April 11, 2001

Our Sacramento Kings SandB Bill Well Kings fans.. Here we are. Five games from taking the Pacific Division Title, Two games behind San Antonio for the best record in the west. A 52-24 season as of right now. You would think everyone would be elated at what the Kings have done this year. It is really sad that I read more about what Webber is going to do rather than what the Kings have accomplished this season. I was looking at some old articles from the start of the season and most all sports writers never gave Sacramento a chance to even be in the playoffs. look at us now. My Take on Webber. I don't care.. Now that may sound harsh, but I am at the conclusion now that if Chris is a man of his word saying that he wants to

Why B-Ball players are glad you only use your hands to play hoops! (Part 1)

be where he has a chance at a title, he will stay. It really is as simple as that. The odds are, Webber will stay in Sacramento, he knows what he has here. If something happens that Sacramento gets knocked out of the first round and he bails.. so be it.. That would just mean that we were not able to get over that hump with him leading this team and maybe it would be time to look at someone else. I for one want to say something now.. I am very proud of the way this team has performed this year. It has been a record breaking run. If we were to lose every game from here on out, I would be disappointed, But I would still be very proud of this years team. The only team in the near future that will accomplish what this team has done is if we keep the same team and they come out determined to break more records next year.. After watching these guys in two pre-season games, I predicted an unrealistic (at the time) record of 57-25.. I will take 52-30.. But I really believe that if these guys play to their ability, I will have a 58-24 season.. Go Kings!

Come See MJ! (We take VISA, Am Ex & checks) Critic Okay, here's the perspective of several of us here in D.C. about the return of MJ. EVERYONE I asked this morning said the same thing -- it's 100% a ploy to sell more tickets. Abe Pollin said he "has a gut feel that MJ will play next year." MJ keeps denying it but never says never (and he IS working out w the Zards). What do these two have in common?

Why B-Ball players are glad you only use your hands to play hoops! (Part 2)

They benefit financially from every Rube who buys tickets in hope that MJ will return from the dead and every advertiser who buys time on next year's broadcasts. I'd say it's about 98% that he won't play next year. The 2%? How can I say it's 100% if HE won't say that? I'd be happy if he just keeps working out with them -- which HAS to help Alexander Hamilton improve. That said, if MJ did play next year, he'd surely play PG. He couldplay PG at an all-star level. It might intrigue him to reincarnate at a new position so that it would be harder to compare his present to his past. He is the guy who tried minor league baseball. If he didn't play PG, it would be Knicks South, where the team's 3 best players all played SG. I'll say this -- Rip Hamilton and Courtney Alexander wouldn't have to worry about double teams with the ball in MJ's hands. Who takes clutch shots? Get serious, it would be MJ one-on-one in a clear-out, whatever his position. As cool as it would be to see MJ as a Zard, part of me hopes he'll keep his image of having gone out on top intact. With MJ and a high pick and developing kids, they COULD make the playoffs, but couldn't win rings. Getting put out in the first or second round of the playoffs isn't what last memories of MJ should be. But . . . (drool).

Jordan Returns Part 2 JB I for one am not tingling with anticipation over a possible Jordon return. The league needs to put the Jordon era to bed - not resurrect it like Captain Kirk for another Star Trek movie. Yes Jordon can still make most young players look foolish with his competitiveness and knowledge of the game, but he won't be the Air Jordon everyone fondly remembers. Yes we can all marvel at the nice post up moves and sharp shooting. And we can all cringe as he gets burned on defense every time down the court. Even in his final years as a Bull, it was Scottie Pippen who was the defensive stopper - not his airness. If you want to see the amazing players, just watch Kobe, Iverson, Carter, Garnett and countless others. Leave MJ where he belongs - a memory. elroy You can imagine what it must feel like to be Jordan. Watching your team lose and saying to yourself: "I would have made that shot." Or thinking to yourself : "These guys are making this harder than it is." He probably can't always understand what it's like not to be the best. And he probably gets frustrated watching the Wizards (no offense Critic) stink it up. He may, at times, think that if you want something done right, do it yourself. Maybe a few passing comments in that vain to the wrong people would give the impression of an intent to return to the game. I don't mean to imply that Jordan didn't have to work hard to be the best. He has an amazing work ethic. But who can deny that he has natural talent like no other? And when you're a natural, the mistakes of others must be very frustrating. And since you can't teach natural skill, MJ may feel compelled to simply do it himself.

Expectations bees It is natural for fans to expect the best, but I don't think a 5-1 record in the remaining games is a realistic expectation. 4-2 or even a 3-3 looks more likely. Oddly, I think today's game is a difficult one. The Clips are 5-5 in their last 10 and a lack of concentration in this game may be disastrous. The spurs game is not that difficult to play because our guys love to play as

Why B-Ball players are glad you only use your hands to play hoops! (Part 3)

underdogs. In addition, they will not be tense at SA because, as far as I could figure out from the fan discussions, not many people are expecting them to win, anyway. Don't underestimate the importance of playing without a lot of tension, especially at this time of the year.

As for the Mavs game, "pride" will be on our side and that game solely depends on how Webb plays. Not hopeless, but very difficult considering it is a back to back. In the next game the suns will have pride on their side, though. It is the last game of the road and Kidd is on the rise, so I am not very optimistic on that one. On the other hand, the suns may surprise LA tonite especially if Kobe returns. IMHO, a 3-3 in the remaining games is average, 4-2 is a success, and anything better is superb. I know that everybody wants the division title but LA looks more likely to get it, unfortunately. The Kings have been fantastic this season and deserve the ovation whether get the title or not.

Thoughts on the Clippers Game tmh Why does Webber get the ball with 5 seconds remaining. It's not like he is a threat from everywhere, including the free throw line. How about Peja, Christie, Hedo...anybody but Webber. Webb makes the stupidist mistakes down the stretch of games. I think he is hardwired that way. Remember the time out? Some guys are go-to guys at the end of games. I don't think he is one of those. He is a regular season, regular game big time player. JB Thankfully that one went in the win column. I would have ripped Webber to shreds. It's one thing to take bad shots, but the turnovers at the end of regulation were inexcusable. I have to say that the Clippers looked pretty sharp tonight. Despite the Clipper stigma, that is a darn good team. The Kings to their credit didn't down much and still had their hands full. The Clips have a lot of scoring weapons and they used them pretty well. McInnis and Magette look better each time I see them. Magette even killed the Kings with his 3 pt shots which surprised me. If that team leans to play better defense and Kandi matures as a player, watch out. Alas, they will never get to the next level because Donald Sterling will screw things up for them. Most teams get under the cap to sign free agents, Sterling does it to balance the budget. They will lose their players one way or another. Reno Lady Ok-is everyone still breathing on their own? Why do they do this to us? Do you think they're just toying with our emotions? My palms were sweaty and nothing could have gotten past the lump in my throat if someone had used a crowbar in there! Once it went into OT though I relaxed because I knew the Kings would win, not sure why, just knew it. I agree about Chris taking that last shot in regulation, Peja was open and he could have either gone for the 3 pointer or driven to the basket. Until Webb gets his legs back under him 100% he shouldn't be taking the ball to the hoop in those circumstances. Once again the Kings prove my statement that they don't defend well against a team that's a lot like themselves & especially one with several good outside shooters (the Pacers are another good example of the kind of team that gives the Kings this kind of problem). If the Clippers can keep these young guys they have, the league is going to have to give them some attention before very long because these kids are good - Miles, Odom, McInnes, Maggette, Dooling - they've all got great futures ahead of them & I really like watching them play - just not against the Kings! Number 53 and counting! Too bad neither the Mavs or the Suns could give us any help tonight. Oh well, on to San Antonio for the showdown with the Spurs. Kings really need to be on their A game Thursday night and I'm sure they will be. Don't forget to send them as much positive energy as you can the next few days, they're going to need it!