Williamson ( C+ ) -- after that strong first game against his old team, Nasty's limitations have been on full display these last few and the sooner Peja can get back the better. Started off the game with a good aggressive post of Wallace, and you hoped that experience might trump the uber-athlete. But it was not to be so, and Wallace dominated the matchup for the next three quarters -- one of those told-you-so games that former players are apt to drop on their old teams. After really forcing and struggling for the first 30minutes of the game, finally started to get into an offensive rhythm after being moved to the PF spot late -- was able to take advantage of the inexperienced Emeka Okafor with quickness and was our best player down the stretch tonight. By the end, had gotten enough points, but rebounding was weak and made numerous turnovers with forced drives into traffic.
Thomas ( B ) -- started off the game scorching inside and out, although I had to admit to a bit of amusement that a large chunk of it was the dreaded 18ft jumper that everybody complained about our last PF taking. Also had 6 quick boards. But then just went dead silent for a long time. Not sure what happened. Maybe ran out of energy (the non-crowd was zapping it tonight). Finally woke back up in the final 6 minutes of the game and made a few more plays for us, but it was too little too late. Tried a few posts against the inexperienced Bobcats big men, with mixed results.
Skinner ( A+ ) -- Grade A Skinner tonight. Played easily the best game of all the Kings, and was strong and aggressive on both ends of the floor. Unlike Thomas, was able to sustain that energy game long. On yet another game where we got pummeled in the paint, Skinner was kind of a one man gang in there trying to defend the rim. Did have a hard time effecting the shot of the much larger Primoz Brezec, but came up big against everybody else. Good sign for the future, but a Brian Skinner "A+" game is not the sort of thing to carry you when everybody else sucks this bad.
Mobley ( C ) -- Combined efficient offense and a little help on the glass with a big ole assist to Bibby's turnoverfest (6 of his own). Went totally silent in the 4th quarter when just anybody getting hot might have put us over the top. Gave us offensive numbers, but other than a brief burst in the second quarter, never felt like they really mattered, and enever able to make anybody else better for them.
Bibby ( F ) -- Mike came crashing back to earth with a THUD you could hear all the way back in Sacramento. I know he had to be looking out on the floor and wondering who hell were these guys, and what have they done with my team? I know I was. but that's still no excuse for it being THIS bad. All sorts of turnovers, everything from miscommunications, to getting his pocket picked and having it knocked off his leg. Had nothing on his shot either. Looked pretty dispirited out there. Kept on waiting for him to come to life and us to ride a little Mike rush to an ugly win, but just never happened.
House ( D ) -- after a string of hot shooting nights, House came out here tonight and did absolutely nothing. Hit no shots until a meaningless three at the closing buzzer. Was a total non-factor out there and was wearing Jason Hart like a shirt on offense. Best that can be said for eddie is at least he wasn't throwing the ball all over the floor like the rest of the Kings.
Ostertag ( C ) -- Tag was not awful in his short first half stint, but neither was he terribly effective. With Skinner playing a tremendous game, it was ano brainer to leave him out of the second half lineup.
Evans ( D+ ) -- grabbed some boards for us, but otherwise just really a forgettable evening for him. everything was in and ouot, and got posterized on a flying offensive rebound and dunk by Gerald.
Martin ( C- ) -- one of those 6 minute stints for Kevin where you womder if he was even out there. Only notable play he was involved in was a turnover on a miscommunication with Mike. Played pretty good defense.
Charlotte crowd ( INC ) -- impossible to grade them because I am not sure they were even there. Might have been the single smallest crowd I've seen in the NBA in a non-blizzard game. Just ridiculous.
Adelman ( C+ ) -- well you could almost see this one coming but...
Assist/Turnover ratio tongiht of 12/23 made me want to cry -- the great offensive machine finally was stretched too thin and broke under the weight of incredible roster turnover and the absence tonight of all but one of the passers who made it what it once was. With such a mess its hard to blame Rick too much for this result - the Bobcats actually were the more experienced and cohesive team out there, having at least played together for a full year. And given how poorly the bench played, not exactly sure where Rick had to turn. But even so, just felt very little from the sidelines tonight. We did swing into a zone here and there, but of course a zone is hard to run as well with so many new faces. Getting a theme here? But otherwise, nobody either on or off the court really seemed to have any idea how to take this patchowork crew of guys who've been here 1 month, 4 months, a couple fo days, and turn it into an actual team. Anyway, if we just hit a few of our in and out shots tonight we still have a chance to steal this one, but we certainly did not earn it, and it just was not to be. Sort of loss that come back to bite you down the stretch when you are fighting for playoff positioning though.
Thomas ( B ) -- started off the game scorching inside and out, although I had to admit to a bit of amusement that a large chunk of it was the dreaded 18ft jumper that everybody complained about our last PF taking. Also had 6 quick boards. But then just went dead silent for a long time. Not sure what happened. Maybe ran out of energy (the non-crowd was zapping it tonight). Finally woke back up in the final 6 minutes of the game and made a few more plays for us, but it was too little too late. Tried a few posts against the inexperienced Bobcats big men, with mixed results.
Skinner ( A+ ) -- Grade A Skinner tonight. Played easily the best game of all the Kings, and was strong and aggressive on both ends of the floor. Unlike Thomas, was able to sustain that energy game long. On yet another game where we got pummeled in the paint, Skinner was kind of a one man gang in there trying to defend the rim. Did have a hard time effecting the shot of the much larger Primoz Brezec, but came up big against everybody else. Good sign for the future, but a Brian Skinner "A+" game is not the sort of thing to carry you when everybody else sucks this bad.
Mobley ( C ) -- Combined efficient offense and a little help on the glass with a big ole assist to Bibby's turnoverfest (6 of his own). Went totally silent in the 4th quarter when just anybody getting hot might have put us over the top. Gave us offensive numbers, but other than a brief burst in the second quarter, never felt like they really mattered, and enever able to make anybody else better for them.
Bibby ( F ) -- Mike came crashing back to earth with a THUD you could hear all the way back in Sacramento. I know he had to be looking out on the floor and wondering who hell were these guys, and what have they done with my team? I know I was. but that's still no excuse for it being THIS bad. All sorts of turnovers, everything from miscommunications, to getting his pocket picked and having it knocked off his leg. Had nothing on his shot either. Looked pretty dispirited out there. Kept on waiting for him to come to life and us to ride a little Mike rush to an ugly win, but just never happened.
House ( D ) -- after a string of hot shooting nights, House came out here tonight and did absolutely nothing. Hit no shots until a meaningless three at the closing buzzer. Was a total non-factor out there and was wearing Jason Hart like a shirt on offense. Best that can be said for eddie is at least he wasn't throwing the ball all over the floor like the rest of the Kings.
Ostertag ( C ) -- Tag was not awful in his short first half stint, but neither was he terribly effective. With Skinner playing a tremendous game, it was ano brainer to leave him out of the second half lineup.
Evans ( D+ ) -- grabbed some boards for us, but otherwise just really a forgettable evening for him. everything was in and ouot, and got posterized on a flying offensive rebound and dunk by Gerald.
Martin ( C- ) -- one of those 6 minute stints for Kevin where you womder if he was even out there. Only notable play he was involved in was a turnover on a miscommunication with Mike. Played pretty good defense.
Charlotte crowd ( INC ) -- impossible to grade them because I am not sure they were even there. Might have been the single smallest crowd I've seen in the NBA in a non-blizzard game. Just ridiculous.
Adelman ( C+ ) -- well you could almost see this one coming but...
Assist/Turnover ratio tongiht of 12/23 made me want to cry -- the great offensive machine finally was stretched too thin and broke under the weight of incredible roster turnover and the absence tonight of all but one of the passers who made it what it once was. With such a mess its hard to blame Rick too much for this result - the Bobcats actually were the more experienced and cohesive team out there, having at least played together for a full year. And given how poorly the bench played, not exactly sure where Rick had to turn. But even so, just felt very little from the sidelines tonight. We did swing into a zone here and there, but of course a zone is hard to run as well with so many new faces. Getting a theme here? But otherwise, nobody either on or off the court really seemed to have any idea how to take this patchowork crew of guys who've been here 1 month, 4 months, a couple fo days, and turn it into an actual team. Anyway, if we just hit a few of our in and out shots tonight we still have a chance to steal this one, but we certainly did not earn it, and it just was not to be. Sort of loss that come back to bite you down the stretch when you are fighting for playoff positioning though.
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