The Reggie Theus Era Begins (for me)

I attended my first Kings' game of the year last night and watched the Kings gift wrap a victory for the Nuggets. Despite the ending, I really like Reggie Theus. Some observations:

It was one game, but I cannot stand Mikki "Rabbit Ears" Moore. Sure, Moore is exactly what the Kings need, a shot blocking interior presence to complement Brad Miller. However, the guy needs to embrace his role as a banger and a scarpper and not overinflate his ability. Everytime he did not get the ball, he sulked. Then, wehn e did get the ball, he was erratic. There was a possession late in the game where he got the ball on the block. If he pivots to the basket, he finds Brad Miller, the Kings' best shooter, wide open in the opposite corner. Instead, he panics and throws the ball right back to Francisco Garcia who was not open. If you want to believe you're a great offensive player, make the play. Otherwise, shut up and rebound. At the beginning of the second half, during a free throw, a fan yelled, "Hey Moore, get a rebound." Moore looked into the stands and said "What was that?" The fan yelled again, "Get a rebound." Moore looked into the stands like he was ready to charge the fan. At the time, again in the second half, Moore had 2 rebounds. He also had a thunderous dunk in the third quarter. Of course, he celebrated while the Nuggets inbounded and ended with Anthony dunking while Moore was crossing half court.

Brad Miller looks like he is in the best shape since he joined the Kings. And, Theus seems to be embracing his strengths and ignoring his weaknesses. He is a great standstill shooter; he is not a post player. So, Theus gets him open outside jumpers. Miller is back to being productive, like he was when he was a complimentary player when he first arrived. And, with Moore here, I can re-direct my ire toward Moore and his numerous failings rather than continuing to harp on Miller's incredible lack of defense and inability to rebound outside his area. He was he is, which certainly is not worth what he is paid, but at least he is back to playing well and doing what he can do, which is a big improvement over the past two years.

Has a team's MVP ever been a player acquired in the middle of the season after another team discarded him? Because, Beno Udrih is a baller. Sure, he missed two big free throws. But, when the Kings needed a bucket, they ran a pick and pop to get Udrih a shot from the elbow. How many teams run plays for guys they picked up off the waiver wire? I always wanted the Kings to trade for Udrih. I don't know how a couple dozen teams managed to let him get cut and then failed to sign him. He's the back-up PG the Suns covet; the set-up man the Nuggets lack; the Cavs missing link; the type of guy who would make Durant better in Seattle. I never understood why Pop burried him in San Antonio, after almost favoring Udrih to parker during Udrih's rookie season. However, he is a starting PG in the NBA.

As for Ron Artest, he was arguably the best player on the floor and statistically had the best game. But, something just doesn't feel right. Maybe I am jaded after reading the report last week that Western Conference scout suggested that anytime a play is supposed to go away from him, he gets in the way and calls for the ball. But, watching him play, he does shoot a number of bad shots and definitely asks for the ball all the time. He's like the annoying teammate at the park who never passes, but never scores (except Artest shot the ball well last night).

Which, of course, leads to the question of what happens when Bibby returns? At this point, I'd take a 1st round pick and Jason Williams' expiring contract for Bibby. I'm happy with the Udrih/Garcia platoon at the point. The Kings definitely need to improve their talent level, but I don't know that Bibby makes them significantly better, especially with Bibby and Artest fighting for the ball and Moore moping when he doesn't get it.

As for the game, the radio people blamed it on tempo and free throws. Nobody mentioned the Kings real problem. Any time they had a perceived mis-match, like AI guarding John Salmons in the post, they tried to force the ball to the player. They stopped moving and made numerous ill-advised passes. And, almost ever time, these passes resulted in a turnover or a forced shot against the shot clock. The quicker player almost always got his hand on the ball and the Kings never managed to take advantage of its size advantage. However, in its efforts to isolate a player, it stopped moving, cutting and attacking, which is how they built the lead. That's how the Kings lost the game: they pissed away too many possessions trying to isolate players.

I like the way Theus coaches. He is always up and talking to players. He is lik a high school or college coach, which I think is a positive, especially with this team. The Kings play hard and mix up their zone and man defenses well. I enjoyed watching the Kings play. I think Theus was a very good hire, though I wonder if players will always respond to his type of coaching. If they do, he will get the Kings back into the mix.

I also noticed Tim Grgurich sitting almost on the floor talking to some of the younger players like Von Wafer and JR Smith through parts of thegame. I've never noticed a coach sitting near the end of the bench talking to the players as much as I did with Grg last night.