Comments on: Desmond Mason to the Kings – Updated!

By: lifestyleforthesellout

lifestyleforthesellout — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:55:14 +0000

Zach,Thanks for the Shout-Out…

I am hoping for the best with this signing… but fear the worst.
I do think he may help with Greene’s development… Mason knows he cannot shoot the three so he does not… he dunks it… A LOT. Exactly what Greene needs to be doing.

If he is comfortable being a “cheerleader” (which the b-ref article said he was not) then I am fine with this… if he is expecting to get 15-20 minutes a night??? not so much.

By: Aykis16

Aykis16 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:07:09 +0000

@Zach Harper At Zach, I think we need another Center if we get a trade more so than another Small Forward. Because right now if I'm an opposing coach, my gameplan is to get the ball into my big man and try to get JT and Spence in foul trouble early. And if there are replacement refs too? We're even more screwed. JT was 2nd in the league in fouls last year with real refs. Spence was also up there, along with Noc. After Spence and JT we don't really have anyone of size and then they can just dominate the inside.

By: Royce

Royce — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:27:04 +0000

He’s not an elite defender by any means, but he’s definitely a good one. Like I said, he’s physical and can guard just about anyone. I wouldn’t say he’s a big time stopper, but that’s his role – guarding other twos with hard-nosed, physical defense.

By: Zach Harper

Zach Harper — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:46:50 +0000

@Aykis16
I think he’s a better defender in spurts than the numbers would declare. Especially in his later stages. I trust Royce’s recap of what Mason can bring to the team. Nobody watched Mason closer than Royce last year.

At the same time, if he’s playing significant minutes, I think he loses his defensive value because he can’t keep up like that. Good piece by you.

If there is a move happening, the Kings need to get a small forward who can defend. Otherwise, the Kings will be slaughtered even more inside.

By: Aykis16

Aykis16 — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:26:38 +0000

I just wrote this up on STR: http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2009/9/17/1035117/kings-sign-desmond-mason-so-what

Basically it refutes any idea of Mason being a good player, or even a good defender. His career defensive rating is 109. In comparison, Kevin Martin who’s been labeled as a horrible defender is 111. The difference is the Mason’s offensive rating is 102 while Martins is 118 (and that avg is being brought down by his limited minutes rookie year). Mason essentially gives up more points on defense than he produces on offense. His ball handling is also suspect. I think there must be something else going on here and Noc might be on his way out of town. That’s the only thing I can think of at the moment.