Grades v. Warriors 02/17/10

[Bricklayer]

There will be girls.

Oh yes, there will be girls.

Alright...initiating the theme Pretty Girls: Does Anybody Care edition. Seems there has been some excitement around here and people are distracted. Not sure what that is about.

Casspi ( C- ) -- hustled around, but one of many Kings who just were incredibly undisciplined in this one, setting the stage for the blowout. Just fell completely into the Warriors run n gun trap. In the early going got the ball on the break from Reke and threw up a wild falling thing over his shoulder with no hope and the Warriors were off to the races the other way. Got the strip on one end, and led the break for an alley oop to Donte. Challenged Watson high for a block on the break. Then hit a three and a two from outside. Big block on one end, and tried another allegy oop to Greene that did not work and again started the Warriors off running back the other way. Layup to start the 4th. Hit a jumper off a screen. No look pass to Hawes for the layup. Seemed slow to grasp that Anthony Morrow and even Devean George (yes, that Devean George) are three point shooters. There was effort here and even a few spectacular plays. But there just weren't many brains and even less discipline as he, and we, were badly outplayed. Its not the rookie game kid.

Jennifer Lamiraqui -- french model Jennifer Lamiraqui. Come on, even on a big news day otherwise she has to merit a stand up and take notice, no?

Greene ( C ) -- this was a game that started off promisingly with some good harassment of Maggette, but quickly devolved and Donte got lost in the messy shuffle for a long stretch before reemerging late for a few good plays. Early on looked like he wanted to add Maggette's scalp to his wall -- blocked a shot, stripped him on the way up, nearly had another strip, and tried to punish him in the post. Got out on the break -- this was a classic Nellieball game composed of nothing but -- for an alley oop from Casspi. Good drive with 1:15 to go in the half. Beagan to lose control fo anybody not named Maggette though, and even struggled to contain Devean George after half as the Warriors went on an amazing streak where they simply would not miss. Missed a jumper, but then a good tough drive. Hit a three with 2 minutes to go in the third after we ran some offense for the first time in three quarters. Nice spin dribble past Magette and got fouled. Squared up for a three from Reke when Reke got tripled. Decent numbers but really not that effective and after the first few minutes never had an impact at all as we got annihilated on defense.

Irina Sheik -- the Russians can do smoldering beauty too. And yes, I couldn't decide which pic I liked better, so I just posted both. So sue me. Or thank me.

 

[Bricklayer]

Hawes ( C- ) -- an oh so soft game in which Spencer did a few good things with his shot, continued to be a one man personal shot assistant for the holdover Princeton guards we still have around (or had around), as well as Reke on one play. Meanwhile he was out there chucking threes, his reboudning was atrocious, and its 8:00am Eastern Standard Time and he's probably still in Oakland trying to get back on defense. Tried to back down his man in the post and lost the ball in ugly fashion to start things. Bad turnover again starting the Warriors streaking back against us again. Pass to a cutting Reke for a layup. Picked up a JT missed layup to start the 4th and laid it in, although probably should have been called an offensive foul with his off hand. Had a layup from Casspi to close things. never had an impact on things. And yes, I am aware that the overall grades here are just too high given the outcome. But that's nellieball -- it inflates everything, even the grades thread.

Alexis Bledel -- cutie pie actress Alexis Bledel -- you may have seen her in Gilmore Girls or Sin City. English as a second language (her native is Spanish, learned English in school) done right.

Martin ( C- ) -- Of course this one will be loaded with subtext, but here we go. Came off a designed curl and hit the jumper to start the game, and was off against the Warrirors as usual with three quick hoops. But missed a technical FT and began to miss his shots as the quarter went along. What was worse was what was going on on the other end as he got absolutely torched. At one point CJ Watson had hit 14 of his first 15 shots and had 21pts by the openign minuues of the second quarter. That is not a misprint. We got completely blistered. Not all of that was Kevin, but he certainly wasn't helping. Hit a three to start the 2nd. As things spiraled on us repeatedly came up short on drives at the rim and could not make his FTs -- in the first half he was only 2-5, and of course as it turned out there was no second half. Picked up his 3rd foul just before the break and went to the bench for the final time in his Kings career with a few seconds to go in the half. Did not start after half, and you wondered what was up. I was getting a little annoyed at shots of him sitting over at the end of the bench laughing with somebody as the guys on the court got creamed, but of course we now know he had gotten the news he was traded at halftime, so it all makes sense. Maybe a little reminscing before cleaning out the locker. And so I guess in some ways an appropriate close to the Kevin Martin era -- some early offense, little defense, and an ugly loss. But this isn't the time nor place, and this loss had a lot more authors than just Kevin.

We take a break from the pretty girls to say goodbye.

Evans ( B- ) -- on the night when the franchise officially passed into the hands of our 20 year old wunderkind, we found out something we already knew -- he does not like to lose. Had a couple of turnovers early trying to be aggressive but having the ball slapped away. Stole the ball from curry up top and went down fullcourt for the dunk. Then posted Curry and went right to the hoop. Got tripled in the post and turned it over. Got tripled again, and dribbled it out and hit Donte for the three -- you know a major difference between the Tyreke and Curry, and this is something that is always telling in a major way? We guarded Curry straight up. The Warriors sometimes sent as many as three men at Tyreke. That's the difference between a talented player, and a dominant one -- Tyreke may never get to play a "fair" game of basketball again in his life. He will always have to beat 2 or 3 guys. At the end of the first settled for a too quick jumper on our last play. Back in and missed the three. Got a layup on the cut. Came up short on an alley oop -- dumb play by us that kind of epitimized how unfocused we were jsut runnign aorund out there chucking up crap -- Reke is not a big leaper. He is not an alley oop guy. Some big swooping drives to the hoop and got fouled, but no finishes. Out on the break +1 ramming right into Watson and pulling up for the finsih. Scored in the post again. Had trouble containing Watson after half, but really attacked the hoop in the third. Looked really gassed by the midpoint of the quarter and seemed clearly frustrated by the way the team was playing. Too many turnovers on the night as he racked up big numbers as usual -- 17pts 5reb 10ast 3stl, but added in 6 TO trying to find some way to will us back into it, and of course all numbers, both home and away, are exagggerated in the wackyball world. Steal and led the break for an alley oop to JT in the late going. After the game seemed more concerend with the fact we had just got waxed, wiht some extra mustard from a fairly classless Warriros crew, than he was about the trade. Too bad we don't face the Warriors again this season. Have a feeling Reke might have a present for them.

Marissa Miller -- and well, if Tyreke has now become the youngest player ever to take on the mantle of the King of Kings, it seemed appropriate that I break out the world's hottest Kings fan as his mascot. Now why can't we get HER to come to the games?

Bench

Thompson ( B- ) -- and this time we had the JT big numbers game where the numbers felt positively empty. Struggled in the early going, finally hit a side jumper to bring it back from 29 I think. Hit his first FTs as at least the choke the otehr night did not appear to have any lingering effects. +1 on the finsih from the Reke drive. Back in in the third and ran over Turiaf for what should have been the ofensive foul, but did niot get called and then airballed the shot. Hit a little jumper a few possessions later. Still looking clumsy, but was beginning to play patty cake on the o-boards -- had 15rebs on the ngiht, and 8 of them were offensive, and probably almost all on his own misses as he was back in the old familiar bounce around, flip stuff at the hoop with no touch and then go chase it mode. Alley oop from Reke. Unable to defend the rim, and repeatedly lost track of Turiaf inside. Racked up 17pts and 15rebs and yet there is now way you would have said he was even close to that -- it was one of those clumsy looking fumble and blow layups and all the normal clueless uncoordinated stuff outings. To his credit did not give up. To his non-credit looked fugly and was useless on defense.

Catrinel Menghia -- Turns out Romania produces some lovely models as well.

 

[Bricklayer]

Udrih ( D+ ) -- in and immediately beat by Watson for a +1, lost control of the pace in the early 2nd as the Warriors exploded, ran, and ran some more. Led to Beno's quick banishment, and a not so fearsome glower while sitting over on the bench. Back in in the semi-garbagetime of the third and hit several shots. But missed everything from downtown and ran the team ineffectively through the end (as it turns out Sergio was also involved in the trade, and he too would not see his usual mopup duty minutes).

Minka Kelly -- of Friday Night Lights

Udoka ( C ) -- ineffective first half. Got the second half start with Kevin being held out, and got the assignment of checking Curry. Got the early block on kid, but generally too quick. Played some good defense on Watson, who beat him anyway. And did not last long.

Asin Thottumkal -- why not head back to Bollywood for another beauty even if she does break into a song and dance when she should be making out.

Garcia ( B ) -- finally hit a three at the 5:00 mark of the third for his first hit of the season to chase it back under 30. Nice swooping drive for a finish. Then a corner jumper. Airballed a side jumper to start the 3th. Collided with Tolliver out defending the break and both guys took big falls. Missed the inside flip. In the last minute and a half threw an amazingly bad crosscourt pass 10 feet above the guy's head. Doesn't look in great shape yet, but if nothing else this mess of a game gave him a good long run to try ot get his game legs back.

Rachel Specter

Nocioni ( D- ) -- took matters into his own hands and made damn sure he wasn't goign to be traded witha nifty 0-5FG, 0-3 from 3pt land perfromance in 10 minutes. Came in and immediately ariballed a three, got it kicked back, and bricked another one. Well Noc, you're a tough guy. We seem to be collecting tough guys. So you will fit right in on this roster...for the rest of your career. Like KT before you, signing a bloated contract has set you up for life, but also means that you will be marooned here, unmoveable and buried, until late in your career lifespan. Enjoy!

Kenya Moore -- former Miss USA.

 

[Bricklayer]

Rodriguez ( INC ) -- in as we got desperate in the mid-2nd, bricked a three. Did not last long inwhat would turn out to be his last appearance asa King as well.

Brockman ( C+ ) -- finally in in the third, and looked as fish out of water as Westphal feared. Did bang a bit on the o-boards, but just too wild
a game for him. Layup off a little pass from Cisco.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

There will be girls.

Oh yes, there will be girls.

Hopefully they're not as ugly as the game...

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

There will be girls.

Oh yes, there will be girls.

placeholder...

Praise the Lord!!!

Edit: and everyone gets a big fat S for SUCKS!

 

[Emma]

I need me some feisty ones. I need some that show us some life, not like these Kings right now..

 

[Fear the Putin]

I need me some feisty ones. I need some that show us some life, not like these Kings right now..

Mila Kunis

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

Can any of them defend the pick and roll?

 

[theclash4u5]

Can any of them defend the pick and roll?

No, but we can let them try

 

[GoGoGadget]

Edit: and everyone gets a big fat S for SUCKS!

[yt=S is for Sucks!]e2t1Nh0J_38[/yt]

 

[91sickness]

Lets just go ahead and give everyone an F and give us the 12 F'ing hottest chicks on the planet.....we could all use it. We will need it again tomorrow round 12 when our roster looks EXACTLY the same as it did today round 12....

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

[yt=S is for Sucks!]e2t1Nh0J_38[/yt]

Nice!! Hey Brick...how about a funny theme to help us cope with our next ugly loss: funniest comedians.

 

[ReinadelosReys]

There will be girls.

Oh yes, there will be girls.

placeholder...

Hello? What about the other half of the suffering Kings nation????

 

[Bricklayer]

Hello? What about the other half of the suffering Kings nation????

You're right. Sorry, very inconsiderate of me -- boys can be pretty too:

There, feel better?

 

[Asaf]

Well, since tonight everyone will be focusing on the Martin-Landry trade anyway, perhaps we can quietly dump the game thread and the grades thread in the archives and pretend this game never happened...

 

[M_Barragan]

Well, since tonight everyone will be focusing on the Martin-Landry trade anyway, perhaps we can quietly dump the game thread and the grades thread in the archives and pretend this game never happened...

This

 

[piksi]

when I went to bed - Kings were up by 3 in the 1st quarter. I wake up in the morning and we lost by 30+ and Kevin is not a King anymore.

You just can't even go to sleep anymore

 

[Bricklayer]

when I went to bed - Kings were up by 3 in the 1st quarter. I wake up in the morning and we lost by 30+ and Kevin is not a King anymore.

You just can't even go to sleep anymore

You went to sleep with us winning?

This is all your fault!!!

 

[xrzn]

You went to sleep with us winning?

This is all your fault!!!

Then again, he went to sleep with Martin as a King.

 

[piksi]

luckly I went to sleep while I still could. hard to sleep when you watch 30 pt loss

 

[Prophetess]

Hello? What about the other half of the suffering Kings nation????

Brick hurt my eyes with bikini boy, so I will help those others suffering

 

[bloom]

Thanks Prophetess for giving this thread more of a balance ....So it seems I picked a great game to miss. I was hoping for a tripple double for Tyreke - next game Tyreke!

 

[Bricklayer]

If the server is done tweaking I will even try to finish these now.

 

[drogba]

Rodriguez ( INC ) -- in as we got desperate in the mid-2nd, bricked a three. Did not last long inwhat would turn out to be his last appearance asa King as well.

Brockman ( C+ ) -- finally in in the third, and looked as fish out of water as Westphal feared. Did bang a bit on the o-boards, but just too wild
a game for him. Layup off a little pass from Cisco.

i didn't see the game, but who ever guarded Wotson is a big F come on 40 points???
i don't care how much he scored or how many asissts he had.
i say it again they should start beating a little bit and not protacting there little asses.
no one even Tyreke shouldn't get a B

 

[ArcoKings]

I wish the season would end already. The team has been in a terrible funk for over 2 months. The ugly loss to the Ws was just unbearable.

 

[Bricklayer]

i didn't see the game, but who ever guarded Wotson is a big F come on 40 points???
i don't care how much he scored or how many asissts he had.
i say it again they should start beating a little bit and not protacting there little asses.
no one even Tyreke shouldn't get a B

I was hindered by gouging my eyes out by halftime, but Watson was an equal opportunity buttkicker during the game. Started with Kevin, that was bad. Then Beno, that was worse. Sergio for a bit I think. A little Reke. A little Udoka. Back to Beno. The tough part was that so much that happened was a complete collapse of our transition defense, so its hard to figure out who's individual faul it was defensively. Nobody got back, and to be fair the Warriros shooting was just ridiculous.