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blow
the Jazz out both in Sactown, and here in
Salt Lake.
But
even though I don't see Utah winning the series,
I think you Kings fans are getting a head
of yourself. Now, this is not a bash on the
Kings, because they're a great team. But I
don't see them killing Utah with a sweep.
The
Jazz have only been swept once in the first
round, by Golden State in 1988. I don't see
them getting swept this year too. I think
they'll lose game two, but will win game three
here in Salt Lake, and maybe game four.
The
Jazz may be old, they may not be the best
in the league. But they won't roll over like
dogs. And if the Kings players believe the
way you believe, they're going to be in for
a shock.
Heres
to hopes for a FIVE game series!
Bonnie49erKings
Eyewitness
account.
The
Kings were forced into Jazz tempo with extremely
physical play (tackle basketball), half-court
defense and offense.
And
STILL the Kings won.
No
worries.
And
with two hands tied behind their back. Webber
played 80% of the game left-handed. Almost
all of his rebounds were grabbed left handed.
Bobby Jackson just wasn't himself either.
Webber said after the game he expects the
hand will be better by Tuesday.
The
officiating was some of the worst I've seen
all year. Largely because they all fell for
every Stockton and Malone dirty trick in the
book. Nothing new. Watch the replay of that
Stockton attempt at the 3 near the end where
he's runing back in transition and pulls up
in front of Peja. Fortunately he misses. But
look at the shot Karl gives Peja in the back.
Peja goes to jump to contest the shot and
I wondered why it looked like Peja let up.
Well, he let up because Malone gave him a
strong elbow from behind. There's why I hate
Karl Malone.
The
refs never called a single moving screen all
day and the Jazz were pulling them all over,
tackling people with them.
But,
the best part was, despite the HORRIBLE officiating,
the Kings seriously maintained control. They
looked at the refs after a missed call but
only Vlade lost his cool. One time the crowd
was screaming at the refs, the place was LOUD
booing them, and Webber just pushes his hands
down like "don't worry, it's cool"
to the crowd. On TV, you don't see any of
that. Vlade near the end almost lost his cool
again, and walked over to Peja. But what you
don't see on TV is that it was Webber who
came over and grabbed Vlade and held him away
from the officials and talked him down.
Webber
still shot just under 50%, made 8 of 10 free
throws, and those attempts were the most except
for Malone who took 11. Webber almost had
a triple double. He took the ball inside most
of the night, getting triple teamed, hacked,
tackled, with a lot of it going uncalled.
I'd
say Webber came up BIG when it counted.
It
wasn't a normal game. Someone said if we'd
been playing the Sonics we'd have gotten blown
out. But that game wouldn't happen against
the Sonics. It's Jazz basketball. Heavy, pushing,
shoving, tackling, half-court boring Jazz
basketball. I can't wait until these guys
retire and maybe Sloan will retire as well.
This game was awful to watch.
The
Jazz set their game plan, played their A game,
got the Kings stuck in the mud, and still
lost.
Sioux32
I
see it like this with the Kings. More than
any team in the league, they are a rhythm
team---and the rhythm is Jazz.
Cwebb
and Vlade are the percussion. They maintain
the beat of the team. They hold the band together.
Other
members of the band can stand up and solo,
but unless it's within the confines of the
beat, it isn't cohesive music.....the other
members can't play off each other without
the percussion.
Within
the beat they can stand up and solo....or
improvise, but without it, it's not a band.
You
really can't look at an individual soloist
and say they did a great job unless it's something
that enhances the entire score of music....and
if a soloist plays too long the rest of the
band stops to listen.
I
dont' know if you remember an NBC(?) game
when Peja was out. Adelman had told Doug to
take it easy. Instead he came out like a whirling
dervish....and I think Bibby did too. First
the announcers (Snapper & Walton?) were
whining about Webber not being in the post.....then
one of them said Webber was a non-factor...finally
Snapper said Webber had to demand the ball.
He wasn't getting his touches from the perimeter
players because they were so intent on stepping
up to contribute.
There
were comments on the board about how well
Doug had played that night. I didn't think
so---I thought he was WAY outside his role
and it disrupted the rhythm. It was an ugly
game.
It
was my feeling that Bibby's early play----turning
himself into a shooting guard--- did the same
thing.
That
said, I don't think he'll keep doing it....it's
not his natural instinct which is the PG mentality.
BTW,
PJ describes the tri as "classical music".
TheBigO
Obviously
I thought Bibby played a pretty good game.
His early turnovers were probably from jitters
more than anything but the Kings needed the
scoring he provided.
I
was disgusted by Vlade's "effort"
and the less said about him today the better.
Hido,
Chris and Peja played decently, but didn't
show playoff intensity.
Doug
did what Doug does. Lots of good hustle plays
at times, and some stupid plays at times (challenging
Stock before halfcourt trying to get a steal
instead of getting back allowing Stockton
to find Lewis for an open three)
Maybe
its just me, but I could do without seeing
Christie raising his hand after every play,
meaningful or not. Much better just to sprint
back and pick up your man.
All
in all a VERY frustrating game, salvaged only
by the fact that its a win. The worst case
scenario is that the critics who said this
team isn't built for the postseason are right.
Best
case scenario - this game forces the Kings
to focus and they come out playing at a higher
level from here on out.
We'll
see in game 2.
Bawsor
Just
some observations:
(1)
The Kings had a four-point lead and possession
with about a minute to go. Christie was dribbling
and was met by Stockton at about halfcourt
line. For some inexplicable reason, Christie
decided to force the issue and dribbled around
Stockton instead of passing the ball. In the
process, there was a collission and Doug was
called for an offensive foul, giving the possession
given back to Utah.
Question:
Why did Christie not just pass the ball instead
of forcing his way, giving the referee a reason
to call the foul?
(2)
With the four-point lead, Vlade got tangled
up with Malone. In his usual histrionic way,
Vlade falls to the ground grabbing Malone
along with him. In the process, Vlade was
called for the foul giving Malone two cheap
free throws.
Question:
Why does Vlade not play straight up defense
instead of grabbing and pulling the opposing
player? Is it not obvious that in a collision
between Vlade and Malone, the foul is on Vlade?
(3)
Webber and Vlade complained on every offensive
noncall. Instead of running back on defense,
they lingered back court, with potential disastrous
result in a close game.
(4)
What was Webber thinking when he got all tangled
up with the rookie Collins? The double foul
obviously hurt the Kings more than the Jazz.
Just
some observations. :)
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