This Kings team peaked too early in the game. They played an almost perfect half then seemed to come out a bit tentative in the 3rd quarter with a 'Hold-On' mentality rather than the killer instinct you need.
I'll be honest that I felt sick to my stomach after that last play.
We can cast blame all around for this particular loss. It's easy to blame Udoka for missing the two free-throws, but he wasn't the only one to miss tonight.
But do you know what I like?
This team KNOWS it can come out and beat any team in the League. And this team has only been together for about 30 games. Think what it will be like 2,3,4 years down the line when they've really matured and learned how to handle big leads and tough situations.
Don't you think that a loss like this will just fire this team up even more? I'm certain it will.
I wanted this win so badly, but I'm certain that the players and coaches wanted it far more than I.
I will say one thing. If we had an interior defender we'd have won this game. That is clear as day.
So I'm expecting to see a move being made to pick one up, because it's clear we can compete with any team, and can probably win more times than not if we get someone to anchor the middle on the defensive end against players like Gasol, Bynum, Nene, ect.
And as much as I hate it, if Kobe misses that shot we win the game. Regardless of him pushing off or potentially being out of bounds, he hit the shot.
I'll go into the Office on Monday and hear it from all the Laker fans down here in Orange County, but do you know what all of them will say?
They will tell me, "Wow, the Kings are looking really good." And they will be right.
Go Kings!