Author Topic: Evaluating the Players: Post Sacramento Kings  (Read 1600 times)

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Evaluating the Players: Post Sacramento Kings
« on: February 17, 2010, 01:47:29 AM »

Offline GranTur

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After watching the Kings game I was thinking a lot about each player individually. Here are my thoughts:

Perkins needs to stop trying on offense in isolation.

He needs to make peace with the fact that he is there for
(a) blocking/altering shots
(b) banging against bigs
(c) rebounding
(d) under-the-basket put-backs and dunk finishes off penetration...never hold the ball for more than 2 seconds.

Rondo is a good shooter when he sets his feet, but he flies around the court so much he can't ever get a reliable high percent jumper. So many times he has sooo much space to shoot when he's moving defenses around with penetration. This used to be enough because PP, KG, and Ray were so potent.

PP is reallllly slow on the court right now. He's playing in glue. He's bullying shots into the paint trying to create contact. He used to get contact because it was the only way guys could stop him from putting it in the hole.

KG didn't even try any offense tonight. He can't move either. Seems like he's mentally affected by his injuries more than people would think. Add this to poor agility and jumping and this becomes troubling.

Despite Glen Davis' poor second half, I think he's really leaving it all out on the floor right now, and that's what we need. Who cares if half the time he looks like an idiot? The other half he's laying it on the line and getting stuff done for this team.

Marquis was tentative and slow tonight, but the bench was able to get Eddie and Rasheed off which is why we won this game. Marquis definitely rounds out this bench.

Rasheed played good defense today and got screwed on some foul calls where he was cleanly on the ball. I was impressed by his performance. He played within the flow of the game from start to finish.

It was interesting to watch Ray and Martin cancel each other out exactly tonight. The Kings didn't even play Martin in the fourth quarter. Maybe their management wants to see how the team would fare without him on the team?

------

How would everyone else evaluate each player individually? Any thoughts moving forward?
"It's not how you play the game. It's whether you win or lose--that's my motto." -Larry Bird

Re: Evaluating the Players: Post Sacramento Kings
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2010, 02:53:23 AM »

Offline jr_3421

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It was interesting to watch Ray and Martin cancel each other out exactly tonight. The Kings didn't even play Martin in the fourth quarter. Maybe their management wants to see how the team would fare without him on the team?

I noticed this too. Right from the start you could tell Evans and Martin do not play well off each other. SAC played better team ball IMO when Martin went to the bench. I'm sure Danny noticed this as well and would be smart to remind Petrie. My gut tells me Martin will be a Celtic come Thursday.
"In the 4th quarter I'm whole different player"

-Paul Pierce

Re: Evaluating the Players: Post Sacramento Kings
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2010, 02:57:01 AM »

Offline xmuscularghandix

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Perkins is a decent offensive player and your not giving him enough credit, it seems that recently he reverted back to some old habits. But if he can go down on the block without feeling a double team he usually fairs pretty well.


Rondo isn't a good shooter because he doesn't trust his shot, it doesn't matter where he's moving. He needed to be more aggressive attacking the basket, you can tell by his assists that he wasn't penetrating and putting pressure on the D.


I thought PP looked good out there tonight, he had a nice steal and dunk in traffic. I just think he was shooting to draw the contact instead of shooting to score... it's a normal thing.

Ray looked a little slow on D, and missed some shots on offense. But I'd just chalk this up to being a little rusty from the break, you have to remember that hasn't had a vacation in February for 7 years.

I thought KG looked good except for the fact that he took his defender a little bit lightly. I liked the focus on rebounding but he has added another goose-egg in the OREB category. I've been keeping track of this and it is his....drum roll..... 18TH GAME THIS SEASON WITHOUT AN OFFENSIVE REBOUND

BBD put together his best game of the season, and I'm hoping its a sign of things to come. Glen Davis' role is killing the offensive boards, hitting ht occasional jump shot, and being immovable on defense.

Re: Evaluating the Players: Post Sacramento Kings
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2010, 12:18:50 PM »

Offline GranTur

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Pierce was 5-15. He's clearly slow right now and he doesn't have his normal killer instinct in the paint. Hopefully it's just an injury thing that'll improve.

As for Rondo, it's too easy for teams to play for his penetration. Rondo scores in the paint through speed, not strength. Because PP, KG, Ray are single threats and no longer double or even triple threats, it's too easy to play for Rondo's penetration.

Take every member of the Big 3 and you'll see how they are not the double threats they used to be:

  • PP is not finishing at the hoop
  • KG used to post anybody in the game up. Now he looks to pass first and post up as a last resort.
  • Ray isn't knocking down open shots/tweener shots.

Even if Rondo develops a consistent jump shot, he won't be the #1 option on offense. He's one of the best and fastest passers/facilitators in the game. Otherwise he's only as good as the players he's on the court with. We need KG and PP to get back to form offensively so Rondo has more he can do with the ball.

I have faith!
"It's not how you play the game. It's whether you win or lose--that's my motto." -Larry Bird