Kings-Nets PBP for Jan. 22

[VF21]

Greetings, fellow Kings fans...

In all honesty, I'm not expecting too much from tonight's game. I'd like to see them play well, I'd like to see the young guns get some quality playing time, and I'd like to see Eric Musselman at least give the appearance that he has a plan... I've got my fingers crossed.

First, here's what Scott Howard-Cooper had to say in today's Bee about our game tonight:

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/111603-p2.html

Kings (15-23) vs. New Jersey (20-20)

KINGS OUTLOOK - The locker room fireworks that took place during the last homestand were nowhere to be seen on the road. And strangely, the collective calming might not be a good sign for this team. The Kings lacked fire in every road game, and winning in Boston came with the disclaimer it was a tight game against one of the NBA'S worst and most injury-riddled teams. Meanwhile, Kings coach Eric Musselman and his players don't seem to have any answers for their own riddle as they have lost 18 of their last 25 games.

NETS OUTLOOK - The word from the Garden State until recently was there was a fire sale of sorts, with Jason Kidd and Vince Carter available and the Nets' management ready to take a new approach. One hitch: the team got hot right about the time that memo was sent out. The Nets have won four in a row and nine of their last 11, enough to put them atop the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division and raise real curiosity as to whether they could replicate this sort of streak come playoff time. The momentum could be shortlived. The Nets learned Sunday night they would be without small forward Richard Jefferson for at least six weeks (arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle).

KEY MATCHUP - Mike Bibby vs. Jason Kidd - If not for Kidd's huge salary, there might have been real reason to think the Kings would think long and hard about swapping Bibby and another player for Kidd. As it is, they need more from their current point guard than he's giving, as his short-lived revival is officially over and medio-crity has been the recent norm.

PROBABLE STARTING FIVES

KINGS - Bibby, Martin, Artest, SAR, Miller

NETS - Kidd, Carter, Nachbar, Moore, Collins

I have no idea what to say at this point... I feel a lot of sympathy for our current group of players because they're facing insurmountable odds for the reason of the season. They don't have the right pieces to put the puzzle together, but they still have to go out night after night and play. It has to be frustrating for them. I know it's frustrating for me, because on one hand I want Petrie to fix them now and yet, on the other, I know there aren't many more quick fixes that can or should be done. We need to take the patient off life support and let it slip away. The only problem is we know it won't really die until April... That's a long time to wait and an eternity in basketball time.

I'll be doing the PBP tonight...until 8:59 p.m. If the game goes past that, I'll have to bow out. I am thoroughly and completely addicted to Jack Bauer and "24" and have my timer set to switch over to Fox one minute before the show starts...

It's not an easy time right now to be a Kings fan, but it's a time I think we all have to endure together. And endure I believe we will...

GO KINGS!!!

 

[Wuster]

I'll be doing the PBP tonight...until 8:59 p.m. If the game goes past that, I'll have to bow out. I am thoroughly and completely addicted to Jack Bauer and "24" and have my timer set to switch over to Fox one minute before the show starts...

We should take up a collection and get you a Tivo!

 

[Troy]

Way to go VF21, 24 is a awesome show don't feel bad to watch it!

Do you watch Prison Break as well? I'm not sure if that starts up again tonight as well.

I like to watch a team with fire and a purpose neith of which the Kings have right now. Don't miss 24, now that you'll regret!!!!

 

[Prophetess]

We should take up a collection and get you a Tivo!

that's a cause I could get behind.

 

[VF21]

Way to go VF21, 24 is a awesome show don't feel bad to watch it!

Do you watch Prison Break as well? I'm not sure if that starts up again tonight as well.

I like to watch a team with fire and a purpose neith of which the Kings have right now. Don't miss 24, now that you'll regret!!!!

I don't feel badly about watching 24.

I don't watch Prison Break, but I do know it starts tonight...

I watch the Kings because they're my team through thick and thin. If they're gonna show up, even though right now I'm pretty sure they'd rather all call in sick, I figure the least I can do is continue to support them.



Back to Kings stuff: Bryan May is reporting the Mohawk is gone, which means Artest must have shaved his head... How sad is it that we're reduced to talking about the coiffures of the team?

 

[Mike0476]

I hate the Mr. T look on Artest.

I prefer the clean cut look.

 

[chelle]

I don't feel badly about watching 24.

I'm watching now - commercial.

 

[VF21]

I feel sorry for Koz and crew. They have so little to say about the Kings that they have to spend more time talking about Vince Carter...

I'm sorry if I'm in the minority on this but I don't tune in to hear my team's announcers waxing poetic about the greatness of the other team. It's bad enough when TNT does it from Arco, but it really grates when the MSE crew starts to do it.

Hey, Koz? Let's spend some time focusing on OUR team, okay? Yeah, I know it's tough but there could be something... You could talk about Artest's mohawk.

I really wish I could pick up Gary Gerould's broadcast up here. I listened to him call Friday's game and it was such a delight. Here's someone who knows the Kings and the game of basketball inside out and he is as passionate about it as we are. Even when things go bad he doesn't make personal derogatory comments about our players. He talks about their game, not about them...

Oh well...

Guess I should put the soap box away and get ready for Grant and Jerry. First, I think I'll refresh my coffee and put another log in the woodstove.

 

[chelle]

I really wish I could pick up Gary Gerould's broadcast up here. I listened to him call Friday's game and it was such a delight. Here's someone who knows the Kings and the game of basketball inside out and he is as passionate about it as we are. Even when things go bad he doesn't make personal derogatory comments about our players. He talks about their game, not about them...

I LOVE listening to him!!

 

[VF21]

Late roster change: SAR will not start as he has a reported temperature of 102. He is, however, available - according to Grant. Available for what? Actually ceasing to breathe on the court in front of the rabid crowd? A guy with a temperature of 102 should not even be in the building, IMHO...

Starting at the power forward position tonight... Kenny Thomas. Oh, joy unparalleled...

 

[VF21]

Vince and Brad sharing a bit of a chuckle...

Ready for the tip. LOTS of empty seats in the lower level.

Nets bobble the tip and KT grabs it. KT half-hook is really short. Nets ball.

KT strips the ball from Moore but Nets save it. Adams airball; Kings will inbound.

 

[VF21]

Ball movement a little sluggish, bounce pass to Artest goes oob when both Artest and his defender trip over each other. Nets ball.

10;45 left

Carter for two.

2-0 Nets

Artest miss. Nets board.

Offensive foul on the Nets - illegal screen by Collins. Kings ball.

Martin pass intended to go cross court is about two feet short and intercepted.

Carter miss; Martin board. Martin drives inside, but can't get runner to go. Nets board.

Nets pass to Carter, who is oob. Kings ball.

...zzz...

 

[VF21]

Sorry, that was rude.

9;40 left

Kings miss, Miller with the putback.

2-2

Collins airball, caught by Miller.

Miller to Martin, 3 is no good. Nets ball.

Moore jumper for two.

4-2 Nets

8;38 left

 

[VF21]

Bibby three goes off back of the rim; ball oob off the Nets. Kings regain possession.

Kings pass intended for Miller, goes oob. Officials say Miller was held. Kings to inbound.

Jerry quipping this could be the first game he's seen where BOTH coaches are shorter than he - Jerry - is.

Miller for two.

4-4

 

[VF21]

Nets miss; Moore snags the board and gets the putback.

6-4 Nets

Kings ball, knocked oob off Nets. Kings to inbound.

Nice ball movement by the kings results in...

MARTIN FOR THREE!!!

7-6 KINGS

Moore for two.

8-7 Nets

Non-shooting foul on Carter. 1PF. Still Kings ball. Bibby drives inside, passes to KT for the two-handed dunk.

9-8 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Carter one-handed dunk at the other end.

10-9 Nets

Kings ball. Loose ball foul on Nets. Kings to inbound again.

6;42 left

NICE dish by Miller above the stripe to cutting Artest, who gets the bucket and the +1.

11-10 KINGS

Time out and commercial.

Artest at the line for the bonus after the break.

 

[VF21]

Shiny-domed Artest to the line...he has a bit of a pointy head, BTW.

Bonus good.

12-10 KINGS

Nets ball. Airball from outside the arc by Carter, ball sails oob. Kings ball.

6;12 left

Kings totally disjointed on the possession, lose the ball. Kidd picks it up, shots from midrange and misses. Kings get it back.

Kings miss; Nets board.

Nets miss; KT board.

Martin open but passes to Bibby on the outside, who cuts inside, sees KT under the basket and dishes it to him.

KT for two.

14-10 KINGS

Nets miss; Kings board.

Bibby runner goes oob off Nets. Kings to inbound.

 

[VF21]

Eddie House in, immediately assigned to guard Bibby.

Bibby another assist to KT.

16-10 KINGS

Nets miss; Moore board. Kidd for two.

16-12 KINGS

Jerry calls the last shot a "Mitch Richmond three" - which was a two because Mitch had the unerring ability to have a toe on the line ...

Kings miss; Nets ball.

Robinson misses a three; KT board.

KT to Bibby, who spots cutting Martin and passes the ball to him. Martin fouled and to the line.

Kevin makes first; ailing SAR in for KT because KT is having too good a game I guess...

Kevin makes second.

18-12 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Nachbar for three.

18-15 KINGS

3;06 left

Kidd with the steal. Kidd bounce pass to cutting House for two.

18-17 KINGS

SAR handoff to cutting Martin is nearly stolen, but SAR gets it back. Spots open ARtest...

ARTEST FOR THREE!!!

21-17 KINGS

Moore wide open for two.

21-19 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Martin from the corner doesn't go; Miller goes for the board but it ends up oob. Nets ball.

Time out and ... boring repartee by Grant on Iverson-Anthony tandem.

 

[VF21]

Grant and Jerry talking about how well Bibby and KT are working together - apparently not realizing KT was pulled for the germ-laden SAR. Maybe they're hoping he'll cough on the Nets?????

Corliss in.

Nets ball.

 

[VF21]

Moore starts to stroll inside but discovers his paint permit is not recognized by Corliss, who smacks him.

Moore to the line.

Misses first; makes second.

21-20 KINGS

Bibby, Martin, Artest, SAR and Corliss on the court.

Bibby to SAR, inside to Corliss who is fouled.

Corliss at the line.

Jerry acting as though it's the players who are worried about fouls, when we all know Musselman has the "two fouls and you go to the bench" rule...

Corliss misses both.

Garcia in for Martin.

 

[VF21]

Kidd bounce pass is GTA'd by Artest. Ball knocked oob by Nets. Kings inbound.

1;00 left

Bibby short; House board.

House miss; Nachbar board.

Another miss by House; SAR with the rebound.

Bibby kicks out to Artest, whose shot drops down and pops back out.

Kidd shot at the buzzer doesn't go.

End of the first quarter.

 

[VF21]

Salmons, SAR, Artest, Corliss and Cisco on the court for the Kings.

Nachbar for three.

23-21 Nets

SAR for two.

23-23

Carter miss; Kings board.

Salmons passes up a three, dishes inside to Cisco waiting right under the basket, but he misses. Runs down his own rebound, kicks out to Ron.

ARTEST FOR THREE!!!!

26-23 KINGS

Nets shot blocked by Garcia; Kings ball.

 

[VF21]

Kings miss; Carter with the rebound. Called for offensive foul as he runs right over Garcia.

Kings ball.

Artest out, Douby in.

10;02 left

Corliss half-hook off the glass for two.

28-23 KINGS

Nachbar miss but guy with braids cleans it up.

28-25 KINGS

SAR blocked by Robinson. NEts ball.

 

[VF21]

Robinson floater for two.

28-27 KINGS

8;42 left

Salmons jumper doesn't go; Nets board.

Whew, I'm so glad Musselman decided to take out all the guys who were actually doing something.



Nachbar miss; Kings board.

Robinson called for foul. Time out... and another unsold commercial space, meaning we get to listen to Grant again. Luckily, they decide to talk to Gary Gerould.

 

[VF21]

Miller in for SAR. Kings ball. Corliss running floater doesn't go. Nets board.

Nets miss; Corliss board.

7;35 left

Miller lead bounce-pass for Douby is almost lost oob; Corliss saves it and gets in into the hoop.

30-27 KINGS

Carter for two.

30-29 KINGS

6;55 left

Douby from the corner, passes to Corliss, who gets fouled by Moore. Garcia out and Martin back in.

Kings to inbound.

 

[VF21]

Kings turnover, Nachbar gets the running lay-up.

31-30 Nets

Salmons drives inside, and is fouled. Non-shooting. Still Kings ball. Artest in, Douby out. Carter with 3PF.

Lawrence Frank arguing with the officials... delaying the game. No T called, no idea why not...

Salmons for two.

32-31 KINGS

6;02 left

Nachbar miss; Moore snags the long rebound. Moore inside, smothered by Corliss, kicks out to Jason.

Kidd for three.

34-32 Nets

 

[VF21]

Artest jumper good.

34-34

5;09 left

Kidd miss; Martin board.

Kings ball. Whistle. Technical foul FINALLY called on Lawrence Frank, who still hadn't shut up.

Time out.

Kings will shoot the freebie after the break.

 

[VF21]

Martin at the line. Bonus is good.

35-34 KINGS

Kings inbound. KT in for Corliss.

Salmons jumper won't go, but Martin's does.

37-34 KINGS

4;24 left

Nachbar miss off front of rim; Salmons board.

Miller jumper is good.

39-34 KINGS

Nets call time out. Grant says "Lawrence Frank is HOT over there on the Nets bench."

Commercial...