The 2010 version of the Sacramento Kings is setting up to be quite interesting.
And it is just 15 games into the 82-game regular season. Already, the Kings have had major defensive, offensive and on-court chemistry issues.
Word is they’ve got a bunch of young talents, who are not showing an inclination to listen to the coaching staff or showing a collective dedication to hard work.
Until there is an acquisition of those two required traits, it will be difficult for the Kings (4-11) to maximize their strengths.
They’ve got 10 losses in their past 11 games entering tonight’s home game against the Indiana Pacers as an example of what not to do.
Other teams are experiencing problems of a similar nature to those of Sacramento. Consider the Miami Heat, a team many believed capable of contending for an NBA title this season after the free-agent signings of LeBron James and Chris Bosh and the re-signing of Dwayne Wade.
The Heat’s problems aren’t exactly like Sacramento’s, yet attempting to mesh its considerable talent into a consistent force is very much akin to what is going on here.
Tyreke Evans, last season’s Rookie of the Year, is struggling. Of all the problems one would have imagined, Evans having difficulty scoring was not one.
Yet, that’s been a major problem early into his second pro season.
First-round draft choice, DeMarcus Cousins, was tossed from practice Monday afternoon, reportedly for running his mouth to the coaching staff. Like Evans, Cousins has had problems scoring and is shooting just 38 percent from the field.
It’s likely these players are experiencing these difficulties for the first times in their lives.
The Kings are coming off a weekend home loss to the Chicago Bulls that displayed their season in a microcosm. Sacramento was superb during the first half while establishing a 57-44 lead.
The Kings held a 71-57 advantage with 3:23 left in the third before their game disintegrated into basketball mush.
Then their fourth-quarter performance was so putrid it had to be seen to be believed.
Sacramento made just three of 21 field-goal attempts, committed eight turnovers and was outscored, 27 to nine.
That nine-point mention is not a typographic error. The Kings scored nine points during 12 minutes despite having 29 possessions.
Coach Paul Westphal still is attempting to find the right combination of players to invest in basics. Moving the ball to the open man, covering for teammates defensively and following the team’s principles would be an excellent beginning.
No one is expecting the Kings to consistently perform at a playoff level. Yet, the Kings clearly can play better than they have.
Antoine Wright was waived Monday and Hasaan Whiteside was sent to the NBDL to play with Reno.
Kings president Geoff Petrie said the team doesn’t plan to add any more players in the short term.
“We’ve got to find a way of playing better together,” Petrie said Monday. “We’ve got to generate a more consistent offense.”
There is another one of those basics the Kings must adopt.
Showing posts with label Hassan Whiteside. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hassan Whiteside. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Fire Westphal? Hold your water!
People are absolutely nuts. Maybe that should read fans are nuts.
I’m reading now how the Sacramento Kings should fire Paul Westphal.
This is after they go 3-3 to begin the season. Hold your water, people.
Granted, I’ve got many questions regarding what the Kings are doing and/or trying to do.
Those things I’m trying to figure out and from the looks of, so are they, coach Westphal included.
One thing I’d ask of those who believe Westphal should be fired. Did you think he should be fired when the Kings were 3-1.
If so, then OK.
If not, then shut up and quit being reactionary to a couple of losses.
One of those came against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. The other defeat was by a Memphis Grizzlies team one year ahead of the Kings in the growth process and definitely more athletic and talented at this point.
It doesn’t make a difference if the Grizzlies played two overtimes the night before. If it was six or seven overtimes, then OK, I’d see the point.
These are basically 22 to 30 year-old cats, who played 10 minutes longer than regulation. What? They can’t hoop two nights in a row. People, please?
Often times, I wonder if people who write some of the bizarre stuff they post ever really, truly laced up sneakers and competed. Most of the time, the answer I came up with is hell no.
Did you ever consider how pissed off, motivated and determine that team might be after just throwing away a game they'd dominated the night before? Isn’t that a factor?
You want to fire Westphal? Didn’t the Kings just hire homeboy? Can the man get more than one season and six games before kicking him to the curb?
Can he work with the same group of players for a minimum of two seasons so it’s clear to all what he’s trying to do? Or maybe it won't be clear and that'll also be a revelation.
An organization has to have stability and firing a coach every year or even every other year does not inspire stability.
There is no way a team can become a team without learning its rules and regulations and disciplines. Just because you have 12 players or 14 for that matter, doesn’t mean you have a team.
Teams go through adversity and become stronger as a result of lessons learned. What the Kings have is a nucleus that consists, in part, of Tyreke Evans (21 years old), DeMarcus Cousins (20), and Omri Casspi (22). Include Donte Greene (22, and his status is another discussion point), Hassan Whiteside (21) and there are five players, who still are shy of their 23rd birthdays. Add Darnell Jackson, who is 25 and has six games under his Sacramento belt and there is a collection of characters who don’t really know what they are doing.
They can’t because knowing what you are doing requires know-how. You know, doing it over and over again, like most of us have done in our given jobs/professions. And not when we were 20 or 21 or 22.
Just because these guys are tall and highly-paid doesn’t make them any different mentally or maturity-wise than others their age.
They have differing levels of maturity, intelligence and willingness to accept teaching or even acknowledge the need to be taught.
Westphal surely still is attempting to learn how to teach and reach these guys. The Kings have improved talent and size, but its collection by no means is so commanding that it is dominating.
OK, I could spend another four hours with the questions that surface with Westphal’s actions and decisions.
So, I’ll chill with those for the moment. Some of those might be answered, say, in the second or third weeks of the season. That was a joke for those of you taking this Kings thing a bit too seriously.
However, here’s a couple I hope to get the coach to answer by next week.
How many plays do you call a game? How many of those are pick and roll plays?
The Kings half-court offense often appears to have no direction. Is that because players fail to execute their roles? Or is it because it lacks direction.
How much time during practice does your team spend on defense? Is there a way to improve how stay in between your man and the basket? You know the basic concept of keeping one’s man in front of you?
So far, the Kings should be renamed the excavators since all they do is dig holes for themselves. That’s the most difficult way to win games.
Ahh, we'll get to Greene another day.
I’m reading now how the Sacramento Kings should fire Paul Westphal.
This is after they go 3-3 to begin the season. Hold your water, people.
Granted, I’ve got many questions regarding what the Kings are doing and/or trying to do.
Those things I’m trying to figure out and from the looks of, so are they, coach Westphal included.
One thing I’d ask of those who believe Westphal should be fired. Did you think he should be fired when the Kings were 3-1.
If so, then OK.
If not, then shut up and quit being reactionary to a couple of losses.
One of those came against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. The other defeat was by a Memphis Grizzlies team one year ahead of the Kings in the growth process and definitely more athletic and talented at this point.
It doesn’t make a difference if the Grizzlies played two overtimes the night before. If it was six or seven overtimes, then OK, I’d see the point.
These are basically 22 to 30 year-old cats, who played 10 minutes longer than regulation. What? They can’t hoop two nights in a row. People, please?
Often times, I wonder if people who write some of the bizarre stuff they post ever really, truly laced up sneakers and competed. Most of the time, the answer I came up with is hell no.
Did you ever consider how pissed off, motivated and determine that team might be after just throwing away a game they'd dominated the night before? Isn’t that a factor?
You want to fire Westphal? Didn’t the Kings just hire homeboy? Can the man get more than one season and six games before kicking him to the curb?
Can he work with the same group of players for a minimum of two seasons so it’s clear to all what he’s trying to do? Or maybe it won't be clear and that'll also be a revelation.
An organization has to have stability and firing a coach every year or even every other year does not inspire stability.
There is no way a team can become a team without learning its rules and regulations and disciplines. Just because you have 12 players or 14 for that matter, doesn’t mean you have a team.
Teams go through adversity and become stronger as a result of lessons learned. What the Kings have is a nucleus that consists, in part, of Tyreke Evans (21 years old), DeMarcus Cousins (20), and Omri Casspi (22). Include Donte Greene (22, and his status is another discussion point), Hassan Whiteside (21) and there are five players, who still are shy of their 23rd birthdays. Add Darnell Jackson, who is 25 and has six games under his Sacramento belt and there is a collection of characters who don’t really know what they are doing.
They can’t because knowing what you are doing requires know-how. You know, doing it over and over again, like most of us have done in our given jobs/professions. And not when we were 20 or 21 or 22.
Just because these guys are tall and highly-paid doesn’t make them any different mentally or maturity-wise than others their age.
They have differing levels of maturity, intelligence and willingness to accept teaching or even acknowledge the need to be taught.
Westphal surely still is attempting to learn how to teach and reach these guys. The Kings have improved talent and size, but its collection by no means is so commanding that it is dominating.
OK, I could spend another four hours with the questions that surface with Westphal’s actions and decisions.
So, I’ll chill with those for the moment. Some of those might be answered, say, in the second or third weeks of the season. That was a joke for those of you taking this Kings thing a bit too seriously.
However, here’s a couple I hope to get the coach to answer by next week.
How many plays do you call a game? How many of those are pick and roll plays?
The Kings half-court offense often appears to have no direction. Is that because players fail to execute their roles? Or is it because it lacks direction.
How much time during practice does your team spend on defense? Is there a way to improve how stay in between your man and the basket? You know the basic concept of keeping one’s man in front of you?
So far, the Kings should be renamed the excavators since all they do is dig holes for themselves. That’s the most difficult way to win games.
Ahh, we'll get to Greene another day.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Kings roster makeup is fluid - D-Block may have a shot
The best laid plans of mice and Sacramento Kings coach Paul Westphal have gone astray.
Certainly, the coach and front-office had an image entering training camp of what they wanted their team to look like when it opens its regular season Oct. 27 in Minneapolis.
Center Samuel Dalembert’s left adductor strain has come as a huge surprise as did the diagnosis this week that he’ll likely miss four to six weeks. The guy had played every game in each of the past four seasons.
However, he’d been a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, not the Kings. And as former Sacramento Bee colleague R.E. Graswich mused, there is that concept of Arco Arena being built on ‘Indian burial grounds.’
Dalembert didn’t make it to the preseason before sustaining his injury. The seven-footer was expected to contribute a badly-needed defensive and rebounding presence in the lane.
However, currently it appears first-round draft choice DeMarcus Cousins appears to be the man in the middle with Jason Thompson and perhaps Darnell Jackson seeing time in reserve.
Kings President Geoff Petrie said Friday morning his team likely will not keep the maximum of 15 players.
“It’ll be difficult for us to keep more than 14 given the design driven by necessity,” Petrie said in his inimitable way.
Translation: The Kings aren’t paying for a 15th roster man who likely wouldn’t see a lot, if any, playing time. And there is no guarantee the Kings will keep 14.
Jackson could be the benefactor of injuries that have sidelined Dalembert and second-round pick Hassan Whiteside.
All concerned indicate Jackson has been impressive.
“He’s been very consistent day-to-day,” Petrie said of Jackson, who has played with Cleveland and Milwaukee since attending the University of Kansas. “He’s obviously been well coached. He’s another guy who hasn’t had much of an opportunity. So other than your draft preparation, it’s been hard to get a read on him. But he’s a man in there.”
Jackson’s new teammates enjoy playing with him.
Francisco Garcia says Jackson is more fun to play with than against.
“He goes hard all day, everyday,” Garcia said of Jackson. “He’s just a beast. That’s why we call him ‘D-Block’ because he plays defense on that block. He’s a good teammate, too. He’s always looking out for you. He’ll have your back on and the court.”
At that point, Cousins walked by on his way out of the locker room and Garcia was asked if that’s who banged against Jackson.
“He doesn’t want to bang with D-Block,” Garcia said of the rookie. “Nobody wants to bang with D-Block. (Cousins) doesn’t want any of that.”
The Kings acquired Jackson and a second-round draft choice from Milwaukee July 21 for Jon Brockman.
Jackson was claimed on waivers March 25 by Milwaukee from Cleveland. Bucks General Manager John Hammond spoke highly of Jackson’s work ethic. That’s somewhat unusual for an executive to be so effervescent in the praise of a player just traded.
Jackson, who is listed at 253 pounds, said he weighed 290 pounds when he joined Milwaukee. He credits the Bucks’ staff from head coach Scott Skiles on down for helping him regain focus.
“I know what my role is,” Jackson said this week. “I’m not going to go out and jack up 10 shots in the first quarter. My job is to play defense and if I’m open, knock down that jumper, because I can make that shot. I need to try to get my teammates extra possessions.
“When I first got (to Milwaukee), I was like, 290 (pounds). Coach Skiles, coach (Adrian Griffin), coach (Bill Peterson) and coach (Joe) Wolf had me in their facility every day.
“The biggest thing I have taken from there from coach Griffin and coach BP is I have to stand in a defensive stance every time. I have to move my feet and coach BP used to always tell me I have to master the little things.
“So when I’m out there on the court, I’m not worrying about getting a shot off. I’m thinking about stances, and sliding my feet, blocking out, showing on the screen and running the floor hard every time. They helped me develop my game there.
“I like to win, so I’m going to do the things that help the team win. I’m just trying master the small things. I don’t need highlights. My job is just to play hard every time.”
Jackson sounds like a keeper as does Luther Head, a young veteran guard. Like Jackson, Head is trying to make the team. Neither has a guaranteed contract.
The Kings have a need for perimeter shooting and Head’s lowest three-point shooting percentage in five NBA seasons is 35.1 with a high of 44.1 percent in 2006-07 with Houston.
Head has been solid with the Kings and Westphal has delivered strong reviews.
“Luther has played well,” the coach said. “He’s been a pro.”
Said Petrie of Head, “He’s been productive off the ball and he has a history of making shots.”
Head said he’s establishing a comfort level.
“I’m starting to get comfortable with everything,” said Head, who’ll turn 28 Nov. 26. “I’m getting comfortable with the team, the offense and with myself. I’m just playing. A couple of years ago, it might have been different. But now, I just play. I’m not thinking about not being on the team. I’m on the team. I’m in the game. So just play.”
That’s what the Kings are attempting to do – just play – and they’d like to do it with as much good health as they can acquire.
Certainly, the coach and front-office had an image entering training camp of what they wanted their team to look like when it opens its regular season Oct. 27 in Minneapolis.
Center Samuel Dalembert’s left adductor strain has come as a huge surprise as did the diagnosis this week that he’ll likely miss four to six weeks. The guy had played every game in each of the past four seasons.
However, he’d been a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, not the Kings. And as former Sacramento Bee colleague R.E. Graswich mused, there is that concept of Arco Arena being built on ‘Indian burial grounds.’
Dalembert didn’t make it to the preseason before sustaining his injury. The seven-footer was expected to contribute a badly-needed defensive and rebounding presence in the lane.
However, currently it appears first-round draft choice DeMarcus Cousins appears to be the man in the middle with Jason Thompson and perhaps Darnell Jackson seeing time in reserve.
Kings President Geoff Petrie said Friday morning his team likely will not keep the maximum of 15 players.
“It’ll be difficult for us to keep more than 14 given the design driven by necessity,” Petrie said in his inimitable way.
Translation: The Kings aren’t paying for a 15th roster man who likely wouldn’t see a lot, if any, playing time. And there is no guarantee the Kings will keep 14.
Jackson could be the benefactor of injuries that have sidelined Dalembert and second-round pick Hassan Whiteside.
All concerned indicate Jackson has been impressive.
“He’s been very consistent day-to-day,” Petrie said of Jackson, who has played with Cleveland and Milwaukee since attending the University of Kansas. “He’s obviously been well coached. He’s another guy who hasn’t had much of an opportunity. So other than your draft preparation, it’s been hard to get a read on him. But he’s a man in there.”
Jackson’s new teammates enjoy playing with him.
Francisco Garcia says Jackson is more fun to play with than against.
“He goes hard all day, everyday,” Garcia said of Jackson. “He’s just a beast. That’s why we call him ‘D-Block’ because he plays defense on that block. He’s a good teammate, too. He’s always looking out for you. He’ll have your back on and the court.”
At that point, Cousins walked by on his way out of the locker room and Garcia was asked if that’s who banged against Jackson.
“He doesn’t want to bang with D-Block,” Garcia said of the rookie. “Nobody wants to bang with D-Block. (Cousins) doesn’t want any of that.”
The Kings acquired Jackson and a second-round draft choice from Milwaukee July 21 for Jon Brockman.
Jackson was claimed on waivers March 25 by Milwaukee from Cleveland. Bucks General Manager John Hammond spoke highly of Jackson’s work ethic. That’s somewhat unusual for an executive to be so effervescent in the praise of a player just traded.
Jackson, who is listed at 253 pounds, said he weighed 290 pounds when he joined Milwaukee. He credits the Bucks’ staff from head coach Scott Skiles on down for helping him regain focus.
“I know what my role is,” Jackson said this week. “I’m not going to go out and jack up 10 shots in the first quarter. My job is to play defense and if I’m open, knock down that jumper, because I can make that shot. I need to try to get my teammates extra possessions.
“When I first got (to Milwaukee), I was like, 290 (pounds). Coach Skiles, coach (Adrian Griffin), coach (Bill Peterson) and coach (Joe) Wolf had me in their facility every day.
“The biggest thing I have taken from there from coach Griffin and coach BP is I have to stand in a defensive stance every time. I have to move my feet and coach BP used to always tell me I have to master the little things.
“So when I’m out there on the court, I’m not worrying about getting a shot off. I’m thinking about stances, and sliding my feet, blocking out, showing on the screen and running the floor hard every time. They helped me develop my game there.
“I like to win, so I’m going to do the things that help the team win. I’m just trying master the small things. I don’t need highlights. My job is just to play hard every time.”
Jackson sounds like a keeper as does Luther Head, a young veteran guard. Like Jackson, Head is trying to make the team. Neither has a guaranteed contract.
The Kings have a need for perimeter shooting and Head’s lowest three-point shooting percentage in five NBA seasons is 35.1 with a high of 44.1 percent in 2006-07 with Houston.
Head has been solid with the Kings and Westphal has delivered strong reviews.
“Luther has played well,” the coach said. “He’s been a pro.”
Said Petrie of Head, “He’s been productive off the ball and he has a history of making shots.”
Head said he’s establishing a comfort level.
“I’m starting to get comfortable with everything,” said Head, who’ll turn 28 Nov. 26. “I’m getting comfortable with the team, the offense and with myself. I’m just playing. A couple of years ago, it might have been different. But now, I just play. I’m not thinking about not being on the team. I’m on the team. I’m in the game. So just play.”
That’s what the Kings are attempting to do – just play – and they’d like to do it with as much good health as they can acquire.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Early look at Cousins shows big, talented, emotional young man
It’s safe no player in the 2010 NBA Draft attracted more attention than Kings’ first-round draft choice DeMarcus Cousins.
Granted, it’s early. Cousins’ professional career begins tonight with the Kings’ first preseason game tonight at Arco Arena against the Phoenix Suns.
However, so far, and again, it is so early, what I’ve seen from Cousins is a determined, fearless, highly-intense competitor on the floor and a big, soft, friendly, thoughtful teddy-bear type of young man off the court.
He’s emotional and it doesn’t take long for his feelings to reveal themselves externally. He’ll likely be one of the early tests for the NBA’s attempted cut down on players’ outwardly visible reactions to officials’ calls.
Does being an emotional young man and wearing said emotions on his sleeve make him a bad person? No, at the worst, potentially it might make him Rasheed Wallace Lite.
For whatever the value of initial impressions, perhaps Cousins should be Pooh Two, since Kings rookie point guard Eugene Jeter's grandmother already tagged him with the moniker.
Perhaps the pair can be Little Pooh and Big Pooh.
Preceding the draft, Cousins’ personality and demeanor were the objects of more direct hits than your local drinking establishment's dartboard.
Cousins, who turned 20 Aug. 13, was considered, even by his critics, to be the draft’s second-most talented player behind his Kentucky teammate John Wall, the overall No. 1 choice, selected by the Washington Wizards.
Yet, the size-desperate Kings were criticized across the board for selecting Cousins with the draft’s fifth choice overall.
On the court, Cousins has much as much to learn as he brings to the table. As with most young players, it’s important to consistently remember, he just turned 20 years old.
Back in the day, players had the luxury/reality of college years and experience. Cousins spent just one season at Kentucky. For perspective, check out your life at 20.
Imagine it being on stage for everyone to see. On second thought, personally, I'll pass on that concept.
Here's Cousins speaking with reporters following Monday’s practice. Cousins, listed at 6-foot-11, 270 pounds, chased a loose ball Sunday night at Arco. He ended up in the crowd.
“I really wanted to send out an apology,” Cousins said when asked about the incident. “I tried to dodge the kid and ended up mushing the lady in the face. I had to choose who I would rather hurt. I want to apologize to them. I felt bad for doing that.
The Sacramento Bee reported the pair’s names to be Erin Thurman and Tyner, her four-year son. They might want to call the Kings media relations staff to see if they can score a pair of tickets for a future game and perhaps even procure the chance to meet Cousins.
I'm guessing Tyner and Cousins would enjoy each other. Cousins possesses a wonderful sense of humor and clearly doesn’t take himself too seriously. I’m guessing Cousins likes and gets along well with kids.
“I’m trying to get the ball,” he said of the pursuit into the front row. “I thought I broke the lady’s neck. I was really scared that I’d hurt the lady’s neck. I guess that comes with courtside seats.”
That it does, but I’m guessing the pair would go for the same opportunity again.
Coach Paul Westphal complimented Cousins’ performance in the scrimmage and also said he’s done well in previous scrimmages.
Cousins said his major preseason goal is to find his role on the team.
DeMarcus, allow me to give you a little insight. Be a beast around the basket. Continue to display your wide array of skills and play hard.
Said one NBA executive who asked for anonymity, “Cousins is more than just a scorer and rebounder. He really can pass the ball and he seems like he likes to do it. In some ways, he’s similar to (Chris) Webber. I don’t think he can shoot the ball as well as Chris, and I don’t think he’s as long. But as far as the unselfish mentality, I think they are very similar.”
Cousins said Monday he’s excited about playing his first preseason game.
“I am looking forward to it,” he said of going against the Suns. “We’re tired of looking at each other’s faces, guarding the same players. It’ll be nice to get a change.”
Cousins and Jason Thompson likely will log many of the minutes at the center position. Samuel Dalembert, an off-season acquisition from Philadelphia for center Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni, will miss the game with a strained left adductor muscle.
The adductor is a group of muscles around the thigh and hip.
Connor Atchley, 6-foot-11, also likely will get playing time. Seven-foot rookie center-forward Hassan Whiteside is out for a few days with a strained left patellar tendon. Darnell Jackson, 6-9, of whom Westphal has spoken highly in recent days, also will not play because of a strained right hip flexor.
Westphal said Thompson will receive minutes this season at center, and particularly tonight.
“I think he will play some ‘five’ for us this year,” the coach said of the 6-foot-11 particularly (tonight) with Jackson and Dalembert both out. We’ll see him quite a bit.
“It might be kind of ugly if DeMarcus had to play 48 minutes, or 40 minutes or 30 minutes,” Westphal said with a laugh.
Rookies normally receive few breaks from referees with big, aggressive rookies receiving even fewer. It’s part of the learning process that Cousins already understands is coming. That doesn’t mean he’ll remember that in the heat of battle.
Westphal announced J.R. Giddens and Donald Sloan were waived. That leaves 17 players on the roster with the team currently looking to keep, “somewhere between 13 and 15,” according to the coach.
“I hope (Suns all-star point guard Steve) Nash doesn’t play as far as winning” the coach kidded. “I don’t even care who we play. We’re more in the mode of evaluating personnel.
“We want to do certain things against anybody we play. We want to take care of the ball. We want to get the ball inside. We want to play good defense and rebound and certainly, you play good defense, you have to have good transition defense, which you have to have every night.
That’ll be interesting to see how that holds up.”
It will be interesting to see how Cousins fares during his introduction to NBA battle.
Granted, it’s early. Cousins’ professional career begins tonight with the Kings’ first preseason game tonight at Arco Arena against the Phoenix Suns.
However, so far, and again, it is so early, what I’ve seen from Cousins is a determined, fearless, highly-intense competitor on the floor and a big, soft, friendly, thoughtful teddy-bear type of young man off the court.
He’s emotional and it doesn’t take long for his feelings to reveal themselves externally. He’ll likely be one of the early tests for the NBA’s attempted cut down on players’ outwardly visible reactions to officials’ calls.
Does being an emotional young man and wearing said emotions on his sleeve make him a bad person? No, at the worst, potentially it might make him Rasheed Wallace Lite.
For whatever the value of initial impressions, perhaps Cousins should be Pooh Two, since Kings rookie point guard Eugene Jeter's grandmother already tagged him with the moniker.
Perhaps the pair can be Little Pooh and Big Pooh.
Preceding the draft, Cousins’ personality and demeanor were the objects of more direct hits than your local drinking establishment's dartboard.
Cousins, who turned 20 Aug. 13, was considered, even by his critics, to be the draft’s second-most talented player behind his Kentucky teammate John Wall, the overall No. 1 choice, selected by the Washington Wizards.
Yet, the size-desperate Kings were criticized across the board for selecting Cousins with the draft’s fifth choice overall.
On the court, Cousins has much as much to learn as he brings to the table. As with most young players, it’s important to consistently remember, he just turned 20 years old.
Back in the day, players had the luxury/reality of college years and experience. Cousins spent just one season at Kentucky. For perspective, check out your life at 20.
Imagine it being on stage for everyone to see. On second thought, personally, I'll pass on that concept.
Here's Cousins speaking with reporters following Monday’s practice. Cousins, listed at 6-foot-11, 270 pounds, chased a loose ball Sunday night at Arco. He ended up in the crowd.
“I really wanted to send out an apology,” Cousins said when asked about the incident. “I tried to dodge the kid and ended up mushing the lady in the face. I had to choose who I would rather hurt. I want to apologize to them. I felt bad for doing that.
The Sacramento Bee reported the pair’s names to be Erin Thurman and Tyner, her four-year son. They might want to call the Kings media relations staff to see if they can score a pair of tickets for a future game and perhaps even procure the chance to meet Cousins.
I'm guessing Tyner and Cousins would enjoy each other. Cousins possesses a wonderful sense of humor and clearly doesn’t take himself too seriously. I’m guessing Cousins likes and gets along well with kids.
“I’m trying to get the ball,” he said of the pursuit into the front row. “I thought I broke the lady’s neck. I was really scared that I’d hurt the lady’s neck. I guess that comes with courtside seats.”
That it does, but I’m guessing the pair would go for the same opportunity again.
Coach Paul Westphal complimented Cousins’ performance in the scrimmage and also said he’s done well in previous scrimmages.
Cousins said his major preseason goal is to find his role on the team.
DeMarcus, allow me to give you a little insight. Be a beast around the basket. Continue to display your wide array of skills and play hard.
Said one NBA executive who asked for anonymity, “Cousins is more than just a scorer and rebounder. He really can pass the ball and he seems like he likes to do it. In some ways, he’s similar to (Chris) Webber. I don’t think he can shoot the ball as well as Chris, and I don’t think he’s as long. But as far as the unselfish mentality, I think they are very similar.”
Cousins said Monday he’s excited about playing his first preseason game.
“I am looking forward to it,” he said of going against the Suns. “We’re tired of looking at each other’s faces, guarding the same players. It’ll be nice to get a change.”
Cousins and Jason Thompson likely will log many of the minutes at the center position. Samuel Dalembert, an off-season acquisition from Philadelphia for center Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni, will miss the game with a strained left adductor muscle.
The adductor is a group of muscles around the thigh and hip.
Connor Atchley, 6-foot-11, also likely will get playing time. Seven-foot rookie center-forward Hassan Whiteside is out for a few days with a strained left patellar tendon. Darnell Jackson, 6-9, of whom Westphal has spoken highly in recent days, also will not play because of a strained right hip flexor.
Westphal said Thompson will receive minutes this season at center, and particularly tonight.
“I think he will play some ‘five’ for us this year,” the coach said of the 6-foot-11 particularly (tonight) with Jackson and Dalembert both out. We’ll see him quite a bit.
“It might be kind of ugly if DeMarcus had to play 48 minutes, or 40 minutes or 30 minutes,” Westphal said with a laugh.
Rookies normally receive few breaks from referees with big, aggressive rookies receiving even fewer. It’s part of the learning process that Cousins already understands is coming. That doesn’t mean he’ll remember that in the heat of battle.
Westphal announced J.R. Giddens and Donald Sloan were waived. That leaves 17 players on the roster with the team currently looking to keep, “somewhere between 13 and 15,” according to the coach.
“I hope (Suns all-star point guard Steve) Nash doesn’t play as far as winning” the coach kidded. “I don’t even care who we play. We’re more in the mode of evaluating personnel.
“We want to do certain things against anybody we play. We want to take care of the ball. We want to get the ball inside. We want to play good defense and rebound and certainly, you play good defense, you have to have good transition defense, which you have to have every night.
That’ll be interesting to see how that holds up.”
It will be interesting to see how Cousins fares during his introduction to NBA battle.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Donte Greene and Kings have much to prove
Say what you will regarding Tyreke Evans, last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, and 2010 first-round draft choice DeMarcus Cousins.
The Kings are third-year small forward Donte Greene.
Greene is a physical specimen at 6-foot-11, 251 pounds. He's 22 years old, can jump out of the gym and possesses the agility and foot speed to at least deter the offensive prowess of Los Angeles Lakers' star Kobe Bryant.
Greene has the potential to one day grow into one of the NBA's best players just as the Kings this season have the capability to grow into one of the league's most improved squads.
However, for both Greene and the Kings, wanting to do it and doing it are completely different animals.
Folks, we're talking Yorkshire Terriers and Gorillas.
Greene is entering his third NBA season and is contending with Omri Casspi for the team's starting small forward position. Establishing consistency in shooting, rebounding, decision-making and playing solid defense will be the keys to winning the battle with Omri Casspi.
Greene certainly would like to establish himself as the team's starter, yet he says filling the team's needs for role players is what he's about.
"A lot of guys can’t accept their role," he said. "With me being traded here (from Houston in August 2008) and really not knowing what to expect and last year being my first year playing, I came out and wanted to be a defensive guy.
"I knew we needed a defensive guy – especially after John Salmons got traded in my rookie year – I tried to fill that role. Scoring, I have my nights, but mostly I was just worrying about defending."
Greene started 50 games last season and played small forward, power forward and shooting guard.
Since the Kings have re-arranged their frontline with the additions of Samuel Dalembert, Cousins and fellow rookie Hassan Whiteside, Greene likely will see more playing opportunities at small forward and shooting guard.
There are match ups that could play out where his quickness and agility could prove valuable at power forward.
Greene's 251 pounds mark quite a change from the 215 to 220 pounds at which he began his NBA career. He said he put on 15 pounds during the off-season by eating and lifting weight.
" I loved (playing four)," Greene said. "I was looking forward to it (again this season). KG (Kevin Garnett) talked trash to me last year. Amare (Stoudamire) talked trash to me. I was going to have something for them, but what ever it takes to get on the floor. (I'll play) 1-2-3-4-5 ... it doesn’t matter."
The spirit is appreciated, but seeing Greene at point guard is not something to which I look forward.
As a starter last season, Greene shot 43.5 percent overall from the field and 36.5 percent from three-point range. Both those marks should improve with a higher comfort level that comes from experience.
Greene is too good a shooter to repeat 64 percent from the free-throw line and he should accept nothing lower than 75 percent. His improvement will come through increased concentration and focus. Those factors often are the most difficult for young players to grasp.
Not much is expected nationally of the Kings or Greene. Like Denver's Carmelo Anthony, who has been the subject of many recent trade rumors, Greene hails from Baltimore after being born in Munich, Germany and spending some of his childhood in Japan.
Greene was asked what he knew about those 'Melo rumors and what it would be like for his friend to become a teammate.
Greene smiled and joked (I think), "If 'Melo comes here, send me to Denver. With him and Tyreke, it would be a wrap here."
Yes, the opportunities to score surely would be diminished, but since Greene freely believes he can become a role player, that scenario might not be all bad.
Petrie without a plan?
Kings President Geoff Petrie said he hadn't read a recent ESPN assessment that noted he nor the Kings had a plan for development.
Personally, it's difficult for me to believe Petrie had not read the analysis, but I guess it's possible.
However, he unveiled his sharp tongue when responding to the attack.
"We still go into the season with a tremendous amount of salary cap room and all our future picks and all that. So there’s always the potential to be involved in things other teams are trying to do."
Said Petrie with an ultimate sarcasm, "I’ve always been a plan-less guy. Sometimes you have to consider the source."
Over the past 18 years, I venture to guess no media member has spoken with Petrie more than I. No wonder he looked me dead in my face while issuing the 'plan-less guy' comment.
Petrie always has plans. They haven't always worked, but he's got a drawer full of them.
Said Petrie regarding the team's unsuccessful quest to nail down a new arena, "I'm not really the guy to ask about that. It’s clear that Arco (Arena) is getting near the end of its useful life and at some point, the community and the city and the team need a new facility."
The Kings are third-year small forward Donte Greene.
Greene is a physical specimen at 6-foot-11, 251 pounds. He's 22 years old, can jump out of the gym and possesses the agility and foot speed to at least deter the offensive prowess of Los Angeles Lakers' star Kobe Bryant.
Greene has the potential to one day grow into one of the NBA's best players just as the Kings this season have the capability to grow into one of the league's most improved squads.
However, for both Greene and the Kings, wanting to do it and doing it are completely different animals.
Folks, we're talking Yorkshire Terriers and Gorillas.
Greene is entering his third NBA season and is contending with Omri Casspi for the team's starting small forward position. Establishing consistency in shooting, rebounding, decision-making and playing solid defense will be the keys to winning the battle with Omri Casspi.
Greene certainly would like to establish himself as the team's starter, yet he says filling the team's needs for role players is what he's about.
"A lot of guys can’t accept their role," he said. "With me being traded here (from Houston in August 2008) and really not knowing what to expect and last year being my first year playing, I came out and wanted to be a defensive guy.
"I knew we needed a defensive guy – especially after John Salmons got traded in my rookie year – I tried to fill that role. Scoring, I have my nights, but mostly I was just worrying about defending."
Greene started 50 games last season and played small forward, power forward and shooting guard.
Since the Kings have re-arranged their frontline with the additions of Samuel Dalembert, Cousins and fellow rookie Hassan Whiteside, Greene likely will see more playing opportunities at small forward and shooting guard.
There are match ups that could play out where his quickness and agility could prove valuable at power forward.
Greene's 251 pounds mark quite a change from the 215 to 220 pounds at which he began his NBA career. He said he put on 15 pounds during the off-season by eating and lifting weight.
" I loved (playing four)," Greene said. "I was looking forward to it (again this season). KG (Kevin Garnett) talked trash to me last year. Amare (Stoudamire) talked trash to me. I was going to have something for them, but what ever it takes to get on the floor. (I'll play) 1-2-3-4-5 ... it doesn’t matter."
The spirit is appreciated, but seeing Greene at point guard is not something to which I look forward.
As a starter last season, Greene shot 43.5 percent overall from the field and 36.5 percent from three-point range. Both those marks should improve with a higher comfort level that comes from experience.
Greene is too good a shooter to repeat 64 percent from the free-throw line and he should accept nothing lower than 75 percent. His improvement will come through increased concentration and focus. Those factors often are the most difficult for young players to grasp.
Not much is expected nationally of the Kings or Greene. Like Denver's Carmelo Anthony, who has been the subject of many recent trade rumors, Greene hails from Baltimore after being born in Munich, Germany and spending some of his childhood in Japan.
Greene was asked what he knew about those 'Melo rumors and what it would be like for his friend to become a teammate.
Greene smiled and joked (I think), "If 'Melo comes here, send me to Denver. With him and Tyreke, it would be a wrap here."
Yes, the opportunities to score surely would be diminished, but since Greene freely believes he can become a role player, that scenario might not be all bad.
Petrie without a plan?
Kings President Geoff Petrie said he hadn't read a recent ESPN assessment that noted he nor the Kings had a plan for development.
Personally, it's difficult for me to believe Petrie had not read the analysis, but I guess it's possible.
However, he unveiled his sharp tongue when responding to the attack.
"We still go into the season with a tremendous amount of salary cap room and all our future picks and all that. So there’s always the potential to be involved in things other teams are trying to do."
Said Petrie with an ultimate sarcasm, "I’ve always been a plan-less guy. Sometimes you have to consider the source."
Over the past 18 years, I venture to guess no media member has spoken with Petrie more than I. No wonder he looked me dead in my face while issuing the 'plan-less guy' comment.
Petrie always has plans. They haven't always worked, but he's got a drawer full of them.
Said Petrie regarding the team's unsuccessful quest to nail down a new arena, "I'm not really the guy to ask about that. It’s clear that Arco (Arena) is getting near the end of its useful life and at some point, the community and the city and the team need a new facility."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)