Three quotes tell it all
Firstly the Head Coach
“Um, Spencer’s got to find himself right now,” Kings coach Reggie Theus said, measuring his words when asked about Hawes’ performance. “He’s got to figure out where he’s going to be most effective. … We’re expecting him to play. He’s got to show us that he’s ready for that type of pressure.”
Then Hawes’ best friend on the team and his starting point guard
Point guard Beno Udrih, who is one of Hawes’ closest friends on the team, explained that Hawes must commit to a style of play. When he decides, Udrih said, he wants to be the first to know.
“He doesn’t know if he wants to be a shooter or if he wants to be a post player,” an exasperated Udrih said after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s saying, ‘Hit me in the post,’ but then he took like eight shots from outside. He has to decide what he likes to do so we get comfortable hitting him for the shot or hitting him in the low post.”
Specifically, Udrih said, Hawes’ positioning coming off high screens leaves the point guard unsure where to pass the ball.
“Sometimes when he goes pick and roll (and a defender) denies the pick and roll – and he’s got the whole paint in front of him – he stays outside,” Udrih said. “(Do) you want to shoot the ball … to be a pick and pop guy like Brad?”
Then the Kings toughest player and veteran big man Mikki Moore
Kings forward Mikki Moore said Hawes’ hesitation is working against him.
“The problem is, he’s letting the defense dictate what his game is,” Moore said. “He needs to be more determined in what he wants to do. I think he needs to stop thinking so hard and just play, stop trying to impress people and just play.”
Spencer Hawes played exactly the same way in summer league. He had good numbers something like 18 and 8 but you could tell the way he was playing the game that he wasn’t preparing himself well and that it would hold him back. Hawes hasn’t learned how to use his skills effectively and efficiently, he doesn’t know when to use what move or where on the court he’s most effective.
Hawes is a talented kid but his game needs to mature, he has good skills but learning how to use them effectively is imperative. Until he does he’ll be limited to a small role for the Kings.
