Kings Destroy Wolves 120-100

by Tom Ziller on Dec 13, 2009 5:46 AM PST in Recaps

The optimistic can honestly believe the Kings defense tightened up in the second half, because it did, a good degree. The Kings sealed off the defensive glass better than they had in the second quarter, where they gave up six Minnesota offensive rebounds in 14 opportunities. Minnesota also shot much worse in the third frame (9-24) and Sacramento ripped away four steals during the period. The Sacramento defense played well ...

... and a really terrible offense, one which looked exceedingly tired. On its best days, Minnesota isn't going to be a fireworks show. And Saturday wasn't one of Minnesota's best days. So I'm chalking this victory (in which the Wolves scored 100 points in 105 possessions) up to minor defensive improvement against a really crummy opponent.

It'd be difficult to understate how bad a group of shooters Minnesota plays. Aykis hit on this in his "View" in the FanPosts, but seriously ... it's a wonder this team ever scores from outside of 10 feet. Missed shots that hit front iron are typically assigned exhaustion as a cause, but that's where the misses hit all night. Clank clank clank. Minnesota shot 43 percent from the field, in the second half just 36 percent. But again, that's not terribly rare: on the season the Wolves shoot 44 percent.

Meanwhile, the Kings offense hummed, scoring those 120 points in 105 possessions for an offensive rating near 115. Of the rotation players, only Donté Greene could be marked as inefficient (2-11 floor, 1 tov), but he was fantastic on defense in the halfcourt and in transition. Jason Thompson shared ownership of the paint with Al Jefferson, Spencer Hawes made deft passes, Tyreke Evans played well (even though he seemed muted most of the night ... I'll take 18/5/5, especially since most of that came during the contested first half). Sergio Rodriguez had -- and this is not a joke, this actually happened -- six assists in a 6-1/2 minute stint during the second quarter, and three assists in a 2-1/2 minte stint during the third. Nine minutes, nine assists, zero turnovers. (He also happened to be a +17 in those minutes.) His fourth quarter (no assists, four turnovers in 12 minutes) clouds Rodriguez's real impact, considering the game was never contested during the fourth.

In such a dominant win, there's really not much to say. The Kings definitely have more work to do on defense. But that's irrelevant against tired, terrible teams like the Wolves. The Blazers in Portland will be a far stronger test of whether this team can put together enough defense to be a season-long success story.

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If this makes me optimistic than fine

But the win last night was about taking care of business. The Kings did that. You can’t complain that the Wolves are a bad opponent when the Kings did far better in SA 3 days ago than the Wolves did last night in Sac. I don’t care anyone slices it; San Antonio is far better than Sacramento.

The reality here is simple: The Kings played really well in a number for area’s, and the Wolves are terrible in many area’s. I don’t care what Kurt Rambis does, nor do I care what is said publicly by management: This team was not put together to win a lot of games. It was put together to get a top 3 draft pick.

The Kings did what they need to do. Now, going into Portland against a (reasonably) rested opponent in the Blazers after 2 crappy losses on the road does not bode well under normal circumstances. These, though, are not normal circumstances. So, while people can say the Kings may not be favored to win, these next 4 games (@ Portland against a struggling Blazers team), against the Wizards (a struggling Washington team) at home, and then against the Wolves Friday (who are struggling), and against Milwaukee (who will be playing at Cleveland while the Kings are playing Minnesota) this is as golden an opportunity to win 3 outta 4 in a 4 in 5 night set as there is in the NBA.

Maybe the Kings do this. Maybe not. But, we’ll see how far this team comes with this upcoming stretch.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea

by pookeyguru on Dec 13, 2009 6:29 AM PST reply actions

I think we'll beat Portland

if Sergio doesn’t get too wound up and keeps his head on straight.

That pass to Spencer for the reverse dunk was serious highlight material.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 13, 2009 6:58 AM PST reply actions

play of the game

made me think of 2002

by R-Man on Dec 13, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions

Very nice to see this win

I was a bit concerned in this game after seeing Jefferson work inside and then the transition breakouts. The defensive presence down low is just not enough. Spence can’t do as well defensively as K-9 so it really is good that PW can send him in…

I love the energy and intensity that the Kings are bringing. Udrich and Casspi continue to come into the game and nail shots. Sergio keeps coming in and making an immediate impact. Then there was that unexpected spin from his Brockness…

Yes, I think that a home win against a team like the wolves is still important. I don’t even like to think of what this game would have been like against last year’s team, but sometimes that comparison helps me appreciate this team and just how far they have come.

by MustangMBS on Dec 13, 2009 8:27 AM PST reply actions

JT brings his A game

and delivers his seventh double-double of the season.

JT can really be a difference maker for this team. The Kings are 6-1 when he gets a double-double, but just 4-11 when he doesn’t, including 0-9 on the road.

His only double-double on the road this season was in the win at Utah. Maybe he can break through again against the Blazers.

Same for the Kings: they are now 9-2 at Arco, 1-10 on the road.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 13, 2009 9:07 AM PST reply actions

I don't care

that the wolves are a bad team. The Kings laid a beatdown on Rambis & Theus which was awesome. This game last year would have gone down to the wire so to me it is just another game that shows me how this team has improved.

by allbenji's on Dec 13, 2009 10:55 AM PST via mobile reply actions

agreed

Last year we were basically in the same spot as the T-Wolves. We were a bad team, and we got worse as the season went on. By the end of the season, we were the worst club in the NBA (thanks Reggie).

Also, this game last year would have gone down to the wire and we would have probably lost. It’s so nice to see us come out of a timeout and run a play this year that works or end a quarter with a bucket. That just didn’t happen last year.

by R-Man on Dec 13, 2009 8:19 PM PST up reply actions

Still got work to do

on those ‘end of quarter’ plays.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 13, 2009 8:29 PM PST up reply actions

we were the worst club in the NBA (thanks Reggie).-

Reggie Theus was only coach of this team for 20 games and was 6-17 (35%)during his time with a brand new team, young players, and players just getting over the drunkard Eric Musselman .

.Try thanks Natt! He coached this team for the remaining 57 games and went 11-46(24%)

Judgment day is coming!

by Widowwolf on Dec 13, 2009 11:08 PM PST up reply actions

Great team win,

The starters were all pretty good or better but I gladly give this one to the bench.

1. Beno was just sick
2. Casspi continues to show (along with some rookie crap) that he is/will be a great player in this league with a great variety of moves.
3. Sergio was amazing his first two rotations
4. Brockness pulls down 8 rebounds in 19 freakin minutes.
5. K-9 very good D and 4 rbds, 2 assists, 2 steals plus a few intagible things in 10 minutes.

Lets get that next road win! Portland Sucks! [ :) ]

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 13, 2009 11:26 AM PST reply actions

so many parallels so little time

The toothless Wolves remind me, to some degree of the Kings of last season. It seems that is the history of the Wolves and the Kings – the Kings get better, the Wolves improve but a season or two later. Those Flip teams against the Adelman teams were always a tough contest – of course, Kevin Garnett made a difference. Comparing last season’s Reggie Theus coached Kings team against this Timberwolves assistant coached team proves it – Reggie drains the energy and life out of NBA players…

OK, that was a bit much.

Big Al Jefferson was a beast. Kevin Love has strong hands and good BBIQ but both guys were panting and sweating halfway through the first quarter. I would check with the Twin Cities team dietician -maybe too much dairy don’cha know? Ziller mentions the shooting percentage of Minny – take away Big Al and his quick post moves and I bet the numbers drop precipitously. Not a lot of talent on that team, and much too little bite. I am in general someone who is anti-spite but … I sure hope the Wrath of Khan is worth it – their point guards looked like they need to keep looking (and drafting) and I hope the extra money that Kurt Rambis is earning makes the losing more palatable for him (don’t you think he looks at resurgent Sacramento and wonders….)

To me, this game was won on the hustle board. Sac won this game in every category. Check it out. Oh, and Tyreke nearly hit my bold prediction (missed the points by 2) but he really didn’t need to be in there. He dominated the first quarter and got bored with beating his chest and brought his roar down to stud . The Kings so dominated this contest that when the fourth quarter started, and the game was in all manner but time already over, that the players found they had to go through the motions and with the Kings full roster getting so much play time they really don’t have garbage time players except Sean May (who looked good, btw).

Every win is a good win and a needed win. There is a lot of season left, take the cheap wins and treasure them.

by betweentheeyes on Dec 13, 2009 11:28 AM PST reply actions

"Reggie Theus remembers what its like to lose by 20 in ARCO Arena"

i thought that was hilarious

by CLopez63 on Dec 13, 2009 11:51 AM PST reply actions

Lolz. I need to make sure and read the captions because I totally missed that gem.

by chri5 on Dec 13, 2009 12:53 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

A couple of thoughts

As I said in the Preview threat, the Kings had the size & depth to rebound against the Twolfs bigs. And, as bte pointed out, this was Love’s 2nd game since coming back from injury. So,it’s understandable that he wasn’t in game shape. He came off the bench the first 4 games and played reduced minutes.

Jefferson is their inside scorer, while everyone else is a jumpshooter. Even Love, who had 8 offensive rebounds in a recent game, but was only able to score 7 pts for the game. One point that’s been overlooked, was the lose of Gomes who only played 8 minutes due to a sprained ankle. Gomes had been their starting PF and had been their 3rd leading scorer and 2nd best rebounder prior to Love’s return.

Donte’s poor shooting didn’t hurt us because Brewer isn’t a scoring threat either. And, Minny’s PGs had no answer for Tyreke. With the Kings scoring a lot of points in the Paint, and shooting above .500 for the last few games, it would have taken an extraordinary shooting performance by the Twolfs to win.

That’s why I wrote in the Preview thread , that PW would clear the benches and that this game was as close to a sure thing as we’d see all year. Well, at least until we play the Twolfs again.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Dec 13, 2009 1:28 PM PST reply actions

We play them again Friday

Lets get some wins in between.
I think that against Portland and Washington our depth (depth!!) will once again be the deciding factor. If the staters play just a little better and the bench does what they have been doing – those are wins.

I’ll TZ and you do the matchups but I’d guess Reke will be on Roy a lot of the game in key moments, Hawes and Pryz balance each other with a nod to Pryz on his home floor, our PG play is overall superior and it really comes down to JT vs LMA. We have the advantage at every position but SG (which Reke playing D on may negate) and PF. Witth our bench currently being far superior for obvious reasons.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 13, 2009 1:51 PM PST up reply actions

Matchups against Portland

I would love to see us go with a Reke, Donte’, Casspi/Noce, JT, Hawes lineup against the Blazers. I think this would give us huge advantages in some pretty big spots.

by nobodyinparticular on Dec 13, 2009 2:01 PM PST up reply actions

I've given it some thought but I'm still undecided

The list of the teams Portland has beaten isn’t impressive 3 against the Twolfs, NJN, IND, CHA. They did go 2-1 against HOU & beat the Spurs. But, they lost to MEM, GSW, MIL, & NYN. They still are defending the home court, with an 8-4 record.

It will be interesting to see how PW defends Roy. Maybe he starts Beno at PG & Tyreke on Roy. Assuming Tyreke can stay out of foul trouble that would be the way to go. But, Roy is taking 22-25 shots a game. That’s a lot of opportunities to draw fouls.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Dec 13, 2009 4:10 PM PST up reply actions

Like I said in the game thread

and Pookey mentioned above, we took care of business. We’re slowly establishing where we sit in the NBA team rankings. At the beginnig of the season we said that no game should be a guaranteed win, and while I still don’t think there are guaranteed wins for this team, there are games that we SHOULD win. This one was one of those games, and the team took car of business.

We are not the worst team in the league anymore (shock, I know) but not just because of our record, but because of our play on the floor. Just like we beat the Warriors, just like we beat NY, just like we beat Jersey, and just like last night, we are establishing who we are truly better than and that’s a huge step in my opinion. We’ve moved from bad to consistetly decent/ sometimes good, and, though it may sound pessimistic, that’s huge compared to where we were last year and even what our collective thoughts were last summer.

I love this team…. now bring on the Blazers

Godfather of the "nice ass" movement.... the future begins now...

by edm7 on Dec 13, 2009 2:14 PM PST reply actions

Theus

It suddenly dawned on me why he is there. He doesn’t want to be a college coach, he figures he’s an NBA guy, and he thinks Rambis will get fired at some point and he’ll get the gig. Devious.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 14, 2009 8:18 AM PST reply actions

Reggie Theus is Minnesota's Kenny Natt?

This works for me.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Dec 14, 2009 12:35 PM PST up reply actions

When Reggie got fired we fired his 1st assistant too

Can’t remember his name and don’t care enough to look it up.

So, when Rambus gets fired and Reggie goes with him, that would make Laimbeer Minny’s Natt. I knew someday that Laimbeer would get a NBA head coaching job. Especially, after how he did in the WNBA. He and Isiah Thomas learned a lot under Chuck Daley, and look how well Isiah did. ;)

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Dec 14, 2009 1:07 PM PST up reply actions

Chuck Person

But Reggie probably learned his lesson, so while kissing Rambis’ ass he’ll be backstabbing him to the front office, a la Natt. And he’ll be screwing over Laimbeer at the same time to eliminate the competition.

It will go something like this: “Guys, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Laimbeer’s really coaching this team in practice while Rambis talks to his Hollywood pals on his cell phone.” (Hmm, haven’t we seen this movie somewhere?)

“Thanks, Reggie. Keep the dirt coming. We won’t forget it.”

Devious.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 14, 2009 1:32 PM PST up reply actions

I don't really understand it

Theus = no proof he can run a team or design a play.
Laimbeer = lots of proof he can lead a winning team (WNBA but stil)
and yet Reggie sits next to Rambis, whispering in his ear.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 14, 2009 2:15 PM PST up reply actions

Simple really

Laimbeer whispering into Rambus’ ear, "Your an idiot, tell that guy to give the PG a rabbit punch to the Kidney’s every time he goes in for a layup.

Reggis whispering into Rambus’ ear, "Nice move coach, your doing the right thing coach, these guys are going to start picking up the Triangle any minute now coach.

Any further questions

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Dec 14, 2009 3:03 PM PST up reply actions