Grades/post-game discussion v. Pelicans - 12/8

gunks

Hall of Famer
#34
It’s actually fun reading the Pels board. It’s all the same stuff we’ve heard before - need a new coach, need a floor general, DMC can’t play defense, etc.

They will win more games than us but I still love the makeup and upside of our team much more.
To fair, Cuz kinda went out of the frying pan and into the fire as far as coaching/GMing/supporting cast goes...

...Not to knock AD, who is a freaking stud, but he's always injured, the rest of the team sucks, and Gentry is iffy at best as a coach.

I'm with you on liking our team's upside though! ;)
 
#37
Someone said it: scrappy game by the Kings! Scrappy indeed.
As well as Z-Bo has been playing for us, I'd still like to see him reduced to 18-20 min/game. But he's always played well against Cousins, and won't let Cousins bully him or his teammates. So in this game, I have no problem with the minutes Z-Bo got.
As much as I like Temple, he needs his minutes cut back until he can be more productive on offense. We're usually a better team with Bogie as the 3rd guard (than with Temple).
Kofus should start every game for us, since he get's about 9 out of 10 game-opening tips. That's an extra possession every game. (OK, not an extra possession per se, but a "first opportunity"?) Sit him at the first stoppage of play if need be. But he's our only guy who wins most of the tips.
Papa has a ways to go, but I see good progress there.
I have no doubt that Skal will return with renewed confidence, which will make him more valuable.
Hill needs to play the 2 and be encouraged to shoot or drive, or drive and kick it out, every time he gets the ball. Aggressive on offense and tenacious on defense. Same role as Buddy. But only one of them at a time.
We're actually playing well wthout WCS. That should make Willie a bit nervous.
 
Last edited:
#38
Hey, I wonder what Brick is doing?
Here's a post by Brick in response to "How dare Gentry throw those turnovers! He's such a bad coach!"
No, but their is unearned arrogance on display here.

Yes, let's "rest" Rondo. And start Clark, who has been awful. And hey, even with Cousins and Davis available, let's just play neither and have Asik out there alone. And hey, why not sub out Holiday too, so all three of the guys who can create their own offense are out at the same time. Why not? After all, it's just the Kings.

Last week the Warriors arroganted themselves right into a loss with this same Kings squad. Last game LeBron had to wake up and hero the Cavs to a come from behind victory because they were doing the same nonsense. Screw around enough, and you can make a game out of what should not be here.
 
#39
Someone said it: scrappy game by the Kings! Scrappy indeed.
As well as Z-Bo has been playing for us, I'd still like to see him reduced to 18-20 min/game. But he's always played well against Cousins, and won't let Cousins bully him or his teammates. So in this game, I have no problem with the minutes Z-Bo got.
As much as I like Temple, he needs his minutes cut back until he can be more productive on offense. We're usually a better team with Bogie as the 3rd guard (than with Temple).
Kofus should start every game for us, since he get's about 9 out of 10 game-opening tips. That's an extra possession every game. Sit him at the first stoppage of play if need be. But he's our only guy who wins most of the tips.
Papa has a ways to go, but I see good progress there.
I have no doubt that Skal will return with renewed confidence, which will make him more valuable.
Hill needs to play the 2 and be encouraged to shoot or drive, or drive and kick it out, every time he gets the ball. Aggressive on offense and tenacious on defense. Same role as Buddy. But only one of them at a time.
We're actually playing well wthout WCS. That should make Willie a bit nervous.
It’s not an extra possession. The team that loses the tip gets it in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The team who wins it gets it in the 4th.
 
#40
Here's a post by Brick in response to "How dare Gentry throw those turnovers! He's such a bad coach!"
No, but their is unearned arrogance on display here.

Yes, let's "rest" Rondo. And start Clark, who has been awful. And hey, even with Cousins and Davis available, let's just play neither and have Asik out there alone. And hey, why not sub out Holiday too, so all three of the guys who can create their own offense are out at the same time. Why not? After all, it's just the Kings.

Last week the Warriors arroganted themselves right into a loss with this same Kings squad. Last game LeBron had to wake up and hero the Cavs to a come from behind victory because they were doing the same nonsense. Screw around enough, and you can make a game out of what should not be here.
Since when are the Pelicans in the same conversation as the Warriors and Cavs? Pelicans are lucky the Thunder are dysfunctional as well because I don't see them making the playoffs over any team currently in the top 7. They better hope the Thunder don't start clicking all of a sudden.
 
#41
Since when are the Pelicans in the same conversation as the Warriors and Cavs? Pelicans are lucky the Thunder are dysfunctional as well because I don't see them making the playoffs over any team currently in the top 7. They better hope the Thunder don't start clicking all of a sudden.
It'll be interesting to see how they handle Cousins' impending free agency. If they pay him, they basically are paying 3 guys a buttload of money with no cap room left to round out the roster? All for a 7 or 8 seed?

Sounds familiar.
 
#42
It'll be interesting to see how they handle Cousins' impending free agency. If they pay him, they basically are paying 3 guys a buttload of money with no cap room left to round out the roster? All for a 7 or 8 seed?

Sounds familiar.
This belongs in a different forum but the quick answer is someone is getting traded. No way they risk losing Cousins for nothing.
 

Tetsujin

The Game Thread Dude
#43
It'll be interesting to see how they handle Cousins' impending free agency. If they pay him, they basically are paying 3 guys a buttload of money with no cap room left to round out the roster? All for a 7 or 8 seed?

Sounds familiar.
To be fair, the worst contract on that team still remains the Asik debacle.
 
#44
Scheming a way for the Pels to nab the 8th seed and get swept by the Warriors? Different team same goal.
I mean, the Pelicans are clearly a playoff team. They're in that range with the Blazers/Jazz/Nuggets. They're honestly better than the Jazz I'd say. I don't envy them this year because of Cousins' impending free agency hanging uncertainty over that franchise, but if they manage to work that out I'd rather be them than us.
 
#46
Btw. always fun to watch Cuz and Zbo go up against each other. It's some oldschool competetive basketball every time. Some chippy plays, lots of trashtalk but still mutual respect - that's how the NBA should be.

Loved the way our young guards finished the game strong. And Papa had some nice plays on offense.

No comment on Gentry though. VC and Joerger got bailed out by his incompetence.
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
#47
Kayte touched on it before the game that she discussed this with Peja and they're really making good use of the D-League, and using it as it was originally intended to be. DEVELOPMENT. I think a lot of teams are gonna be attempting to copy what the Kings are doing.
Not to nit pic, but the Kings are copying what the Spurs have been doing for the several years. But hey, who cares? When you see a good way of doing things, who cares who did it first?
 
#48
Is brick in someway related to boogie?

http://www.pelicansreport.com/showthread.php?88525-Kings-at-Pelicans-in-the-blender-12-8-17/page6

Post numbers 131 and 132 are pretty damn hilarious. ".......Z-bo flashing back 5 years surrounded by an impotent set of young kids......". Our kids are far from impotent. Sorry.
Then the name calling of people who don't agree with him. Sorry but I'm not gonna shed a tear over him bailing because his favorite player was traded away. I don't miss that AT ALL.
 
#49
I mean, the Pelicans are clearly a playoff team. They're in that range with the Blazers/Jazz/Nuggets. They're honestly better than the Jazz I'd say. I don't envy them this year because of Cousins' impending free agency hanging uncertainty over that franchise, but if they manage to work that out I'd rather be them than us.
"IF they manage to work that out....."

Heard that for boogies entire stint here. IF. After watching today's game and watching boogie beasting, along with the scowling, the complaining, the thin skin, and a bit of hilarious flopping, I'm 100% satisfied with where we are and where we are going.
No way I'd rather be them. No way..........
 
#50
Is brick in someway related to boogie?

http://www.pelicansreport.com/showthread.php?88525-Kings-at-Pelicans-in-the-blender-12-8-17/page6

Post numbers 131 and 132 are pretty damn hilarious. ".......Z-bo flashing back 5 years surrounded by an impotent set of young kids......". Our kids are far from impotent. Sorry.
Then the name calling of people who don't agree with him. Sorry but I'm not gonna shed a tear over him bailing because his favorite player was traded away. I don't miss that AT ALL.
Good riddance. I don't miss that badgering of people who disagree with him. Dmc had a huge stats and his team lost well that seems familiar doesn't it. Blame the coach blame the organization blame global warming nothing can be DMC'S fault with the ultimate boogie fan boy.
 
#51
It’s not an extra possession. The team that loses the tip gets it in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The team who wins it gets it in the 4th.
OK, technically you're correct. But getting the first opportunity to score for a team that struggles with slow starts would be helpful, right? So change it from "extra possession" to "first opportunity."
 
#52
Is brick in someway related to boogie?

http://www.pelicansreport.com/showthread.php?88525-Kings-at-Pelicans-in-the-blender-12-8-17/page6

Post numbers 131 and 132 are pretty damn hilarious. ".......Z-bo flashing back 5 years surrounded by an impotent set of young kids......". Our kids are far from impotent. Sorry.
Then the name calling of people who don't agree with him. Sorry but I'm not gonna shed a tear over him bailing because his favorite player was traded away. I don't miss that AT ALL.
Guess more people are joining the population of people with the basketball intelligence of a flatworm eh?
 
#53
3Bo - (A). Despite being horrible defender, you can't knock him last night!

Mason - (A). Just love his composure and game.

Vince - (A). 3 dunks by Vince Carter in 2017 is an auto A. He really set players up nicely especially that kick back to Hield.

Fox - (B). Still love what Fox brings. Have to remember, he is a rookie.

Hield - (A). For the big shots.
 
#56
I don't know how any Kings fan could not be happy with the progress this team has shown after only 25 games. Joerger and staff must be doing something right. Going 2 and 2 on the road trip and not only being competitive in all 4 games, but having a chance to win each of the two losses into the final seconds. Compare that to the earlier road trip where they were just overwhelmed. The thing is you can still see a lot of mistakes that will improve over time, but you can also see flashes of why these young guys have so much potential. I know the "lin" crowd is disappointed with the win, but learning how to win is part of the development. Coaching and playing to lose would send the wrong message. I'm still going to preach patience, there will still be some bad games, some bad performances. I think you are going to see opponents start to take the Kings more serious and adjust their preparation and performance accordingly. They will start to scout the Kings more. The Kings will need to make adjustments as the season goes on.
 
#57
Alvin was not a happy coach after the game-
https://streamable.com/myk53
26 games in and he still hasn't found a way to have his team exploit missmatches with Cuz or AD involved close to the basket. Every entry pass against much smaller guys is difficult and is caught 10ft or more away from the basket, forcing Cuz and Ad to put the ball on the floor.
I mean I'm only a mere fan, but I really wonder, if there is no other way to exploit a 40 year old VC, when he is guarding Anthony Davis, than to have AD shoot contested mid range shots or not involving him at all, because he is getting fronted.
When there is no way to take advantage of superior size and strength, why play 2 bigs at all?

There has to be some way right? I mean some other way, than to call out all of his players for lack of effort and act like the coaching has nothing to do with it.
 
#58
Is brick in someway related to boogie?

http://www.pelicansreport.com/showthread.php?88525-Kings-at-Pelicans-in-the-blender-12-8-17/page6

Post numbers 131 and 132 are pretty damn hilarious. ".......Z-bo flashing back 5 years surrounded by an impotent set of young kids......". Our kids are far from impotent. Sorry.
Then the name calling of people who don't agree with him. Sorry but I'm not gonna shed a tear over him bailing because his favorite player was traded away. I don't miss that AT ALL.
And despite the disrespectful wording he is pretty much spot on with every point he makes.
Kings are a bad team. Our young players are inexperienced and haven't shown a lot. We missed a core piece in WCS. Cousins came to play, but got tired (it really was obvious) and was asked to stop penetration by doubling the ball handler.
Zbo matched Cousins production on offense by exploiting that for open 3's and getting his usual lefty hook shot thing going. But he scored not only on Cuz, but on AD and Asik too.

Jrue didn't come to play, AD was invisible due to coaching issues and maybe not being 100%, Rondo was somehow on a DNP- rest.

It's the usual oversimplified stuff to sum up this game with a "Zbo outplayed DMC" or "it's DMC's fault Pel's lost the game".
Cousins made some bad decisions. But the Pelicans depend on him way too much, which shouldn't be the case, when you have Jrue Holiday, AD and Rondo on your roster.
 
#59
While giving frank mason props last night Doug Christie again said that frank has the poise and fundamentals that 4 years of college instilled in him. The NBA can't force kids to stay in college like the NFL does but damn, it really does make a difference in the players development. When I start feeling down on Fox sometimes I have to remind myself that even though fox and frank are both rookies Frank Mason is way ahead of Fox in development.