30Q: Should Francisco Garcia or Beno Udrih Start?

But I would personally put Beno on the floor right now because of how well he played with Reke last year, until Cisco can show he can be just as effective.

(ducks)

Start Beno when we play vs mediocre SGs.
Start Cisco when we play vs good SGs
Start Wright when we play vs elite SGs.

think start Beno, and make Cisco the first guy off the bench.

Has garcia really earned a startign role back after his injury. Is he 100% back to form. If not then don’t start him until he is. Onlu issue is we won’t know which Beno we get this year till after we see him play. More Warbeno less Wahbeno

and let that Evans combo guard guy come in for whichever one has a slow start.

If garcia didn’t start to begin the preseason. We know beno works well with tyreke, but we don’t know if garcia does. Kind of a no-brainer.

I hope PW will establish clear rotations earlier this season than he did last year. And yes, you can question whether he established clear rotations at any point last season.

I think mainly Beno is somewhat a victim of being universally compatible with the other guard on the floor. He can step in and play well in either spot. Plus he’s some excellent firepower off the bench a la Jason Terry.

Right now, I would try Garcia with Tyreke. If you play Beno and Tyreke, Tyreke is going to have to spend more energy on defense.

I like Garcia more at SG, simply because he’s tall, and I want to see the reverse of small ball Kings:
C – Sam – 6’11"
PF – JT – 6’11"
SF – Donte – 6’11"
SG – Cisco – 6’7"
PG – Reke – 6’6"

Was a wonderful duo last season. I though would like to see Beno backup and either relieve Reke or Francisco and provide energy off the bench.

1) Is that Beno can lead the 2nd team, offers some different looks and can create his own shot and for others. He can play PG or SG next to Tyreke, Cisco or Jeter (probably only if one of the others is injured or in fould trouble).

2) For that reason, his versatility, I think Cisco should preliminarily get the starting nod. Cisco’s 3 pt shooting is a big factor as well, though Beno shoots the 3 pretty well it’s a more natural shot for Cisco which is going to be an important factor IMO with our bigger, hopefully lane clogging front line.

3) Leadership. Cisco is one of the better, if not the best natural leader on our roster right now. It’s important that leaders play in order to support thier leadership position. He supplies good leadership along with passion and fire and yes, can handle the ball from time to time to take some of the burden off Tyreke.

It does concern me that both Tyreke and Cisco can be a bit slow bringing up the ball and initiating the offense – but I’d give the combo the 1st long look at working together.

I think Antoine Wright is strickly a 3rd string backup at SF/SG. His career 3pt shooting numbers are poor, although in 28 playoff games he’s 47% FG, 40.7% 3’s and 83.3% FT with his last 2 yrs being his best. He’s going to have to show outstanding improvement defensively to get any kind of rotation minutes, so I doubt he’ll be the next Ime.

As TZ pointed out, under no circumstances can Beno be considered a better defender than Cisco. And, unless the wrist injury has affected his shot, Cisco is by far one of our best outside shooters. So, on defense alone, Cisco should get the starting nod.

I’m expecting Tyreke to have improved his ball handling in the offseason, and see him getting into the offense quicker. Making the fact that Beno is a better ball handler than Cisco, a non-factor. So, unless Evans still has problem with pressure bring the ball up, I see no advantage with playing Beno over Cisco.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Tyreke will see minutes at the 2 along side Jeter, when we play against upscale teams with 2 quick guards. But, I agree with JR, that Reke and Cisco will probably be the starting backcourt for most of the season baring trade or injury. And, Kings.com has JR’s Q&A on their front page so I’m sure Jerry’s comments aren’t to far out of line with PW’s thinking.

It all depends on Beno, but expect him to be on fire… Not getting the start for his national team will likely mean he comes in hot and like this guy.

Beno off the bench gives us a better look off the bench than Cisco off the bench does. Also, Garcia’s size makes things less difficult for Reke’ while improving team D. I don’t really see any advantage to starting Beno when he only helps us on offense…if we are struggling, PW can always put Beno in the game at that time.

Next question

Many factors to consider. First and foremost, who are we matching up against each game is a major driving point.

Secondly, you don’t and shouldn’t pigeon hole anyone for any one position. Any guard should be able to force the action given the circumstances of the last possesion. Take what the rebound, defense, outlet pass gives you and go with the fastest possible way down court. Whose closest and available gets it, puts in into high gear, drive and push it all the way to the basket until the defense stops you. If that happens, set up your offense.

Tereke did not push the tempo as much as I would have liked. He walked it down too much for my liking. You don’t ever give the defense a breather or time to set up in my opinion!! But it was his first year so I’m not judging by any means.

But to start games, I believe Ty and Beno are our best "one two punch" at getting a good head start to give us a lead in the beginning of any game. Ty’s stats were better when paired with Beno on the floor, if I’m not mistaken. Beno pushed it a lot more than Ty. He drove the lane until stopped, dished or made the quick 2 points. Very good at completing the basket. Wether around the basket or with a quick pull up jumper. Ty drove well and made exceptional moves to get there but did not convert as well as Beno did. Still a rookie and still not judging. I Love his game and he should be out there. Beno is a better point guard for my money in relation to what I’ve seen last year. And I DVR’d every game. AND he was the one to get the rest of the team involved!! Ty not so much. I love Cisco and all he brings!! And I feel he is better suited coming off the bench to counter what Paul is seeing from the sidelines. Cisco is more of a savior than a starter. But I heard wonderful things about his game prior to his injury that made me believe he was having his "coming out" party!! So sad it was ruined for him. Plus I believe that is why the Kings have held off on getting that shooting guard we so desperately need. And if that is coming to pass again this year, only the coaches know better based on what they are seeing. His spirit and support for the rest of the team is well worth rewarding. I pray he gets it back for his sake. He deserves it.

And what about Mr. Jeter? He is one that could upset ( in a great way) the apple cart!! The Kings seem to be in a wondeful predicament this year!

But I’m really interested to see what the team looks like with someone as quick as Jeter running the point. He’ll push the tempo offensively, and be a pest on defense.

I think something that just keeps getting overlooked in these discussions is the fact that perimeter defenders, good or bad, are going to be allowed to play more aggressively, and play more closely on the ballhandler, since they won’t be dependent on Spencer Hawes waking up behind them should the ballhandler drive past our guards.

Everyone is going to look a lot smarter on the defensive end with Sammy lurking back there. And Cousins and Whiteside won’t exactly be an enticing invitation to drive the lane, either. I feel like the defensive aspect of guards is less important in who starts than it has been in previous seasons.

but has he ever shown himself capable of being a legit starter in the NBA? Not sure. Played well in stretches over his career, and in the clutch, but never really seized a starting role. Beno proved a legitimate starter the year he earned his contract as PG, and last year as SG. On past merits, I’d say Beno.

However, this team wants to create a new identity around toughness. With Tyreke and Carl you have your first two options on offense, who as far as I am concerned are two 20 point scorers. Then in the West you have players like Eric Gordon, Brandon Roy, Kobe, Kevin Martin, Manu, etc. so why allow them a hot start from tipoff if it can be mitigated? Ideally you want to be forced to double teams as infrequent as possible, so with Cisco on top shooting guards vs. Beno, you likely have to give less help.

Cisco is due a season of health, and owes the Kings return on his contract, so I hope for karmic convergence and he has a great bounce back season. If PW is true to his philosophy of defense first, he starts Cisco with the luxury of bringing in Beno at either guard spot.

I hope Cisco makes a renewed commitment to defense, taking charges, making hustle plays, and not just regaining his three point stroke. He should recognize playing defense at the ‘2’ spot is what will earn him time on the court. Otherwise he could get lost in the shuffle and go from starter to DNP-CDs.

Omri can play SG too, depending on match-ups.

Add in a variable, call it b, that takes into account what happens to the offense when Tyreke is on the floor with a guard (Beno) who can be guarded by a 1. When Tyreke is on the floor with Beno it allows 2s to guard him without creating other mismatches. Tyreke can get his shot off against anyone, but forcing other mismatches on the court with Flaco at the 2 is possible benefit that may mitigate some of factor O.

But one of them has to start. Eventually we will draft or otherwise acquire the starting 2 of the future, and one or both of these guys will be on their way to be gradually phased out.

But that’s getting ahead of things. Let’s enjoy this season and see how it plays out.

as you can see there are multiple choices. Tyreke, Omri, Landry and Dally go best with someone who can move the ball around. In this case, Beno on “O” trumps Cisco on “D” as the interior D has Dally and DMC (and JT and Whiteside) for interior recovery. Coach Paul will figure it out.

For the bench, Cisco can be subbed in with Pooh (sorry, Eugene) to maintain ball movement (and play the role of Sergio Rodriguez) and Antoine Wright will play the role of Garrett Temple, Dominic McGuire and Desmond Mason.

I have gone on record as saying that IF the Kings were able to have Carl Landry and Beno Udrih as the first two men off the bench, then this was a successful off-season. Landry, although still the starter is obviously a good complement player alongside Dalembert but not so much with Cousins. If Cousins is the long term center of the Sacramento Kings, then in my opinion, Jason Thompson is the complementary player that will be lined up next to him. So, although Landry as the 3rd big is not on the docket for day one, it is a realistic outcome of this off-season.

Beno is kind of in the same type situation. I was pretty sold that the starters coming into this season were Evans and Beno but this post along with Jerry Reynolds comments and the Kings refusal to sniff at any of the 20 different PG/SG/Combo options, has me re-thinking this whole starter bit. Beno is a more versatile scorer and better assist man but he likes to have the ball in his hands like Evans. Allowing Beno and Evans to start together, although they have played well in the past, would be like starting Landry alongside Cousins. Sure, it might work but it isn’t the best option to start both of your best interior post scorers in the same way that it isn’t the best idea to start both your best distributors and versatile perimeter scorers.

Garcia is a defender and shooter who brings a lot of intangibles in the same way that Dalembert does. I really wish the Kings would have brought in a long term, young starter type but if the team runs better with Garcia as a starter then so be it. Again, I firmly believe that this team will be at its best with Landry and Beno as the main bench cogs but Dalembert will mask the deficiencies of Landry where I’m not sure that Evans is quite ready to cover Beno. Mixing Beno and Wright, Thompson and Cousins, Landry and Dalembert, Evans and Garcia doesn’t seem like such a bad plan- starters, bench players, who cares, these combos look like good bets.

mostly because I think he’s NaPG.

I’d like to see Beno and Reke both in at the end of games because I think that’s the best backcourt the roster can field, but there has to be a pg that comes off the bench, and I don’t think Cisco can be that.

I don’t care about his leadership abilities or whatever, he’s an average basketball player who makes too many foolish mistakes for my taste. Beno is a much better option to start with Reke.

Is Dalembert in the paint covering for his defensive lapses. Garcia starts and that is not needed. You might be better starting Cousins and playing Beno with Dalembert off the bench.

“Never underestimate how difficult it is to take a clean jumper with Bat Boy staring back at you.”