Thursday Footnotes

by Ziller on Nov 29, 2007 9:45 AM PST in Links Comment 21 comments

Do you want to know what the problem with overconfidence is? Then read this set of Ron Artest quotes about the fourth quarter shot selection from Sam Amick's game story: "Ron Artest didn't see a problem, saying of the Kings' 2-for-23 fourth-quarter shooting and reliance on their outside game that 'we'll take those (shots) again' and of his 1-for-9 outing in the period that he simply missed 'good looks.'" Please, please don't.
We didn't touch this Tuesday morning, but Kevin Martin got benched for much of the fourth quarter against the Spurs. He was not mad at Reggie Theus because of it.
Ballhype's Jason Gurney put the birthplaces of every NBA player into a Google Map. Man, Beno Udrih is far from home. That map's a lot of fun to look at; the player born closest to Sacramento was a bit of a surprise. Concord's finest!
The Maloofs love customer service. (You know what'd be awesome customer service? Drop parking by $2. $10 to squeeze in between two Hummers and be forced to leave midway through the fourth to ensure the drivers/passengers of said Hummers don't destroy your paint job is absurd.)
Golden State of Mind feels good about the win.
Two notes from this Nevada Appeal story: Geoff Petrie's son is a scout for the Kings? He was apparently scouting the Nevada-Cal game; I assume DeVon Hardin was the major draw.
Yesterday, in my Q&A with GSoM, I mentioned Monta Ellis wouldn't make sense in exchange for Ron Artest because Ellis' contract situation would preclude the Kings from signing him this summer. I was wrong: I mistakenly thought he'd be working with his Early Bird rights this summer; he'll be at the Bird rights stage, actually. With Early Bird rights, a trade removes the salary cap end-around the provision provides. Not so with Bird rights: Only a waiver can remove those after a player has three years in the league. So the Kings, if they traded for Ellis, could extend him long-term while over the cap. I still don't think a deal makes sense: Aren't the Warriors overloaded at the swing position? They'd have a starting lineup of Baron/Jack/Artest/Barnes-or-Pietrus/Harrington-or-Biedrins, which seems a little thin in the scoring for what Don Nelson does. But hell, I'd take the deal in a heartbeat. You can play Kevin Martin at small forward with the right power forward in place.

0 recs | Comment 21 comments

Comments

Re: Thursday Footnotes

TZ, what was the impetus for the poll question? To me, it's the equivalent of asking if Garcia should start over Martin. The answer is so obvious it's really not worth asking.

Was there something that sparked this?

by Kusian on Nov 29, 2007 10:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, actually. It feels similar to the KT-Shareef thing of two years ago, without the whining. Salmons is infinitely better as a starter than as a sub. Artest is the better player, but would be an effective sub. A la Manu/Finley: Manu's the better player by far, but Finley does less damage (and more good) with the other starters vs. the relatively small loss from bringing Manu off the bench.

by Ziller on Nov 29, 2007 12:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

I think the problem is TZ is that the team just needs to reconfigure the personnel. And it of course starts with Artest/Bibby.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Nov 29, 2007 12:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

Thanks for the context. I understand your point.

by Kusian on Nov 29, 2007 1:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

BTW, I don't know Ron; but, I don't think he'd handle the role as well as Manu. Manu, I think anyway, feels he is a compliment to Parker and Duncan. Ron, IMO, feels like he is the leader and the best player on this team and, therefore, is not likely to believe the 6th man role is appropriate.

by Kusian on Nov 29, 2007 1:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

I agree.

by Ziller on Nov 29, 2007 3:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

Me too. Ron is a god. So HE thinks anyway with his Hercules poses.

He can shoot, and he looks great in a suit. Hey, everybody - It's REGGIE TIME!

by dalt99 on Nov 30, 2007 8:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

Maybe Kmart should have been benched during last night's 4th qtr? He was basically ineffective. Not saying Kmart is not a great player but sometimes he's either not on or shut down.

by KingsFan on Nov 29, 2007 12:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

Never thought I'd see Brad's face on this page:

http://www.nba.com/statistics/

by NYCFan on Nov 29, 2007 1:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

I never thought I'd say this but his pic would look better with the corn rows. Love the number 18 though.

trade em all except Kev, John, and SHawes...How's that TZ?

by kangsfan on Nov 29, 2007 3:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

18 boards really is a pretty freakin' monster night. And when you watch the games this year it is easy to tell that he is taking the rebounding issue personally. He'll never be Dwight Howard but if he and Mikki gave us 8 - 10 each night, I'd be elated.

by Kusian on Nov 29, 2007 3:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

TZ I was bored so I ended up looking at the birth map. Who was born in Concord (I noticed that Mark Madsen was born in Walnut Creek--that was the closest I could find.)

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Nov 29, 2007 4:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

Interesting, Matt Barnes is listed in Santa Clara, but both ESPN.com and Yahoo sports have his birthplace as Citrus Heights.

by otis29 on Nov 29, 2007 4:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

Wow I would have never guessed that multiple media outlets would have gotten something wrong. LOL

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Nov 29, 2007 4:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

There have been some discrepancies -- Boozer might have been born in Denmark or Juneau?!

Madsen was the Concord guy I was speaking of. Martinez, Concord, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek should merge. Continez Hill Creek, a neighbor of Lamorinda (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda).

by Ziller on Nov 29, 2007 6:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

It's hard to argue those places are all one place in reality. Thanks for the clarification though.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Nov 29, 2007 8:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

Trust me, Walnut Creek would never allow itself to be merged with Concord or Martinez. Maybe Pleasant Hill. It would be like El Dorado Hills merging with Placerville and Cameron Park.

by otis29 on Nov 30, 2007 6:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

Yeah, I know the demographics in Walnut Creek as far different from Concord or Martinez. But seriously, if you can drive down a single street and see 7 city limits signs, there's been some poor planning involved.

by Ziller on Nov 30, 2007 7:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

I understand, was just looking for a roundabout way to make fun of the stuckups in EDH (Walnut Creek too). I'll do better next time.

by otis29 on Nov 30, 2007 9:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

Otis--making fun of snobs is always a good thing to do (even if it wasn't the best you could do).

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Nov 30, 2007 12:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thursday Footnotes

I need to toss one in regarding customer service and The Kings.

No doubt, as a season ticket holder I am charged a premium price for my ticket and a silly price for my right to park ($10 a no valet? No Blue Coral finish?). Oddly, the food prices are not nearly as ridiculous as I have found at some other arenas, and the quality and selection has gotten better over the years in spite of the challenges that the building presents. In fact, the problem now is that with all of the food kiosks on the mezzanine it is now very difficult to walk through the arena.

Bit I digress. The one thing that Maloof Sports and Entertainment has always provided to me is exceptional customer service. Years ago I had an issue with my season tickets and Joe Maloof called me personally to help resolve it. I have been invited to and attended group special dinners with Joe, Gavin, and Geoff Petrie. I have received comp tickets. I have autographed posters on my wall and a plaque with a piece of the old floor mounted on it, personalized with my name. I am given a media guide every year. And I'm just a "second deck" guy, not one of the Kings Row elite.

It's important to note that I received this treatment all through the sellout streak, during the time that there was a 7-10 year waiting list for tickets. Yes, I was charged a premium price, but I received a premium product and premium service.

Currently, the product is certainly not premium. But I am getting hard play and entertaining and excitng games for my dollar. And more than anyone else that I do business with, I know that Maloof Sports and Entertainment values my business. That is not to say that I blindly agree with every move that is made. It simply means that I am still a long ways away from considering not keeping my season tickets, and the treatment that I have received from The Kings is a big reason why.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming...

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Nov 30, 2007 8:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs