Friday Footnotes

by Tom Ziller on Dec 21, 2007 10:00 AM PST in Links

The vaunted Reggie Rules aren't really 'rules' at all; they're more like guidelines. No matter how you cut it, he's been a success to this point. Can't knock the hard-ass attitude, can you?
ESPN's John Hollinger, long a denouncer of the John Salmons contract, eats a bit of crow, noting Salmons' explosion has come as the team has stopped forcing him to play point guard. He also said the Kings should be called 'overachievers' at this point, given the injuries.
I always thought 'flashing at the arena' was more of a Van Halen, Aerosmith thing than a Memphis Grizzlies thing. I guess I underestimate the visceral/sensual power of a Rudy Gay jam.
Richard Deitsch, one of the better media critics in the sports world, has published his end-of-the-year list. Light on the NBA side, but I found myself nodding through most of the column.
For those who wish to completely blow this team up.
Rod Benson might be a scion of Mark Twain.

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Comments

TZ is a tease

I get all hot and ready to immerse myself into the tandem Johns when out of nowhere I was asked for money if I wanted to finish. Pretty low I say.

I beg of you Mr. Ziller please link to articles my tight-ass can read.

by Mityt on Dec 21, 2007 10:59 AM PST reply actions

I always forget about Insider. It's real short, just a bullet item on Hollinger's blog. He says Salmons' contract is looking better, he's better than Bonzi Wells, and the Kings are overachieving. And he acknowledges Salmons murdering Jefferson and Carter (not the presidents) the other night.

by Tom Ziller on Dec 21, 2007 12:15 PM PST up reply actions

Insider is something of a joke anyway

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 21, 2007 12:19 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, Kevin who?

It's going to be a tough decision to have to sit Salmans when K-Mart comes back. What's bonus about Salmans is he also plays defense.

by KingsFan on Dec 21, 2007 6:10 PM PST up reply actions

Good to see...

Nice to read that Hedo is getting some positive press. I didn't really care much about losing Wallace - and, frankly, I still don't - but I hated letting Hedo go. The guy just always had excellent basketball skills. Personally, I love the the all-around player: the guy that will defend, pass, rebound, and score depending on what the team needs at the time. Too many people are inspired by some guy that can jump but not make a shot past 10 feet or who doesnt' make anybody else better. Hedo's potential was always obvious. Nice to see him beginning to reach it - and doing so on a very nice, young team.

by Kusian on Dec 21, 2007 11:22 AM PST reply actions

Gerald Wallace

Yeah, I can't see what use the Kings would have for an incredibly athletic 25 year old who puts down 18 per game and is top 5 in steals every year.

by Carl on Dec 21, 2007 11:43 AM PST up reply actions

Wallace is good

Hey, not saying Wallace isn't a nice, athletic player. He's just not as good as Hedo and will never be the all-around player that Hedo is. (Hedo's numbers are better in every category.) Gerald is a nice piece, but his game is limited. I'd take Artest or Salmons over him in a second.

And wouldn't you think for all his hops and ESPN dunks that the guy could come up with more than 5 boards a game? (I know he's a 3, but given his athleticism he should be capable of more.)

by Kusian on Dec 21, 2007 11:49 AM PST up reply actions

Hedo vs. Wallace

Actually, Wallace's FG% is higher and his steals and blocks are two and three times Hedo's numbers in those categories. Hedo has never managed more than 4.5 rebounds per game over his career, while Wallace has averaged 7.5 and 7.2 rebounds the last two seasons. Hedo is a nice player and is having what is by far a career year. Wallace is three years younger. Given a choice between the two, I'd take Wallace.

by Carl on Dec 21, 2007 1:49 PM PST up reply actions

agree 2 disagree

I meant the numbers this year. Gerald is rebounding at 5/game rate. And steals and blocks are nice, but they aren't as important as scoring, assisting, defending, and having a high b-ball IQ, which Gerald does not. The guy doesn't make anybody better. And he can't shoot past 10 feet. (His FG % is high because he basically is a garbage man - not that it's a bad thing. He's just not going to hurt you with a jumpshot or a 3, which also means he never extends the defense.)

So, we will have to agree to disagree on who we'd prefer. But I think we can agree that both players are good (not great) players.

by Kusian on Dec 21, 2007 2:36 PM PST up reply actions

G-Dub vs. The Turk

I like both of those guys, but you do have to give Hedo the edge on durability. He has missed 28 games over the past 3+ seasons (or 11% of his games), and much of that was do to that mystery virus he had a couple of years ago. In that same span Wallace has missed 50 games (or 19%), the price you pay for being a high flyer that does not always land softly.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Dec 21, 2007 4:02 PM PST up reply actions

true

I was going to add the point about injury factor outweighing his youth, but didn't want to pile on. I think Wallace is a good player. Period. I just perfer Hedo's game.

by Kusian on Dec 21, 2007 4:11 PM PST up reply actions

Well

If I was picking a team and I had to choose between Hideous and Wallace, I'd have to go with Wallace. He has proved he can be a force in this league since he got away from Adelman.

by KingsFan on Dec 21, 2007 6:14 PM PST up reply actions

really?

Well Dave, you just proved you know nothing about basketball as a team sport. That's OK. I knew that before this post. I am sure you think big dunks is what makes a player: It's not. What makes a good player is the ability to shoot, to assist, to rebound, and to defend. Everything else is a bonus.

by Kusian on Dec 22, 2007 1:38 AM PST up reply actions

Hey now

I'm not sure picking Wallace over Hedo proves you know nothing about basketball. I'd certainly take Wallace over Hedo -- he doesn't shoot at near the same level, but is a huge plus in every other category and younger. And he's wrapped up in a very reasonable contract.

by Tom Ziller on Dec 22, 2007 7:20 AM PST up reply actions

Hmmmmmmmmmm

Reggie Rules seem more about respect of others than restriction's. Which with pro players you have to do. These are grown men. If they can't act like it it's on them.

Hollinger at least ate a little crow. His system isn't perfect; he isn't the end all be all of anything.

I liked KD's take on the Grizzlies flashing. You mean ALCOHOL was involved? Oh my gosh whatever shall we do?

I like the Timberwolves team. I don't think McHale is as stupid as everyone thinks he is. I do think his decision to keep Wittman around is the single most puzzling thing I can remember about his regime (there are some puzzlers).

You need to stop using big words TZ. Making me look up scion & schizz! I shake my fist @ u sir!

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 21, 2007 12:32 PM PST reply actions