.
It seems the only thing standing in the way of a top seed in post-season
play are injuries and the refs. We can't do anything about the injuries,
but maybe we can do something about the refs' inconsistancies.

(Thanks go to Hallama for the voodoo doll idea)
.

KINGS WARM UP FOR BIG GAME ON SUNDAY
WITH LAUGHER AGAINST THE NUGGETS

SandB Bill

It was a good game tonight.. we sat right behind Denvers basket and got a close up view of Jacksons in your face rejection, the place went nuts!

Unless I missed a Wallace dunk, the one big one he had came from the left side, but he di get some air.

Doug took a pretty nasty trip into the camera folks and maybe a chair from what it looked like, you could see he was in pain. Doug, Vlade and Webber was sportin ice bags tonight. Webber had on around his left ankle up high.

Hedo played a great game, the D was there tonight along with the energy, the team showed they wanted this win and they wanted it bad. Yes, Hedo said he has the flu, Peja was walking around and jumping around pretty good, but I still don't think he will be ready for Sunday.

Tyra was sitting with the Maloofs and was really getting into the game, Webber told Shirlene he would sign her plate, but we missed him again

Oh yeah.. almost forgot.. Bibby stuffed one on a fast break, the boy can dunk.

Pondo

The big dunk by Wallace came when he went from one side of the court toward the basket, not down the key. He raised up and flew toward the basket then slammed it through. Wallace looked just like he is, a rookie. With that said, sure will be fun watching this diamond come out of the rough to be polished.

DC hit the camera above the knee in the muscle area. It looked like 2" to 4" above the knee. DC stayed in the locker area during the 2nd half. I was located high above the Kings bench and kept looking for him with the glasses. RA said later that what I wrote is correct.

The Kings came out with intensity and did play defense, especially in the 2nd quarter. They started the 3rd quarter and got scoring again so the starters could rest the 4th quarter.

What can you say about Hedo? He played hard and was making outside shots or driving to the rim. His turnovers? No big deal as they occurred on passes that he will not made in a close game. He and the rest of the team were having fun so if they got a rebound they were looking for a team mate to leap out ahead for a pass that in some cases I felt they would not make in a tight game. So Reno Lady, have no fear about Hedo's turnovers.

Vlade was having a ball. Grant said that he played with a flu like thing on Tuesday, spent Wed. in bed so he did not practice and showed up a little late for the pregame time. So those of you who wrote posts about Vlade's "poor play" on Tuesday might reconsider those posts in light of the fact was sick and still played, as Hedo did tonight, according to Hedo himself!

Bobby Jackson played another great game! Others have written to that, especially the block that he slammed into the court after grabbing it before it got to the rim from behind the shooter!

Yes, Bibby did dunk. Now it is Bobby's turn.

Chucky Brown, loved his play in the 4th quarter. Showed his Vet ability and smarts. Was in the right spot at the right time to grab rebounds, stop a player driving to the basket and helping out on defense. Like the points he added, nothing flashy, just good solid shooting.

CWebb played a CWebb night and alot of it was under the basket and on defense. A player would drive the key and you felt he had a basket until this long arm came up and on the ball so the ball never got near the basket! Instead you had the start of a fast break.

Sure, there were things the Kings did wrong. Sure, the players made mistakes but I wanted to write about the positive things I saw. A "W" is a "W" and sure better than a "L."

PS: Yup, looked like Tyra was there, all of her!!

Big G

It is obvious that starting is doing wonders for Hedo. I think playing with starters helps him to make better shot selections. He also gets less attention from the defenders with C-Webb and Vlade in the game too. When he enters the game in the second quarters with Bobby at the point the quality of passing is greatly reduced. That's probably why Adelman uses Bobby mostly as an OG in the 2nd quarters. Even Peja's numbers would nose dive if Peja played in the 2nd quarters with the second unit.

As Houston commentator put it the other day Hedo and Peja are 'interchangeable parts'. I am sure there is a friendly rivalry between the two. Both Hedo and Peja seem to possess the ambition to be the best.

Triple B

If Hedo starts Sunday[Which I think he will] we win.

He won't just let Slick Rick just hold and grab like Peja does, and he won't be afraid to go at Shaq.

This is a bigger game then most people think. In the big picture this could mean tie breaker and confidence. They could be the only 'top' team thats beaten LA twice...out of Dallas and SA.

I can't wait for the game...I know Arco will be crazed as it seems the only time Arco is in a real 99-2000 frenzy is when the Purple and Gold bullies come strutting into town.

I dont even think Christie will be able to stop what Kobe is getting ready to do Sunday.

He's had some poor games and you just know nothing or nobody is gonna stop him from lighting the Arena up.

I know Christie will be able to go though...he had a bad cut last time the Laker game came around and played...so I would imagine the knee bruise wouldn't stop him from playing a little.

Reno Lady

Glad to hear Hedo's TOs were the result of "fun" passes, not forced or careless ones. I don't have a problem with those if the Kings have the game well in hand as long as they don't contribute to a run by the other team.

Another possibility arises for Sunday's game: Peja and Hedo might both start if Christie's knee is too sore for him to play. I hope that's not the case because the Kings need Christie to slow Kobe down. Neither Hedo nor Peja can do that. If Peja can go, he'll start however. He's earned the starting position & Adelman's not going to take it away from him without good justification. If Hedo's as good as some people say, whether he starts or not shouldn't make a difference in his play as long as he gets enough minutes at one time to get into a rhythm.

Wallace's dunks - I've noticed that on most occasions he prefers to attack the basket from the wing, not head on. Maybe that's just something he's gotten used to and is more comfortable with. The kid can sure get up off the ground though, no matter where he starts from.

Kingsgurl

Hedo had a GREAT game, very aggressive, looking for his own shot, or penetrating and dishing to the open man for an easier shot. I really hope these last few games will be a big confidence boost to him, he seemed to have lost some of that brashness for awhile when he was struggling a bit.

Hedo has the potential for greatness. He has the skills (ever improving at the NBA level), he has the work ethic, but most important of all, he has the ATTITUDE. (Even if some people do think he runs funny.) :)

THE CURSE OF MITCH

Kingme

Could the Lakers have the Mitch Ricmond Curse? Do you think there is such a thing - all in jest, of course. Someone posted about the Chucky Brown curse/Karma and I thought about the Lakers. They took the Kings sloppy seconds with Mitch. Nothing against Mitch - those who have read my posts for awhile know I' m still a fan, and always will be. But the man has had a terribly unlucky career,

or at least, a bittersweet one. He joined the Lakers for a chance to get a ring. They wanted a veteran perimeter presence who wouldn't demand too much playing time. Will both get either?

Let's face it, it must have seemed surreal to Mitch, when he was last at Arco w/the Lakers, to see his old team take it to the defending champs, knowing that they are now talked about as legit contenders for the NBA title. He gave the best years of his career to the Kings, as he toiled fruitlessly in this NBA hinterland. It must have been frustrating, knowing that he was second only to MJ as the best 2-guard in the league. Not to mention his embarrassingly small contract. He left us gladly, and looked to a promise for a better future.

But then the tide turned. As his luck would have it, the trade yielded huge benefits for the Kings. Suddenly, the team that was only on TV a league-mandated once a year, was now one of the most popular and talked about teams in the NBA! And they just kept getting better and better, with every trade and Free agent signing. He must rant and rave about it - to his family or his God. About how life is so unfair; about how he did all the right things - hard work, perseverance, being an upstanding NBA citizen. Only to have it blow up in his face.
Sitting at the end of a bench, wearing Lakers colors, he still dreams of something that will validate a long and respectable career. But he knows the Sacramento Kings- the fans, the organization, even the arena itself - are in his way. In December, I watched him closely, while the ARCO crowd was in a frenzy, and the Kings were on their way to beating the Lakers. He had a dismal performance that night; shockingly sub-par. He seemed confused, drained of strength, and perhaps even unwilling to try very hard.

As the crowd was on it's feet in the fourth, chanting "Beat L.A.", as Shaq bricked free throw after free throw, I saw him wipe his face with a towel, bite his lip, and gaze up at the Arco Faithful. And maybe, just for a second, I saw him smile.
Ironically, his fate is in the Kings hands once again.
Waiting for a reprieve that will never come, he'll sit on the visitor's bench in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, listening to the ARCO thunder all around him. And he'll remember...and regret.

Hey, Mitch... On Sunday, why don't you lean over and whisper in Phil's ear to plan that Montana fishing vacation for May.

Sioux32

Sounds like Denver is trying to win the ping pong ball race.

Interesting reading about the Kings "reading the D" and getting a feel for a team in the 1st quarter. Players thinking for themselves, etc.

Sounds exactly like PJ talking about the Bulls. That's how they play the tri. It's a players' offense and that's why it takes some players so long to learn it....they have to think for themselves.

Funny thing, this year I've quite often thought that the Kings look like the Bulls in the way a game unfolds. Just keeping it close in the first half---cruising and not really playing much D....and then, in the second half, jacking up the intensity.

They don't have the killer D that the Bulls used to lock down in the 3rd quarter to break open a game, but often enough, they have tightened it up in the 4th to take control.

I've been happy with that. No reason to wear themselves out playing tough D for the entire game. I think it's a sign of maturity.

Different story for the good teams, however. they have to play for the entire game.

No doubt the lakers will be on a mission on Sunday. Will be interesting to see if the refs allow thuggary. For sure they will try to beat the Kings up. Even their announcers are saying things like "that's what you have to do" when Fox is mugging someone.

Funny the way they showed shaq stepping on TD's foot last night. He did the same thing to Kandy in a Clips game (the one they got in a fight and he went to the lockerroom after the game.....and then waited for Kandy in the parking lot)---too wierd.

that stepping on foot thing must be one of his tricks. We'll have to watch to see if he does it to the Kings.