Postgame Quotes-vs. Portland

[KingKong]

http://www.nba.com/kings/news/Postgame_Quotesvs_Portland-129070-58.html

Postgame Quotes-vs. Portland

Kings Coach Rick Adelman
“You really have to have concentration all the time on those two guards and we didn’t do it in the first (half). We gave Nick (Van Exel) 18 points and I think he got 12 without even doing anything because his guy wasn’t even staying with him. That’s all we talked about was staying with those two guards and never giving them shots because they are really good at finding each other. Even that free-throw, I don’t know why they would rebound a free-throw there but again, you don’t watch the ball, you stay with the shooters. Finally, in the last two possessions Mike (Bibby) and Cuttino (Mobley) never left them. It’s just one of those games where concentration is what you need and to focus on what you’re trying to do.”

“Van Excel got three or four shots where he just passed the ball to (Damon) Stoudamire and he just took three steps away and he threw it right back to him. We looked on film because the guy who is guarding him says I am going to help but you don’t. You help with the big people and those things were really disturbing. If you’re guarding him you can’t stand around, you just have to keep moving with him. They can come off picks and they can make tough shots but, to give them wide open looks, especially the way Van Excel is shooting the ball, it’s like he’s been re-born again because every game he just shoots it so well. Every time he gets an open three he makes it. I just thought our concentration in those areas wasn’t great. I thought our two young guys Maurice (Evans) and Kevin (Martin) did a great job of bringing energy to the fourth quarter and getting the crowd into it. We really should have finished that in the fourth quarter but, it was good to see them come in and give us that spark.”

Cuttino Mobley
“Basketball is always fun. Tiring? Yeah. But we stuck it out. They [Portland] where getting a lot of offensive rebounds. But we pulled it out.”

“I’m not going to struggle. I’m too aggressive to struggle. I think I was one for five, or one for six in the first half. In the second half, I just came out and played. I played in the first half, it just didn’t go in.”

“When I’m on the basketball court, I always feel comfortable. They [the rest of the Kings] make you feel comfortable. We pass the ball and we play together. It’s definitely a comfortable situation for me.”

On being a team leader:
“Sometimes when I think we need it, I think I’m the loudest one. I just have to stay focused all the time, to make sure we’re ready.”

“Chris [Webber] is amazing to me. Everytime he scores I laugh because it looks so easy. Everything he does looks easy.”

Maurice Evans
“Stoudamire and those guys were really really aggressive. They were really attacking the boards, they out-rebounded us by about 20. But we stuck with it and we got the win, and that’s what matters.”

On getting another battle scar:
“I don’t know what it is, but it’s been rough out here lately. We’re just sticking with it, and I’m sticking with it. Hopefully we can make some good on Phoenix while they are struggling. We’ve just got to stick with it, it’s a long season.”

“Nick and those guys still got a lot of looks. But you just got to stay down and keep them in front of you and just try and contest shots the best you can.”

On Lebron coming on Thursday:
“He’s playing really really well this season, he’s been really aggressive. I think in any situation like that you’ve just got to be equally aggressive on the defense, trying to attack them and make him work for everything. He’s going to get his looks, he’s going to get his points, we’ve just got to make him work for it.”



PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Coach Maurice Cheeks
“Cuttino (Mobley) was actually one of the guys that kept them in the game. He helped them because he made a lot of jump shots. He made a three after they blocked a shot. He ended up making a wide open three in the corner and another three right in front of our bench. He was the guy that continued to score the ball when they went up nine. We battled back, but he was the guy that continued scoring.”

“I can’t let them hang their heads and get down on themselves because the effort that we put out is going to turn. The moment the effort stops is when we really have no chance. That’s what I keep telling them and that’s what I keep preaching to them. As long as we have the effort, we give ourselves a chance to win the game.”

Forward/Guard Ruben Patterson
“We’ve been fighting this whole road trip and we just didn’t pull it out.”

What was the difference in the end?
“I give it to Chris Webber. He made some big shots for them. We just have to keep competing and keep fighting everynight.”

Guard Nick Van Exel
About the three into overtime.
“It was forced, but it felt good - it felt real good. I knew it was a forced shot, but you know I take crazy shots anyway, so it don’t matter.”

“I pretty much know how they play defensively and you just try to take advantage of it. This is a pretty good shooters gym right here and I really like shooting in this gym.”

About Cuttino Mobley
“It’s the same old thing, that’s my boy. There’s was a lot of trash talking, but having fun and it looked like he’s fitting in pretty well with them. I think he’ll be a good addition to their team.”

“They played good tonight. Joel had 22 boards, 17 points, that was great. We needed that and we need that everynight from him. I guess he’s showing people what he can do. So that was good. Theo (Ratliff) played good for us also. Everybody has been working hard.”

 

[KingKong]

The Inside Dish-vs. Portland

http://www.nba.com/kings/news/The_Inside_Dish_vs_Portland-129071-58.html

The Inside Dish-vs. Portland
by Devin Blankenship | January 18, 2005 | Kings vs. Portland

That Good?...
It’s hard to believe sometimes that the Sacramento Kings have gone 26-8 since starting the season 0-3. The main reason?

Sacramento really does not blow many teams out, even when they should. The Kings have become very adept at making their move late in games to get wins, a fact that really has been illustrated over the past week.

In each game, twice against the Clippers and on Tuesday versus the Trail Blazers, Sacramento used its experience to beat teams that were close to having the Kings on the ropes. They could have easily lost the last three games as much as won them, but that’s what having a good coaching staff and guys who have been through the battles will do for you.

The Kings make plays when needed, and that, as much as anything else is one of their main weapons.

Cat Paying Dividends…
The Kings so far with Cuttino Mobley in the lineup have gotten three wins and a noticeable spark to the starting lineup.

You could even go so far as to say that Cuttino has nearly won all three games for Sacramento.

Against the LA Clippers the first time, Mobley had a huge block on Elton Brand late in a tight ballgame which led to a fast break to put the Kings in control. On Monday, he hit that huge three-pointer to put Sacramento up by two points with under a minute to go in the game, which really ended up being the difference.

Finally, his third quarter outburst on Tuesday where he ripped off 13 points gave the Kings momentum heading into the fourth, which they needed all of to hold off Portland and force overtime.

Random Thoughts...

• Maurice Evans had to have a bandage placed over his lip to cover a cut he received after dunking on Theo Ratliff in the first half. Combined with the big bandage he has on his head from the nasty fall he went through last week against the Jazz, Mo is now starting to look like a mummy out on the court, all wrapped up with gauze. There was a funny moment after the game when team doctors took the bandage off of Evan’s head to check the 12 stitches. A patch of hair has started to grow around the cut in the spot where the bandage normally goes, because Evans can’t shave his normally smooth head there for fear of messing with the stitches.
• One thing you can say about Kevin Martin is that he makes things happen and is a positive influence on the court. His entrance into the game in the second half really seemed to spark the team and the crowd. What has really been impressive is Martin’s ballhawking on defense.
• The dark cloud behind these wins is definitely the Kings lack of rebounding. Both the Clippers and the Blazers pounded Sacramento on the boards—which was a main reason the games were so close. Tuesday’s game wouldn’t have gone into overtime had Portland not gotten four offensive rebounds on their last possession.
• Continuing the rebounding theme, all young big men in the league must be licking their chops to get a chance at Sacramento. Just look at what Chris Kaman and Joel Przybilla have done on the glass—Przybilla had a career-high 22 boards.

Chris Webber
He scored over 30 points for the second straight game and had his jumper looking silky smooth.

“Chris [Webber] is amazing to me. Everytime he scores I laugh because it looks so easy. Everything he does looks easy.”
-Cuttino Mobley

Maurice Evans' thundering dunk over Theo Ratliff proved that Mo is showing no ill will from his nasty spill last week.

Offensive Rebounds: Portland 24, Sacramento 13

 

[piksi]

“I’m not going to struggle. I’m too aggressive to struggle. I think I was one for five, or one for six in the first half. In the second half, I just came out and played. I played in the first half, it just didn’t go in.”

As long as this arrogant thinking does not cost us a game - fine by me.

 

[eflat]

As long as this arrogant thinking does not cost us a game - fine by me.

What's the difference, in your mind, between arrogance and confidence?

 

[iheartBrad]

yeah i don't think thats arrogance piksi...and believe me im the first person to spot it...i think with him its confidence...and when you are coming into a new situation like he has you really have to be to survive in the early going

 

[piksi]

What's the difference, in your mind, between arrogance and confidence?

It is a very narrow line. If You are confident - there is no need to give such statements. I never heard Webber, Duncan, KG, etc.. saying something like this.

He is too agressive to struggle.

Every player on this planet struggles sometimes but not Mobley a player that went to play offs only once on his entire career. Please !

He started 1-6. If we would have lost it - would be different story. These things blow up in somebody's face soon enough.

Just shut up and play !

 

[eflat]

So what I'm hearing is that there should be a single player-code-of-conduct and they should all speak and behave themselves in a uniform manner. And, apparently, that manner should coincide with your world view of how things oughta be.

 

[piksi]

So what I'm hearing is that there should be a single player-code-of-conduct and they should all speak and behave themselves in a uniform manner. And, apparently, that manner should coincide with your world view of how things oughta be.

What does this have to do with Mobley being arrogant ?

 

[eflat]

It goes toward defining your basis for calling him arrogant.

We could, of course, leave it at you think he is and I don't...

 

[shaka zulu]

The kings won the game last night which is always good to get a win,But there are some serious issues that they need to address before they move on down that late season playoff road.Cuttino mobley was a Good additon in Basketball theory but I kind of question the dudes attitude and his willingness to play TEAM BASKETBALL the dude is totally obnoxious and arrogant to the point of disgusting and you all probably feel that way about me but mobley in my opinion is a player who divides and conquers.He and steve francis had a two man thang going on in orlando and houston and to me in my opinion he is doing this sam thang with the kings with webber.last night what I witness was pick n roll domination basketball between mobley and webber and mobely and webber.Chris seems like to me that he is looking for some type of sterotypical tuff player or ally in the way he wants to play his game and I think he and mobley together can become a problem for the TEAM if someone coaches fans management etc don't do anything to fix this potentional issue.The thang we have to realize is these players like all human beings have ego's and they want to individually be the BEST or the MAN,just like a alot of people on this forum want to chew you out if you don't agree or ban you if you say something different from the normal, there is alot of EGO involved in that,so you know those million dollar athletes have some EGO.What I see is Webber trying to reastablish himself as the man on the TEAM and he will do this at the expense of winning even if the games are wins,meaning it's not about if the kings come out with victory it is his mentality to take a 3 and him taking that 3 pointer might not be in the best interest of the TEAM forget about this stuff about WEBBER'S THE MAN he's this he's that,The 3 pointer might not be Best for the TEAM.

WEBBER in my opinion is hurt from being booed last season his EGO is hurt from this and he feels like PEJA deserves the same treatment for his soft play that fans don't notice or see.Webb wants to prove he is the man on the TEAM that he is the all around go to guy.Webb is tripping hard off of Brad miller notching those triple doubles last season his tripping off of PEJA getting all NBA second TEAM and finishing second in MVP VOTING.This stuff is on his EGO and what I see from webb is him playing for stats he is keeping track of the personal score during the GAME with He and his TEAMMATES.WEBBS EGO was feeling so good at the end of the game BRAD MILLER went to speak in his ear at the foul shot line he dismissed his opinion and it was obviuos that is what he did in my opinion.

But Back to mobley this dude is on a mission to be an allstar he feels like if he is an allstar that resume list along with modeling will propel him to stardom along with his appearance on Cribs. He needs these things to help him reach his mission to be a pop Hoop icon.He will do this by Brown noseing WEBBER the coach,what I saw last night was MOBLEY not 2 days familar with Rick adleman pulling on Rick's dress coat for instruction literally sweating.This to me was a sign of a dude who is trying hard to get on someone's Good side and it is simple DIVIDE and CONQUER.

Brad miller seems to me to be effected by mobley's presence but maybe he feel like his open jump shots are not needed anymore.

mike bibby is doing a good job of staying the same he seems to not be letting the change effect him much.But I do see his dependency on doug defensivley come to light with his lack of effort on the defensive end.

Peja seems like he is effected the most but naturally he should be considering his shot attempts technically would fall having another shooter in the flow.But in my opinion PEJA'S EGO has com into play.Peja feels his a top 10 player in this league he knows he finished second in the league in MVP voting and he was all NBA second team he has ego based knowledge of this and he feels like he is one of the best shooters ever in thios game.

PEJA for one needs to get mentally tougher I agree.He needs to take the ball to the basket more.He can create off the dribble given the chance.If webber can create off the dribble peja can. If Bibby can create off the dribble peja can.Webber looses the constantly trying to shake and bake and when he dribbles the ball 94 feet he too makes alot of TO'S.The difference with webb and peja is webb has more confidence and he will keep the dribble alive and keep taking you to the Hole.Peja skill wise can probably handle the ball better than Webb in half court sets Beause he has a jumper and by by having a J he can put the defense in more Triple threat positions.His confidence is what seperates him from going one on one to the basket from webb.also they don't do enough isolation plays for him is what I see in his off the dribble skills.But at the end of the day PEJA needs to be more agressive and Rick adleman said this in the newspaper Today.He didn't speak tp reporters after the game he was obviously pissed and I think he felt fazed out of the OFFENSE and I saw a liitle cliquish stuff going on with WEBBER and MOBLEY WEBBER and BIBBY pick n roll domination basketball.WEBBER telling peja to clear out go away those thing can hurt a players ego who thinks he is one of the Best dudes on the floor.But peja has to be tougher and the kings need to find a way to play the right way with the new look.

 

[PFFFT!!]

A patch of hair has started to grow around the cut in the spot where the bandage normally goes, because Evans can’t shave his normally smooth head there for fear of messing with the stitches.

Hmmmmm....wonder what that looks like hehe

I think Ill go listen to Beck's "Devil's haircut" now...

 

[tbear03]

Cuttino Mobley

Cuttino Mobley looks horrible in this picture. Other than that, I'd rather he become more aggressive when he's not doing well, then take himself out of the game alltogether like some of our people love to do.

Maurice Evans
On getting another battle scar:
“I don’t know what it is, but it’s been rough out here lately. We’re just sticking with it, and I’m sticking with it. Hopefully we can make some good on Phoenix while they are struggling. We’ve just got to stick with it, it’s a long season.”

While that might be what he thinks, not sure if he should have said it - or not like that. I think that has a kind of mean sound to it; maybe like "We're hoping to be able to advance in the standings by playing hard and winning games," or something, but not "while they are struggling."

 

[Bricklayer]

While that might be what he thinks, not sure if he should have said it - or not like that. I think that has a kind of mean sound to it; maybe like "We're hoping to be able to advance in the standings by playing hard and winning games," or something, but not "while they are struggling."

I myself prefer the "with Nash out we plan to chase down the Suns like a pack of rabid wolves racing through the woods to tear a wounded deer into little gory chunks" formulation.

 

[piksi]

I myself prefer the "with Nash out we plan to chase down the Suns like a pack of rabid wolves racing through the woods to tear a wounded deer into little gory chunks" formulation.

Too bad we can not play the 3 games in the row this week

 

[C4]

i'd actually prefer to call it swagger more than arrogance. Feisty attitude. I hope that rubs off on Pedja.

 

[shaka zulu]

i'd actually prefer to call it swagger more than arrogance. Feisty attitude. I hope that rubs off on Pedja.

I hope and pray that attitude doesn't rub off on peja.An attitude like that you will seal your own fate quickly on the wrong side.Dude is way out Ive seen him do something even more arrogant and sillier than that on NBA.com video phone.

 

[GoGoGadget]

As long as this arrogant thinking does not cost us a game - fine by me.

It is a very narrow line. If You are confident - there is no need to give such statements. I never heard Webber, Duncan, KG, etc.. saying something like this.

I'll agree that there is a rather narrow line between confidence and arrogance.

And, I'll agree that Cuttino's comment is right on that line.

But, I also must point out that I'd be jumping with joy if Peja made that comment.

 

[slugking50]

As long as this arrogant thinking does not cost us a game - fine by me.

If you saw the video of Mobley saying that. Youd see it was said with confidence not arrogance. Seeing it in context may give you a different perspective.

 

[NanaKing]

I don't feel that any of these guys need to change to fit Mobley's game, if that's what you are saying or thinking. It's like the little kid bating mom against dad. Sooner or later it will come back to bite him. I like Mobley's playing although I think he can be selfish with the ball. The last game he passed well. But, from what they show on TV, you see him kissing up to the Maloof's and anyone else who can further his cause, whatever that may be. Just play ball! That's what you are being paid for. Let the coach decide on merit, not moves on the ownership/coaches. I hope this trade doesn't cause dissention on the team. Everyone needs to play team ball or the title will just be a misguided dream.

 

[shaka zulu]

I don't feel that any of these guys need to change to fit Mobley's game, if that's what you are saying or thinking. It's like the little kid bating mom against dad. Sooner or later it will come back to bite him. I like Mobley's playing although I think he can be selfish with the ball. The last game he passed well. But, from what they show on TV, you see him kissing up to the Maloof's and anyone else who can further his cause, whatever that may be. Just play ball! That's what you are being paid for. Let the coach decide on merit, not moves on the ownership/coaches. I hope this trade doesn't cause dissention on the team. Everyone needs to play team ball or the title will just be a misguided dream.

Real talk

 

[piksi]

I don't feel that any of these guys need to change to fit Mobley's game, if that's what you are saying or thinking. It's like the little kid bating mom against dad. Sooner or later it will come back to bite him. I like Mobley's playing although I think he can be selfish with the ball. The last game he passed well. But, from what they show on TV, you see him kissing up to the Maloof's and anyone else who can further his cause, whatever that may be. Just play ball! That's what you are being paid for. Let the coach decide on merit, not moves on the ownership/coaches. I hope this trade doesn't cause dissention on the team. Everyone needs to play team ball or the title will just be a misguided dream.

word

 

[VF21]

I don't feel that any of these guys need to change to fit Mobley's game, if that's what you are saying or thinking. It's like the little kid bating mom against dad. Sooner or later it will come back to bite him. I like Mobley's playing although I think he can be selfish with the ball. The last game he passed well. But, from what they show on TV, you see him kissing up to the Maloof's and anyone else who can further his cause, whatever that may be. Just play ball! That's what you are being paid for. Let the coach decide on merit, not moves on the ownership/coaches. I hope this trade doesn't cause dissention on the team. Everyone needs to play team ball or the title will just be a misguided dream.

Sorry, Grannie, but I have to disagree pretty strongly on this.

Mobley is kissing up to the Maloofs? What? He's doing nothing more than a lot of our guys have done. He's interacting with arguably the best team owners in the NBA.

I'm willing to bet an awful lot of years of being a Kings fan that Mobley is NOT going to cause dissention of the team. He's confident, which we need. He's doing what he was brought here to do. Petrie traded our starting two-guard for a new starting-two guard.

Mobley's attitude has been well received by his teammates AND the fans, from what I've been able to tell. I'm very glad he's here.

 

[love_them_kings]

I don't feel that any of these guys need to change to fit Mobley's game, if that's what you are saying or thinking. It's like the little kid bating mom against dad. Sooner or later it will come back to bite him. I like Mobley's playing although I think he can be selfish with the ball. The last game he passed well. But, from what they show on TV, you see him kissing up to the Maloof's and anyone else who can further his cause, whatever that may be. Just play ball! That's what you are being paid for. Let the coach decide on merit, not moves on the ownership/coaches. I hope this trade doesn't cause dissention on the team. Everyone needs to play team ball or the title will just be a misguided dream.

Maybe I'm naive, but I honestly think Mobley is just an outgoing person and really happy to be here. From what I've seen he is equally outgoing & excitable when he talks to anyone, even the players that hold down the bench. I know that his actions & even his quotes kind of make you wonder if this guy is for real, but IMHO, he is just REALLY excited about being a King and being part of this organization. And, so far he looks like he interacts well with the team, so I am hoping for the best.

 

[Twix]

Maybe I'm naive, but I honestly think Mobley is just an outgoing person and really happy to be here. From what I've seen he is equally outgoing & excitable when he talks to anyone, even the players that hold down the bench. I know that his actions & even his quotes kind of make you wonder if this guy is for real, but IMHO, he is just REALLY excited about being a King and being part of this organization. And, so far he looks like he interacts well with the team, so I am hoping for the best.

My thoughts too. I like how Cuttino's confidence. I never thought Cuttino was "kissing up" to the Maloofs. I think he's just excited to be a King...he said so himself and always with a big smile on his face.