Spoiler Alert!

by Tom Ziller on Apr 6, 2008 10:04 AM PDT in Recaps

That was a really fun game. And it helped define a theory which has been bounding around my skull for a few days: When the Kings get good, everyone is going to hate this team.

Kevin Martin is on a Manu/Wade-like warpath toward alienating everyone who isn't a Kings fan. J.R. Smith, Allen Iverson and Linas Kleiza all had moments where they looked like they could kill Martin for coaxing them into dumb fouls on pump fakes. And fans hate that play. If Martin's 13-FTM nights start winning games regularly (like last night), he can become Public Enemy #1.

Spencer Hawes talks so much sh*t it's not funny. He got a few cheap shots in last night. His on-court persona resembles Joel Pryzbilla or Karl Malone -- a borderline physical-to-the-point-of-dirty fellow who has never once committed a foul. (This attribute isn't fully developed, but he's getting there.)

Francisco Garcia has the mean face, and he's not afraid to use it.

Shelden Williams is from Duke. No further explanation required.

Reggie Theus is a pretty boy.

Mikki Moore is demonstrative, a good screener (ask A.I.), and yells a lot. Depending on how long he sticks, he could be a part of the Evil Kings.

...

Sacramento played Denver without Ron Artest ... and Sacramento was the more physical and furious team. I like that.

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Can we at least

Clinch the 12th best chance at winning the lottery then I don't care if we muck up the playoff picture.

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

by kingme18 on Apr 6, 2008 10:25 AM PDT reply actions

Shawes

We've needed a good shit talker for a while. Why not a 7 foot white guy?

I'm Grant Napear's favorite fan.

by Muff209 on Apr 6, 2008 10:36 AM PDT reply actions

Shawes

Is going to be the most gangsta white dude in the L

by Chris The Greek on Apr 6, 2008 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions

I love it!

What do Dwade and Manu have in common? Rings.

by Saifullah on Apr 6, 2008 10:43 AM PDT reply actions

Oh and also

Shaq and Tim Duncan.

by Mityt on Apr 6, 2008 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

i would love

if everybody else in the NBA hated the Kings.

people hate good teams.

by kingsTV on Apr 6, 2008 10:51 AM PDT reply actions

Image change

If we're going to be the trash talkin', hard-pickin', mean-faced, physical Kings, I hope they make our road jerseys black.

Foul fans on the baseline, fear the fury of Flaco.

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Apr 6, 2008 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Scary Stat

The Kings are one game over .500 since Nov. 23. They were 4-9 up to that point.

Think about that. A game over .500 despite a new coach, new system, and all of those injuries.

Now, as the Blazers will tell you, .500 earns you nothing better than the 10 spot in the west and the 13th pick in the draft.

But could this team be a little closer to being relevant than we think? Or am I still high from last night's win?

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Apr 6, 2008 12:15 PM PDT reply actions

How to be 43-33

Don't lose to the Clips, Pacers, Sonics or T-Wolves on your home floor. Also, beat Miami in Miami and win one of your two road games against the Grizzlies and one of your two road games against the Clips.

Presto! 43-33. Three games out of the playoffs (but 1.5 games better than the Cavs).

Yes, a complete exercise in futility. But it's Sunday and it was this or mowing the lawn.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Apr 6, 2008 12:42 PM PDT reply actions

At least mowing the lawn

would have made your wife happy. :P

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 Apr 6, 2008 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Awesome game

This was an absolutely awesome game. I figured the Kings would get blown out, and it certainly looked that way at the beginning. I was really happy to see the guys play with guts and intensity, and the game plan was obviously just outstanding. The yYoung guys played a lot of minutes and guess what? The Kings won again. That might have been the best game of the year.

I'd LOVE to see Denver miss the playoffs by a game, just to punish them for passing on Artest.

by Carl on Apr 6, 2008 12:57 PM PDT reply actions

i will never understand...

how they could pass on a line-up of melo, A.I., ron-ron, and camby......for the sake of linas kleiza!

It's May 12th 1999, America waits in anticipation as Todd Fuller steps to the free-throw line.....

by CrownUs93 on Apr 6, 2008 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Major Payback

Denver put a major dent in our hopes earlier this year, so it would be fitting if we repaid the favor with Saturday night's win.

"If it doesn't hurt, then you're brain dead. It's supposed to hurt or you don't care. It's supposed to sting.

-- Reggie Theus, Dec. 23, 2007

Theus' comment came after the soon-to-be-coveted Linas Kleiza hit a jumper as time expired to complete a big Denver comeback, 106-105, just before Christmas.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2007122323

How devastating was it for the Kings?

After starting out the season 5-10, the Kings had been playing well and were 6-4 in December heading into this game to climb to within three games of .500 at 11-14.

After the Denver loss, the team lost five of its next six to fall to 12-20 and basically kill any realistic playoff hopes.

"This one hurts. We've got to put it behind us somehow. I don't remember in the last three years one that hurts like this. We were playing so good, too."

-- Francisco Garcia

Denver had also beaten us by 4 on Dec. 8 in a game marred by officials missing two fouls on Nuggets players in the final seconds.

The Kings are now 24-21 after falling in that 12-20 hole.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Apr 7, 2008 9:00 AM PDT reply actions