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http://www.nba.com/kings/news/The_Royal_RapscallionMarch_15-135725-58.html
The Royal Rapscallion-March 15, 2005
Welcome fans to another edition of the Royal Rapscallion. When R2 overheard Peja announce Hedo Turkoglu’s impending summer nuptials, his ears perked up like a pit-bull staring down a serving o’ hamburger helper. Word has it ‘Brother Hedo’ is so huge in his homeland that he recently asked the prime minister of Turkey to be the best man in his wedding. Way to go Hedo, you’ve arrived when the head honcho of your country totes your bride’s wedding band. Upon gorging on that gossip morsel, R2 bolted for his laptop directly following the Kings win versus Orlando to bring you edition 2.
THE REAL NEEL
Anyone out there feast their eyes on the piece written by ESPN.com’s Eric Neel? Titled “The Kings Ain’t Dead Yet,” the article begins with the author’s appreciation for what the Kings represented from 1998 until the departure of Chris Webber. Neel writes, “We ought to take this opportunity to recognize and appreciate what the Kings were and did these last few years. They played with style. And fans loved it. They weren’t the Lakers. They weren’t the champs. But they were standard-bearers nonetheless.” Following his séance to the Kings of old, Part II of his column was titled “The Kings Ain’t Dead Yet. Long Live the Kings.” When pundits sea to shining sea left our Kings for dead, even going as foolishly far as to say Geoff Petrie was fleeced by the 76ers, the Kings managed to win a few here and there. Writes Neel: The addition of Thomas, the big Nasty, and Skinner likely makes the Kings better defensively, and certainly gives them more fresh bodies to rotate off the bench.” He later meshes prophesy with summary when writing, “They’re still the Kings. What they do, and how they do it—the style, the flow, the pace—that’s not going to change now that Webber’s gone. There’s even a chance it will be bigger, bolder, and stronger in his absence.” Rare as they seem to be, it’s refreshing to find a Kings supporter in the media.
A BOLDER BIBBY
R2 caught part of the game against the Clippers on Friday night from an undisclosed courtside location and couldn’t help but notice Mike Bibby’s newfound leadership role. After quelling a fourth quarter spurt by the Clip Show, Bibby furrowed his brow and barked encouraging commands: “We gotta work fellas, we gotta work,” urging his teammates to maintain their intensity. Doing his best to lead by example, Mike coolly sank his second walk-off shot in as many nights. Bibby could be overheard in the huddle telling Cuttino Mobley to “get him the ball.” Thankfully, the Cat obliged.
Phil Ivey ROCKET MAN
Sitting in the courtside Maloof seats on Sunday were poker professional Phil Ivey and chum Winkie Wright, the Junior Middleweight Champion of the World. An avid card player, the Rapscallion was delighted to see the card ace in the house, that is, until he recalled Ivey playing the entire 2003 World Series of Poker in a Steve Francis Rockets jersey. Clearly Phil wasn’t in town to root on our Kings. Unfortunately, the cards flopped in his favor this time as the Rockets toppled Sacramento by 15. Wright donned oversized gloves in a bout with Slamson, possibly reminiscing his 12-round decision over ‘Sugar” Shane Mosely back in November.
SHEDDING LBS
By his own admission, Greg Ostertag is still making up for time lost rehabbing from a broken hand sustained in October. A day after Brad Miller fractured his fibula, assistant coach Elston Turner was busy conditioning the 7-footer, running the big lug through a series of wind sprints and agility drills designed to improve endurance and quickness. Forty-five minutes and a gallon of sweat later, a tuckered Tag hit the showers.
Log on to Kings.com for future installments of the Royal Rapscallion.
The Royal Rapscallion-March 15, 2005
Welcome fans to another edition of the Royal Rapscallion. When R2 overheard Peja announce Hedo Turkoglu’s impending summer nuptials, his ears perked up like a pit-bull staring down a serving o’ hamburger helper. Word has it ‘Brother Hedo’ is so huge in his homeland that he recently asked the prime minister of Turkey to be the best man in his wedding. Way to go Hedo, you’ve arrived when the head honcho of your country totes your bride’s wedding band. Upon gorging on that gossip morsel, R2 bolted for his laptop directly following the Kings win versus Orlando to bring you edition 2.
THE REAL NEEL
Anyone out there feast their eyes on the piece written by ESPN.com’s Eric Neel? Titled “The Kings Ain’t Dead Yet,” the article begins with the author’s appreciation for what the Kings represented from 1998 until the departure of Chris Webber. Neel writes, “We ought to take this opportunity to recognize and appreciate what the Kings were and did these last few years. They played with style. And fans loved it. They weren’t the Lakers. They weren’t the champs. But they were standard-bearers nonetheless.” Following his séance to the Kings of old, Part II of his column was titled “The Kings Ain’t Dead Yet. Long Live the Kings.” When pundits sea to shining sea left our Kings for dead, even going as foolishly far as to say Geoff Petrie was fleeced by the 76ers, the Kings managed to win a few here and there. Writes Neel: The addition of Thomas, the big Nasty, and Skinner likely makes the Kings better defensively, and certainly gives them more fresh bodies to rotate off the bench.” He later meshes prophesy with summary when writing, “They’re still the Kings. What they do, and how they do it—the style, the flow, the pace—that’s not going to change now that Webber’s gone. There’s even a chance it will be bigger, bolder, and stronger in his absence.” Rare as they seem to be, it’s refreshing to find a Kings supporter in the media.
A BOLDER BIBBY
R2 caught part of the game against the Clippers on Friday night from an undisclosed courtside location and couldn’t help but notice Mike Bibby’s newfound leadership role. After quelling a fourth quarter spurt by the Clip Show, Bibby furrowed his brow and barked encouraging commands: “We gotta work fellas, we gotta work,” urging his teammates to maintain their intensity. Doing his best to lead by example, Mike coolly sank his second walk-off shot in as many nights. Bibby could be overheard in the huddle telling Cuttino Mobley to “get him the ball.” Thankfully, the Cat obliged.
Phil Ivey ROCKET MAN
Sitting in the courtside Maloof seats on Sunday were poker professional Phil Ivey and chum Winkie Wright, the Junior Middleweight Champion of the World. An avid card player, the Rapscallion was delighted to see the card ace in the house, that is, until he recalled Ivey playing the entire 2003 World Series of Poker in a Steve Francis Rockets jersey. Clearly Phil wasn’t in town to root on our Kings. Unfortunately, the cards flopped in his favor this time as the Rockets toppled Sacramento by 15. Wright donned oversized gloves in a bout with Slamson, possibly reminiscing his 12-round decision over ‘Sugar” Shane Mosely back in November.
SHEDDING LBS
By his own admission, Greg Ostertag is still making up for time lost rehabbing from a broken hand sustained in October. A day after Brad Miller fractured his fibula, assistant coach Elston Turner was busy conditioning the 7-footer, running the big lug through a series of wind sprints and agility drills designed to improve endurance and quickness. Forty-five minutes and a gallon of sweat later, a tuckered Tag hit the showers.
Log on to Kings.com for future installments of the Royal Rapscallion.
