Time to start a new winning streak.

Although our favorite bruiser has been bench-bound recently, I think that was more about the matchups as well as getting more PT for Omri and Donte in small ball lineups.

I think Brockman is a good matchup for Kevin Love and expect him to play at least 15 minutes tonight as the first and maybe only big off the bench. That will enable the tandem of Spencer and JT to focus a little more on Jefferson. If they aren’t up to the task or get into foul trouble, Westphal might call on K9.

Can’t wait to boo/heckle Theus.

Hey Jason! Next time you shoot a jumper, you’re getting the Shocker.

The Wolves are not as bad as they seem but it should still be a W. Kevin Love has been a rebounding machine since he got back and Sessions is finally showing life off the bench.

Go Kings!

Grant Napear and Reggie Theus will share a warm embrace. Sam Amick and Reggie, not so much.

Disclaimer: I wrote this before yesterdays Lakers game. But, other then Love’s FG% coming back to earth (4-14 field) & his 19 rebs, not much has changed. One note Love had a total of 7pts on 8 offensive rebounds and 0 FT attempts. Love had been coming off the bench in the first 4 games, but started in place of Wilken against the Lakers.

The Twolfs have been playing better since the return of K. Love (4 games), but of their 3 wins out of 22 games, only 1 has been on the road where they are 1 & 9. Their win against NJN wasn’t a shocker, but wins against Utah & Denver were. The Twolfs have only scored more than 100pts in 5 games this season, and 2 of them were in the Utah & Denver wins.

Minni rebounds exceptionally well (9th in NBA) considering their size, Hollins is a thin 7 footer, while Love & Jefferson are 6’10" & 260, and Gomes weights in at 6’7" and 245. Since Loves return everyone seems to have upped their game, especially Love himself. Kevin is averaging 57% from the field, 63% from 3’s, 9.8 rpg, 2 stls, 1 blk, and 15ppg.

In the last 5 games, Flynn has shot 44% field, 44% 3’s, 6.8apg, and 13ppg. Ryan Gomes is shooting 57% field, 46% 3’s, 92% FT’s, with 5 rpg & 19ppg. And, Jefferson has been pretty consistent the entire season with 16pts & 9rb for the season, but 15 & 12 over the last 5 games.

The Twolfs aren’t a high scoring team averaging 92 pts for the season, and some of this is due to their shooting only 28% from the 3pt line. They only have 3 players shooting better than 33% from 3’s, Love 57%(small sample size 4 games), Gomes 44%, and Flynn at 33%. But, they can beat you scoring less than 100pts, as the Hornets almost found out, if not for a last second play by CP3.

The Twolfs are mostly a jump shooting team. Love shots jumpers on 57% of his shots, Jefferson is 63%, Gomes is 76%, Hollins 58%. That’s a lot of outside shooting from a frontline. But, they are good passers. And know how to pass to start fast breaks after defensive rebounds. While Flynn & Hollins know how to finish them. In fact, most of Hollins points come from dunks ending fast breaks or alley oops from Flynn.

Tyreke shouldn’t have any trouble with Flynn especially after 2 days rest, and the Twolfs on the second game of a back to back. They play the Lakers on Friday. I expect PW to start Donte at the 2 again. Even though Brewer isn’t much of a scorer (38%, 17% from 3, and 6ppg), I expect his 6’9" 188lb frame might be too much for Beno. And, starting Donte will force the 6’ Flynn to defend Tyreke, which is the mismatch we want. Wilkens isn’t much better as an offensive threat, so I expect PW to start Noc. But, don’t be surprised if Westphal has a quick hook similar to the Spurs game, if Noc doesn’t come out of his shooting slump and continues to put up blanks every time he touches leather.

It always comes down to the bigs. In Rebounding the Twolfs are slightly better than the Kings. They’re 9th among NBA teams while the Kings are 11th. But, the lack of height for Minni (only one player over 6’10’ and a 6’7" starting PF), opens the door for more playing time for Brockman & Thomas. Plus the Twolfs are last in blocked shots, so I expect to see a lot of lay-ups & pts in the paint for the Kings. I also expect Tyreke to start his next 20 ppg-scoring streak.

Although the Twolfs have upped their game since the return of Love, I think if we defend Love & Gomes beyond the arc, and stay even on the boards, this is as close to a sure win, as we’ll see all season. The Twolfs can score points in the paint off offensive rebounds, and can get out on the fast break if you don’t get back, but are basically a jump shooting team and when their off it’s no contest. They’re also the 2nd worst team in the NBA when it comes to TO’s. So, I expect the Kings to get more FGA’s & more made 3’s.

I’m not too worried about JT getting into foul trouble since the Twolfs PF’s don’t post up too often. And, because Brockman & Thomas should be able to rebound & defend against the Twolfs bigs.

Even though we have two more days rest before we have to travel to Portland, I expect a lot of people to get some PT especially if we get a big lead going into the 4th quarter. I think the Kings win by at least 10 pts, something like 105-95. GO KINGS

Sorry, Tina.

The boards will be an issue: if the Kings can’t control the boards (see, vs. Pacers) this game will be close.
I look for Donté to have a big opportunity if he starts at SG and takes turns with Tyreke driving the basketball. If the TWolves lose either Jefferson or Love to fouls, Havoc will ensue.

Bold Prediction: Tyreke will meet his averages: 20/5/5. One of my favorite parts of the summer prior to draft night 2009: pointguardapalooza and the infamous “Man among boys” – Jonny Flynn was one of the boys. I also see Flynn trying to do to much as he has to have hope that RoY is about one of the only possible highlights to his rookie campaign with Rambis, Wolves and Co.

On the game – what those two guys just said.

having a little trouble posting an image (first time), please help:

[IMG]http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad210/jefef/calibos_theus.jpg[/IMG]

ah, okay got it. Thanks, Iashwash!

I am not so versed in the fine arts of graphic maligning and don’t own photoshop, but this is likely what he would like to say to Sac Kings tonight.

i think that’s what he said to the Maloofs when they offered the job to him.

haha, nice work. : )

Hate that.. …think… …were…

Seems like a strange gig for him to be in. I thought another college job was a possibility, but I guess not for now. He’s got his work cut out for him.