Game Day (Preseason): Kings (0-0) @ Suns (0-0), Mon 10/01/18

[Superbone]

For those who watched the game, how did our offensive sets look? Again, I caught the end of the 2nd and start of the 3rd and with the starters, there was a lot of passing and cutting and not so much one guy dribbling around trying to create. I liked how crisp some of the sets were and how sharp we were running some of the plays. It reminded me of the old saying, "be fast but don't rush". We were quick and decisive with the passes. It was a nice change to see.

I was really impressed especially after what we've endured the last couple years. The first quarter was even better. Can't wait until these sets are second nature with these guys.

[Cap]

The only good way to use Daniels is as the ultimate specialist that he is. Sit him at the end of the bench and wait for the one or two times a year you’re down by three points with five seconds to play. You can put him into the game cold, know he has a good chance to hit the shot if the ball comes his way, and not have to count on him for playmaking or defense.

[Nodack]

This preseason game reminds me of every other season. You are only as good as your last game. Meaning, those who have a good game are put on a pedestal. Those who don’t go in the trade their asses dog house. Next game a different set of guys will probably have a good game and be put on the pedestal and those who had a good game this game won’t and they will go in the dog house. I think of it like the stock market. The market goes up and down but, you have to look at the overall over an extended time to get a good picture of what is happening. This game was a snapshot.

Next game Ayton and Jackson might stink up the joint and all those shooters that were shooting bricks will go off. Then we will have a completely different conversation.

[O_Gardino]

Daniels is a good shooter, and that's fair. But they all shot duper bad last night, so I think it's fair to expect that at least some of Ariza / Bridges / Anderson / Reed will shoot well enough to challenge Daniels. It was preseason, so they all got some run, but Coachkov has a lot of guys to work with.

@ShelC, There was a ton of motion on most play. Like, everybody is moving, and there's maybe a handoff, or a pick and roll, or somebody dives and gets an entry pass, or pops behind the line, or takes a mismatch one on one. Everyone on the court had to move and make reads. We still didn't have what I would call good spacing, because we mostly only had 2 shooters on the floor at a time. Even so, the shooters weren't standing in the corners very often. They moved and set screens, etc.

I honestly think part of the shooters' problem was they weren't sure what counts as an open shot in that offense, because they were always catching on the move.

[O_Gardino]

This preseason game reminds me of every other season. You are only as good as your last game. Meaning, those who have a good game are put on a pedestal. Those who don’t go in the trade their asses dog house. Next game a different set of guys will probably have a good game and be put on the pedestal and those who had a good game this game won’t and they will go in the dog house. I think of it like the stock market. The market goes up and down but, you have to look at the overall over an extended time to get a good picture of what is happening. This game was a snapshot.

Next game Ayton and Jackson might stink up the joint and all those shooters that were shooting bricks will go off. Then we will have a completely different conversation.

I think it's 100% fair to expect Jackson and Ayton to continue to be 2 of the best 3 players on the team. They're young, so they will have their ups and down, but we are counting on them to be stars.

[The Bobster]

I think if you ask yourself whos has shown that they have the potential to be rotation players on a championship-level team you would probably say Booker, Ayton, Jackson and Warren. The trick is developing them to their full potential and finding another 4 or 5 players (from inside or outside the current roster). Finding or developing a point guard and another big man are probably the two highest priorities.

[specialsauce]

Daniels is a good shooter, and that's fair. But they all shot duper bad last night, so I think it's fair to expect that at least some of Ariza / Bridges / Anderson / Reed will shoot well enough to challenge Daniels. It was preseason, so they all got some run, but Coachkov has a lot of guys to work with.

@ShelC, There was a ton of motion on most play. Like, everybody is moving, and there's maybe a handoff, or a pick and roll, or somebody dives and gets an entry pass, or pops behind the line, or takes a mismatch one on one. Everyone on the court had to move and make reads. We still didn't have what I would call good spacing, because we mostly only had 2 shooters on the floor at a time. Even so, the shooters weren't standing in the corners very often. They moved and set screens, etc.

I honestly think part of the shooters' problem was they weren't sure what counts as an open shot in that offense, because they were always catching on the move.

All I know is, there seemed to be a plan within a system. It wasn't 1 guy with the ball and 4 others just watching.

That's more than we've seen really since Gentry left. I feel like the Hornacek-Watson-Triano teams all lacked any sort of offensive purpose.

[Flagrant Fowl]

@ShelC, There was a ton of motion on most play. Like, everybody is moving, and there's maybe a handoff, or a pick and roll, or somebody dives and gets an entry pass, or pops behind the line, or takes a mismatch one on one. Everyone on the court had to move and make reads. We still didn't have what I would call good spacing, because we mostly only had 2 shooters on the floor at a time. Even so, the shooters weren't standing in the corners very often. They moved and set screens, etc.

All I know is, there seemed to be a plan within a system. It wasn't 1 guy with the ball and 4 others just watching.

That's more than we've seen really since Gentry left. I feel like the Hornacek-Watson-Triano teams all lacked any sort of offensive purpose.

I only watched about 5-7 minutes of actual game play, but I agree with both of you guys. I saw a clear system with guys knowing where to be, what to do, and how plays create opportunities.

Something I also noticed was the gravity of Ayton. The entire Kings defense had to take note of Ayton when he had the ball because he could do pretty much anything he wanted below the free throw line. We really haven't had a guy like that since Amare'.

[In2ition]

@ShelC, There was a ton of motion on most play. Like, everybody is moving, and there's maybe a handoff, or a pick and roll, or somebody dives and gets an entry pass, or pops behind the line, or takes a mismatch one on one. Everyone on the court had to move and make reads. We still didn't have what I would call good spacing, because we mostly only had 2 shooters on the floor at a time. Even so, the shooters weren't standing in the corners very often. They moved and set screens, etc.

All I know is, there seemed to be a plan within a system. It wasn't 1 guy with the ball and 4 others just watching.

That's more than we've seen really since Gentry left. I feel like the Hornacek-Watson-Triano teams all lacked any sort of offensive purpose.

I only watched about 5-7 minutes of actual game play, but I agree with both of you guys. I saw a clear system with guys knowing where to be, what to do, and how plays create opportunities.

Something I also noticed was the gravity of Ayton. The entire Kings defense had to take note of Ayton when he had the ball because he could do pretty much anything he wanted below the free throw line. We really haven't had a guy like that since Amare'.

One thing I haven't seen from Ayton in any measurable manner is his first step with the ball driving to the basket. He has really only taken jumpers if outside the paint or passed out. I would like to see him explode past his defender and catch a body, and 1 like Amare did.

[n4th4n]

@ShelC, There was a ton of motion on most play. Like, everybody is moving, and there's maybe a handoff, or a pick and roll, or somebody dives and gets an entry pass, or pops behind the line, or takes a mismatch one on one. Everyone on the court had to move and make reads. We still didn't have what I would call good spacing, because we mostly only had 2 shooters on the floor at a time. Even so, the shooters weren't standing in the corners very often. They moved and set screens, etc.

All I know is, there seemed to be a plan within a system. It wasn't 1 guy with the ball and 4 others just watching.

That's more than we've seen really since Gentry left. I feel like the Hornacek-Watson-Triano teams all lacked any sort of offensive purpose.

I only watched about 5-7 minutes of actual game play, but I agree with both of you guys. I saw a clear system with guys knowing where to be, what to do, and how plays create opportunities.

Something I also noticed was the gravity of Ayton. The entire Kings defense had to take note of Ayton when he had the ball because he could do pretty much anything he wanted below the free throw line. We really haven't had a guy like that since Amare'.

One thing I haven't seen from Ayton in any measurable manner is his first step with the ball driving to the basket. He has really only taken jumpers if outside the paint or passed out. I would like to see him explode past his defender and catch a body, and 1 like Amare did.

He did very little off the dribble work at U of A, so I think that is still going to be a year away or so. That is going to the key to him becoming a really STAR level offensive player who can create his own offense.

[ShelC]

I'm honestly not concerned about his dribble drive game. I'd rather him nail the 16ft jumper or play in the post. I want him to play big. He'll catch his share of bodies.

[In2ition]

I'm honestly not concerned about his dribble drive game. I'd rather him nail the 16ft jumper or play in the post. I want him to play big. He'll catch his share of bodies.

That's fine, the reason I brought it up is because it will allow him to draw fouls and makes him harder to guard. If he only shoots around 40% 10 ft out, the defense will be happy to give him that all day long. If he drives past the defense, it will open up the shooters as the rest of the defense has to be conscience of him with the ball. Also, he's a good ft shooter, and we aren't afraid of him going to the line. He had openings last night, but chose not to take them and the possession ended in a missed shot more times than not. Him driving should be a high percentage shot and a better chance at points.

[Split T]

I think we can wait for his off the dribble game. I don't think he needs it as we have other offensive stars(mostly Booker and hopefully Jackson) that can create their own shots and shots for others, but it would certainly be nice. For now, I'm happy with him as a roll man, a pop man, and a post man.

[AmareIsGod]

Ayton seems to actually have awesome handles. Check out the dribble skills at practice today (and the corner 3's).

https://streamall.us/190450128/

[Cap]

I think we can wait for his off the dribble game. I don't think he needs it as we have other offensive stars(mostly Booker and hopefully Jackson) that can create their own shots and shots for others, but it would certainly be nice. For now, I'm happy with him as a roll man, a pop man, and a post man.

Yeah, he doesn’t have to do EVERYTHING as a rookie. The MVP stuff can wait for his sophomore season.

[Cap]

Ayton seems to actually have awesome handles. Check out the dribble skills at practice today (and the corner 3's).

https://streamall.us/190450128/

OMG, is that a 10-foot rim? He makes it look really low.

[Superbone]

Ayton seems to actually have awesome handles. Check out the dribble skills at practice today (and the corner 3's).

https://streamall.us/190450128/

OMG, is that a 10-foot rim? He makes it look really low.

Nerf hoop!

[JCSunsfan]

Ayton seems to actually have awesome handles. Check out the dribble skills at practice today (and the corner 3's).

https://streamall.us/190450128/

OMG, is that a 10-foot rim? He makes it look really low.

I was noticing that. It looks like he has to hold back so he doesn’t jump too high on dunks. He is huge. Is he still growing?

[TOO]

Just a reminder that Ayton doesnt play nearly as explosive as he tests. He's more of a smoother athlete like KAT or a Steven Adams, and even though he tests like Prime Dwight, he doesnt explode that way in games. I dont expect him to dribble around much of anyone in the NBA.

[JCSunsfan]

Just a reminder that Ayton doesnt play nearly as explosive as he tests. He's more of a smoother athlete like KAT or a Steven Adams, and even though he tests like Prime Dwight, he doesnt explode that way in games. I dont expect him to dribble around much of anyone in the NBA.

This is a good thing. He has the athleticism for when he needs it, but he doesn't throw his body everywhere like Embiid. This will help him to stay healthy and avoid injury.