OK ..... bringing it back..... Game 1 tonight. Current Queens roster. Do we have a shot? http://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/sac/sacramento-kings
There is always a shot, but I don't think the focus will be as much winning as it will be running the correct sets and such.
3 Keys: 1. Defense. Correct rotations, closing out, and boxing out. 2. Keeping turnovers to a minimum, especially Russell. 3. Movement. The beauty of offense's like Golden State and San Antonio are predicated on movement, or basketball terms, Motion offense, part of what Luke was running in camp. Constant cutting, screening, and passing to get the easiest shot possible whether a 3 or a dunk.
I don't see this as Luke going out to win. If he's anything like his original NBA teacher Phil Jackson, the guys on the bubble will be in the game a good chunk, seeing which is going to make the team. That's how it used to be when I'd go see preseason games in my town years back anyway, see a couple quarters of the main guys, then the guys I'd never heard of would finish the game. That may not be Luke's style, but I still don't expect to win, I expect to see Auguste, MWP, Robinson and a few others showing if they are gonna get our last spot.
Sure I would expect that. But Sacramento's going to be doing the same thing likely, right? (not using that to say we've got a good shot at winning)
I remember Phil never used to put much stock into trying to win preseason games. So it'll be interesting to see if Luke starts with that same mentality. Towards the end though I expect him to be more competitive. Remember last season when he started off coaching. The Warriors kind of loafed through the start then I think the last game against us he told the guys to go at it, get serious. We got beat by like 40 or something.
They seem to like to beat us though, that's the thing. Like we left the rivalry way behind, but those dudes hate us. Cousins always kills us, so do their guys like Mclemore and their scrubs. Been like this for years, seems whoever joins them immediately hates the Lakers, like that douche Omri Casspi. Do we have a shot to win? Of course, I just don't see it being a focus in game 1 at all.
I'm glad you mentioned this part. Win or lose I just want to see progress and us building some more continuity.
Well that was satisfying. Few things I noticed, better movement off the ball, concerted effort to team rebound although there were a few lapses, and one I was paying attention to, harder close outs on three point shooters. Still have a lot of work to do to get better but definitely headed in the right direction. Oh and Anthony Brown can shoot.
Just got home from the game. Randle looked pretty bad. Frustrated a lot. Calderon settled things down, clarkson looked like the best player on the team, black looked great and ingrams Defense was awesome.
The starters were pretty bad together. I hated seeing Lou out there with them. He's a terrible fit and continued his ball stopping ways. He needs to come off the bench. I agree with Johnnyboy, Randle looked lost out there much of the time on offense - he just really doesn't seem to know where to be or what to do. He can rebound though. So at least there's that. Russell didn't stand out much tonight but he's got plenty of time to keep improving. As weak as the starters looked, the B squad looked great, especially with Calderon running the show. What a great addition he makes. He's the player that Huertas wants to be. Black was a revelation tonight. So glad to see him back in the mix after getting shafted by Boron. He was terrific. Loved Ingram's defense. Loved Nance's energy. Clarkson was definitely the best player tonight. He needs to start. Man, even Anthony Brown looked damned good tonight. If he keeps this up he'll have me eating my words about him. Pleasant surprise to say the least. Fun win!
Our defense already looks better in one pre-season game with the movement and seeming plan to it than it did all last year. What a difference a real coach and staff makes. If Byron wanted to write a book about winning he should have played it safe and only talked about what he learned and used as a player. Anything at all he tries to preach about coaching should get him laughed at. Did you see Tarik "sprint" the length of the floor for the pass after blocking the shot at the other end. Wow. Nice finishes with touch when not trying to jam, including with the left hand. He's exhibit 1A after the main exhibit of Scott being a moron as a head coach, why he should never bring it up in the stupid book. He let Tarik rot last year for some unfathomable reason. Wow he's fast enough and strong as an ox so maybe he can be a good matchup for Draymond Green and some minutes banging on LBJ. Yi didn't impress this game. Zu's form not bad with his swing one way and try the sky hook the other with both hands. They didn't miss too badly. If only 3 centers ultimately kept Yi would have to be the odd man out. I think Luke keeps all four. Depth through the roster is going to be a strong suit of this team. Really happy for the team they got this win. Boron was probably popping champagne and laughing his a** off when we went down by 19 in the 2nd half. Clarkson looks great. DAR unimpressive this game for the most part. Nance looked great. And who knew maybe it was the positivity around the team from the coaching staff is all A. Brown needed. They can build on this and loved them getting the win. :Headbang:
It's step your game up time Julius or Larry's going to take that starter's slot away from you. Agree with others that Julius still seems not to have as good a feel for the game as Larry. But it looked great when he buried the first J from just inside the 3 pt line and he did some other nice things.
