Note: The first part of his column was about the supposed "kiss and make up" between Shaq and Kobe. Here's the rest:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14090776p-14920852c.html
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It all looks good when the shots fall
Tuesday night's blowout victory of the Phoenix Suns seemed to come as a surprise to those watching the Kings get off on their home floor. But it really shouldn't ever come as a surprise when one team blows another out, especially when one of them is the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns are a blowout waiting to happen. They shoot the ball so quickly every night, and usually do it well, that the odds are in their favor they'll win. But on nights when their shots aren't falling all game - and they shot a season-low-tying 37.5 percent against the Kings - they become the likely candidate to be blown out. And they were.
I'm still waiting to see the Kings win at least a couple or three games in which they do not shoot well. Games in which they have to use their savvy and toughness (if only for the night) to gut out a victory. Games in which you come away saying, "I don't think Sacramento would have won that one had it not out-hustled and out-scrapped the opponent."
It's not like the Kings are incapable of putting forth that performance. The win over the dilapidated Houston Rockets on Jan. 11 doesn't count in this equation, although it does count in the standings.
The Kings came closest Dec. 17 when they shot 45.7 percent on the road and came up on the short end of a 90-89 decision at San Antonio.
Bibby showing up nightly
Say what you want about Mike Bibby, but the cat shows up every night to play.
Not everyone does. Bibby's tailbone is extremely sore, and if you don't believe it, watch the way the dude is walking these days. Bibby has some learning to do about leadership - and he is in the process of doing so right now with his team struggling for much of the past two weeks.
However, he has shown up for battle on a nightly basis.
García coming along slowly
Kings rookie Francisco García is killing himself with all of those three-point attempts, and it's for no reason whatsoever. It's not like he doesn't have enough handle to use his other options. He's a slithery offensive threat capable of getting into the lane and to the basket. All he has to do is slow down and concentrate on using the range he has or drive the baseline.
He's unselfish, so he's going to make plays for others. And yo, 'Cisco, a made 18 or 19 footer is two points better than a missed triple.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14090776p-14920852c.html
...
It all looks good when the shots fall
Tuesday night's blowout victory of the Phoenix Suns seemed to come as a surprise to those watching the Kings get off on their home floor. But it really shouldn't ever come as a surprise when one team blows another out, especially when one of them is the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns are a blowout waiting to happen. They shoot the ball so quickly every night, and usually do it well, that the odds are in their favor they'll win. But on nights when their shots aren't falling all game - and they shot a season-low-tying 37.5 percent against the Kings - they become the likely candidate to be blown out. And they were.
I'm still waiting to see the Kings win at least a couple or three games in which they do not shoot well. Games in which they have to use their savvy and toughness (if only for the night) to gut out a victory. Games in which you come away saying, "I don't think Sacramento would have won that one had it not out-hustled and out-scrapped the opponent."
It's not like the Kings are incapable of putting forth that performance. The win over the dilapidated Houston Rockets on Jan. 11 doesn't count in this equation, although it does count in the standings.
The Kings came closest Dec. 17 when they shot 45.7 percent on the road and came up on the short end of a 90-89 decision at San Antonio.
Bibby showing up nightly
Say what you want about Mike Bibby, but the cat shows up every night to play.
Not everyone does. Bibby's tailbone is extremely sore, and if you don't believe it, watch the way the dude is walking these days. Bibby has some learning to do about leadership - and he is in the process of doing so right now with his team struggling for much of the past two weeks.
However, he has shown up for battle on a nightly basis.
García coming along slowly
Kings rookie Francisco García is killing himself with all of those three-point attempts, and it's for no reason whatsoever. It's not like he doesn't have enough handle to use his other options. He's a slithery offensive threat capable of getting into the lane and to the basket. All he has to do is slow down and concentrate on using the range he has or drive the baseline.
He's unselfish, so he's going to make plays for others. And yo, 'Cisco, a made 18 or 19 footer is two points better than a missed triple.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
