|
short
years ago that in a few years the Jazz would
be battling with the Clippers for the last
playoff spot and the Kings would be seriously
talking about winning the NBA championship,
I would have called you a psychotic liar to
your face! (and you know I'd do it, too!)
It's really unbelievable. I mean, I used to
fantasize about having a great team someday,
but my fantasies used to stop at the Kings
merely making it out of the second round of
the playoffs. I wouldn't allow myself to ever
think beyond that. It was too much to hope
for. It also scares me a little to see how
fleeting success is in sports today. So we
all better enjoy every minute while we can,
because you never know when our starters will
be sitting on the bench during garbage time
wearing long faces, and watching the latest
NBA team's ascension to the top!
SWEEtness
Yeah,
we win!!!! TWICE to the Jazz. I know they
aren't the same Jazz we played a few years
ago, but somehow these wins are special. To
me anyway.
I
missed another game (so I take full credit
for this win... j/k ). We decided to brave
the storm and hit the slopes. Most of the
day was spent trying to keep the snow off
our faces and out of our clothes, especially
toward the end of the day when the wind really
started kicking up. I just love to ski, so
we had fun. I waited at the bottom of the
slope about 30 minutes at the end for the
rest of my party to make it down, and I ended
up with dreadlocks made of ice on my head
(won't forget a hat next time).
Like
I said, I didn't catch the game (forgot to
tape it, too ).
I heard a tiny bit of the post-game show on
the radio. Steve mentioned the contribution
of our bench in this game (namely, Hedo, Bobby,
and Scot). It is good to see 7 guys AGAIN
in double-figures. I don't know if it was
a comment on this forum, but I've heard it
mentioned that it was the inconsistant play
of the bench on the road that contributed
to our road record (and of course there were
the injuries). Well it seems the bench is
finding their way on the road. I hope it keeps
up though the next stretch of road games.
I hope Webber is right in saying that the
home Jazz win is just the start of the next
streak. I'll take a loss if it only happens
every 13 games.
Thanks,
RL, for including Webbers comments. I'm in
total agreement. Last year the Kings were
in first before the break, then we broke down...
We were still in decent position at the end
of the season, but then someone turned a switch
on in the Lakers organization and they became
practically unbeatable. The team has their
destiny in their hands once again. KEY TO
THE SEASON: Value the destiny.
ALL
STAR THOUGHTS
bawsor
Peja
is locked.
Webber
may not get in. I've been reading conflicting
articles. His missing 20 games may be a factor.
Vlade
may not get in.
That
means the only Kings All-Start is Peja.
If
this is true, the All-Star selection is a
JOKE.
The
BEST TEAM in the league has only one All-Star.
Webber
is among the top 10 in the All-Star ballot.
The other nine are starting the game.
If
Webber doesn't get in, I hope this will serve
as a motivation to win the championship for
Sacramento.
TheBigO
It
was made very clear to Karl Malone a couple
years back that if a player elects to skip
all-star weekend after being named to the
team, he'd better be on the injured reserve.
I
have heard rumblings that Shaq might go on
the IR again, so who knows? I wouldn't mind
seeing him sit for another five games. Of
course in Karl's case, if memory serves, it
was just him throwing a hissy fit because
he wasn't elected a starter by the fans.
Speaking
of Malone and all-star games, I don't think
he should make the team at ALL this year.
In my mind here are the most deserving forwards
in order: Duncan, Garnett, Nowitzki, Stojakovic,
Brand, Webber, Wallace, Jamison.
Although
Webber is playing great as of late (last game
notwithstanding - too much holding the ball
and forced j's again), the fact that he has
missed half the season works against him.
Two
starting forwards, two reserve forwards, and
then one of the last two spots will probably
also be a forward. With five guys that would
leave Webb just short.
Of
course we may have two Kings all-stars anyway
since Vlade could/should? be named the reserve
center. I seriously doubt that there will
be more than two centers on the roster (David
Robinson? Rasho Nesterovic?) and deservedly
so. As much as I love Vlade, a guy averaging
about 13 and 8 or so making an all-star team
says more about the lack of quality centers
than it does about Vlade's skill level.
And
before you reply, I know that Vlade does a
lot of things that don't show up in the box
score, and I know the Kings wouldn't be where
they are without him, but when you consider
the all star teams a decade ago with Robinson
and Olajuwon in their primes you'll understand
what I mean.
Although
its a bit early, does anybody have any favorite
All-Star weekend memories? Here are a couple
of mine:
1.
Marvin Gaye singing the Star Spangled Banner.
83 I believe. I was just a kid but I was mesmerized.
2.
'Nique and Jordan battling in the dunk contest.
Neither could hold a candle to Vince, but
the fact that it actually was a contest made
it interesting both years.
3.
Mitch winning the MVP. One of the few happy
moments of Kings fandom in those days.
4.
Larry Bird winning the 3 point shooting contest,
not even taking off his warmup jacket to do
it, and holding up one finger before the last
ball even went in. From what I understand
Larry walked into the locker room with the
other participants before the 3 point shootout,
strode to the middle of the room and loudly
asked, "Which one of you mother*($ers
is coming in second. Classic.
|
