Kings Sinking: Is It That Bad?

At the end of that streak (spelled by that epic overtime Super Bowl Sunday win over the then-terrible Thunder at ARCO), the Kings sat at 10-38. That was a pretty low point, and I’d argue that considering two wins could get the current Kings back on track, we’re not at Hope Level: Zero in terms of what’s relative.

That was a low point? That team responded with a 7-27 record the rest of the way. Ug, putrid.

I think it was that 48 point thrashing in Phoenix. Either way, that season stunk. I’m not ready to give up on this team until mid December. Then I’ll be happy to throw the lot under the bus.

Looking at the Kings in late October – when hopes ran high and the playoffs seemed possible – a question to have asked:
Do you think this Kings team will have a longer winning streak or losing streak this season?
The answer is simple today (just 9 games in, sigh) but it often marks the team as “a winning team” or not. (use that example with other Western comference foes: Jazz, Spurs, Thunder – then Warriors, Clippers, Wolves and lastly Hornets, Nuggets, Rockets – the first two groups are easy to place, the last 3 teams take some mulling over)

The disappointments: The lack of defensive cohesiveness. The lack of intimidation that “the trees” in the frontcourt have failed to show. The hope that this team’s frontcourt has had a year to marinate and blend and yet still play like separate ingredients. The “soft” schedule this year and the nice start last year twinkled hope to quick winning record in most every Kings’ fans eyes, instead we have tears.

It is too early to give up but not too early to have the taste of disappointment sour our outlook. Onward and upward!

So, of course, we were disappointed with our record in 08. We weren’t thinking that Theus was the next Phil Jackson, but the team was improving. And, even though we were adding any future all-stars, I doubt if anyone expected a 21 game drop in the win column.

This is by far the most disappointed, that I’ve been in a while. Because of all the talent we’ve added, and the expectations that things were going to improve. But, no matter how the win totals come out mathematicly, this is barely a 25 win team the way we’re playing now.

If the Defense doesn’t improve noticably this season, we could get the #1 pick in next years draft, and we’d still be 4 years from being a contender.

and me next week about bitterness and self medication – depending on how these next three go.

Outside of Beno, Garcia and Dalembert, there’s not a lot of experience or leadership. Your key core players are a rookie, two second-year players and a fourth-year player, and all those pieces aren’t guaranteed to be here for the long haul. Beno and Garcia will probably be gone when their contracts expire, if not sooner. It is what it is.

It’s frustrating because we overvalued what we had. Yes, the team added talent, but we as fans must understand the chemistry is not immediate. The team has talented young players, and we’ll continue to watch them flourish, but development takes time.

Just remember, we must temper our expectations.

Rookie of the year, top draft pick, up and coming PF, the next Peja, a defensive minded center, and more. How could they not improve? Results = some come from behind wins and a string of losses.

Not clear what goals were set for this team. Use the regular season to tinker with rotations? Win more games than last year, develop players or just sell tickets? It’s puzzling.

Management created a log jam of bigs with not enough minutes to go around. Since the trades failed to occur prior to start of season, trade value is now down. Recall a number of teams were interested in JT last season as 12/7 guy with motor. Now he has less value than 6-2 guard scoring 4 pts? Shame on GP, JT (despite the mistakes) is one reason why I enjoyed watching while this team continued to lose for two seasons. Even after JT is gone, someone will give up minutes to Whiteside. Greene? Another mystery. PW is still working on issues (offense and defense) that should have been resolved in preseason. So far, a frustrating and disappointing season.

PW needs to go and keep Elie! It worked for OKC with an assistant upgraded to head coach and so far GS is doing pretty well too! I am sick of PW coaching style and rotation. This team won’t improve this year the way they are playing right now and I don’t see how can they win against better teams when they can’t beat Minnesota and Detroit.

They have Radmanovic at PF and Biedrins at center tonight and they are still winning by 20! It might be that every team that plays us get hot at the right time and they suddenly get cold when they play other teams. lol

Udrih, Garcia, Thompson and Green have been playing together for 2+ seasons. Throw in Reek and Casspi at 1+ and its like they just met.

The team has too much talent to be so discombobulated. Anybody got Anthony Robbins number?

A successful team beats with one heart.

Laguna King is right. PW has to go. It’s only a matter of time till all the rest of you recognize that he is a perfect example of the Peter Principle. He has risen to the level where he is no longer competent. The look on his face is exactly the same one Adleman had when he just didn’t know what to do next. Deer in the headlights. I really doubt Elie can cut it, but we have to hope.

The rotation, if you can call it that, has no meaning. A player must earn his time. Play poorly and you sit. PW keeps Beno in when he is producing nothing—-but turnovers. So too with Tyreke. Poor shot selection should earn you a seat immediately. Why is DMC hoisting up three’s? Casspi thinks he has the green light to shoot treys whenever he feels like it. NO! Luther Head has to realize he is playing on a team. Play Sammy and DMC together—-with Landry or JT at three.

PW is not demanding—-and he must be if we are to succeed. Our free throw shooting is a disgrace. Why is Donte sitting? Remember Landry said, in some interview, that we are waiting for someone with energy to arise and we will follow on his coatails? This team has no leader. Everyone is too young. It could be Sammy, as an elder, but right now it has to be PW—— and he is in over his head. It’s painful to watch. Bottom line—-PW must go. He’s not smart enough.

Does anybody know where Cousins ranks league wide in TOs and PFs per minute? He is proving to be a horrific defender. Was this a red flag coming out of Kentucky or was he just so big and his team so talented that it was covered up?

Also where can I get shot percentages on Tyreke from the perimeter vs the paint? I almost look at it as a turnover every time he puts the ball up. PW needs to step in and force him to stop shooting. Look at Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo, granted they have superior teams to play with, but they dont hurt their teams with perimeter jumpers that dont go in.

But I enjoy watching the games regardless of outcome. Unexpected wins (they almost all are) make watching even better.

By that rationale, do you also make-out with strangers in the dark, and when the lights come on if it’s not a dude or a fat chick, you’re like, “Bonus!”?