Hornets @ Kings Game Thread

[piksi]

Kings broke this mini losing streak by beating Portland and making the race for the 13th draft pick more exciting. Kings are 37-42 getting close to .500 mostly because the upgraded version of Muss on the bench. In fact if Kings win out the next 3 games - they have a great chance to get that 13th pick that they really were after all season long. It won't be easy and it probably won't happen but we will try. Too bad that we had so many injuries. If it wasn't for that - we would have clinched the 13th pick long time ago.
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It won't be easy to win out because Hornets, Spurs and lakers is as difficult as one can have down the stretch. I can see us win one of them and decide the 1st seed in the West and our best chance is tonight. Spurs will be extremely difficult and in the last game, we will unfortunately end up like a possum on the interstate in the middle of rush hour.
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Finally, a decent spread of playing time and contribution from all the players. Nice to see that despite being 70+ games too late and being caused by injuries also. This is how You invest in the future when there is nothing to be gained in the present. You can still win games enough for decent pick and still to be better than Heat,Sonics, Grizzlies or the Knicks. Remains to be seen whether the next season will be like this season. To get in the playoffs - we just have to stop trying so hard every damn year. It will happen in due time and all we are doing it is extending the same.
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In the game of 2 teams fighting for the 13th draft pick Kings cleaned up the rebounding in the 2nd half and won easily. 7 guys in double figures,only couple old guys in the rotation, 55% FG,no Joel and the win was never in doubt.
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AWARD TIME

TDM - Freye - could be his first double double of the season
LW-VC - Jones - used to torch us when playing for the Suns
RA&1 - Blake - pure garbage

WTF moment of the game - Kings rebounding in the first 5 minutes of the game.
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Hornets are next and they had a rough night in LA. It is a must win for them and since they overslept the first quarter last night - that won't happen again. Back to back for both teams too. We beat them here easily last time we played. They don't play much defense and they don't rebound well so we should match up nicely. All pressure is on them. TDM will go to Pargo, LW-VC on Peterson. We can win this.
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[fnordius]

We can win this.

Although, if we do, the Lakers will become the #1 seed tonight, since their W-L record will match NO's, but they win the conference and divisional tiebreakers (they are 2-2 vs each other).

Is that what we want to do?

 

[d0rkus]

it'll be tough w/o miller/artest and maybe martin.
but there will be plenty of time for the young guys to play, hopefully they make the best of their playing time.

 

[piksi]

Although, if we do, the Lakers will become the #1 seed tonight, since their W-L record will match NO's, but they win the conference and divisional tiebreakers (they are 2-2 vs each other).

Is that what we want to do?

no, but is 37-42 what we want ?

 

[fnordius]

no, but is 37-42 what we want ?

I'd take it, but I don't think Stern would stand for our skipping the last 3 games.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

Here's a good advantage for us to see if our young guys have grown enough to take down upper-tier teams. That Portland win certainly has to give us some confidence--and I'm liking what I'm seeing from Hawes and Garcia more and more. I think we have the talent to beat them, actually. We'll see.

 

[1kingzfan]

Douby playing time fans and those holding on for a desperate, last chance at the #11 draft pick rejoice!!!

KMart will not be in uniform tonight vs New Orleans.

 

[Showtime]

Gonna be back with my CP jersey. Here's hoping the game goes a bit differently than the last one at ACRO.

 

[Bricklayer]

Might this not be one of those oh so nifty games where Ron magically heals because, well, its an opponent he actually cares about playing?

I will make no secret about this -- we can come close, make them sweat, the kids can hopefully do well, whatever -- but I want to see New Orleans win this tonight. A win does absolutely nothing for us, puts us in some risk of losing a spot in the draft, and I have beyond no interest in handing the Lakers the #1 seed.

 

[piksi]

and I have beyond no interest in handing the Lakers the #1 seed.

that would be an ultimate travesty and so wrong - and thus it will probably happen

 

[1kingzfan]

With Kevin out and Ron likely sitting again too, should be no worries and turn into an ol' fashioned butt whippin' by NO...

 

[Gargamel]

Although, if we do, the Lakers will become the #1 seed tonight, since their W-L record will match NO's, but they win the conference and divisional tiebreakers (they are 2-2 vs each other).

Is that what we want to do?

Moot unless LA beats SA tomorrow, and considering that the 3rd seed would be a stinker (Phx and NO in 2 rounds), SA's forced to bring it. Tomorrow's game also determines HCA between LA/SA if NO retains the top seed.

*Houston could nudge LA/SA out of 3 if they win out, but they play at Utah on the last night. They're probably not gonna play with that 22-gm streak funk that night. 3rd is no prize.

Dallas also faces NO at home on the last night. As of this moment, it's well within the realm of poss that with a Mavs win, they'd determine whether they face NO or SA/LA in the 1st round. If they have that chance, it's obvious they'd rather NO than the other 2.

 

[Jechtsphere]

Spencers first two baskets were quite nice!

 

[piksi]

Ron is playing - must have been a coin flip decision

 

[Packt]

Ron is playing - must have been a coin flip decision

Ron has already said he would play the home games... because he loves us that much.

 

[Bricklayer]

Ron has already said he would play the home games... because he loves us that much.

He didn't play the last one.

Ron has Reggie and this organization on a leash. He snaps it when he wants to paly. Tonight the opponent was exciting/interesting enough for him to bother. So he snapped the leash, and voila! What a prince.

 

[piksi]

Sorry - I thought we beat Blazers last night - at HOME

 

[fnordius]

Some games can't be exciting, only nerve-wracking.

And on that note, I'd like to thank our Kings corporate sponsor, Jack Daniels.

 

[discocricket]

I must say I'm cautiously optimistic with what I've seen from Hawes the last few games, especially with regards to running the floor, shotblocking and finding the open man. I'm less impressed with his rebounding and flat jumper, but I'm looking forward to seeing him with some more muscle on his frame.

 

[Packt]

I'm out of touch.

Ron is looking to punish us by trying to win games.

 

[fnordius]

I'm out of touch.

Ron is looking to punish us by trying to win games.

The only game we really want to win is the road game. If we win this one, I'm going to be seriously annoyed.

 

[Kingster]

Artest looks absolutely pathetic out there. One on one. One on two. One on three. No defensive intensity. Salmons looks the same. As soon as he and Artest were on the floor at the same time it was every man for himself. Selfish, selfish basketball.

 

[venom_7]

I'm interested in finding out whether or not our turnovers go down or up with Artest on the floor.

 

[fnordius]

I'm interested in finding out whether or not our turnovers go down or up with Artest on the floor.

Artest's TOs vs Salmons/Cisco's, or team TOs overall?

 

[piksi]

Ron has decided to take over - which is the perfect opportunity for the Hornets

 

[fnordius]

Ron has decided to take over - which is the perfect opportunity for the Hornets

If he and Salmons can keep up the competitive hogfest, I may end up glad that he decided to play after all.

 

[fnordius]

Does Pargo look as terrible in the game as he does on the box score?

 

[piksi]

this is getting way too close

 

[piksi]

Does Pargo look as terrible in the game as he does on the box score?

worse

 

[piksi]

Pargo is retarded