kings.com
by Devin Blankenship--November 9, 2004
Kings vs. Toronto
They're Back…
Starting the NBA on the road can be a difficult chore, which Sacramento showed this past week by getting swept in the Texas Triangle.
But nothing beats a little-home cooking, ARCO-style.
The Kings looked crisp and sharp on offense for the entire game on Tuesday, displaying the passing and cutting that has been a trademark of this team over the last five seasons, but had been missing on a consistent basis so far this year.
Chris Webber looked like the second-coming of Vlade Divac at times, playing the high-post to perfection, hitting jumpers, and finding the open man en route to a triple double. Brad Miller also looked dominant against an athletic Raptor’s frontline, scoring 21 points with 12 rebounds.
It was exactly what the doctor ordered to cure the Kings illness. The big question now will be whether the team can continue to play well tomorrow night in Seattle against the Sonics, and then in Phoenix on Saturday versus a hot Suns team.
Saved…
Wow, crisis averted!
Tuesday was the most important fourth game of the season in Kings’ franchise history, according to the talk around Sacramento on Monday and Tuesday. Incredibly, phrases like must-win were bantered about on the talk show circuit and on TV, all after a week and a half of the NBA calendar—the same season that stretches into May and that many call a marathon.
That’s what I guess happens when you start a season off 0-3, never mind the fact that it came on the road against three playoff-caliber teams in each of their home openers.
A must-win in November—now that’s a first.
Random Thoughts…
Center Loren Woods, the talented but maligned Wake Forest and University of Arizona product, looks to have finally found a place that can tap into his potential. The 7-2 Woods starts for the Raptors over first-round pick Rafael Araujo and has contributed mightily to Toronto’s 3-1 start so far. He finished with six points and 11 rebounds on Tuesday.
It wasn’t the first time Erik Daniels of the Kings and Matt Bonner of the Raptors have played against each other. The two were in some major SEC battles while playing at Kentucky and Florida, respectively.
<LI>Maurice Evans is starting to generate the crowd buzz that Gerald Wallace would whenever entering a game. Evans plays over the rim and hustles, and the crowd really reacts to him in a positive way. Don’t be surprised if chants of “Evans, Evans” start appearing by midseason at ARCO.
Photo of the Night...
Brad Miller slams home two of his 21 points.
courtesy NBAE/Getty Images
by Devin Blankenship--November 9, 2004
Kings vs. Toronto
They're Back…
Starting the NBA on the road can be a difficult chore, which Sacramento showed this past week by getting swept in the Texas Triangle.
But nothing beats a little-home cooking, ARCO-style.
The Kings looked crisp and sharp on offense for the entire game on Tuesday, displaying the passing and cutting that has been a trademark of this team over the last five seasons, but had been missing on a consistent basis so far this year.
Chris Webber looked like the second-coming of Vlade Divac at times, playing the high-post to perfection, hitting jumpers, and finding the open man en route to a triple double. Brad Miller also looked dominant against an athletic Raptor’s frontline, scoring 21 points with 12 rebounds.
It was exactly what the doctor ordered to cure the Kings illness. The big question now will be whether the team can continue to play well tomorrow night in Seattle against the Sonics, and then in Phoenix on Saturday versus a hot Suns team.
Saved…
Wow, crisis averted!
Tuesday was the most important fourth game of the season in Kings’ franchise history, according to the talk around Sacramento on Monday and Tuesday. Incredibly, phrases like must-win were bantered about on the talk show circuit and on TV, all after a week and a half of the NBA calendar—the same season that stretches into May and that many call a marathon.
That’s what I guess happens when you start a season off 0-3, never mind the fact that it came on the road against three playoff-caliber teams in each of their home openers.
A must-win in November—now that’s a first.
Random Thoughts…
Center Loren Woods, the talented but maligned Wake Forest and University of Arizona product, looks to have finally found a place that can tap into his potential. The 7-2 Woods starts for the Raptors over first-round pick Rafael Araujo and has contributed mightily to Toronto’s 3-1 start so far. He finished with six points and 11 rebounds on Tuesday.
It wasn’t the first time Erik Daniels of the Kings and Matt Bonner of the Raptors have played against each other. The two were in some major SEC battles while playing at Kentucky and Florida, respectively.
<LI>Maurice Evans is starting to generate the crowd buzz that Gerald Wallace would whenever entering a game. Evans plays over the rim and hustles, and the crowd really reacts to him in a positive way. Don’t be surprised if chants of “Evans, Evans” start appearing by midseason at ARCO.
Photo of the Night...
Brad Miller slams home two of his 21 points.
courtesy NBAE/Getty Images