Balance, Yeah!

by Tom Ziller on Mar 14, 2008 7:30 AM PDT in Recaps

Ron Artest had a great game. Beno Udrih had a very good game (especially if you give him some level of credit for the awful games the Portland PGs turned in).

But the key, as (seemingly) always? Brad Miller.

He didn't "stop" Joel Pryzbilla (the Blazers did that on their own). He didn't shoot well. He hacked a little bit. But he turned in a 14/7/4 night, which is basically the 15/8/5 we prayed for last season. And a key for Tired Brad is keeping down the turnovers -- he only had two.

The turnovers were the key on offense; it helped resolve the unmitigated abuse the Kings suffered on the glass (five offensive boards in 35 opportunities -- ugh). Beno had too many giveaways for me liking... but you can take it when he gives you the offensive performance (14 pts, 7 assists, +50% shooting) he did.

Ron-Ron is deep deep into Brandon Roy's head. A few months ago, folks made big noise about the way Roy plays with the ball -- kind-of deliberate, mixing speeds, fooling his defender instead of blowing by every time. Ron-Ron does not fall for those tricks, I guess. Artest had six steals; Roy had five turnovers.

Good game all around, except from Kevin Martin. Tough night, probably the worst of the season. He always bounces back, though, so watch out Phoenix.

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

excellent

Gotta love progession, we actually held off a team in the 4th quarter. I was unaware the Kings were allowed to do that. Oh and hi Good Ron, I missed you.

Muff rules. http://vegaskings.blogspot.com

by Muff209 on Mar 14, 2008 8:24 AM PDT reply actions

Good game!

It's all about ball movement. When we drive, cut and pass, we win. And those things start with Beno and Brad.

Good D, too. I loved watching Ron-Ron get under Roy's skin early, and Beno staying in front of Blake all night. Some of our young guys are still a little slow to rotate and help out, but they'll get there.

I wonder how many assists Udrih would have had if KMart had been hitting his shots. I'm happy to see people other than Anthony Johnson getting minutes. And I do believe that I saw Mikki Moore catch a bullet of a pass, get the bucket, AND earn and -and 1.

Miracle.

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Mar 14, 2008 9:53 AM PDT reply actions

But ...

I did not understand why Beno was put back in the game the last minute of garbage time. That was the perfect time for Anthony Johnson to go in.

by KingsFan on Mar 14, 2008 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions

AJ

Why? So we could get a better look at him and evaluate him for next year? Oh wait, he doesn't have a next year.

Muff rules. http://vegaskings.blogspot.com

by Muff209 on Mar 14, 2008 10:22 AM PDT reply actions

No, not for that

To not take a chance on Beno getting hurt in garbage time.

by KingsFan on Mar 14, 2008 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Totally agree

That's what end of the bench fodder is for--to keep the starters from stupid injuries. No idea what Theus was thinking.

by SavageBeast on Mar 14, 2008 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions

whew, I'm glad he took him out then

Man, an injury to Beno now would be disasterous! What would we do come playoff time!? Oh wait, sit at home and wait for the lottery like we would have done anyways. It's not like the more PT we give Beno the more we learn about him. Oh wait it does? Damn. Good lord, ALL of these games are garbage time. Each game is 48 mins of garbage time because we're not making the playoffs. Better bench Beno for whole games now, don't want him to get injured.

Muff rules. http://vegaskings.blogspot.com

by Muff209 on Mar 14, 2008 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions

A couple of points of disagreement

If Beno were to be injured then how could his performance be assessed the rest of the season? Thirty minutes a game should be sufficient.

What would happen to ticket sales if Beno were to be injured? Attendance is bad enough as it is.

by KingsFan on Mar 14, 2008 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Attendance sales?

Beno Udrih? Huh? Okay then. I don't see that. I don't see how Beno getting hurt helps the Kings, but I don't see how attendance would suffer. Especially paid attendance.

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 Mar 15, 2008 2:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Without Beno playing

I think less people would attend Kings games. Ticket sales relate directly to the level of talent on the team.

by KingsFan on Mar 15, 2008 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Say what?

We're talking about pulling Artest with 30 seconds, the game wrapped up, and the Kings dribbling out the clock. Are you telling me you think that's a good idea because we aren't making the playoffs? PLease teall me you just didn't read the comment closely.

by SavageBeast on Mar 14, 2008 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Was it just my imagination...

Or did Beno call Jerry "Larry" last night as he left the interview?

by rico 59 on Mar 14, 2008 1:15 PM PDT reply actions

While Kevin did not have a good game

I loved seeing him go right at Pryzbilla with that dunk after Pryz punked him the play before. Aggressive. Of course, would have been nice if he scored. Oh well.

by NYCFan @ Sactown Royalty on Mar 14, 2008 2:21 PM PDT reply actions

Horrible

Brad Miller is horrible!!!!!

I saw a play last night where Gordan (Friggin) Giricek jumped over Miller from behind and grabbed the board. Brad proceeded to tumble olver wioth his legs of jell-o and not get back on D.

The Man is the main problem on the Kings. Not Artest, Not Mikki

A slow, unathletic, soft, no verticle lift, no defence, no post-game C = Brad Miller.

by Hoops916 on Mar 16, 2008 8:22 AM PDT reply actions

The biggest problems for the Kings

K9(woof) = $7.3 million, no contribution.

'Reef = $5.8 million, no contribution

Wright = $3.2 million, no contribution.

Johnson = $2.9 million, no contribution.

Granted, three of those contracts are on our books as a result of us getting out of larger contracts, but that's $19 million (Tim Duncan, hello!).

I would place Miller right after that, a $7-8 million player earning $10.5 million this year.

Give Miller credit for one thing - he has suited up nearly every night. Where would this team be if you could say the same for 'Reef, Bibby, Artest and Martin?

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Mar 16, 2008 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Hoops seems to think Athletic

shot blocking high rebounding C's who score on the block grow on tree's. Let him have his windmill. :)

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 Mar 16, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions

No..

I dont necessarily feel that way...

But having NO post player is the Kings #1 problem! This effects both our defense and our offense.

The thing about Miller is that he has absolutely NO presence. Other big men must love playing the kings, as is evident by scrubs like Pryzbilla posting career numbers on him.

Here is a list of his inabilities
-Can't play defense
-Can't play in the paint
-is Weak (consistently gets pushed around by guys smaller than him)
-can't jump
-cries too much to the refs
-Consitently gets rebounded OVER by much smaller guys (see Girichek from last night, who came over the top of Brad on 2 occasions)...UNACCEPTABLE for a 7fter....Gordan Friggin Girichek
-Hurts the PG by not giving the Kings chances at easy buckets

I'm not asking for too much Pookey am I?...These are just qualities that a BIG should have..None of which Brad possesses

by Hoops916 on Mar 16, 2008 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

You see I agree with you Brad not being perfect

and you're using the context of his recent struggles to heighten the essence of the debate. However.....

Eddy Curry is not a great rebounder is he? Last I checked what he has is "post presence". What about Zach Randolph? Is he great at anything other than being a ballhog? Is Ben Wallace fabulous at anything at this point? Do the Seattle Sonics have a terrific Center? Would you be as enamored by Joel Pryzilla if you saw him every game? What about Chris Kaman? Does Nazr Mohammed open ears and eyes? Is Mark Blount fabulous? Does Shaquille O'Neal in his advanced old age doing that much? What's so spectacular about Jason Maxiell (who isn't a C)?

You want to start picking holes at Brad because he isn't your ideal player fine. But if you say any of those players I mentioned don't have real flaws and aren't helped by far more talented players (the guys on better teams) than you're lying. And you're racist to boot. Peace

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 Mar 17, 2008 2:54 AM PDT up reply actions

What's with you and racism, man?

I am rubber and you are glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.

In other words, your projecting yourself on others, fool. Stop being so racist.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Mar 17, 2008 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions

The man's trying to keeping me down

That's all.

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 Mar 17, 2008 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

What

In the hell are you talking about Pookey...seriously?

First of all, I am definently using Brad's recent struggles to heighten this debate..Go back and check my previous statements about Brad (Going back to Nov-Dec if you dont believe me)

What was your basis behind picking those random ass names???

I dont particularily care for many of the (random) names you threw out there, But at least MOST of them actually play in the post. Hell, some of them even do it on both sides of the ball.

Brad does it on neither. He has some decently good games on offense but most of time he takes himself out of the game by dancin around the arc. And ive said it before, but when his shot is not falling, he is WORTHLESS because he is incapible of getting easy buckets!

I'm not taking shots at him because he isnt my "ideal" player!?!?! Of course, my ideal player would get me happy, but so would a 7ft who doesnt dance around the perimmeter and get manhandled night in and night out. It would be one thing if he was a young guy trying to find his nitch, but damn, that man makes a hell of alot of $$$$

And im racist to boot??? Thats a pretty ignorant claim, and one that shouldnt be thrown around lightly. (even if im going to give you the benefit of the doubt and say you were joking....which you did not allude to) But then again, out of shape people from Seattle who havnt seen a game of pick-up in years probobly shouldnt be taken too seriously either?

by Hoops916 on Mar 18, 2008 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions

correction

definently NOT using Brad's recent play.....

by Hoops916 on Mar 18, 2008 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmmm

I don't throw it around lightly. I guarantee that having Eddy Curry would cause more headaches than Brad Miller. That's true of Nazr Mohammed too. I'm just pointing that out since we're talking about preferences here. Eddy Curry makes alot of money. Nazr Mohammed makes slightly above Mid Level money. They're not exactly cheap either. They're alot of overpaid Big's in the NBA. Quite a few of whom are worse by any reasonable basis than Brad Miller. That's all my point really is on that. Now onto the other stuff below.

I brought the racist aspect up. I'm going to let it die. And the fat thing is true. So I gotta eat it. And I probably shouldn't be taken seriously at all these days.

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 Mar 19, 2008 2:23 AM PDT up reply actions