on Oct 5, 2009 1:58 PM PDT in News Comment 41 comments

The Bee's Sam Amick reports that Paul Westphal announced the starting five for Tuesday's exhibition opener against Portland: Tyreke Evans, Kevin Martin, Desmond Mason, Jason Thompson and Sean May. Apparently, the sore ankle of Spencer Hawes isn't game ready, and apparently the Mason-as-starter experiment has begun.

There have been no reports of a Beno Udrih injury. So, um, Tyreke Evans is starting from Day 1. At least in the preseason.

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I think being Beno is injury enough

by Hilton on Oct 5, 2009 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

LOL...you're kill'n me

by kwill on Oct 5, 2009 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any info on online feeds?

I think with the exception of Brockman/May these are the 5 who played best in preseason. The reason for May over Brockman as a starter for this game is obnvious though. I want to watch, but not enough tp head to Portland.

by ElRonToro on Oct 5, 2009 2:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

obnivious

Sicilian for obvious (obnviously!). Sorry.

by ElRonToro on Oct 5, 2009 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

More than once

I have said “obnvious” while trying to keep nachos from falling out of my mouth. However, when I type “obnvious” they fall out of my hands anyway.

Lower their expectations and rise to met them

by left hand on Oct 5, 2009 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can't wait for tomorrow

I talked to Sergio at Media Day and his face lit up like a Christmas tree when I mentioned “first 2 games.” Dude is hyped to play PDX.

by rc360 on Oct 5, 2009 2:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In the end,

Tyreke just creates too many problems for the defense, and that’s just too hard to ignore. Beno may be OK. I’d actually like to see that. But he’s not a player you have to prepare for.

Lower their expectations and rise to met them

by left hand on Oct 5, 2009 3:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If there someone who seemingly has the mentality to be a starter from day 1

Tyreke is one of those.

by Citadel 29 on Oct 5, 2009 3:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Now we need a poll

For who’s first off the bench
Sergio or Beno
Ely or Brockman
Noc or Cisco

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Oct 5, 2009 3:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My guesses

Beno (but this one seems the closest to me)
Brockman (no doubt in my mind)
Cisco, but it depends on the position being subbed.

Never forget: I am a complete idiot

by Exhibit G on Oct 5, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point about Cisco

of course I was thinking about the SF spot, but Noc may come in at the 4.

Personally, I’d like to see Sergio over Beno. Not that I don’t like Beno. I just think that Tyreke is trying to be a playmaker, and the offense would be more cohesive if when he came out we substituted another playmaker. In the open practice, Sergio actually finished at the rim better than Tyreke. While Beno was limited to his drive, spin & short jumpshot move from the past.

Also, I kind of agree with Muff below, about starting JT & Brockman. But, it will be interesting to see how well May plays the center position. And, whether PW stays with May at center or moves him back to PF. Portland’s got excellent size at the Center position, but Sheldon Williams had some good luck holding them out of the paint. Maybe, May can do the same.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Oct 5, 2009 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My guess

Mario Elie will be the first one to get off the bench on most nights. Dude was active at practice.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Oct 5, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

If Shawes doesn't start...

I’d rather it be to give the Shock n Brock tandem some minutes.

Maybe Westphal just sees a hunger in Sean May that we can’t. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself)

Dip til I rip

http://reclaimingthetitle.wordpress.com

by Muff209 on Oct 5, 2009 3:43 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I think May will take a bite out of SH minutes this season. However, I dont think May will be able to chew up and spit out the competition like K9 because he his just too hungry. When Spence comes back I think May will be able to stomach subbing because it reminds him of his favorite sandwhich and hero Jerry.

I know, too much.

by kwill on Oct 5, 2009 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could care less

Which big man end up playing more: Hawes or May. The player that contributes to winning will do fine with me.

Last year was too tough one to swallow and compound that with falling to 4th overall made it seem harsher. The Kings just need to win. If Hawes can’t beat out May then he probably shouldn’t be the center of the future for this franchise or any franchise of that matter.

This has got to be Spence’s year. He’s got to show he can be more of a NBA center.

BOOK IT!

by kingme18 on Oct 5, 2009 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess my "eating" jokes were missed...O well

by kwill on Oct 5, 2009 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mays might bite off more than he can chew.

Howard, Shaq, even Bynum could gobble him whole.

There can only be one Noce!

by NoceOne on Oct 5, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice

by kwill on Oct 5, 2009 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thought you might need a partner for your eating jokes. :-)

There can only be one Noce!

by NoceOne on Oct 6, 2009 12:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

While Westphal didn’t relate his decision to the slight left ankle sprain Hawes has been dealing with, he said it wasn’t an indictment on Hawes’ play. He said he’s been known to play some of his reserves more than his starters, and said he simply likes May in that spot for the moment.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/2009/10/may-gets-start.html

Sean May better not be the opening night starter. Desmond Mason better not be the opening night starter. Oh how I long for the days of Musselnatttheus…

by Carl on Oct 5, 2009 4:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't go as far to openly pine for Mussleusnatt...

But Westphal does appear to be doing a lot really soon, maybe too much. We’re definitely over-analysing this, but still, baby steps. If this blows up in his face it’ll take a bit for him to earn the fan’s trust back.

Dip til I rip

http://reclaimingthetitle.wordpress.com

by Muff209 on Oct 5, 2009 4:12 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Get out the Oxygen and breathe noob

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

by pookeyguru on Oct 5, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs

I'm hyperventalating

Until the coach comes to his senses. Or were you talking to him? ’Cause he might need some oxygen based on recent decision making.

by Carl on Oct 6, 2009 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was talking to you

You hyperventilate far too often over too little. Well, in my view anyway.

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

by pookeyguru on Oct 6, 2009 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm stoked.

Looking forward to seeing May play for his life. Go Kings.

October 28th couldn't come soon enough.

by JETisKing on Oct 5, 2009 4:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My main issue with having Mason in the starting line up is that it potentially allows the opposing team to pull their point guard of off Tyreke on defense. From what I have seen, Mason does not have the offensive skills to exploit a height mismatch like Tyreke, Noc, or Cisco would (depending on how opposing teams want to match up). When you have an offensive liability on the court, teams can hide their worst defender on them.

Disclaimer: comments may have been made under the influence of alcohol. If the Kings start winning, this will probably change.

by Ball in Cup on Oct 5, 2009 4:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

May could have a solid year now that he is healthy.

I don’t think many have doubted May’s talents. The poor performance has been due to injury/weight issues, as far as I can tell.

by cbsf on Oct 5, 2009 4:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I love how May has lost weight and is trying to stay healthy. Hopefully the Kings are the opportunity May needed to get his career back in line.

FIRE BRUCE BOCHY NOW!!!!!!
AND TAKE BRIAN SABEAN WITH HIM!!!!!

by 49er16 on Oct 5, 2009 4:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I know its probably for the best

but I’m not as excited with the vets. I mean its like wishing for Megan Fox and getting Rick Fox. You still want to get your licks in, just differently, and disappointedly (new word…see Sicilian dictionary).

by ElRonToro on Oct 5, 2009 5:00 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Dont ever mention that douche bag Prick Fox again :)

by kwill on Oct 5, 2009 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

werd.

by Deez on Oct 5, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't this what preseason is for?

To try some things and see what works. I wouldn’t read too much into the starting lineups. I’ll start worrying when the coaching decisions are not helping this team win games that actually count… but that’s just me.

The future begins now...

by eduardo_m7 on Oct 5, 2009 6:29 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs

Amen

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

by pookeyguru on Oct 5, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Couldn't say it better myself

I’m pretty sure that Westphal will start Sergio/Beno at points throughout the preseason and then use whoever think he’s best for the job at the starting position.

Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.

by Aykis16 on Oct 5, 2009 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Good point. I will calm down. (FOR NOW.)

by Carl on Oct 6, 2009 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Portland starters announced as well

Starting line-up for Portland:
Steve Blake PG 6-3 172
Brandon Roy SG 6-6 211
Nicolas Batum F 6-8 200
LaMarcus Aldridge PF 6-11 240
Joel Przybilla C 7-1 245

May at 6’9" and 266 is going against a much taller player, but lighter guy… That could be a problem, but if May can use some of his heft it could work down low. Just didn’t see those moves in the practice games
Match-up wise Blake is going to have a problem with Evans, but then who won’t…
Probably try both Blake and Roy covering Evans and switch to who works least well to covering Martin. Or should I say trying to cover..

Should be interesting.

by MustangMBS on Oct 5, 2009 8:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

lol good luck guys, cant wait till our first "game"

even if it is pre season

M 80- So what does Portland give up? Big D- Nothing, Pritchard is such a genius that teams just give him players for free. (Comments from Blog a Bull on July 9, 2009)

by JWise on Oct 5, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs