|
they
miss that many two games in a row. Notice last night
that when they passed the ball quickly in that one
and only sequence, Peja was wide open and nailed the
three & his defender got there way too late.
Anyone
who counts the Kings out just yet are fooling themselves.
This team is much tougher and bounces back faster
and stronger than any team in the West. Conf. They
learn faster too. Whether they can learn fast enough
and whether or not they decide to play the rest of
the series fast and loose while staying tough on defense,is
up to them - but if they make that choice then they
still have a very good chance to win this series.
I
still have a good "feeling" about the Kings
in this series even though they're down 2 - they've
been resilient all season, tough, full of determination
& heart & I don't think the Lakers are good
enough to conquer all that. I think they're trying;
they're trying to demoralize the Kings by using Shaq's
size as a battering ram, hoping to force the doors
open so all the lesser people can rush in and take
over - I don't think it's going to happen that way.
I think the Kings will not go "quietly into that
gentle night" but will choose to wage war against
the Lakers.
The
Lakers hold serve.....
Fielding
Mellish
In
theory a seven games series goes to the seventh game
and the team with home court has the advantage. So
nothing has changed yet. The Kings at home are more
dominate than the Lakers at home. Mainly due to the
rabid fans at Arco. Until a team wins on the others
court all is going as planned. If the Kings win two
at home the pressure will be back on the Lakers to
win at Staples. Comparing the crowds at the two buildings
you can see the Kings still have two shots to win
in LA. All it takes is to win at home and steal just
one game on the others court. The team that does that
wins this series....Unless of course that neither
team wins on the others court, but it's my theory
and I'm not including that...
This
team played quite a few games this season when they
showed no passion and it to went in cycles. Then they
would light it up for 3 or 4 games. If you factor
in the Phoenix series it's at about 6 games now, which
seems to me to be the longest cycle of the year. No
more of these type games can be seen or it's time
to tee it up.....
The
preseason picks by some gave the Kings no chance at
all. They weren't paying attention in class. My bad
choices were of course the Blazers and the Suns. I
did have Dallas at about the 6th spot..
Contenders
or Pretenders?
Josef
De Jesus
Are
my favorite Kings contenders or simply the Great Pretenders
against the
Super
Lakers?
Do
we really have a chance to win this series? Do we
have the right
attitude
and intensity to overcome the Lakers' edge? Could
we call this a match or a mismatch? Are we just the
small brothers of our Big Californian brothers? Kings
as queens, as rolling blackouts, as a lost command,
as goofy. Stop. Can't take it anymore.
Back
to the ballgame if we still have one. What happened
last night, the night where we supposed to steal a
game at Staple Center? Remember? We need to win at
least one at their home court and protect our own
lively and raucous court to go to the next round.
Down
now by 2 games, the series has 5 more games left and
the Kings need to win 4 out of that 5 remaining games.
And it's a herculean task for the Kings for they have
to do it against the defending and very strong Lakers,
our Big & Mighty Brothers.
What
really happened last night? I'll probably answer my
own question with so many questions.
·
Why did Adelman allow Chris Webber to
fire those misguided missiles, oh I mean shots, and
never even discussed this with C-Webb by sitting him
on the bench. The guy just worked for 48 minutes,
no rest (except during the half time break) and no
chance to correct his mistakes. Yes, mistakes, for
they were so many. Just take a look at how well or
how poor C-Webb in his shooting last night. He only
made 9 out of 26 shots (34.6%). And the biggest problem
with this poor shooting is the absence of second chance
points.
Time and time again, after C-Webb's misses, the Lakers
got the rebounds and they usually made the transition
points. Not only C-Webb committed this blunder. Peja,
Jason and Doug shot with no black uniform under our
basket. Big mistake especially against the Lakers.
·
Why did Adelman use C-Webb to guard the
huge Shaq? And if it was experimental, why did the
game end with that wrong strategy? Coach Adelman,
whatever fouls of Vlade & Pollard you saved from
last night will not be carried over to the next game.
·
In the dying seconds, why did the Kings
did not foul the Lakers to
stop
the game and hope for Lakers misses in foul throws
and 3-pt shots for the Kings.
·
Why was Hedo Torkuglu benched when the
game was ending? He made critical shots and very effective
in rebounds in the earlier part of the game.
Are
these signs that Adelman waved the white flag last
night and expected a turn-of-event when they go back
to their home sweet home, the Arco Arena, for game
3 & 4? I don't foresee a different outcome if
the Kings will treat the Lakers like the Suns they
met in the first round.
They
were down by 10 (15-25) after the first quarter but
were able to catch the Lakers with a blistering 13-0
run to start the second quarter. The first half ended
at 43 all and I am satisfied.
What
happened in that Kings dugout during the break? Did
they celebrate after equalizing the score? Anyway,
to make the sad story short, the Kings made 13 points
and the Lakers just turned the game around as well
as our score. They made 31 points. An 18-point advantage
after the third quarter (Lakers 74 - Kings 56).
Whatever
happened in the fourth quarter was not so relevant
except we did have a slight chance to win this game
if our team was just coached well. I said it earlier.
One
area where we excel. Our bench smothered their bench,
32-1. But we were killed by 43 points of Shaq and
27 of Kobe. That's 70 points between the two.
Before
I end this, I want to ask these questions. Did Webber
lost his
desire
to win? Where is his intensity & leadership?
Is he on his way out? Is a new contract waiting for
him somewhere else?
Well,
I still hope we can win the next two games at Arco.
That's our turf and it's about time that the Kings
show to their fans that they are really worth to be
contenders and not pretenders.
It's
almost time to say goodbye. Not for the Kings I hope.
As the Weakest Link hostess said, "Goodbye"
for now.
Random
thoughts Game 2
Bo
Kimble
The
wanted poster that Plug put up yesterday, pretty much
sums up my first point.
Someone
please alert Jason Williams and Vlade Divac that there
is a playoff series going on against the World Champs.
Second,
you can't lay an egg for ONE quarter let alone TWO
quarters against the Lakers and expect to win. These
aren't the Phoenix Suns.
Third.
A rebound, please anyone, a rebound.
Fourth.
No blaming the refs on this one. A good clean game
all the way. Well officiated. The Kings just got run
in the 3rd and didn't really have a answer.
You
can't fall behind by 18 and expect to win at Staples.
On
the plus side . . . the Kings are better than last
year. You can bring guys like Bobby Jackson, Hedo,
Barry and Pollard and they will bring it when the
starters are not.
A
tough position now . . . the Lakers did what they
had to, now the Kings gotta get these two at Arco.
Oh,
yeah, the Beast . . . you won't stop him, double,
triple team, whatever . . . but REBOUND and keep him
off the offensive glass.
That's
all we ask.
Go
Kings!!!
Kings
in 6. (amended prediction)
Vlade/Webber
Con and Pro
Bill
Vlade
was embarrassing. As a man, he should be ashamed.
And right now, I'd have no problem seeing Webber leave
in the off season. I'd rather have Antonio Davis and
another player for what he costs. When your star doesn't
step up, it makes it twice as hard for the other guys
to. How would Pippen have done if Jordan shot and
played soft, stupid defense like Webber does. If he
slaps Horace Grant's hand 20 feet away from the basket
for another foul, I'm going to throw something through
my TV. Let's just wait until he bolts to New York
and they suck. The guy is a proven loser everywhere
he's been. This isn't sour grapes, as I've never liked
Webber since he was at Michigan. If he re-signs with
us, fine, but there are plenty of other guys we could
pick up who could get this team to the second round.
Oh,
and Shaq is the most dominant player in the NBA, and
it's almost not fair. As for Kobe, I think McGrady
is easily better. Carter might be better, also. He
just doesn't impress me very much, especially the
way he charges the basket and hurls himself into guys
and expects a foul call. The refs just look at him
like he's nuts.
I
really hope we can take 2 at home. If that happens,
we might see something special. If not, at least the
Fakers aren't the Blazers. I'd rather see a team that
deserves it win.
Which
reminds me, that Whitsitt guy has some balls firing
Dunleavy. It's not that Dunleavy did a great job,
but all of those personnel decisions were Whitsitt's
fault!! What the hell is Dunleavy supposed to do when
his GM is picking up Rod Strickland and Detlev Schremph
(damn commies ). He's not the one that threw
a bunch of overpaid guys with no proven leader into
the mix. And Rasheed, that guy is retarded. Whitsitt
should have fired himself.
Cat
Man
Two
years ago, Vlade Divac put this entire team (not to
mention the Balkan states) on his back and carried
them for five games against Utah. So, no questions
please about his heart, please. No one is this league
has earned more respect than Vlade Divac. He's a warrior.
Maybe
he needs to take up smoking and not sleeping nights
again.
Now
Rick Fox, someone explain that. Personal hygiene aside,
Fox flat took Peja Stojakovic out of the first two
games. But, c'mon, it's national television; a shave
and a shower, please....
jsotelo
Webber
is irreplaceable. People who say they won't miss him
when he leaves do not understand the depth, leadership,
passion and game he brings. He just seems to have
a problem with big games right now.
"And
yes, I am from New York and I can assure you the Knicks
fans here will treat Webb better than you have."
I'm
sorry but IMHO you have no idea. Webber gets so much
love here in Sacramento as do all of the Kings. If
you mean "you" as in that one fan I still
don't believe you. I have seen NYC fans turn on their
teams and players for a single bad game.
I
hope that Webber stays and I hope we are able to re-sign
Christie. I have heard that Christie's wife LOVES
Sactown and I KNOW Christie loves the fans here :-)
This
is the first year that BJ, Christie and Hedo have
been on the team and I hope we get another year together
with C-Webb.
View
from the other Side
Lakers
in 2001
I
watched the Kings play maybe 15 times this season
(only the 2 in LA against the Lakers). I did see them
in person here in Milwaukee in January or February
(all the friggin cold months are the same). I guess
I didn't notice Vlade's absence in any of the games
like I did last night. He is not a big player on a
good night but he seemed to at least show an occasion
hint of heart. Last night he looked done in the 1st.
It
seemed to me like Adelman thought maybe by playing
Webber at center he might get Phil to counter by taking
out Shaq (otherwise I don't know what the hell he
was thinking). And now I can't talk smack about Rick
since his mom was my 5th grade teacher.
I
think the Kings will not go "quietly into that
gentle night" but will choose to wage war against
the Lakers.
The
Lakers were victims of their own "overconfidence"
last season and will admit it to a man. Had they gone
thru the playoffs like they did the regular season
last year I would be afraid of complacency. But staring
at a 15 point Portland lead in game 7 and seeing their
season with a hand on the lever, they allowed Portland
to perform the worst collapse in recent memory. I
don't think they will let a series slip this year.
4
out of 5 is a monumental task against any team. From
a slightly, only slightly, biased view I will say
that it won't happen here. I know that my personal
unhumble blatantly biased view is going to make all
of you not watch the game Friday It will probably
keep the crowd at ARCO down to about 6 or 7 thousand.
The
crowd at Staples last night was about equal to 3 or
4 sections at ARCO. But I did like the Standing O
for Harp.
Keep
the faith. Be loud. Bring it on.
Thoughts...
Hallama
So,
this is what home court advantage is all about.
Like
many have said, the Lakers are playing like Champs
and the Kings like Chimps.
What
is up with LA's D? They were everywhere last night,
especially in the 3rd quarter. They were like a swarm
of killer bee's! Fox's D on Peja has been huge.
No
ref probs that I could see, just utter domination
by a very large, cat quick center.
Webber:
it sickened me to see him question some of the Kings
players hearts. I mean he was humiliated by Shaq and
then thought he could just shoot jumpers all night
long. Was his wrist hurt? If yes, THEN WHY SHOOT 20
FOOT J'S?
Still,
all the Lakers did was hold serve at home. Can the
Kings do the same? The Lakers will go for the kill
Friday to go up 3-0.
sbelmont
Don't
get me wrong, Shaq has been absolutely dominant but
the team would have been in the game last night if
other players besides Jackson, Barry, and Turkoglu
would have played with heart and put the ball in the
bucket with any sort of regularity. Maybe the team
can't stop or even slow down Shaq but they can still
scrap for loose balls and hit better than 36% of their
shots.
Williams
- did nothing, pretty much shows up 1 in 4 games
Christie
- 3 for 13 blowing many layups
Stojakovic
- wake up! Fox is solid defender but you're making
him look like 1st team all-defense
Webber
- live and DIE by the jumpshot
Divac
- can you atleast try to act like you're not scared
of Shaq?
Official
Kings Stuff
Wyo
Official
Kings Play-off Strategy -- TBD
Official
Kings Sound -- KLANG!
Official
Kings Shot -- 20-Foot Jumper
Official
Kings Policy re Official Kings Shot -- Green Light
anytime no other Kings are closer to the hoop than
the shooter
Offical
Kings Movie -- Sayonara
Official
Kings Song -- It Was a Very Good Year
Official
Kings New Uniform Color -- Pink (Bench Mob may continue
to wear Purple and Black)
Official
Kings Stuff subject to revision pending outcome of
future games.
Thanks
for what you gave, Kings.
el
donut
Reflecting
on these two games lost to the Lakers, a couple of
things were noticeable. Shag and Kobe just kept on
trucking, whilst Webber and Peja were play-off duds.
In an earlier post Jeremydb26 referred to the top
two scoring duos in the NBA, Shaq and Kobe and CWebb
and Peja. What you saw Tuesday is what happens when
only one half of the duos shows up. When our center
is relegated to insignificant, for whatever reason,
and our duo is a no-show, it would have been a miscarriage
of justice for the Lakers not to win. Come on Kings
is this all you have got? And Webber! Webber, our
go to guy who doesn't know how to crunch. He talks
a good game, at times, plays a good game, and other
times just stinks it up with hyper-shooting, poor
decisions (bad fouls, errant passes, excessive turn-overs
and fog-outs) and, when the game is on the line at
crunch time, poor Webber sometimes looks like a deer
caught in the headlightswho, me?
Kobe
is renown for his crunch time baskets; Webber is not.
Shaq is renown for his big-man athleticism Vlade is
not. And, yes, the LA defense was fierce and it was
noticeably all over the court, knocking the Kings
completely out of their game and, if their play doesn't
improve drastically, out of the finals, maybe, God
forbid, in four straight. But, then, again, It ain't
over 'till it's over. Shock us, surprise us, and mesmerize
us you worthy Kings. Pull your tail out from between
you legs, hold your heads up high and go out and redeem
yourselves, if you canbut, in truth, maybe that's
too tall of an ordermaybe you just can't. If so, thanks
for what you gave all year long and there is always
next season.
|
