Grades v. Blazers 03/03

[Bricklayer]

Decided it was time to really spice up the Grades themes...so tonight's theme is: NEEDLEPOINT STITCHES

Artest ( A- ) -- a well rounded and rock solid game marred only perhaps by his lack of anybody to shut down, and only sporadic effectiveness at trying to stop guys outside his normal comfort zone (Roy, Randolph). For much of the game was solid and in the groove, but was almost defying grading by flying under the radar, rarely screwing up, but rarely doing anything of such note to inspire analysis. But then hit a lucky miss-so-bad-you-make-it bank shot to close the third quarter and restore our lead, and down the stretch it was Ron, not Kevin, who hit all the game sealing shots for us. Going "-" here to differentiate from Kevin -- this one was Kevin's game. But a strong game with few warts and was the man when it mattered.

SPLIT GOBELIN STITCH

Thomas ( B- ) -- active first quarter on the glass and even somewhat effective offensively. Was moderately effective after half, but got into foul trouble and as the pattern has been that was that.

HUNGARIAN STITCH

Miller ( C+ ) -- played a lot of minutes with remarkably little production, but in the mid 4th came up with a couple of big defenisve stands, a nice pass, and a big hoop after we had started to choke. So what impact he did have was well timed, and found myself bumping this grade up despite the normal issues -- coould not control the glas, could not slow Randolph etc . (although it should be noted Alrdridge was damn near our best player tonight).

PARISIAN STITCH

Martin ( A ) -- another big big game, and only misses the "+" here again, as against Charlotte, because of a slight late fade while somebody else took over to carry us down the stretch (Ron). Had a big first quarter just running by the Blazers for 15 points, and while first quarter ooutbursts are normally discounted to some degree, inthis game the first quarter was effectively determinative. We led by 8 after the first on the strength of Kevin's fast start, and from that point on the remaining three quarters were dead even, with the Blazers occasionally cutting the lead down to 4 or so, us occassionally pushing it to 12, but neither side able to get over the hump and make it either a true dogfight or a blowout. As mentioned missed a series of open shots down the stretch that helped the Blazers make a run at us late, and so loses the "+". But a big capper on a strong stretch of games, and one where he again was more than the 4reb 2ast guy of this season and gave us 6 and 6 for the complete effort.

OLD FLORENTINE STITCH

 

[Bricklayer]

Bibby ( C- ) -- as consistency is strictly forbiddenn on this Kings team, a quiet followup game, not only not shooting particularly well, but also not really creating many shots. And was considerably countered by Jaret Jack, who repeatedly got open at the top of the key to hurt us with uncontested jumpers. Oddly did not really feel as bad as the umbers say it was -- 3-13, 1-7 from 3, 1reb 2ast...numbers say this was terrible. But watching it...did not notice the terriblenes so much as just inviisbility. So going to go a tad higher than this perhaps deserved.

BRICK STITCH

Salmons ( C ) -- Mr. Inconsistency struck again for a 2pt 2reb effort on 1-4 shooting, and there wasn't really much else to say about this one. After a stretch of almost refusing to take 3pt shots (which are not his comfort zone) decided to try a few few test bombs this time, and maybe he should go back to just declining them. No huge opponent responsible, just a bad (and maybe tired) game by John. Minutes were held down by Kevin and Ron being our best players, but didn't really earn anymore anyway.

PAVILION STITCH


Cisco ( B ) -- had one nice first half take -- an up fake and hit along the baseline, and came back to give us a solid stretch of minutes in the late game where he showed lively legs and used his length and activity to key a defensive burst for us as we hung onto the lead.

MOSAIC STITCH

Corliss ( C- ) -- another down game for Corliss, and never able to get his offense going. Was forced into taking more jumpers than he normally does, whihc is not his game. On the other side his best moments may have just been going bull to bull banging bodies with Randolph in the post to modest effect. Had another shaky start to the fourth quarter, turning it over on the play out of the break, and then committing a loose ball foul on the Blazers first possession, which ended with them scoring.

RHODES STITCH

 

[Bricklayer]

Reef ( B ) -- another in a string of fairly effective games for Reef. Was scrappy around the offensive glass and sporadically effective at slowing Randolph.

DIAGONAL GOBELIN STITCH

Price ( INC ) -- a brief first quarter stint, a little out of control and did not return

LONG ARMED CROSS STITCH

 

[PixelPusher]

BRICK STITCH

Preferred by bat wielding Dilbert dogs everywhere.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Reef ( B ) -- another in a string of fairly effective games for Reef. Was scrappy around the offensive glass and sporadically effective at slowing Randolph.

DIAGONAL GOBELIN STITCH

Price ( INC ) -- a brief first quarter stint, a little out of control and did not return

LONG ARMED CROSS STITCH

LOL diagonal stitch. good stuff man

 

[Heuge]

Nice work again, Brick

I like this quote from the game, haven't read anything like this about the Kings from an opposing coach for awhile.

"That's a good team," Portland coach Nate McMillan said. "They score the ball with a lot of different guys. We had opportunities to take control but we didn't."

 

[Entity]

It amazes me at how when i watch games on LP and get the other teams announcers at how little they know about the opposing team. When the game first started and they showed the starting lineups they talked about how good Brad was on defense. LOL was this just some sick way of taking up for Aldrige in case he had a bad game.