VLADE HAS CARRIED US SO FAR

el donut

Is it possible that getting to this point Vlade has played himself out—that he’s just pushed harder than his older body/mind will allow him to go? During many of the wins to date, Vlade stepped it up a couple of levels but the question remains, can he keep it up. Continuing poor free throws can be an indication of exhaustion, among other things. Over the years, I have noticed that many times Vlade will only make one of two FTs. Usually he will miss the first one and then make the second one. He just steps to the line and casually flips the ball up toward the basket, usually bouncing it off of the front of the rim. Then on the second shot he will focus just a bit more and make it. Maybe we are just asking too much out of him?

And when Webber returns we know Vlade has a tendency to slack off. I submit that this happens because Vlade just can’t sustain play at the higher, albeit temporary, level over the course of the season, which makes him greatly relieved when Webber gets back, easing his role.

The Kings must develop the ability to play for 48 minutes, not just 12, 24, or 36. It seems as if they play the 1st half, many times very good, then go to the locker room at half time, drink down some lead-laced Gatorade, come back out and have a dismal 3rd quarter, spending much of the 4th trying to get back into the game. On other occasions they will lead all the way and give it up in the last two minutes, or 30 seconds, or 7 seconds, or 2 seconds. They just lack the killer instinct to put games away, hence their well-earned moniker “the heart attack Kings.” Now, this may not be the fact, but it sure is the perception at times.

I rate Vlade highly, I just wonder if he has that much oomph left in him?

Jeff

Vlade has changed his stripes dramatically this season. He worked out harder than he has in any off season as a King. He is amazingly active on both ends of the court.

From someone that has so dramatically changed his attitude to the game and his preparation for it, why would you expect once Webber comes back it will be same old same old?

Don't you think Vlade's attitude this offseason and so far this season might be related to his basketball clock starting to tick louder? His seasons remaining are getting less and less and he still doesn't have any hardware. My expectation of Vlade is actually the opposite of many here.

HOUSTON GAME NOTES

SactoGreg

This team is driving me crazy! Wait... now I sound like Reno Lady! No, they really got my heart rate up this evening.

Moochie Norris had a great game, but I really like Kenny Thomas' better. Norris really looks out of control at times, and made a lot of shots that I thought were

somewhat lucky. Thomas was all over the court, and killed us on the boards.

Vlade's free throws are still awful, and the defensive breakdown in the 3rd, where they let Moochie do what he wanted, almost cost the Kings another. Also, the Kings shot selection was ill-advised at times. They really looked tired in the second half.

Well, a win is a win as they say.

SandB Bill

I don't think we hit a "mini-wall", I think this team just has a very bad habbit of playing down to teams that they should be smoking. I would expect the next two games to be well played games.. I really think if Houston would of had a full roster, we would of seen a different Kings team tonight.

Until we get that killer attitude.. we will always have problems. We are very talented, we just need the killer instinct.

JRedd

I know "a win is a win" but that was an embarrassing win. We didn't deserve to win that game. I do not like the way this team is playing. Too many long range jumpers, no "D", i don't care for Adleman's rotation either. When will this team wake up?!?! I'm sorry, i am just frustrated at the way this team is playing! (And that is after a win)

JB

Always be wary of teams that "should" lose. They tend to play loose like they have no pressure on them - they are supposed to lose. The favored team will either be too tight or overconfident. They key is to get them down early and keep them there. Well, the Kings have a little learning to do in that area.

Reno Lady

And just what is wrong with sounding like Reno Lady hmmm?

It does kind of make you nuts though doesn't it. I swear they had 4 TOs in the space of 2 minutes in the 2nd quarter; it made me want to throw something but the only thing I had were platelet donor sheets and they would have been a mess to rearrange so I didn't do it.....but I wanted to! What is wrong with these guys anyway? They get a good lead and then they take a nap and let the other team back in the ballgame!

Well, at least we won. But I give the Rockets a lot of credit tonight; they played a pretty good game considering their two leading scorers were out. Moochie needs a new 'do, but his game is still pretty darn good, and Kenny Thomas really stepped up tonight. You have to respect a team that plays with as much heart as the Rockets did tonight.

You could see that Adelman was getting pretty perturbed with our guys because of their poor execution. I hope they take time tomorrow to regain their focus because if they play Dallas they way they played Houston tonight, they're going to lose.

SWEEtness

For some reason I don't FEEL like we just won a game. One positive...it was better that yesterday's game. A win is always better than a loss.

There were no chants for "Vlade, Vlade, Vlade" tonight. (There wasn't ANY chanting in the Compaq Center...did you see how empty it was in there??) He's not the same as he has been for the team up until this point this season. I hope it is only a temporary thing, but to be honest, I am surprised it lasted this long in the beginning of the season. You expect him to have some big games near the end of the season, but this year has been different. This year has been good for him so far. He wasn't into this game. He was focused too much on calls and not focused on the game. He was the only one completely missing FTs out there. Like people have said, that is a mental thing.

Peja had a decent night. I wish they would have gone to him more, but it's not like he was shooting the lights out. He needs to work on his passing. 4 TOs is not good. Even HE was getting a little lazy out there.

Pollard helped defensively. He got a couple of tough rebounds. He needs to make those easy shots, though (should be easy for him...not for me ).

I'll stop there....have some guests just come over.
I guess we should be celebrating...just don't feel in the spirit. Maybe if we over take the Mavs and the Spurs, I'll feel better.

GO KINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!