30Q: Will Pooh Jeter Get His Shot?
by Tom Ziller on Sep 3, 2010 11:00 AM PDT
in Commentary
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PrintWe're asking 30 questions about the Kings' 2010-11 season.
Technically, Pooh Jeter is the third point guard on the Kings' roster heading into the season, behind Tyreke Evans and Beno Udrih. As such, it'd be fair to wonder whether Jeter can expect to get enough consistent playing time to establish himself as a contributor to the team and a real live NBA player.
But practically speaking, Jeter could go into the season as the back-up point guard, No. 2 on the depth chart. Why? Because Udrih may very be starting alongside Evans, as was the case for the bulk of 2009-10.
So long as Francisco Garcia is the third guard in the rotation, Paul Westphal could opt to keep the bulk of minutes between that trio, with Garcia spelling Udrih, and then Udrih coming back in for Evans. There's a legit point guard in any combination of those three you can create.
But that was also the case for all of last season, both during Kevin Martin's injury and after the team traded him. How much time did the first point guard behind Evans and Udrih get during those spans?
Martin was injured the first week of November and didn't return until January. November and December, then, should offer a fair picture of minutes availability in a Beno-Evans backcourt, even though Donte Greene started several games at two-guard. There was still a lot of Beno-Evans action going on.
Sergio Rodriguez was the third point guard on the roster until the Martin trade. In November and December, he appeared in 23 games, seeing 348 minutes of action. He didn't appear in five games. So over the team's 28 games in those two almost completely Martin-less months, Sergio played 12.4 minutes a game. (In the 23 games he made it into, he averaged 15.1 minutes.)
What about after the Martin trade, which sent Rodriguez to New York? The Kings kept Garrett Temple on the roster for a short span, but he only took 23 minutes. Garcia played only a couple minutes at point guard without Udrih or Evans on the court. Where'd those March-April back-up point guard minutes go?
Beno soaked them up.
Evans played a ton of minutes all year; March did see his highest minutes-per-game run, but the 39 mpg in that month was only a minute or two higher than in previous months. But Beno is a different story. From October through February, Beno averaged 29 minutes a game. In March and April, he averaged more than 37, effectively erasing the need for a third point guard.
Westphal did just what many expect he'll do this season: play Evans and Udrih together a lot, keeping at least one on the court at almost all times, and rotating a shooting guard in as needed. Last season that guard was Garcia, Dominic McGuire or Ime Udoka. This season, it would be Garcia and Antoine Wright, largely ...
... unless Westphal shrinks Beno's minutes some, or gives Garcia minutes at small forward, or if there is an injury in the backcourt. Minutes for Jeter have to come at the expense of minutes for someone else, and that someone else is going to have to be Beno. If Udrih plays the way he did last season, that's a tough hill to come.
But Jeter will have an early opportunity considering Evans will miss the opener. I look forward to watching Pooh make the most of his chance.
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Somehow, I really like Jeter
I hope he gets a shot, and shows his stuff. I think he could become a fan favorite.
I’ve read in several places that he is a good defender, despite his size. That may earn him some minutes, especially if Beno and Reke get burned by smaller, faster guards.
Dunking Dutchman
Is Jeter 5-11 with or without shoes?
Either way their are plenty of good PG’s who were under 6 ft. DXpress has the height of the average PG tested at the combine as being 6-0.5. I think the experience he’s aquired will out weigh the explosive leaping ability that waas a big negative early in his career.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
I streamed a few of the Cav summer league games
after Kings signed Jeter. I liked his presence and energy. He definitely seemed to be in charge on the floor. And he can shoot. Ronnie Price found a way to stick in the league with the Jazz. If all goes well for Pooh, I see him as this type of player with a better jumper.
I have been saying since June that the Kings need speedy guard and tempo changer in the second unit. And to quote Petrie:
We were looking for something a little different than what we have with Tyreke and Beno — somebody who can push the ball, change the tempo of the game and can shoot. Pooh has always been able to do that."
Since we did not want to open the coffers for Nate Robinson, Pooh could turn out to be a cheaper version and provide a lot of the same skills. It all depends on how well he acclimates himself to higher level of competition. Pre-season will tells us a lot if he belongs or not.
I predict JT puts up 7/5 next year.
Pooh happens
I expect Pooh to have his chances as Udrih has not been the most durable of players nor has Tyreke (who may lessen his chance for injury once that outside shot becomes NBA-reliable).
Coach Westphal is also a sucker for hard work and intensity. If Jeter has his head on as straight as he and the recent internet articles proclaim Coach will find him playing time. (see Monster, Brockness for example). I will add, if he shows himself to be a defensive liability and/or turnover machine he should practice towel waving as he won’t see much court time.
I really like what Jeter brings to the table.
He seems like a more controlled Sergio Rodriguez, and a much better scorer.
"Morrison beats Casspi 1 on 1". - MarcusC
Applied Theory to Basketball
Hi Everybody!
First a very good article! Well written and argued within its limitations.
I am so sorry for not having posted for quite some time but there is good reason. As you all know I have utilized very advanced and sophisticated, multivariate analysis to analyze and address issues that the Kings face. I have shared them with GP and have confirmation of their influence on him by quantam level deductive analysis. Over the last time period I have worked day and night to develop some new theoretical formulations that promise to revolutionize basketball and deliver the championship to the team that can grasp and apply them. As a Kings fan, I of course, started with the Kings.
I will admit I am a bit exeburant here and I an not sure which theory I want to share first. One theory will revolutionize the guard position. The other is essentially the equivalent of achieving the unified field theory in physics. (Don’t worry – I have already shared the advanced and professional version with GP. What I am talking about here is one accessible to the nonprofessional.)
So what should I do with my theories? Should I present the more advanced one first or build up to the grand one?
by Mr. Dave Washington on Sep 3, 2010 9:34 PM PDT reply actions
my thread reading is now complete
Universe, harmony, Mr. Dave – fitting that this should coincide with a post about Pooh
by betweentheeyes on Sep 3, 2010 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Please tell me this is a desperate attempt at a sar-chasm....
the alternative is just too sad.
It really shut down the comments
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 Sep 4, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
I can't wait...
It’s going to be awesome the first time that Pooh busts a jumper in someone’s grill and Jerry says, “You just got Poohed on!”
Yes, Yes, Yes!
Without even reading the article or your comments yet, I believe he will add another dimension to our back court. Check out the YouTube video on him. And then let me know what you think. He’s got a lot to offer and will provide a lot of rest for our other back court guys. i like what he brings and I’m sure so does Geoff and Paul and he will be used.
after reading everything now . . .
Your concerns about him not seeing the floor are unfortunately very valid. I wasn’t thinking about a 3 man rotation. And that would be, I feel, such a waste for us and him. He seems, from what I’ve seen, to bring so much for us. He is solid except for his height but I’m learning that don’t mean a thing these days. (Amazingly enough!!) His shot is spot on, smooth and secure looking. He flows well within the offense with his quickness and sure movement. Bobby J type spark plug! I LOVE that he pushes the ball down the defenses throat; that just makes things happen and I do love that type of basketball. And Cousin loves to run on down too. And Greene. And Ty. Thrown in Casspi. I feel exciting Kings basketball is coming back to Sac!! Hungry “No Quit” King! October, October, October . . .
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