April 8, 2001
						Jazz and Blazer Thoughts kingme4 I didn't see the Jazz game, but I'm glad -very glad- to hear that CWebb looked happier/more relaxed. It seems that the team really needed this blow-out win to regain their full confidence.As a team,they were starting to look very tense indeed. And just a funny observation about the other night's game. When the Jazz had fallen behind double-digits to the Kings, I could sense they began to panic(very un-Jazz-like!) I got my proof when after a Kings missed basket, Stockton grabbed the rebound and ran down court, stopped at the top of the key beyond the arc, and
		Photo by JoetheCrow
		took a wild 3-pointer with no Jazz players in position for the rebound. I thought to myself,you know the Jazz are in big trouble when John Stockton starts doing his best Jason Williams impersonation!! The Blazers are a potent team. I,personally,like Stoudamire, whom I think catches a lot of undeserved flack. And I like Scottie Pippen. Scottie is one of those players that you either love...or hate. I like his game,his no-nonsense approach, and yes, his "attitude" , which,I know, bugs a lot of people. But you didn't mention the X factor for the Blazers - Rasheed Wallace. He's a walking,jump-shooting time bomb and the Blazers and everyone else in the NBA knows it.He can single-handedly bring down that team. Or least stop them from going far in the playoffs.That said, i hope he blows his cool tommorrow - after the kings already have the win in the bag, that is!
		Another look at Portland Fireplug I am with those who think Portland might be MORE formidable with less players. Portland's problems haven't stemmed from a lack of talent but a lack of patience by players not used to sitting and watching others play. Now that injuries and mental illness have weeded the crop a bit, I think those who will get their time will prosper. The way the refs call the game could have a big effect on the outcome. If they call it tight on both teams, we will be better off because Smith AND Pippen wont be able to impede their players with their hands all the time. If the refs let things go, we are in big trouble because then Pippen will be able too hamper Peja too easily. By the time you read this the game might already be done.  But if not, take some time during the game and watch how Smith plays defense.  In my opinion he gets away with holding and grabbing his man as much as any player in the league.  His reputation as a former All Star influences the refs to let him grab people to guard them.  And it is a good thing for him, too, because his knees are shot and he could never keep up with his man otherwise.  Anyways, check him out and see if I am right.  I bet I am...
		I'm not worried about the Lakers... cQ What kind of annoys me a bit is that everyone seems to be looking backward at the Lakers and how many games the Kings need to merely win the Division, instead of looking forward and what it will take to overtake the Spurs and rule the West. As it is, the Kings have an unbelievable schedule to finish the season: Sun 8         Portland                 NBC                 3:00 PM         Tue 10        LA Clippers            FOX BAY         10:30 PM         Thu 12        at San Antonio       KMAX 31           8:30 PM         Fri 13          at Dallas                                        8:30 PM         Sun 15        at Phoe                NBC                  4:00 PM         Mon 16       Vancouver             KMAX 31          10:30 PM         Wed 18       at Denver              KMAX 31           9:00 PM Of those seven games, 3 are at home, 4 are on the road, and 4 of them are back-to-back games! David Stern was not kind to the Kings this season. Even so, the Kings are in the thick of it, and still have a shot at the title. The next 7 games will determine many things... If the Kings go 7-0 (finishing with a 9-0 run - which is NOT impossible - but the Sacramento Kings have never gone 9-0), then the Spurs only need to go 4-2 (with one of the wins over the Kings) to end up with a tie record with the Kings but win the West; but if the Spurs lose to the Kings and go 4-2 (I'm not sure but I think the Kings would have a shot at the West)...I have a hard time seeing the Spurs going 3-3 the rest of the way; but, as unlikely as it seems, it is possible. So, if the Kings lose even 1 game out of 7, I think they are pretty much screwed; and will have to settle for the Pacific and a 5-game series against, the Suns or Timberwolves (or maybe the Trailblazers or Jazz - though unlikely at best). If the Kings lose 2 and one of those is to the Spurs, the Spurs will probably end up winning the West and play either the 76ers or Bucks for the title. I suspect, regardless of any other considerations, the Kings are going to activate Nick for the playoffs (to allow him one last shot at a title ring); but, I truly hope Hedo is all healed up by then and catches fire on both ends of the court throughout the playoffs. I personally think the Kings are going to need Hedo to have a legitimate shot at winning it all. In the meantime, the Kings have to beat the Trailblazers next, or the entire discussion of catching the Spurs becomes close to moot; and I won't get my 9-game win streak wish fulfilled. So, I hope the Kings get healthy and play great, increasingly, from here on out...  P. S. = If the Kings had not blown those two home games against the Mavericks and Bucks, they would be in a TIE with the Spurs for first place in the West.