Sacbee: Sacramento soars into seventh spot

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Sacramento soars into seventh spot

The Kings make life tough on Bryant and leapfrog the Lakers

By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, March 15, 2006

The same man who had just figured out Kobe Bryant couldn't manage to control his own cell phone.Ron Artest fumbled with his Blackberry as if it were a loose ball dipped in butter, the battery case falling off as the celebratory messages and voice mail kept coming in.

But the most important statement had long since been made late Tuesday night, when the Kings' 114-98 win over the Lakers put them past their Southern California rivals for seventh place in the Western Conference and made it official that this once-left-for-dead team is now the hottest in the league.

Artest scored 28 points and had five assists and three blocks in 47 minutes, but his defensive effort on Bryant held the largest impact and left the biggest impression.

Bryant, the league's leading scorer who entered averaging 35 points per game, had 30 points on 12-of-28 shooting, but nine of his points came in the last six minutes as the Kings held a double-digit lead.
While the raucous Arco Arena and a big night from point guard Mike Bibby (29 points and 5 of 9 from three-point range) fell in line with the Kings-Lakers scripts of old, Bryant said the Artest element is what has made all the difference.

"You added a player in the mix that's everything Sacramento wasn't when we played them in the playoffs," said Bryant, who was hassled by Kings shooting guard Bonzi Wells when Artest wasn't on him.

"The guy plays defense first, and now Sacramento has become much more aggressive on defense."

And regardless of how the words of Lakers coach Phil Jackson were perceived entering the game, the Kings are officially a point of concern for playoff-bound teams. Coming in, Jackson had said he wasn't worried about the Kings. He later clarified that his comment wasn't a slight, but a hope that his team would be concerned only with itself.

Nonetheless, a simplified version of Jackson's sentiment was relayed to Kings coach Rick Adelman, who was as satisfied as any with his squad's 13th consecutive win at home and not afraid to show it.

"I have no response to Phil Jackson no matter what he says,"
Adelman said. "I mean, who cares? The bottom line is, I guess you can say 'Scoreboard' tonight.

"Phil's going to have his opinion, and he can say what he wants. But who's buying into it? It's all B.S., is what it is, so why should I worry about it?"


The scoreboard read the way it did because of an all-around offense (including Brad Miller's 18 points and 11 rebounds) and another stellar night of defense, as the Kings held an opponent below 100 points for the ninth time in 12 games. The Lakers - playing their first game without injured center Chris Mihm - cooled after 14 first-quarter points from forward Lamar Odom had them up 31-24 entering the second.

For the Kings, it was the worst kind of deficit, as they had held Bryant to two first-quarter points and trailed nonetheless. But when Bryant headed to the bench for the first time to start the second quarter, Artest scored 13 points in the first four minutes, hitting three three-pointers, an 18-footer and two free throws. When Kevin Martin contributed a long jumper, the Kings' 18-2 run put them up 42-33 before the Lakers rallied to trail 54-50 at halftime.

As has become routine in this building, Artest - who is 10-0 at Arco Arena as a King - came up big at the right time, hitting a three-pointer with 8:03 remaining to put the Kings up 92-84. Then on two straight possessions, he drew an offensive foul on Bryant, then tipped Bryant's jumper in the paint. Wells followed suit, stealing the ball from Bryant and hitting the fast-break layup while being fouled by Bryant. His three-point play was part a 14-5 run, the Kings finally pulling away.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/v-print/story/14230421p-15053221c.html
 
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KingKong said:
"I have no response to Phil Jackson no matter what he says,"
Adelman said. "I mean, who cares? The bottom line is, I guess you can say 'Scoreboard' tonight.

"Phil's going to have his opinion, and he can say what he wants. But who's buying into it? It's all B.S., is what it is, so why should I worry about it?"

Wow... did Rick say that??:D
 
PejaHoops16 said:
Wow... did Rick say that??:D

Rick has always been a pretty funny guy - I think now he feels he can just let some of this stuff fly more often. What does he have to lose?

He needs to stick around.
 
Warhawk said:
Rick has always been a pretty funny guy - I think now he feels he can just let some of this stuff fly more often. What does he have to lose?

He needs to stick around.

Definately.
 
As long as THIS team plays well for Adleman than I am all for keeping him here.

Earlier in the year it was a different story. Amazing how things can "change" :D
 
"I have no response to Phil Jackson no matter what he says,"
Adelman said. "I mean, who cares? The bottom line is, I guess you can say 'Scoreboard' tonight.

"Phil's going to have his opinion, and he can say what he wants. But who's buying into it? It's all B.S., is what it is, so why should I worry about it?"

WOW!! I want his contract extended

IMMEDIATELY!!
 
I just love seeing the team's transformation. I can see the swagger in this team and now even coach Adelman's taking shots at PJ? Heck, there was a crab dance sighting last night... it's been ages since I've seen that! :D Go Kings!
 
Wow... the KINGS ARE BACK! And the Lakers still suck.

There's been a lot of chatter about the Spurs and Mavs jockying for first place in order to avoid playing the Clippers. Right now, I'd rather play the Mavs than the Kings. Whoever draws us in round one will not be too thrilled...
 
Vlad said:
Wow... the KINGS ARE BACK! And the Lakers still suck.

There's been a lot of chatter about the Spurs and Mavs jockying for first place in order to avoid playing the Clippers. Right now, I'd rather play the Mavs than the Kings. Whoever draws us in round one will not be too thrilled...


:eek: :confused: :D
 
Vlad said:
There's been a lot of chatter about the Spurs and Mavs jockying for first place in order to avoid playing the Clippers. Right now, I'd rather play the Mavs than the Kings. Whoever draws us in round one will not be too thrilled...

I anticipate at this point that the Kings will play the Suns in the first round.

Looking at the schedules of the involved teams and SPECULATING, I see the Kings finishing in the 7th spot and the Suns finishing in the 2nd spot. Even if the Kings finish strong Memphis has an easy schedule and I don't see them slipping from 6th. So, really it's a battle for 8/7 between the Lakers, N.O., and the Kings. N.O. is taking gas big time.
 
Warhawk said:
Rick has always been a pretty funny guy - I think now he feels he can just let some of this stuff fly more often. What does he have to lose?

He needs to stick around.

Haahaaaa!! i would LOVE to stick around for that conversation:

Petrie: Rick, I'll be honest with you, we've been debating on whether to bring you back for a few more years. But now that you've called Phil Jackson out on his complete BS, we totally see that you truly are the leader of this team. Sign here.
 
G_M said:
I anticipate at this point that the Kings will play the Suns in the first round.

Looking at the schedules of the involved teams and SPECULATING, I see the Kings finishing in the 7th spot and the Suns finishing in the 2nd spot. Even if the Kings finish strong Memphis has an easy schedule and I don't see them slipping from 6th. So, really it's a battle for 8/7 between the Lakers, N.O., and the Kings. N.O. is taking gas big time.

I think the Kings PROBABLY move up to 6th (close) and get the Nuggets. I think 7th (and the Suns) is a lock - we won't go back to 8th.

Providing we stay healthy, of course.
 
All I could imagine in my head was the "Raise the roof" thing SAR does while dancing around :eek:

when I read the title
 
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Warhawk said:
I think the Kings PROBABLY move up to 6th (close) and get the Nuggets. I think 7th (and the Suns) is a lock - we won't go back to 8th.

Providing we stay healthy, of course.

Injuries... can change everything, as all Kings fans know.
 
Yes ADELMAN!!! I LOVE THAT..Artest has even gotten Adelman pumped up...HAHA

I LOVE IT!!!!

damn..

this teams getting me all syked up again
 
DoughDole said:
I just love seeing the team's transformation. I can see the swagger in this team and now even coach Adelman's taking shots at PJ? Heck, there was a crab dance sighting last night... it's been ages since I've seen that! :D Go Kings!
I nearly cried when i saw that...

..like days of old

...and i am thoroughly enjoying it
 
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