FINALLY
Vyan

This game (v. Golden State) was exactly what I've been waiting to see for some time. A full 10-man rotation - with two independant teams. We all know that Sacramento is the deepest team in the league, and going back to how well they did inspite of all the injuries in the early part of that season - that seems to be proven. But ever since many of the starters have come back from their various injuries the King's haven't been playing as well as they had been last year. They're out of sorts, finding their way. Eventually, I'm fairly sure that Bibby, Webber and Peja will once again be 100% and then some. All three are getting closer each game, but are not quite there - not yet, but I think last nights game made a statement. Just because are starters aren't at tip top yet doesn't mean you should count us out against the tough teams. Some key substitutions at the end of regulation v Dallas (such as adding Keon or Scot to catch that final rebound) could have made the difference. Swapping out the entire team during the second quarter - and putting in the "2nd Team" was exactly what they needed to do. Keon, Hedo, Bobby, Jimmy and Scot valued the ball, outrebounded the best rebouding team in the league and generally kicks mondo bootay! All the things that have been lacking in the 1st Teams play for some time.

Every team in the league has been studying our starters -the Warriors seemed to have our number during the 1st quater, but noone has considered that we have a 2nd entire team that's good enough to be starters in their own right. The way the starting 5 have been playing, and especially with the playoffs so close, I was beginning to get worried that they wouldn't have the juice to bring it the way we all know they can. With the 2nd team option, that tendency for sluggish and sloppy play, falling into a man to man/1 on 5 game, bricking shots and not rebounding them - is no longer a concern. But more than that, the 2nd Team coming in, besides resting the starters can also be a catalyst to jump start the entire team, just as it did against Golden State, to start performing at a higher level. From what Bobby Jackson said in his post game interview they've been scrimaging the 1st and 2nd teams against each other - and the 2nd Team "woops their ass" regularly. (A little in house competitiveness can be strength, instead of being fodder for frustration due to limited minutes) Obviously the coaches have noticed. I hope this trend continues, and we start to see everyone averaging about 20 mins and getting more touches - 7 or even 8 players in double figures. If we utilize that great big fat deep bench in ways that keep every other team off balance and not knowing what to expect next. It just might be the edge we need.