I originally wrote a thread entitled Suck It Up and Play back in July of 2004. I reposted it in September of the same year, after the catastrophic crash. The contents of the thread are now out-dated, but the initial premise isn't. So here is the sequel...
Attention Sacramento Kings:
Life isn't fair. We know that by now. This most recent bump in the road is just another barrier to be overcome. It's another test of your resolve and your determination, your heart and your pride. So I offer the following advice: Suck it up and play.
Play like you are capable of playing. Play like you will not accept anything less than the best games of your lives. Play like there is no tomorrow - because, quite frankly, there may not be unless you get game 2.
Mike - Be the floor general. Grab control and do not let go. Make sure your teammates move the ball efficiently and look for the open man. Don't be afraid to commit a foul or two. You have ice water in your veins. We know it. You know it. Make the Spurs know it.
Kevin - This is your shot, young gun. Back growing up in Ohio, didn't you have dreams of being in the playoffs, coming into a big game and having to play better than you ever have before? And in your dreams, didn't you do it? We have faith in you, Kev. Listen to your coaches and listen to your heart. Remember your dream and live it.
Bonzi - You have the warrior mentality. You can help Mike lead the youngsters to the next level. We need you to grab some boards; we need you to go inside and make them stop you. We need you to take a shot or two from the corner just to prove you can. We need your aggressiveness but we also need you to play calm, cool and collected.
Kenny - We need rebounds. We need your quickness and we need you to value the ball. A double-double from you tonight would help immensely. We also need you to stay cool, calm and collected.
Shareef - You've played your entire career to get to this point. You are now IN the playoffs. This team NEEDS you to play your best. Fight inside for the rebounds, guard the paint and let the Spurs know it's not gonna be a walk in the park. Most of all, we need you to be the POWER FORWARD.
Brad - Whatever happened on Saturday is over and done. We need you to be our center, our legitimate seven-footer who can set a wicked pick and sink a sweet jumper. We need you to hustle and fight and not be dominated or intimidated. Show that Hoosier pride. You're an All-Star and a nominee to the U.S. Olympic team. Play like it.
Bench players - Be ready. Don't try to do too much. Do what Adelman tells you to do. Don't think past yourself or the moment at hand. Play good solid basketball. You're in the NBA because you deserve to be. Show it to us, to them and to yourselves. Suck it up and play. Don't let personal pride or ambition get in the way of team effort.
Coach Adelman - Don't cut them any slack. MAKE them play the game you know they're capable of playing. Don't wait for them to figure anything out themselves. USE your time outs. USE your bench. USE your temper. If they make you angry, get on them like flies on a heaping pile of doggie doo.
To summarize, suck it up and play. Forget about everything else and play SACRAMENTO KINGS basketball. Play 48 minutes of focused, textbook basketball. Play hard but play fair. And play the kind of game all your fans know in their hearts and minds you're capable of playing.
Suck it up and play...and we'll be waiting for you Friday in Arco.
GO KINGS!
Attention Sacramento Kings:
Life isn't fair. We know that by now. This most recent bump in the road is just another barrier to be overcome. It's another test of your resolve and your determination, your heart and your pride. So I offer the following advice: Suck it up and play.
Play like you are capable of playing. Play like you will not accept anything less than the best games of your lives. Play like there is no tomorrow - because, quite frankly, there may not be unless you get game 2.
Mike - Be the floor general. Grab control and do not let go. Make sure your teammates move the ball efficiently and look for the open man. Don't be afraid to commit a foul or two. You have ice water in your veins. We know it. You know it. Make the Spurs know it.
Kevin - This is your shot, young gun. Back growing up in Ohio, didn't you have dreams of being in the playoffs, coming into a big game and having to play better than you ever have before? And in your dreams, didn't you do it? We have faith in you, Kev. Listen to your coaches and listen to your heart. Remember your dream and live it.
Bonzi - You have the warrior mentality. You can help Mike lead the youngsters to the next level. We need you to grab some boards; we need you to go inside and make them stop you. We need you to take a shot or two from the corner just to prove you can. We need your aggressiveness but we also need you to play calm, cool and collected.
Kenny - We need rebounds. We need your quickness and we need you to value the ball. A double-double from you tonight would help immensely. We also need you to stay cool, calm and collected.
Shareef - You've played your entire career to get to this point. You are now IN the playoffs. This team NEEDS you to play your best. Fight inside for the rebounds, guard the paint and let the Spurs know it's not gonna be a walk in the park. Most of all, we need you to be the POWER FORWARD.
Brad - Whatever happened on Saturday is over and done. We need you to be our center, our legitimate seven-footer who can set a wicked pick and sink a sweet jumper. We need you to hustle and fight and not be dominated or intimidated. Show that Hoosier pride. You're an All-Star and a nominee to the U.S. Olympic team. Play like it.
Bench players - Be ready. Don't try to do too much. Do what Adelman tells you to do. Don't think past yourself or the moment at hand. Play good solid basketball. You're in the NBA because you deserve to be. Show it to us, to them and to yourselves. Suck it up and play. Don't let personal pride or ambition get in the way of team effort.
Coach Adelman - Don't cut them any slack. MAKE them play the game you know they're capable of playing. Don't wait for them to figure anything out themselves. USE your time outs. USE your bench. USE your temper. If they make you angry, get on them like flies on a heaping pile of doggie doo.
To summarize, suck it up and play. Forget about everything else and play SACRAMENTO KINGS basketball. Play 48 minutes of focused, textbook basketball. Play hard but play fair. And play the kind of game all your fans know in their hearts and minds you're capable of playing.
Suck it up and play...and we'll be waiting for you Friday in Arco.
GO KINGS!
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