Kings-Suns PBP for Dec. 5

[VF21]

Greetings, fellow Kings fans!

Well, here we are again. Fourth game in five nights. I'm exhausted; I can only imagine how the team feels...

First, here's what Sam Amick had to say in the Bee today about this evening's game:

Up next: Kings (8-8) at Phoenix (9-6)

Kings outlook

Every team has its gripes, of course, but someone in the league office was clearly hitting the holiday eggnog early when this schedule was put together. As if back-to-back games at Dallas and San Antonio aren't bad enough, the Kings had one day in between before facing Orlando and heading to Phoenix for tonight's affair. What's more, the schedule makers had no way of knowing that the Magic would be so formidable, or that the Kings would be some three weeks off with their timing against the Suns -- who struggled early this season. They also must continue to deal with the mystery of Ron Artest, whose back continues to give him problems and keep him out of the lineup.

Suns outlook

The Suns had three non-game days to prepare for the Kings, although they may not have needed it. Phoenix has won eight of its past nine games, this after starting the season 1-5. Meanwhile, center Amare Stoudemire is playing like himself again. In the past four games, the player who had microfracture surgery on his knee that kept him out of all but three games last season has averaged 22.3 points and 11.8 rebounds. In their recent stretch, the Suns have defeated Golden State, Houston and Milwaukee, and their lone loss came to Utah, a 120-117 overtime decision in Salt Lake City.

Key matchup: Mike Bibby vs. Steve Nash -- There's no explanation needed here, just two phenomenal point guards who seem to up their game whenever the other's around. Nash is averaging 20.5 points and 10.8 assists.

Probable starting lineups

Kings - Bibby, Martin, Salmons, Thomas, SAR
Suns - Nash, Bell, Marion, Diaw, Stoudemire

http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/87708.html

This has been a tough stretch for the Kings. There are reasons for hope, but - as piksi pointed out in his game discussion thread - there aren't any columns in the records for "almost won"... We, the fans, have a choice. We can continue to support the team through the tough spots or we can find something else to do. For me, as I'm sure you all know, there isn't really a choice. I am a Kings fan. Period. End of discussion.

I'd like to remind everyone that this thread -and everything here at Kingsfans.com - exists because of the dedication and generoisty of the "Chairman" of the board, JGar. We have a wonderful group of fans here and we manage to have some pretty in-depth discussions without the flames and constant turmoil of some of the other boards around. It is an acquired taste, however. All we ask is that people take a moment to read the tips for posting here at Kingsfans.com

If you would like to help defray the costs of keeping KF up and running as the #1 Sacramento Kings Online Community, please consider becoming a Contributing Member You're under no obligation, of course, but any contributions you make are truly appreciated.

As I mentioned above, we have several ongoing traditions here at Kingsfans.com for sharing pre-game, game time and post game opinions.

First, there's the game discussion thread started before each game by our resident piksimist, piksi. He calls them like he sees them. You may not always agree, but I can pretty much guarantee he'll give you something to talk about.

During the game, we have this thread, where I do my best to provide an ongoing commentary from a true Kings fan point of view. I try to be objective but I won't apologize for the occasional glimpse of "homerism" you might detect.

We have chat over at mIRC, server irc.bludgeon.org, channel #kingsfans. It's also a great way to share the game-time experience with fellow rabid Kings fans.

After the game, the one thing you'll want to wait around for is Bricklayer's grade thread. (There may be others, but this is the ORIGINAL Kings post-game assessment thread and, while you may not agree with an individual grade, you certainly have a basis for further discussion.)

Now, let's get ready for gametime! I have coffee to brew, snacks to prepare and a fire to start in the woodstove. Then, it's time for...

KINGS BASKETBALL!!!

I LOVE THIS TEAM!!!!!

 

[piksi]

Greetings, fellow Kings fans!

Well, here we are again. Fourth game in five nights. I'm exhaused; I can only imagine how the team feels...

I could use a day off too

 

[VF21]

No rest for the wicked, piksi...

 

[VF21]

Okay, folks. This could be scary. I just saw Vitaly actually warming up...

Of course, it might have been an optical illusion.

 

[VF21]

In other news, Steve Nash is apparently growing his hair out to emulate Alfalfa...

 

[VF21]

Correction to the Kings lineup:

HELLO HOBBIT BALL!!!

Bibby, Price, Martin, Salmons and Thomas to start for the Kings.

 

[VF21]

Appears Price might begin by guarding Nash...

Ready to go. Tip to PHX.

Amare goes around KT like he's not even there for two. Poor Kenny.

2-0 PHX

 

[VF21]

Kings ball. Bibby to KT, whose pass is out of Price's reach and RP steps out of bounds trying to save it. PHX ball.

Turnover while I typed the above. Kings ball.

Nash with the steal from Martin, runs it out and gets the two.

4-0 PHX

10;39 left

 

[BawLa]

During the game, we have this thread, where I do my best to provide an ongoing commentary from a true Kings fan point of view. I try to be objective but I won't apologize for the occasional glimpse of "homerism" you might detect.

Easy VF.






Jokes aside, nice intro.

 

[VF21]

Salmons jumper no good. PHX ball.

Bibby with the steal, forward pass to Price, who finds Martin and Kevin gets the two-handed dunk.

4-2 PHX

Nash into Diaw for the dunk.

6-2 PHX

Price drives inside, shot clock winding down, closed out and loses ball. PHX ball.

Amare inside for two.

8-2 PHX

This could be a long night. Match-ups are horrible for the Kings.

 

[VF21]

Kings ball. PHX foul; non-shooting. Still Kings ball. ...

PHX ball.

10-2 PHX

Kings ball. Marion on Bibby, called for foul. Non-shooting. Kings to inbound. Bibby looks odd with hair and no headband.

Bibby from the side for two.

10-4 PHX

Bell misses three but Marion saves it.

12-4 PHX

8;29 left

Martin three goes in and then rolls off. PHX board.

Amare called for offensive foul, his second. Little bit of dramatics but no whistle. Kings ball.

 

[VF21]

Bibby jumper doesn't go; Diaw with the board and long forward pass to Marion for two more (with 21 seconds left on the shot clock)...

14-4 PHX

Time out and ... sprint for the airport?

 

[VF21]

Kurt Thomas in for Amare...

Martin jumper too hard; ball back to the Kings.

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!!!

14-7 PHX

Bell shot blocked from behind by Bibby; Martin gets the ball and runs the court, going straight at Nash, and gets the bucket.

14-9 PHX

Suns reply on the other end, like we weren't expecting that???

16-9 PHX

Kings ball again. Kings lose it oob, not sure why.

PHX ball.

 

[VF21]

Marion half-hook good.

18-9 PHX

Good ball movement by the Kings but not much opening up. Salmons with the bucket AND the +1.

Then, Violet Palmer T's up Nash and then D'Antoni.

Bibby at the line to shoot the freebies. And yes, I said Violet Palmer called them.

Mike makes both T shots.

Now Salmons to the line to shoot his bonus shot. Good.

Nice 5-point play by the Kings.



18-14 PHX

Nash, on the other end, good for three.

21-14 PHX

 

[VF21]

Miller in, no idea for whom, but he gets two.

21-16 PHX

Garcia in for Salmons.

PHX at the line on foul by who knows?

Barbosa in for Bell.

First shot good; second shot good.

23-16 PHX

Looks like Miller in for Price.

Martin miss; Barbosa board.

 

[VF21]

Marion able to get inside for another dunk.

25-16 PHX

We need more 5-point plays.

Bibby deep three too hard; Nash with the board. Good ball movement inside to Marion, who kicks it back out to Stevie for two more.

27-16 PHX

Miller jumper takes a bad bounce but KT keeps it alive, gets it out to Martin for two.

27-18 PHX

Nash miss, off the Kings to Kurt Thomas.

Three misses; Miller board.

4;10 left

 

[VF21]

Kings ball. Martin inside, thoroughly hacked. Going to the line.

Whew. his game pace is FAST!!!!!

Martin makes first; and second.

27-20 PHX

Good defense by the Kings, Garcia snags a rebound.

Nice play, ends up with KT under the bucket and an easy two.

27-22 PHX

Suns return immediately on the other end with only two seconds used for two points.

29-22 PHX

 

[VF21]

Cisco for two.

Barbosa for two.

31-24 PHX

They might as well turn off the shot clock. It is totally useless.

Bibby for two.

31-26 PHX

Barbosa for two in only three seconds.

33-26 PHX

 

[VF21]

Kings ball. It's up in the air and going everywhere. Miller to the floor trying to save it, it bounces off and Martin tries to get it, inadvertently hitting Nash in the mouth and sending him to the floor. Whistle...

Time out and commercial.

...

 

[VF21]

PHX miss, Kings ball.

Bibby miss, Bibby follows up...Bibby to the line.

Miller to the sideline, Youngman tending to a cut on his knee. Oh lord, please don't let his leg fall off...

 

[VF21]

Bibby misses first and makes second.

33-27 PHX

Barbosa jumper doesn't go; Jones board.

Bell three pointer misses but Kurt Thomas knocks board out to Marion, who promptly sinks a three.

36-27 PHX

Kings ball. Nice pass by KT to cutting Martin, who is fouled.

46.3 seconds left.

Salmons in for Bibby. Kevin at the line.

Makes first; and second.

36-29 PHX

 

[VF21]

James Jones from the corner for three.

39-29 PHX

Kings ball.

Nice move inside by Martin, who hands off to KT, but shot is blocked.

PHX with two more at the buzzer.

41-29 PHX

End of the first quarter.

 

[VF21]

Watching this game is like listening to 45s at 78 speed. (If you don't know what that means, ask your grandparents.)

Salmons for two.

41-31 PHX

Bell miss; Martin board.

Beautiful give and go between Miller and Martin but Kurt Thomas is able to block it...

PHX ball.

Salmons with the steal.

Misses, misses again, and Barbosa grabs it.

Bell misses a three; Kings with the rebound.

 

[VF21]

Jason Hart in, had a collision with somebody and was slow getting up.

Martin called for foul, non-shooting. PHX ball.

SAR in the game. Martin to the sideline for treatment of a cut on his elbow. Still PHX ball.

Kurt Thomas miss; Martin board.

9;55 left

Hart jumper WAY short; way too quick, IMHO.

PHX ball. Miss, Kings ball.

SAR spin against Kurt Thomas - good.

41-33 PHX

 

[VF21]

Stoudemire for two and the +1.

Good.

44-33 PHX

Hart, Martin, Salmons, KT and Miller on the court.

Martin lay-up in traffic no good; PHX ball.

Barbosa miss but Kurt saves it.

Hart with the steal but he runs right into one of the Suns and is called for the offensive foul.

Time out and commercial.

 

[VF21]

PHX ball.

Good ball movement by Suns, miss. Kings board.

Hart, Price, Salmons, MIller and SAR on the court. God, that's one ugly looking lineup.

PHX miss; Kings board.

Miller jumper goes off the rim; Amare board.

 

[VF21]

Bell for three.

47-33 PHX

7;08 left

Salmons inside, off the glass for two.

47-35 PHX

And Nash makes them pay on the other end.

49-35 PHX

Salmons three doesn't go; ball over the back and oob. PHX ball.

Corliss in for Miller.

 

[VF21]

Nice steal by Hart, who runs with Salmons. Bell called for goal-tending.

49-37 PHX

PHX ball. Hart called for bump on Nash.

Time out and commercial.

5;55 left

 

[VF21]

PHX ball.

Diaw miss; Hart board.

NICE lay-up by Ronnie Price.

49-39 PHX

Marion miss; Salmons board. Ball over to Hart, who walks it up the court.

Good ball movement, SAR kicks out to open Hart for two.

49-41 PHX

PHX loses ball oob. Kings ball.

4;33 left

 

[VF21]

Long three won't go. PHX ball.

Marion called for offensive foul as he pretty much tries to run completely over Ronnie Price.

Kings ball.

4;19 left

Another quick jumper by the Kings doesn't go; PHX ball. Bell fouled by Price. Non-shooting.

Bibby coming to the table.

Diaw for two.

51-41 PHX