3 years ago...so sue me..it seems like forever ago. Now, can anyone really claim this team has not grown this year? 59 RS wins with so many injuries and losing CWebb in the 2nd round? Yes, true, we don't really prove anything too much, unless we now win on Saturday, but I feelreally good about our chances...and the "Laker shoe is now on the other foot". Overall, who would have expected 4 Kings players with 20 or more points (and JJ almost joined that group with 16)? Our depth made a difference tonight. An oh my freakin' Gawd, 31 of 32 from the line? Was this really our Kings? Yes, we stepped it up across the board with our backs up against the wall. How about Doug Christie playing superb offense for the 3rd playoff game in a row (20 - 9 - 6)? Who'd a thunk he'd snap out of his O-Funk in the middle of the playoffs? Doug has been the catalyst and my choice for the biggest difference maker for us with Chris on the sidelines. If he continues this run for one more game, Mavs will have their hands full...they were not counting on this...most definitely. BoJax was nails tonight with 21 points...making mostly good decisions on O and doing a good job on a boiling-over NVE on the other end. He was the energy that stoked the flames of a fine team performance when it counted. JJ had a breakout game and did the tough, dirty work on the defensive end. His 12 boards were invaluable and crucial. 7 of them on the offensive glass...wow! That's the JJ we expected to see, and hopefully we'll see a lot more of this persona/delivery in Game 7. Vlade was also superb, if for no other reason, he stayed on the floor, scored 21 points, and affected the game on both ends tonight. That, my board friends, will be the single most important key to a Game 7 victory...Vlade's gotta give us a lot of minutes and productive minutes. Vlade only had 3 boards which was a disappointment, but Peja's 10 and Jimmy's yeoman work in that department with 12 compensated. Peja was steady at 24 - 10...disappearing for portions of the game...but being there when we needed him to make some crucial shots or haul down some critical caroms. He has to continue his steady play for us to get over the Game 7 hump. Hedo and Keon played OK, but not nearly close to their potentials. Hedo sacked up to Dirk and did a nice job on him most of the way, with only a few lapses that cost us. Overall, I thought he did fine, just not great. Keon gives us a real liability when in, since we cannot effectively run our offense through him, although he will gobble up his share of boards in a short period of time. He's destined for limited minutes in Game 7, if Vlade can stay on the hardwood. Mike was a true disappointment tonight, and looked like he didn't belong out there. Oft times when he doesn't score, he makes up for it with increased dimes...tonight he only tallied 4 and dished off 3 assists in reduced (earned) minutes. He's due to break out of this negative zone, let's hope it happens quickly to help us advance to the WCF. All in all, this was a team performance where numerous players stepped up, sacked up, and delivered when the chips were down. I'm proud of our performance, and it will take a similar across-the-board superb effort to win the series on Saturday.