Preview: Kings at Suns

by Tom Ziller on Nov 12, 2010 12:01 PM PST in Commentary

STARTING LINEUPS & INJURIES

The entire Kings roster seems to be healthy. Paul Westphal teased a change in the lineup; we'll see. The only starting spots I'd deem safe are those belonging to Tyreke Evans and Beno Udrih.

The Suns start Steve Nash, Jason Richardson, Grant Hill, Hedo Turkoglu and Robin Lopez. Hakim Warrick, Channing Frye, Goran Dragic and Josh Childress are the major factors off the bench. Everyone is healthy.

SCOUTING REPORT

Make sure to check out HighTops' full scouting report.

One of the items HT pointed out was Phoenix's extremely porous interior. Only Washington gives up a higher percentage at the rim.

DeMarcus Cousins is 12 of 14 -- 86% -- at the rim this season. Two players who have taken at least 10 shots at the rim this season and play 20 minutes a game or more -- Dunkin' Eric Gordon and Emeka Okafor -- are shooting better than 86% at the rim. Certainly, Cousins ought to be taking more of his shots at the rim. And you could argue he should be getting plenty of playing time in order to do so.

I also sincerely doubt Phoenix can do what Minnesota did to deter Tyreke Evans from attacking. If they do, it is imperative the other Kings aggressively exploit mismatches.

MATCHUP OF THE GAME

Omri Casspi vs. Grant Hill ... assuming Casspi starts. Casspi's offense is a huge dimension for this team, the difference between a mediocre attack and a strong one. Hitting those long-range jumpers and attacking in transition remains vital to opening things up for Evans and the post players. Given his defensive struggles to date, that offense needs to click to justify the bulk of minutes at the position. Hill's a tough dude and smart as a whip. Let's hope Casspi's athleticism, energy and aggressiveness can overcome that.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Cousins, as (almost) always. He hasn't overcome that terribly 3-13 shooting night in an otherwise energetic effort against the Lakers. If he fouls out on charges, that's fine with me. Just be aggressive, and get shots in the paint, where he can dominate.

COMMEMORATIVE HAIKU

Sliding at ARCO,
Kings look for life on the road.
Sounds backward to me.

DETAILS

This will be a 6 PM start, because Arizona are fascists who don't believe in Daylight Savings and do everything in their power to confuse me and everyone. Six o'clock. Game threads then and at 7:30. I ASSURE YOU there will be game threads at 6 and 7:30, and I apologize for failing to activate them for Wednesday's game. Comcast SportsNet and KHTK 1140 AM will have the game.

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Comments

~~Fire Westphal!~~
Go Kings!

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by section214 on Nov 12, 2010 12:09 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

I actually thought that other than turnovers

DeMarcus had one of his better games against Minnesota. 14 minutes, 7 points, 6 boards, got to the line 4 times, stole the ball (and turned it over trying to run the fast break himself), blocked a couple shots. I think we need to see more of him. Like 25 minutes worth or more tonight, because I don’t think Phoenix has anybody that can stop him, and it was especially evident during the presesaon game.

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by Aykis16 on Nov 12, 2010 12:17 PM PST reply actions

Wouldn't be shocked if we see a heavy dose of DMC for this game.

I would hope so at least so long as Landry keeps drifting to the mid range game

I predict JT will never breathe through his nose.

by wallywagon11 on Nov 12, 2010 12:25 PM PST up reply actions

That picture

It looks like they’re all in the club

by melee on Nov 12, 2010 12:23 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

Caption

Sacramento Kings Rookie DeMarcus Cousins (middle) turns the ball over in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies, as he decides to teach Hasheem Thabeet (left) and Zach Randolph (right) how to “Dougie”

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by Aykis16 on Nov 12, 2010 12:28 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Excuse me kind sir can you instruct me how to douglas?

by melee on Nov 12, 2010 12:34 PM PST up reply actions

Probably won't see JT at the 3 tonight

which should help eliminate the enemic offense we’ve had running with a JT replacing Omri. It’s clear that we don’t have the 3pt fire power to match the Suns, be we need at least the vailed threat of a 3pt shot to keep teams from crowding the paint.

That’s why I’d expect to see Garcia and Casspi on the floor together a lot more. So, while I think Cisco is fine at the 3, I’d rather see Donte or Wright at the 3 when Omri’s not there. Omri and Cisco are the only players on the team shooting over 33% from 3’s, and we need them both on the floor to gether as much as possible.

And, let’s hope Tyreke can team up with Cousins for some easy baskets like he did with Sammy last game. I would love to see DeMarcus posterize Lopez.

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by HighTops on Nov 12, 2010 12:26 PM PST reply actions

Yeah if we see JT at the 3 tonight

I will probably vomit.

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by Aykis16 on Nov 12, 2010 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

Casspi

Excellent point about Casspi:

Given his defensive struggles to date, that offense needs to click to justify the bulk of minutes at the position.

If Casspi is having an off night, I’d be ok with him seeing fewer minutes. When he’s on, he’s on and he absolutely deserves to start.

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by Exhibit G on Nov 12, 2010 12:32 PM PST reply actions

We're not going to beat these guys without scoring over 100 . . . .

tonight wouldn’t be my choice to limit Casspi’s minutes – or shots.

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by lietothegirls on Nov 12, 2010 3:58 PM PST up reply actions

Too many pieces not enough glue

I am hoping that tonight the Kings will strive to play team ball. It seems that many possessions the offense has guys trying to isolate and they fail so they pass off to another guy to isolate. On defense, they don’t seem to understand to nudge guys to the shot blockers or to rotate around the perimeter.

Coach Paul commented the other day that the players have to please the coach. Looking at guys like Darnell Jackson – who is almost all “glue” – vs. guys like Carl Landry who is stuck on trying to to make his game click – the way to the Coach’s happy place is doing “the little things”. Setting picks, rolling on the pick and rolls (both offensively and defensively), boxing out, cutting off passing lanes, getting back on D, etc.

by betweentheeyes on Nov 12, 2010 3:33 PM PST reply actions