I Think I'm in Love With Reggie Theus

by Ziller on Oct 30, 2008 5:50 AM PDT in Recaps Comment 77 comments

Sacramento had two chances late take the game: down one (97-96) with 36 seconds left, and down two (98-96) with 25 seconds left. I don't mean to dwell on the past, but ... nine times out of 10, the Kings would go to Ron Artest or Mike Bibby. One of those veterans would create, maybe ending up with a fall-away 18-footer or setting up a power forward for a corner three. Sometimes it would work, sometimes it would not. Regardless, there was always a better option: the guy who scores practically every time he touches the ball. Kevin Martin.

Reggie Theus set up plays for Martin on both game-deciding possessions last night. Of course, Martin missed a couple more shots en route to one of his worst shooting performances ever. But intent is the more important thing, and Theus' intent is grade-A, 100% perfect. If you let that situation play out 82 times, Martin will hit one of those shots (and win the game) in 60-70 of those cases. He's one of the best shooters in the game ... from everywhere ... with any number of hands in his face. Usually, he'll hit one. He missed them both, again, amid a bad night overall. But the idea, the play calls ... absolutely perfect.

And then there's Jason Thompson, who made his NBA debut less than six minutes into the first quarter.

!!!

I think we all expected some Jason Thompson early in the season, considering the Miller suspension and Spencer Hawes' propensity for foul trouble. But that early in the first game? Against Al Jefferson? WHAT. I panicked I was so flippin' excited. I was like, "OMIGOD! Reggie put a rookie in already?! I don't think I'm on the right channel!"

So I was beside myself with excitement just seeing a rookie get into the game. Imagine my mood when Shock Thompson went off for 18 POINTS AND 10 REBOUNDS IN HIS KINGS DEBUT. (In 22 minutes.) Holy sh*t! I don't know what it looked like when Chris Webber came out of the womb, but I cannot imagine it was quite as beautiful as this.

Theus won me over completely when he let his bet on Shock ride. He snuck Quincy Douby into the game for 12 minutes, which is like sending dessert to my table. And he let Spencer Hawes play with a bit of foul trouble, which led to ...

HAWES, SPENCER: 12 points, 14 rebounds, 6 blocks

Sacramento hasn't had a six-block game since Keon Clark in 2003. (Webber, Causwell and Yogi share the Sactown era record with nine.) Spencer Hawes has been sold to us as unathletic, slow, and stiff. I don't see a damn thing unathletic, slow or stiff about 14 rebounds and 6 blocks against Al Jefferson.

And again: Hawes had early foul trouble, and Theus let him go a bit. Ninety percent of the world's coaches would consider it dangerous, especially with a short bench. It's not that dangerous, and you've got to trust your horses if you expect to win. Theus may the right call.

There's only one way in which the season opener could have ended better. Just one little way ...

THOMAS, KENNY: 7 minutes

Whhhhhyyyyyyyy?

</collects self>

The Kings are 0-1, well on their way to a long, potentially fruitful or fruitless season. The NBA schedule is not a sprint, nor it is a marathon. It's a walkathon. It's a two-day walkathon in which you only have two sponsors (Mom and Aunt Dottie) and they both sponsored you for a flat fee, so to be quite honest there's no real reason to actually participate in the walkathon, you're raising the same amount of money for the charity if you walk for 14 hours or 14 seconds. That's what the NBA season is like for lottery teams left to parse their roster and figure out the difference between the fifth pick and the 12th. The least you can hope for is a few good walking buddies (that's you), a good band in the infield (Kevin, Johnny), some insane sprinters trying to make people laugh (Spencer, Jason), and a race director who turns the other if he notices beer in your backpack because he just wants you to have a good time (Reggie).

Reggie-contemplative_medium

Thanks for letting us have a good time, Reggie. Small victories. Small victories.

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Comments

whoa now

I’m glad Hawes and Thompson played well, too, but you’ve got to contain yourself, man. We lost to the Timberwolves.

by Soupial on Oct 30, 2008 5:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well!

Wins and losses are binary, man, and my heart knows the alphabet.

by Ziller on Oct 30, 2008 6:04 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

This is the happiest loss I’ve experienced with the Kings the last years. If Douby was in double figures, this would be heaven. I’m not sure about Hawes’ and Thompson’s future yet but that game was definitely a sign. Theus’ rotation was perfect, those 2 early fouls by Mikki was a blessing.

by ZenBaller on Oct 30, 2008 6:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Quincy Douby’s geographic mass appeal stretches at least to Milwaukee.

BrewHoop.com

by Alex Boeder on Oct 30, 2008 7:49 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

I love that comment

(And when I get a chance Brew Hoop.)

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Oct 30, 2008 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

With

Completely and totally.

Every time I saw K9 on my screen I’d yell “GET HIM OFF THE FLOOR!”

I think SB was about to stuff his dirty socks in my mouth.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Oct 30, 2008 7:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey, that weren't THAT dirty!

I think the real question (which Ziller stated quite well) is Whhhhhyyyyyyyy? Seriously, what was the point of putting K-9 in? It’s not like our PFs needed the rest or were in foul trouble. It’s not like K9 has shown any skills whatsoever in the last 2-3 years. And I find it hard to believe that playing K9 is going to convince anyone to pick him up. Even if it wasn’t K-9, how often does your3th/4th string PF (depending on whether you consider Williams a center) get any minutes at all in a tight game.

Totally scratching my head on that one.

Also, I haven’t done enough reading this morning to know. Was Brown injured or was he just a DNPCD?

"Shut up and Coach!"
Vfettke

by SavageBeast on Oct 30, 2008 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

K9

We all get lots of laughs bitching about K9, and frankly he deserves the vast majority of the shots he takes here, but like it or not, he is on the team. There’s something to be said for making him feel part of the team even if he is totally overpaid (not his fault) and his game has devolved 10 years before it should have (totally his fault).

Let’s put it this way, if you had to work and travel with some guy that was overpaid and you didn’t want in your group, but you had to have anyway, pretty much non-stop for the next six months, wouldn’t you at least make a minimal attempt to keep them part of the group? I mean, K9 knows the situation, its very unlikely he’s stupid. There’s no reason to alienate him more and give him ammo to be a pain in the ass more than the situation already lends itself to.

You have to deal with this guy for the next 6 months regardless, he’s getting his cash no matter what. I figure those minutes can pretty much be chalked up to professional courtesy. If he plays decent minutes a lot and our other guys are earning them in practice and not playing, then of course I have issues, but not after one game.

by ForThree on Oct 30, 2008 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Check his stat line

He’s a non-factor. He should only get garbage minutes.

You don’t give a guy minutes as a “professional courtesy” unless you don’t care about winning.

And since he is obviously not a part of the team’s future plans, Shelden should come off the bench before Thomas.

I understand trying to get us to stop bashing on the guy and all, but seriously, he is not a contributor when he’s on the court, and while I don’t blame him for being on the team or his horriffic contract, I don’t see why he should be on the court until he proves that he has something to contribute.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Oct 30, 2008 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Check the alternative

K9 is a non-factor, that’s a given. The alternative would have been Shelden, he’s not exactly coming off the bench like Thurl Bailey. Shelden is also a non-factor, he’s also obviously not part of the team’s plans.

K9’s 9 minutes in the first game hardly qualifys as a way to judge whether you care about winning or not. I was just trying to point out Theus has a lot of considerations, and if I was head coach, I’d be interested in getting all of my players into a game or two early in the season just out of principle, even if they are destined for 60 DNP-CDs or dressed in a sports coat most of the season (we all hope).

God, how did I end up defending K9? I hate the internet. Thanks for the discussion LPA.

by ForThree on Oct 30, 2008 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

7 minutes

Sorry, K9 had 7 minutes according to Ziller, before the fact checking police show up in my cube.

by ForThree on Oct 30, 2008 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They'll rough you up.

I think Shelden is a better defender and rebounder, though a total non-factor on offense. I just don’t see Kenny Thomas in the same light.

Though the Minny announcers last night praised Thomas, saying he used to give KG fits, even though he’s undersized.

So don’t feel bad about defending K9. It happens.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Oct 30, 2008 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Peaches blathering while Kenny is in the game

This is what you compare hell to if you want to scare your kids into being good.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Oct 30, 2008 8:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Peaches

was just trying to distract the fans from the fact that he WAS in the game (?) Doing our blood pressure a favor…..

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah and Salmons kept his production high...

I think most of the Artest backers figured Salmon’s starting numbers were a mirage, good to see him produce from the beginning of the season.

There now I've met the 75 word count. -pookeyguru

by moproblemz on Oct 30, 2008 8:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hawes and Thompson

The next “Twin Towers”?

Like Olajuwan and Sampson, Duncan and Robinson, Ewing and Cartwright …

Are we seeing the start of the changing of the guard (or PF)? Maybe Mikki should come off the bench, at least until Miller comes back.

by KingsFan on Oct 30, 2008 9:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BTW

Mikki had no rebounds in almost 23 minutes. That should not be acceptable for a “big”.

by KingsFan on Oct 30, 2008 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's the game.

Kevin Martin’s poor shooting notwithstanding, if Mikki had crashed the boards we would have won.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Oct 30, 2008 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too early?

Am I overly excited, or shouldn’t Reggie just start Jason Thompson from here on out?!?!

by busybe on Oct 30, 2008 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too early

Let’s wait and see if he can do it again.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Oct 30, 2008 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Oct 30, 2008 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just kidding

I was just kidding (I think) about JT starting from here on out. But I do think he should get the opportunity to start (sooner rather than later / it doesn’t mean he’s set in stone as the starter for the rest of the season) if he can do it again, even once or twice. I mean, he put up starter’s stats. Let me know when Mikki Moore does that again, it may be the first time or too few times and too far between. If JT shows he can do it semi-consistantly, I say let the on-the-court maturing begin. I’ve always liked Mikki Moore and still say he’s the perfect vet to recognize a young player’s struggle to prove himself and the perfect cheerleader and backup off the bench.

by busybe on Oct 30, 2008 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

but I have no problem with JT getting ~20 mins consistently, if he continues to produce. Same for Spencer.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Oct 30, 2008 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Game thoughts

Coaching:
A pretty good rotation and faith in his young players, I agree with TZ, ALTHOUGH, he must have orders to give K9(saaay it) some minutes in some futile hope that he’ll gain some trade value. I’d have liked QD to take a few more of Beno and/or BobbyJs minutes. I also believe in going with the hot hand at the end of the game, at least on nights when your best shooter is icey cold. I’d have has JS, Beno or Hawes (your choice) take a shot cleared out by KM. Still, I get it. Grade B

HAWES: We should start here, he started the game, kept them in the 1st quarter. Hard to criticize Shock in this game, he did everything well across the board – but I’ll poke a little, he needs to take a shot or three in the 4th Q, (Don’t try to ‘take over the game’!) remind everyone they have to guard you, fear you. GRADE: A

NOTE: There were a number of opportunities for penetrating guards to flip it into him and others for easy shots – that didn’t happen. I know we’re not that used to a guy actually being under the basket – but hey, adapt.

SALMONS: I think he was great, he assisted a lot in the first half and looked for his points because the team needed him to in the 2nd, didn’t stop the ball too much, (some, but not for maddening multiple heartbeats) there were some plays to pick on (see note above) but, just what we need from him! – GRADE: A

BENO: He was OK, a little rusty I guess, disappeared at times, couple of those TOs were the young players fault, (especially when hawes tried to turn to the basket before he had the ball) But we need/expect more. Grade: C

MM: He wasn’t terrible, I really like the guy (who doesn’t?)– and if JT has a few more games like that he’ll be gone or well down the bench. No rebounds. Grade: C

KMartin: (sigh) Not a good game. Didn’t do anything really well. Missed a lot of shots of course, waaaay too many (half!) of them were 3’s, you can’t even get to the FT line with those, missed or passed up some easy assist opportunities . . . . . lost this game for us – yuck. Grade: D

JT: !!!!!!!!, ahhh, sweet promise. I don’t think we can expect games like that on a regular basis for a while, in fact, I’m sure there will be some real stinkers. I’d pick at his Defense of course and suggest that he not be afraid to use at least a couple of those fouls (0) and buddy, you’re not a guard anymore – but COME ON BABY!! Wow! It made me actually giddy once or twice, and a reiterate my previous post that by seasons end he’ll be ‘favorably compared’ (‘ ‘ are for Carl) to Aldridge.
GRADE: A

BobbyJ, QD, SW: All gave some decent minutes, don’t think any of them hurt the team, as before, I’d like to see QD and SW get a few more minutes in the next four games, taken from K9 and Bobby.

QUESTION: If JT continues to play at anything close to that level how does he not get at least those 20 minutes even when BMiller comes back? Hawes goes down a few (few), and K9 gets none – but where do they come from?

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 10:22 AM PDT reply actions 4 recs

In looking over my comments

I think I was a little tepid in my Hawes notes. He was very very very good, my note on a 4th Q shot or to not withstanding.

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

JT's mins

Assuming that he plays at a level dictating the kind of minutes he received last night, the minutes come from MM, Hawes, and Miller. That will be our big man rotation this year barring injury and or severe foul trouble.

I’ve not seen JT play the SF this year but based on his leg speed, I’ll bet that he could in certain situations. Of course, we have Salmons and Cisco, so that wouldn’t likely happen too often. Still, might be a way to get him a few extra mins.

You have to love his combination of speed and strength.

by Kusian on Oct 30, 2008 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BobbyJ

was playing the 2 guard for several stretches, I’d like to see Q get a few of those.

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

whoops

my last response was for LPA below.

No, I don’t think JT can really play the 3, just my opinion that too many of those guys are very quick.

You imply that Hawes can play some PF on the floor with Bmiller at Center, an idea some don’t agree with – but I agree, his footwork is really pretty good for a young big and he’s more athletic than he seems.

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually,

in the right situation, I’d rather see Brad play the PF and Hawes the C – provided he’d keep his ass donwn in the post. He has very good low post footwork and needs to spend more time there. And Reggie needs to run some plays for him there so he become more accustomed to it. And, yes, I think that Hawes could play some PF as well.

Brad has played PF in the past and could do it now – in the right circumstance. And, he really has no low post game. He is a high post player.

The situation would dictate the line-up, obviously. But I think that Reggie has some options.

by Kusian on Oct 30, 2008 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd switch that

As i think hawes has better foot speed (?) I think I would anyway.

But yes, I do think they can be on the floor at the same time (others disagree) and perhaps keep switchng back and forth which may cause some defensive confusion.

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The 15 minutes given to Williams and K-9 as well.

Thompson is just so active in the post- rebounding, scoring and playing solid D. There is no way that Theus can keep this guy off the court, especially when Thomas and Williams are the alternative.

Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.

by jjham15 on Oct 30, 2008 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

QD?

No way on earth should Douby play at the point. Ever. To infinity. And while he might be a good on-ball defender, he was completely lost in the zone. We actually replayed a Wolves posession a couple of times just to watch him run around the floor without a clue where he was supposed to be.

Martin didn’t lose us the game, though his shooting was not good. It was lost mostly in stretches when he wasn’t on the floor, and by a complete and total lack of defense in the first half. Not to mention Mikki with 0 rebounds.

Beno needs to remember that he’s a playmaker for the whole game, not just the first half. I think when he saw Martin struggling he started to try to pick up the slack. It might have been better if he had continued to feed Martin the ball so that he could shoot himself back into the game, but who knows whether or not it would have worked.

Hawes needs to work on his defensive rotation. He must defend the paint better. They outscored us in the paint in the first half something like twelve to 48,923.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Oct 30, 2008 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point about Hawes

He does not rotate quickly enough. He has a bad habit of turning his head and missing action on the backside. Like many guys on this team, his offensive anticipation far exceeds his defensive anticipation. Still, he has improved and his shot blocking last night was a revelation. This team desparately needs shot blocking and consistent rebounding. I think that – at least on the defensive end – JT and Hawes will provide some of that.

I’m not certain that I agree with you that KMart needed to shoot more. He got nearly 20 shots and many of them looked terrible. He needed to step in another 5 feet and draw some contact and/or try to get to the rim. He won’t shoot that poorly too often, however.

My one gripe with KMart is that he is still a very average ball handler. I really hoped to see a more dramatic improvement in that part of his game. He is going to struggle getting his own shot at the end of games.

by Kusian on Oct 30, 2008 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hawes

Played very very well, of course he has some things to work on! The fact is, he adjusted and did a Muuuch better job of paint D in the second half. ya gotta respect that.

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I disagree

Martin lost this game,
he’s our go-to guy and scored 2 pts (on free throws) in the 4th quarter.

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's easy to say

Because Martin missed the last shot when we could have tied or gone ahead.

But if Mikki had managed to get even one rebound, that would have probably led to at least one additional scoring posession and we would have won.

And if our defense in the paint had been better in the first half we would have won.

And if Beno had managed to finish at the basket we would have won.

He might be the go-to guy, but he still didn’t lose us the game all by himself.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Oct 30, 2008 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree to disagree

Everyone else played well enough to win this games, Martin just didn’t. He not only shot poorly he missed several easy assist chances etc.

Thats just the way it goes sometimes – but I never expected to say that after the 1st game.

We’ll have to see how he reacts to that Friday night. I Expect something near 40.

After just reading the post-game comments it also appears that Z (and me) were wrong, that last shot was supposed to be taken by Hawes with KM as a decoy. Hawes just couldn’t pull the trigger. As well as Hawes played (and he was great dispite some flaws), he’s got to want a few shots in the 4th quarter.

Still, I repeat, KM = 2 pts on FT in the 4th. Your go-to guy has to contribute in crunch time.

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good post

Rec’d

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Oct 30, 2008 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

'favorably compared' to Aldridge??

> JT: !!!!!!!!, ahhh, sweet promise. < . . . > a reiterate my previous post that by seasons end he’ll be ‘favorably compared’ (‘ ‘ are for Carl) to Aldridge. GRADE: A

not likely, I’m afraid. Good luck with that one though. – Elgin.

www.tresgone.com
www.myspace.com/transcendentalbrassband
www.boltupright.net

by 22baylor on Oct 30, 2008 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Waaaah!

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent Comment

Definitelly rec’d.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Oct 30, 2008 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would give K-Mart

a C-

Because even though his shooting and clutch play was missing, he did finish with 5 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Those are all above average for him.

"Oh, boy! This website is very good. Hey, let's talk about the Raiders!" - "Peaches" Napier

by dalt99 on Oct 30, 2008 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a B+ game without the shooting Dalt

Of course the shooting is a major part of his game, and it was the Wolves.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Oct 30, 2008 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What concerns me: Spencer’s minutes when Brad gets back. Brad is still the starter, but Spencer should monopolize at least half the minutes at C even when Brad’s back from his 5 game suspension.

In my view, Theus should run Spence/Brad/Mikki/JT interchangeably on the front line and give Spence and JT the most minutes, keeping Brad in the mid 20s and Mikki below 15.

by jeremy548 on Oct 30, 2008 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Somewhat agree

Let’s see what kind of consistency young Mr. Hawes shows over the next four games. If he continues to play with a high level of intensity, I think your scenario looks good.

Although, I’d rather see Hawes/JT, with Brad getting a vast majority of the remaining minutes at those two positions, and Mikki in when there is foul trouble, or there is little energy on the court. If not, he should be on the bench waving a towel.

Kevin Pritchard has Chuck Norris tied up in the trunk of his car.

by otis29 on Oct 30, 2008 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Exactly

primarily a 3 man rotation with a 4th getting 10 mins or so.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Oct 30, 2008 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right on

I wholeheartedly second your approval of Reggie’s decision to put the game in Kevin’s hands both times, despite the God awful shooting night. If this really is Martin’s team, which it is, that needed to be re-enforced last night even if it lost us the game. Kevin needs to have no doubt of that, and John Salmons sure as hell needs to have no doubt.

Speaking of which, did anyone else raise their eyebrows a bit when Salmons seemed to hesitate in getting the ball to Martin at first when he was wide open in the first “game winning” opportunity (30 seconds or so left down by one)? I think he ended up trying to drive, then passed it to someone else who finally got it to Kevin (who was still wide open but missed the shot). I could’ve sworn I saw Salmons notice that Kevin was open, Kevin asked for the ball, and John decided not to pass it to him. Did I really see what I think I saw, or am I making something out of nothing?

The point is, even if Salmons has 50 points and Kevin has 2, he needs to get the ball to The Man in that situation (if he’s open) without hesitation. John will get his opportunities to win games for us (as he ended up with last night, actually), but he needs to be okay with not being the number one option at the end of games. That being said, he played a great game last night, if we would’ve won it would’ve been as much his win as anyone’s, and I hope it continues.

by AnotherStupidSN on Oct 30, 2008 11:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw the Kings trying to run Kevin through a bunch of screens trying to get him open, and the Wolves denied the ball for a few seconds so Salmons was a little unsure as to what to do. The play was obviously for Kevin.

by jeremy548 on Oct 30, 2008 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too obvious?

That’s what it looked like to me. Maybe a better plan would have been to use Kmart as a decoy to draw a double team and have the hot hand Salmons take the three. You know the Twolves were banking on Kmart to end up with the ball. They defended him well.

by KingsFan on Oct 30, 2008 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

like, not love...

I had to listen to the last minutes on the radio and it sounded like Reggie called a timeout in the middle of a play in which Kevin was driving to the basket and might have been fouled (but not called because of the timeout)… would have put Kings up one if foul shots made. Hard to judge from the radio, but i generally like an offensive play off transition more than one coming out of a timeout… anyone have thougths about the wisdom of the timeout?

by longtimelistenerfirsttimecaller on Oct 30, 2008 1:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

There were 2

wolves back, but it looked like Kevin was thinking about attacking anyway. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea. When the whistle blew I initially thought they called him for carrying the ball as he cut. It would’ve been a tough shot.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Oct 30, 2008 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

right

tough call, he might have drawn the foul . . . . .?

Tough call.

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only question I have is now

Does anybody really miss Ron Artest for any reason?

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Oct 30, 2008 1:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Let me think for a bit...

by eduardo_m7 on Oct 30, 2008 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You had to THINK?

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Oct 30, 2008 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

LOL Rec'd

by eduardo_m7 on Oct 30, 2008 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who is this Ron Artest you speak of?

I remember a Ron Artest that was involved in an incident with Indiana, and there is a Ron Artest who now plays for Houston. Is that the same player? Did he serve a 3 year suspension, or is it a new player? I can recall no mention of any Ron Artest in between these two appearances.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Oct 30, 2008 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

LOL Classic

And if you think I’m not going to rec it, you’re wrong.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Oct 30, 2008 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kenny Thomas

He came into the game last night with the score 42-40 T-Wolves. Within 3 minutes, the Kings were down 56-47. In his stint he grabbed a rebound and….. and….nothing.

NO MORE K-9!!

"Oh, boy! This website is very good. Hey, let's talk about the Raiders!" - "Peaches" Napier

by dalt99 on Oct 30, 2008 3:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thats Just Not True!

You’re forgetting the ’olay D and the missed layup!

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

E-N-C-O-U-R-A-G-I-N-G

Can stay consistent, we’ll be very competitive this season. I think Hawes deserved the game ball. SIX BLOCKS. We needed those. LOVE the 14 rebounds.

Hawes and JT played big and awesome tonight.

Kevin had one rough game. But we should still expect 25+ a game a night from him.

John was great down the stretch and a good game overall for the Kings.

Can’t wait for Cisco to get back on the court.

A lot of things to love about opening night. Glad to have League Pass Broadband to watch every single Kings game this season .

BOOK IT!

by kingme18 on Oct 30, 2008 3:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it too early to wonder

if Jason Thompson is better than Kevin Love?

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Oct 30, 2008 4:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Love looked pretty good

last night. He’s a load, moves well, and passes well.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Oct 30, 2008 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not according to david thorpe

his new rankings after last night put Love #1 and JT #6…

by longtimelistenerfirsttimecaller on Oct 30, 2008 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doubt it

I still say Beasley and Love are the 2 best in the 2008 rookie crop.

"Oh, boy! This website is very good. Hey, let's talk about the Raiders!" - "Peaches" Napier

by dalt99 on Oct 30, 2008 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still take Rose first every time

My point was that Love was the 5th pick, and JT was the 12th. At some point the value of picking a player considered that talented amongst the rookie class early on (means nothing I realize) has gotta be worth the extra consternation given to how much tanking this team actually has to do.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Oct 30, 2008 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love looked like he'll be pretty good

a ‘muscle’ rebound guy who will score some. I’m not sure he’ll ever be a very good defender because of foot speed and height against anyone with some quicks or the ability to shoot over him. He’ll be as good as he’s going to get pretty soon. He’ll lean his body on people – but once everyone figures out how to play him I doubt he has a high upside, not a starter on a good team.
JT could have a LOT of upside but has the opposite problem, will he be able to develop/flex his muscle when he needs to? We’ll have to see.

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 31, 2008 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

That’s something that is important. JT is more of a project, but I think has more upside than Love does overall. I’m excited about that. I’m not sure if that excitement means anything though.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Oct 31, 2008 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just curious

Who here thinks Garcia takes the final shot if he’s in the game?

::raises hand::

by AnotherStupidSN on Oct 30, 2008 4:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

here's mine up

dude is cold blooded
(with the good and bad that come with that)

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Oct 30, 2008 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

That being said....

I am still glad Martin took the shot. Later in the season, I say go with the hot hand. However, Theus made a statement by going to Martin both times. Kevin Martin is our star, and our go-to player. I am thrilled that Theus seems to be on board.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Oct 30, 2008 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'd have been happier

If he made it . . .

40 tomorrow night!!!
(and the kids will probably suck, sigh)

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Oct 30, 2008 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed and rec'd

Kevin Martin needs to prove that he either can carry the load. If he wants to get to the next step – to the superstar level, he needs to be the go to guy in the fourth quarter and with the game on the line. It’s absolutely good coaching by Reggie Theus. I want to see the same thing all year.

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Oct 31, 2008 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs