Grades v. Sonics 03/21

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Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Artest ( A ) -- After a crappy roadtrip Ron came back to Arco and completely carried us tonight. And while the last thing we need is another home hero/road weenie, we needed everything he gave us this time out. Exploded offensively in the second quarter, hitting a three and then going to work down inside again and again. Got some help from the refs too who were calling a lot of touch fouls. And if Artest is attacking and the refs are calling touch fouls, he's damn near unguardable as he goes charging in there. On the other end Lewis was actually able to get past Ron fairly consistently with an up fake and quick drive, but Ron was still making a lot of big plays, getting his hands on balls of course, the "usual" greatness that you just take for granted after a while. Hit a big three to close the third quarter and put us back up 6, and in a relative rarity or him, maintained his offensive presence through most of the game rather than having a big spurt or two and then drifting off. I ALMOST gave Ron another A+ tonight, and likely would have if in the final minute he had not choked 2 FTs and a shot, any of which would have given him a new career high. Not that I docked him for garbagetime play so much as a significant career high is often an automatic "+". In any case, nice little tuneup for the big rematch tommorow.
Thomas ( B ) -- completely ineffective first half -- was badly outplayed by Chris Wilcox and joined the rest of the Kings bigs in being completely ineffective shutting down the lane in transition. But then came out to start the second half a completely different player, running the floor, rebounding, cutting to the hoop, came up with a huge blocked shot on Petro. Was really our best player during that decisive period and helped us stake a lead by the end of the quarter. Then went quiet down the stretch again -- had something like 4pts 3rebs at half, 7pts 8rebs in the 3rd, and 0pts 0rebs in the 4th. At least in the final period was helping with our much improved defensive effort with quick rotations and seals against baseline cutters. In any case, one A+ quarter surrrouonded by a whole lot of blah. So...B.
Miller ( C+ ) -- How can Brad Miller grab 14 rebounds and still only get a C+? Well, you would have to have seen his game. Just looked uncomfortable throughout, could not hit a shot, wasn't making anybody else better, got outplayed by Robert Swift and just in general a subpar outing in every way EXCEPT rebounding. Almost like Kenny's last outing. Was at least rebounding early (although truth be told the Sonics were very much on the offensive glass while he was in there), but really nothing else. And the Sonics were killing us in transition and were beating Brad down the floor nearly every time. Came out to start the fourth and gave us a big welcome boost on the defensive glass but never able to get anything else consistently going. How Brad managed to earn 40 min in a game like this I don't know.
Martin ( C+ ) -- Somehwat better performance than the numbers show. Was off target from three early, got in foul trouble, and then picked up his 4th foul 30 seconds into the 2nd half and went to the bench. Was at least pretty aggressive offensively while he WAS on the court, but just could not hit anything. Pretty moves, ugly moves, did not matter -- just would not fall. Still came back to get the bulk of the 4th quarter minutes, and earned them not with his non-existent offense, but by dialing in and significantly harassing Ray Allen on the other side of the ball. Hard to justify the C+ on a 2-10, but they were good shots for the most part, and the late defense on Allen was important for our victory.
Bibby ( A ) -- Really embarrassed Ridnour this time out. Was doing most of our early scoring, and while he wasn't incredibly efficient, he was a presence throughout. Knocked down some big open threes in the third to help us build a smal lead, and hit several shots down the stretch to help ice it. Not as good as Ron, and once I backed Ron off the "+" I could have dropped Mike to the "-" on principal. But not only did he produce big numbers offensively, but his opposite number really was rendered ineffective this time out. When you outscore your guy 30-6 you're doing pretty well.
Bonzi ( C+ ) -- another banging crashing effort, and a sloppy one again. Put up nice scoring and reboiunding numbers, but did it on a lot of shots, with some loose TOs and fouls. Rotation pattern was differnet in this one as Bonzi got in almost immediately in the third with Kevin in foul trouble and began to bang around much more effectively than he had in the first half. And this time out it was Kevin getting the minutes down the stretch wiht good defense on Allen.
Reef ( D ) -- had an apparent advantage in there against Robert Swift, but was actually getting the worse of the matchup. Completely invisible as an interior defender. No boardwork. Did make a few nice passes. Not a great effort.
Garcia ( C ) -- decent return to action, played a little point, actually got some minutes in the second half at OG after BOTH Kevin and Bonzi picked up their 4th fouls in the third. Missed an open three, then forced a second shot up to prove he could and made it. Not much else. Definitely not a spark, but first game back may have been a bit much to ask.
Hart ( INC ) -- found himself called upon in emergency with Bibby with 4 fouls to start the 4th. And performed much like Jason Hart before being replaced.

Adelman ( B- ) -- well...not a terribly impressive outing, but a needed victory. We seem to be struggling along a bit all of a sudden with new holes opening up every game. First it was the blown layups, then the turnovers, and then in this one lousy interior/transition defense. Almost have to wonder if this game had been on the road would we have pulled it out? Or would we have continued to struggle in the second half and dropped a third straight in a third different fashion? Less than 24 hours to shake off the malaise here and go down and beat the Kobes again. Considerable foul trouble actually broke up the normal rotations somewhat -- by the end of the third Kevin, Bonzi AND Mike all had 4 fouls. And so both Cisco and then Hart found themselves logging fill in minutes. We still managed to run our new "big three" (Artest, Bibby, Miller) 40 min each. And you have to hope that those minutes don't come back to bite us tommorow. Ron and Mike at least justified it with their play. Brad...? Maybe Reef justifiied it with his indifferent play, not sure. In any case, we started this one off inattentive on defense and with the Sonics executing a definite gameplan to run out at us at every opportunity and beat us downfloor with their bigs. Killed us in transition in the first half. But we made some adjustments of our own at half, and largely took that away from them. And then it was largely just about Ron and Mike being better than Ray and Rashard late. Not a great win, but a win. Started off weak and mentally sloppy, but dialed in and competed better as the game went on. Now hopefully we have enough energy remaining to pick up right where we left off in L.A. tommorow.
 
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(F) - to the "one doofus guy in the Kings row seats. What a bozo." that didn't cheer along with VF.

other than than...

(A+) - to the Kings 2nd half defense.
 
Ron had his A+ game on again tonight. 34 points on 18 shots, 8 rebounds, 6 asists, 2 steal, 2 blocks and 2 TO's. Of course, the intangibles were there too and with Ron they are truly immesurable.

This thing with Ron handling the ball down the stretch is working out great too. He got Bibby great, wide open shots towards the end, one of them for 3 that probably iced the game.

More of the same tommorow please.
 
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Ron was great and Bibby was too. Bibby with 30 pts and 8 assists. I also liked Kenny's game, tonight, too, with 11 RBs and 11 pts. I loved that block and he had that great hustle save on the one play.
 
(F)- Robert Swift, for being the goofiest-looking guy yet to destroy us inside. A new low for our franchise's storied interior defense.

(A+)- Artest, for singlehandedly being the offense at times we otherwise would've got nothin'. 34 points, 8 boards, 6 assists, and a couple nice blocks. A true superstar performance.

(?)- Adelman... I never would have guessed in a million tries that Rick would introduce Hart back into the lineup the same night we finally get Garcia back (in the fourth quarter, no less, with the game still in doubt). Why? WHY??
A statline full of zeros for Jason in 5 minutes tonight... which is good because that means no turnovers.
~~
 
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Alacron said:
(F)- Robert Swift, for being the goofiest-looking guy yet to destroy us inside. A new low for our franchise's storied interior defense.

.......in the 1st half.

Swift wasn't effective in the 2nd half like he was in the 1st. Scored 2 FGs. But yes, he is indeed one goofy looking kid.
 
Artest...A+ (Did it all...34 pts, 8 reb, 6 asts, 1 stl, 2 blks. Took over the game and led the Kings in the 4th qtr., especially.)

Bibby...A (Very solid 30 pts, 4 reb, 8 asts, 2 stls. Can't ask for much more than that.)

Brad...B (Had a quiet 8 pts, but 14 rebs...woohoo!)

Kenny...B+ (Had a double-double, with 11 pts, 11 reb, 4 asts, 2 stl, 1 blk, but really turned a struggling team around and got the crowd into it with his stuff block, followed by his basket at the other end. And that save was incredible and timely. He really got things going for us.)

Kevin...B- (Foul trouble hurt him tonight and his FG% was not anywhere near his normal.)

Bonzi...C (Obviously is not at 100%, but some of his sloppiness is just lack of focus...IMHO. He did get us 10 pts, 6 rebs, 3 asts, and 2 stls in only 21 min.)

Shareef...D (Just could not get it going tonight. His line of 4 pts, 1 reb, 3 asts, and 1 stl in 21 min of play was anemic. He was also torched on the def end.)

Cisco...(Not enough minutes or contribution to grade. Glad to see him back on the court though.)
 
Like I figured, the athletic big guys ate us alive, but I am proud of our guys for shutting them down in the second half.
 
Kings113 said:
K-Mart definitely redeemed himself with that defense on Ray.

Agreed, Allen seemed to score most of his points when Martin wasn't guarding him. And how bout blocking his shot on the perimeter? Gotta love that effort.
 
kennadog said:
Ron was great and Bibby was too. Bibby with 30 pts and 8 assists. I also liked Kenny's game, tonight, too, with 11 RBs and 11 pts. I loved that block and he had that great hustle save on the one play.

I was at the game - After that huge block, and layup, arco went mad, that was sweet!!
 
"I was aware of (the career high) but just thought, 'Whatever,' as long as we won the game," said Artest, who missed a pair of free throws in the final minute. "I'm getting in shape. I'm down to 255. When I came here I was 271. I'm feeling better. I'm able to move and I'll only get better."

that's class, I love Ronnie.
 
The turnovers were just stupid beyond belief. Bonzi had an awful beginning. I still can't watch Brad and maintain my composure.

Bibby, Ron, and Kenny saved the day.
 
beemerr23 said:
"I was aware of (the career high) but just thought, 'Whatever,' as long as we won the game," said Artest, who missed a pair of free throws in the final minute. "I'm getting in shape. I'm down to 255. When I came here I was 271. I'm feeling better. I'm able to move and I'll only get better."

that's class, I love Ronnie.

That's very good to hear about his weight, that's where he's wanted to be for the season, and I think what he was in 03-04.
 
SAR.. almost forgot the guy was sportin a Kings jersey. I mean, when was the last game he made a REAL impact for the team?
 
atxrocker said:
SAR.. almost forgot the guy was sportin a Kings jersey. I mean, when was the last game he made a REAL impact for the team?

Man, everyone is being so hard on SAR. I agree, he's sort of invisible out there as of late, but I think no impact is better than a negative impact. He did make a couple of nice passes for easy layups and he made a nice midrange jumper... I didn't think he was THAT bad! I don't know, maybe I'm not paying close enough attention to him.
 
kingrooster said:
Man, everyone is being so hard on SAR. I agree, he's sort of invisible out there as of late, but I think no impact is better than a negative impact. He did make a couple of nice passes for easy layups and he made a nice midrange jumper... I didn't think he was THAT bad! I don't know, maybe I'm not paying close enough attention to him.

this is debateable. :p

there have been games that bonzi wells has been just awful in. missed layups, turnovers, and general poor decision making. but in those same kind of negative-impact games, i have seen bonzi hustle and fight despite his poor play. even when he's not contributing positively, he's competing. and i can appreciate that even when he's playing like an absolute knucklehead. SAR needs to assert himself into the gam more forcefully. he doesn't thrive on hustle plays and rebounding like bonzi does, so he's got to try harder to get his spots and shots. i'm not saying he needs to dominate or even demand the ball down low, but he does need to find a way to get more actively involved. i see great potential for this kings team with SAR playing an impact/energy role off the bench. i like the guy. he's really cool, really nice, and a solid ball player. he just needs to get his groove back. he'll be fine in the long run, as this team continues to mesh.
 
Padrino said:
this is debateable. :p

there have been games that bonzi wells has been just awful in. missed layups, turnovers, and general poor decision making. but in those same kind of negative-impact games, i have seen bonzi hustle and fight despite his poor play. even when he's not contributing positively, he's competing. and i can appreciate that even when he's playing like an absolute knucklehead. SAR needs to assert himself into the gam more forcefully. he doesn't thrive on hustle plays and rebounding like bonzi does, so he's got to try harder to get his spots and shots. i'm not saying he needs to dominate or even demand the ball down low, but he does need to find a way to get more actively involved. i see great potential for this kings team with SAR playing an impact/energy role off the bench. i like the guy. he's really cool, really nice, and a solid ball player. he just needs to get his groove back. he'll be fine in the long run, as this team continues to mesh.

Eh, not if we're winning... I'd rather someone else shoot the rock if he's just going to force a 3-12 with 4 TO's... but that's just me. But I agree with everything else... he hasn't been at his best lately, but I think he'll be fine. And with him playing well, they actually get much better offensively off the bench. I do wish he'd rebound better because he has the body... just doesn't seem to have the focus...
 
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