I've posted versions of this thread several times. The first was in July 2004. Someone mentioned it in another thread so I took the time to write the new version...
It seems this season, like all too many recently, is being consumed by rumors, innuendoes, and rumblings either about or by a couple of Kings players. I have a couple of words I would like to say:
Suck it up and play!!
For Mike Bibby - Yes, you're the target of a lot of speculation and rumor, true or unfounded. Some have even questioned your heart or whether or not you can actually still make a positive contribution to this team. Some are hinting you might even opt out and go elsewhere. Well, that's then and this is now. This team and we, the fans, need you, Mike. We need your cool nerves and ability to get the ball to the open man. We need you to lead. We need you to do all those things. We have faith your shot will
return. Don't worry about the naysayers and don't heed the rumors. Suck it up and play.
For Kevin Martin - You finished the season strong last year. You started out this year with a bang and immediately became the media darling. You were touted as everything from the next Michael Jordan to the King's savior. Then you twisted your ankle and came back to earth for a bit. You have in it you, young gun, to reach great heights. Take it one step at a time, though. Remember Coachie's admonishment and don't listen to the high praise. Just do your job. Play your game. Focus on the now. You're one of the bright spots on the team right now, so keep that in mind. Even if the going is tough, suck it up and play.
For Ron Artest - You came here and were put on a pedastal no mere mortal man could possibly sustain. You came with baggage...a lot of baggage. We gave you a clean slate. Please don't make us the fools. You have a talent for defense that few others in this league can possibly compare to. That's your strength. Play to it. You don't have to be the Kobe of our team. We don't want him, we want Ron Artest - defensive player of the year. We want you to be the "true warrior" and help Bibby and Miller and the rest of the crew play to their full potential. Don't get bogged down by all the hype; don't try and re-create yourself at this point. Just suck it up and play.
For Kenny Thomas - You're the brunt of a lot of criticism, some deserved and some clearly out of line. Don't listen. Play to your strengths. You're a good rebounder and we need that. We need you to be in there grabbing the boards to enable our shooters to get that second chance. Don't worry about starting; don't worry about how many minutes you get every game. Just contribute to the team. Instead of thinking about the details just suck it up and play.
For Brad Miller - You're our only legitimate 7 footer. You're not 6'2" and you're not fragile. Get in there like you used to and make people pay if they try and stroll through the paint. Don't be worried about taking those mid-range jumpers, either. You CAN make them. Play out of the high post and keep dishing those lethal bullet passes inside to our cutters. There are very few teams in the league capable of stopping those on a regular basis. Most importantly, please quit with the bitter beer face. You've done better this year, but it's still not what we want our center to show. So, yes, you too, Brad, need to suck it up and play.
For Shareef Abdur-Rahim - We need you in the low post but we need you to recognize when you're smothered and look for the open man. We need you to remember this is TEAM and you don't have to try and do it all yourself. We need you to fight for boards inside because we don't have that many other rebounders. We need you to show the same heart and determination AND team play you showed last year with the broken jaw. We need you to suck it up and play.
For John Salmons - We need you to keep doing what you've been doing. You've been great in the temporary starting role and you've brought the spark off the bench. You, like Kevin, have been a bright spot. So, just like Kevin, we need you to continue to put forth the effort despite the drama floating around. Even if it gets tough, suck it up and play.
For the role players - You guys may see only a few minutes per game or you may play good portions of a game. You need to be prepared and focused no matter which. You need to be ready to come in off the bench and give the spark that's needed. You need to come in and hold a lead or even help close a gap. You need to be involved whether you're on the court or on the bench. You need to show some enthusiasm. Don't just sit there. Don't worry about how much playing time you're getting or, even worse, how much playing time the guy next to you is getting. Just suck it up and when you're called upon, PLAY!
For Eric Musselman - Yes, you got caught breaking the law. And yes, it kind of pointed out to everyone that you do in fact have feet of clay. So what? The coach we need right now is the one who isn't afraid to yell at a player who misses an assignment or does something dumb. The coach we need right now is the one who isn't afraid to call a time out if the team is stinking up the court. Our team needs a firm hand, they need LEADERSHIP. Come on, Coach, you can do it. Suck it up and make them play!
I guess I've snapped. I don't want to see any more excuses. I don't want to see any more players whining because something didn't go their way and because their feelings may have been bruised. For the amount of money they're being paid, they can learn to deal with a few criticisms or bruised egos.
I want to see results. I want to see those guys play EVERY game like it's game 7 of the NBA finals. No more passes on losses in games we should have and could have won. If people play their best and leave it all on the court, fine. If they simply have an off-night, no problem. But if players appear, IMHO, to be coasting along and not giving it all, I'm gonna say so...No more Ms. Nice Guy.
I want to see top caliber basketball every single night. It's what they're being paid to do, it's what we're paying damned good money to see, it's what we all deserve. My heart has made its last excuse for poor performance by anyone...
I don't want to pick up the morning paper just to see more drama unfolding in the news. I don't care about hurt feelings, bruised egos, self-deluding fantasy images, etc. I care about the Kings. And I'm not being paid millions of dollars to do so. I love this team. If I can love them, the least they can do for me and all the other loyal fans is...
Suck it up and play!!
GO KINGS!!!
It seems this season, like all too many recently, is being consumed by rumors, innuendoes, and rumblings either about or by a couple of Kings players. I have a couple of words I would like to say:
Suck it up and play!!
For Mike Bibby - Yes, you're the target of a lot of speculation and rumor, true or unfounded. Some have even questioned your heart or whether or not you can actually still make a positive contribution to this team. Some are hinting you might even opt out and go elsewhere. Well, that's then and this is now. This team and we, the fans, need you, Mike. We need your cool nerves and ability to get the ball to the open man. We need you to lead. We need you to do all those things. We have faith your shot will
return. Don't worry about the naysayers and don't heed the rumors. Suck it up and play.
For Kevin Martin - You finished the season strong last year. You started out this year with a bang and immediately became the media darling. You were touted as everything from the next Michael Jordan to the King's savior. Then you twisted your ankle and came back to earth for a bit. You have in it you, young gun, to reach great heights. Take it one step at a time, though. Remember Coachie's admonishment and don't listen to the high praise. Just do your job. Play your game. Focus on the now. You're one of the bright spots on the team right now, so keep that in mind. Even if the going is tough, suck it up and play.
For Ron Artest - You came here and were put on a pedastal no mere mortal man could possibly sustain. You came with baggage...a lot of baggage. We gave you a clean slate. Please don't make us the fools. You have a talent for defense that few others in this league can possibly compare to. That's your strength. Play to it. You don't have to be the Kobe of our team. We don't want him, we want Ron Artest - defensive player of the year. We want you to be the "true warrior" and help Bibby and Miller and the rest of the crew play to their full potential. Don't get bogged down by all the hype; don't try and re-create yourself at this point. Just suck it up and play.
For Kenny Thomas - You're the brunt of a lot of criticism, some deserved and some clearly out of line. Don't listen. Play to your strengths. You're a good rebounder and we need that. We need you to be in there grabbing the boards to enable our shooters to get that second chance. Don't worry about starting; don't worry about how many minutes you get every game. Just contribute to the team. Instead of thinking about the details just suck it up and play.
For Brad Miller - You're our only legitimate 7 footer. You're not 6'2" and you're not fragile. Get in there like you used to and make people pay if they try and stroll through the paint. Don't be worried about taking those mid-range jumpers, either. You CAN make them. Play out of the high post and keep dishing those lethal bullet passes inside to our cutters. There are very few teams in the league capable of stopping those on a regular basis. Most importantly, please quit with the bitter beer face. You've done better this year, but it's still not what we want our center to show. So, yes, you too, Brad, need to suck it up and play.
For Shareef Abdur-Rahim - We need you in the low post but we need you to recognize when you're smothered and look for the open man. We need you to remember this is TEAM and you don't have to try and do it all yourself. We need you to fight for boards inside because we don't have that many other rebounders. We need you to show the same heart and determination AND team play you showed last year with the broken jaw. We need you to suck it up and play.
For John Salmons - We need you to keep doing what you've been doing. You've been great in the temporary starting role and you've brought the spark off the bench. You, like Kevin, have been a bright spot. So, just like Kevin, we need you to continue to put forth the effort despite the drama floating around. Even if it gets tough, suck it up and play.
For the role players - You guys may see only a few minutes per game or you may play good portions of a game. You need to be prepared and focused no matter which. You need to be ready to come in off the bench and give the spark that's needed. You need to come in and hold a lead or even help close a gap. You need to be involved whether you're on the court or on the bench. You need to show some enthusiasm. Don't just sit there. Don't worry about how much playing time you're getting or, even worse, how much playing time the guy next to you is getting. Just suck it up and when you're called upon, PLAY!
For Eric Musselman - Yes, you got caught breaking the law. And yes, it kind of pointed out to everyone that you do in fact have feet of clay. So what? The coach we need right now is the one who isn't afraid to yell at a player who misses an assignment or does something dumb. The coach we need right now is the one who isn't afraid to call a time out if the team is stinking up the court. Our team needs a firm hand, they need LEADERSHIP. Come on, Coach, you can do it. Suck it up and make them play!
I guess I've snapped. I don't want to see any more excuses. I don't want to see any more players whining because something didn't go their way and because their feelings may have been bruised. For the amount of money they're being paid, they can learn to deal with a few criticisms or bruised egos.
I want to see results. I want to see those guys play EVERY game like it's game 7 of the NBA finals. No more passes on losses in games we should have and could have won. If people play their best and leave it all on the court, fine. If they simply have an off-night, no problem. But if players appear, IMHO, to be coasting along and not giving it all, I'm gonna say so...No more Ms. Nice Guy.
I want to see top caliber basketball every single night. It's what they're being paid to do, it's what we're paying damned good money to see, it's what we all deserve. My heart has made its last excuse for poor performance by anyone...
I don't want to pick up the morning paper just to see more drama unfolding in the news. I don't care about hurt feelings, bruised egos, self-deluding fantasy images, etc. I care about the Kings. And I'm not being paid millions of dollars to do so. I love this team. If I can love them, the least they can do for me and all the other loyal fans is...
Suck it up and play!!
GO KINGS!!!
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