[Grades] Grades v. Nuggets 03/05/12

9 in a row at home now. Must wins. Our record will be?

  • 9-0

    Votes: 5 9.6%
  • 8-1

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 7-2

    Votes: 2 3.8%
  • 6-3

    Votes: 6 11.5%
  • 5-4

    Votes: 15 28.8%
  • 4-5

    Votes: 8 15.4%
  • 3-6

    Votes: 9 17.3%
  • 2-7

    Votes: 2 3.8%
  • 1-8

    Votes: 2 3.8%
  • 0-9

    Votes: 3 5.8%

  • Total voters
    52
  • Poll closed .

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Losing is good for you -- it builds character. :p

So welcome to the bizarro world grades. A world where your two best players on the night were also the two guys fitted with goat horns at the end. A world where John Salmons plays PF...oh and also is there down the stretch run playing as the team's PG. A world where Hassan Whiteside outperforms DeMarcus Cousins. And we still are in positon to bbeat a good team on the road. A world where for the second night in a row we lose a game for no reason at all. Oh wait...that's the normal world the Kings live in.

And you know what else it is? Its a world where we get to see Girls.

Boxscore

Official Team Gif:
banghead.gif



Evans ( B+ ) -- couple of good kicks to Thornton for open threes on the break, but otherwise this was again a slow first half where he was laying back. Came on for a very strong third qurter, kicking it off with multiple power drives, and doing a nice job finding shooters and with dropoff passes. But then after the strong quarter, it was his turn to blow the end of the quarter opprotunity, committing an offensive foul on the forced drive. Oddly did not react on a critical rebound at the 3:00 mark, and the Nuggets got it, got fouled, and cut the lead to 1 -- a few minutes later Salmons did not react to a rebound either. Bizarre in the tight game. Maybe fatigue I guess? Finally hit a jumper, finally! with 1:15 to go to give us the 5 pt lead and what should have been the win, but I think in some ways it hurt his overall game as he got lucky after he got selfish on our next possession, using all 24 seconds dribbling before slamming inside and getting to the line. The OT was all about Reke, good and bad. With Thronton gone and Cousins AWOL stepped forward with some big drives in the early OT as we opened a gap, but a maddening sequence followed as we then ran the same play he had just scored on 3 straight times (slow developing two man game on the right side), getting nothing out of it but a series of forced jumpers by Reke and Salmons against the clock. Either he was being stupid, or Smart was, but we just stalled out and quit moving the ball for no reason at all. Recovered though again with another slashing layup to tie it at the 25 second mark after Smart finally drew up a different play out of the timeout. And then was there to watch Lawson can a three over him the other way to win the game -- looked like he was afraid to repeated Thornton's fouling mistake, there was a little pick action, and down we go, again.
Caite-Upton-0070.jpg

Kate Upton -- had just added her to my list a month or two ago, and since there is an outcry and she's a current it girl, why not? I mean really why not. Her beauty may be too "obvious" for the catty snoots over at the Victoria Secret catwalk show, but isn't that kind of the point?

Thompson ( B- ) -- active all over the court in the early going, and its just too bad he could no sustain..or posibly shrink by 5-6 inches so he'd be playable enoguh to have a chance to sustain. Very active offensive start and maybe didn't want any repeats of last night's Donte experiment. but being beaten in transition by Fareid's hustle. Multiple nice passes to slashing guards as we seem to have gotten our big men involved as passers finally -- I had assumed that was the plan before the season, but we have seen previous little of it until very recently. Problems on the other end of the court perhpas limited his minutes, as he was being beaten in transition on Fareid's hustle early, and having probelms staying with Harringon on the perimeter in the third, necessitating a switch to backup PF John Salmons. Shaky after returning in the late 4th as we went back to the starters. A lot of almost fumbles. Came up with a big offensive rebound at the 3:20 mark, but then blew the follow. Nice comeback in the early OT wih energetic work on the glass, then involved in that long series of nothing pseudo pick and rolls with Reke. No idea what JT was supposed to be accomplishing out of that play. Wasn't popping, wasn't rolling. Just kind of setting a soft pick and standing there as a potential reset outlet for Reke.
camila-alves-front.jpg

Camila Alves -- former Brazilian model and now wife and baby mama of Matthew McConaughey
 
Last edited:
Cousins ( D- ) -- about as easy of a descritpion of a Cousins game as you will see: did not come to play. And this perhaps ties into my diagnosis of him as a little kid rather than a warior -- I have felt from the beginning if he doesn't feel right he will just take his toys and go home and maybe neve gto that when the going gets tough the tough get going memo that fathers give to sons. Or maybe I'm off. But it would explain a lot. Such as this game for instance, in which he hit a single early jumper, but then picked upt wo quick, and I do mean quick, fouls against a frontline he should have owned, went to the bench and basicaly totally disappeared. There was one brief outburst of hustle on the offensive glass in the third and then...he was either subbed out by Smart or subbed out by himself, and I don't think made a single play for the entre rest of the game and OT. And just so very disappointing, because the other two legs of the Big Three were having big games, and all Cousins had to be was average, even a little less than, and we win this easily. And he just wasn't. By the way it should be noted he was credited with 5 assists -- I can truly say I don't remember those.
ylnspw-1212720112.jpg

Kelly Carlson

Thornton ( A-) -- another hot start with a dozen points in the first. Very active on the offensive glass in the early going, and knocked down two threes from Reke - the first two of SIX he would hit on the night. Took a while to finally get going in the third, but when he did it was again to drop in a pair of threes and then get to the line with a fullback drive. Forced a 1 on 1 airball to start the 4th, but came back to can another three, his 5th. Was poised tobe the hero/player of the game when he hit a big clutch contested three to give us back the three point lead with 1:45 left. But then, of course the play of game and just a headslapping holy crap moment -- our player of the game, who by the way had been ineffective on defense against the Nuggets guards all night long, tried desperately to challenge Afflalo's three to tie the game...so desperately in fact that he ran into him, fouling him on the three point shot with half a second to go, allowing him to tie the game and send it to OT, and just as a capper fouling himself out of the game in the process. Doh. Player of the game and goat of the game all at the same time -- impressive.
Daniella-Burlando-Maxim-4.jpg

Daniella Burlando -- de Venezuela

Thomas ( D ) -- I may have been a bit premature with my clock striking midnight comment a few games ago, but its hovering at about 11:59 at the moment as IT has now strung together 4 weaker games in a row after the 4-5 hot ones. Just not hitting those open jumpers again, and for the second game in a row matching his seemingly reluctant assists with turnovers. Even say erstwhile BFF Smart barking at him to pass the ball after one of the selfish drives that are plaguing him right now. Brought back in for the final play of the half and promptly forced it and turned it over. Finally got his first jumper in the early 4th. Got half of his points when he hit 3-4 FTs in the final minute as he as brought in for the Nuggets' intentional foul game. Were larger mistakes of course, but it occurs to me if he had just hit that 4th one (he's 85% on the season) we still win. Still should have never come to that. With 9 games coming up that we almost have to run 9-0, if IT does not get inspired by the home crowd, we are probably through this year.
yvonne-strahovski.jpg

Yvonne Strahovski -- per Slim's request

Bench

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hayes ( B- ) -- ineffective first half. Just shot right over by Mozgov, and more of his awesome offense. Got back in in the 4th in one of the smllest linrups the Sacramenot Kings have ever thrown out there -- where our 6'6" "big" man was the only non-swingman on the floor. People who defend Smart against the complaints assume it is not winning that is the problem. No, its lineups like those. Hayes came up with sevral good plays in the late going including a key surprise block from behind on Birdman and a nice dropoff pass to a backdoor cutting Salmons.
colleen_porch_l9.jpg

Colleen Porch
 
Last edited:
Salmons ( A- ) -- and now we come to our answer man, our man for all seasons, and every position. Yes, I present to you our own Mr. Everything: Mr. John Salmons! Started up just taking contested 1 on 1 jumpers that you would have groaned about if he missed them, but he hit them with nothing else going for us offensively and heled keep us afloat. And believe it or not as the PG was actually running the club pretty well in the 2nd quarter. So we bring him in in the second half...as a PF??? That's right -- out goes JT, in comes...JS?? Whatever Keith. Continued to play well whatever position you called him. In place of IT, had a series of scores in the mid to late 4th each time tying the game or pushing us out to the lead, and a strong drive to push the lead back to 3 at the 2:30 mark. Missed one with a minute to go though, and almost made a petition for goat himself after he got extremely casual as the rebound bounced back to him and almost got it stolen. Nothing in the OT but a missed three against the clock, but really did not have many opportunities.
Priyanka-Chopra-Sexy-Pics-012.jpg

Priyanka Chopra

Fredette ( C+ ) -- played a solid first half. Had a three, a ncie dropoff pass to Whiteside, and a couple of tough finishes that barely rolled home. On defense we hid him in a zone and defensive adventures were few. Managed to navigate the traps the Nuggets threw at him ok, still retreating, but doing so in more in control fashion and quickly giving the ball up. Not able to sustain in the second half. Looked shaky after returning in the 4th. Missed a three, got it stolen on the drive. Denied at the rim by Bird on the break. On the other hand was doing a respectable job staying in front of Lawson.
GracePark.jpg

Grace Park -- have used her before, but in honor of the peanut gallery why not use her again

Garcia ( B ) -- continuing his party like its 2007 revival with Salmons and had 8 points in the first half as the backups again gave us a lift. In the late going was poised to be the clutch bckup who comes through when he canned the big three at the 4:30 mark to give us the three point lead. But that was the last momen on offense as hem issed several little gimes in the late going and early OT. Nice block early in OT to trigger a break, and another saavy play drawing a charge at the 30 second mark. Great open look for the tying three at the OT buzzer as Cousins set a big pick on Andre Miller, but Cisco simply chocked the three. Coming up well short and never having a chance. The opportunity was there for the tie and double OT...but nope. Left a sour taste on what otherwise had beena solid outing.
184736_193673200652299_193116854041267_647504_3793995_n.jpg

Tatiana Gil -- let's head back to South America for Columbia's Tatiana Gil

Outlaw ( INC ) -- invisible in his first half stint, no doubt a reward for not stinking it up in Phoenix. Calling this an INC even though it checked it at a few minutes over because I don't even know how to assess it. He just basically wasn't out there whiel the other 4 guys were all doing things, good and bad.
54359e.jpg

Marion Cotillard -- for some reason its hard to find a photo that truly captures thsi woman's essence. Actualy have had that problem before with French ladies. Too much fashion industry influence perhaps.



in progress...
 
Last edited:
bill-russell1.jpg

Whiteside ( B+ ) -- shotblocker in the house! And we actually played him! Got in in the 2nd quarter for his first real NBA miutes to anchor the zone, and had an immediate impact. Got his first inside shot blocked, then missed the dunk follow. But showed some great hustle on the offensive glass ripping a ball from Faried and a big follow dunk that had our bench up cheering. Intimidated Afflalo coming into the lane multiple times, and then ran out and not only challenged the three point shot, but blocked Afflalo's shot. Finally made a mistake after intimidating numerous shots, when he left his man to go for an impossible blcok, and his guy got the offensive reobund and finish. Let's call that the Causwell error. Also got two defensive 3 second calls trying to lurk for shotblocks. Despite mistakes had a defintie impact on the game, as you could just see in true shotblocker fashion how the Nuggets were shying from the lane on their drives. Looked muh more shaky when he returned at the end of the third, once more comitting the Causewell errot leaving his man who got the dunk, committing a poor foul right before the quarter buzzer, and then throwing away the outlet pass and almost givng the Nuggets a chance to score again. So some dumb moments that could still mean he's Justin Williams or Causwell, but real iimpact moments as an intimidator, which we so desperately need and you could see what a difference it makes, and as an athelte on the glass. Very encouraging, now let's just hope he can keep on gettign minutes if we do indeed find a taker for Hickson.
christina-hendricks-new-york.jpg

Christina Hendricks -- featured her here on SLim's request a mere two months ago. Variety is the spice they say, but make an exceptiuon here with the calls for it.
 
Last edited:
Not my usual tastes, but I've been watching a marathon here lately, so:

Yvonne Strahovski... Yvonne Strahovski... Yvonne Strahovski... Yvonne Strahovski... Yvonne Strahovski... Yvonne Strahovski... Yvonne Strahovski... Yvonne Strahovski... Yvonne Strahovski... Yvonne Strahovski...
 
Well, the one good thing about officially hiring Smart as head coach is we can now officially start a "fire Smart" thread.

What can i say, i'm a glass half full kind of guy.
 
Just finished watching the game. I aint even mad! Hassan Whiteside babeeee! LOVED seeing the nuggets all of a sudden afraid to go inside.
 
Last edited:
Well, the one good thing about officially hiring Smart as head coach is we can now officially start a "fire Smart" thread.

What can i say, i'm a glass half full kind of guy.

I guess I missed the part where Smart fouled Afflalo at the end of regulation? I didn't realize that Smart was also our stud C who only managed 5pts and 5rebs during the game.

Fire smart!
 
I guess I missed the part where Smart fouled Afflalo at the end of regulation? I didn't realize that Smart was also our stud C who only managed 5pts and 5rebs during the game.

Fire smart!

It's good to see that my sarcasm was not wasted on you.
 
Just finished watching the game. Seriously, wtf guys? What does this team have to do to win. It made me sick to see Lawson drain that 3 like it was nothing. I'm tired of this bull****. I'm tired of Jim Gray interviewing other players. He has no allegiance to the Kings and needs to gtfo.
 
Just finished watching the game. Seriously, wtf guys? What does this team have to do to win. It made me sick to see Lawson drain that 3 like it was nothing. I'm tired of this bull****. I'm tired of Jim Gray interviewing other players. He has no allegiance to the Kings and needs to gtfo.

LMAO! Agreed.
 
Just finished watching the game. Seriously, wtf guys? What does this team have to do to win. It made me sick to see Lawson drain that 3 like it was nothing. I'm tired of this bull****. I'm tired of Jim Gray interviewing other players. He has no allegiance to the Kings and needs to gtfo.

You know, I'm not a big fan of Jim Gray and all, but that's not Jim Gray's call. As a rule, on-court reporters don't interview players from the losing team. "Hey, you just lost, how do you feel?" It doesn't make for good TV. Now I don't know whether there's a rule coming down from the league office about that, or whether it's just common courtesy, but it basically never happens. That means Gray either interviews somebody from the winning team, or nobody, and I guess that MSE figures that since they're paying him to be there, they'll have him interview rather than nothing. It isn't his fault, he's just doing his job.
 
I have never seen a team lose games like this one does. Unbelievable. Heart breaking losses too. The kind of losses that make you say...WHAT?!?!?!?! HOW!?!?!?! WHY?!?!?!

It was good to see Whiteside get into the game. We need to see him more.
 
Last night was the only Comcast blackout of a Kings game for downtown Sacramento. Never happened before. I guess I should complain to the Kings because they are the ones that sold the rights to Comcast. Anyway, I didn't "see" a second of the game. Didn't miss a win. Wish I did, a win that is.

My prescription for our disease is Rx: TWO Kings WINS per week for two weeks, and THREE WINS per week for two weeks and then come back and see me again.
 
Coouldn't see the game so I was following on NBA.com play-by-play. After 6 or 8 minutes Cousins fouled and he was replaced by Hayes. My first thought was on the night before when Cousins fouled, tech fouled, snitted, was a big hurt baby and ruined the first part of the quarter. My question: was he in a snit again?
 
Last night was the only Comcast blackout of a Kings game for downtown Sacramento. Never happened before. I guess I should complain to the Kings because they are the ones that sold the rights to Comcast. Anyway, I didn't "see" a second of the game. Didn't miss a win. Wish I did, a win that is.

There must have been some sort of error. The game was certainly available on Comcast in my neck of the woods and blackouts aren't neighborhood-specific. Maybe somebody pressed the wrong button at your local office?
 
Back
Top