Shock & Awe

by Ziller on Mar 10, 2008 7:27 AM PDT in Recaps

(I spent the past hour searching for visual evidence of Spencer Hawes's massive dunk. This post was supposed to entirely consist of said depiction. Said play got a standing ovation in the Ziller household. Even the cats were impressed.)

Will Spencer Hawes ever be something special? Will his fan base spread outside the borders of Sacramento? Will we ever get a goofy All-Star Game moment where he dribbles the ball up the court?

I don't know. Right now, Hawes is fighting for something: playing time. When he is named a starter next year or next January, will he continue to fight frenetically? Will he continue to work til he cannot work anymore on defense? If he adds this newfound explosion of energy to his game permanently, he can be special. He's got the skills. A good portion of defense is effort. Combining the two... 4 blocks and a steal in 25 minutes work doesn't seem so outlandish.

But the second Hawes rests on defense, he becomes just another Kings offensive-minded center. He doesn't have the supreme length or the instincts to rest on his laurels and make up the difference. He has to stay active, he has to be the most annoying center on the planet. (And he needs to act this way in the weight room, too. Getting stronger will make those fouls more meaningful -- giving up two FTAs is infinitely better than a FGM and a FTA.)

If Hawes keeps up this commitment of effort, we cannot put a limit on who he'll become. He could be better than Brad. He could be better than Vlade. The kid's 19 years old, and he outplayed Pau Gasol down the stretch. I'd request a three-year fast-forward, but I have a feeling watching this kid grow into something will be fun.

Other retrospective notes:

We'll discuss the Ron Artest benching in greater detail later. But... wow.
When the refs called that absurd tech on Mikki Moore, you could smell the demonstrative dunk coming, couldn't you? I could watch that guy hang on the rim all day and all night. If we only we could get Stern to legalize Stickum...
Beno Udrih's audition? Going just swell. His defense continues to be suspect. For what it's worth, I saw him yelling at his guardly friends (Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia) after one defensive breakdown on Derek Fisher. Not sure whose fault it was; it was fixed in later positions as Fisher ended up dishing into Gasol more frequently.
It's hard to complain about youth minutes when Hawes gets 25, but we could do with some more Shelden Williams. The 3-second violation (or was it traveling?) aside, good things happen when he's on the floor. He was a +10 in five minutes. I'd like to find out what he's doing right. (Defense, you'd assume.)
Donde estas Brad Miller?

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Why the traveling?

I haven't watched nearly as many Kings games as most fans, but it seems like Spencer Hawes gets called for traveling every other game or so. What's up with that? (And, yes, I realize that last night's traveling call may not have been justified.) Seriously, how bad are things when you get repeatedly called for traveling in the NBA.

Seeing that kills me every time, and undermines my confidence in the coaching. I mean, this is basic stuff.

by Specast on Mar 10, 2008 7:53 AM PDT 0 recs

Rookie

God bless you, Corliss. You always played as though you knew how expensive my tickets were. -section214

by KK on Mar 11, 2008 12:19 AM PDT up 0 recs

insert sigh here

I should be excited about a Kings victory, but I feel like there should be an asteriks in front of it saying "lost to timberwolves two days earlier." This team needs a leader, apparently it's not ron. We got 20ish games left, is that enough time for these youngin's to learn how to dictate the pace of a game? I guess we're about to find out. I don't think so, but I hope I'm wrong. I'm holding on to hope that Speedracer explodes and becomes actually turns into Reggie Miller by the time it's all said and done.

Muff rules. http://vegaskings.blogspot.com

by Muff209 on Mar 10, 2008 8:25 AM PDT 0 recs

I agree

I would love to see Shelden play more minutes. Any chance Hawes becomes our starting C this year?

by kingme on Mar 10, 2008 9:15 AM PDT 0 recs

not a chance Hawes starts

Brad starts all years unless he is hurt. (And I know he's definitely banged up right now; but I mean can't play in the game hurt.) And as good as Spencer looked last night, he is not ready to be a starter. I've felt all season that one of the things Reggie has done very well is intergrate and watch over Hawes very carefully - given him a chance to improve and grow without throwing him to the wolves and hurting his self-confidence.

With that said, I hope Hawes keeps getting around 20 mins or so for the rest of the year. Those are good minutes for a 19 year-old rookie center. I really think that when this kid is 22 - 23 (about the time he should have been getting out of college) that he is going to be a scoring machine.

by Kusian on Mar 10, 2008 11:59 AM PDT up 0 recs

Yep

Agreed on every count.

Make him earn it this summer by adding some muscle.

by Ziller on Mar 10, 2008 2:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

With

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Mar 10, 2008 2:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

Hawes the beast

Tastefully done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3lHNAYVKLM

by Saifullah on Mar 10, 2008 9:23 AM PDT 0 recs

One small win for a lottery bound team . . .

One giant leap toward learning to execute team offense in the fourth quarter.

In all the euphoria, I hate to be pessimistic, but maybe this will finally convince Ron to trust in his teammates.

Whatever we do, we had better resign Beno Udrith in the offseason.

by Kes on Mar 10, 2008 10:03 AM PDT 0 recs

A Winning Future?

Youth was served last night. It's about time.

If I had to guess who fits where with regards to the future I'd say:

Group 1 (the future): Martin, Hawes, Francisco.

Group 2 (not part of the future): Miller, Mikki, A. Johnson, Thomas.

Group 3 (still trying to peg): Artest, Udrih, Salmons, S. Williams, Douby.

Udrih obviously took a big step towards lodging himself into Group 1 tonight. What was interesting was that while everyone knew Kobe would take the last shot, everyone also knew Beno would be pulling the trigger for the Kings.

I still think Miller, Mikki and Artest will be back for next year in what looms as a transition season. We could see the Kings get rid of both Miller and Artest (and hopefully Thomas) for expirings at next year's trade deadline.

I see Hawes getting major minutes next season as part of a trio of Brad, Mikki and Hawes early in the season, then starting if Miller is dealt at mid-year.

Outside of the travel call, I thought Shelden Williams played real well in limited minutes last night. The interior defense toughened up significantly when he was in there and the Kings went on a mini-run while he played. He needs to be on the floor more.

At least struggling to get up for laggard opponents won't be an issue going forward. Six of the Kings' next seven games are against Portland, Phoenix, Toronto, Golden State, San Antonio and Houston, and 15 of their last 19 games are against teams that have a better record than them, with 13 of those opponents currently headed to the playoffs.

I offered some thoughts on Ron sitting in crunch time last night. Bottom line: the team has to believe in itself, no matter who is or isn't on the floor. And they have to do it night in and night out, no matter who the opponent is.

Memo to Ron: Yeah, dude, you are not getting the love you probably deserve. Deal with it. Here's my advice to you:

Just shut up already.
Play hard every night.
Take care of your family.

Do that and you'll be a winner, even if you never get a ring.

Disclaimer: This post may be a complete and utter waste of your valuable time.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Mar 10, 2008 12:24 PM PDT 0 recs

Put Beno in group 1

and a wait and see for Sheldon.

by KingsFan on Mar 10, 2008 2:37 PM PDT up 0 recs

Good post

Though I agree with above - Beno in el grupo uno.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Mar 10, 2008 3:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

Deadspin: Beno Outduels Kobe

http://deadspin.com/365769/huge-sigh-of-relief-out-of-phoenix-alters-national-weather-patterns

Disclaimer: This post may be a complete and utter waste of your valuable time.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Mar 10, 2008 12:47 PM PDT 0 recs

Say what you want about Mikki

He was super-excited about that dunk. The guy is a team-player.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Mar 10, 2008 1:56 PM PDT 0 recs

Mikki is just miscast

Most playoff teams would love to have a guy like Mikki coming off the bench. Lots of energy, does the little things (screens, takes charges), good team guy, helluva finisher (when he catches the ball). He just isn't an NBA starting power forward.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Mar 10, 2008 2:04 PM PDT up 0 recs

What if...

he put some more meat on his bones and rosin on his hands?

by KingsFan on Mar 10, 2008 2:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

Lobster doesn't tast good with rosin.

But agreed with section - as your backup PF, making 3 mill a year (what he almost accepted from NJ) Mikki is the shizzlenits.

Trying to be your 35-min a game guy on a team that salivates for a big-time PF? Not so much.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Mar 10, 2008 3:38 PM PDT up 0 recs

Try some Lemon

with the rosin & lobster, & it might work.Not tasty, but palatable.hopefully.

by Rhondda Nunes on Mar 10, 2008 11:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

Beno

IF THE KINGS DONT SIGN BENO NEXT YEAR I WILL THROW THIS COMPUTER OUT THE WINDOW! I DONT CARE IF ARTEST GOES TO THE NHL, WE BETTER GIVE BENO THE $ HE DESERVES!

by harbir d on Mar 10, 2008 6:47 PM PDT 0 recs

Hawes

is an interesting case. He obviously has a lot of talent and skill on the offensive end, and he's only 19 years old so who knows how good he can become?

On the other hand, in my personal picture of how the Kings get back into the thick of things in the Western Conference within the next few seasons, they really need to acquire younger players in the front-court who are long and athletic, and who can defend like crazy and/or crash the glass and hit the open man.

OK, that was a nice dunk for sure, but Spencer Hawes isn't very athletic, and despite his height he doesn't have a good wingspan. He'll never be a great one-on-one defender or shot blocker, and while the jury is out on his rebounding ability I'd say it's safe to say his lack of springs will limit him somewhat there too.

Now, if Beno plays well the rest of the way that'd make it easier for Petrie to go after another big man this summer instead of a point guard.

If so, drafting a 4 or 5 who has all or most of the qualities I just mentioned, somebody who would shore up the interior defense, would make me feel a lot better about Hawes.

"When the Going Gets Weird, the Weird Turn Pro." (Hunter S Thompson)

by Mucho Moss on Mar 10, 2008 8:41 PM PDT 0 recs

so worried about that fact:

He'll never be a great one-on-one defender or shot blocker, and while the jury is out on his rebounding ability I'd say it's safe to say his lack of springs will limit him somewhat there too.

I've still got my fingers crossed.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Mar 11, 2008 2:01 AM PDT up 0 recs

One thing

All those points may be correct about Hawes, but I'm thinking the kid has a bit of a nasty streak. To be honest, I like to see that in our frontcourt.

by otis29 on Mar 11, 2008 6:27 AM PDT up 0 recs

The rook

has 12 blocksin the last 4 games.

Having been challenged all season long by Theus to improve defensively, he has responded with four blocks in each of the last two games and has 12 blocks in the last four games.

by Kfan in Korea on Mar 11, 2008 8:16 AM PDT up 0 recs

Are you thinking....

of a Joachim Noah-type player?

& I'm confused about how having that hypothetically would make you feel better about Hawes.Guessing it would be that the more athletic new p.f could compensate for the lack of hops in Hawes at the 5.So never mind on that point.

I'd love an atheletic big. but I'm not willing to say go for one that lacks offensive skills; anymore than I'd be willing to say that Hawes can't be expected to be a good defensive player.He should at least try.

by Rhondda Nunes on Mar 10, 2008 11:34 PM PDT 0 recs

Give the kid some credit ...

Watching Hawes play this season, I think you can pretty readily notice that he's working hard on the defensive end. Yes, he still needs to work on his rebounding position. Yes, he needs to build up his speed and his court agility. But he went toe-to-toe with Gasol, got up in his face, blocked some shots, forced a jump ball at crucial moment, and visibly frustrated the crap out of the big Spaniard. AND I'd much rather have a big with Hawes' beauty of a touch and bag of offensive tools than a 23 year-old who shoots like a 6th grader. I dig Noah's intensity on the court, but man, watching him shoot anything other than dunks is paaaainful. It's sort of like watching Mikki Moore trying to field a pass while in transition.

by kings31 on Mar 12, 2008 2:22 PM PDT 0 recs