Wow, Marty. Welcome to the real world... What took you so long? People around here have been talking about this for weeks... 
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/149757.html
Marty Mac's World: Struggling Kings are in a lose-win situation
By Martin McNeal - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:23 am PDT Thursday, April 5, 2007
These are unusual times for the Kings. The basic concept of sports is competition, but at the professional level especially, it's taking competition and completing it with victories.
Well, not so fast. The Kings are in the rare position in which losses might be more beneficial than victories. They will miss the playoffs for the first time since the 1997-98 season. But they will be lottery participants -- and this is where compiling losses contributes to having a better chance of selecting an impact player in the draft.
So, Tuesday night at Arco Arena, the Kings played a Dallas team without MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki and were in position to win. Kings fans were troubled by their team's shooting inaccuracy but also thrilled with the level of competition. Although most of those fans fully knew a loss likely would do more for them than a victory, it's natural to root for a victory, just as it is for players to try to win.
In the end, however, the Kings, as is usually the case when things are spiraling downhill, were just good enough to lose. They entered Wednesday night's game at Denver tied with Minnesota for the ninth-most defeats with 43. And three teams -- Philadelphia, Seattle and Portland -- had 44 losses. So the Kings were just one game away, conceivably, from being in sixth position.
Perhaps the best way for Kings fans to look at the season's final eight regular-season games is to root for victories but find solace in the fact that each loss could be better for them in the big picture.
Dang, Ron-Ron
It has been impossible to watch Kings oft-troubled small forward Ron Artest during the season's past three months and not become perturbed with the dude. Artest's play at both ends of the floor has been tremendous, yet because he has been incapable of handling his business off-court, that's where the focus has been.
Artest has been healthier, and his improved performances have shown that. On a team without many other strong defenders, his abilities at that end of the floor stand out that much more. He might have the best hands in the league when it comes to deflections that alter possessions. If he gets a hand on the ball, the play usually becomes one of his league-leading steals.
Imagine how good this guy would be with a shot-blocking or intimidating defensive big man next to him, not to mention a group of consistently solid defenders around him. Unquestionably, Artest can be guilty of dominating the ball. He seems at times to think he's paid by the dribble.
However, Artest certainly would benefit from a more cohesive and consistent offensive attack rather than one that often appears dominated by post-ups and isolations.
Now, it's for all to wonder what the Kings will do with Artest in the offseason.
Artest says he would love to stay in Sacramento, and as a player the Kings should want to keep him around. But with Artest, there's more to the equation, and history says that always will be the case.
It's likely the Kings won't have to shop him. There will be teams that see Artest as a piece to the puzzle that can help them win a title. There also will be teams that will not touch Artest with a 20-foot pole.
And Ron-Ron, this is a scenario only you've created. Dang, Ron-Ron.
The loss of class never can be replaced
To describe Eddie Robinson as the former Grambling State football coach is to severely undersell his legendary status. Robinson, who died late Tuesday at age 88, clearly was one of the best football coaches ever, as 408 career wins suggest. Robinson's college program sent more than 200 players to the NFL.
Yet once you met "Coach Rob," it became immediately apparent you had been touched by a combination of class and dignity rarely accomplished in our society.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/149757.html
Marty Mac's World: Struggling Kings are in a lose-win situation
By Martin McNeal - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:23 am PDT Thursday, April 5, 2007
These are unusual times for the Kings. The basic concept of sports is competition, but at the professional level especially, it's taking competition and completing it with victories.
Well, not so fast. The Kings are in the rare position in which losses might be more beneficial than victories. They will miss the playoffs for the first time since the 1997-98 season. But they will be lottery participants -- and this is where compiling losses contributes to having a better chance of selecting an impact player in the draft.
So, Tuesday night at Arco Arena, the Kings played a Dallas team without MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki and were in position to win. Kings fans were troubled by their team's shooting inaccuracy but also thrilled with the level of competition. Although most of those fans fully knew a loss likely would do more for them than a victory, it's natural to root for a victory, just as it is for players to try to win.
In the end, however, the Kings, as is usually the case when things are spiraling downhill, were just good enough to lose. They entered Wednesday night's game at Denver tied with Minnesota for the ninth-most defeats with 43. And three teams -- Philadelphia, Seattle and Portland -- had 44 losses. So the Kings were just one game away, conceivably, from being in sixth position.
Perhaps the best way for Kings fans to look at the season's final eight regular-season games is to root for victories but find solace in the fact that each loss could be better for them in the big picture.
Dang, Ron-Ron
It has been impossible to watch Kings oft-troubled small forward Ron Artest during the season's past three months and not become perturbed with the dude. Artest's play at both ends of the floor has been tremendous, yet because he has been incapable of handling his business off-court, that's where the focus has been.
Artest has been healthier, and his improved performances have shown that. On a team without many other strong defenders, his abilities at that end of the floor stand out that much more. He might have the best hands in the league when it comes to deflections that alter possessions. If he gets a hand on the ball, the play usually becomes one of his league-leading steals.
Imagine how good this guy would be with a shot-blocking or intimidating defensive big man next to him, not to mention a group of consistently solid defenders around him. Unquestionably, Artest can be guilty of dominating the ball. He seems at times to think he's paid by the dribble.
However, Artest certainly would benefit from a more cohesive and consistent offensive attack rather than one that often appears dominated by post-ups and isolations.
Now, it's for all to wonder what the Kings will do with Artest in the offseason.
Artest says he would love to stay in Sacramento, and as a player the Kings should want to keep him around. But with Artest, there's more to the equation, and history says that always will be the case.
It's likely the Kings won't have to shop him. There will be teams that see Artest as a piece to the puzzle that can help them win a title. There also will be teams that will not touch Artest with a 20-foot pole.
And Ron-Ron, this is a scenario only you've created. Dang, Ron-Ron.
The loss of class never can be replaced
To describe Eddie Robinson as the former Grambling State football coach is to severely undersell his legendary status. Robinson, who died late Tuesday at age 88, clearly was one of the best football coaches ever, as 408 career wins suggest. Robinson's college program sent more than 200 players to the NFL.
Yet once you met "Coach Rob," it became immediately apparent you had been touched by a combination of class and dignity rarely accomplished in our society.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
