Seasons Are Not Won in February

[Gargamel]

Actually, of the top 4 teams above the Kings, I think Dallas is the one they want the most. While the Mavericks are different than they've been the last few years, the Kings have basically whooped them with Webber in the lineup in the playoffs. That success will bring them confidence. Heck, last year, the Kings were flailing up until the last game of the regular season, but they won 4 out of 5 against Dallas.

Sac and Dallas in the 4/5 matchup. Sac's road to the Finals would most likely be Dallas, SA, and Phx. Ouch.

I don't think anybody below the top 3 seeds really scares the Kings no matter how poorly they are playing once the playoffs start.

Do you think the Kings are ready to take out Phx or SA in a 7 gm series? Why or why not?

 

[WhyNotUs?]

can't pass up the most obvious rhetorical question, was it the Kings offense that suffered last years playoff, or the fact that everyone else in this league knows that after the regular season is over, itz serious time to D-up! Neither our offense, nor lack of defense is any secret, so unless we get a team similiarly (read Dallas) situated, it is a huge hill to climb.


If you really think back, even to early January when the Kings stole a couple while playing poorly, and lost some playing more poorly (New Oelans comes to mind), the Kings really haven't played all that well since before Christmas. I look at this season as relatively slow start, some measure of success late Nov/Early Dec., and pure mediocrity since. Bagging on the ref's and singing a group koom-bay-ah isn't going to change what is become increasingly clear (at least to me). This current team (and I do enjoy them) is built more for entertainment value than for championships. (Would someone please stop Webber from trying to play point forward?? When he brings the ball up, more often than not we tank.

 

[Kingsgurl]

(Would someone please stop Webber from trying to play point forward?? When he brings the ball up, more often than not we tank.

The next time you are yelling "guard, guard, get it to a guard!" at your TV like I do take a good look at where those guards ARE. More often than not, they have BOTH leaked out in transition. Looks pretty nice when Chris is able to baseball pass down the court, but again, more often than not, their men have gone with them. This doesn't happen every time, sometimes Chris just appears to get a wild hair.

 

[WhyNotUs?]

^^ yupp, I would agree, and while not the most glaring deficiency, one of the many things that just make you go........ huh???????? when it happens.

 

[uolj]

Sac and Dallas in the 4/5 matchup. Sac's road to the Finals would most likely be Dallas, SA, and Phx. Ouch.

Do you think the Kings are ready to take out Phx or SA in a 7 gm series? Why or why not?

It's nice when the forum isn't crowded and you can go away for a day and still continue a conversation without it feeling too disjointed.

Yes, Sac/Dallas in the 4/5 matchup. It's unlikely the Kings will catch Phoenix, so the best they can hope for is Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio.

As far as the Kings beating Phoenix in a seven game series, I definitely think it's possible, even likely depending on how they are playing. As long as they are not slumping or majorly injured when (or if) they reach the second round, the Kings' playoff experience and half court game can definitely top the Suns.

I base this mostly on how the team has handled the Mavericks the past few years. With Webber in the lineup, they have been able to slow the games down just enough to win at the end. Most of the Kings victories over Dallas have been close games, but the Kings have always had better defense ( ) and clutchness to be able to pull it out. I would expect the same thing could happen against Phoenix. The Suns scare me a little more because they seem so committed to running and scoring that they may be able to fight through the playoff atmosphere and keep it up enough to win those close games.

As for the Spurs, right now I think it is possible, but not necessarily likely the Kings would beat them. One thing we haven't seen since the 2002 WCF is a Kings team that is playing well and without major injury in a big playoff series. I have my doubts as to whether we'll see that this year either, which is why I wouldn't predict a championship for Sac.

That said, just like with the Wolves last year, the Kings can hang with anybody in the playoffs, even when they are bruised and battered. Despite two championships, the Spurs haven't shown domination, and a mentally and physically healthy Kings team could easily win 4 out of 6 games.