http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14247532p-15065127c.html
Marty Mac's World: Kings need to find their fire for Game 2
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PDT Tuesday, April 25, 2006
There's nothing like a good ol' butt-whipping to reinforce reality as well as serve a nice slice of humble pie.
The Kings can only hope that the 122-88 service by the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series also furnishes much-needed desperation to their cause.
It should take only one drubbing (or in this case, one-half of a drubbing) of that cyclonic proportion for the Kings to recognize that they must come far more aggressively, intently and competitively if they plan to match San Antonio's title-proven success.
The reality is Game 1 of any series is a learning experience. More reality: Not only are the Kings learning about themselves as a team and how they will react to the stress and pressure applied by the defending champion Spurs, they also must see how they react to being crushed like a soda can.
Moreover, they will have to deal in Game 2 without Ron Artest. Monday, the Kings' small forward was suspended by the NBA for tonight's game for landing his left elbow to the head of San Antonio's Manu Ginobili in the third quarter of Game 1.
Clearly, the Kings' No. 1 focus must be at the defensive end of the court because the Spurs did what they wanted when they wanted. Allowing the Spurs to shoot 68.4 percent in the first half was an indication of the Kings' overall poor play.
The perimeter players were soft, and the frontcourt performers were softer and slower. The key to playoff success is being intelligently aggressive, and the Kings displayed neither intelligence nor aggressiveness.
If it were easy to defend Spurs point guard Tony Parker, the man would not have shot 54.8 percent from the field this season. However, Parker should hit jump shot after jump shot before he is allowed to get all the way to the basket, as he did in Game 1.
The Kings will have to play much harder and smarter at the defensive end. Their rotations must be more crisp and timely. And they will have to fight more intently and with more determination.
To play well offensively against the Spurs, the Kings will have to space the floor, move themselves, move the ball and make shots. The Spurs specialize in packing the paint and challenging shots. An offensive team has to exhibit patience when attacking San Antonio's defense and then has to finish the deal by making shots.
The ultimate irony for the Kings, however, was Artest getting elbowed in the mouth by Ginobili in the opening minute. Artest was the guy talking all the trash, and there he was, lying on the court checking his choppers.
By the way, as that play continued, Ginobili was whistled for an offensive foul for charging into Kings center Brad Miller, who clearly was in the circle underneath the hoop and should have gotten the blocking call.
Marty Mac's World: Kings need to find their fire for Game 2
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PDT Tuesday, April 25, 2006
There's nothing like a good ol' butt-whipping to reinforce reality as well as serve a nice slice of humble pie.
The Kings can only hope that the 122-88 service by the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series also furnishes much-needed desperation to their cause.
It should take only one drubbing (or in this case, one-half of a drubbing) of that cyclonic proportion for the Kings to recognize that they must come far more aggressively, intently and competitively if they plan to match San Antonio's title-proven success.
The reality is Game 1 of any series is a learning experience. More reality: Not only are the Kings learning about themselves as a team and how they will react to the stress and pressure applied by the defending champion Spurs, they also must see how they react to being crushed like a soda can.
Moreover, they will have to deal in Game 2 without Ron Artest. Monday, the Kings' small forward was suspended by the NBA for tonight's game for landing his left elbow to the head of San Antonio's Manu Ginobili in the third quarter of Game 1.
Clearly, the Kings' No. 1 focus must be at the defensive end of the court because the Spurs did what they wanted when they wanted. Allowing the Spurs to shoot 68.4 percent in the first half was an indication of the Kings' overall poor play.
The perimeter players were soft, and the frontcourt performers were softer and slower. The key to playoff success is being intelligently aggressive, and the Kings displayed neither intelligence nor aggressiveness.
If it were easy to defend Spurs point guard Tony Parker, the man would not have shot 54.8 percent from the field this season. However, Parker should hit jump shot after jump shot before he is allowed to get all the way to the basket, as he did in Game 1.
The Kings will have to play much harder and smarter at the defensive end. Their rotations must be more crisp and timely. And they will have to fight more intently and with more determination.
To play well offensively against the Spurs, the Kings will have to space the floor, move themselves, move the ball and make shots. The Spurs specialize in packing the paint and challenging shots. An offensive team has to exhibit patience when attacking San Antonio's defense and then has to finish the deal by making shots.
The ultimate irony for the Kings, however, was Artest getting elbowed in the mouth by Ginobili in the opening minute. Artest was the guy talking all the trash, and there he was, lying on the court checking his choppers.
By the way, as that play continued, Ginobili was whistled for an offensive foul for charging into Kings center Brad Miller, who clearly was in the circle underneath the hoop and should have gotten the blocking call.
