Sam Amick: No defense for missed chances

coolhandluke

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No defense for missed chances

Bibby, Miller focus on rebounding from poor Game 2 outings

By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer

Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, April 27, 2006

One basket. A Mike Bibby drive and layup, or a foul drawn followed by free throws. A Brad Miller jumper from the high post, or even a simple feed down low for a dunk.

When the Kings' longest-tenured and highest-paid duo looked back on Tuesday night's Game 2 loss to San Antonio, they knew that one more hoop would've been the difference.

Instead, Bibby's bad shooting night (3 of 16) was compounded by his role in Brent Barry's miraculous three-pointer that forced overtime, when Bibby let his eyes wander from the long-range specialist who snuck away to the corner.

Miller, meanwhile, played so poorly that coach Rick Adelman used him for only 27 minutes. The team's third-leading scorer during the regular season hit just 2 of 8 shots and had three rebounds.

"I don't think you could blame anyone in America (for benching me) the way I was playing," Miller said Wednesday. "Shareef (Abdur-Rahim) had it going, and Kenny (Thomas). Matchups were working. I'll never complain if I'm not producing and helping the team."

Which, by the way, they each plan on doing Friday night when Game 3 in the best-of-seven series moves to Arco Arena. The Kings face what history dictates as a must win. No team in NBA history has rallied from a 3-0 deficit in a seven-game series, and only 14 have come back from an 0-2 hole.

Ron Artest will be back on the court, having served his one-game suspension for elbowing Spurs guard Manu Ginobili in the head. And after a Game 1 blowout that could have left the Kings wondering if they should simply surrender, they said the lone positive of the Game 2 loss was the sense of confidence that came with competing. What's more, the pertinent history isn't all negative for the Kings, as the past has shown that Bibby and Miller usually recover.

For 17 minutes of Game 2, Kings coach Rick Adelman played Jason Hart at point guard with Bibby on the floor. While the advantage was less ballhandling and more shooting for Bibby - who logged 48 minutes - the disadvantage was having to deal with Spurs defensive specialist Bruce Bowen instead of Spurs point guard Tony Parker. With Artest back, Bowen likely won't see Bibby again.

"I never worry about Mike, offensively," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "I mean he went (3 for 16), but if you remember at the start of overtime he hit two (shots) right off the bat. He always responds. He's also got to respond at the other end of the court like all of our guys do."

Bibby was more concerned about his defense than his shooting.

"I think Mike is the first to admit what happened at the end of that game, that he should have had more concentration, been standing next to Barry, that it should've never happened," Adelman said. "And he knows that. Now the challenge is on Mike and everybody else."

Bibby continued to take the blame for the loss.

"It was the worst, especially when you go in thinking that the game's over already, that we won, and the only thing that could do anything was a three (pointer), and that's the shot that they hit," Bibby said. "It was a big shot by Brent, but definitely could've been prevented."

The Spurs had no trouble preventing Miller from playing his game, namely because of forward Tim Duncan and center Nazr Mohammed. The Kings center didn't hit his first field goal until he buried a three-pointer with four seconds left in the second quarter to put the Kings up 56-51 at halftime. His next came with 4:20 left in the third quarter, the virtual disappearing act turning into an actual one when Adelman decided to go with Abdur-Rahim and Thomas.

"I just have to go back, reboot the system and get back into it," Miller said. "I just want to get my confidence back up. It's probably the (Spurs') length (that bothers me). I've got to get out of a funk, adjust to what they're doing, and be more of the player I feel I should be."

Link
 
coolhandluke said:
Bibby continued to take the blame for the loss.

"It was the worst, especially when you go in thinking that the game's over already, that we won, and the only thing that could do anything was a three (pointer), and that's the shot that they hit," Bibby said. "It was a big shot by Brent, but definitely could've been prevented."
I hope Bibby has learnt his lesson from this experience. You can never afford to be mentally lazy on defense in these kind of situations. A game isn't over till the buzzer sounds.
 
coolhandluke said:
Bibby was more concerned about his defense than his shooting.

"I think Mike is the first to admit what happened at the end of that game, that he should have had more concentration, been standing next to Barry, that it should've never happened," Adelman said. "And he knows that. Now the challenge is on Mike and everybody else."

Bibby continued to take the blame for the loss.

"It was the worst, especially when you go in thinking that the game's over already, that we won, and the only thing that could do anything was a three (pointer), and that's the shot that they hit," Bibby said. "It was a big shot by Brent, but definitely could've been prevented."

bibby should take all the blame. he blew the last play and listen to what he says. ^^^, that the game was already over?? makes me think he doesn't have much of a basketball iq. there's 14 seconds left and you think the game is over?? thanks mike, you probably cost us the series.
 
kingsfannPDX said:
thanks mike, you probably cost us the series.

As much as I hate/loate/despise Mike Bibby - let's not forget that we probably wouldn't even be IN the series without his play earlier in the year.

But yes - it was painful to watch him flop on that play. I say "flop" because I see him fall down on about half the picks and screens that are ever sent his way. It's like his kryptonite.

In Mike's defense - that WAS a moving pick. It was illegal.
 
coolhandluke said:
"It was the worst, especially when you go in thinking that the game's over already, that we won, and the only thing that could do anything was a three (pointer), and that's the shot that they hit," Bibby said. "It was a big shot by Brent, but definitely could've been prevented."


wow, just wow.


How much is he getting paid again ?
 
kingsfannPDX said:
bibby should take all the blame. he blew the last play and listen to what he says. ^^^, that the game was already over?? makes me think he doesn't have much of a basketball iq. there's 14 seconds left and you think the game is over?? thanks mike, you probably cost us the series.

Last time I looked it was a team game.

One could argue that the Kings shouldn't have given away a 10 point lead. One could argue that Miller should take the blame because he forced everyone else to have to work so much harder because of his absence. One could even argue that Artest is to blame.

When you start making comments about professional NBA players not having "much of a basketball IQ" the only ignorance you expose is your own.

Do you still blame Vlade for tipping the ball to Horry so he could make that shot???

:rolleyes:

Stuff happens.
 
piksi said:
wow, just wow.


How much is he getting paid again ?

This is getting ridiculous. Talk about witch hunts...

I can follow Mike's logic. I was thinking pretty much the exact same thing.

Hey, there's only 14 seconds left. They're up by three. They've got this thing in the bag. All they have to do is make sure the Spurs can't get off an open three...

The worst possible thing that could have happened did happen, aided by an illegal screen on the part of Duncan. Remember back when Webber set a pretty questionable screen and Bibby was able to get open and make the basket against the Lakers?

Things happen in this game. It's a lot different to be actually out there in real time playing it than it is to be analyzing it after the fact and being able to take all the time you want and need to find every single little error...

All this finger pointing at Mike is embarrassing to me. Is this the way it's going to be all the time now? First one scapegoat then another? That's not what Kings fans are all about.

To criticize and bemoan a loss is one thing. But to see people continually bash a good player like this makes me very sad...
 
Wheeler03 said:
As much as I hate/loate/despise Mike Bibby - let's not forget that we probably wouldn't even be IN the series without his play earlier in the year.

you hate mike?? i don't hate any of our players. i just hate it when he acts like a rookie and his defense.

the playoffs are when you step your game up. just getting us to the playoffs is great but i want more.
 
VF21 said:
I can follow Mike's logic. I was thinking pretty much the exact same thing.

Hey, there's only 14 seconds left. They're up by three. They've got this thing in the bag. All they have to do is make sure the Spurs can't get off an open three...

You and I are fans and we can allow ourselves to do that. He is a professional player getting paid a lot to play for 48 minutes. Not 47:46.

I never thought it was over. Come one - be have been burned enough to know that it is never over. In the Spurs huddle nobody thought that it was over. If people in the Kings huddle thought that it was over - someone needs to be held accountable. How many more times will this happen to the Kings before someone actually have a right attitude.

Instead of thinking - man only 14 seonds left - we need to be focused more than ever because we worked so hard to get there. We need to do everything possible to play the "perfect 14 seconds" - He thought - the game was over. Give me a break
 
VF21 said:
When you start making comments about professional NBA players not having "much of a basketball IQ" the only ignorance you expose is your own.

Do you still blame Vlade for tipping the ball to Horry so he could make that shot?

don't even start with the ignorance stuff vf. listen to what he says.

yes.
 
I did listen. Several times. To the actual clips on the news. Multiple times. Words alone don't always convey the full meaning of a comment, especially from someone like Mike who doesn't necessarily say everything he's thinking...

You can criticize him forever and I won't do more than the usual amount of objecting. When you start making comments about his lack of basketball acumen, however, you're just being silly. Bibby knows basketball.
 
VF21 said:
This is getting ridiculous. Talk about witch hunts...

I can follow Mike's logic. I was thinking pretty much the exact same thing.

Hey, there's only 14 seconds left. They're up by three. They've got this thing in the bag. All they have to do is make sure the Spurs can't get off an open three...

you thought the game was over too? wow. and this is a team that has horry, nve, finley, barry, and ginobili. as a fan it is ok for you to think that, but bibby's got to be smarter.
 
piksi said:
You and I are fans and we can allow ourselves to do that. He is a professional player getting paid a lot to play for 48 minutes. Not 47:46.

I never thought it was over. Come one - be have been burned enough to know that it is never over. In the Spurs huddle nobody thought that it was over. If people in the Kings huddle thought that it was over - someone needs to be held accountable. How many more times will this happen to the Kings before someone actually have a right attitude.

Instead of thinking - man only 14 seonds left - we need to be focused more than ever because we worked so hard to get there. We need to do everything possible to play the "perfect 14 seconds" - He thought - the game was over. Give me a break

Thank You!!!
 
kingsfannPDX said:
you thought the game was over too? wow. and this is a team that has horry, nve, finley, barry, and ginobili. as a fan it is ok for you to think that, but bibby's got to be smarter.

Good lord. Do you people just read so far into a quote and then stop?

VF21 said:
Hey, there's only 14 seconds left. They're up by three. They've got this thing in the bag. All they have to do is make sure the Spurs can't get off an open three...

I acknowledged the disclaimer and I was keeping my fingers crossed.

You know? This is silly. Some of you are going to nurse this anger against Bibby, feed it, and water it, and let it flourish...

And that's your choice. That's why message boards exist. So I'm steppng out.

Peace.
 
The last time I checked bitching about a bad performance by a player never changed a thing. It just causes unnecessary aggravation for you and others. Accept it for what it is -- a stupid play caused by mental laziness. As I firmly believe that Mike wants to do whatever it takes to win, I think he will take this in the right way and bring it in the next game. It also helps that Adelman is taking charge by having a session with the players talking about the mindset needed for these tough situations (link).
 
Personally, I believe it was great strategy by the Spurs. They'd picked off Bibby moments earlier with a duncan screen for a layup, and did so late. The shot crushed me, but the bottom line is the Spurs have a lot of options and great execution. They had their largest and best player screen our smallest player, knowing full well they wouldn't call an illegal pick with 4 seconds left.

They're tough to beat.

bibby is bibby. A stud offensively (except for the other night) and poor defensive players. He's ours though and it's not his fault we lost.

The spurs are good. The other night we showed that so our we.
 
coolhandluke said:
The last time I checked bitching about a bad performance by a player never changed a thing. It just causes unnecessary aggravation for you and others. Accept it for what it is -- a stupid play caused by mental laziness. As I firmly believe that Mike wants to do whatever it takes to win, I think he will take this in the right way and bring it in the next game. It also helps that Adelman is taking charge by having a session with the players talking about the mindset needed for these tough situations (link).

i had forgiven mike for his mental lapse in defense that cost us the game. what i couldn't believe was that he thought we had the game in the bag. there's just no excuse for that logic. we weren't playing the knicks. and yes, i'm sure he'll bring his offense in game 3 and 4 and we will probably win. and as far as mind set goes, shouldn't adelman have already had that session? shouldn't some of our vets (bibby and miller esp.) already know what mind state they should be in??

GO KINGS!! get your **** together!!!
 
Things happen, no matter how much you may hate it, but they happen. No complaining or anger or bitchin can get back what had happened. People need to LET GO and concentrate on the next game. You think Bibby wouldn't like to run the clock back and do it all over again so he didn't mess up. Of course he wants to but he can't. The Kings got to step up even more so than game 2 and beat the Spurs into the ground and gain some confidence in doing so. Who knows, maybe things happen for a reason. Wouldn't it be great if we win the next 2 and win at San Antonio in game 5.... Then come back to ARCO looking to eliminate them.
 
Sac.Kings said:
Things happen, no matter how much you may hate it, but they happen. No complaining or anger or bitchin can get back what had happened. People need to LET GO and concentrate on the next game. You think Bibby wouldn't like to run the clock back and do it all over again so he didn't mess up. Of course he wants to but he can't. The Kings got to step up even more so than game 2 and beat the Spurs into the ground and gain some confidence in doing so. Who knows, maybe things happen for a reason. Wouldn't it be great if we win the next 2 and win at San Antonio in game 5.... Then come back to ARCO looking to eliminate them.

that would make it 4 straight. wouldn't bet my money on it.
 
LA King Fan II said:
Personally, I believe it was great strategy by the Spurs. They'd picked off Bibby moments earlier with a duncan screen for a layup, and did so late. The shot crushed me, but the bottom line is the Spurs have a lot of options and great execution. They had their largest and best player screen our smallest player, knowing full well they wouldn't call an illegal pick with 4 seconds left.

They're tough to beat.

bibby is bibby. A stud offensively (except for the other night) and poor defensive players. He's ours though and it's not his fault we lost.

The spurs are good. The other night we showed that so our we.

Mind if I steal that?

Hope not, because I'm going to...
 
kingsfannPDX said:
i had forgiven mike for his mental lapse in defense that cost us the game. what i couldn't believe was that he thought we had the game in the bag. there's just no excuse for that logic. we weren't playing the knicks. and yes, i'm sure he'll bring his offense in game 3 and 4 and we will probably win. and as far as mind set goes, shouldn't adelman have already had that session? shouldn't some of our vets (bibby and miller esp.) already know what mind state they should be in??

GO KINGS!! get your **** together!!!
You are right about the mindset for this play. However, there is no reason to believe that the players didn't know/have the right attitude usually or Rick didn't talk about it before. Only when something goes wrong and is so unexpected, do you call in a session to emphasize it even more. Kings are trying their best to regroup from this loss and considering the way they responded from Game 1, I think they have earned respect with their resilience. I would expect them to come out strong even more for Game 3. Kings are down, but not out. Go Kings!
 
The Spurs did just what the home team is supposed to do. It's like they say, "a series doesn't start until someone looses at home". The Kings have 3 of the next 4 at home they need to protect their home court and then win one on the road. We need Bibby and Miller to come back if we have any chance of extending this series.
 
rings4Kings said:
The Spurs did just what the home team is supposed to do. It's like they say, "a series doesn't start until someone looses at home". The Kings have 3 of the next 4 at home they need to protect their home court and then win one on the road. We need Bibby and Miller to come back if we have any chance of extending this series.

and yet we can will all our home games and still lose the series

we only have next 2 at home. Everything else has to be earned
 
rings4Kings said:
The Spurs did just what the home team is supposed to do. It's like they say, "a series doesn't start until someone looses at home". The Kings have 3 of the next 4 at home they need to protect their home court and then win one on the road. We need Bibby and Miller to come back if we have any chance of extending this series.

Unfortunately, if we lose one at home now, the series isn't starting, its over. ;)
 
piksi said:
and yet we can will all our home games and still lose the series

we only have next 2 at home. Everything else has to be earned

WE WILL WIN AT LEAST ONE OF THE NEXT TWO!!!! Therefore we will have 3 of the next 4 at home.

(My predictions so far this series... Right 0... Wrong 2!)
 
rings4Kings said:
WE WILL WIN AT LEAST ONE OF THE NEXT TWO!!!! Therefore we will have 3 of the next 4 at home.

(My predictions so far this series... Right 0... Wrong 2!)

if Spurs win one - we aren't coming back home for game 6
 
I forgot how hostile it gets after a loss around here.:eek:

Bibby made a mistake (a BIG one), but it did not lose the game for us. There were multipple plays leading up to it that could have saved us as well. We can go on and one about what should have been done. IF bonzi had not fouled out, IF Bonzi had hit his free throws, IF Mike had not left Barry in the first place, IF SAR had been on Duncan better, IF Brad had actually showed up, IF Artest didn't elbow Giniobli, IF the league had been more fair with their penalties, IF the ball did not have a lucky bounce, ETC . . . I could go on and on. The fact is, this is a team game. WIN TOGETHER, LOSE TOGETHER. I respect that both Bibby and Miller took personal responsibility for the loss. I THINK THAT MANY OF YOU ARE TAKING MIKE'S COMMENT WAY OUT OF CONTEXT. No matter WHY we lost - we simply LOST. Now it is time to regroup and win 2 games at Arco. ME MUST DO THAT. I think that we will.

I believe MIKE, RON, and BRAD will play one of the best games of their careers on Friday. WE WILL WIN.
 
chelle said:
I forgot how hostile it gets after a loss around here.:eek:

Bibby made a mistake (a BIG one), but it did not lose the game for us. There were multipple plays leading up to it that could have saved us as well. We can go on and one about what should have been done. IF bonzi had not fouled out, IF Bonzi had hit his free throws, IF Mike had not left Barry in the first place, IF SAR had been on Duncan better, IF Brad had actually showed up, IF Artest didn't elbow Giniobli, IF the league had been more fair with their penalties, IF the ball did not have a lucky bounce, ETC . . . I could go on and on. The fact is, this is a team game. WIN TOGETHER, LOSE TOGETHER. I respect that both Bibby and Miller took personal responsibility for the loss. I THINK THAT MANY OF YOU ARE TAKING MIKE'S COMMENT WAY OUT OF CONTEXT. No matter WHY we lost - we simply LOST. Now it is time to regroup and win 2 games at Arco. ME MUST DO THAT. I think that we will.

I believe MIKE, RON, and BRAD will play one of the best games of their careers on Friday. WE WILL WIN.

chelle always has the best attitude!!!! thanks for always being so positive!!!
 
chelle said:
I forgot how hostile it gets after a loss around here.:eek:

And actually, we're a lot more mellow than some of the other sports sites around...

Bibby made a mistake (a BIG one), but it did not lose the game for us. There were multipple plays leading up to it that could have saved us as well. We can go on and one about what should have been done. IF bonzi had not fouled out, IF Bonzi had hit his free throws, IF Mike had not left Barry in the first place, IF SAR had been on Duncan better, IF Brad had actually showed up, IF Artest didn't elbow Giniobli, IF the league had been more fair with their penalties, IF the ball did not have a lucky bounce, ETC . . . I could go on and on. The fact is, this is a team game. WIN TOGETHER, LOSE TOGETHER.

That's it in a nutshell. I agree completely.

I respect that both Bibby and Miller took personal responsibility for the loss. I THINK THAT MANY OF YOU ARE TAKING MIKE'S COMMENT WAY OUT OF CONTEXT. No matter WHY we lost - we simply LOST. Now it is time to regroup and win 2 games at Arco. ME MUST DO THAT. I think that we will.

I believe MIKE, RON, and BRAD will play one of the best games of their careers on Friday. WE WILL WIN.

Me, too!!!

GO KINGS!!!
 
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