Fire At Will
by Exhibit G on Jan 11, 2012 7:35 AM PST
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Last night's game was ugly. There is no doubt about it, no defending the effort, and you'd be hard pressed to find a silver lining. It is still only one game. We hope the team will rebound tonight against Toronto. We also hope the team will pass, score, and defend against Toronto tonight, but that's beside the point.
I think it is too early to jump to conclusions about the team or individual players based on last night's game. We can begin to come to some conclusions based on the season as a whole, but even that has to be considered in the context of what has happened this season. The Kings have a very young roster, with many new players, no preseason, a shortened training camp, and now a new coach with almost no practice time. It's going to be ugly.
Despite all that, there are certain things we can identify. We can conclude that our Small Forward rotation is playing terribly. We can conclude that this team could really use Chuck Hayes back as soon as possible. The masses seem to have concluded that we need a true point guard.
Personally, I think we need another gunner.
Jimmer Fredette is a rookie. The issues facing the team that I outlined above, specifically the lack of preseason and practices, are going to hit Jimmer harder than they will hit a veteran, and they obviously have. Jimmer is off to a slow start, and seems to be lacking any sort of confidence on the court.
I not terribly concerned about it. I think Jimmer will be just fine, he'll find his footing, and he'll get his confidence back. But it has been very difficult to watch Jimmer. His play reminds me of when I play pick-up games. I've got a tendency to hover around the three point line, never really mixing it up. When I get the ball it becomes obvious I'm overthinking what I should do next. I tend to pass when I should shoot, and shoot when I should pass (I'm not a great pick-up game player). I see a lot of this in Jimmer.
During the fourth quarter of last night's game, I noticed Jimmer hovering well behind the arc. He wasn't at the line where he could catch and pull up into a three. While this did a nice job of offering floor spacing, it struck me as very odd. It seems he's reluctant to even be a part of the offense. Part of this might be confidence. Part of it might be not wanting to be labeled as a gunner or a chucker. But this was the fourth quarter of a 30 point blowout.
If I was Coach Smart, I'd tell Jimmer to fire at will. Jimmer was drafted because he can score. Specifically, Jimmer can score from behind the arc. For all the jokes about this team being full of black holes who can score but can't pass, the Kings aren't scoring very much. Last night the Kings went 4-19 from 3. Jimmer was responsible for 2 of those 19 attempts. And he made one of them. I want Jimmer launching threes instead of swinging the ball to "0-6 from 3" John Salmons.
The biggest issue with Jimmer not taking threes is that far too often he is instead putting the ball on the floor and attempting to create a shot. I'm tired of watching Jimmer pass up an open three, dribble into the lane, and attempt a guarded mid-range shot.
Jimmer was drafted because he demonstrated an insane ability to score from deep, even when the shot looked impossible. I appreciate a young player attempting to be a good teammate and not become another black hole.
But come on, Jimmer. Fire at will.
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What Jimmer Needs
Is a front row seat at the Matt Bonner, Hover/Catch and shoot clinic.
But then we'd need to get Tyreke and Thornton to the
Tony Parker Recognize & Pass clinic.
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on Jan 11, 2012 3:18 PM PST up reply actions
I´m in a bit of a hole here.
My level of excitement and hope right now is much lower than my level of diappointement. At this point there are 5 guys on this team I wouldn´t miss at all were they traded, that seems an aweful lot to me.
I'd be okay with somebody whacking Salmons over the head with a 2x4 every time he jacks up a 3 attempt.
It may take 10 or 20 whacks but sooner or later he’d get the point.
SJSU. Excellence In Mediocrity, Since 1857.
Salmons is in a slump
As painful as it is, he probably needs to keep shooting threes.
Salmons’ 3PT% for the last three seasons:
08-09: 42%
09-10: 38%
10-11: 38%
Career 36.5%
In most polarizing arguments, the truth is found somewhere in the middle.
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by Exhibit G on Jan 11, 2012 7:47 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs
Admittedly it's early, but 8x35 (.229) looks like a little bit more than a slump, methinks...
…and it’s not nearly as bad as Outlaw’s 3FG% (2×17, .118).
We always hear that shooters need to keep shooting in order to snap out of a slump, but with the reduction in practice opportunities, it appears that the only way Fish is getting out of this “slump” is by clanking 3’s until he figures it out. Regrettably, those clanked 3’s tend to turn into buckets for the other team. It’s pretty gruesome to watch.
Release the Jimmer!!!
SJSU. Excellence In Mediocrity, Since 1857.
by SierraSpartan on Jan 11, 2012 8:00 AM PST up reply actions
You are only talking 5-6 shots going in and he is at career average
an 11 of 15 streak and he is at 38%
35 and 31. I'm calling it now. Reke and Cousins 1-2 in most improved award both All-stars. Jimmer leads rookies in scoring, passing and Ole's. Make 2nd round of playoffs and Salmons is not here by seasons end.
Agreed - nor should 70 minutes of play from Francisco Garcia
Who has a better career 3p% than John Salmons.
"I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!" - Michael Scott
Honestly, I feel more comfortable with Salmons' catch and shoot than his drive attempts.
His shot looked flat last night though, first time I’ve noticed that this season.
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
Thats all I've seen from him
I don’t think his threes go above 11 feet.
HERE WE STAY
THIS IS OUR TEAM
by kangsfan on Jan 11, 2012 11:10 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
From what I've seen
A lot of our players have the same issue- passing up open shots to drive in to traffic to shoot a more difficult/contested shot, or leaving their feet and attempting to make a difficult pass. I don’t know why so many guys do this so regularly, but I wish they’d stop!
by outrider on Jan 11, 2012 7:46 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
This is because nobody on our team has a mid-range game.
Teams know we are not going to shoot or pass in the 15 foot range, so they do not have to defend against it. It makes us easy to predict.
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
DMC has a decent spot up mid-range shot as well, just doesnt shoot it as much.
See, the first time we had Salmons, I remember he had a respectable mid-range game, and that did not make the trip back with him.
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
Everyone has a mid-range game in the NBA
Besides the C positions, if you don’t have a mid range game in the NBA, you should not be in the NBA. Bill Walton, for all of his unwarranted comments, was right when he said against the Magic that the trend in the NBA is to either shoot a 3 or drive it to the hoop for a highlight reel dunk. It’s not that the can’t shoot the mid range jump shot, they just don’t want to…this goes hand in hand with the lack of ball movement.
If players dont use their mid-range game, that means they dont have one.
It doesnt mean they physically cant shoot from there, it just means they have not practiced that particular part of their game enough to have confidence in it to use it in a game. And if our players (especially our wings) do not shoot or pass in the mid-range area (meaning 12-18 feet away from the basket) then they do not have a mid-range game.
Tyreke could come off a screen and shoot a 15 foot jumper every time he has the ball, but it is not in his mindset at this point in his career to stop and pop. To me, that means he does not have a mid range game.
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
by Wonderchild on Jan 11, 2012 10:40 AM PST up reply actions
I see where you are coming from, but I still have to disagree
If they didn’t have a mid range game then I feel like that would mean they are not capable. Aside from Chuck, I think every Kings player is capable of passing and hitting shots from the mid range, they just choose not to. This is sort of like going one on one and not moving the ball. They could pass, cut and set screens, they just choose not to. It’s a behavior or habit and those take time to break, thats why the coach implementing a good system is so important..IMO
I don't think we need a gunner
as much as we need someone who can actually make shots. IMO this team is full of gunners. Thornton, Outlaw, Salmons, Greene (recently), are all rotation players that I would say are gunners (some would say chuckers). Tyreke is more of a “slasher” but you could say he’s a gunner as he takes almost just as many shots as MT23.
Shooters that can make shots from the outside will open up those lanes for Tyreke and Marcus to attack the basket. Shooters will keep the defense from packing the paint allowing DMC to have more room to operate in the post. Shooters are what we need not gunners shooting 30% or less. Jimmer could be that guy. Eventually. Right now he’s being asked to handle the ball. Again, the Kings are trying to make a scorer into a facilitator.
These problems will persist until the Kings go out and get a Point Guard. Someone who’s natural tendency and instincts is to distribute and make sure the play is run. That will allow Jimmer to be Jimmer and Tyreke to be Tyreke.
The one thing I used to like
about Salmons’ game was his ability to drive to the basket. He has handles and a solid mid-range J, and yet oddly he seems to have lost it. He spends way too much time around the 3 point line, something I think PW encouraged. I think we have identified our gunners – Jimmer and Thornton. My opinion is that they should be using more pick and roll / cutting plays, he should only be shooting 3s as a last resort…
...Watching DeMarcus Cousins’ transformation from large human to immortal kill beast...
It's called a tease line
Sue me.
In most polarizing arguments, the truth is found somewhere in the middle.
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Author of Inside-Out Game
Reading that, I worry that came across angrier than I meant it
In most polarizing arguments, the truth is found somewhere in the middle.
Follow me on Twitter
Author of Inside-Out Game
That's "oh don't wory jerk"
"Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake."
- Chessmaster Savielly Grigorievitch Tartakower
by lietothegirls on Jan 11, 2012 9:01 AM PST up reply actions
If I could spell
"Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake."
- Chessmaster Savielly Grigorievitch Tartakower
by lietothegirls on Jan 11, 2012 9:01 AM PST up reply actions
I think Jimmer will be fine
He is just trying to fit in with the team, and right now he’s doing a great job of fitting in.
Unfortunately.
The endless pounding.
A hole, blacker than despair.
John Salmons is back.
by twasserm on Jun 23, 2011
by Dirkula on Jan 11, 2012 8:13 AM PST reply actions 4 recs
YES...completely agree with this article.
Can someone explain to me again why we traded for Salmons while moving back in the draft?
Hope you guys like Salmons and Outlaw, we’re stuck with them for another 3 years. Of course next offseason one will be an amnesty candidate but does that make any sense? Recklessly picking up players only to amnesty them later? Like Salmons, what was the point of picking up Outlaw? He barely plays and when he does, it’s not very effective. Now it looks like one of these guys will be amnestied next offseason…I think that amnesty could’ve been put to better use. Instead, it will probably just go to waste because of Petrie’s inability to make quality decisions.
by Sactown_Loyalty19 on Jan 11, 2012 8:19 AM PST reply actions
He barely plays
Oh how I wish this to be true
by wallywagon11 on Jan 11, 2012 8:44 AM PST up reply actions
I used to like Outlaw
in Portland as a nice spark off the bench. He seemed to have hustle, rebounding, defense and the occasional 3 ball. I have seen none of this during his time in Sac. And this may be nitpicking, but dude wears a glove on the court. A guy wearing a glove should never be thinking shoot first. I would be ok if we amnestied Outlaw tomorrow. A glove. Seriously…
...Watching DeMarcus Cousins’ transformation from large human to immortal kill beast...
Umm, the dude has a broken hand
and he’s wearing the glove to protect it.
I guess that means he’s soft.
"Live Long and Prosper." - Spock
I hear that Jamal Crawford guy can shoot
and he’d fit right in with the 34%.
TZ?
"Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake."
- Chessmaster Savielly Grigorievitch Tartakower
Didn't he take less money to play in Portland?
The endless pounding.
A hole, blacker than despair.
John Salmons is back.
by twasserm on Jun 23, 2011
Ya, but we campaigned against him coming here and his family is close up there
(Little did we know what the consolation prize was)
Sanka....you dead? Ya Man
by prowseinthehouse on Jan 11, 2012 11:55 AM PST up reply actions
Great article...
Absolutely agree. I think Salmons and Outlaw need way LESS confidence at the 3 and Jimmer needs far MORE confidence. It’s been frustrating to watch to say the least.
"soon as you see the poke coming, shut your eye lid."
- Danago
"Anderson fought with no ribs. Aldo fought with no foot, go do the math."
- Danago
In grad school, it was not uncommon for masters and PhD candidates to begin doubting themselves.
Their writing would become jumbled and uncommitted – unwilling to make bold statements. It was called impostor syndrome – the belief that they somehow tricked the system and don’t really belong.
I think this is what Jimmer is going through. And he’ll need a lot of support to get through it.
by Caljin on Jan 11, 2012 8:31 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Yep
Fire away, young man. That’s what you were drafted to do. It’s certainly not for your point guard skills. SHOOT THE BALL.
"I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!" - Michael Scott
Have to agree 100%
"I gotta have more cowbell"
by CowbellKings on Jan 11, 2012 9:09 AM PST up reply actions
yes
With Jimmer his shots always seem on line, with Salmons he is missing by a freaking mile!
hey dipitydoo
"these arent writers, they’re fans. you want grammatic aestheticism? read the times." Rambler 80 in response to my request for use of spell check and grammar at Turf Show Times when writing an article, fanpost or fanshot.
by want2win on Jan 11, 2012 9:29 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I think we just need our guys to make shots. Plain and Simple.
We have been getting better shots in the Smart Era, they just havent been going in. It does not help that 5 of our rotation guys decided to slump at the same time.
But that is no excuse. This team needs to learn how to compete when the shots are not falling. The team’s energy level is dictated by shots falling. The way to do that is to try to create easier shots. Easiest way to do that is to create spacing with movement off the ball and screens.
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
It looks like we are trying
but right now our passing has none of that snap to it!
Good defensive teams are waiting for the passes to arrive almost. I don’t think this is an indictment of the players or the coach at this point; this comes with experience and practice.
Might be a long hard year of experience and practice! I hope Jimmer gets a green light and gets plays run for him. Also we need more plays are designed to finish closer to the basket. Easier baskets are why I thought we traded for JJ!!
"Sacramento is the place I wanna be, just for everybody to know I don't wanna be anyplace other than Sacramento"
-DeMarcus Cousins
Also, in our defense, Philly's defense looked very active.
That defense looked scary good last night, and took advantage of every opportunity it could against us. Doug Collins has done a fantastic job with that team in just 1+ seasons.
JJ looked terrible last night. I hope JT gets the start tonight as a reward for his good play.
The coaching staff needs to take advantage of every opportunity to teach this team. Use the pregame shootaround as a mini practice. Watch as much film as possible. Get together as much as possible to just bond as teammates.
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
Smart has said he wants to build a family
Get together as much as possible to just bond as teammates.
But it will take time even with that. Young men that hang together and respect each other can bond pretty quick, though.
JT should be starting at the 5. He has finally seemed to ‘get it’. Still wish his handles were a little better right around the hoop, but I’d love to see him starting next to Cuz. Seems weird to say it but we need his veteran leadership on the floor. Time flies, eh?
"Sacramento is the place I wanna be, just for everybody to know I don't wanna be anyplace other than Sacramento"
-DeMarcus Cousins
Totally agree
I would even start JT after Hayes gets back, at least until the Chuckwagon gets used to the speed of the game again.
JT’s handles looked good last night in the post, even showed off his little left hand hook over Elton Brand. DMC could learn a thing or two from JT.
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
JT has looked good on offense, and plays good post D
though his help def still needs improving. I liked how he and DMC looked playing together last year, and would love for them to be playing together more. Maybe JJ will find his game a little if he is playing as DMC’s relief, as he does not look like he is in any sort of groove.
by MichaelMack on Jan 11, 2012 10:02 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah too many outside shots for JJ
although he is hitting them at a better rate than he typically has from outside of 10’.
I would start JT at center next to DMC right now and see how it develops. Totally agree there!
"Sacramento is the place I wanna be, just for everybody to know I don't wanna be anyplace other than Sacramento"
-DeMarcus Cousins
A gunner
still needs a passer to get the ball to them when they are open. Jimmer would have a lot more/better open shots if his teammates passed the ball.
by kinglet on Jan 11, 2012 8:41 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
Yep
How many times has Jimmer been WIDE open standing at the 3 point line waiting for the ball to shoot. Only to watch it be driven into three defenders for a tough shot…
"I gotta have more cowbell"
by CowbellKings on Jan 11, 2012 9:17 AM PST up reply actions
But
How many times has he caught a pass, open for three, and dribbled into the defense instead?
In most polarizing arguments, the truth is found somewhere in the middle.
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Author of Inside-Out Game
True that. Not sure why that is...
I agree with you that he should shoot more. He may just need to take a couple steps back to give himself space.
"I gotta have more cowbell"
by CowbellKings on Jan 11, 2012 10:03 AM PST up reply actions
That's happened some
But how many times has Jimmer just stood stationary regardless of the angle his teammate is driving from?
How often has he adjusted his position to create a better passing lane when the driver is going baseline versus penetrating from up top?
Part of the education Jimmer needs at the pro level is that being open for three and being in position for an open three are two different concepts. He had the ball in his possession so much in college, this is going to be something he has to learn.
He needs mimic the Young Peja:
Constant movemement without the ball. He stands far too much after his own pass. He needs to pass and then move and cut. With that said, Kinglet’s comment still stands: His teammates need to get Jimmer the ball in positions on the court where he can be successful.
Definitely
Physically, he doesn’t look overmatched to me. This is a great recipe for success for Jimmer.
"I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!" - Michael Scott
I think this is mostly after his passes.
Kusian has it right. He moves well off the ball, but after he passes he does tend to stand.
"I gotta have more cowbell"
by CowbellKings on Jan 11, 2012 10:04 AM PST up reply actions
Couldn't agree more
I hate it when he passes up an open three to dribble into traffic and then either throw up a much tougher shot, or do a jump pass.
Author of NBA Mashups. Follow me on Twitter here.
by Aykis16 on Jan 11, 2012 8:43 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
The jump pass kills me
And he does it a lot.
In most polarizing arguments, the truth is found somewhere in the middle.
Follow me on Twitter
Author of Inside-Out Game
This.
The masses seem to have concluded that we need a true point guard.
Personally, I think we need another gunner.
I think we need both. I agree with your fire at will proclamation for Jimmer, but, I am with the masses that we need a true point guard and I don’t think Jimmer is the player for that position.
Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."
Drive At Will
Jimmer is not open when he comes off the pick and roll. And rarely on weak side catches. The scouting report on Jimmer is to crowd him and make him drive. His reputation obviously precedes him. Teams are not giving him open looks and he lacks that jab step move to create space.
I don’t see him passing up open shots like suggested. My assessment is Jimmer needs to be more aggressive to drive and dish, drive and draw contact. And use penetration to get defenders to back up. Then fire at will.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
Huh? Really have to disagree.
That is what he is doing now that isn’t working. Tyreke is the one that needs to drive and kick out, not Jimmer. That isn’t his main strength.
Jimmer needs to come off of high screens and shoot. He comes off of screens and instead drives into the paint. That is the problem a lot of time. Not that he doesn’t hit Cousins pretty well, but otherwise and with anybody else it really isn’t working that great.
He can hit the 3 from anywhere on the floor. He just needs to get space and shoot. That will also open up the paint. He hits a few and they have to come out to guard him.
"I gotta have more cowbell"
by CowbellKings on Jan 11, 2012 9:14 AM PST up reply actions
I agree this is what he is doing, just needs to do it better
Less hesitation, more decisiveness, learn where his teammates are, etc. Defenders are in his face on these plays fans are wanting him to fire away. He knows better than to just force a jumper.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
I can see that...
But instead of focusing just on him I think the focus needs to be broadened. I tend to watch the off-ball movement of other players. Jimmer and Cousins seem to be the best at putting themselves in the right spots to get the ball. The other players, not so much.
We can want better playmaking all day, but if the rest of the team just stands around waiting for the ball and doesn’t move to a good spot to get the ball then having better playmaking isn’t going to happen. And it won’t be for lack of a playmaker as much as due to a deficit of other players.
As it is I see Jimmer having to make some tough passes that would not be all that hard if the players moved better.
"I gotta have more cowbell"
by CowbellKings on Jan 11, 2012 9:43 AM PST up reply actions
Agree, but this is separate issue
The main point is Jimmer did not get where he is by “passing up open threes”. Lets give the guy a little more credit than to say he is passing up open shots. This is just incorrect.
Can you guys recall one time he was standing wide open at the three point line with the ball and did not shoot it? I can’t, and I watch him as much as any player on the team.
If he is guilty of anything, it is not being aggressive enough of looking for his own offense. And yet his teammates are guilty too of not trying to find him.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
Yes, I can
Can you guys recall one time he was standing wide open at the three point line with the ball and did not shoot it?
"I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!" - Michael Scott
I can as well
In most polarizing arguments, the truth is found somewhere in the middle.
Follow me on Twitter
Author of Inside-Out Game
+4
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on Jan 11, 2012 3:22 PM PST up reply actions
i can x3
Furthermore, he has gotten the ball at the 3 pt line wide open, waited for the defender to come out on him, pumped faked, then drove the the free throw line area. He then either floats that crappy one hander to clank off the rim or jump passes to Salmons…
The issue may be the definition of 'open' versus 'wide open'
I think it is safe to say that he passes up ‘open’ shots, but not ‘wide open’ shots. I have seen him repeatedly pass up open shots. Which to me means a defender could get to him before he shot, but not block the shot.
He generally takes ‘wide open’ shots where nobody is even in his area, but generally that happens when the other team’s offense is out of sync or collapses on the paint. He needs to get the pass out of that more often than he does right now.
"I gotta have more cowbell"
by CowbellKings on Jan 11, 2012 1:10 PM PST up reply actions
We could "Reggie Miller" him
and set staggered double or triple screens, if we wanted to feature him more
35 and 31. I'm calling it now. Reke and Cousins 1-2 in most improved award both All-stars. Jimmer leads rookies in scoring, passing and Ole's. Make 2nd round of playoffs and Salmons is not here by seasons end.
That is a great idea.
Or Tyreke could just kick it back to him more off of his drives. Jimmer is usually wide open.
"I gotta have more cowbell"
by CowbellKings on Jan 11, 2012 9:55 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah this is bugging me a LOT
Jimmer is open – REALLY open – only when he doesn’t have the ball! There seems to be a real reluctance to pass this kid the ball when he is OPEN!
Coach has to address this if The Jimmer is truly to be released! Other teammates have to be willing to help him get US 20-30 per game. I’m no homer here (I wanted Kemba) but Fredette is GOOD at scoring. I would have sat Garcia last night after the 3rd time he looked at a wide open Jimmer and passed to Salmons or Greene instead. Jimmer is wasted out there if he’s not shooting.
"Sacramento is the place I wanna be, just for everybody to know I don't wanna be anyplace other than Sacramento"
-DeMarcus Cousins
I didn't see any of the game last night, so I can't speak to it
But from what I have seen Jimmer is very reluctant to take even wide open shots.
it’s kind of hard to blame veterans for not passing the ball to a guy who refuses to take the shot. He needs to show more confidence in himself, and in turn I think his teammates will have more confidence in him.
"I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!" - Michael Scott
8 of our 14 guys are shooting under 40%
they should all be reluctant to take shots
35 and 31. I'm calling it now. Reke and Cousins 1-2 in most improved award both All-stars. Jimmer leads rookies in scoring, passing and Ole's. Make 2nd round of playoffs and Salmons is not here by seasons end.
Maybe we can petition the NBA to turn off our shot clocks
And we can play four corners all game.
"I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!" - Michael Scott
God...I remember that...
I Hated that.
35 and 31. I'm calling it now. Reke and Cousins 1-2 in most improved award both All-stars. Jimmer leads rookies in scoring, passing and Ole's. Make 2nd round of playoffs and Salmons is not here by seasons end.
4 Corners is the shiz
at Roller King on a Tuesday afternoon.
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on Jan 11, 2012 3:22 PM PST up reply actions
I have really noticed that.
Jimmer tends to set himself at the 3 point line at about 90 degrees from whoever is driving. Perfect spot to get dished a pass, but has not really received that pass much. Pretty consistent.
"I gotta have more cowbell"
by CowbellKings on Jan 11, 2012 1:13 PM PST up reply actions
Jimmer needs to sprint more, instead of jogging to conserve energy.
I see him jogging a lot like he did in college. But this is just part of getting used to the speed of the NBA game.
He has looked his best off the ball, whether it is IT or Tyreke along side him in the backcourt. This needs to continue to happen until he gets used to the speed of the pro game. Stephan Curry deferred a lot to Monta Ellis early in his rookie season.
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
Indeed! He is capable of so much more, but he is trying to be the pg.
He should be hanging at the 3 pt line, not several ft behind it, waiting for a pass, though I can’t blame him for getting tired of being ignored in favor of Salmons. Then he goes after the ball instead of letting it come to him.
A matter of pure discombobulation
New offense is new
old offense was slow/bad
players thinking then playing
players don’t know each other yet
players dont trust
players dont pass
until they are smothered
if they pass at all
defenses are faster than our offense
so we take a crappy shot
miss shot
hang head
run slow
get posterized
take the ball in
try to shake it off
try to run the New Offense
New Offence is New…
Lets face it guys. The Coach and the team are all young and promising (well the core of the team). Which is a euphemism for ‘gonna suck for a while’.
Bottom line? Jimmer might as well try and shoot the lights out every night. When he learns to pass out of the triple teams he seems to get maybe someone else will get an open shot. It’s gonna be a patience year.
"Sacramento is the place I wanna be, just for everybody to know I don't wanna be anyplace other than Sacramento"
-DeMarcus Cousins
He resides inside the opponents basket.
Safest place to be in facing the Kings ‘firing squad’.
This.
Point guard?
A new point guard isn’t going to get any more assists than we get right now. In order to get an assist someone has to score and right now we do not have shooters that can score. Even with open shots we continually miss and miss and miss. Plain and simple we are a lousy shooting team. A better offense and time will help but we still have to put the ball through the hoop.
Jimmer is doing fine, don't rush him
He’s had none of the rookie preseason experiences. (VSL, training camp, Preseason games) and he’s on his 2nd coach in a little over a Month.
As far as his shooting.
Tyreke averages one shot every 2.45 minutes of PT.
Marcus averages one every 2.27
DeMarcus is one every 2.14
Jimmer is one every 2.67
and John is one every 3.29 while Thomas is one every 2.92
Jimmer only needs to increase his shots per game by 1.5 attempts and he’d lead the team in shots per minute. It’s not a lack of confidence that holding him back, although with a FG% of 36% it might play on him a little bit. No, Jimmer is trying to find his rhythm while learning to play PG in a league that’s leaps and bounds above where he’s been playing.
He’s going to make mistakes but throwing up more Attempts isn’t what this team needs right now. The entire team needs to learn to run plays for each other. And if we’re going to lose, I’d rather see them have a shot clock violation trying to get a good shot, then to keep chucking up bad ones. Forget about ‘the bad shot is better than’ bs. They need to get out of the chucker mentality and learn to play as a team and play to help each other.
I want Jimmer to take his shots in the flow of the offense. Not because no one is moving and he has the ball with the shot clock running down.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
by HighTops on Jan 11, 2012 9:39 AM PST reply actions 5 recs
Agree.
Would tweak this:
Jimmer only needs to increase his shots per game by 1.5 attempts and he’d lead the team in shots per minute.
I don’t think it’s the number of shots that is the biggest issue. It’s that he’s still hesitating and learning what he should shoot at this level. He will pass up on an open shot and then force a tougher one. Quality is as important as quantity.
I completely agree
The issue isn’t how many shots, necessarily. Although there are times I’d rather him take the open look rather than pass. The bigger issue is the decisions of which shots he’s taking compared to the shots he’s passing up.
That said, I also agree with you High Tops. I don’t mean to rush Jimmer along, and I don’t expect him to be anything more than a rookie who is finding his way.
In most polarizing arguments, the truth is found somewhere in the middle.
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Author of Inside-Out Game
Well said HT
I am surprised at the level of criticism being leveled at Jimmer already. He has not shot particularly well, and I hardly blame him for looking lost in an offense where even our best player has looked lost in what obviously was a mess of a system. He is a better ball handler than I thought, he seems like he is trying to be a floor general (I think we have missed Beno’s ability to get the team to calm down and get a good shot), and you can see in spurts he is going to score in this league. He just needs minutes, and a consistent plan from the Coach. I think by the end of the year we are going to be extremely pleased he was still available at the 10 spot.
Pleased enough to compensate for also trading down to get John Salmons? Probably not. He would need to turn into Mark Price in sixty games to do that.
by MichaelMack on Jan 11, 2012 10:08 AM PST up reply actions
Jimmer thinking long term
Jimmer repeatedly said during combine he thought of himself as a point guard in the NBA. He is thinking Steve Nash/John Stockton/Mark Price long term…not Steve Kerr/eddie House……gonna take a while
Love my Kings but........
We Suck and nothing will change until magoofs and petrie bring in a vet.point guard and another shooter and trade salmons.we will be lucky to win 23 games this but hey first in draft.just hope we build a arena or they will be gone……………
by cowboyron96@yahoo.com on Jan 11, 2012 10:10 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Pure cowboy wisdom.
Who do you think should replace Petrie?
Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."
We need to get our shooters to run off screens
This all comes back to ball movement people. The ball moves faster than the person. We need to swing the ball across the court constantly in order to get open looks. We need to have our gunners running off screens because it is much easier to make a bucket when your shooting in rhythm and not just standing there watching your teamate drive to the hoop and pass it to you with 4 seconds left on the shot clock.
The reality also
That “open shots” in the NBA are often not as open as you’d see in college.
Well, unless you’re playing the Sacramento Kings, and we don’t have that luxury (I’m sensing a conspiracy).
Dude’s gotta trust his shot and keep taking it.
"I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!" - Michael Scott
I agree
There has been several times when Jimmer has pump faked at the 3 point line and gotten by his defender thinking he would be open for a long 2, but in the NBA the help defense and defensive recovery is much quicker than in the college game. I’ve seen a few times where Jimmer looks very suprised by this and he can’t get his shot off.
They need to set more picks and screens at the top of the arc for Jimmer
its that simple i have been watching every single game and i have only seen a few to open him up. In addition to this Jimmer needs to stop dribbling away from those set picks and screens. This is basic 101 basketball. For example, this is important and watch for it during tonights game. As the pick is set at top of 3pt. arc with Jimmer dribbling he will turn around and head away from it heading back the way he came. He will look to drive lane but will see defender in the paint. So Jimmer will continue toward the corner and he will then be trapped. If Jimmer see’s the trap he will then turn back around and head back to the top of 3pt. arc and get confused as to where to go .
What he needs to do to avoid this mess is ….
1) continue through the pick or screen at top of 3 pt arc
2) shoot ball if defender hasnt slid over I repeat SHOOT THE DAMN BALL!!!!!
3) If defender picks him up and he is not open he should then pass the ball to the rolling teammate who set pick or screen the should be rolling towards the paint.
IT IS THAT GODDAMN SIMPLE
watch tonight how many times this basic basketball 101 gets screwed up
No, I never said "Hey sweetheart I'm Rookie of the Year." I told her "I'm Tyreke Evans" though............Tyreke Evans
In addition to this Jimmer needs to stop dribbling away from those set picks and screens.
As the pick is set at top of 3pt. arc with Jimmer dribbling he will turn around and head away from it heading back the way he came
Personally I thought he would often times not turn around but back up a little after the pick.
by wallywagon11 on Jan 11, 2012 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah, except you're wrong
Because if a defender cheats and anticipates the pick, the offensive player will go opposite the pick. This is Basketball 101, not your version of it. Just because a pick is set doesn’t mean it should be used 100% of the time. You see this all the time where a defender hedges early and it opens a lane for the offensive player to drive. Chris Paul is master at faking the use of a pick and exploiting a defender who tries to overplay it.
If Jimmer is not using a pick it is because how he is reacting to how the defense, and he is still mastering angles and timing, adjusting to improved competition, not that he is ignorant of simple basketball concepts. It is a little presumptuous for fans to think all of the sudden they know how to play basketball better than the Jimmer.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
Nowhere does it say he should use the PNR all the time..He gave several options , so no he’s not wrong…What you -provided was one more option that should be added to the list
Founder of team Omté Caspeen
I was responding to this
…Jimmer needs to stop dribbling away from those set picks and screens.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
Ok so you completely disregard the rest of his statement, where he suggests alternatives, and tell him he’s wrong based off 1 statement..sorry man but you came off very snobby. He even talks about how to use/use not use screen
Founder of team Omté Caspeen
Thanks for the assist Widowwolf
I appreciate it. I am getting use to people on here taking only 1 thing I say and blowing it out of proportion. For example, when I use the words “If” and “when” or the fact the main thing I was trying to say is that they need to do it more. And that if they did slide over to pick him up Jimmer should pass to the “rolling” teammate hence the phrase “pick and roll”. I guess it would be like if I wrote a response ripping bench_mob for comparing Jimmer to Chris Paul. I won’t though because I have the speed and quickness of Isaiah Thomas and have moved on to the next post.
Here on out Widowwolf I got your back
No, I never said "Hey sweetheart I'm Rookie of the Year." I told her "I'm Tyreke Evans" though............Tyreke Evans
Thanks..I have been taken out of context as well…But then again i know i have done it to…Forewarning, If you got my back, you carry some JT love with it..
Founder of team Omté Caspeen
by Widowwolf on Jan 11, 2012 5:31 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
JT love all day everyday
No, I never said "Hey sweetheart I'm Rookie of the Year." I told her "I'm Tyreke Evans" though............Tyreke Evans
I hope you took notes on tonights game cause IT was showing Jimmer how to run the point
No, I never said "Hey sweetheart I'm Rookie of the Year." I told her "I'm Tyreke Evans" though............Tyreke Evans
Subtle Psychological Shift
I’d put it to Jimmer this way: we won’t get down on you if you miss shots, but we will call you out if you fail to take them when they’re available. That might help change the psychology, clear his thinking, let him focus on making the shot after instinctively recognizing he should take it.
by Darren King on Jan 11, 2012 11:33 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
Well said
In most polarizing arguments, the truth is found somewhere in the middle.
Follow me on Twitter
Author of Inside-Out Game
Agree with this.
Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."
Exactly.
Then at least someone on the team will be acting instinctively! We are still too slow to execute yet- instinctual play is needed to cover that knowledge gap. Great observation!
"Sacramento is the place I wanna be, just for everybody to know I don't wanna be anyplace other than Sacramento"
-DeMarcus Cousins
This...
You can also tell him that if he doesn’t pull the trigger, it will force Salmons and Outlaw to chuck up more bricks… And we don’t need that.
"soon as you see the poke coming, shut your eye lid."
- Danago
"Anderson fought with no ribs. Aldo fought with no foot, go do the math."
- Danago
I’ve been on vacation for last couple of weeks, so I missed a lot of the early season drama (lakers win, westphal firing, etc), but after watching the last 2 games, I’m left with a feeling that this team does not have a personality or identity. I don’t see much passion or fun out o the floor. its been very boring to watch and reminds me of a couple of seasons ago (the Muss, Reggie and Natt eras) I’m really hoping it is just the condensed season coupled with the youth of our team. I freely wish we had been able to bring back Dalembert as a legit shot-blocking center that created offensive flow form defensive stops. Philly was able to put it in the whole from a anywhere they wanted. we can only assume that the slumps (salmons and aparently all of of our SFs) will work itself out, but I think we are deficient in shot blockers.
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