Kings vs. Bucks Preview: SMARTEN UP
by Tom Ziller on Jan 5, 2012 4:39 PM PST
in Commentary
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PrintSo long, sweet Westphal.
You'll likely be happier
without all of this.
Milwaukee Bucks at Sacramento Kings
The Gymmer, Sacramento
7 p.m. Pacific on Comcast SportsNet California
Rise the hot hand, y'all: it's a new era for Sacramento Kings basketball. Keith Smart has the reins, which almost assuredly means that Tyreke Evans has the reins. If Smart's Sacramento career is anything like his Golden State career, the guards will be given the green light to go go go. It can't be uglier than what we've witnessed this season, right?
Let me be clear that I don't revel in the exile of Westphal. It was necessary, but I don't dance in the streets when someone's career ends. (And it's pretty clear that Westphal is done as an NBA head coach.) While he hurt the club in a few ways -- none of our young players have developed from when they arrived or when he arrived, he cost the team a chance at a Tyreke-Kevin Martin backcourt, he may have cost the team Spencer Hawes for a one-year rental of Sam Dalembert and cap space we clearly didn't need, he quite likely influenced the re-acquisition of John Salmons -- he wasn't a Theusian disaster and he didn't get arrested (what up, Muss, it's all love).
But hey, that was some ugly, ugly ball we witnesses over the past two days, large swaths of last season and the overwhelming majority of the 2009-10 season. (Never forget how poorly that team finished after the hot start that earned Westphal his 2011-12 salary.) Westphal's penchant for pretty offense never materialized, and it's just us questioning our players' promise. Let us hope Smart unleashes the talent.
That will be extraordinarily difficult against the Bucks tonight; even without Bogut (out tonight for personal reasons), the Bucks are a deadly defensive club. With little lead time to change things up, the offense will rely on talent and performance (and luck). On the other end, Milwaukee's a bad offensive team; one of Beno Udrih or Drew Gooden is likely their most reliable scorer. The Kings should be able to prevent layup lines, right?
Game's at 7. Game threads at 7 and 8:30. Let's go Kings!
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"On the other end, Milwaukee's a bad offensive team"
/Milwaukee scores 110 points tonight
by 49er16 on Jan 5, 2012 4:44 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
Beno for 40.
Author of NBA Mashups. Follow me on Twitter here.
by Aykis16 on Jan 5, 2012 4:44 PM PST up reply actions 6 recs
Oh God anything but Wabeno.
There now I've met the 75 word count. -pookeyguru
Game Plan: Play with a purpose man
The last two games… I ain’t know what the hell the Kings were doing on defense and offense looking like they were in limbo while their opponents ran around them. If the HEAT with Lebron and Wade out can be on the verge of blowing out the Hawks in Atlanta, the Kings certainly have the talent.
There is nothing worse than playing without purpose no matter how much talent you have.
Slow but steady wins the race… Let’s Go Kings!
Children, before you go to sleep check under your bed for the BOOGIE MAN!!
Win or lose, I am going to enjoy tonight's game
Looking forward to the change.
Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."
Tonight's Game brought to you by the Inmates Running the Asylum
Tyreke is going to get 6 offensive fouls as he “goes right” one too many times over and over. DMC will get his two techs and throw a sleeping Francisco Garcia onto the court. Smart will pull down his pants in the locker room at halftime. Plus there will be more Buck fans at the game tonight. Fun times…re-stock your bourbon.
"Tito Santana is like a cue-ball. The more you strike him, the more english you get out of him." -- Bobby Heenan
I will be happy
if we simply have a designated point guard (rather than the three headed pg monster) and get back on defense.
by Kingstime on Jan 5, 2012 4:47 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Hey you, Hickson...yeah you, you're the designated point guard tonight.
Auuh man, I wanted to throw up shots all night long!
"Tito Santana is like a cue-ball. The more you strike him, the more english you get out of him." -- Bobby Heenan
by LiquidPolio on Jan 5, 2012 4:50 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
When it was drawn up, no...but it seems to have evolved over time.
"Tito Santana is like a cue-ball. The more you strike him, the more english you get out of him." -- Bobby Heenan
I just hope their legs don't fall off
BTW… When did Salmons die?
Nothing is always anything.
by Docile Ocelot on Jan 5, 2012 4:55 PM PST up reply actions
When he got traded to us.
Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."
by Slam_Dunk on Jan 5, 2012 5:51 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Yes
"Clowns hate how I lock this down, but if they think I'm obnoxious now, wait til I pop Cristal." - Copywrite
Grant Napear is
particularly cantankerous today. Just nasty. Oh Boy!
"If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly..."
God forbid anyone gripe.
"Tito Santana is like a cue-ball. The more you strike him, the more english you get out of him." -- Bobby Heenan
How does that differ from any other day?
Purveyor of Bull Plop
Not enthused
by the Westphal firing. I wanted him gone. Indeed, I wanted him gone.
But I’m feeling now like the team he left us with is not a functional team. I don’t think the pieces fit, and I fear it may take another few years to rebuild.
Wish they had hired Thibadeau. I was rooting for him.
Sucks.
by boredwiththeUSA on Jan 5, 2012 4:51 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Welcome to Sacramento
Where ya from?
Nothing is always anything.
by Docile Ocelot on Jan 5, 2012 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Well depends
Petrie is accountable for his moves.
But what’s your definition of top talent? James, Howard, Wade, Kobe, etc. aren’t signing here. We haven’t passed on a star player in the draft. I’ll take Reke or Cousins over any player drafted after them (if I am shooting for a star and not just a good, team player). We’ll see with Jimmer, but I don’t see Knight or Kemba becoming a star.
Yeah I'm sure there's potential moves we never hear about
Because often players just don’t want to come to Sacramento. But when it comes to blowing smoke covering for team ownership, Napear and also Fitzgerald from KNBR are world class.
I actually think they have a good chance to win tonight.
I figure they’re going to come out with some fire, whether it’ll last God only knows.
Looking forward to watching Beno again.
He wasn’t my favorite King of all time, but I liked him on our team and felt we lost some chemistry when he left. I wish him the best.
"Smelling the cork from an open bottle of wine is like smelling a woman's ass before you make love to her"
Miles from the novel "Sideways"
by A Night At The Arco on Jan 5, 2012 4:55 PM PST reply actions
I wasn't his biggest fan but
I’d take him anyday over Salmons. That trade made no sense whatsoever. Beno had game
"Clowns hate how I lock this down, but if they think I'm obnoxious now, wait til I pop Cristal." - Copywrite
by Ninja King on Jan 5, 2012 5:43 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
But at least we moved down in the draft and acquired extra salary to do it.
Er, oh wait. Never mind.
"Put Kobe or Lebron in a wheelchair, and I can GUARANTEE Tyreke would demolish either. You might want to rethink what you just said." - MarcusC.
"I never read those trade threads. They seem to be mainly populated with the sports equivalent of people who think the Rapture is imminent." - andy sims.
I think
Jimmer should start, along with Cousins. I like Garcia at the 3. I think with Garcia in it just helps our spacing on Offense. More pick and rolls with Jimmer and Cousins. Bring Thornton off the bench, (not as a demotion by any means) kinda the roll he played with us last year. Come off the bench and attack. We have some decent pieces. I think if Tyreke is no longer the primary ball handler he would actually put up better numbers, Just move without the ball, play d. He should not be in a roll where he has to use his head at all.
I would like to see Garcia get more minutes at least he's consistent and competent
Remember the good old days when he was one of the knuckleheads on the team?
I hope I am as wrong as I've been in recent predictions
But I really am afraid Westphal we be a lot happier over the next two years than Kings fans will be.
It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
by SavageBeast on Jan 5, 2012 5:00 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I was pretty upset last night, and then happy when PW was fired, then upset again at Smarts contract
The Shark game last night helped me keep my head on straight. Always nice beating Samueli and the Ducks. PW being fired helps too.
I’m cautiously optimistic about the game tonight. We can’t keep getting blown out, right? There are a few things that I would like to see for in tonight’s game.
Thorton – I feel like he knows he has been our best player and is starting to force things to win it on his own. Stick to your role and don’t force things. I think he is a perfect player as a #2 or 3 option on this team, but should not be the focus of our offense. Also, I do not like his comments from last game.
Right now, we’re not even trying to get back.
I know the coach hasn’t laid out a game plan for transition defense, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t hustle back on D and at least set an example. Do that and you can start calling out teammates and at least be a voice that players may listen to (they sure won’t listen to PW).
Cousins –PW
Tyreke – We need you to be a star. Maybe not a Lebron or Kobe, but we need you to be the leader of the team. If you don’t feel like talking, the lead by example and sprint back on D for the fast break and try to block a shot Lebron style, I’ve seen you do this at least once this year.
Jimmer – Do your thing. You get a rookie pass, but soon enough we will rely on you to carry our offense at times.
Salmons – You suck. Do the team a favor and get injured or retire.
Chuck Wagon – I’m guessing you will guard Bogut. Show us why we signed you and lock him down.
JJ Hickson – Stop shooting jump shots. I thought we got you for your highlight dunks, you are not Dirk.
Thompson – You have played great as a backup big. Keep it up.
Thomas – Keep up the pace in your few minutes.
Donte/Garcia – Keep the bench warm for us.
Outlaw – Please out play Salmons. We really need someone to take his spot so we can amnesty his ass.
I’m hoping for a lot of energy, but worried about this being the 3rd game in a back to back to back. Let’s hope this string of blowouts doesn’t have us too demoralized.
I’ll be at the game (with a few extra beers in case things go south) and hope for a win tonight. Then I’ll need another beer to get over the Smart contract. I was at the Knicks game and don’t want my first 2 games to be watching my Kings get beat down by scrubs.
I don’t know what to chant during the game now. I was prepared to chant "Fire PW".
Bogut isn't playing
"Clowns hate how I lock this down, but if they think I'm obnoxious now, wait til I pop Cristal." - Copywrite
New to this blogsite
I’m hoping the Kings go out and beat the Bucks tonight…
by NYSacTownFaN88 on Jan 5, 2012 5:13 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Agree with Ziller's sentiment about Westphal's ouster
Things aren’t likely to improve this year. There’s not enough time to implement any kind of new system (or any system at all based on what’s being reported). The only real difference is how Smart manages his players/rotations relative to Westphal. Maybe we can see what Smart can draw up in the off-season, but the trajectory of this team isn’t likely to change much this season.
I like the poem
I agree Westphal is going to sleep like a baby tonight for the 1st time in weeks
by elSAVinator on Jan 5, 2012 5:22 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Smart
said during the press conference that one change that he’ll bring is that the Kings will be a running team.
formerly what_the_crap
Smart
said that he “won’t give any rope” to this players. Sounds like he’ll hold them accountable. Also praised how Cousins played last night and said that that’s how he needs to play as a pro.
formerly what_the_crap
I took it as
If someone gets out of line, they get dealt with right away.
formerly what_the_crap
by Dub_TC on Jan 5, 2012 6:09 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Cousins wasn't exactly praise-worthy for his play last night, IMO
Getting 3 rebounds and fouling out of the game is not Smart basketball.
Wow! That's all I can say . Wow!
And one of his eyebrows was shaped different than the other
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.
I just want to see another game of good free throw shooting.
…attack the rim….get to the line…
Was it just me..
Or did Keith sound like he has way more basketball knowledge then Paul… Like he has a real plan on how to run this team.
by Sincere P. on Jan 5, 2012 5:32 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I would watch him whenever the cameras panned his way during the games,
and every time I saw him he looked like he was drawing up his own little master plan in his mind. Very focused & calculating look. When Westy was standing up “coaching”, sometimes Smart would give a subtle look that said “your time is done here, Paul”.
I like how he said how he is going to treat this as a "training camp,"
putting his starters out there tonight and go from there. He has some ideas as to how to proceed forward.
Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."
He talked basketball!
Westy was a good guy.. He handled the last game of the season really nice last year- but Keith Smart was talking about spacing! Running the break.. Hope he gets through to the guys!
by Sincere P. on Jan 5, 2012 6:19 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
PW knows basketball well. Was a good exec with Dallas.
There’s just a big difference between being a good assistant, executive, scout and head coach.
All four of those jobs take different skill sets. Too often it seems like teams or individuals think that because a person is good at one they will be good at another.
I know PW knows basketball..
He proved he can coach..his Phoenix teams were good. Thoughs teams had good players on them. Players that could coach themselves to a degree. Are team is in a different place, PW is not the type of coach we need.. In my opinion.
by Sincere P. on Jan 5, 2012 6:35 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
That photo is amazing.
In these times, you have to be an optimist to open your eyes when you awake in the morning.
~Carl Sandburg
I heard the last bits of Smart's interview
He sounded like he had a good grasp of basketball knowledge and seemed upbeat/energetic. He said he wants to make the players students of the game and to make sure they all (not just Cousins) become professionals. Good start so far.
Energy is good
PW was running on fumes. I share the sentiment by Ziller that I don’t rejoice in the guy getting canned, but its best for all parties. New energy, new system, new level of accountability. Time to quit effin around Reke and Cousins. No more excuses, time to deliver.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
Anyone else see a slight contradiction from GP?
Petrie basically said that Petrie fell because “you can’t take a philosophical holiday while things are happening in real time” which he clarified to mean they were sliding fast. He also said he didn’t expect to fire Westphal after six seven games.
Then he locks up Smart for two years.
What happens if the slide continues following the gratuitous coaching-change surge?
Nothing is always anything.
Oops
Westphal fell.
Nothing is always anything.
by Docile Ocelot on Jan 5, 2012 5:45 PM PST up reply actions
Hmmmm.
"you can’t take a philosophical holiday while things are happening in real time"
But you can take a literal holiday while things are going to hell?
Wait,
TZ predicted that someone is throwing up yesterday. So does this mean someone will smarten up this game?!
"Contraction, I didn't say anything about contraction. I'm talking about shrinking the league." - Lebron James
Thanks Lebron, for reminding me how miserable my life is.
Is it just me?
Or is anyone else craving a Jumbaco?
by ThomasGQ on Jan 5, 2012 5:59 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
First you take a jumbo jack then you add the tacos
I have that thing stuck in my head.
by Lotusprime on Jan 5, 2012 6:14 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Mmmm, jumbaco
Stupid diet & exercise. I can’t be fat this summer again. I just can’t.
by Allbenji on Jan 5, 2012 6:15 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Dish users
What channel is this on? I thought CSNCA but it says they’re airing the sharks game and 452 isn’t showing it either
by FTFeli on Jan 5, 2012 6:12 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Trying to record it
But it says not available for viewing in my area wtf
by FTFeli on Jan 5, 2012 6:47 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
CSN has an alternate channel for such occasions
Not sure where you would find it on Dish. DTV does 699 and 699-1.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
I like Direct tv a lil better because of the little red button.
It brings up the scores of all sports and what channels they’re on. Friggin Dish…
Hopefully...
If Smart can get the Kings to run the Don Nelson Warriors offense and get them to play some defense, maybe we can turn this around.
Then again, I might be too optimistic.
Looking forward to a Lakers collapse.
Woop woop
Smart is of to a smart start:
mr_jasonjones Jason Jones
DeMarcus Cousins said he is back in the starting lineup tonight.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
LoL this is an epic day
"Clowns hate how I lock this down, but if they think I'm obnoxious now, wait til I pop Cristal." - Copywrite
So epic
Just seeing the Kings bench tonight minus the grim reaper of coaching will be a joyous sight.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
To Kings players and fans,
Now that your wish have been granted, its time for you to play as hard as you can and show us what you guys are capable of. Now let’s kick some * tonight!!!
Yours trully,
a Kings fan
"I did not demand a Trade, the Trade Machine did" - Awesome
Well, maybe Kings are smarter than we gave them credit for
mr_jasonjones Jason Jones
Smart’s contract for is guaranteed through the end of this season.
If anyone asks,
699-1 DirectTV.
Go Kings!
"Contraction, I didn't say anything about contraction. I'm talking about shrinking the league." - Lebron James
"Believe it or not, I was not always as awesome as I am today." - Barney
Jason Jones' Twitter
Cousins said no one on the team knew Westphal would be gone: “We all love Coach Westphal.”
Just because Smart is the new coach doesn’t give everyone license to be a Smart Ass.
...with some fava beans, and a nice chianti
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Jan 5, 2012 7:04 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
lol
I don’t like you, but I love this comment.
"The Spurs subliment their statistics for the good of the team" Kings Coach PW.
Paul Just Lost...
Claremont Mckenna College
Forbes #3 in the West, #12 in the Nation
"Crescit cum comercio civicas"
Is Smart gonna wear a polo on the sideline?
Seriously?
by Lotusprime on Jan 5, 2012 7:06 PM PST via mobile reply actions
My wife just turned to me after that interview and said
Isn’t that guy saying the same things Westphal said?
by Lotusprime on Jan 5, 2012 7:09 PM PST via mobile reply actions
The Bucks announcer is super smug.
I want to fly to Milwaukee and punch him in the face.
by TheFNG on Jan 5, 2012 7:58 PM PST via mobile reply actions
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