Remember when Cuz had Beno's back after Chris Paul knocked him down? Well Beno has DMC's back too.
What a roller-coaster week huh? That nice Phoenix win, with those two icky blowout losses, followed by a nice All-Star break and David Stern and the City of Anaheim trying to ruin all that is good in this world.
The Good:
1. Donté Greene
See Player of the Week
2. DeMarcus Cousins in the Rookie Game
DMC didn't win the MVP like Tyreke did last year, but he did a good job representing Sacramento, scoring a game-high 33 points to go with 14 rebounds and 3 steals as the Rookies won for the 2nd year in a row 148-140. It would've been nice to see Tyreke play as well for the Sophomores, but this way I didn't have to root against either player. Good job Boogie. You're definitely the co-MVP with Wall in my books.
3. Jermaine Taylor's "Breakout" Game in Dallas
After several disappointing games with Sacramento, Jermaine Taylor finally had a very nice game. He got off to a hot start shooting wise, showcasing his athleticism in the open court, as well as a nice stroke on his three point shot (he hit 3-6). Jermaine filled in Tyreke's shoes as well as you could've hoped, finishing with a career-high 17 points (7-12 from the field), to go with 5 assists, 4 steals, 3 rebounds and a block. If he could utilize that athleticism to become a pest defensively and consistently play like this on offense, he has a chance to become a solid player in this league. Do I think he does that on the Kings and thus becomes an answer to some of our prayers for added depth in the backcourt? Probably not, but if Tyreke misses more time due to the Plantar Fasciitis, we'll certainly get a chance to see.
4. Quality Win in Phoenix After Turmoil
After all the ruckus surrounding the team heading into Phoenix, I don't think anybody expected them to win this game. Instead we got the team coming together through the adversity and putting together a solid effort to come out victorious. Sammy D had one of his "I Can't Believe You Did This" games, putting up 18 and 15 in DeMarcus's absence, and Donté had a super game as well, with 19 points in just 25 minutes. Carl Landry was the driving force late, scoring all 20 of his points in the 2nd half. Just a great team victory and one of the nicer moments of this season.
5. Free Throws
One thing the Kings have been doing well lately is getting to the line and hitting their free throws. The Kings got to the line a total of 89 times (29.6 FTA per game) and hit 71 of them (79.8%). That's a pretty big jump from averages of 24.3 FTA and 72.9% for the season (especially when you consider that those averages were lower before those games).
6. The Rare Great Ailene Voisin Article
They do in fact happen, and here is one. Listen to her Maloofs.
The Bad:
1. Tyreke Evans's Plantar Fasciitis Worsens
Tyreke had to miss the last two games of the road trip as well as the All-Star Weekend Festivities due to his plantar fasciitis. He previously only missed one game all season directly due to the PF all year, but it seems to have taken a turn for the worse. Evans met with a doctor in LA this weekend to get a new opinion, and we'll see what comes of it. If Tyreke ends up shelving the rest of the year, I don't see too many more wins in our future.
2. Dallas's Three Point Barrage
The Kings have a bad habit of leaving shooters open when they switch. Dallas took advantage in the 3rd quarter of an otherwise competitive game, and Jason Kidd led the way with 6-7 from downtown in that quarter alone. Dallas as a whole finished with 13 threes on 50% shooting, a season high in threes made for a Kings opponent, and 9 more than the Kings that game. It was the difference maker in the game.
3. DeMarked Man
Its clear DeMarcus isn't going to get much positive attention. The stories that sell with him are those of a malcontent, one that might explode at any given minute. One day I hope to see this change and instead focus on what he does on the basketball court. But he'll need to do work on his end to make that happen as well.
4. Inconsistency in the Rotations Again
Three games, three different starting lineups. I know it was helped by DeMarcus missing one game and then Tyreke missing two, but its still pretty inconsistent. JT went from starting back to the bench and only 9 minutes against Dallas. Pooh didn't play at all against Phoenix and then played 38 minutes against OKC (albeit was a blowout with a game the next day). Luther Head and Jermaine Taylor both started in Reke's place. DeMarcus started at PF for the first time against Dallas. It's just a lot of inconsistency, but the blame can't fully lie in Westphal, considering the inconsistency of our roster.
5. Not Enough Plays Run For Top Hat
One thing that can lie with Westphal though is not getting enough touches for Landry. With Tyreke out, Carl should be the go-to scorer. He showed that again in Phoenix, and that was simply with DeMarcus out. But against OKC, a team with no real defensive presence inside other than Ibaka, he only got two shots in 21 minutes (and still scored 8 points). He played more against Dallas, but only got 6 shots for 9 points. We need to use Carl to his full capacity if we hope to win with one of Reke-DMC out. In fact, the only game the Kings won without Tyreke this year had Carl score a game-high 22 points.
6. Beno Regressing to the Mean
After a poor shooting start to the season, Beno had a ridiculously hot December-January, shooting 50+% in both months. He's only shot 43.2% so far in February though, and just 40% this week. The Kings rely on his consistency, so it tends to throw them off when he shoots poorly.
The Ugly:
1. Resurfacing Kings to Anaheim Rumors
I don't know what to say. Am I overreacting to re-surfaced old news simply because David Stern is confirming possible talks? Or maybe its because March 1st is so close? All I know is this doesn't sit right with me, and I hope that pookeyguru won't have to add a new listing to his "25 worst moments in Sacramento Kings history" fanpost.
2. Craig Sager and His Stupid Face
We get it Craig Sager, you like attention. Why else would you wear all those crazy suits? But to throw DeMarcus under the bus during an awards ceremony is just callous and mean-spirited. Screw you Craig Sager.
3. Kings Defense Without Tyreke Evans
The Kings average 102.9 points given up in the NBA, or the 21st most. Minnesota is the worst at 107.9. In the 7 games Tyreke has missed, the Kings have gone 1-6 and given up an average of 121.3 points. That's a huge difference. Tyreke's not a world beater on the defensive end, but he's above average, and his replacements on this team are pretty bad as well.
4. Massacre at Thunder's Hands
The Kings have had a few "embarrassing" losses this season, but this was the worst in terms of point margin. The team came out lethargically and OKC did not. It almost reminded me of last year's season opener against the very same Thunder.
Player of the Week:
Donté Greene
15 PPG, .551 FG%, 3.7 RPG, 2 STL
Donté had the best week of the season and earned some more playing time in my books. He STILL can't hit a three pointer with any consistency, but he's becoming pretty good at scoring in the mid-range or by taking it to the rack. This offseason could be a career changer for Greene, depending on how much work he puts in. Getting a consistent jumper (especially from range) could be a game changer.
Image / GIF of the Week:
Thanks to fan neofreire663 for making the sign. Wonderful, wonderful work.
Comment of the Week:
Oh, and Craig Sager is not fit to lick Jim Grey’s sweat off of Grant Napear’s saliva off of Bill Walton’s hemp-scented balls.
by section214 on Feb 19, 2011 11:05 AM PST reply actions 8 recs
Highlight of the Week:
The dunk over Curry was especially awesome.
Caption Contest:
Last Week's Winner: prowseinthehouse
Luther Head looks on, very confused as to why Barea keeps trying to put the ball in the basket
Last Week's Runner-Up: Scirocco
Head: WTF Barea you skipped the pump fake!
The Vfettke Would (Almost) Always Win if Photoshop was Allowed Caption Winner: Nobody! Because last week's picture was too lame to photoshop and so nobody did.
This Week's Picture:
A reminder of the rules for the Caption Contest. Leave your caption in the comments below, and the most rec'd (to recommend a comment, hit action, then rec) caption wins.
This week's caption contest winner gets a thingamajig with a doodad.
Lottery Projection and Profile of the Week: (With the season more than half over, its time to bring back this popular feature from last year)
Current Projected Lottery Position: 3rd
Current Lottery Range: 1st - 5th
Draft Profile: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke, 6'2, 185 lbs, Freshman
Obviously the Kings biggest need on the court right now is a floor general, a guy who can get players the ball and keep the offense from screeching to a halt when times get tough. It'd also help if this floor general could hit his shots and play some defense. Kyrie Irving seems to fit that bill.
Irving isn't super athletic like the last few top point guards that have been drafted have been (Wall, Rose, Westbrook), but he's very efficient and mature for his age. He's an excellent shooter (not Curry good, but solid) and decent defender.
The one problem with Irving is that he has only played 8 games this college season as he sustained a toe injury that will likely keep him out most of the year, if not the entire year. Irving is still atop most people's boards (he's definitely the best point guard prospect in this draft), but he could decide to stay in College one more year, what with the possible NBA lockout and the fact that his stock may fall due to missing so much time.
I doubt Irving is on the caliber of franchise altering talents like Chris Paul or Deron Williams, but with Reke-DMC already aboard, the Kings can afford to take the safe route this time, and probably need to if he's available.
Next Week's Profile: Perry Jones
Question of the Week:
What does your gut tell you? Do the Kings file for relocation by March 1st (In a funny twist of coincidence, I have several things riding on the March 1st date in my personal life as well. Ugh.)?
Mine says yes, and I hope to God I am wrong. GBU Week 19 will either be a very optimistic recap or a very depressing recap. Be positive for me, you guys.
And Nostradumbass Prediction for Next Week:
@ Miami 2/22 L (The Heat feature a couple of guys named Joel Anthony and Carlos Arroyo. We're screwed)
@ Orlando 2/23 L (I think Dwight is going to hold DMC to single digits in scoring and rebounding)
@ Charlotte 2/25 W (Need a bit of revenge for whatever the hell happened the last time we played Charlotte)
@ Memphis 2/26 L (I think the Grizz are a bit miffed about the halfcourt shot from heaven)
Nostradumbass Record for the Season 22 - 31