Game Day: Kings (0-0) @ Suns (0-0), Wed 10/26/16

[TOO]

I still kind of hate Earl Watson...

Clint Eastwood looks terrible...

[Shabazz]

I am perfectly OK with us struggling this year. I think we still need more talent and our young guys need more time. I'd love to move Chandler and Tucker to ensure bender and Chriss get their minutes. We'd also get a clearer picture of what we have with Len.

I'm also reluctant to evaluate Len without him ever having had the opportunity to play with a pass first PG. Can you imagine how much better he'd look if one of our PGs knew how to throw an entry pass or a lob and he could get 6ish easy points per game. His disastrous FG% last year was largely in part to his horrible numbers in ISO and post-up situations - situations in which he clearly wasn't ready to thrive. A good PG means he doesn't get put in those situations.

Yup. And still waiting for your report on your experience at the game.

Sorry, I crashed after the game and was tied up with work until just now. Reading through the posts I'm not sure what I can add as an "in person" evaluation that wasn't apparent on TV. Quite a few empty seats for the home opener, for starters. Also, fans in the arena seem to feel the same way about Brandon Knight as fans on the board. A lot of audible groaning on his bricks and quite a few "You suck/I hate you Brandon Knight" jeers. The energy noticeably changed when the rooks came in and that end-of-Q3 stretch was by far the most fun part of the game.

Chriss Looked a little tentative on the floor and was on the wrong end of a few posters. It looked like Rudy Gay took the matchup a little personally after Chriss proclaimed Gay the player he most admired growing up. (sidebar: Rudy Gay?? That took Chriss down a notch or two in my book).

Great to see Bender come out gunning. His shot is still a little flat, but his release looked good. And it was great to see him score off a cut, a midrange jumper and from deep.

Len looked Len-ish. It sounds like I'm making excuses, but so many of his shots seem to juuuust miss. He's still a little mechanical, but it feels like he's not that far from being more.

Bledsoe good: definitely pushing the ball up faster off both makes and misses. Bledsoe bad: still doing the jump-pass thing.

There was a pretty noticeable lack of chemistry in just about all of the units. Our full team only really had 2 preseason games together and it showed.

For me, the best part of the night was that I worked out a halftime tour for my group of the Locker room/training room/video room and practice court. We were also in the tunnel when all the players came back out (plus coaches, McD, Sarver, Eddie House, Chambers and a few others). That was a really cool experience and our group got some good photo ops. The Suns organization treated us well.

[Shabazz]

That was such a fun sequence when they were all out there. The future is bright. Those are the moments we're going to have to hang our hat on this season. Didn't we all agree we want one more high lottery pick?

I'm not sure it matters if we agree, that's what is going to happen. We just don't have a lot of talent out there compared to the other teams in the West. I'm not going to stress too much this year because I expect large growing pains and at least one major trade.

I'm with you on the Cousins possibility. Len needs to step his game up (I imagine he'd be an outgoing piece) and Cousins and Joerger can't hit it off too well, but if the Kings struggle out of the gate they need to seriously consider moving him. I'm not sure how much sense Boston makes as a partner with Horford there and we have the next best treasure trove.

[Split T]

I am perfectly OK with us struggling this year. I think we still need more talent and our young guys need more time. I'd love to move Chandler and Tucker to ensure bender and Chriss get their minutes. We'd also get a clearer picture of what we have with Len.

I'm also reluctant to evaluate Len without him ever having had the opportunity to play with a pass first PG. Can you imagine how much better he'd look if one of our PGs knew how to throw an entry pass or a lob and he could get 6ish easy points per game. His disastrous FG% last year was largely in part to his horrible numbers in ISO and post-up situations - situations in which he clearly wasn't ready to thrive. A good PG means he doesn't get put in those situations.

Yup. And still waiting for your report on your experience at the game.

Chriss Looked a little tentative on the floor and was on the wrong end of a few posters. It looked like Rudy Gay took the matchup a little personally after Chriss proclaimed Gay the player he most admired growing up. (sidebar: Rudy Gay?? That took Chriss down a notch or two in my book).

He's from Sacramento and probably just started paying attention to basketball recently. His game does lend itself to a comparison with gay. Hopefully Chriss plays more at the basket.

[carey]

That was such a fun sequence when they were all out there. The future is bright. Those are the moments we're going to have to hang our hat on this season. Didn't we all agree we want one more high lottery pick?

I'm not sure it matters if we agree, that's what is going to happen. We just don't have a lot of talent out there compared to the other teams in the West. I'm not going to stress too much this year because I expect large growing pains and at least one major trade.

I'm with you on the Cousins possibility. Len needs to step his game up (I imagine he'd be an outgoing piece) and Cousins and Joerger can't hit it off too well, but if the Kings struggle out of the gate they need to seriously consider moving him. I'm not sure how much sense Boston makes as a partner with Horford there and we have the next best treasure trove.

Not sure you mean me. I'm of the opinion we shouldn't trade for Cousins if it costs us any combination of Warren, Booker, Bender, Chriss, our own first this year, or any of the Miami picks (especially the unprotected one.) He doesn't do enough for us and I have no interest chasing the 8th seed at the expense of assets. It makes sense for Boston who could chase a 3 or 4 seed by acquiring Cousins though.

[Shabazz]

That was such a fun sequence when they were all out there. The future is bright. Those are the moments we're going to have to hang our hat on this season. Didn't we all agree we want one more high lottery pick?

I'm not sure it matters if we agree, that's what is going to happen. We just don't have a lot of talent out there compared to the other teams in the West. I'm not going to stress too much this year because I expect large growing pains and at least one major trade.

I'm with you on the Cousins possibility. Len needs to step his game up (I imagine he'd be an outgoing piece) and Cousins and Joerger can't hit it off too well, but if the Kings struggle out of the gate they need to seriously consider moving him. I'm not sure how much sense Boston makes as a partner with Horford there and we have the next best treasure trove.

Not sure you mean me. I'm of the opinion we shouldn't trade for Cousins if it costs us any combination of Warren, Booker, Bender, Chriss, our own first this year, or any of the Miami picks (especially the unprotected one.) He doesn't do enough for us and I have no interest chasing the 8th seed at the expense of assets. It makes sense for Boston who could chase a 3 or 4 seed by acquiring Cousins though.

I thought you were the one who posted that you saw us making a move for him. Not that I'm advocating for it (nor did you/the actual poster), I just see it as a move we could make. I think it would cost us an improved Len, Knight and then 2 of TJ, our pick and a Miami pick. I don't know how I would feel about that move.

[Ring_Wanted]

You let me keep Booker, one of the Miami picks and Bender and I'm game for Cousins. I am assuming Bledsoe is not part of the deal as he is friends with Boogie and probably one of the main reasons as to why Cousins would want to come (and stay) here.

[Indy]

Does The Blender come with a Warren-Ty?

Shazam!

Speaking of Shazaam!, anyone planning on making a trip to AZ for Al's induction ceremony? I am seriously considering making a trip just for that.

[Indy]

I still kind of hate Earl Watson...

{Image of monkey balls deleted}

I think it is very fair to be skeptical of a rookie HC until he proves you otherwise. (And this is coming from someone that believes he will show us reasons to support him this year.)

Skeptical is one thing, hate is quite another.

LOLed at the deleted comment, btw.

To be fair, he said "kind of hate."

[JCSunsfan]

I gave up in the 4th and went and watched an episode of Star Trek: TNG with the wife. I just want to see the young kids play. I hate almost all of our veterans. I like Bledsoe a bit more than most, but I don't think he will ever be part of a contending Suns team, so I'd be okay with moving him while he has value. I hate Knight. Tucker seems like he is past his expiration date. I like Chandler and would be fine with keeping him around as a veteran. I like Dudley a lot, more than some here, but he seems like a bench glue guy who is starting out of necessity/desperation.

I wish they'd just move to the next phase of the rebuild and run lineups that were something like:

Starters: Ulis-Booker-Warren-Chriss-Chandler
Bench: Jenkins-Barbosa-Dudley-Bender-Len

That team would win 18 games but I'd enjoy it way more.

Which episode?

Nerd question.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Indy]

I gave up in the 4th and went and watched an episode of Star Trek: TNG with the wife. I just want to see the young kids play. I hate almost all of our veterans. I like Bledsoe a bit more than most, but I don't think he will ever be part of a contending Suns team, so I'd be okay with moving him while he has value. I hate Knight. Tucker seems like he is past his expiration date. I like Chandler and would be fine with keeping him around as a veteran. I like Dudley a lot, more than some here, but he seems like a bench glue guy who is starting out of necessity/desperation.

I wish they'd just move to the next phase of the rebuild and run lineups that were something like:

Starters: Ulis-Booker-Warren-Chriss-Chandler
Bench: Jenkins-Barbosa-Dudley-Bender-Len

That team would win 18 games but I'd enjoy it way more.

Which episode?

Nerd question.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Indeed. And once he said the name of it, I was very familiar with it.

[Superbone]

Does The Blender come with a Warren-Ty?

Shazam!

Speaking of Shazaam!, anyone planning on making a trip to AZ for Al's induction ceremony? I am seriously considering making a trip just for that.

I just might. When is it again?

[Indy]

March 3rd.

[Superbone]

March 3rd.

That's going to be tight for me. It's really close to the end of my yearly project. If I'm done, I'll make the trek for sure!

[Indy]

March 3rd.

That's going to be tight for me. It's really close to the end of my yearly project. If I'm done, I'll make the trek for sure!

Got it. Keep us informed. I would love to have a get together before the game (or at the game). It will likely be the only game I get to attend this season.

[Mori Chu]

Indeed. And once he said the name of it, I was very familiar with it.

The wife and I are going through ST:TNG from the start to the end. She has very patiently put up with the Season 1 slog and is much more impressed with Season 2. I keep telling her that it'll get MUCH better in Season 3 when Pulaski is gone and the overall writing and acting quality jumps way up. Can't wait to show her Best of Both Worlds at the end of Season 3.

[Superbone]

Indeed. And once he said the name of it, I was very familiar with it.

The wife and I are going through ST:TNG from the start to the end. She has very patiently put up with the Season 1 slog and is much more impressed with Season 2. I keep telling her that it'll get MUCH better in Season 3 when Pulaski is gone and the overall writing and acting quality jumps way up. Can't wait to show her Best of Both Worlds at the end of Season 3.

Yeah, I came into the series probably about season 3 all those years ago. Loved it. Some day I will start from the beginning and watch the whole thing. I want to rewatch Battlestar Galactica again as well sometime. One of my all-time favorite series.

[Phoenix219]

Pulaski was great. Actual conflict between crew members! Actual spunk and personality! Shades of Spock/McCoy! Someone to actually disagree and have their own opinion! The TNG crew was soooooo boring, self righteous and unrealistic. There was a studio mandate that in the perfect future there would not be conflict within the crew. With 1000 people, that is beyond unrealistic. Season 1 had way more adventure/TOS style exploration then the later seasons, which became talky and filled with techno babble deus ex machina solutions. I would watch Season 1 or 2 10 times over before I would rewatch S6 or S7, thats for sure.

[iLLmatic]

March 3rd.

That's going to be tight for me. It's really close to the end of my yearly project. If I'm done, I'll make the trek for sure!

Got it. Keep us informed. I would love to have a get together before the game (or at the game). It will likely be the only game I get to attend this season.

Are you living elsewhere now? I believe I bought seats from you a couple years back.

[The Bobster]

Pulaski was great. Actual conflict between crew members! Actual spunk and personality! Shades of Spock/McCoy! Someone to actually disagree and have their own opinion! The TNG crew was soooooo boring, self righteous and unrealistic. There was a studio mandate that in the perfect future there would not be conflict within the crew. With 1000 people, that is beyond unrealistic. Season 1 had way more adventure/TOS style exploration then the later seasons, which became talky and filled with techno babble deus ex machina solutions. I would watch Season 1 or 2 10 times over before I would rewatch S6 or S7, thats for sure.

The "no friction among the crew" edict was all Roddenberry.

I liked Pulaski a lot more than most of the crew, but she wan't really popular at the time.

And Patrick Stewart really makes the first couple of years watchable. And eventually they got a handle on what they were doing (more Worf and less Wesley) so things got better.