Kings Win Total Revealed: 65-1!
by bench_blob on Dec 25, 2011 5:55 PM PST
Email
PrintOut of my bed, sensual and curvy stranger. The NBA is back. Back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back. Call you later, or text you, or not. Coffee. Hoops. Joy. Sobriety returns, and so does my favorite spectator sport.
As the female underwear wearing, toupee shamelessly sporting Marv Albert would say…YES!!!!!
The Celtics play awesome defense. They have a no-frills, no-flash PG who loves to defend, to pass.
Unlikeable? Roger that. Bad ass? Rondo that (31 points, 13 assists, 5 steals).
The Celtics have proven veterans at every position on the floor. Their back-up power forward (Brandon Bass) played a better game today in his first game as a Celtic (9 for 13 FGs, 20 points, 11 boards in 28 minutes) than Jason Thompson has ever played in 3 NBA seasons.
Their head coach is a no-nonsense, excuse-free sideline warrior. Coach Doc Rivers glistens on the sideline, vicariously playing the game in a suit and tie.
As a basketball purist for 25 years, I love it. The Boston Celtics don’t make excuses, with Paul Pierce incapacitated. Instead they compete intensely. They do the game of basketball proud. Tommy Heinsohn has every right to bleed green.
The Celtics are everything the Sacramento Kings are not. The Celtics are everything the Kings aspire to be. The Celtics are winners. The Kings are losers, until a new season, dawning in 24 hours, proves otherwise.The Kings enter the new season as the anti-Celtics.
Good luck.
The Kings don’t defend. They don’t take pride on their home court. They don’t make the extra pass. Their head coach bemoans the shortened time period to prepare. He wears age-inappropriate facial hair. He tempts self-fulfilling prophecy by harping upon the shortened training camp.
Get over it, coach. All teams are on an even, disadvantaged playing field.
And besides, Chuck Hayes’ ticker is just fine.
How many games can a team win when it presents itself as the polar opposite of the Celtics, figurative and banner-hanging champions to their core, despite hard fought loss versus the Knicks today 104-106?
We get our first serious clue tomorrow at 7:00 PST.
Time to rock n’ roll, my fellow Jimmer-manics.
We are not the Celtics. Yet, blessedly, on a day blessings are counted, there is more than one way to skin a cat.
Merry X-Mas, StR.com. Let’s win.
In my Blobbed estimation, the Kings will do so 34 times in 66 tries. Not bad. Playoffs here we come.
The wins will come, despite our blundering play caller, and our green-free jerseys. Imagine the possibilities if Doc was at the helm (drool).
The Hayes (Domino) Effect.
David Thorpe, respected ESPN analyst, and the guy who helped a scrawny late first round draft pick transform his game into a 20+ per game scorer (Kevin Martin), said this recently:
In Sacramento Kings history, I'd rank the acquisition of Chuck Hayes as perhaps the smartest move they've ever made.
That’s high praise, no?
Especially considering this is the same team that traded for Mitch Richmond, Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, signed Vlade Divac, drafted Peja Stojakovic, and that said player has modest career averages of 4.5 points and 6 rebounds in 6 seasons.
The esteemed regard with which Chuck Hayes is held by basketball personnel can be further gleaned through visceral reaction when Chuck’s deal was abruptly voided a week ago:
"(The team) realized (in one week of training camp) what an important and respected person Chuck Hayes is." – Coach Westphal.
"We're not going to be able to replace him. He was one of the best defensive frontcourt players in the league and a really unique player we thought would facilitate some offense…it's not going to be the same (without him)." – GM Geoff Petrie
Prayers have been answered. Distressed doctors shunned. Chuck Hayes is back. He is bringing sexy back, minus the sexy. Chuck does not play above the rim, possess an indefensible half hook, or launch wet jumpers from 20 feet.
He just helps you win games, if you are into that sorta thing.
Rejoice. Celebrate. Eggnog inebriate.
Chuckwagon is a more skilled, savvy, experienced version of former King Jon Brockman. Undersized, physical and heady, Hayes will earn his $22.4 million over 4 years in more ways than field goals converted.
I noticed today that the Celtics set amazing picks, led by Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal. Setting an effective pick is a painful art, a thankless job, and a winner’s weapon. Angles, timing, width and strength are components of a prudent pick-setter. JT and Cousins would rather complain to the refs and commit turnovers, respectively.
Enter a heart-healthy Chuck Hayes.
Pick executed. Marcus Thornton and Jimmer are unguarded as result. Clean looks from 3 point land and in incur. Points follow. Points are good.
The Chuck Hayes effect, aka the domino effect, manifests.
Notice to David Lee, Pau Gasol, LeMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin, et al: A red carpet path to the hoop shall not be granted when you play the purple and black.
Sweet post position refused. Deep catches deferred. Foul trouble to JJ and DeMarcus averted. Easy points to opponent refused!
Happy, happy. Joy, joy. Lakers lose! Lakers lose (87-88)!
More presents present themselves:
Carving space in the paint by Chuck Hayes does not mean every rebound falls to his eager mitts.
Yet it does allow smaller teammates to collapse into the paint to gain possession. Jimmer, Tyreke and MT23 will get their hands on more loose balls because Chuck Hayes makes his presence known.
Fast breaks triggered. Dunkage delivered. Layups done.
More break-outs, not blemishes. But oops, scoops, rallies, and satisfying victories in 2012.
Interior passes made adeptly. Instruction barked unabashedly. Inspiration offered consistently.
We have the glitter (Marcus, Tyreke, Jimmer, DeMarcus).
We needed the glue.
We landed the glue, until 2016. His name is Chuck.
Glue plus glitter equals 34 wins, starting tomorrow.
Merry X-Mas to all Kings fans, except that one guy.
(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)
24 comments
|
7 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Nicely done, Blob
And a Merry Christmas to you. It would make my year if your playoff prediction came true.
I’ll be the happiest person in the world if he turns out to be a good player on this level. Hell, I’ll even change my avatar to a pic of the Jimmer and make my signature "I was wrong about the Jimmer."
Nice read, merry Christmas BB
U think we’ll make a strong push. I’m loving the Chuck Hayes addition. AK47 would be awesome but if doesn’t really want to be here(I’d say he’s made that pretty clear) then I think we’ll be ok without him. Hopefully John Salmons will fill the role nicely.
by Allbenji on Dec 25, 2011 8:48 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Thanks Blob, really enjoyed the read.
Agree. The Chuckwagon’s value to the Kings is measured exponentially.
Of all the teams to emulate
Boston would not be high in my list. Not a big Doc Rivers fan. Not impressed with what Ainge has done over the last year or two. And honestly, I think their players are better than their record.
But I do agree Hayes could have a real nice impact here.
And for what it’s worth, I don’t care if PW grown hair on his chin, butt, or out of his ears. I just want to see some real growth this year.
It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
by SavageBeast on Dec 26, 2011 7:17 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
rec'd for bald faced truth
, I don’t care if PW (has) grown hair on his chin, butt, or out of his ears. I just want to see some real growth this year.
by betweentheeyes on Dec 26, 2011 8:30 AM PST up reply actions
Also I see the Celtics complain more than most teams in the league
Sanka....you dead? Ya Man
by prowseinthehouse on Dec 27, 2011 9:20 AM PST up reply actions
You're occasionally entertaining
The Celtics have proven veterans at every position on the floor. Their back-up power forward (Brandon Bass) played a better game today in his first game as a Celtic (9 for 13 FGs, 20 points, 11 boards in 28 minutes) than Jason Thompson has ever played in 3 NBA seasons.
But I figured there was no point reading past here. Same old, same old.
"I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!" - Michael Scott
18 point, 10 rebounds in his very 1st NBA game
Not enough?
19-12 on 11/21/08
22-11 on 1/16/09
18-11 on 1/20/09 or the next game
21-11 at Boston on 1/21/09
18-12 on 3/20/09
I could go on but it would take too much of my time. These are just a few of JT’s 1st season stats.
JT is not a championship teams starting PF but neither is Brandon Bass. They both could be 1st big off the bench on some really good teams though.
by Allbenji on Dec 26, 2011 9:04 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Also I understand you were being humorous BB
by Allbenji on Dec 26, 2011 9:05 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Brandon Bass was instrumental in erasing 17 point deficit
It wasn’t just the numbers, it was the context. JT played a good game against Orlando in a road win last year. Thats 1 in 82 he actually had an impact that I would call significant in outcome, and he didn’t make as many plays as Bass did.
I like it when a player rises above the current level of his teammates and becomes one of the best players on the floor for a stretch. Confidence flows and game comes easy. JT has never been able to achieve that with any frequency.
The post is not about JT, though. It is about Chuck Hayes and looking forward to great season!
By the way I think Chuck will help to define roles along the front line that could actually be beneficial to JT. I think JT could be a competent 4th big (10 minutes per game), and with the new depth chart he will have that chance.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
JT played seven minutes against the Lakers
and was almost invisible.
The Kings have really improved their depth this season. JT is a decent fourth big. It wasn’t that long ago that he was playing more than 30 minutes a game.
Same thing at the SF position. Salmons-Outlaw > Casspi-Donte-Garcia.
Only five guys from last season’s team played tonight.
Hats off to Petrie.
"His D was a difference at the end."
by NewEraKings on Dec 26, 2011 11:33 PM PST up reply actions
Yep
Donte and Cisco are 11th and 12th man after being in rotation much of last year.
We look to be 10 deep for now, with Honeycutt as 13th man, Whiteside inactive as the 14th man.
A 10 or 11 player rotation seems about right most nights. I can see Honeycutt or Donte getting spot minutes some nights.
What I loved about game last night is how a player can be physical and smart. A post player can defend a guy closely without fouling, camping out in the lane or setting illegal screens. This is what I have wanted to see from JT, but never delivered. Despite limited practice and being somewhat overweight, Chuck was impressive. Whats more, this should be about a typical night of production. (minus career high in blocks)
No turnovers, 4 assists, 3 blocks, did not give Pau Gasol anything easy.
He denies early post position, does not get flustered when he has the ball out high. He set beautiful pick at the end of first half to give Tyreke clear path to hoop.
As players get more comfortable together Chuck is going to teammates a lot of easy shots.
It is encouraging that the Kings can now defend the post against prime time players without having to double, and be assured points will not come easy. LeMarcus Alridge will not have it easy tonight. Take away an opponents main scoring, and you stay in the game to the end.
The Kings had to choose between vertical resistance (Sammy) versus horizontal resistance (Hayes) in the paint. They made right choice.
JJ Hickson struggled but made nice back court steal on Fisher, and full court hustle play on Troy Murphy that did not show in box score.
The Kings have two potentially dominant defenders. I wrote about this before about Tyreke and Chuck leading to a defensive tipping point, such that the whole team goes from bad and porous defensively to capable of key stops because of their combined influence.
In terms of concerns the Kings spaced the floor well, but got very little out of the post. Interior passing, weak side play and back door cuts pretty much non-existent. PG responsibility seems shared among 4 players, and wonder if this may create confusion in key possessions. Our best PG in terms of running half court was Jimmer.
Apologies to Travis Outlaw. He’s not as bad as I thought.
Lastly speed at back-up guard is beautiful to see. Love it, love it, love it.
I hope Isaiah Thomas 2 can stay in the rotation all year, unlike the inability of Pooh.
Let’s hope the constipation of last year leads to free flowing movement and consistent flushes.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
by bench_blob on Dec 27, 2011 11:03 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I have Outlaw and JJ written in my lineup card in pencil.
I don’t even think that MT’s minutes are guaranteed. There will be times when we face a team that doesn’t have Fisher in the back court, where PW can’t afford to live with Thornton’s defense especially when his shot isn’t falling.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
Blasphemy.
I don’t even think that MT’s minutes are guaranteed.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
Thornton is the team's best player
He’s going to be first or second on minutes unless he gets hurt.
"His D was a difference at the end."
I don't expect the minutes to go unchanged for the season
Outlaw played about 3 minutes at the SF and Tyreke and Salmons played almost all the SF minutes. I really don’t see where we have the defensive answer at the SF for the likes of Wallace, Durant and Gay in the West. And, in the East, James, Anthony, Deng, and Pierce just to name a few.
PW like his veterans, but when the vets don’t perform he isn’t patient and goes searching his bench for an answer.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
I don't have a lot of confidence in Salmons either.
But I do like that we have ball handling at that position now. Salmons can initiate offense somewhat. But 13 points on 14 shots and zero assists is bad production, but I will give him a break because of injured pre-season.
The number I am interested in is Salmons FG%. Will it be 40% or 45%?
As far as his defense, he is usually in good position, does not bite on pump fakes, keeps man in front of him. No one stops those guys are your list. If Salmons gets punked, don’t be surprised to see PW slide Tyreke to ‘3’ for defensive try.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
by bench_blob on Dec 27, 2011 4:37 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
It was mostly Chuck Hayes love.
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
About time.
When Westphal took the helm he said he would give minutes to those who played defense. The problem was, we had no defenders, so the threat was an idle one; hell, we had to start someone! I think this is what led to signing players like Desmond Mason, and giving starting assignments to players like JT at the SF position. Because when you don’t have the personnel, you have to start looking elsewhere, as he stated in this" 2009 nba.com article:
“We have to improve in those areas,” he said. “You can do that by changing personnel and you can also do that by improving your performance. After that I don’t have any preconceived ideas of how many wins that will translate into but we need take steps in improving in order to become a legitimate force in this league.”
Westphal and Petrie, I think, came to realize that it was time to quit waiting for certain players performance to improve and time to start signing players they know can defend, both on the ball and in a team defense scheme.
Insert a known defensive quantity (Salmons) and a defensive specialist (Chuck Wagon).
I’m all for it. Dalembert was a good experiment in which our perimeter defenders could gamble with the hopes that Sammy would thwart the efforts of quick guards and slippery forwards who somehow made it into the paint. But Hayes and Salmons are different. Salmons will keep some of the league’s best where they belong…on the perimeter (as best as anyone can I suppose). And Chuck will shut down the Blake’s, Amare’s, and Garnett’s" (with the same caveat). These two will not make up for other’s mistakes as well as Sammy can. They are here because they don’t make those mistakes that make a Sammy a necessity.
Now let’s watch it translate into some wins.
Always put your right shoe on first, because if you put your left shoe on first then your right shoe will be left...and you will have two left shoes.
by Jim Les on Dec 26, 2011 10:15 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
Well said
These two will not make up for other’s mistakes as well as Sammy can. They are here because they don’t make those mistakes that make a Sammy a necessity.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Sactown Royalty
Related FanShots on Sactown Royalty
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Behind the Box Score, where the Boston Celtics are moving on to the conference finals
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Indiana Pacers? Gone till November
- Shaquille O’Neal is in a Chinese beer commercial, too (VIDEO)
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
