Kings' loss signals changing of guard
Warriors take upper hand in NorCal
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:23 am PDT Saturday, April 14, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
Their reversal of fortune came together on a symbolic Friday night inside divided Arco Arena, the Golden State Warriors controlling the game again and the region for a change and the Kings just trying to escape the season with what little remained of their dignity.
What had been apparent became official. The team from Oakland beat the team from Sacramento 125-108 to claim the season series 3-1 before an announced sellout crowd of 17,317 that included the many Warriors supporters heard over the rumbling of the bandwagon that remained tied with the Los Angeles Clippers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Northern California went the way of the Warriors in the standings and, now, in head-to-head meetings. The victories were by 12, 13 and 17 points at that, as if the Kings needed any more reminders that this is transition time.
There are the losses, to be sure. And now, of all things, opposing fans partying in their house.
"That's what hurts me the most," swingman Francisco García said of the large, vocal contingent of Warriors fans that reveled in the moment in a way only Lakers backers in the championship years have matched in recent times. "I've never been dishonored like that before. The home court, and fans are chanting, 'Let's go, Warriors.'
"It hurt when I heard that. They had more fans than us tonight. That's all I can say."
The Kings were outscored 42-23 in the second quarter, allowed 74 points the first half and trailed by 21 at the break. They closed within five late in the third, but Golden State ran away from there with a convincing fourth quarter, capping a dominating showing that came with Stephen Jackson scoring a game-high 26 points and Baron Davis scoring 25 points and contributing five steals.
Rallying in a meaningless game for the Kings might have been about pride, but their night was still about patching together an injured roster and playing the kids, sometimes at all cost. García got his second foul with the game 3 minutes, 49 seconds old and stayed in.
Ron Artest came off the bench with 6:43 left in the first quarter, picked up his third personal four minutes later and stayed in, because somebody had to play up front with Brad Miller and Corliss Williamson out and Kenny Thomas done for the season.
Late in the first quarter, coach Eric Musselman dispatched a lineup that was three-fifths summer league: Ronnie Price, Quincy Douby and Justin Williams, along with John Salmons and Kevin Martin. The veterans played more of a role in the comeback of the third quarter, and it was Shareef Abdur-Rahim who had team highs of 23 points and 14 rebounds.
"The third quarter, I don't think we could have played any better," Musselman said. "Great energy, great effort."
On the whole, not so great. At least the Kings escaped serious injury.
Barely.
Price, after leaping to block a driving dunk by Mickael Pietrus, tumbled and hit the court hard with 35 seconds remaining. Pietrus got two free throws, and Price got a fall that banged his hip badly enough to hurt and his head even worse.
He bounced up and, after referee Joe Crawford hurriedly waved trainer Pete Youngman from the Kings' bench, Price and Youngman walked from the court into the tunnel leading to the locker room. Price said later he felt fine but only after taking enough stitches over his left eyebrow that the medical staff said they lost count of the exact number. They said 10 would be a fair estimate.
About the writer: The Bee's Scott Howard- Cooper can be reached at showard-cooper@sacbee.com
I agree with Cisco. That garbage was disgusting.
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/155010.html
Warriors take upper hand in NorCal
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:23 am PDT Saturday, April 14, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
Their reversal of fortune came together on a symbolic Friday night inside divided Arco Arena, the Golden State Warriors controlling the game again and the region for a change and the Kings just trying to escape the season with what little remained of their dignity.
What had been apparent became official. The team from Oakland beat the team from Sacramento 125-108 to claim the season series 3-1 before an announced sellout crowd of 17,317 that included the many Warriors supporters heard over the rumbling of the bandwagon that remained tied with the Los Angeles Clippers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Northern California went the way of the Warriors in the standings and, now, in head-to-head meetings. The victories were by 12, 13 and 17 points at that, as if the Kings needed any more reminders that this is transition time.
There are the losses, to be sure. And now, of all things, opposing fans partying in their house.
"That's what hurts me the most," swingman Francisco García said of the large, vocal contingent of Warriors fans that reveled in the moment in a way only Lakers backers in the championship years have matched in recent times. "I've never been dishonored like that before. The home court, and fans are chanting, 'Let's go, Warriors.'
"It hurt when I heard that. They had more fans than us tonight. That's all I can say."
The Kings were outscored 42-23 in the second quarter, allowed 74 points the first half and trailed by 21 at the break. They closed within five late in the third, but Golden State ran away from there with a convincing fourth quarter, capping a dominating showing that came with Stephen Jackson scoring a game-high 26 points and Baron Davis scoring 25 points and contributing five steals.
Rallying in a meaningless game for the Kings might have been about pride, but their night was still about patching together an injured roster and playing the kids, sometimes at all cost. García got his second foul with the game 3 minutes, 49 seconds old and stayed in.
Ron Artest came off the bench with 6:43 left in the first quarter, picked up his third personal four minutes later and stayed in, because somebody had to play up front with Brad Miller and Corliss Williamson out and Kenny Thomas done for the season.
Late in the first quarter, coach Eric Musselman dispatched a lineup that was three-fifths summer league: Ronnie Price, Quincy Douby and Justin Williams, along with John Salmons and Kevin Martin. The veterans played more of a role in the comeback of the third quarter, and it was Shareef Abdur-Rahim who had team highs of 23 points and 14 rebounds.
"The third quarter, I don't think we could have played any better," Musselman said. "Great energy, great effort."
On the whole, not so great. At least the Kings escaped serious injury.
Barely.
Price, after leaping to block a driving dunk by Mickael Pietrus, tumbled and hit the court hard with 35 seconds remaining. Pietrus got two free throws, and Price got a fall that banged his hip badly enough to hurt and his head even worse.
He bounced up and, after referee Joe Crawford hurriedly waved trainer Pete Youngman from the Kings' bench, Price and Youngman walked from the court into the tunnel leading to the locker room. Price said later he felt fine but only after taking enough stitches over his left eyebrow that the medical staff said they lost count of the exact number. They said 10 would be a fair estimate.
About the writer: The Bee's Scott Howard- Cooper can be reached at showard-cooper@sacbee.com
I agree with Cisco. That garbage was disgusting.
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/155010.html
Last edited by a moderator:
