Peja ( C- ) -- started off the game looking like he wanted to exorcise the Bowen demons. Very aggressive, and quickly ran off a string of points against Bowen. But it was all downhill from there, and it didn't matter who was guarding -- Bowen, Barry, Devin Brown...all of them seemed to bother him and he totally disappeared during the latter half of the game. Had some unconscionable rebounding lapses (once even deciding to leak out on the break when he was our PF at the moment), but countered that with some good defensive stands. At this point I can almost write in what Peja's numbers will look like against the Spurs -- 5-14 15pts 4rebs. Same ole same ole.
Webber ( D+ ) -- had the Kings fan nightmare first half -- looked like last year. VERY tentative and having to think about every move. Out of rhythm and unsure of what he wanted to do, and unsure of himself physically. But he seemed to suck it up at halftime, and came out in the third and looked much better. Still not dominant, but back to being moderately productive. Much better inside than outside. Had no legs on the jumper all night and started to settle for it. Lot of in and out shots tonight. Shot too much by the end of the game, but was at least trying.
Miller ( C+ ) -- foul trouble seemed to really throw Brad off after a good start. Just not much of a factor. Not awful, but no impact and very passive offensively.
Christie ( B ) -- it was nice to have Doug back out there on the floor. might of had the best +/- on the team this game. Not a big impact game, but some flashes of his old self, and seemed to be a steadying influence for us.
Bibby ( B ) -- solid comeback game. Strong offensive game, but was struggling with Parker's quickness at the other end and continuing to be shaky with his ballhandling as well. Kind of a one-man gang on offense.
BJax ( D- ) -- just very out of synch, Came in in the second quarter and was just frantic. Made some stupid plays, argued with the refs, quickly picked up three fouls. Was calmer later, but still did not seem to have any clue what he wanted to do. Really pressing.
Barnes ( B- ) -- nowhere near as effective as last night, but brought many of the same attributes. Matt makes a lot of mistakes, but he consistently brings an all around floor game and excellent energy. Even when he's messing up, he's generally messing up trying to make something happen. Likes his game in preseason, still like it. Waiting for the bubble to burst, but as of right now still effective for us.
Ostertag ( D ) -- ineffective tonight. Brought him in against Duncan early, and he instantly picked up three fouls. Later stints weren't much better. Put the infamous Tag hands on full display tonight. The wrap on his broken hand can't be helping, but even given that he just could not hold onto the ball at ALL.
Songaila ( C ) -- reminiscient of last night. Came in, looked ok. But really didn't get much done out there.
Evans ( C+ ) -- good energy in his short stints, but not much more. Not really his fault in the second quarter as he got caught as a SF in a bizarre ultra-smallball lineup of Bobby/Bibby/Evans/Barnes/Songaila..
Adelman ( C- ) -- this game was one of the most brutal games any team in the league is going to have to play all year -- San Antonio on a back to abck a night after Dallas and in the Spurs' home opener. Uh...ouch! A loss was expected. But the question is how did we play in losing? Answer = not great. Stretches of good play mixed in with stretches of being very out of synch. Ridiculous ultra-smallball lineup in the 2nd quarter was a bizarre respionse to our excessive foul trouble. Team also lost its composure in the face of some shaky officiating. And playing Peja 40+ minutes in this game was just dumb. He's done it before too.
Webber ( D+ ) -- had the Kings fan nightmare first half -- looked like last year. VERY tentative and having to think about every move. Out of rhythm and unsure of what he wanted to do, and unsure of himself physically. But he seemed to suck it up at halftime, and came out in the third and looked much better. Still not dominant, but back to being moderately productive. Much better inside than outside. Had no legs on the jumper all night and started to settle for it. Lot of in and out shots tonight. Shot too much by the end of the game, but was at least trying.
Miller ( C+ ) -- foul trouble seemed to really throw Brad off after a good start. Just not much of a factor. Not awful, but no impact and very passive offensively.
Christie ( B ) -- it was nice to have Doug back out there on the floor. might of had the best +/- on the team this game. Not a big impact game, but some flashes of his old self, and seemed to be a steadying influence for us.
Bibby ( B ) -- solid comeback game. Strong offensive game, but was struggling with Parker's quickness at the other end and continuing to be shaky with his ballhandling as well. Kind of a one-man gang on offense.
BJax ( D- ) -- just very out of synch, Came in in the second quarter and was just frantic. Made some stupid plays, argued with the refs, quickly picked up three fouls. Was calmer later, but still did not seem to have any clue what he wanted to do. Really pressing.
Barnes ( B- ) -- nowhere near as effective as last night, but brought many of the same attributes. Matt makes a lot of mistakes, but he consistently brings an all around floor game and excellent energy. Even when he's messing up, he's generally messing up trying to make something happen. Likes his game in preseason, still like it. Waiting for the bubble to burst, but as of right now still effective for us.
Ostertag ( D ) -- ineffective tonight. Brought him in against Duncan early, and he instantly picked up three fouls. Later stints weren't much better. Put the infamous Tag hands on full display tonight. The wrap on his broken hand can't be helping, but even given that he just could not hold onto the ball at ALL.
Songaila ( C ) -- reminiscient of last night. Came in, looked ok. But really didn't get much done out there.
Evans ( C+ ) -- good energy in his short stints, but not much more. Not really his fault in the second quarter as he got caught as a SF in a bizarre ultra-smallball lineup of Bobby/Bibby/Evans/Barnes/Songaila..
Adelman ( C- ) -- this game was one of the most brutal games any team in the league is going to have to play all year -- San Antonio on a back to abck a night after Dallas and in the Spurs' home opener. Uh...ouch! A loss was expected. But the question is how did we play in losing? Answer = not great. Stretches of good play mixed in with stretches of being very out of synch. Ridiculous ultra-smallball lineup in the 2nd quarter was a bizarre respionse to our excessive foul trouble. Team also lost its composure in the face of some shaky officiating. And playing Peja 40+ minutes in this game was just dumb. He's done it before too.
