Greetings, fellow Kings fans.
Before I begin, let's look at the Bee's outlook for tonight's game.
And yes, folks, that's Matt Barnes - formerly of the Sacramento Kings - starting for the Warriors at PF.
..sigh...
I am a Kings fan. I have been a Kings fan forever. But I am rapidly becoming an anti-Musselman fan. I know there are other problems, but I cannot get over the image he presented last night. He did not look like a coach in the NBA; he looked like a high school coach from a very small school whose team is being beat - for about the 20th time - by about 40 points. I don't know how a team can draw strength or confidence from their coach when he looks lost and clueless.
I don't dislike Eric Musselman but I was certainly hoping for something a lot different than what he's brought so far. It appears, despite his power point presentations and convincing talk, he hasn't changed at all. His team isn't paying attention to him; he's not putting forth any kind of consistent game plan the players can begin to bond with; and his substitution decisions are apparently being beamed down to him from the mother ship. All he needs is an aluminum collander on his head to complete the picture...
I'm gonna go out on a limb right now and predict that if something doesn't change the Maloofs will NOT wait out the year to see if he can pull things together. The look on Joe and Gavin's face when the camera panned them last night was NOT one I would want to see if I was their employee. If heads start to roll, I strongly predict Musselman's will be the first...
Anyway, I hope Kevin is feeling better. He just didn't have the spring in his step last night and he did take a couple of cheap shots from Cat. And I think Bibby was on the receiving end of at least one or two uncalled fouls. It's not an excuse but I think his technical, while warranted as far as arguing with the official, was pretty clearly the result of a building frustration over the non-calls AND (JMO) the lack of leadership coming from the coach's chair.
Seems odd to have another Saturday night home game. I have to wonder what type of attendance they'll have tonight. A lot of people may have tickets but decide to just forego attending, especially if they have a big party planned for tomorrow night...
I'm thinking good thoughts and I'm hoping the Kings can find a way to win tonight, but it won't be a cakewalk. Until and unless they can find a way to become a TEAM they're gonna continue to struggle regardless of who they have wearing the uniform.
Just my two cents, of course, and I'm sorry. I'm rarely this critical in the intro to the PBP thread. If things get too ugly tonight, don't be surprised if I just sign off early. I was always taught that if I can't say something nice to say nothing at all...and another blowout at home tonight could make it very difficult.
GO KINGS!!!!
Before I begin, let's look at the Bee's outlook for tonight's game.
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/100727.html
Tonight's Game: Golden State (16-15) at Kings (12-15)
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
KINGS OUTLOOK - The first revenge game didn't work out the way the Kings planned, as they followed their 117-105 loss to the Warriors on Nov. 16 with a 126-113 drubbing Dec. 12. In both games, the Kings struggled with Golden State's athleticism, a problem that's not likely to go away just because this is the first meeting at Arco Arena. The Kings finally have been executing their long-discussed plan to move the ball again lately, with 20-plus assist totals becoming common.
WARRIORS OUTLOOK - If the Kings were thinking ahead, they would have called Boston coach Doc Rivers with a plea to run the Warriors ragged Friday night. The Warriors are just 1-5 on the tail end of back-to-backs, and this is the first that one comes against the Kings. In each of the two prior meetings, the Warriors had one day off before facing their Northern California rival. They've found their way again after falling to 12-14, winning three of their last four before facing Boston. Second-year guard Monta Ellis has missed the last two games since injuring his shoulder against Miami on Dec. 23.
KEY MATCHUP - Mike Bibby vs. Baron Davis - Davis scored 36 points and had 18 assists in the first meeting, with Bibby struggling to keep up. In the second matchup, Ron Artest spent much of the time defending Davis, who had 14 points and 13 assists.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Kings - Bibby, Martin, Artest, KT, Miller
Warriors - Davis, Pietrus, Richardson, Barnes, Biedrins
And yes, folks, that's Matt Barnes - formerly of the Sacramento Kings - starting for the Warriors at PF.
..sigh...
I am a Kings fan. I have been a Kings fan forever. But I am rapidly becoming an anti-Musselman fan. I know there are other problems, but I cannot get over the image he presented last night. He did not look like a coach in the NBA; he looked like a high school coach from a very small school whose team is being beat - for about the 20th time - by about 40 points. I don't know how a team can draw strength or confidence from their coach when he looks lost and clueless.
I don't dislike Eric Musselman but I was certainly hoping for something a lot different than what he's brought so far. It appears, despite his power point presentations and convincing talk, he hasn't changed at all. His team isn't paying attention to him; he's not putting forth any kind of consistent game plan the players can begin to bond with; and his substitution decisions are apparently being beamed down to him from the mother ship. All he needs is an aluminum collander on his head to complete the picture...
I'm gonna go out on a limb right now and predict that if something doesn't change the Maloofs will NOT wait out the year to see if he can pull things together. The look on Joe and Gavin's face when the camera panned them last night was NOT one I would want to see if I was their employee. If heads start to roll, I strongly predict Musselman's will be the first...
Anyway, I hope Kevin is feeling better. He just didn't have the spring in his step last night and he did take a couple of cheap shots from Cat. And I think Bibby was on the receiving end of at least one or two uncalled fouls. It's not an excuse but I think his technical, while warranted as far as arguing with the official, was pretty clearly the result of a building frustration over the non-calls AND (JMO) the lack of leadership coming from the coach's chair.
Seems odd to have another Saturday night home game. I have to wonder what type of attendance they'll have tonight. A lot of people may have tickets but decide to just forego attending, especially if they have a big party planned for tomorrow night...
I'm thinking good thoughts and I'm hoping the Kings can find a way to win tonight, but it won't be a cakewalk. Until and unless they can find a way to become a TEAM they're gonna continue to struggle regardless of who they have wearing the uniform.
Just my two cents, of course, and I'm sorry. I'm rarely this critical in the intro to the PBP thread. If things get too ugly tonight, don't be surprised if I just sign off early. I was always taught that if I can't say something nice to say nothing at all...and another blowout at home tonight could make it very difficult.
GO KINGS!!!!
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