From Sam Amick: Kings Opening Night Starters
From your favorite beat writer and mine:
What are my thoughts on Spencer not starting? Other than Kevin Martin, I feel like every single starting position should be up for grabs. If Spencer hasn’t proven himself due to poor performance in the preseason, injury issues or whatever was going on with the summer league, I have no issue with Westphal throwing a little tough love Hawes’ way.
Spencer Hawes is a very talented player and he could very well be the center of the future but if he can’t be a tough presence inside on both offense and defense then why should he be a starter for this team? Sean May has done everything the team has asked so far. He dropped about 40 lbs to appease the higher-ups and earn $100k. He has played solid defense and worked hard inside during the preseason. He deserves to start the home opener. Hopefully, this is an eye-opener for Spencer. Your spot has to be earned.
With all due respect to Paul Westphal and Geoff Petrie, this has to be the worst starting lineup in NBA history. 2/5 of this lineup wouldn’t start for any other team in the League.
@Patrick
Definitely not the worst starting lineup in NBA history. Check out the 2005 Atlanta Hawks: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2005.html
Thoughts of Hawes off the bench? Yeah, PW is not happy with Hawes if that is in fact the case.
@Patrick
what about travis mays, lionel simmons, joe klein, austin carr and whoever else was on that team??
give them a chance people
@patrick. Yeah I remember that team, don’t forget about jimmy les shooting threes, with brad louhaus (sp) in the paint, lol that team was painful to watch.
This starting lineup proves why Paul Westphal has been out of the league so long. Spencer didn’t want to play in the Summer League because even Spencer understands that when 7 footers, like himself, start to log lots of minutes early (Summer League and PreSeason), they tend to fade and fade fast. Ala a guy we know oh too well Brad Miller, did he age right before our eyes. Spencer should be a treasured young talent so that now when the games ACTUALLY count, should be on the floor. Sean May was a lottery pick and has been given a few years of oppurtunities now, and what has he shown? Not much. Give Spencer some respect. We drafted him for a reason in the lottery–he can stretch the defense offensivley, he grabs rebounds, he can pass very well and hes a shot blocking threat. Nocioni off the bench is one thing, he brings a legitmate scoring threat with that 2nd tier. But Spencer too? No way. Cmon P.W.