are a big part of it:

“You can give out consolation prizes,” said center Spencer Hawes. “We played well, our effort was good, but at the end of the day what we want the most is notches in the win column.”

JT has been saying this in his radio appearances this week too. And those two guys were here last year!

Omri over Rudy
JT over Alridge (maybe)
and
Evans over Roy.

I think there’s a nice little Portland-esque foundation on this team,

I didn’t think about it until late in the game, and then I looked for him on the bench and didn’t seemed to see him. He got the DNP. Was he there?

The attitude change is the largest and most defining underlying difference in this team. The spirit of this team is so different from the dispirited and despondent team of last year…

In looking at the past few games this team has gone down over 15 points and FOUGHT its way back. The losses in these games are almost outweighed by the stark contrast in spirit… I still want wins, but am somewhat assuaged by the effort.

Often times the Kings lost games last year before the final score was even reached. If you don’t try to win you can’t. This team brings it and I can’t say how happy that makes me.

Great post TZ!!

This Kings squad goes beyond wins and losses. They may not win many games but these guys are not losers. I watch these games and can’t figure out how these guy compete. I see faults, I see missteps, I see silly turnovers, I see forced shots and airballs. But I don’t see quit.

I called these guys the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. I was wrong, there is no dirt on this squad. Nobody to point fingers at. No albatross(es). Hazy Beno – in focus/out of focus – gone!. K9 – really KTEC – has been replaced with Kenny Thomas. Spencer was back on track last night (welcome back big fella, we missed ya)

Last night was truly amazing. Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia and Tyreke Evans out – how did these guys score the basketball? I like the attitude of “the show must go on” even though it was filled with understudies and role players.Coach Westphal and staff – thank you.

I was super bummed when Cisco had that accident, and then got pretty bummed when Kevin got injured…and am extremely happy to watch the other players step up and compete every game.

I think coaches Westphal and Adelman are similar in that they are really good at getting a lot of production out of what they’re given.

Beno had a near perfect game.

Thank Dog that Hawes had a great game! He dissappeared a little in the 2nd half but – It portends well.

No fancy 3 guard lineup last night, our only two (OK Udoka didn’t play[?]} available guards rotated at the point and SFs forwards played shooting guard.

A little dissappointed in the rebounding, the lack of Evans had something to do with that but JT and everyone else has Got to get a few more on the Defensive end.

Casspi was huge, period. Some rookie mistakes, but scoring, rebounding, running the break …. what do you want?

Donte’ is keeping up his good play, though 1 rebound and no assists Donte’? really? Still, its huge over DNPs and well earned quick hooks.

K-9 came in and gave valuable minutes defensively, rebounded, good for him, good for us. Sergio gave Beno a nice rest and played well,

I still think another nice 4 game win streak starts Monday just as both section(?) and I predicted.

The Kings just went 0-2 on a road back-to-back, but took their pound of flesh from each opponent.

Totally. Every opponent leaves the game knowing it was a hard fought battle. I think the Rockets realize they have to bring their A-game to the show when they face the Kings.

…Omri Casspi (whose Flacoesque “mean face” should be put on a wanted poster)

Heck yes! Omri was definitely sporting the death glare. Seeing him operate in the ‘zone’ or the ‘gloaming’ was a sight to behold. He played out of his mind last night. I can’t wait to see him go to the psycho realm again. Memphis watch out!

It was a great game. Sure, the Kings probably spent a lot of energy to get that lead at the end of the third quarter. I felt the Kings had control of the game with 4:07 to go. Beno hit a clutch 3 to keep the Kings within striking distance. But we basically lost the game with 1:18 to go. I think that’s the most heartbreaking thing.

Other than missing their shots, there isn’t anyone to blame. As Coach Mario Elie said, the helpers weren’t helping the (first) helpers for most of the first half. It was so great to see the team adjust and put forth that amazing third quarter performance.

But Ariza’s drive with about 58 seconds to go was done to perfection against a well-adjusted Kings defense that rotated properly for the most part. It was an amazing reverse lay up through the arms of Spencer Hawes while an observing Noc just stood there on the other side of the rim. Casspi misses, the Rockets brick, no Kings rebound, Brooks makes his free throws and the Rockets win.

Tough loss. Bring on Memphis. Go Kings.

The Rockets showed what it’s like to be a successful scrappy team last night. Hopefully the Kings took notes.