Boxscore
Stats: 34min 9pts (4-19, 0-2, 1-2) 7reb 2ast 1stl 0blk 0TO
Gay ( F ) -- --Brick
Stats: 11min 4pts (2-3, 0-0, 0-0) 3reb 0ast 0stl 0blk 1TO
Hollins ( INC ) -- Hollins was an empty body on the floor for six minutes prior to garbage time. This game was not about Hollins, and I'm not terribly keen on worrying about whether he brought anything to the "team" during garbage time. No grade.--Capt.
Stats: 29min 11pts (5-17, 0-0, 1-2) 11reb 0ast 1stl 1blk 4TO
Cousins ( F ) -- 2014 is finally done, and oddly enough, it feels like 2012 all over again. Cousins regressed two years on the basketball court today. It was a day of frustration, both for Cousins and for Kings fans. Some of Cousins' frustration still stems from the recent firing of Michael Malone. Much of his frustration today stemmed from a 1-9 shooting start in the first quarter, where he missed six rough-and-tumble shots in the lane and felt like he was fouled multiple times. Give the Celtics credit - they hacked and beat at Cousins, and he lost his cool. It started with a noticeable decline in effort, even halfway through the first quarter, and it culminated in Cousins' first ejection of the year partway into the fourth. I don't think there's any question that this was Cousins' worst game of the season, not just for his shooting performance, not just for his lackluster defense, but also for his leadership. As our undisputed best player, Cousins has the responsibility to lead the team. And have no doubt about it, Cousins led the team tonight. He led the team by complaining to the officials. He led the team by giving a pathetic effort on defense. He did a very good job of combining these two, missing several defensive possessions because he was at the other end of the floor worrying about why a foul wasn't called. He led the team by giving in to his frustration. And he led the team by throwing an opponent to the floor, getting himself ejected not only from this game, but perhaps suspended for another (my speculation based on how egregious the foul was). And the team effort in this game followed his lead. This is the kind of leadership that just a month ago we thought was in the rear-view mirror for good. Unfortunately, we were wrong. Many will want to point the finger at the front office and excuse Cousins, but I will not be one of them, however badly the front office has screwed this up. Cousins is not only a grown man, he is also a professional basketball player, and he has the responsibility to be mature and to play his best through adversity, whatever that adversity is. After the last game, Cousins was quoted in the locker room calling out his teammates for their lack of persistence through adversity. It was the right thing to say, but as we all know, actions speak louder than words. Cousins wants to know which of his teammates he can go into the trenches with - and after this game, many of his teammates may have the same questions about him. Let me mince no words. This team cannot succeed with 2012 Cousins on the court. If there is to be any hope in this season, Cousins needs to be the 2014 version of himself in 2015. It is now on him to be that player, and more importantly, to be that man. It is up to him to make or break our season, and before too long we will see what he is made of. --Capt.
Stats: 19min 12pts (3-5, 2-3, 4-4) 5reb 0ast 1stl 0blk 3TO
McLemore ( C- ) -- 19 min, 12 pts with two 3’s, 5 reb and a steal. Grade could be lower buy Ben and Nik just don’t get enough touches. In teams first 6 possessions Ben had 0 touches!! Has been the Rudy/Boogie show so far all 1-on-1. Finally, Ben gets feed driving down lane but fouled and makes 2. At 6:49 Ben gets side feed in transistion for quick pop for 3. Kings only down 2. But gets 2nd foul at 6:15 and heads to bench. Doesn’t get back in until 7:09 of 2nd period when he makes side 18 ft 2. Gets 3rd foul at 6:46 mark of 2nd period then out for Nik again. In first half Kings have 6 ast and 10 TOs, thats the way the game is going. When Cuz and Rudy in game, no real passing most of the time, lots of 1-on-1, no real motion in game. In combined 24 min Ben in for total 6 min in first half and Nik in for 18 min but Nik took only 3 shots missing all 3 for total of 6 points between them. Whereas, Cuz and Rudy play 38 min in half taking 20 shots for total of only 12 points. 3rd Ben hits a 3 from side on pass from Rudy. Then another good passing sequence to Ben for 3 that misses but Kings down 15. Grant & Jerry discussing how Ben’s shot look so much better this year, more in control, better form and he with more confidence. Ben bringing ball inbouds but quick time out as confusion on court. Then shot clock violation. 6:32 mark of 3rd Ben gets 4th foul in only 12 min of play. McCallum replaces. My old industrial league team in LA and without a coach in the late 60’s played more organized than current Kings and we won half our games too. Late in 3rd down 8 but this has smell of blowout coming. Celts started hitting 3’s in latter half of 3rd building lead to 16. Ben starts 4th with Landry and Evans. Lead quickly up to 18 for Celts. Kings with more TO’s than Ast again whereas Celts have 27 ast and only 10 TO’s. Ben just not getting any touches as Rudy is 4 of 19. Ben gets reb drives down for FT line pull up but misses. Second reb next poss but throws away on transistion. Gets a touch on side, drives but fouled, shoots makes 2/2. Replaced by Nik at 4:47 mark of 4th. --Cruz
Stats: 32min 14pts (4-10, 0-4, 6-6) 0reb 5ast 1stl 1blk 3TO
Collison ( ) -- --Brick
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