Game 5 - Make or Break

[kingkung]

I hate to squash the optimism and pure joy of game 4, but I'm just going to go ahead and say it; Game 5 will be 3 times harder to win than Game 4. Not only will we be facing a San Antonio squad with a major chip on their shoulder, we will be facing a San Antonio crowd determined to give their team every advantage possible.

Yesterday, Game 4 was the most important game of the series. Today, thanks to yesterday, Game 5 is now the most important game of the series, bar none. This is the make or break game. If we don't carry our momentum and win Game 5, our chances of winning the series will be slim to none. There's some major pressure. But this squad is undeniably different from any squad we've seen in Kings history in terms of handling pressure. They just don't feel it. I have no idea what to expect, except that it will be a hard-fought battle from start to finish, no-holds barred.

With that said, as a fan, I'm going to go (or should go) into this game with the same mindset that I have had in every game so far this series... care-free. I'll be pleasantly surprised if we win, and not too disappointed if we lose. We're lucky to have even made it this far this year. Let's just see what happens.

 

[tyrant]

i agree, but the spurs still have to come back to our home court to close out the series if they win on tuesday. game 5 isnt a MUST win, but it'll be nice to win it.

 

[kingkung]

i agree, but the spurs still have to come back to our home court to close out the series if they win on tuesday. game 5 isnt a MUST win, but it'll be nice to win it.

Well, not exactly, they can lose at our home court and still close out at their home court. And who sees the Spurs losing Game 7 at their home court?

 

[tyrant]

i think if the kings lose in 7 i'll still be happy. we're probably gonna be the toughest team their gonna face in the west. if they get past us.

 

[beemerr23]

If the Kings lose in 7, I won't be satisfied. Let it be known I think they played their hearts out and played great, but they need to WIN. No more being satisfied with barely keeping up with them, it's time to get over the hump and beat them. We can do it, let's follow through with it.

 

[GoGoGadget]

Don't know that I necessarily see San Antonio losing a game 7 at home, but... unless they've got some super duper secret plan of attack that they've been holding in their back pocket, they're not looking as unbeatable to me as they once did. You can see it on the sidelines and in the postgame press conferences -- they just plain don't know how to deal with the force that is Bonzi Wells.

IF we go down there and win game 5, the series is officially ours to screw up. If it isn't already.

 

[Warhawk]

Don't know that I necessarily see San Antonio losing a game 7 at home, but... unless they've got some super duper secret plan of attack that they've been holding in their back pocket, they're not looking as unbeatable to me as they once did. You can see it on the sidelines and in the postgame press conferences -- they just plain don't know how to deal with the force that is Bonzi Wells.

IF we go down there and win game 5, the series is officially ours to screw up. If it isn't already.

Agreed. They can't deal with the Kings' "smalls" and I don't know what they'll be able to try that they haven't already. They've played straight up and they've doubled. They've gone zone a few times. Right now they have no clue how to adjust to Ricks' adjustments. WTG, Rick!

As long as Tim doesn't go off for 50 points and we stick on the 3-pt guys and keep hounding Parker and Manu, we'll be just fine.

Go Kings!

 

[IVote4Replay]

I really think it depends on how well the Kings can keep up their perimeter defense.. If they can keep the Spurs' 3 pt shooting down in game 5, I really think they have a chance to steal this one.

The Kings' inside out post game is really giving the Spurs fits.. Bonzi just needs to keep it up and look to pass on the double team to find the open shooter..

But overall- I really think it has to be the Kings' defense and aggressiveness to pull this next one out....

And is it just me, or does Shareef and KT need to be faster in showing against the Spurs' pick & rolls w/ Parker??

Time and time again, Bibby gets caught on a pick my Duncan (trying to get over) and its either KT or Shareef that is just not quick enough to show on Parker...

I know Tony is fast, but its like lay up after lay up...

 

[KingCookie]

Manu is the key for the Spurs. If Artest continues to keep him under wraps, THEY have to stop US.

 

[Bricklayer]

If I were the Spurs I would be very tempted to shake up that starting lineup to try to find some way to slow down our "little bigs".

Might even go:

C- Rasho
PF- Duncan
SF- Horry
OG- Finley
PG- Parker

to get as much length+muscle as possible on Bonzi/Ron, and then bring Manu off the bench to hopefully avoid the Artest beatdown again.

Otherwise, not sure what other answers the Spurs have for that pair. The Spurs are built to beat the Pistons, not handle our unorthodox attack.

 

[piksi]

If I were the Spurs I would be very tempted to shake up that starting lineup to try to find some way to slow down our "little bigs".

Might even go:

C- Rasho
PF- Duncan
SF- Horry
OG- Finley
PG- Parker

to get as much length+muscle as possible on Bonzi/Ron, and then bring Manu off the bench to hopefully avoid the Artest beatdown again.

Otherwise, not sure what other answers the Spurs have for that pair. The Spurs are built to beat the Pistons, not handle our unorthodox attack.

Dick Bavetta and Violet Plamer could make them ineffective

 

[tyrant]

If I were the Spurs I would be very tempted to shake up that starting lineup to try to find some way to slow down our "little bigs".

Might even go:

C- Rasho
PF- Duncan
SF- Horry
OG- Finley
PG- Parker

bricklayer, mike bibby would kill this lineup. finley will get posted up like a spiderman poster

 

[Bricklayer]

bricklayer, mike bibby would kill this lineup. finley will get posted up like a spiderman poster

Have no idea why Bibby would kill that lineup anymore than he has been doing -- its still Parker, only backed up by even more shotblocking. The key is that Ron/Bonzi would have to deal with size, and Finley has a better shot in the post than Manu.

Horry in particular might be the key if he's not too old. Think the real "answer" to our power littles is either an equally powerful little (rare), or just lots of length there to loom over them and make the postups difficult to convert on. Not every team has that sort of player. So I Spurs only real answer physically would look to be Horry. If they don't take a chance like that, I have no idea how Bowen or Manu etc. really have any prayer in there. Our guys are just outhustling and outmuscling them, so its not even like they can hope we go "cold". Hustle and muscle isn't streaky.

 

[funsc]

I expect a re-match of kings with mav in the WC-semi final; it'd be interesting to watch another re-match with lakers in the WC final, but Kings win them all.

 

[tyrant]

oh gawd. how i hate the mavericks.

 

[HndsmCelt]

I actually LIKE the Kings chances in a game 7 situation. As this war goes on Duncan's ailments become more a factor and it's likely the age of their bench becoms a factor. Psychologicly the longer the series the better for the underdog.

In my book Game is is only a must win for the Spurs for the Kings it's just one of two opertunitys to do what they know they can do and that is win in San Antonio. Kings should be loose and the Spurs have it all on the line tommorow... come out hard and jsut keep doing what they do best.

Bricks suggestions at line up changes really will not hurt or help. The problem remains that Ron and Bonzi are still getting the mismatch and the Spurs can't afford to double. Im not suer that line up gives the Spurs any better scoring either. Horry can get a finely will have Artest all over him.

Of course I highly respect Pop and trust that he IS a better coach than I and probably will think of things I can't... ought to be fun!

 

[N.U.F.A.N.]

Like my coach always said.

"Dont let your highs get to high, and dont let your lows get too low"

I'm always gonna live by that line.

Lets hope the Kings dont let their highs get too high.

 

[VF21]

I think the Kings will be fine. And thank God, we the fans don't have to worry about letting our highs get too high. Theses are the times fans dream of. I fully intend to enjoy every single moment of it for as long as it lasts.

 

[kingkung]

Dick Bavetta and Violet Plamer could make them ineffective

Don't even bring that up...

 

[tyrant]

like HndsmCelt, i like our chances in game 7. we dont have the players that caused us to choke in crucial moments. peja airballing 3's, vlade and webber missing freethrows. im confident.

 

[VF21]

Violet Palmer hasn't hated us recently. Dick Bavetta, on the other hand, pretty much hates everybody nowadays.

If the Kings come out tomorrow night like they did last night, and play with heart, determination and focus, I don't think officiating will be a problem. To the agressor goes the calls.

 

[BigWaxer]

I think the Kings will be fine. And thank God, we the fans don't have to worry about letting our highs get too high. Theses are the times fans dream of. I fully intend to enjoy every single moment of it for as long as it lasts.

That should be a sticky of its own. Some of us fans are still enjoying the games we won. The was a great weekend for Kings Fans and I am not quite ready to let that go yet. Tomorrow at game time sure. But until then, replays.

What an incredible weekend.

Game 5, well I think its pretty easy, until they can stop Bonzi and get Manu to be productive they are going to have a tough time. Even if they put all their efforts in stopping Bonzi they have a few other guys to worry about. I am not worried at all.

Said it before the playoffs will not say it again to avoid any potential jinx

Kings in.....

 

[Larry89]

Ah... the Pivotal game 5....

 

[AriesMar27]

with horry at sf ron can drive right by him but bonzi can guard him defensively so that artest can keep finley in check if need be.... im not seeing the advantage.... it just means that artest will score more...

 

[ultraman206]

I think the Kings will be fine. And thank God, we the fans don't have to worry about letting our highs get too high. Theses are the times fans dream of. I fully intend to enjoy every single moment of it for as long as it lasts.

+1000

 

[Viking]

my heart is already jumping out of my chest and I hope the kings keep that fire in their bellies, cause we're all cheering for them. GO KINGS!

 

[G_M]

Spurs are 9 point favorites on most of the current betting lines.

Just thought I would add the gambling angle!!

 

[BigWaxer]

Spurs are 9 point favorites on most of the current betting lines.

Just thought I would add the gambling angle!!

LOL did you not watch Two for the Money! See what happened there!

 

[rexb_kings]

I would think Spurs will double down low to stop Bonzi/Artest and let gamble in letting our shooters shoot and see if our shooters can convert with their homecourt/crowd as their advantage. There is no way they can just live with single coverage, Wells is just unstoppable.

I'm hoping Kings win game 5 and the series.

 

[The L Train]

I would think Spurs will double down low to stop Bonzi/Artest and let gamble in letting our shooters shoot and see if our shooters can convert with their homecourt/crowd as their advantage. There is no way they can just live with single coverage, Wells is just unstoppable.

I'm hoping Kings win game 5 and the series.

Yup. The big adjustment by spurs will be doubling bonzi down low.

How will the kings react, knowing this?

Probably the easiest and first option they will use is Miller's top of the key jumper. However, he's been playing so bad, so if he doesn't start out hot, I hope they go to some other options. Which are...

Bonzi finding people slashing to the basket as help comes- most likely caidiates for this are Martin and KT.

I hope that Bonzi and Bibby also run the give and go to help ease the double teams. Bibby is friggin' amazing at getting to the rim amongst the big defenders, but doesn't get there enough. Kings gotta make them pay.

You gotta love the chess match of the 7 game series! Come on Rick, time to pull out that rabbit we've been waiting for the last 7 years!