Wow, I'm surprised at the polarizing effect of that loss. Where should we stand?
The Kings lost to Miami, the Kings were outplayed by Miami, the Kings gave the win to Miami, the Kings couldn't handle Miami... The Kings remind me of Miami.
What? Yeah, the Kings remind me of a team that drafted a star in 2003, bonded quickly, displayed great chemistry, and pushed into the second round of the playoffs the same year. That was in the East (then known as the Least), so I don't think the Kings will push into the second round out here in the ultra competitive Western Conference, but they may contend for that eighth spot. (I must confess, this viewpoint is not mine originally, I adopted it after I read Spoelstra saying about the same thing somewhere else, maybe the Bee, and I thought: "yeah, that's a good comparison")
First though, they have to address some glaring deficiencies brought to our attention by that game against Miami:
- The Kings must improve their FT shooting. Percentages in the 60's aren't going to cut it in the big leagues.
- They must learn how to effectively play a non-zone defense. I'm not really into schemes, so I don't have a suggestion, but the zone they played against the Heat was an epic fail.
- Hawes and Thompson have to address their mental issues, I can't stand the inconsistency.
- The doctor also prescribes more passing. If you give up the dribble at the top of the key with more than 18 seconds on the clock, I better see at least two more passes. One on one is not an option, not when our star players play the same position as 75% of the league's other stars.
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I was encouraged by the uptick in attendance, too bad we were out executed in front of a decent home crowd almost the entire game. The fans wanted so badly to become involved. I felt like one string of good play in the fourth would have swung the momentum over to us, too bad missed free throws threw ice water on the smoldering crowd eruption every-single-time. Oh, it was painful, I even threw things. I'm sure I threw things. I can't remember because I had my eyes closed, repeating in my head: "Don't miss, don't miss, YOU FREAKING MISSED! Why do you play basketball for a living!? *@*%$%!" Ugh, I don't want to think about it anymore.
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Awards:
TDM: Dorell Wright. 19pts on something like 78% FG shooting from the bench is worth some props.
LW-VC: James Jones. And some people think we we have bad contract situations: 4.3 million to average 5 pts and 2 rbd. 1 rbd and 1 stl in 12 minutes against us.
JHA: I bet you guys think Spencer deserves it huh? No, Thompson deserves it. I could at least get the theory as to why Spencer was in the game so much - he helped space the floor. Thompson was sucking and just kind of took up space.
RA&1: - Chalmers. Only because I expected more. I'm having a hard time giving this one away
Bad sign for our team.
SAR/Methuselah - I'll give this one to Spencer because it seemed as though he could have gotten outplayed by a 42 year old last night.
WTF moment of the game - I said it every time they missed a free throw, so it should follow that 62%FT shooting gets the nod. Better not continue.
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Chris Paul is back. Sucks for us, 16pts, 15ast, 8 stl on a rusty ankle. Yep, that's what we got waiting for us. Okafor has laid out his utensils and is ready to gobble up all the rebounds I'm sure Spencer and Thompson are planning to duck away from. Is it a conspiracy? Are our two talented starting bigs plotting our own collapse? Maybe they want John Wall. Maybe they're trying to prove to us that the Kings still suck and we need to trade for a beast in the middle to help them out. I don't know, and I'm an apologist! I try to find a reason why we're so soft in the middle, but now I'm sick, sick, SICK! (Tell us how you really feel) Okay, I think that as long as they continue to struggle they'll never hear the end. I feel like I finally bought the car I wanted and now it can't stay out of the shop. What a disappointing stretch of play. If neither big shows up tonight we lose by 13. Easy. Paul will find a way to exploit the advantage, and it will only be pretty if you're wearing blue.
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Here's our beacon of hope: If our wingmen show up to play the game should stay close, and we'll have a chance to win in the fourth. I at least have Evans's incredible consistency, Nocioni's intensity, Greene's passion, and Casspi's general awesomeness to look forward to. They will make it a game I'm sure.
New Orleans 99 Kings 95
PTS: Evans 30, West 24
Rbds: Thompson 8, Okafor 14
Ast: Udrih 7, Paul 13
Blocks: Greene 2, Okafor 3
In light of recent events, I am compelled to watch just to guage the teams resolve. I hope they are not disheartened by being outplayed by a team with a superstar, a good young coach, competent veteran roleplayers, and a (maybe) future all-star PF. I also like the way NO and the Kings Match up. If for nothing else, tune in to watch Paul and Evans go at it. I'm happy to say we should probably get ready for another close, competitive game.
GO KINGS!!
The Kings lost to Miami, the Kings were outplayed by Miami, the Kings gave the win to Miami, the Kings couldn't handle Miami... The Kings remind me of Miami.
What? Yeah, the Kings remind me of a team that drafted a star in 2003, bonded quickly, displayed great chemistry, and pushed into the second round of the playoffs the same year. That was in the East (then known as the Least), so I don't think the Kings will push into the second round out here in the ultra competitive Western Conference, but they may contend for that eighth spot. (I must confess, this viewpoint is not mine originally, I adopted it after I read Spoelstra saying about the same thing somewhere else, maybe the Bee, and I thought: "yeah, that's a good comparison")
First though, they have to address some glaring deficiencies brought to our attention by that game against Miami:
- The Kings must improve their FT shooting. Percentages in the 60's aren't going to cut it in the big leagues.
- They must learn how to effectively play a non-zone defense. I'm not really into schemes, so I don't have a suggestion, but the zone they played against the Heat was an epic fail.
- Hawes and Thompson have to address their mental issues, I can't stand the inconsistency.
- The doctor also prescribes more passing. If you give up the dribble at the top of the key with more than 18 seconds on the clock, I better see at least two more passes. One on one is not an option, not when our star players play the same position as 75% of the league's other stars.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was encouraged by the uptick in attendance, too bad we were out executed in front of a decent home crowd almost the entire game. The fans wanted so badly to become involved. I felt like one string of good play in the fourth would have swung the momentum over to us, too bad missed free throws threw ice water on the smoldering crowd eruption every-single-time. Oh, it was painful, I even threw things. I'm sure I threw things. I can't remember because I had my eyes closed, repeating in my head: "Don't miss, don't miss, YOU FREAKING MISSED! Why do you play basketball for a living!? *@*%$%!" Ugh, I don't want to think about it anymore.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awards:
TDM: Dorell Wright. 19pts on something like 78% FG shooting from the bench is worth some props.
LW-VC: James Jones. And some people think we we have bad contract situations: 4.3 million to average 5 pts and 2 rbd. 1 rbd and 1 stl in 12 minutes against us.
JHA: I bet you guys think Spencer deserves it huh? No, Thompson deserves it. I could at least get the theory as to why Spencer was in the game so much - he helped space the floor. Thompson was sucking and just kind of took up space.
RA&1: - Chalmers. Only because I expected more. I'm having a hard time giving this one away
Bad sign for our team.SAR/Methuselah - I'll give this one to Spencer because it seemed as though he could have gotten outplayed by a 42 year old last night.
WTF moment of the game - I said it every time they missed a free throw, so it should follow that 62%FT shooting gets the nod. Better not continue.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Paul is back. Sucks for us, 16pts, 15ast, 8 stl on a rusty ankle. Yep, that's what we got waiting for us. Okafor has laid out his utensils and is ready to gobble up all the rebounds I'm sure Spencer and Thompson are planning to duck away from. Is it a conspiracy? Are our two talented starting bigs plotting our own collapse? Maybe they want John Wall. Maybe they're trying to prove to us that the Kings still suck and we need to trade for a beast in the middle to help them out. I don't know, and I'm an apologist! I try to find a reason why we're so soft in the middle, but now I'm sick, sick, SICK! (Tell us how you really feel) Okay, I think that as long as they continue to struggle they'll never hear the end. I feel like I finally bought the car I wanted and now it can't stay out of the shop. What a disappointing stretch of play. If neither big shows up tonight we lose by 13. Easy. Paul will find a way to exploit the advantage, and it will only be pretty if you're wearing blue.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's our beacon of hope: If our wingmen show up to play the game should stay close, and we'll have a chance to win in the fourth. I at least have Evans's incredible consistency, Nocioni's intensity, Greene's passion, and Casspi's general awesomeness to look forward to. They will make it a game I'm sure.
New Orleans 99 Kings 95
PTS: Evans 30, West 24
Rbds: Thompson 8, Okafor 14
Ast: Udrih 7, Paul 13
Blocks: Greene 2, Okafor 3
In light of recent events, I am compelled to watch just to guage the teams resolve. I hope they are not disheartened by being outplayed by a team with a superstar, a good young coach, competent veteran roleplayers, and a (maybe) future all-star PF. I also like the way NO and the Kings Match up. If for nothing else, tune in to watch Paul and Evans go at it. I'm happy to say we should probably get ready for another close, competitive game.
GO KINGS!!
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