Bob Delaney, Your Check's in the Mail

by Tom Ziller on Mar 27, 2008 7:19 AM PDT in Recaps

Seriously, Delaney's crew must have thought they were still in Oakland, because this one was full of make-up calls for Northern California. Monta Ellis died for our sins.
Memphis's first big run: In the second quarter, when the Kings couldn't score with a Garcia/Martin/Salmons/Artest/Hawes lineup. No movement; the only ball movement was passes between the three guards out on the perimeter. Ugly. I was begging for Salmons or Martin to drive into the zone, but we just ended up with turnovers and bricks.
Memphis's second big run: In the early fourth, with Douby/Martin/Garcia/Salmons/Moore on the floor. Let it be said that John Salmons is not a power forward. Yikes. The key: Either Brad Miller or an actual point guard (even Anthony Johnson!) needs to be on the floor at all times.
Francisco Garcia's is only marginally better than that of Kevin Martin; Garcia's defense is also marginally less effective than that of Salmons. When a guy has shot 2-11 and his plus-minus in the -20s... I think you give your star (Martin) the benefit of the doubt, unless he's sucking air (because he has had to carry the entire offense all night), in which case you put in the stronger swingman who can rebound and has been known to score efficiently. Just my two cents.
If the Kings sign Beno Udrih this summer, backup PG has to be a top priority, either in the draft (Ty Lawson, D.J. Augustin) or in free agency. If Kyle Lowry becomes available for a decently cheap price (a second-rounder, a Douby), I think you snatch him up. He's different than your prototypical Bobby Jackson scoring machine, but he's a solid defender and he can make plays. (He simply destroyed Artest on a transition bucket which stands out in my mind.)
Kevin Martin hit as many FTs as the Memphis Grizzlies did.
When the cameras get a close-up of Darko, or when he touches the ball, the universe comes to screeching halt. He's the human slow-mo button.
I am willing to call Rudy Gay a poor man's LeBron James. Rough night, but he's had a tremendous season and showed some brilliant awareness and ability in spurts last night. And remember, this guy went 8th in a bad draft. Stars can be had in the mid- to late-lottery.
Brad Miller was feisty all night long. Never seen him throw so many baseball passes. I think he watched UCLA's weekend games. Also, he molested several Grizzles after Memphis defensive rebounds. Well-played game, Brad.

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"he molested several Grizzles"

I have this weird image of Brad on a hunting trip, tormenting the local wild life...

by misterbrister on Mar 27, 2008 9:06 AM PDT reply actions

the foul call

on at the end of the game on Miller was terrible. An obvious charge on Kmart; but, hey, bad calls happen. I can't count the number of times Kobe has run smack into multiple defenders and has gotten a similarly crappy call going his way. Kevin's rep helped him out on that one.

by Kusian on Mar 27, 2008 1:22 PM PDT reply actions

Good points

Regarding the lack of ball movement during the first Grizzlies run, a pick or two would have helped one of the swing men get space to penetrate. I don't remember that happening.

As for a backup point guard, we've got two early 2nd round picks to use on a backup to tide us over for a season at worst case and hopefully longer. If we plan on resigning Beno, I really hope we don't use our #1 on a PG. We really need to use it on a big.

I agree the offense/defense switching with Kmart and Garcia is not something I ever want to see again.

by Kfan in Korea on Mar 27, 2008 2:23 PM PDT reply actions

Hmmmm

As for a backup point guard, we've got two early 2nd round picks to use on a backup to tide us over for a season at worst case and hopefully longer.

Ummm, how about Derrick Low? </shameless plug in over>

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 27, 2008 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Wholeheartedly Agree...

Now we just need the bat-phone to get a hold of Petrie.

by moproblemz on Mar 27, 2008 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions

But...

Most of the stars are in the top 3. But... if Anthony Randolph, DeAndre Jordan or Blake Griffin falls to #12, you don't hesistate to take either

The NBA Lottery: Where fans turning against their favorite team happens.

by kingme18 on Mar 27, 2008 2:41 PM PDT reply actions

Hmmm interesting

Right now Randolph, according to NBA Draft.net is going to 18th. (The guy who I stumped for, in the past, and I haven't made up my mind yet, was Darrell Arthur. He's 19th on the list.) Jordan is currently going 12th to the Kings, and Griffin is going 6th to the Clipps.

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 27, 2008 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmmm interesting

I just checked the ESPN Mock Lottery Draft and it has us picking Russell Westbrook @ #12.

by dreardon on Mar 27, 2008 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Not on topic, but -

If Donnie Walsh does indeed take the GM job with the Knicks, kiss the Artest to NY idea goodbye.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Mar 27, 2008 2:55 PM PDT reply actions

I have a feeling Donnie isn't done

and I have a feeling there is an equal possibility he'll end up in Milwaukee. (I believe I read that in Marc Stein's dime over the weekend. If I have the link I'll provide it.)

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 27, 2008 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions

And as promised

As for Kohl and his growing reputation as an indecisive meddler, it must be noted in his defense that he has spent big in the past on both players and coaches. Karl, remember, was a $7 million-a-year coach under the senator. So it'll be interesting to see whether Kohl responds to the loudest criticism he's ever received by splashing out anew to try to lure Donnie Walsh away from Indiana to be the Bucks' new front-office chief.

It would then be even more suspenseful to see whether Walsh tries to convince Kohl that he should hire Larry Brown as their next coach. The Bucks wouldn't be so irrelevant then ... and Brown doesn't appear to have a better option.

From Marc Stein's weekend dime.

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 27, 2008 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions