Game 48 - at Seattle - Sactown Royalty

Game 48 - at Seattle

by Ziller on Feb 10, 2007 9:21 AM PST in Game Threads Comment 10 comments

There are few teams with worse records than the Kings. Seattle is one of those teams.

Let's get to business:

STARTERS:

SACRAMENTO
PG - Mike Bibby does not want to be traded to a team who could very well end up in the NBA Finals. Right...
SG - Kevin Martin has went for 28+ ten times this season, including three out of the last four games.
SF - This is about the point in which Ron Artest's dog problem starts fading away and Ron-Ron to Miami chatter heats back up.
PF - Even Maurice Taylor scored more points per 40 minutes than Kenny Thomas. Maurice Taylor? Waived. Kenny Thomas? Starting over the vastly more potent Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Corliss Williamson.
C - Brad Miller has blocked shots this regularly since high school.

SEATTLE
PG - Luke Ridnour was a Team USA pick, but then got benched behind Earl Watson this season. So strange, the NBA. (Ridnour's back in the starting lineup, though, which means Bibby has zero excuse.)
SG - Ray Allen could make a serious case to be in the All-Star game over Tony Parker.
SF - Rashard Lewis will be back in the starting lineup tonight after missing 22 games with a strained hand tendon. One would guess his name will be whispered far and wide over the next two weeks.
PF - Chris Wilcox has been good for Seattle, which makes the team's record a bit more puzzling.
C - Kevin Pelton tells us Nick Collison is thriving in his starting role, averaging 20 and 13 in his last six games. He could score 30 tonight.

THE LINE:
The Kings are four-point underdogs. With Seattle's defense, it will likely be a quick-paced, high-scoring game. That would seem to favor the Sonics, but the Kings defense of late has shown it might be able to slow down Ray-Ray. I'll take the Kings with the points.

INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT NOTE:
Instead of the usual call to arms, I'll just point out the most sentient comments on the John Amaechi story, which come from Kevin Arnovitz at ClipperBlog. If you're at all interested in this story, you have to read Kevin's post.

PREGAME HAIKU:
The wins are raining
as our heros go north. Will
the road dampen things?

A five-game winning streak would sure look nice... Go Kings!

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Re: Game 48 - at Seattle

Thanks for the link to ClipperBlog. It was a well-written and thoughtful post. My sentiments on most things lean towards the libertarian. In other words, I couldn't give two craps about what a dude does on his own time: Play ball and be a good teammate, which means respecting your teammates' choices.

I competed all through college. I never had an openly gay teammate. If I did, I'd like to think that I would have treated him equitably and with respect. Still, as I look back on my sports career - even in college - I can definitely remember the words queer, gay, homo, and all the rest flying around pretty freely during practice, in the locker-room, on the bus/plane, etc... I'm not certain that was the case because jocks are all anti-gay. I just think there was no other perspective around to make people think about what they were saying.

I do know this: if a person were gay, it would have taken massive courage to admit it.

So, yes, it would be a bigger story if he were an active player, but it was still a pretty gutsy move on his part.

by Kusian on Feb 10, 2007 12:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game 48 - at Seattle

Following on... I too read the ClipperBlog report. I'm glad that societty has changed to the point that those full of hatred and bigotry are in the minority. I don't believe that one's sexual orientation would have any impact on the way they play the game, any more than their race.

After high school, my two best friends both came out as gay, when they were in college. They are both in strong same-gender relationships. My wife and I watched the Super Bowl with them just last Sunday. When they came out, it didn't change who they were or change the experiences we shared for more than a decade, any more than it would if we learned some of our sports heros were gay. It will be tough for the first active athlete to come out, but I expect once one does, the dominoes will fall and it will become commonplace.

Kings-obsessed. A's obsessed. More ramblings: louisgray.com

by louismg on Feb 10, 2007 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game 48 - at Seattle

Thanks for the link, TZ. I enjoyed a long lunch with my boyfriend this week discussing the issue of gay professional athletes coming out. I look forward to a time when gay athletes will feel as accepted as lesbian athletes have been in the major sports. I believe the key fears for the men are based on religion, economics and career advancement. All very valid fears. I honestly don't think gay men can successfully come out in the NBA until we have an owner, GM, or a high ranking male in the NBA office take the first leap.

Annnnddd, we have a game tonight! GO KINGS!!!

He's pesky I tell ya.

by pyro on Feb 10, 2007 6:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game 48 - at Seattle

It's funny how the type of workplace makes a difference. I've noticed in the office environment that it's really not a big deal these days. There are plenty of people who are "out" and don't care that people know. Big difference from say, 10 years ago.

That being said, sports teams are still a big mountain to climb, for obvious reasons. It's going to take a thick-skinned person to come out while they are playing.

by otis29 on Feb 10, 2007 7:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

End of the 3rd

Hey, surprise, suprise: we played 'em even in the 3rd. Still up by a bunch. Keep your fingers crossed for a solid 4th and a win.

by Kusian on Feb 10, 2007 8:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game 48 - at Seattle

justin williams sighting!

kings blow out the sonics, k-mart must really love playing against ray allen

i guess cisco staying all those hours shooting payed off: 3/4 from 3 with 17 points

by CrownUs93 on Feb 10, 2007 9:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

easy win

A surprisingly easy win for the Kings. Solid play throughout. Outside of Allen, nobody on Seattle brought his "A" game. Ron Ron took Lewis out of the game early - not to mention that he was obviously rusty. (Wanna bet he is better tomorrow?)Garcia and Salmons did a nice job on Allen in the 2nd half and really made him work. Frisco actually scored a little tonight along with his usual solid defense and general hustle. The only negative tonight was Bibby. He played poorly: missed easy shots; forced shots; and his ball-handling was suspect throughout. (Is it just me or has his ball-handling been shaky the entire year?)Maybe his ankle was bothering him?

I predict of much tougher and closer game tomorrow. Nobody likes getting bitched like that in their own house. And make no mistake....that was an ass whoopin'!

by Kusian on Feb 10, 2007 9:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game 48 - at Seattle

I doubt we'll see a close game against these pathetic Sonics. These Sonics are ABSOLUTELY terrible. I'd say they're prolly the worst team in the West. Yes Memphis is worse because at least the Grizzlies beat us. The Kings cant afford to to lose the next 2 of 3 and fall back to 5 games out of .500 with a 4 game road trip that could prove disasterous because its 4 games in 5 nights with the 4th one being Philly, sandwiched by winnable road games.

by kingme18 on Feb 10, 2007 10:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs