[Grades] Grades v. Suns 11/7/2014

Kings of the Player of the Game?

  • Cousins

    Votes: 21 25.0%
  • Collison

    Votes: 26 31.0%
  • McLemore

    Votes: 21 25.0%
  • Landry

    Votes: 15 17.9%
  • er...um...Gay

    Votes: 1 1.2%

  • Total voters
    84
  • Poll closed .

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#1


Good golly Ms. Molly.

Every once in a while you get a team coming along that just seems to have "it", whatever "it" may be. Its entirely appropriate to continue mentioning how early in the season it is, but damn if this team isn't showing those signs. Somehow, someway, we're becoming the great Cinderella story again as it was 15 years ago. Quite amazing.

NOTE:the Grading Consortiuum is actively recruiting a new squad of graders for this season. And grading wins is more fun than grading losses. Give us a nudge If interested.

Boxscore

Stats: 48min 11pts (5-22, 1-6, 0-0) 9reb 1ast 1stl 0blk 4TO
GRADING CONSORTIUUM GUEST GRADE
Gay ( D- ) -- All I can say is Wow! What a night, and its a night when Gay should be happy and celebrating, were it not for his absolutely miserable performance on the floor. Knowing that I can be the kiss of death, I'll personally take responsibility for it. Usually I chronicle all the shots throughout the game, but me thinks it would be too painful to relive them. Gay started by missing his first three shots but then looked like Gay we all know, when he zigged and zagged his way through three defenders and easily layed it in. He went on to make two more shots in the half. He opened the second half with a beautiful drive, a spin, and a layup. Little did I know at the time that it would be the last shot he would make until there was only 1.07 left in the second overtime which game the Kings a one point lead. At that point he was 5 for 21 from the floor. He topped off the night with one more miss from beyond the arc. Speaking of overtime, another memorable moment came when Gay was apparently elected to take the last shot of the first overtime. He got the ball with the score tied and a chance to win the game. However he carelessly dribbled the ball off his foot, and ended up throwing up a wild shot as the buzzer went off. About the only good thing I can say about his night, is that he pulled down nine boards. The truth is, if his name was Williams instead of Gay, he probably would have gotten an F. So in essence, I game him a reputation grade. Gay did play decent defense throughout the night, but lost his man a few times, with dire results. There are nights when a shooter needs to have a conscience. This was one of those nights. Had we lost, it would have been fair to say Gay shot us out of the game. Fortunately the Kings got away with a victory. Two weeks from now, no one will remember. And when you win, that's as it should be.

Note: I've read that Gay was battling illness tonight, which would partially explain his poor performance. --Baja

Stats: 33min 8pts (3-6, 0-0, 2-4) 5reb 1ast 0stl 0blk 1TO
Thompson ( C ) -- started off this game doing the bulk of what fugly scoring we were getting with Cuz looking oddly uncomfortable and Rudy just struggling from the getgo.. Got an early post move over the good Morris twin (Markief). Got pulled out of the air for a big fall on his back he'll be feeling this morning, and split the pair of FTs. Added an active one handed offensive tip. It wasn't an impressive run, but nonetheless he was getting something done, which was more than could be said for anybody else at that point. But neither he, nor we, were having much impact on defense as in the first quarter all of a sudden it looked like last year, and every year before last year for the better part of a decade. The rest of the team eventually began to lurch into motion and Jason faded back into the background and would only score 3 more points in the next 50 minutes or so of this one. He's still not rebounding, but in this one it was a little more understandable as your PF has to run around on the perimeter chasing the tweener twins. Finally got one of theose really good defensive possessions late in the third harassing Markieff into a terrible shot. Despite lack of production, became a significant figure when we lost Cuz and he had to take over at center. not really able to get it done defensively in that role as you could immediately feel the change in defensive presence around the rim -- makes you realize how good of a help defender Cuz has become. We won, and Jason helped a little early and for the most part did not hurt late. But this really wasn't productive after a while and he was just filling a roster position.

Stats: 35min 25pts (6-14, 0-0, 13-14) 18reb 0ast 0stl 2blk 2TO
Cousins ( A- ) -- there is probably a superstar test where you can tell a guy is at that level when even when he has a bad game he has a good game by most people's standards. Not that Cuz had a bad game here, but it started off poorly. Inexplicably poorly really. Just for whatever reason in the first quarter of this one he did not look comfortable, was playing too fast like this was Andrew Bogut on him or something, almost looked passive about getting the ball, and his guards, even Collison, were being idiots and couldn't get the it to him even when he wanted it. A couple of times it even looked like he didn't know the shotclock resulting in 24sec violations for the team. In what has become a bit of a pattern amongst opposing scrubby centers, Plumlee even dropped a post move over him. Cuz is paying solid positional post defense, but he may want to start moving and taking angles to better disrupt these guys. His first few rebounds were very strong, a precursor to what would follow, but overall he was pretty quiet, and we fell way behind. Finally began to look more like himself in the mid 2nd, it was still scruffy but the Cuz were forced into the same strategy almost every team is using on him now, which is crap, we have no chance to stop this guy, better hack him. And hack him. And hack him. Plumlee and the Suns guards kept making our guards hesitate before making entry passes to him. It was easier against Len, but its still hard to explode and blow up the other team's frontline if your guards can't get you the ball in the first place. When he returned in the 4th he came up with a nifty blocked shot reaching out while being blocked from the play of by his man, and his defense and rebounding intensity picked up right on queue as we charged back into this one and erased a 12pt 4th quarter deficit. Played big down the stretch as we battled to close the gap, and then at the 1:37 mark, after battling short but very stout PJ tucker for about 15 seconds trying to get somebody to throw him the ball from the right side of the key all the way to the left, the entry pass was finally made and Cuz bulled his way to the hoop for the +1 that finally gave us our first lead since we'd been up 4-2 in the first couple of minutes. For the second night in a row, and this is not only aggravating but eyebrow raising, but for the second game in a row picked up his 6th foul on a bad call by the ref, getting called for an illegal screen on which he barely moved with 37 seconds to go. You don't make that call if you're a ref. You just don't in that situation unless its completely obvious. But anyway, Cuz did his part, again. he carried us back into this thing, put us in position to close it out, and after the game has even been earning some more of those reputation repairing points for grabbing Malone after he fouled out and keeping his coach from storming the court and picking up a technical that would have lost it for us. So great is Cuz rolling that I almost B+'d this. Then I caught myself and said what the heck is the matter with you:: you almost B+'s a guy who put a 25pt 18reb line in a win.

Stats: 29min 15pts (5-9, 1-4, 4-4) 3reb 0ast 1stl 0blk 1TO
McLemore ( B+ ) -- you know, if this game had ended in regulation this would have been another sigh game for Ben as he really hadn't carried over the momentum of the Denver game. Or maybe he'd carried too much of it and came out in this one, in both halves really, rather TOO aggressive and taking rather more of our shots than his talent dictates. Forced shots too. Drives into the teeth of the defense that were getting blocked, airballed a three. And like many of our guards was showing no ability to get the ball inside to Cuz in the face of the Suns' pressure. And for those who don't get league pass oh boy was he catching hell from the Suns typically homer announcers. You kept on hoping he'd do something to shut them up, but he was struggling badly enough that Nik ended up taking his 4th quarter minutes. But then Ben got lucky I think. First the window was opened for Ben as Nik was having a hell of a time staying in front of Bledsoe on pick and rolls and we were getting hurt repeatedly on that play. So we brought Ben back in for defensive purposes. And then opportunity knocked in the OT as it looked like we were going to do the "good enough' fade. Hey, we'd made it to OT on the road, put up a good fight. But you know we'd lost our superstar, our other star was sick and awful, and hey, no shame in losing a tight one to a good team and pushing them. So the Suns scored the first 7 of the OT and it looked like we were going gentle into that good night until DC stepped up and started pushing back. But DC wasn't going to be able to do it alone, Gay was apparently seeing stars, Landry all of a sudden looked like a very small target inside, Cuz was gone and JT was just filling space, and suddenly it was Ben McLemore who stepped up in the OTs to help us hang in there. He got active on the glass, added a couple of FTs in the first OT as we tied it back up, and then dropped 5 points in the second OT, including the critical 3ptr that cut the lead to 1 with 1:50 to go and brought us back from the brink again. Good thing too since Bledsoe had blown right by him the play before to put the Suns up 4 in the first place. But Ben got the last laugh. Its too bad its not in his personality to have gone over to the Suns announcers post game and say "how you like them apples?" Still not much of a regulation, and DC was the guy who led the OT fight. But Ben stepped up in a big way for him, and that's two games in a row that just have to be legitimate confidence builders.

Stats: 33min 16pts (6-13, 0-2, 4-6) 2reb 3ast 2stl 0blk 2TO
Collison ( B ) -- we got bad news early in this one and you wondered if it might be fatal as DC quickly picked up two quick fouls trying to stop Bledsoe (once not even his man) and we lost the only guy who could match the Suns' backcourt quickness on defense. 2nd call was a weak one too as he was defending the break and tried to throw his hands back and get out of the way and they called it anyway. Really took him a while to fully engage, as the Suns backcourt was dominating that matchup as expected. Lax bad pass created a Bledsoe breakway dunk with 3:30 to go. Finally got his first hoop in the mid 3rd, and then went back to back. But still , it was a quiet regulation for him, and this grade would have been a meh at best for his work before the OTs. But in the OTs it was DC who stepped forward first to save us. He didn't dominate. But with Cuz gone, Gay dead, we fell done 7 in the OIT and looked to be on the way out before DC finally stepped forward to hit back to back hoops and draw us within 3. It was still an adventure though, as with 1:11 to go in the game, he stole the ball up, raced the other way to take the lead in a 1pt game...was being chased and somehow someway rushed the layup off the front of the rim. He would get us to a 2nd OT, but there too the way he did it was by drawing a foul, and then missing the first FT and tying with the 2nd. And in the final 15 seconds of the game he did it AGAIN. Splitting the pair, and leaving us up only 2 vs. a prolific 3pt shooting team. Grrd. Fortunately we won so that we can just focus on him stepping up when Cuzx (fouled out) and Gay (sick) were unable.
 
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Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#2
Bench

Stats: 25min 9pts (4-9, 0-0, 1-1) 3reb 4ast 1stl 0blk 1TO
Sessions ( C ) -- I'm still scratching my head so hard about Sessions' play thus far that I think I am developing a bald spot, but for what its worth tonight was probably the best he has played. Or at least, there were flashes tonight. Some of the same awful he's been all season, but this time mixed with some of patches of solid play and bursts of offense. Early on it looked like more of the same as the bad news about Collison only got worse when Sessions came in and AGAIN immediately tried to turn the ball over, lost his man on defense, missed a layup and got beat several more times on defense. But somewhere there near the end of the first quarter, in the early second, he seemed to settle down. Not that he was doing much, but at least he wasn't hurting us. A major theme this season: if you can't contribute, at least don't decontribute. It may have started when he finally got a flip on the break to go for a +1 late in the first quarter, and for a while after that he was running the team in solid enough fashion. When he returned in the third he got a steal from IT and scored a layup the other way. But there were still problems. he seemed mysteriously unable to feed Cousins in the post despite standing 10 feet from him and looking aright at him fighting for position. Was getting killed by Dragic again and again on defense. But this time there were at least contributions, offsets. I'm STILL not happy with this outing, certainly not calling this a breakthough. But it was better than its been, and that's something.

Stats: 11min 5pts (0-3, 0-0, 5-6) 5reb 2ast 0stl 1blk 2TO
Evans ( C+ ) -- minutes were limited in this one as late in the game and in OT Malone, wonder of wonders, opted to have JT out there as a fullsized backup center at least pretending to protect the rim. But while Evans was out there in the early game and third quarter, he did his thing as usual. Kept balls alive on the glass, showed some offensive ineptitude, but other than having one pass blow right through his fingertips early on, his relentlessness typically made up for his lack of touch as he missed, chased, grabbed the miss, missed again, chased etc. And when he did finally get fouled after all the mucking about, in this one he hit his FTs. And in a game that ended tied in regulation obviously every single made FT counted. In the early 4th his night ended as he started racking up too many loose turnovers and fouls and it was time to get the big guy back in anyway.

Stats: 37min 12pts (6-8, 0-0, 0-0) 8reb 1ast 1stl 1blk 1TO
Landry ( B+ ) -- surprise early sub along with Reggie as after the slow start we just swapped out our entire frontcourt 6min in. Showed some activity on the glass and drawing fouls. Was a major factor in punishing the Suns weak frontcourt reserves (Len, Shavlik Randolph) and in fact effectively chased Randolph from the game. Was actually looking forward to his return in the third as he was scoring smoothly. Less of that late but was effective next to Cuz matching with the Suns' similarly sized tweeners and had some physical banging wars against the very physical PJ Tucker. Came up with two huge offensive rebounds, one at the 1:40 mark of regulation as he saved a bad possession and got the ball to Cuz for the 3pt play to put us ahead, and one with 20 seconds to go in the 2nd OT to put the screws to the Suns and force them to foul us. Real solid outing, and I again have to go back to Malone's decision in the first Denver game to leave him out there and leave him out there to sort of drab thud and bang and work through the kinks. He's been highly effective ever since.

Stats: 29min 9pts (4-7, 1-3, 0-0) 3reb 2ast 0stl 0blk 0TO
Stauskas ( B- ) -- was this a great game for Stauskas? Not really. But it was maybe his debut as a solid contributing member of the gang. Got into it early as he dribbled into a three on one end, and had Gerald Green knock him to the floor and come back and hit a three the other way. Good pass to Landry for a little dunk to start the second quarter and added a good drive as well as he made himself a viable option to Ben with good defensive work. Got flat overpowered by the much more powerful PJ Tucker in the pose, but most SG's not named Reke or maybe Wade would. After half defensive issues mounted against the Suns's backcourt,which suddenly looked like the Suns backcourt of last year. No chance isolated against Dragic on the last possession of the third and got blown by for the score. Made a nice backcut for a score to start the 4th on a called play during the quarter break and it looked like he might be the guy the rest of the way for us. He was competent offensively and showing signs, but in the final minutes of regulation he started having real problems keeping Bledsoe in front of him off of picks, including on one play that got DeMarcus his 5th. Result was he ended up giving way to Ben again for defensive purposes, and then Ben turned into an offensive contributor in the OTs as well.

Stats: 11min 4pts (0-0, 0-0, 4-4) 4reb 2ast 0stl 0blk 1TO
Casspi ( B ) -- don't really have a good answer why Omri was bumped down in the rotation in this game, with Rudy sick and terrible, with the Suns running out tweener forwards for Omri to guard all over the floor. But for whatever reason he only got 11min, and was basically our 10th man this time. He brought his normal hustle on the boards, did a nice job leading the break and setting up Sessions, and pinned IT under the hoop on the break and forced the pizza guy to foul. He didn't hit any field goals but he was still doing the saavy scrappy stuff the new Omri has brought, and we won his minutes. So again, don't know why their weren't more.

Stats: 1min 0pts (0-0, 0-0, 0-0) 0reb 0ast 0stl 0blk 0TO
Williams ( INC ) -- in for the final possession of the half to guard the 3pt line.

Stats: 1min 0pts (0-0, 0-0, 0-0) 0reb 0ast 0stl 0blk 0TO
McCallum ( INC ) -- in for the final possession of regulation to guard IT, and with a nice challenge forced IT into a high arcing airballed three.
 
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#5
Good golly Ms. Molly.

Every once in a while you get a team coming along that just seems to have "it", whatever "it" may be. Its entirely appropriate to continue mentioning how early in the season it is, but damn if this team isn't showing those signs. Somehow, someway, we're becoming the great Cinderella story again as it was 15 years ago. Quite amazing.

placeholder...
Yeah and nobody saw it coming.........especially you. Nobody could have predicted this but nobody was more critical of their roster moves than you. Turns out guys like Carl Landry really do add something to the culture.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#7
Yeah and nobody saw it coming.........especially you. Nobody could have predicted this but nobody was more critical of their roster moves than you. Turns out guys like Carl Landry really do add something to the culture.
Because so many did right?. But actually I've openly supported a number of their roster moves for Gay, glue guys like Reggie and Casspi and Collison and Stauskas and was less negative than most about our season prospects. Not expecting this obviously.

But regardless we aren't doing this anymore. Post legit, or just go away. If its just about me then you're not serving any purpose.
 
K

KingMilz

Guest
#8
Considering we didn't show up until the 4th quarter that is one impressive win

#Cousins didn't play the first quarter than decided to show up and dominate, had some crucial TO"s, he had 20 and 18 and had a average game imo which is crazy to say
#Carl Landry...feed the beast in the paint
#Rudy....played horrible but whet to the clutch gene in the end
#Darren Collison another MVP performance, the dude made so many big plays what a refreshing thing it is to see from a PG, dude is literally playing at a All-Star level right now
#JT, rough game, touch match ups we should have gone to Carl earlier
#Mclemore, dude just went clutch mode after having the Suns commentary team shred him all game
#Nik provided a decent spark
#Sessions, I think he's on his last chance, Ray deserves to play if Sessions keeps this garbage up
 

HndsmCelt

Hall of Famer
#12
Go ahead and grade Ruddy for the mess that was his game tonight... but ya gotta give him credit for sticking in there and finding ways to contribute and help scratch out a fugly win.
 
#16
Considering we didn't show up until the 4th quarter that is one impressive win

#Cousins didn't play the first quarter than decided to show up and dominate, had some crucial TO"s, he had 20 and 18 and had a average game imo which is crazy to say
#Carl Landry...feed the beast in the paint
#Rudy....played horrible but whet to the clutch gene in the end
#Darren Collison another MVP performance, the dude made so many big plays what a refreshing thing it is to see from a PG, dude is literally playing at a All-Star level right now
#JT, rough game, touch match ups we should have gone to Carl earlier
#Mclemore, dude just went clutch mode after having the Suns commentary team shred him all game
#Nik provided a decent spark
#Sessions, I think he's on his last chance, Ray deserves to play if Sessions keeps this garbage up
I agree with you on all of them. However, I think once Sessions settled down and actually started to be a pg, he was playing great. Sessions just needs to be more aggressive. I think he'll be ok, but I would like to see more of Ray.
 
#18
Because so many did right?. But actually I've openly supported a number of their roster moves for Gay, glue guys like Reggie and Casspi and Collison and Stauskas and was less negative than most about our season prospects. Not expecting this obviously.

But regardless we aren't doing this anymore. Post legit, or just go away. If its just about me then you're not serving any purpose.
Of course nobody could have predicted this but some wanted to run PDA out of town, kept calling him degrading names like "Gerbil", talked about Vivek being a meddling owner that doesn't know the game, kept saying that PDA and Vivek were trying to turn the Kings into Nellie Ball, continually complained about letting Tyreke walk, etc.

Doesn't hurt for people to just admit they were wrong.
 
#19
Its amazing how many ppl were so down on landry. I loved his game from his houston days. When even our best players were sucking it up and our coaches chair looked like a spinning door how would anyone have contributed in a positive manner? Get a real coach and cut out some cancers from the locker room and get healthy and it makes all the difference.

Then came the collison signing and the forum was splitt 50/50 because we let IT walk. What a difference a PG with a good attitude and a commitment to ball movement and defense does fpr a team. He is averaging 15ppg/6.8apg/4rpg and spearheading a great team defense.

PDA is starting to look like the smartest gerbil in the world.

GO KINGS!
 

rainmaker

Hall of Famer
#20
Have to single out Ben for stepping up big time. Both ends of the court down the stretch. Sees to be getting over quite a mental hurdle and is gaining confidence by the game.

We've seen something similar to this two times recently in OKC and Portland. Over the course of one off season a team clicks, puts it together and takes a huge step forward. Everything we're currently seeing suggests we're taking a step just like that. I underplayed the value/impact the vets on this roster would have(although it starts with Rudy/Cuz) and believe they're at the core of the never say die attitude we're seeing along with the ability to close out games.

And DC's presence/role is priceless. Makes the whole thing click. We've got to do something about Sessions. Just unbelievable. 70% of the Ray we saw to close out last season is a big step up from what Ramon is giving us.
 
#22
We've got to do something about Sessions. Just unbelievable. 70% of the Ray we saw to close out last season is a big step up from what Ramon is giving us.
I'd think if Sessions continues to suck like has so far that Ray Mac will be playing pretty soon. Maybe you give Sessions another week of awful play but if he's still bad at that point I don't see how they can't go with Ray at that point. It would appear that Ray has certainly earned it and put in the hard work. Sessions better get his act together quick because I'm sure Ray is ready to roll....
 
#23
Its amazing how many ppl were so down on landry. I loved his game from his houston days. When even our best players were sucking it up and our coaches chair looked like a spinning door how would anyone have contributed in a positive manner? Get a real coach and cut out some cancers from the locker room and get healthy and it makes all the difference.

Then came the collison signing and the forum was splitt 50/50 because we let IT walk. What a difference a PG with a good attitude and a commitment to ball movement and defense does fpr a team. He is averaging 15ppg/6.8apg/4rpg and spearheading a great team defense.

PDA is starting to look like the smartest gerbil in the world.

GO KINGS!
How 'ironic' would it be, if Carl Landry continues to not just "do what he's suppossed to", but truly be a great addition to this team's style of play and chemistry. I love these kinds of stories,....when quality guys fall out of favor for one reason or another...and then come roaring back with substance

True reality entertainment ;)
 
#24
Thompson just absolutely lost touch on his jumper. It usually happens, when guys beef up and their movement changes. JT lost his touch after trimming down. And they talked about him shooting threes SMH. :rolleyes: I still think, it's one of untapped useful little resources, that becomes available again at some point.
 
#25
Have to single out Ben for stepping up big time. Both ends of the court down the stretch. Sees to be getting over quite a mental hurdle and is gaining confidence by the game.

We've seen something similar to this two times recently in OKC and Portland. Over the course of one off season a team clicks, puts it together and takes a huge step forward. Everything we're currently seeing suggests we're taking a step just like that. I underplayed the value/impact the vets on this roster would have(although it starts with Rudy/Cuz) and believe they're at the core of the never say die attitude we're seeing along with the ability to close out games.

And DC's presence/role is priceless. Makes the whole think click. We've got to do something about Sessions. Just unbelievable. 70% of the Ray we saw to close out last season is a big step up from what Ramon is giving us.
This harkens back to what I've been harping on about loyalty to your players even though slumps. You have to show them trust or else they'll lose confidence in themselves. Everybody is putting forth a good faith effort at this point. It always pays off in unexpected moments like this. This is Bochy's secret. This is why he looks like a genius. This is why it's always a new hero each night for the Giants. Coaching is a lot more complex than just knowing when to sub guys. It's not a video game. I think Malone has that knowledge.
 
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rainmaker

Hall of Famer
#29
This harkens back to what I've been harping on about loyalty to your players even though slumps. You have to show them trust or else they'll lose confidence in themselves. Everybody is putting forth a good faith effort at this point. It always pays off in with unexpected moments like this. This is Bochy's secret. This is why he looks like a genius. This is why it's always a new hero each night for the Giants. Coaching is a lot more complex than just knowing when to sub guys. It's not a video game. I think Malone has that knowledge.
What's loyal about Ray getting starts down the stretch last season, played poorly then elevated his play, had some big games, proved he can play at this level on both ends of the floor, then gets replaced by a journeyman backup PG who's played worse than any PG we've had in years?

Wouldn't the loyalty and the lack there of actually apply to Ray?
 
#30
I'd think if Sessions continues to suck like has so far that Ray Mac will be playing pretty soon. Maybe you give Sessions another week of awful play but if he's still bad at that point I don't see how they can't go with Ray at that point. It would appear that Ray has certainly earned it and put in the hard work. Sessions better get his act together quick because I'm sure Ray is ready to roll....
Last 10 seconds of regulation, Ray Mac was sent in with one job "make sure IT doesn't beat us". And he did it. Love me some Ray Mac!!