I think Westphal is declaring what he wants his offensive gameplan to be—“not the offense of last 2 years.”

Players are GOING to look sluggish in the preseason. Especially with an abbreviated training camp. I would see the “sluggish” part of this quote as an explanation of why Tyreke wasn’t as good as he normally. I wouldn’t consider it calling him out.

a little.

I don’t understand why you would assume that a comment like this would lead to Tyreke tuning him out. Your distaste for Westphal is obvious, but this also sheds some insight into how you feel about Tyreke. Give the guy a little credit. Do you really think Tyreke is the type of player that would stop listening and learning for being called “sluggish” and being questioned on his time management, when it clearly was an actual issue? If so, than we got some bigger problems that a new coach won’t fix.

I know it was basically a meaningless preseason game, but listen to some post game interviews with other head coaches, specifically after a loss. Comments like that are not uncommon by any means. For all we know Westphal talked to Tyreke about it and he agreed with him. If the Kings are going to be a successful team, than Tyreke needs to be a leader and except responsibility and criticism when things don’t go right. I for one have faith that he will.

Think what you will of PW, but he called what most fans saw. If the coach has to tap dance around a player, then that player is not your team leader. I fully expect Evans to take the criticism as a challenge to step up his game. Two years ago the whole game was on his shoulders. Now he has other solid players around him. It’s up to Evans to recognize the difference and play solid team ball. I think think he can and will. But if he doesn’t, PW has every right to call him out.

Do you think Sloan Pop would be afraid to call a player out in public?

If Tyreke’s is really going to be the leader of this team and lead by example he needs to be the best player he can be at all times. If the coach will call out his best player, everyone else knows the same applies to them. Reke is in his 3rd year, no more coddling the kids.

I don’t like PW, but I like this.

There has been chatter in the past that PW had one set of rules for Tyreke, and another set of rules for the rest of the players. And players resented the fact that Tyreke was not held to the same level of accountability as to his lesser talented teammates.

I don’t have a problem with this, in fact, I like it, because Tyreke is not going to wilt in the face of criticism. He is going to be more conscious of adjusting his game appropriately.

My perception of Tyreke is that he sometimes crosses the line from extreme confidence into cockiness. Extreme confidence is good. Cocky is not. There are times he wants to razzle and dazzle with dribble display and this is not the easy or efficient play. Last night he went behind his back into nowhere that resulted in jump ball and loss of possession. You could see PW cringe.

And the main thing is this: PW is not trying to limit Tyreke. He is not trying restrict his freedom as player. The adjustment PW wants Tyreke to make will not prevent him from becoming an All-Star. He’s just sending a loud and clear message that has not been consistently received: Make the easy play, not the forced play. Rely upon your teammates and ball movement, not unquenchable desire to embarrass your defender.

The fact that PW ‘calls him out’, which in my view was just frustration borne out of repeated witness to selfish play, speaks to the fact that Tyreke has ingrained tendencies to monopolize that are tough to shake. It is ironic, however, that PW has been part of the reason the tendencies to monopolize exist in the first place.

I’m with Westphal on this , what the coach said was not harsh. but would of been nice if coach would of call out J.T and Garcia also.

But let’s not be silly and parse the coach’s words. PW’s been using the media to prod his players for quite a while and that’s what he was doing here. I guess it’s up to the individual to decide if that’s a good or bad thing.