Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Fugly, but at least we finally played some D.
Thompson ( C ) -- busitng his butt for boards early, but playing overfast, overhyped, and not getting much else accomplished because of it. Got into early foul trouble, and in a move that did not make Bricklayer happy, lost most of his minutes to the decrepit duo of Mikki Moore and Bobby Jackson. Trade somebody already Geoff if Reggie just cannot help himself.
Hawes ( B ) -- one of several tough grades in this one. Got off to the slow start, trying to go inside and missing before finally hitting back to back long jumpers (one a three). But then bricked another wanna be a hero three to try take the lead, and it was only 5pts 2rebs at half despite 19min of PT. Rebounding briefly picked up to open the 3rd but then disappeared on the glass again (all of 5 in 38 min). And he was still struggling to finish, and made another bad turnover from under the hoop at a critical time. So basically he was toddling along working on a C of some sort...and then the 4th quarter came around. And he still didn't rebound, and we still lost the game, but this is a test of how big a bump do you get for coming up with a 2-3 minute surge, basically three plays really, at a critical time of the game. For Hawes the combo was first a steal on one end of the court followed by racing up court on the break for a big jam. Then a three from one corner, then a three form the other. Along with much chest thumping and I am badding, it was an inspiring stretch that threatened to knock off the Blazers. But he capped it with another bricked hero-three, never did grab a rebound during the quarter as we continued to get hurt on the offensive glass, took three of his four shots of the period from three point land, never blocked a shot, and we lost. So...how big a bump? Going to say B.
Miller ( B- ) -- missing his shots in the early going and not on the glass as we were getting worked. Scoring began to pick up in a variety of ways in the second quarter and he popped up here and there for the rest of the game scoring inside and out. Boardwork never did improve however as we got creamed 48-32, Pryzbilla was muscling him inside again, and Brad and Spencer responded with, get this, a combined NINE three point attempts. From your centers. I will say no more on that this time around. Those who know, know. Brad did do a solid job staying in between a completely ineffective Oden and the hoop though, and as always his screens were valuable in freeing Beno for the big night.
Salmons ( C ) -- another of the tough grades, as John's presence as one of the options in the poll illustrates. Got off to a very quiet start once again against this team and it was looking like the invisible game in Sacto all over again. Not missing shots, just not even being a part of the offense. Was doing a fairly good job on the other end, but did not stop Roy form having a good half (Roy hit crazy shots all night long). The traitorous dog was a 6th player for the Blazers in the third (where it looked like we had pulled off a nifty Aldridge for Salmons swap), nearly singlehandeldy swinging momentum back their way. After Beno had gotten them in real trouble and down by 9, Salmons delivered 3 head slapping TOs in the next 4-5 possessions to bring them right back into it. And then there was the stretch run where John mixed in great drives and a splashed in three with incredibly selfish head down I-can't-see-you one on one plays that just killed any momentum for us and reminded one considerably of the sorts of shots a certain former Kings SF used to take in crunchtime. Shared Roy duties with Bobby Jackson, who has a similar build to Roy and was actually doing at least as good a job on defense. In the final minute though, John was on him and did a great job denying him the ball on the Blazers' possession to try to seal the game. They missed and it opened the door for us. Unfortunately we kept on going to John, and you don't draw up a play for John Salmons unless you expect John Salmons to shoot. Double teamed, triple teamed, on the final play four of the five Blazers collapsed down around John in the paint. Now you would think, maybe, just maybe, that it would occur to a player that if four guys are guarding me, SOMEBODY else on my team is probably wide open. Just stands to reason. Doesn't stand to John though. John gets the ball. John is going to shoot it. Thems the rules. Result of the "rules"? Forced shot. Kings lose. Thanks John.
Udrih ( B+ ) -- Alternately brilliant and awful in a wild sloppy first half performance. Pretty dynamic start, getting to his spots and dropping little jumpers. Made a couple of nifty passes too, but also threw a bunch of wild ones for TOs. Started off the 3rd quarter brilliantly, driving at will and finding Kings all over the court. For a time there it looked like Beno might be the guy who was going to knock the Blazers off as we pushed out to a 9pt lead. But in true Beno fashion could not sustain for the whole game, began to fade, and then late in the 4th got inadvertently hit in the face by Mikki Moore. Think he had both a bloody nose and bloody lip, and he didn't exactly bounce back in tough guy fashion. Came back but was ineffective, missing his only jumper thereafter, and commiting a critical arm bar foul on Steve Blake in the closing minutes. At that point was actually being subbed out for the not terribly effective Bobby Brown. Wanted to go A- on this one, because Beno was the man for us tongiht. But "the man" for tonight, appropriately enough on a sloppy fugly turnover fest of an evening, also chipped in a team high 6 TOs himself, and wasn't there for us down the stretch. So dropping it back a half grade. Still I suspect a nice response to losing his minutes to the big Bobby Brown game -- just wish he did not seem to have to be goosed to play this hard.
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BJax ( B+ ) -- more effective than his numbers might indicate, and there is a reason he racked up 30+ minutes for us despite very modest (4pt 6ast) stats. Of course somewhat disconcertingly he took Thompson's 2nd half minutes and basically all of Donte Greene's, something that even the "but its Bobby" factor doesn't quite make all right. But he earned them on the court at least. Doubt Reggie came into this one planning on playing Bobby this many minutes, it just worked out that way after he clearly gave us a lift. And the thing was, it was all as an OG. Intitially next to Brown of course, but then next to Beno. 6'1" Bobby Jackson was causing the Blazers all sorts of problems as a quick little OG with the strength to battle burly little Brandon Roy and the passing ability of a tweener guard. Did not stop Roy of course -- despite giving a great effort, like Salmons Bobby had to watch Roy make some great shots and show why he is a star in this league. But did clearly get the best of Rudy Fernandez, who has just killed the Kings in previous games and the small quick lineup (Bobby is slow for a PG anymore, but stil quick for an OG) seemed to keep the Blazers from ever getting comfortable.
Moore ( D+ ) -- missed 4 games and the fumbleitis came back as virulent as if he had missed 4 years. Actually as much as fumbling, he was throwing the ball all over the gym. Came up with no fewer than SIX turnovers int his one, which is fairly remarkable for a guy who rarely touches the ball. Even more remarkable is that Reggie kept on throwing him out there long enoguht to get those six turnovers, even effectively benching Jason Thompson to do so. I think this is one of those problems with having a playboy for a coach -- all it takes is one of his players to get a hold of some pictures of him, those two women and the gerbil, and the player can pretty much dictate his own minutes. This can be said for Mikki's game though -- take away that he gave the ball to the Blazers every couple of minutes he was on the floor, and he tried hard. In fact Reggie may even have had him out there for his rebounding, given that our "centers" reluctance to approach within 25 feet of the hoop. Mikki's 5 in 20+min was clearly better than either Brad or Spencer. And defensively he did pretty well. Aldrdige was jsut stopping himself, but Mikki also had a stint there guarding Oden, and the big guy just could not gfet anything going. And Mikki justified what seemed to be a bizarre move by Reggie in the final minute -- repeatedly subbing out Spencer, our lone shotblocker, for Mikki on defense. But on the Blazers final possession of the game Mikki made Reggie look like a genius, checking Travis Outlaw all the way out at the three point line, and staying with him all the way to the hoop and forcing the tough shot. The ridiculous turnovers rule this grade. But did enough other things to avoid an F.
Brown ( C ) -- was interested to see how he followed up his Lakers effort, but like Greene before him, inconsistency still rules. Kind of a more typical Bobby Brown -- looked like he could get his own shot with his quickness, and took several without ever passing the ball, but never quite comfortable or sure how he wanted to attack things out there. Also dribbled himself into a corner once (literally) and then compounded things by throwing the high risk pass back across the court for a turnover while trying to bail himself out. Another mistake to close the quarter, forcing a shot too early in the clock and giving the Blazersa another attempt. Clock management = not his thing, and needs to quit making those errors. Better effort on defense than he has been prone to giving, and was in and out of the lineup in the final minutes with Beno hurting and ineffective. Had few opportunities though - met a guy who likes the ball as much as he does in Salmons, but John is bigger.
Greene ( INC ) -- did little in a handful of first half minutes other than foul
Williams ( INC ) -- short odd little first half stint in which big lumbering Sheldon was hopping in passing lanes, poking away balls, and lumbering up court on the open court break.
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Thompson ( C ) -- busitng his butt for boards early, but playing overfast, overhyped, and not getting much else accomplished because of it. Got into early foul trouble, and in a move that did not make Bricklayer happy, lost most of his minutes to the decrepit duo of Mikki Moore and Bobby Jackson. Trade somebody already Geoff if Reggie just cannot help himself.
Hawes ( B ) -- one of several tough grades in this one. Got off to the slow start, trying to go inside and missing before finally hitting back to back long jumpers (one a three). But then bricked another wanna be a hero three to try take the lead, and it was only 5pts 2rebs at half despite 19min of PT. Rebounding briefly picked up to open the 3rd but then disappeared on the glass again (all of 5 in 38 min). And he was still struggling to finish, and made another bad turnover from under the hoop at a critical time. So basically he was toddling along working on a C of some sort...and then the 4th quarter came around. And he still didn't rebound, and we still lost the game, but this is a test of how big a bump do you get for coming up with a 2-3 minute surge, basically three plays really, at a critical time of the game. For Hawes the combo was first a steal on one end of the court followed by racing up court on the break for a big jam. Then a three from one corner, then a three form the other. Along with much chest thumping and I am badding, it was an inspiring stretch that threatened to knock off the Blazers. But he capped it with another bricked hero-three, never did grab a rebound during the quarter as we continued to get hurt on the offensive glass, took three of his four shots of the period from three point land, never blocked a shot, and we lost. So...how big a bump? Going to say B.
Miller ( B- ) -- missing his shots in the early going and not on the glass as we were getting worked. Scoring began to pick up in a variety of ways in the second quarter and he popped up here and there for the rest of the game scoring inside and out. Boardwork never did improve however as we got creamed 48-32, Pryzbilla was muscling him inside again, and Brad and Spencer responded with, get this, a combined NINE three point attempts. From your centers. I will say no more on that this time around. Those who know, know. Brad did do a solid job staying in between a completely ineffective Oden and the hoop though, and as always his screens were valuable in freeing Beno for the big night.
Salmons ( C ) -- another of the tough grades, as John's presence as one of the options in the poll illustrates. Got off to a very quiet start once again against this team and it was looking like the invisible game in Sacto all over again. Not missing shots, just not even being a part of the offense. Was doing a fairly good job on the other end, but did not stop Roy form having a good half (Roy hit crazy shots all night long). The traitorous dog was a 6th player for the Blazers in the third (where it looked like we had pulled off a nifty Aldridge for Salmons swap), nearly singlehandeldy swinging momentum back their way. After Beno had gotten them in real trouble and down by 9, Salmons delivered 3 head slapping TOs in the next 4-5 possessions to bring them right back into it. And then there was the stretch run where John mixed in great drives and a splashed in three with incredibly selfish head down I-can't-see-you one on one plays that just killed any momentum for us and reminded one considerably of the sorts of shots a certain former Kings SF used to take in crunchtime. Shared Roy duties with Bobby Jackson, who has a similar build to Roy and was actually doing at least as good a job on defense. In the final minute though, John was on him and did a great job denying him the ball on the Blazers' possession to try to seal the game. They missed and it opened the door for us. Unfortunately we kept on going to John, and you don't draw up a play for John Salmons unless you expect John Salmons to shoot. Double teamed, triple teamed, on the final play four of the five Blazers collapsed down around John in the paint. Now you would think, maybe, just maybe, that it would occur to a player that if four guys are guarding me, SOMEBODY else on my team is probably wide open. Just stands to reason. Doesn't stand to John though. John gets the ball. John is going to shoot it. Thems the rules. Result of the "rules"? Forced shot. Kings lose. Thanks John.
Udrih ( B+ ) -- Alternately brilliant and awful in a wild sloppy first half performance. Pretty dynamic start, getting to his spots and dropping little jumpers. Made a couple of nifty passes too, but also threw a bunch of wild ones for TOs. Started off the 3rd quarter brilliantly, driving at will and finding Kings all over the court. For a time there it looked like Beno might be the guy who was going to knock the Blazers off as we pushed out to a 9pt lead. But in true Beno fashion could not sustain for the whole game, began to fade, and then late in the 4th got inadvertently hit in the face by Mikki Moore. Think he had both a bloody nose and bloody lip, and he didn't exactly bounce back in tough guy fashion. Came back but was ineffective, missing his only jumper thereafter, and commiting a critical arm bar foul on Steve Blake in the closing minutes. At that point was actually being subbed out for the not terribly effective Bobby Brown. Wanted to go A- on this one, because Beno was the man for us tongiht. But "the man" for tonight, appropriately enough on a sloppy fugly turnover fest of an evening, also chipped in a team high 6 TOs himself, and wasn't there for us down the stretch. So dropping it back a half grade. Still I suspect a nice response to losing his minutes to the big Bobby Brown game -- just wish he did not seem to have to be goosed to play this hard.
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BJax ( B+ ) -- more effective than his numbers might indicate, and there is a reason he racked up 30+ minutes for us despite very modest (4pt 6ast) stats. Of course somewhat disconcertingly he took Thompson's 2nd half minutes and basically all of Donte Greene's, something that even the "but its Bobby" factor doesn't quite make all right. But he earned them on the court at least. Doubt Reggie came into this one planning on playing Bobby this many minutes, it just worked out that way after he clearly gave us a lift. And the thing was, it was all as an OG. Intitially next to Brown of course, but then next to Beno. 6'1" Bobby Jackson was causing the Blazers all sorts of problems as a quick little OG with the strength to battle burly little Brandon Roy and the passing ability of a tweener guard. Did not stop Roy of course -- despite giving a great effort, like Salmons Bobby had to watch Roy make some great shots and show why he is a star in this league. But did clearly get the best of Rudy Fernandez, who has just killed the Kings in previous games and the small quick lineup (Bobby is slow for a PG anymore, but stil quick for an OG) seemed to keep the Blazers from ever getting comfortable.
Moore ( D+ ) -- missed 4 games and the fumbleitis came back as virulent as if he had missed 4 years. Actually as much as fumbling, he was throwing the ball all over the gym. Came up with no fewer than SIX turnovers int his one, which is fairly remarkable for a guy who rarely touches the ball. Even more remarkable is that Reggie kept on throwing him out there long enoguht to get those six turnovers, even effectively benching Jason Thompson to do so. I think this is one of those problems with having a playboy for a coach -- all it takes is one of his players to get a hold of some pictures of him, those two women and the gerbil, and the player can pretty much dictate his own minutes. This can be said for Mikki's game though -- take away that he gave the ball to the Blazers every couple of minutes he was on the floor, and he tried hard. In fact Reggie may even have had him out there for his rebounding, given that our "centers" reluctance to approach within 25 feet of the hoop. Mikki's 5 in 20+min was clearly better than either Brad or Spencer. And defensively he did pretty well. Aldrdige was jsut stopping himself, but Mikki also had a stint there guarding Oden, and the big guy just could not gfet anything going. And Mikki justified what seemed to be a bizarre move by Reggie in the final minute -- repeatedly subbing out Spencer, our lone shotblocker, for Mikki on defense. But on the Blazers final possession of the game Mikki made Reggie look like a genius, checking Travis Outlaw all the way out at the three point line, and staying with him all the way to the hoop and forcing the tough shot. The ridiculous turnovers rule this grade. But did enough other things to avoid an F.
Brown ( C ) -- was interested to see how he followed up his Lakers effort, but like Greene before him, inconsistency still rules. Kind of a more typical Bobby Brown -- looked like he could get his own shot with his quickness, and took several without ever passing the ball, but never quite comfortable or sure how he wanted to attack things out there. Also dribbled himself into a corner once (literally) and then compounded things by throwing the high risk pass back across the court for a turnover while trying to bail himself out. Another mistake to close the quarter, forcing a shot too early in the clock and giving the Blazersa another attempt. Clock management = not his thing, and needs to quit making those errors. Better effort on defense than he has been prone to giving, and was in and out of the lineup in the final minutes with Beno hurting and ineffective. Had few opportunities though - met a guy who likes the ball as much as he does in Salmons, but John is bigger.
Greene ( INC ) -- did little in a handful of first half minutes other than foul
Williams ( INC ) -- short odd little first half stint in which big lumbering Sheldon was hopping in passing lanes, poking away balls, and lumbering up court on the open court break.
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