Kings @ Wolves Game Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.

piksi

Hall of Famer
Well, it has been a busy summer for me so I didn't follow BB as much as needed to stay on top of the game and it will take me a little time to catch up. Mostly small things like for example - I think I saw Ricky Davis playing for the Clippers the other day and I was speechless - but then I realized - it is the Clippers. My point - if i screw up names and teams and other things - cut me some slack for a week or so.
I have been doing these threads for a while and their purpose is to keep the PBP thread clean of comments. Everything else is a bonus. Everything written in this is my opinion only. Feel free to disagree about everything at all times. I use bunch of acronyms and other things. Someone will eventually explain it to You.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's see where we left off. 38-44 going nowhere and fast. No playoffs, a middle draft pick, still bunch of bad contracts and still way too old and trying to win but not being able to. Was no fun at all and honestly it was annoying and insulting at times. Season like that is generally followed by a long summer and what happened there wasn't enough to define it as turning point. Preseason wasn't better either. We "won" a game. I watched a total of 5 minutes. I saw Mikki fumble the ball and that was it for me. I heard the #9 actually saw the floor. That is all You need to know about preseason.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want 3 years of my fandom back because that is exactly how much was wasted by our management making "decisions" trying to - hell I honestly don't have a clue what they were thinking or doing - do You ? Since the Webber trade things have gotten from bad to worse and they are hopefully the worst they will ever be right now. In fact - I believe that Kings have done bad enough to rightfully deserve a piece of 700 billion $ bail out plan for incompetence. Enough for a new arena and change to buy out KT.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I actually looked at the "new" roster for the first time and honestly - I didn't like at least half of it. We are still too old and have a chance to win too many games. Granted, some of it is due to the fact that there are bunch of garbage teams in the NBA but still. We have some expiring contracts and some pieces that might be valuable as we progress to a very frustrating and disappointing time called trading deadline. And we have Kenny Thomas for at least 2 more years because at this time he can't even get traded at gun point especially since Isaiah is not in the league. Kenny is the most flexible piece since the great wall of China.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is it me or are we turning into the "MLE all star team" ? It must be some kind of fashion thing because I don't get it. The way I understand this trend is that right now we only have one real basketball player with real contract. The rest that matters right now in terms of playing time is just there because You need 5 players to start the game. This season so far we spend $69,388,269 on salaries. There are 18 teams cheaper than that. If there was such thing as talent per $ category - we would make the bottom 5 maybe even 3.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaking of Kevin Martin - he will be around for a long time and will spend most of it not playing in the post season. Mitch Richmond comes to mind at least in some way. And as we know the best part of Mitch was the guy he was traded for. He will be the guy that will not see that all star break just because other people didn't do their job as well as needed. But, we will have fun watching him hopefully grow more and become complete player who also defends
-------------------------------------------------------------------
I just looked at our schedule and we don't start with Texas triangle ??? What the hell happened ? Did basketball gods decide that they had enough of punishing us for no reason at all. Are they finally moving to someone else ??? There are couple teams that I would suggest. We might actually win some for a change not that it really matters.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now I am switching focus to Muss junior. All I have to say is - he better play the kids and a lot too. If I was him - I would start Beno, Kevin, Cisco, Thompson and Hawes. Would also make sure that Douby, Green and Brown see enough time and pretty much forget about everyone else. Not going to happen obviously but again, Muss junior better plays kids and leave some people out. I don't have a clue what his contract situation is but if he stays the same way and rides the vets for every single of 25-30 wins - he needs to go.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is where I have a hypocritical moment. I love Bobby Jackson and I want to see him play despite the fact that that would be against everything I stand for on this issue. Look - he is old and he would waste PT for someone with more future bur come on - it is Bobby. I don't care and I can never be subjective when it comes to Bobby Jackson possibly the most favorite King from the golden era that seems to be long, long time ago. So many memories, so many moments that stay forever. Maybe one of them - retires as a King for a change.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, what do we really want from this season that we can actually get ? At least to find out what we have here in terms of coaching and some players like Hawes, Thompson, Greene, Douby etc. Everthing else is a bonus including hopefully some trades. We have to show potential because if we don't all the free cap space won't do us any good because no one would want to come here - at least no one worth the overpaying part. In terms of accomplishments as a team - will we rebound this season ? Turnovers ? Who will block a shot ? Can we move the ball at least until it comes to Salmons ?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individually it would look something like this
Kevin - keep his all star numbers up and play some defense
Beno - staying same is as much as we can ask
Salmons - all things considering - I hope he finishes the season somewhere else
Brad - I wish him a team that wants and can win now and that doesn't need picks.
Mikki - I would not be playing him but he will start and play and still he won 't catch a damn ball.
Cisco - will be Cisco - the good, bad and ugly inside a minute.
Douby - don't see him getting a chance and hence it is time to cut him lose
Spencer - lots of PT regardless of the probable inconsistency
Same goes for Thompson, Greene
Bobby - to retire as a King
Don't see Williams and Brown making it
And please retire the #9 where retire means more like - get rid of. No one else should ever wear this number just to avoid even a slight possibility of something similar happening here.
And all of us I wish lot of exciting games and finally a top 5 pick in a season that better be a start of rebuilding
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
So we play Wolves first. When was the last time that we won our season opener anywhere ? I just saw their roster and i like it more than ours - not by much. Can anyone tell me where Antoine Walker ended up ? Despite McHale (is he still their GM ?) they are ahead of us in rebuilding process with lot of interesting players. I am trying to figure out how it is possible to have 4 centers in one NBA game named Hawes, Miller, Both and Collins and still have a game ? Fun part will be watching Gomes, Martin and Al Jefferson vs. pretty much - nobody. we still have a shot of beating them as they don't seem to have a point guard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard awards are in play. TDM will go to Kevin Love since it is his first NBA game and we are good at welcoming gifts. LW-VC will go to whoever gets more minutes as a center. We also have Mike Miller in the game who had a triple double against us before. Other awards will be given and I see a JHA and RA&1 coming up.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I believe that this season can be good for us of coach starts teaching instead trying to win games. Otherwise - we will spend 82 games arguing about same issues we did the last 2-3 years and I am not sure how much more we can take. Hopefully on March 15th 2009 (last game of our season) we can conclude that step forward in right direction was made and that the 09-10 season will be great. If this is the "transition period" - it is okay. Not okay that we had to wait for 3 looooooooooooong years for it to happen. If this is just the same old garbage where we win 35 games chasing the impossible (playoffs) - some people need to go. You just can't live from the old glory forever and they haven't really done anything for us lately.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S. - I just realized that Brad won't be playing because he had such a good time during the summer. I fear minutes for #9 because of that.
P.P.S - anyone else hurt or suspended ???
 
Last edited:
There are various signs that presage important events:

1. Christmas decorations in the stores mean it's nearly July.
2. Waxing your car means it's going to rain...or snow.

Most important, however, is the magical number three sign from the heavens that all again is well with the world:

3. piksi starting a game discussion thread means ...

It's time for Kings basketball!!!!

653.gif
 
Order is restored to the universe, Piksi has returned



but then also chaos has returned, in the form of Kenny Thomas getting playing time and Mikki Moore dropping passes
 
Order is restored to the universe, Piksi has returned



but then also chaos has returned, in the form of Kenny Thomas getting playing time and Mikki Moore dropping passes


Haha. Come on, we havent played yet. Think positive until KT actually does get the PT. LOL. Even though the first 4 games are on the road, at least we open up against another rebuilding team like Minnesota.
 
Piksi, I like how you referred to Kenny Thomas not in name, nickname, or initials...but his number. That is low...and I like it! I'm proposing that he who do we not speak of henceforce be referred to as #9!:p

Looking forward to this game...Minnesota has a surprisingly complete-looking starting 5 and has some depth as well. Not saying they're good, but look a whole lot better on paper compared to last season.

For the Kings, this is a must-win...many pundits are saying that the Wolves are a better team...I know this may be a long, tough season, but for the love of god, don't lose to the Timberwolves (or the Thunder, or the Grizz, or the Lakers).
 
For such a horrendous matchup of teams, my basketball deprived mutilated body is craving some sort of NBA game
 
I heard on the Rise Guys this morning that Cisco will be out 2-3 more weeks.


That sucks. But I wonder if Greene will get a smattering of minutes?

Probably not, but then there's also JT who can play a little 3.


I just want the youth to get some PT right out of the gates.
 
I heard on the Rise Guys this morning that Cisco will be out 2-3 more weeks.

TPTB have said all along that Garcia would most likely be out for 3 to 4 weeks. The only one not buying into it is Cisco. I wouldn't count him out completely. He REALLY wants to be back out there on the court.

While I do admire his heart and desire, I hope he listens to the medical staff and doesn't try to convince them he can play before he's ready.
 
The Powers That Be - which I used this time to shortcut saying "the press releases and official statements from the team."

;)
 
I said it before, and I'll say it again .. I think Cisco plays tomorrow.

We'll see , however I think its important for him to play .. We already have to play 5 games without brad, adding brad to the mix after 5 games then adding Cisco in a month or so means alot of minute shuffling and I think the players need to have there roles down from the begging...

PS. Im in favor of playing for the wins until the all-star break .. If we are out of it by then, then its time to give the young players substantial playing time.. This being said if the younger guys give us the best chance to win I believe that they should be playing now ( like Thompson or Williams for Mikki, because, well, Mikki is pretty bad ) I may be in the minority here, but I rather see the team make the playoffs, even as an 8 seed, then tank .. I do not think we can afford to get another low lottery pick though .. which Is why I think the decision has to be made by the all-star break..
 
I would love to see the Kings in the playoffs this season, even with the current roster. And for me, getting to the playoffs won't be bad with the "rebuilding mode". And here's why?

1. We are still assured of 2 first round picks (1 from Houston). So we can still add young, cheap, and good enough talents to the roster.
2. Starting next off season, a lot of salaries will be off the books. For 2009: Bobby J. (6M), Douby(2M), Shelden(4M), Reef(if insurance takes it 6M), Mikki(possible buy out for his 6M for just 2M, as in his contract). That around 22M.
For 2010: We all know Brad's(12M) and KT's(8M). That's roughly another 20M+ off the books.

Just for comparison, Deng gets 10M, Caron Butler is 9M. So within the next two seasons, we have the capacity to add at least 2 All-Star players into the team or 1 possible superstar, 1 all-star and some good enough bench players if we bid well through free agency.

We don't really need to tank this season just to get that stud first pick. Coz by these 2 succeeding seasons, luring stars for money won't be that hard anymore.

We just need to build the confidence of this team. And making it to the playoffs will be a great jumpstart.

So start this season, I will declare not on the "tanking" side. Let's get those wins Reggie. :D:D:D
 
The first Piksi game discussion opener of the season! Now I really beleive the season is here! :D

Money alone is not going to get Sacramento a superstud free agent. This is a small market in a city without special attraction (I love Sacramento, but I am realistic.) Its a miracle that Vlade did want to come here. Frankly, if there's any attraction here for players, it's the Maloofs.

I want to know what we have in our young players. And if we get a high draft pick this year, I'm fine with that, as long as our young players make serious progress.

I'd be a lot happier that way, than if we miraculously squeaked into the playoffs, only to get badly crushed by the number one seed. To aspire to that year after year is like aspiring to reach purgatory, instead of heaven to me.
 
I'm just setting up my recording for tonight's game, since I will miss the live broadcast.

Anyway, I couldn't help but laugh at the little snippet of info for the program.. this is on Comcast btw.

Live, Sacramento at Minnesota. It's Miller time as Brad leads the Kings into Minneapolis to tangle with Mike and the Wolves.

:confused: :mad:
 
I'm just setting up my recording for tonight's game, since I will miss the live broadcast.

Anyway, I couldn't help but laugh at the little snippet of info for the program.. this is on Comcast btw.

Live, Sacramento at Minnesota. It's Miller time as Brad leads the Kings into Minneapolis to tangle with Mike and the Wolves.

:confused: :mad:

haha. How fitting is that? Are they toying with us?? ;)

Can't wait until gametime!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top