GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview & Open Game Thread

Welcome back, Ron Artest.
It's been quite the love-hate relationship between Sacramento and Ron-Ron. He came in as a hero, saving Rick Adelman's last team from lottery humiliation and giving us fans a thrilling turn to dethrone the San Antonio Spurs. It didn't work out in full that spring, and despite the departures of Adelman and Bonzi Wells, hopes were mildly high for Ron's first full campaign. And that was sort-of a disaster; we've blamed it on Eric Musselman, Mike Bibby, Brad Miller and Ron himself. They all deserve the blame (though the blame isn't necessarily a wagged finger; Miller can't help the injuries). Ron's game and off-court issues were equally infuriating. On the court, Artest's poor decisions (Shareef with a three to win the game!) and insufferable ball-hogging (Kevin Martin's usage was below 20 -- role-player territory -- much of the season) drew jeers constantly, even though Ron put up numbers any team'd be thrilled with.
And that's the thing with Ron-Ron -- when he's on, there is no player in the league more fun to watch. I had a conversation with Lady Ziller last week before the Cleveland game. Lady Z is definitely a fan of animals -- she's rescued probably a dozen stray and pound kitties in her young life, does all the SPCA donation stuff, still loses composure when there's roadkill on the street. And I'm pretty sure she's against beating your wife. She has every right to despite Ron Artest (and maybe she does). But you know what she asked when I mentioned the Kings game'd be on in a few minutes and asked if she wanted to watch it?
"Is Ron back yet?"
"No, not until next week."
"I'll pass."
"Really? You'd watch if Ron was playing?"
"Yeah."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I like watching Kevin, too. But it's only really fun when Ron's out there. It just seems like something's always about to happen when he plays."
"Like a trainwreck ready to happen?"
"Exactly."
Needless to say, this stunned me a bit. Lady Z isn't the biggest sports fan; actually, I'm not sure she's watched an NFL or MLB game in her life, save a few Super Bowls and maybe some background-music Giants games. She'd call herself a fan of basketball if pressed, especially live basketball, and she's got a good grip on the flow of a game. But as she's such a casual observer, I never in a million years figured she not only had an opinion on the playing styles of various Kings, but actually appreciated the game of someone whose persona is so detestable. That's how easy it is to root for Ron-Ron The Player, despite all our righteous (and rightful) qualms about Ron-Ron The Human.
And I think I may have cracked Ron-Ron The Player. He's all eight Robot Masters from Mega Man 2 combined. Metal Man -- the dude who knocked Luke Ridnour out of the starting lineup with a preseason shoulder to the nose. Air Man -- the guy whose frequent flights off the dribble are only more probable than a future Nobel Prize for either Stephon Marbury or Isiah Thomas. Bubble Man -- the jokester cracking up with Kobe Bryant in a blowout rivalry or yanking down Paul Pierce's shorts. Quick Man and Flash Man -- streaking drives on both ends of the court and stunningly fast hands which make even Bruce Bowen jealous. Crash Man -- always bounding into, over, around, under teammates and opponents for loose balls or random, unimportant rebounds. Heat Man -- a dude who can light it up at moment's notice. (Ask the Knicks.) Wood Man -- stout and strong, able to lean on Tim Duncan better than any of the 7-footers wearing identical jerseys. Ron Artest is everything on the court, and he has no power button. He's always Ron.
And I guarantee you he'll be Ron tonight. The single overriding factor in the success of whomever was to be the next head coach of the Sacramento Kings was reaching Ron Artest. I think Reggie Theus -- perhaps by default, perhaps by way of Chuck Person or sushi -- is there. Ron-Ron will work himself to death for something he believes in. And this season may mean nothing -- the Kings aren't challenging for anything but mediocrity, Artest could be shipped out any given night. But if Ron believes in his teammates and what his coach is selling, it won't matter. And you know what? That's f*cking awesome.
So who cares? Let's make the world's stupidest stand and truly mean it.1 Go Kings.
1 "Plus Ones." Okkervil River. The Stage Names. 2007
0 recs |
120 comments
Comments
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 4:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by TheHoodIdentity on Nov 14, 2007 8:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview &
And Katye Christensen, Henry Turner and Jim Kozimor are kicking it with Curley Neal right now. Sorry, Tyler Hansborough. My attention has been diverted.
by Ziller on Nov 14, 2007 4:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
No Excuses Tonight
No excuses tonight against a win-less Minnesota team, even if it is on the road.
by kingme18 on Nov 14, 2007 4:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
Funny thing is I am still more excited to watch Hawes play than Artest. Shows how much he has come full circle from just a few months ago with some fans.
Artest better be posting up tonight. I am really looking for that.
GO KINGS!
by dalt99 on Nov 14, 2007 4:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 5:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Minnesota,
let's go kings
by CrownUs93 on Nov 14, 2007 5:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by Ziller on Nov 14, 2007 5:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 5:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by Ziller on Nov 14, 2007 5:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 5:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
Ron just destroyed Gomes on the post.
by Ziller on Nov 14, 2007 5:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by Ziller on Nov 14, 2007 5:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 5:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
(I kid because I care.)
by Ziller on Nov 14, 2007 5:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by TheHoodIdentity on Nov 14, 2007 9:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview &
by Ziller on Nov 14, 2007 5:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by Ziller on Nov 14, 2007 5:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Game Thread
by CrownUs93 on Nov 14, 2007 5:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota,
by Kfan in Korea on Nov 14, 2007 5:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota,
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 5:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota,
by Kfan in Korea on Nov 14, 2007 5:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
Nice rebounds by Spencer.
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 5:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by Ziller on Nov 14, 2007 5:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
Just play in the low post please!
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 5:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 5:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 5:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 5:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 5:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
Go Kings! Welcome back, Ron-Ron!
by louismg on Nov 14, 2007 5:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 5:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by louismg on Nov 14, 2007 6:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 5:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Just a Thought...
by CrownUs93 on Nov 14, 2007 5:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by louismg on Nov 14, 2007 6:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 6:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota,
by Kfan in Korea on Nov 14, 2007 6:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
According to Jerry Reynolds...
by CrownUs93 on Nov 14, 2007 6:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 6:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 6:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 6:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by TheHoodIdentity on Nov 14, 2007 9:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by louismg on Nov 14, 2007 6:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 6:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 6:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by Kfan in Korea on Nov 14, 2007 6:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
the commentary sucks
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 6:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 6:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully he does it on Dec 15th
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 6:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 6:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 6:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
No No No No YES!!!!!!!!!!
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
He dunked it, he earned it
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 6:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by TheHoodIdentity on Nov 14, 2007 9:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
GAME 8
by CrownUs93 on Nov 14, 2007 6:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by louismg on Nov 14, 2007 6:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I dont do homerism! (well ummm)
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Money Quarter Time.
The Kings' best opportunity for a road victory, It's also the Wolves best opportunity for a win, period.
WHO THE HELL IS CHRIS RICHARDS??
by kingme18 on Nov 14, 2007 6:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: Money Quarter Time.
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Walker
by kingme18 on Nov 14, 2007 6:50 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:50 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 6:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
Martin: 15
Artest: 14
Miller: 13
Udrih: 12
by louismg on Nov 14, 2007 6:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Mikki Moore and Post Moves????
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 6:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by louismg on Nov 14, 2007 6:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 7:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by louismg on Nov 14, 2007 7:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Al Jefferson... salivating!
by kingme18 on Nov 14, 2007 7:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Beno for the 3!!!! (Who knew?)
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 7:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: Beno for the 3!!!! (Who knew?)
by louismg on Nov 14, 2007 7:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Beno for the 3!!!! (Who knew?)
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 7:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Artest got fouled
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 7:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
re:
by ptgloden on Nov 14, 2007 7:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
also
by ptgloden on Nov 14, 2007 7:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: also
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 7:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 7:11 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Game Over
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 7:11 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota,
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 7:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
frustrated
by ptgloden on Nov 14, 2007 7:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: frustrated
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 7:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Marko Jaric outboarded the Kings
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 7:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 7:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Ron's back, everyone on vacation?
by NYCFan on Nov 14, 2007 7:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: Ron's back, everyone on vacation?
100 comments, though...chalupas!
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 7:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Ron's back, everyone on vacation?
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 7:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 7:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Same 'ol
Either way the same 'ol recipe for defeat.
by kingme18 on Nov 14, 2007 7:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by kingme on Nov 14, 2007 7:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by chupacabra on Nov 14, 2007 7:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by cwebb on Nov 14, 2007 8:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
That's it.
Just double team these two when they get the ball. Make the other guys beat you. Why can't the Kings/coaching staff understand these things?
by dalt99 on Nov 14, 2007 10:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota, Preview
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 8:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by t bone on Nov 14, 2007 8:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 8:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 8:11 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota,
by t bone on Nov 14, 2007 8:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: GAME 8 at Minnesota
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.
You tell me
by t bone on Nov 14, 2007 8:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
i suppose my place in Idiocracy is established
by pookeyguru on Nov 14, 2007 8:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Boards
by DB on Nov 14, 2007 8:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Re: Boards
by Carl on Nov 14, 2007 9:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Boards
OH MY GOD!!! IT'S E-MUSS, ON STILTS!!!
by section214 on Nov 14, 2007 9:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

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