We're getting exactly what we want

[rainmaker]

No, they do not. That is a cheap cop out for lack of execution. Are Udoka, Noc, Beno, Sergio, etc young and inexperienced players? Do you think the 2002 team lacked talent or experience? They were the most talented team in the league with a few years of playoff experience and veterans on the team, and yet they couldn't hit FT's. Free Throw shooting is the great equalizer. It doesn't matter how talented or experienced you are, it's about hitting a shot you've practiced since you 13 years old. Choking at the line isn't about being young or lacking experience. It's about execution.

We're not talking about shooting ft's in your backyard when you're 13 yrs old. We're talking about pressure ft's against the best players in the world, in pressure situations. Whats one of the biggest difference's between practice and a game? Pressure. If you've been there before, it helps. It doesn't guarantee makes, but it helps. How can you possible think youth and experience has nothing to do with converting under pressure? If it wasn't, then veteran teams wouldn't be constantly winning championships across all of sports.

 

[AriesMar27]

Let me see. I'm trying to organize this in my brain so it will compute. So your saying that despite the fact that the Kings were without two of their best players. That the main contributers for the team were all under 23 years of age, and that they were playing the current world champions, all experienced players, not only in the league but in the playoffs, that the Lakers don't deserve any credit for what occurred. That no matter what, you expected the Kings to be just as good as the Lakers and match them basket for basket and maintain that 20 point lead..

Yeah, OK, thats logical. Your a funny guy!!!! You don't make sense to me at times, but you do give me a good laugh. By the way, Happy New Year..

they didnt have to match them point for point, because they had a 15 point lead at halftime.... if the kings were out scored by 5 points in the 3rd and 4th they wouldve won by 5 points.but we were outscored by 8 in each quarter and lost by 1. it doesnt matter if evans, martin and garcia werent playing. they built a 20 point lead without them, so they should have played hard enough to maintain the lead. maybe not a 20 point lead but they should have been able to maintain the lead and win the game. we beat them by 13 last season without martin and the only difference in that laker team is ariza. had thompson and udoka made their freethrows the kings wouldve won that game. but the fact that they gave up that lead is a epic failure... that was their chance for redemption and they couldnt pull it off.

oh and happy new years to you too....

 

[Spike]

Had any player on the Kings team made one more shot than they missed, they would not have lost. The magnification was there because it was crunch time, and this is a youthful team regardless of age...how long have they all been playing together? How long has Westphal been coaching this team?
Experienced teams will close out this game. Having Evans in your lineup, who doesn't seem afraid to take it to the rack when needed would have helped. Either way, yeah, it's a loss, and I care more about the learning than the draft pick right now. This entire year will be a learning experience - I suggest we keep that in mind during our next 5 game win streak/loss.

That being said, it still chaps my hide to lose to the Lakers.

 

[Showtime]

How can you possible think youth and experience has nothing to do with converting under pressure? If it wasn't, then veteran teams wouldn't be constantly winning championships across all of sports.

And if it were, then we wouldn't see the vets crumbling just like the young guys. That's my point. You can't blame missing FT's on youth when the vets are doing the same thing.

 

[mac]

Well I blame it on lack of talent in the case of the vets. As someone said above, Udoka is no stud. None of the real vet vets we have have the same talent level as our young guys. That's what rebuilding is about isn't it?

 

[VF21]

Rebuilding takes time. Udoka was a replacement for Mason, and anyone who doesn't think he's an upgrade wasn't paying attention.

Some fans act as though one year at the bottom should automatically qualify us for MIT or something just because we have some rookies with promise. I hate to be the one to burst your balloons, folks, but it doesn't happen that way.

Rebuilding takes time - and blood, sweat and tears. You might as well get used to some disappointments along the way if you're hoping for miracles. I'd recommend you find something good to bolster your spirits - and quite frankly, there's quite a bit of good in our young team.

As the vets depart and we can obtain some more young guns, the rebuilding process will continue. And how will you know when the project is completed? Easy. Those TDOS threads that amuse so many of us won't even start until May ... or June.

 

[kingsnation]

Rebuilding takes time. Udoka was a replacement for Mason, and anyone who doesn't think he's an upgrade wasn't paying attention.

To add a bit here, I think people have turned on Ime after those 2 missed FTs, which did suck, but Ime has been on winning teams with great chemistry/leadership before (Spurs..). He brings heart, experience, leadership, defense and a winning past to this team.

Right now he's filling larger shoes than he's used to because of no Martin and Garcia but I think he's more valuable than many realize.

 

[Luv4Kings]

To add a bit here, I think people have turned on Ime after those 2 missed FTs, which did suck, but Ime has been on winning teams with great chemistry/leadership before (Spurs..). He brings heart, experience, leadership, defense and a winning past to this team.

Right now he's filling larger shoes than he's used to because of no Martin and Garcia but I think he's more valuable than many realize.

I agree. And I've also seen the Lakers lose games because Kobe missed free throws in the final seconds.

 

[VF21]

The portion of the thread that had gone off into a new direction is now posted here.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I agree with the OP's premise. I am tickled pink just to have a solid core of young guys that look like they have a decent future together with one or two potential stars in the mix. My expectations were a 32 win season, it looks like we might top that. We may appreciate having an extra lotto pick a great deal 3-4 seasons from now when we're deciding who to keep around and who we need to move or let go. Its a big difference from the past 2-3 seasons where I really didn't care if anyone on the team returned the next season. There are 3-4 guys I'd be really sorry to see go right now and another 2-3 I am really enjoying watching even though I don't think they have a long Kings future ahead of them.

 

[The Hammer]

I agree with the OP's premise. I am tickled pink just to have a solid core of young guys that look like they have a decent future together with one or two potential stars in the mix. My expectations were a 32 win season, it looks like we might top that. We may appreciate having an extra lotto pick a great deal 3-4 seasons from now when we're deciding who to keep around and who we need to move or let go. Its a big difference from the past 2-3 seasons where I really didn't care if anyone on the team returned the next season. There are 3-4 guys I'd be really sorry to see go right now and another 2-3 I am really enjoying watching even though I don't think they have a long Kings future ahead of them.

Our future, in my opinion:

Tyreke
Donte
JT
Omri
Hawes
Brockman
Beno
Sergio
Martin (maybe)
Garcia (maybe)
Other new guys, stars, defensive stoppers, oh yeah.

 

[Aenadin]

the future is bright... very bright

 

[Gliesian]

why do I check this thread at 430 in the AM. and why is yahoo my homepage? conspiracy viruses... anyways kobe's miracle shot against us is headlining. I think we're finally getting national attention

 

[Aenadin]

why do I check this thread at 430 in the AM. and why is yahoo my homepage? conspiracy viruses... anyways kobe's miracle shot against us is headlining. I think we're finally getting national attention

bad news is still good news i guess.....

cant wait till we start owning them

 

[bajaden]

they didnt have to match them point for point, because they had a 15 point lead at halftime.... if the kings were out scored by 5 points in the 3rd and 4th they wouldve won by 5 points.but we were outscored by 8 in each quarter and lost by 1. it doesnt matter if evans, martin and garcia werent playing. they built a 20 point lead without them, so they should have played hard enough to maintain the lead. maybe not a 20 point lead but they should have been able to maintain the lead and win the game. we beat them by 13 last season without martin and the only difference in that laker team is ariza. had thompson and udoka made their freethrows the kings wouldve won that game. but the fact that they gave up that lead is a epic failure... that was their chance for redemption and they couldnt pull it off.

oh and happy new years to you too....

Mi amigo, " Gone with the Wind " was an epic. So was the sinking of the Titanic. But the laker game? Naw, I don't think so. Nice try though!

 

[ZZ-TOP]

Tanking for draft balls was a last years theme. Now there is enough parts to start competing for play-off spots.
Hold your horses!.....I said start competing.

During the proces some changes will be necessary. Some guys have to mature, some guys just won't gel, some won't cut the mustard. Kings front office will have one hack of a job to keep pulling this team in the right direction.
It is easy to make a mistake that can set a team back for a year or two (not counting lady Luck).
With all that in mind, Kings should try to win play-offs spot immediately and adjust along the way.
Players need to learn about what it takes to win a playoffs spot and you can't do that by tanking games.
If they succeed this season...GREAT, if they don't, no biggie, but they have to compete as long as the theory allows.

After that they should make the necessery adjustments and come back stronger next year, because the ultimate goal is not making the playoffs but winning the whole enchilada.

 

[Aenadin]

tanking is not good especially when the fanbase is returning...

 

[pdxKingsFan]

They are trying to win their games and using the best players available to do so, therefore they are not tanking.

 

[Showtime]

On a side note, I am incredibly disapointed at these close losses, but it's really a miracle the team is even in these games without Evans, Martin, Garcia, and a backup C.