Kings-Hornets PBP for April 16

[VF21]

Greetings, fellow Kings fans!

Well, we're winding down to the end of a very confusing, frustrating season. But, even with all the problems, there are some bright spots. We've seen Kevin Martin come into his own to the point where he's widely being predicted as one of the best picks for MIP. That's a good thing, as is the emergence of Francisco Garcia. And who can deny the excitement of Justin Williams?

Yes, it's been a trying year ... but the Kings will survive and so will we.

I hope tonight's game is fun and exciting and I'm really hoping the veterans play very few minutes. Give the kids more time to show what they can do in front of the home crowd. Get Arco excited again. The future will take care of itself. All we can do at this point is just hope for the best.

Since we've already dropped in the draft pick standings, I hope the kids can put it together and have fun... And I'll be rooting for them to win.

Price, Douby, Williams, Martin, Salmons and Garcia are fun to watch. That's what captured the hearts of a lot of fans back in 1999. The team was FUN! I'm not comparing this squad to that one, but the excitement of seeing young players coming into their own is undeniable.

So, GO KINGS!!!

 

[VF21]

No Ronnie Price tonight; he's on the bench in street clothes, really looking like he'd much rather be playing.

Looks like a pretty good turnout in Arco. My guess is people are hoping just to catch a bit of the fun and excitement the kids generate.

 

[VF21]

According to Grant, everyone but Ronnie P. is available to play tonight. Peja is in the house - in street clothes - and they just showed Bobby J. chatting with Cisco.

This could be a really fun game...

 

[VF21]

Kings starters, as usual: Bibby, Martin, Artest, SAR and Miller

For the Hornets: Paul, Brown, Butler, West and Marc Jackson

Hrm... I thought Marc Jackson was retired and broadcasting ...

 

[VF21]

NOK tips the ball to Artest.

SAR jumper for two.

2-0 KINGS

Brown drives the lane, runs into Artest and heads to the line.

Makes both.

2-2

I suspect someone has been reading our board. Jerry just commented that although FANS are interested in the draft pick, coaches often still care about the W-L numbers because that can determine their future.

Miller for two.

SAR for two.

6-2 KINGS

Paul miss; Miller board.

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!

9-2 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Another NOK miss; Miller rebound.

Artest pass deflected oob. Still Kings ball.

Peja looking dapper in a striped shirt, pattern tie and striped suit. All different colors, BTW.

Kings miss; NOK ball.

Paul for two.

9-4 KINGS

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!

12-4 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Martin rebound.

MIller jumper for two more.

14-4 KINGS

8;30 left

SAR blocks MJackson's shot but is called for the foul.

One of two.

14-5 KINGS

SAR with two more.

16-5 KINGS

 

[VF21]

NOK for two.

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!

19-7 KINGS

Brown for two.

19-9 KINGS

Martin fouled - non-shooting.

Miller drives inside, and loses the ball. Fouls NOK in frustration.

NOK ball.

NOK miss; Bibby rebound but Paul steals it, misses the bucket and fouls SAR. Non-shooting. Kings ball.

Martin drives inside, heads to the line on foul by Butler.

 

[VF21]

Makes both.

21-9 KINGS

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Oops. Sorry. There's just not much excitement right now.

NOK miss; MIller rebound.

BIBBY FOR THREE! and Grant makes the obligatory "Turn the sprinkler system on" comment, followed immediately by Jerry saying he's "Bibbylicious."

24-9 KINGS

Time out and commercial

5;34 left

 

[VF21]

Bobby J into the game and immediately receives a NICE round of applause.

Kings one of two from the stripe to take the score to

25-9 KINGS

Miller blocks shot but NOK gets the putback.

25-11 KINGS

SAR one-handed dunk for two on dish by Miller.

27-11 KINGS

4;37 left

Brown for three.

27-14 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Miller miss; NOK rebound.

Paul miss; Bobby J scrambles for the rebound and draws the foul.

Makes both.

27-16 KINGS

Bibby miss; NOK rebound.

Brown for two.

27-18 KINGS

Martin airball; NOK board.

Brown for three from the corner.

27-21 KINGS

 

[VF21]

SAR up and under for two.

29-21 KINGS

Paul fouled by Bibby and heading to the line.

Time out and commercial.

2;43 left

 

[VF21]

Douby in for Martin.

Paul makes both.

29-23 KINGS

SAR miss; NOK board.

West hook for two over SAR.

29-25 KINGS

Artest off-balance shot misses; NOK board.

Bobby and Bibby having great fun on the court...

Meanwhile some NOK guy at the line.

Makes both.

29-27 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Artest horrible shot off the glass; NOK board.

Ball oob off NOK; Justin Williams in for Miller. NICE cheer from the crowd.

Kings ball.

1;09 left

Artest for two.

31-27 KINGS

 

[VF21]

NOK miss; Kings ball.

Artest miss; NOK rebound but Williams was right there.

Jackson for two.

31-29 KINGS

Williams inside, fouled by Jackson attempting to block his shot.

Justin to the line.

26.3 seconds left

Misses first; and second.

31-29 KINGS

 

[VF21]

NOK holds; Jackson misses three but Paul gets the putback.

31-31

End of the first quarter

 

[VF21]

Artest with a long two.

33-31 KINGS

Douby, Salmons, Williams, Artest and Garcia on the court for the Kings.

Offesive foul on NOK. Kings ball.

GARCIA FOR THREE on nice pass by Artest.

36-31 KINGS

NOK for two.

36-33 KINGS

10;10 left

 

[VF21]

Garcia miss; NOK ball. Kings steal. Williams for two.

Bobby J for two.

38-35 KINGS

Douby turn-around jumper for two.

40-35 KINGS

Pargo for two.

40-37 KINGS

Artest moving very slowly, may have twisted his back or something.

Douby miss; NOK ball.

Offensive foul by Pargo; Kings ball.

Time out...

 

[VF21]

SAR in for Artest. Williams miss, but tries, tries and tries again and gets the bucket on sheer effort and hustle...and some help from Douby.

42-37 KINGS

NOK turnover; offensive foul on Garcia.

NOK ball.

Douby with the steal. Not well spaced, dishes to Williams but it's actually too close. NOK ball.

Miss; Kings ball and two for Garcia.

44-37 KINGS

7;11 left

NOK ball goes oob; Kings turn again.

 

[VF21]

Salmons gets right by Bobby J for two.

46-37 KINGS

NOK miss; Williams rebound.

6;22 left

Musselman actually sitting down and NOT screaming at the team for a change.

SAR inside for two.

48-37 KINGS

Time out and commercial.

 

[VF21]

Personal observation: Based on the 4th quarter last night and the game right now, I think Musselman has been told to let the kids play...

 

[VF21]

NOK for two.

48-39 KINGS

Douby miss; high bounce goes right to NOK.

NOK with two more from someone - Grant and Jerry are talking about the good ol' days when the draft had 10 rounds...

5;05 left

Garcia at the line.

Makes both.

50-41 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Grant and Jerry have now totally forgotten there's a game going on... blathering on and on and on.

NOk miss; Garcia for two more.

53-41 KINGS

G&J still NOT talking about the game in front of them. I think they've forgotten where they are... this is stupid.

NOK at the line for two.

4;20 left

Make both.

53-43 KINGS

Grant finally notices there's a game going on...

Williams to the line.

 

[VF21]

One of two.

54-43 KINGS

Paul for three

54-46 KINGS

3;47 left

WAAAAAAY too much one-on-one right now. Douby finally moves past Paul and gets two but Paul answers right back with two at the other end.

56-48 KINGS

Paul to shoot the +1. Good.

56-49 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Brown fouled by SAR.

time out and commercial.

This game just isn't very exciting.

 

[VF21]

Brown makes first; Martin in for Salmons. Makes second.

56-51 KINGS

2;55 left

DOUBY FOR THREE!!!!

59-51 KINGS

MJackson for two.

59-53 KINGS

Martin blows by everybody, gets the lay-up and the free trip to the stripe for the +1.

61-53 KINGS

Misses bonus. NOK ball.

 

[VF21]

MJackson for two more.

61-55 KINGS

Kings turnover; NOK on the run.

Paul for two and the +1.

Bonus miss. Garcia with the rebound.

61-57 KINGS

1;30 left

 

[VF21]

Garcia tries one-on-one against BJackson, gets nowhere. dish out to SAR, miss. NOK ball.

NOK for two.

61-59 KINGS

Garcia quick shot misses; NOK ball.

61-61

30 seconds left

 

[VF21]

Douby miss; NOK rebound.

BobbyJ miss; Williams rebound at the buzzer.

61-61

End of the first half.

 

[VF21]

Half-time feature "Perspectives" is going to focus on Geoff Petrie...