Kings-Suns PBP for March 22

[VF21]

Greetings, fellow Kings fans.

Okay, let's start by checking out what Sam Amick had to say in today's Bee about the game tonight:

http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/142253.html

Tonight's Game: Kings (29-39) at Phoenix (51-16)
By Sam Amick -

KINGS OUTLOOK - All those close losses hurt at the time, but now comes the time when they'll truly start to sting. With a trip to the postseason still on the line, consecutive games against Phoenix are just the start of a stretch in which seven of the Kings' next eight games come against opponents with winning records. The Kings have struggled all season to keep up with running teams, no club more so than Phoenix. They're 0 for 3 including an exhibition loss, with an average margin of defeat of 16.3 points. With the continued absence of Kenny Thomas (chip fracture, left big toe) and Brad Miller (plantar fasciitis, tissue inflammation along the bottom of his left foot), this might be the third different starting lineup against the Suns in the three regular-season meetings.

SUNS OUTLOOK - This is what they would call fool's gold, the notion that the Suns are suddenly beatable simply because they've lost two of their last three games. They are beatable in the sense that any NBA team can beat any other, but the Suns appeared back on track with an 18-point win over Minnesota that followed losses to Detroit and Denver. It was, most likely, the hangover effect of their classic game against fellow Western Conference power Dallas on March 14, when the Suns outlasted the Mavericks 129-127 in double overtime.

KEY MATCHUP - Ron Artest vs. Raja Bell -- Bell, like Artest, backs down from no one. But the Suns guard can be the most damaging kind of X-factor with his three-point skills, and Artest is prone to closing the lanes defensively but allowing jumpers.

PROBABLE STARTERS

KINGS - Bibby, Martin, Artest, Williamson, SAR

SUNS - Nash, Barbosa, Bell, Marion, Stoudemire

Boy, as usual Amick simply doesn't get it. A trip to the post-season still on the line? That's like a horse trainer saying his thoroughbred is still planning on entering the Kentucky Derby even though he lost a leg in a stable mishap.

I honestly don't know if I'll be able to do the whole PBP. My only hope is that Ronnie P, Quincy, Cisco and Justin might actually get valuable playing time minutes. My fear is that they'll end up riding the bench until the very end, even if the Suns are ahead by triple digits.

Anyway, enough of my hopes and fears. I want to take just a moment for a personal observation...

The people who post on this board are fantastic. Here we are - as Kings fans - in probably the worst season we can remember, especially when you consider all that's gone on and yet people are still here, posting away and actually finding things to laugh about. You guys (and gals) rock!!!

I'm betting the Kings will once again don the gold lamé jerseys for tonight's game. It's about the only thing I can pick about the game that gives me something like even odds.

I'll be back for House Party Live.

Once, now and forever... GO KINGS!!!

 

[kupman]

My only hope is that Ronnie P, Quincy, Cisco and Justin might actually get valuable playing time minutes. My fear is that they'll end up riding the bench until the very end, even if the Suns are ahead by triple digits.

I hope the young guys finally get some big minutes as well. However, there is one other thing that will get me to keep track of the game.

I hope to one day see Potepenko get some decent time on the court. All season long I have been asking myself 'how bad does a guy of that size have to be to log less 5 minutes for the entire season while playing on this team?'

I'm guessing he is not just bad - more like horrific.

 

[VF21]

From what I've seen - and admittedly it's not much - Vitaly Potapenko is one step below Greg Ostertag.

 

[tyrant]

may be force be with you VF21. hopefully you'll be able to survive the entire game tonight. true that there are alot of great fans here!! rock on indeed

 

[kupman]

From what I've seen - and admittedly it's not much - Vitaly Potapenko is one step above Greg Ostertag.

See, I think Tag may look like a HOFer next to this guy. Tag would get some minutes with this team. Vitaly must be much worse. I have a morbid curiousity that wants to see the guy play.

 

[VF21]

Oops! That should have said "one step BELOW Greg Ostertag."



At least Tag could dance...

 

[VF21]

Late update from News10:

Ron Artest will NOT be in Phoenix. He had to fly out of Sacramento after his court appearance this morning. His flight was delayed in Ontario because of inclement weather. On board with him was Grant Napear. They're both returning to Sacramento. Gary Gerould will be doing the radio AND TV broadcasting.

 

[VF21]

I like the idea of Gary Gerould and Jerry Reynolds broadcasting the game. Sure would be a shame if the front office realized they don't need to have both Gary Gerould and Grant Napear.

 

[VF21]

Okay, friends and neighbors, boys and girls and KINGS FANS!!!

I think we may be in for a bit of a treat. Why? Because Musselman will have to play the young guns major minutes tonight. I think we're going to see a fast-paced game, with guys like Ronnie P, Martin, Garcia and even Douby getting out front and making the Suns work for a change. And I think Justin Williams may also see some major time.

I'm looking forward to the game. Do I think we'll win? Don't be silly. I just think we'll have fun watching the guys in the Kings uniforms having some fun.

GO KINGS!!! Tonight has to be about the kids.

 

[VF21]

Revised starting lineup for the Kings:

Bibby, Martin, Salmons, Garcia and SAR

 

[VF21]

Tonight marks the first time in 22 years the Kings game has been broadcast in simulcast. Whooooo!!!

Ready for the tip.

Top to the Suns.

Bell jumper misses; Martin board.

Martin drives inside, kicks out to Salmon, good ball movement. Salmons three as clock winds down is no good; Marion board.

Barbosa from the baseline for two.

2-0 Suns

Garcia in transition for two at the other end.

2-2

 

[VF21]

Nash miss; Martin board.

Martin splits the defense, shot won't fall. Amare with the rebound.

Garcia with the steal, pass to Bibby is off-target. Ball oob. Back to the Suns.

2-2

10;13 left

Amare to Marion for two.

4-2 Suns

Great listening to Gary Gerould!!!!

Garcia in the paint, steps back. Miss; Nash board. Pull-up jumper for two.

6-2 Suns

 

[VF21]

Baseline jumper by SAR for two.

6-4 Suns

Barbosa able to get inside for two on good dish by Nash.

8-4 Suns

Salmons from the corner won't go; Suns with the ball.

8;56 left

Amare drives inside, is fouled by SAR. To the line for two.

 

[VF21]

Makes first; and second.

10-4 Suns

Bibby brings the ball up the court. Pass intended for SAR stolen by Amare. Nash to Barbosa for two more.

12-4 Suns

Bibby pull-up jumper is off; Suns board.

Alley-oop by the Suns doesn't go. Martin miss; Suns ball.

Suns miss; Kings ball. Pass intended for Bibby is stolen by Nash, who promptly converts it for two more.

14-4 Suns

Musselman, looking totally shell-shocked, calls for a time out...

 

[VF21]

Salmons to SAR, out to Salmons, inside to Garcia who gets the two off the glass on a shot-block call AND gets a trip to the stripe.

Bonus good.

14-7 Suns

7;28 left

Amare spins around SAR for one-handed dunk.

16-7 Suns

 

[VF21]

Martin long-ball doesn't go; Suns board.

Bell miss; Martin board.

Bibby drives the paint and draws the foul. Mike makes one of two.

16-8 Suns

Suns with two more.

18-8 Suns

Bell miss; Bibby battles and gets the board. Forward feed to Garcia for two from the elbow.

18-10 Suns

Steal by Bibby, stutter step and foul by Amare.

5;37 left

Kings inbound.

 

[VF21]

Bibby goes inside again, draws foul from Marion. 2PF.

Bibby at the line.

Kings look MUCH better after the time out.

Makes first; and second.

18-12 Suns

Nash inside, feed to James Jones for two.

20-12 Suns

Bibby off the glass jumper for two.

20-14 Suns

SAR with the steal and two more points!!!

20-16 Suns

 

[VF21]

Nash to Diaw for two.

22-16 Suns

4;38 left

Cisco jumper won't go; Suns board.

Nash pass stolen by Garcia, he passes forward to Martin who gets the shot.

MARTIN FOR THREE!!!!

22-19 Suns

Nash for two

24-19 Suns

3;46 left

 

[VF21]

Bibby jumper misses; Diaw board.

Amare drives inside, Bibby knocks ball out of his hands and oob. Still Suns ball.

Bell in and out; Salmons board. Good ball movement by the Kings. Bibby starts to cut to the right, fools Nash and draws the foul.

Time out and commercial. Will be Kings ball after the break.

I don't care about anyone else but I'm actually enjoying this game. Not because of the score but because of the effort being shown by the Kings.

I LOVE THIS TEAM!!!

 

[VF21]

Bibby one of two from the line.

24-20 Suns

Suns ball. Martin strong pressure on Barbosa, forces him to travel. Kings ball.

SAR to Bibby and back to SAR for the mid-range jumper.

24-22 Suns

2;26 left

Kurt Thomas with the miss on GOOD defense by the Kings; Garcia board.

Bibby miss; Suns board.

Martin with the steal - savvy veteran move as he bumps Barbosa and draws the foul. Martin to the line.

Corliss in for SAR.

Martin makes second.

24-23 Suns

 

[VF21]

Suns miss three; rebound by Martin stolen. Suns miss; Bell rebound. Jones miss; loose ball foul called on Kurt Thomas. Bibby to the line.

1;21 left

The Kings are being ... tenacious.



Bibby makes first; Price in for Salmons. Bibby makes second.

25-24 KINGS!!!!

Another turnover with Martin snagging the ball. Prcie from the corner is a little too strong.

Suns on the run, pass to Diaw, who goes inside and is fouled.

Boris Diaw to the line.

 

[VF21]

Oops. Correction. It's Barbosa at the line.

He makes first; and second.

26-25 Suns

57 seconds left

Corliss to the line for two.

Makes first; and second.

27-26 KINGS

40 seconds left

 

[VF21]

Bell dishes inside to Diaw, who is fouled. And yes, this time it is Diaw heading to the line.

Misses first; makes second.

33.6 seconds left

27-27

 

[VF21]

Bibby burning the clock. bibby drives inside, ball stolen by Bell. Barbosa misses the three; Martin with the rebound. Musselman screaming "shoot it" and Kevin does, from about 70 feet. Miss at the buzzer.

End of the first quarter and the game is tied.

Call me delusional but this was at least entertaining.

GO KINGS!!!!!

 

[VF21]

Kings ball to start the second. Garcia three is off; Kurt Thomas with the board.

Barbosa miss; Martin with another rebound. That makes five.

Martin drives inside, goes up in traffic, tries to pass to Corliss but ball sails oob. Suns ball.

thomas miss; Garcia board.

EXCELLENT BALL MOVEMENT!!! Garcia drives inside, but up and under is just too strong. Suns ball.

Bell miss from outside; rebound oob. Kings ball.

10;33 left

 

[VF21]

Salmons inside, in and out; Suns board.

Barbosa lowers his shoulder and runs into Price, who is called for the blocking foul. Still Suns ball.

Quincy Douby in the game, called for foul as Barbosa runs over him. Still Suns ball.

Marion jump hook for two.

29-27 Suns

Martin drives the paint and gets the two.

29-29

 

[VF21]

Nash miss; Marion miss; Diaw miss. Rebound to the Suns; Rose from the corner doesn't go. Garcia finally snags the rebound, turns on the afterburners and gets the two off the glass.

31-29 KINGS

time out and commercial.

6;34 left

 

[VF21]

This is arguably one of the best broadcasts of the year. I am thoroughly enjoying Gary Gerould's insights without ANY kind of rancor, smug superiority, etc.

Suns at the line. Amare makes one of two.

31-30 KINGS

MARTIN FOR THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!

34-30 KINGS

Whooooooooooooo!!!!

Amare off the glass for two.

34-32 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Martin kicks over to Salmons, who drives towards the paint and draws the foul. Salmons at the line.

Makes first; and second.

36-32 KINGS

7;47 left

Nash pass bounces past Diaw and into the crowd. Kings ball.

Salmons, Corliss, Martin, SAR and Garcia on the court.

Hehehehehe.

Martin drives inside and the soft floater is good.

38-32 KINGS

Diaw for two.

38-34 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Martin to Garcia, fallaway doesn't go. Diaw board.

Diaw to Nash, back to Diaw for two.

38-36 KINGS

6;34 left

Martin airball - possibly partially deflected. Suns rebound.

Diaw miss; Amare showtime jam for two.

38-38

5;57 left

Time out and commercial.