My thoughts:

Good game to build on. First 3 quarters and half of the 4th were good… the rest, not so much.

Bobby Brown earned his spot as the backup PG tonight. Always go to him first, if he doesn’t have it that night, go to B-Jax.

Defense was decent. Much better than the road trip although that might not be saying much.

Speedracer is looking much better don’t you think? Leader? By example so far. We’ll see how he leads as the season rolls on

Salmons was solid at both ends of the floor, especially at shutting down Gay. Unfortunately he got caught up in the one on one at least twice. Unfortunately for us, this happened when the Grizz were making their run.

Beno still doesn’t look comfortable. Showed some flashes in the 3rd with a couple nice passes and layups but nothing else. I’m staying patient, he’ll get it together soon.

Shock and Hawes!!!!!! nuff said…

beno looks terrible, most dissapointing was his tendancy to yell at other kings players after every mix up or miscommunication on the court. I saw a few instances, especially with Shock and Hawes, where he would throw a pass at their ankles, they wouldn’t catch it and then he would yell at them. Did he do this last year also? Its the first live game I have seen in a couple years.
  Also, Shock Thompson is sick, real pumped for his future. Bobby Brown looked good tonight, although it could have done with the perfect shooting and in contrast to Beno’s terrible game.
  It seems clear to me that when Brad comes back that will be the end of Lobster Claws in the rotation. Honestly, his hands remind me of the Skill Crane at the Mineshaft, he just isn’t nba talent.
  Another question, who will drop out of the lineup or see their minutes cut when El Flaco returns? I hope its not Bobby Brown.
  Oh, and the halftime painter dude was the best halftime show I have ever seen, hands down. And the Maloofs Records band Drive Shaft or whatever the hell was awful. I’m pretty sure they were Cassandra’s back up band in Wayne’s World.

Here’s how I think playing time should be divvied up when Miller and Garcia return:

• Center-PF (96 minutes): MIller 30, JT 30, Hawes 24, Shelden 8, Moore 4.
• SG/SF: Martin 36, Garcia 29, Salmons 29, Douby 2.
• PG: Beno 22, Brown 22, BJax 4.

That’s probably asking a lot of Bobby Brown, and Garcia could also play some minutes at the point.

I didn’t see ANY of this game (looking out my hawaii balcony, ready to head to the volcano) but it seems like once hawes fouled out THEN the lead started to evaporate.

is that a fair observation?

No Center made the smaller players collapse in, weakened the perimeter D and the 3 pt fest started?

- I agree on Hawes fouls being the result of helping on someone who’s beat his man on the perimeter (mostly Beno); better concentration on perimeter defense will be key in keeping Hawes in the game. Overall, despite his current limitations on physical strength, he’s done a good job manning the paint. I also agree on the “little” things that he does that help everybody else out, like the rotations (its a huge improvement upon his rotations from summer league, which were horrible). Experience definitely makes a difference. This guy has a polished game, and I can’t wait tiil his physical strength catches up to his skills so that he can showcase them more.
-Thompson has got the hands, mobility, and the energy to do what Bosh was able to do during the Olympics, which was defend both the perimeter better as well as the post (future PF? because right now the NBA is heading towards PF’s that can go in and out) . Inexperience still shows on defense (of course), but if he consistently gets 20 minutes a game, I can see that improving within 20 games. I can’ wait till this guy’s body fills out, and when his game starts to show real polish. I think scouts can kiss those Mark Blount and Channing Frye comparisons goodbye from what he’s shown; continue to prove them wrong Jason!
- Martin, I love the man, but he needs to recognize when momentum is changing and when the team needs a bucket; it happened towards the end of the fourth quarter where I almost felt him disappear ( he did knock down FT’s tho); this will definitely help with his leadership skills. Don’t be afraid to call for the ball!
-Beno will definitely improve once Miller is back, since it will relieve him of some ball handling; although everyone’s looking at his offense, I want to see better defense as well, which I think he can improve upon.