Grades v. Sonics 05/01

[Zyphen]

I thought it was pretty apparent from this game that Peja was the benefactor of Lewis's continuing shooting struggles. When Lewis drives on Peja, there's nothing Peja can do. Lewis got past Peja at least 7 times and either finished, went to the foul line, or found a wide open man. In fact, the only times Lewis couldn't finish was because help came from Brad and a couple times KT. Lewis knows he'll get doubled if he goes inside, so he settled for a lot of jump shots in the other games. This time, he realized we're soft inside and drove more. I guess we should be thankful he didn't realize sooner.

I retract my hypothesis that Peja's "D" had something to do with it last game. I'll go along with Brick's grade of a D+ for that one. The defense was a wash. I don't expect Peja to keep someone like Lewis in front of him so I don't think this'll hurt him. People keep seeing this phantom "D" out there and it almost convinced me. If you think he played good "D" this game, you must be confused about the entire concept (and I don't mean good Kings "D", I mean good "D" period).

That being said, Peja had a good half of basketball. Then disappeared. You expect this from him but I don't think it should ever be an "expectation" for any player. Doesn't matter if you're the lowliest scrub. If the coach puts you in there for the final quarter every game, you better do something productive.

 

[slugking50]

NOTE: Kozimor is doing the radio stuff because Gary Gerould is doing racing stuff...

GMan has been doing the NHRA Drag Racing Series this year as the trophy pit reporter. He talks to guys/gals after thier runs. He'll be in Indianapolis once again for 3 weeks starting next week as usual.


Back to hoops....


Defense on RA: F- It was horrible. Just like the Sonics let Peja go off for 21 in the 1st half the Kings almost refused to defend him. Hoping that Cat would be sufficient against a player that is better at just about everything. Was so frustrating to watch.

Not much more to add really. Thought the grades were fair. i could rant on Mobley and Thomas but Ive done that enough

 

[tienchi3x]

I hope next game RA plays House, Skinner, Evans and maybe Ostertag some. He might as well, we have nothing to lose at this point.

 

[quick dog]

I have four things to say:

Ray Allen

Oh Well

I like the Channel 10 guy better than Kozimor.

I've been watching too much TV anyway.

 

[coolhandluke]

Here's the scoop. I hear from well-informed sources that the Sonics paid good money to get hold of videotapes containing Kings defensive schemes. Reportedly, they were very upset to discover that all were blank tapes.

 

[Twix]

Traded away. The team tried, but they are just outclassed out there.

Vlade wasn't traded but Webb and Doug was.

I agree with all of Bricklayer's grades.

Very dishearten lost. No one could stop Ray Allen except himself. He basically won the game for Sonics. They also played pretty good D in the 2nd half.

 

[Team Dime]

I thought it was pretty apparent from this game that Peja was the benefactor of Lewis's continuing shooting struggles. When Lewis drives on Peja, there's nothing Peja can do. Lewis got past Peja at least 7 times and either finished, went to the foul line, or found a wide open man. In fact, the only times Lewis couldn't finish was because help came from Brad and a couple times KT. Lewis knows he'll get doubled if he goes inside, so he settled for a lot of jump shots in the other games. This time, he realized we're soft inside and drove more. I guess we should be thankful he didn't realize sooner.

I retract my hypothesis that Peja's "D" had something to do with it last game. I'll go along with Brick's grade of a D+ for that one. The defense was a wash. I don't expect Peja to keep someone like Lewis in front of him so I don't think this'll hurt him. People keep seeing this phantom "D" out there and it almost convinced me. If you think he played good "D" this game, you must be confused about the entire concept (and I don't mean good Kings "D", I mean good "D" period).

That being said, Peja had a good half of basketball. Then disappeared. You expect this from him but I don't think it should ever be an "expectation" for any player. Doesn't matter if you're the lowliest scrub. If the coach puts you in there for the final quarter every game, you better do something productive.

People can say what the want about Bibby's bad games in the playoffs, but at least when he has it going, he has it going for the whole game. He's also not afraid to take big shots.

Maybe last night is the best we can expect from Peja in the playoffs. 21pts in the 1st half, 6 in the 3rd, 0 in the 4th. We can't he for once disappear in the 1st half and save the offensive explosion for the 2nd half?? (let alone he ever do it for 4 quarters but that's just asking too much). I think the answer has to do with the amount of pressure as the game goes along.


I think Petrie should seriously look at getting rid of Peja. Not only that, Petrie needs to change the mindset of this team, to get alot of defensive players for a change. It's been proven every year that offense doesn't win, defense wins championships. That's exactly why the Suns won't win it all this year. The way that team is constructed is very similar to the recent Kings teams, but in terms of winning it all I must say it's fools' gold. But what are the odds of having a defense minded team with Adelman in charge?

It'll definately suck to see the Kings have a short exit, but at least the summer promises to provide plenty of excitement.

 

[Raci]

Peja disappear(not fully),Bibby go wild i dont know what is worse?

 

[Team Dime]

Peja disappear(not fully),Bibby go wild i dont know what is worse?

Not fully? Peja was on fire in the 1st half, he scored 0 points in the 4th quarter? How is that NOT diappearing??

The sad truth is this is about the best we can expect out of Peja in the playoffs.

 

[VF21]

Here's the scoop. I hear from well-informed sources that the Sonics paid good money to get hold of videotapes containing Kings defensive schemes. Reportedly, they were very upset to discover that all were blank tapes.

::VF21 stands and applauds wildly::

Thank you! I actually laughed out loud...

Unfortunately, I then realized it's not funny because it's pretty much true.

But my first response was a well-needed laugh...


BTW? You owe me a keyboard.

 

[Raci]

Not fully? Peja was on fire in the 1st half, he scored 0 points in the 4th quarter? How is that NOT diappearing??

The sad truth is this is about the best we can expect out of Peja in the playoffs.

He has a part of guilt,if other give him a ball more offten he will NEED to play,somethimes other can make him more confident,coz he obviously have confidente problem.
But i dont want 1-16 also,when you see that bal dont go in,just stop and make something usefully like assistens,defence...
Peja isnt only to blame,they share it.

 

[VF21]

He has a part of guilt,if other give him a ball more offten he will NEED to play,somethimes other can make him more confident,coz he obviously have confidente problem.
But i dont want 1-16 also,when you see that bal dont go in,just stop and make something usefully like assistens,defence...
Peja isnt only to blame,they share it.

Dude, you really need to quit making excuses for Peja. It shouldn't be up to the others to build his confidence. If he's that uncertain and that fragile, he might want to take up basket-weaving or something.

 

[kgrichwine]

F's for every skirt wearing bunch of them and an F for Adelman.

 

[4cwebb]

People can say what the want about Bibby's bad games in the playoffs, but at least when he has it going, he has it going for the whole game. He's also not afraid to take big shots.

Bibby's also not afraid to shoot even if he's not hitting. 0-7 in the 4th last night, and 1 for 4 from the free throw line. He's had one good game, one solid game, one solid half (game 4 first half), and a game and a half of terrible basketball. I, for one, didn't expect anything like this from Bibby in the playoffs. It's been disappointing to say the least.

And, yes, Peja has been terrible as well, except for the first half of game 4. Sonics were the best matchup for the Kings in the first round, imho, and they're showing that even the Sonics are too much for them to handle.

 

[bibbinator]

Ray Allen was incredible, that 3 pt jumper he took at the end of the 4th quarter was just amazing. It was like something out of the Matrix. I was watching from behind the basket on the other side and thinking to myself "there's no way that shot goes in."

As for Peja in the second half, I agree, however the whole team was terrible in the second half. In fact we were only really superior to Seattle in the 1st quarter, they matched us point for point in the second. Peja doesn't make sense on a team without a fully constructed offense to use him, and right now Sac doesn't have that for reasons we all know.

I don't think we'll win the series, but I think we'll pull it off tomorrow.

 

[KP]

F's for every skirt wearing bunch of them and an F for Adelman.

Now this^, is a funny post.

 

[Bartking]

Ray Allen was incredible, that 3 pt jumper he took at the end of the 4th quarter was just amazing. It was like something out of the Matrix. I was watching from behind the basket on the other side and thinking to myself "there's no way that shot goes in."

I think that was a lucky shot. But when you get 43 legitimately, it's hard to discount it.

 

[Raci]

Dude, you really need to quit making excuses for Peja. It shouldn't be up to the others to build his confidence. If he's that uncertain and that fragile.

Unfortunately it is.