Game Thread: Sacramento CSN 7pm (Pac) Dtv 755

He was picked for what he will become in the future, not what he is now.

Right now he's our 4th best center, and we only have 2 centers so that tells you where he is.

Right now, he's playing for a coach who doesn't have a clue about the Big Man's game, or how to utilize his talents.

Right now he's out of shape, playing with guys who are new to him, and refs who are cruel to him.

I expected he'd have a hard time, but he was the right pick for the future.

I doubt he'll EARN the spot over Joel on his play this year. Joel's just too good.

Like LaMarcus, Greg will be handed the position, if he can ever stay out of foul trouble.

And we'll lose games this year beecause of it.

 

At this point if I were Nate I'd start Channing over LA...It's not like they have much to lose. Maybe LA could excel in the second unit? thoughts?

 

I think that would be a good idea, just until LMA gets out of this slump.

Maybe the demotion will make him play with determination.

 

Take away the starting job and make him EARN a starting role on this team.

 

Oden's +/- was -22 in 19 min or w/e....Joel was +23.

Just about everyone else on our team was +/- 5 or so.

Oden is looking pretty lost out there most of the time...especially on defense, ironically.

 

Outlaw was +17.

 

Why would you demote a key player just because he's playing in a slump? Did Boston demote Ray Allen when he fell into a slump in the playoffs?

 

Ya I saw that...I said just about everyone else. Batum was -10, FWIW.

 

I wouldn't consider LA a key player at this point.

 

It may take a while for Lamarcus to get out of this slump. Last season, the first two weeks LaMarcus played great. He was mediocre at best until the last few months of the season. The guy just isn't as good as people want to believe.

He's not Rasheed Wallace. He's not Chris Bosh. He's closer to Joe Smith than anybody. He doesn't have a killer instinct/drive to be more than a 3rd/4th option on a playoff team. If he continues to be our second option it's going to be a LONG season.

 

We got the W. That's all I care about.

 

Amen . . . and who's booty is that in your avatar? It looks like Jessica Alba but pic is too small to tell for sure.

 

Nate McMillan is not a good NBA coach. He is a good PR swing, but damn can he learn to coach an offense outside of here Brandon, take the ball, everyone else get the fudge out of the way.
We need to start playing Bayless. I am tired of seeing Rose and DJ putting up great stats while we let our guy rot on the bench. We need another slasher and he can provide that. One of Sergio or Bayless has to go, just too inconsistent.

 

Also, can we please freaking utilize Rudy better than the occasional 3?

 

Exactly, no scapegoats please.
Players go into slumps, LMA just is in one right now. He is only 21!!!!! He has been posting up lately but he just can't get them to drop. He really reminds me of Sheed. I can recall Sheed trying to "aim" his shots at times and he would struggle, it appears LMA just isn't letting it fly but thinking about it too much.
I don't blame Rudy for his struggles, the team is not feeding him the fucking ball and when he tries to make a play happen the team isn't aware..see Channing tonight when Rudy spoon fed him an easy lay in.
I am really starting to believe Nate is not the long term coach..Batum plays well and only gets run at the beginning of the 1st and 3rd quarters.

 

That win was baboon-ass-ugly....but it was still a win. Our record right now is better than anybody had any right to expect. Personally, I'm frustrated with Oden - but I'm trying to keep it in perspective. Bashing everybody in sight is over-the-top.

 

Btw, Beno torched Blake and Sergio.

 

I'm surprised how much some of you value the +/- stat.

Defending centers who shoot 3's is never going to be good for Greg on the defensive end. People are saying that him having zero blocks in the last three games is a sign he's lost on defense, but since 2 of them were against the Kings and the other against Shaq, it's not too terribly surprising. I'll go out on a limb and guess he won't get any blocks on Okur either.

He's not polished, but he'll be ok. People overreact and now the expectations are way too high if we're upset about wins. 9-6 with a brutal opening schedule is pretty good for the 2nd youngest team in the league. At least it is in my book.

 

Must all of his blocks be against opposing centers? Can't he block the little guys that venture into the paint?