You guys are absolutely Balls to the wall with this starting business. Hart closed the game and played just as many minutes as KCP. Who cares if he starts or not as long as dude is getting minutes and trusted to close games (Hart got both last night). KCP started, we blitzed the Blazers and were up on them. Hart subs in and as part of that unit, we close the opening quarter giving up 34 points and lose the lead. I love Hart and his motor and we didn't lose exclusively because of him last night, but there's nothing indicating we would have won had he started. #MeloOutOnTheStarterTip
Vash, it's KCP's lack of aggression that is really getting me bummed on him. 1 for 3 shot attempts? He just isn't doing anything out there and that's the cause of frustration. 5 points in 27 minutes from your starting SG? Not acceptable and he's just not hustling. Hart had 20 points, 8 for 12 shooting and brings so much more defensively. It seems like KCP constantly gets screened out of plays. Hart fights through and around screens very well. On both sides of the court Hart is just so much better at this point.
I don't care if KCP starts, but Hart better have the bulk of the minutes and should be closing games. This isn't even about how last night went down. It was the same in the pre-season. Hart is just a better overall player. I did like how KCP was chasing CJ and Lillard off screens. He didn't make it easy on them at all that 1st half when he was on the court.
LJ: We both agree that Hart is going to be the guy cause KCP is a place holder till next summer...or if dude allows it, this February (ie no trade clause). I'm not worried at all about KCP and how it may impact Hart. Josh is clearly a team guy and part of our future core (barring an AD forced exodus)...so if KCP starts and he shares minutes with Hart THIS year, I'm not bothered by it and I hope you guys are patient enough to see that it won't impact our long play towards relevance again.
It could impact our seed in the playoffs eh? if Hart could have been in the starting lineup helping get early leads more often because of his better play and more consistent play. More wins. Hypothetically.
KCP sucks. Plain and simple. I was not happy that we brought him back and didn't expect him to be back quite frankly. I'm already seeing why I don't like him...
For me its not a matter of starting, I'd rather KCP have less PT in general. There is some buzz about how "Lonzo doesn't fit" but to me the sore thumb is KCP. I can see a configuration where Rondo/Hart/Ball/Lance fit well as a unit. It seems like Lance understands hes the 4th-5th guard in the depth chart; while KCP, to me, does not have a defined role - just "starter", which puts everyone in the backcourt out of position. Lord knows Luke doesn't need any more complications when putting together a lineup. This is very much about KCP leveling up as a player as well. I think optimists are imagining him to play a JR Smith-like role on this team; but the fact is he's never done it on a successful level. And he's not giving us enough evidence that he can, at least so far. To date, KCP has shown he's valuable on a bad team, teams like LA last year and the Pistons every year. His sort of blind aggressiveness helps those teams get out of slumps. I recall several times last year KCP looking off Ball to go for his own shot, which at times, helped us out. But next to LeBron, Rondo, and emerging Ball-BI-Hart? Nah, we don't need that. And outside of that he's looked lost. KCP needs to fit in and offer more if he's gonna cut into Hart's and Ball's minutes.
Definitely, Vash. For me it's not about who starts - I just think KCP stinks so he shouldn't be getting equal minutes with Hart who is twice the player that KCP appears to now be. More minutes for Hart because he's better.
Not losing any hope for him, at least not yet. It's only 2 games into the regular season, but I'm expecting more from him especially with Rocky Rondo and Magnum B.I. out. P.S. I was wondering who in LakersBall first coined the phrase "KCP m-----f-----!" (I believe in the GameTime thread), because I always say that when he buries a triple and I'd like to give credit where credit is due. Edit: Thanks @KareemtheGreat33 Spoiler: Found it Nov 5, 2017 at 8:47 PM - @KareemtheGreat33: KCP mother******s http://lakersball.com/threads/game-time-archive.118/page-177#post-204203
Genuinely mystified as to why KCP is so bad so far. Maybe it’s the new diet and losing too much weight. Maybe he is intimidated playing with LeBron. But, even though he was never great last year he was decent. He rebounded, he shot a decent 3 ball. Now, nothing. Head scratcher.
My guess is he cant seem to find his role and position in the pecking order. I remember last year he had the green light offensively and was often the go to scorer, results be damned
Seems mental/attitude to me, and I'm not really sure why. There's nothing physically wrong with him. He's prone to be hot or cold but he's like beyond cold. He's frozen garbage. But it's not just offense, his defense sucks too. I swear he gets screened out on every play. He's been worthless.
he better step it up starting this game since the team is shorthanded now. or imma bust out the belt.