What a Difference Six Months Makes
by My Losing Season on Dec 3, 2009 2:49 PM PST
Email
Print(From the FanPosts. - TZ)
The last month has been one of many surprises, and few if any of us predicted just how well things would go during that time. So as we enter the second month of the NBA regular season and the final month of 2009, I thought it might be interesting to try to offer some perspective about where we are now in comparison to where we were last June.
The following is a list of 20 thoughts, which had they spoken aloud approximately six months ago, the person speaking them would at best have been roundly ignored, and more likely openly derided, if not run out of town on a stick. And here they are:
1. One game into December, and the Kings are more than halfway to last season’s win total.
2. The Kings are one of the top rebounding teams in the NBA.
3. Anything less than a 30-win season for the Kings will be a major disappointment.
4. Kevin Martin has zero chance of making the Western Conference All-Star Team.
5. Arco Arena is starting to get pretty freakin’ loud.
6. Mayor Kevin Johnson’s statement that Sacramento had entered a new era with the hiring of Paul Westphal is beginning to look downright prescient.
7. Paul Westphal is rapidly approaching conquering hero status in Sacramento.
8. Paul Westphal’s Pepperdine experience has no relevance to anything at all.
9. Beni Udrih is downright popular in this town.
10. Kenny Thomas is a key contributor getting important minutes off the bench.
11. Tyreke Evans is approaching God-man savior-messiah status around here.
12. There is a Spanish point guard playing for the Kings who is dazzling fans on a nightly basis. And his name is Sergio Rodriguez.
13. Absolutely no one in the league is talking about Ricky Rubio.
14. Almost no one outside of Philadelphia (and hardly anyone there, in fact) is talking about Jrue Holiday.
15. Jon Brockman is having a bigger impact in the league than Blake Griffin.
16. Omri Casspi is having a bigger impact in the league than the top three picks put together.
17. Kurt Rambis, who is under contract for four seasons, is currently coaching a team other than the Kings that would be drawing national attention for its mediocrity were it not for the colossally bad New Jersey Nets.
18. Geoff Petrie is beginning to look like he knows exactly what he is doing.
19. Nobody is talking about the Maloofs right now because everyone is too excited by what’s happening on the court.
20. We are beginning to hear rumblings around the league that the Kings will compete for a playoff spot.
And so, like I said, what a difference six months makes.
(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)
51 comments
|
9 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Well done, MLS
#15 and #16 are probably my favorites. And as for this one:
18. Geoff Petrie is beginning to look like he knows exactly what he is doing.
How many times does this need to be proven and re-proven before every last doubter is gone? In fairness, there aren’t many of us who can claim to have never been made a fool by the Mysterious Mr. Petrie. I wish I could.
"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.
Paul Westphal’s Pepperdine experience has no relevance to anything at all.
I eventually came to this conclusion in June myself. I’m glad others are doing so now, though.
Jon Brockman is having a bigger impact in the league than Blake Griffin.
While I think it’s funny, we all know this is a joke. And, I have no problem with jokes.
Omri Casspi is having a bigger impact in the league than the top three picks put together.
This only means that Thabeet is not as good as Casspi. That isn’t too hard to predict. Griffin will be better than Casspi, and I don’t think there is much question to that. As far as Harden though, he’s been playing pretty well all told. I think if you look at Harden & Casspi’s numbers they are pretty similar. The difference, though, is that Harden was drafted 3rd, and Casspi 23rd.
Kenny Thomas is a key contributor getting important minutes off the bench.
I think this says a lot about Kenny’s professionalism, as well as Paul Westphal not afraid to play any player to get a win. I also think it helps that Kenny is in the final year of his contract so people don’t mind the previous 4 1/2 years as much when Kenny is contributing to a surprising team. That’s a true double edged sword.
WaBeno Udrih is downright popular in this town.
This shocks the shit outta me. I can’t lie.
Arco Arena is starting to get pretty freakin’ loud.
My only wish now is that it was packing 17717 every night.
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Excellent stuff MLS
You’ve come back with a bang sir.
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Harden's numbers
are not very close to Casspi’s.
Harden: 20 min/41%/40%/2.8 bds/2.5astl/9pts
Casspi: 23 min/53%/47%/3.7 bds/ 1.2 astl/10.3 pts
Once he finishes getting his Fts straightened out – the intagibles Omri brings will make it even a wider margin than that.
and yes, 3rd vs 23rd.
40% shooting in this league won’t cut it.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 3, 2009 4:49 PM PST up reply actions
Not overall they'r enot
Recently Harden has played much better. I’ll by the end of the season we’ll see similarities in their stats. No reason to argue about them now as I knew Harden’s stats wouldn’t compare because of his very rough start at the beginning.
I’m sure if you look recently, though, they do compare. No biggie as I said. See how it turns out at the end. Either way, It’s not like I’m no thrilled with Casspi.
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Pookey... Bad Pookey :)
Last Three Games
GAMES 1, 2, and 3:
MIN: 27, 19, and 27
REB: 5, 3, and 2
AST : 1, 0, and 2
STL: 0, 2, and 1
BLK 0, 0, and 0
TO 3, 1, and 2
PTS: 9, 5, and 15
Only shot good on the 15 point game.
You be a Pookey who is incorrect. Harden has not played well even recently. One game does not recent improvement make.
Harden was 0 for 10 in 3PT FGs
…against the Lakers a few games ago. Thats pretty bad. To miss that many, and take that many when you are shooting blanks. I think he was nervous because he is from LA and had family and friends there. If that was the case, I can understand. Though, Omri has a whole country rooting for him, and he’s not nervous.
But still I think Harden should be better than he has shown. His game doesn’t seem real dynamic. I don’t see star. I see solid role player. Kevin Durant gets all the attention. Westbrook is nice running mate. Harden was suppose to have one of most polished NBA ready game among top draftees. But it has not translated too well so far. Thabo Stefalosha has been the better player at two guard. I don’t think OKC were anticipating that when the drafted him #3.
But God bless OKC for passing on Tyreke.
I don't see Hardin ever living up to #3
There’s nothing that strikes me as particularly dynamic about any aspect of his game – I think he’ll only be ‘solid’ and possibly a bench guy – but who knows.
(his game never impressed me)
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 3, 2009 9:41 PM PST up reply actions
"Ever" is a big word
When I watch Harden I see a guy who “gets it” but is still putting his NBA game together. He can pass, score and defend, has a high basketball IQ, and will be at least an above-average player in this league in a few years.
Wouldn't be the first time
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Small sample size
And you’re ignoring the back to back games where he had 24 and 25 points with an overall 3 point % of 70.
Actually watching him play is illuminating – he’s shown flashes of brilliance that will become more commonplace the longer he is in the league.
Every player develops at their own speed, and there is no need to denigrate that. By the end of his career (and likely by the end of next year) he will easily be regarded as one of the top 5 players in that draft. I guarantee it.
"I hate all sports as rabidly as a person who likes sports hates common sense."
-H.L. Mencken
Agreed
Nothing wrong with getting stoked about our own picks, but it’s a little early to start bashing other team’s rookies.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
I didn't like him as a high pick
Before the draft, was convinced he belonged in the ’teens somewhere.
If it was important I could go find my consistant comments on that score. But as I said, who knows? and what do I know?
I’ve never been hot on his game.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 4, 2009 8:34 AM PST up reply actions
I'll back you up on this one LTTG
You’ve never been a Harden fan. When I see Harden I think Mike Finley.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.
I don't HATE the guy
I just never saw any particular aspect of his game that he can hang his hat on, if you know what I mean. I personally don’t think he has a chance to be a Star and guess he’ll be a role player.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 4, 2009 10:00 AM PST up reply actions
never said you hate him.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.
I know
I was just clarifying my thoughts on him – not really responding right at you.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 4, 2009 10:41 AM PST up reply actions
I see Michael Finley
And he was pretty good back in the day.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.
not athletic enough IMO
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 4, 2009 10:48 AM PST up reply actions
Not even nearly athletic enough
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
good points
but Ben Gordon only shot .411 in his rookie year, and his career high is .455, Stephen Jackson’s career FG% is .417, and Iverson’s first 8 years he shot between .389 and .421. I think its a little early to jump on his FG%.
Good point, but I think these days more and more fans
and writers are using advanced statistics more. I’m not sure Iverson would have been quite as big a star if he were a rookie in say 2007. Maybe not, scoring 30 points still looks pretty good, even if it took 27 shots.
Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott
by Kfan in Korea on Dec 4, 2009 6:54 PM PST up reply actions
I completely agree with you
I have never understood exactly why some of these inefficient scorer’s have had the contracts that they have had. Baron Davis is an excellent example. I know they might have other skills that are exceptional, but I cant get past players with such poor percentages taking such a large volume of shots.
This isn't really about Iverson perse
But would you agree a bad shot is better than a turnover?
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Those others were dynamic in other ways
like I said – I don’t see it
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 5, 2009 1:23 PM PST up reply actions
I'd add
The Kings will have the best draft in the NBA despite losing out on the #1 pick
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
the Kings took 3 risks on young players to fit in their rotation
And, it’s much easier to do that when the first player you pick is someone you think that will be a franchise player for you.
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Interestingly enough
Tyreke Evans has stats very similar to the almighty LeBron’s rookie year.
I thought it was nice to see that.
Hmm...
I may just have to compare KMarts stats over his first three years to K@be’s. That might be interesting…
You forgot #21.
#21. Eric Maynor > MJ + LeBron + Magic + Bird.
Great work! #17 is my favorite as well #15.
17. Kurt Rambis, who is under contract for four seasons, is currently coaching a team other than the Kings that would be drawing national attention for its mediocrity were it not for the colossally bad New Jersey Nets.
Sure Blake Griffin may have the better career in the long run, but for now, Brocktimus Prime is indeed making the bigger impact in the league.
33 Wins. Yeah, I said it.
Right!
NJ has given Rambis some cover, though I saw a fairly nasty evaluation of his line-ups the other day somewhere.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 4, 2009 9:35 AM PST up reply actions
Great post, MLS.
Trust in Paul, the West may Phal.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.
by andy sims on Dec 4, 2009 6:36 AM PST reply actions 4 recs
:D
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Dec 4, 2009 10:29 AM PST up reply actions
Thanks for the elevation, TZ
And you are blogging some crazy hours, man. How’s that sleep schedule?
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Dec 4, 2009 10:31 AM PST reply actions
He isn't sleeping much I suspect
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
No kidding
I remember when me and the octo-mom didn’t sleep for a month
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 4, 2009 2:32 PM PST up reply actions
I don't think he slept much to begin with
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
one more thing
No one is talking about Eddie Jordan either. What a disaster that has been although it’s probobly not his fault. Losing Andre Miller has really hurt them.
by allbenji's on Dec 4, 2009 3:06 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Good point
And I suppose you could add Byron Scott to that list also.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Dec 4, 2009 6:38 PM PST up reply actions
Wow, lost 8 in a row. I hadn't noticed that
5-14 doesn’t look too good.
Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott
by Kfan in Korea on Dec 4, 2009 7:01 PM PST up reply actions
Losing Speights and Williams doesn't help at all
Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.
So why doesn't Eddie Jordan just overcome it?
I mean, that’s what good coaches do right? Overcome injuries so their team doesn’t have to?
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
At least Paul Westphal is lucky he didn't have to overcome any injuries
Godfather of the "nice ass" movement.... the future begins now...
Yep.
Paul Westphal has been so lucky in the health regard. You must give him credit for that.
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
He's like a witch doctor or something
Godfather of the "nice ass" movement.... the future begins now...
I know!
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
He even made Donte Greene play good!
How was that even possible?
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.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Roy Hibbert tap-dances to Maine
- Grizzlies Valentine’s Day cards are the key to love
- Kevin Love would like the NBA to take the MLB’s approach on All-Star games
- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
