Kings Run Out of Steam, Fall to Lakers in Double Overtime
Competing at this level, for a team this green, must be mentally exhausting. The game of basketball at the NBA level is difficult enough, but it really seems as if the Kings struggle more with the endgame blow-by-blow, the critical possession meets critical possession ebb and flow that is the zenith of pro ball. At the highest levels of the sports, these are the games that decide victors and the defeated. It's a mental chess match, and unfortunately this team is more into free-flowing play.
Tyreke Evans is nearly always deliberate. For 44 minutes of the game, this is a huge positive. He's the rare composed rookie, eager to let the offense unfold and find the best lanes (driving and passing) to attack. In the closing seconds, when the Kings need buckets, that composure can be a curse ... because there's no visible urgency. That's really what so-called clutch play is: deliberation and urgency, together in harmony. There is no "next play" -- you must get it done now. But you need to make the smart, correct play. The need for urgency plays tricks on Evans's mind, and he looks almost paralyzed at times. What worked in Milwaukee and Chicago didn't come close to working against Cleveland and Los Angeles. Shaking Brandon Jennings and Kirk Hinrich just isn't the same as shaking LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Against the latter, Tyreke needs help, help he neither received nor asked for. Alas, two crushing losses.
I'm not a binary person, though, and I can see the wonderful shoots popping out of the grave of this game. Like Swagger McDagger aka The Show aka Donte Greene playing remarkable defense ... until the second overtime, when he gave up a couple open looks to Kobe. Never mind that, though. Have some Padlocks, KBB!
There was also a brilliant first half plus for Spencer Hawes. But at some point in the second half, the Lakers realized they could block Hawes' shot pretty easily, and they proceeded to do so. :-( Jason Thompson had it backwards, starting shy and eventually realizing he needed to take some shots ... but the Lakers got him a bit, too. L.A. had 11 blocks in all.
Beno Udrih was brilliant, and would have looked more brilliant if a late three or two would have sunk in. Beno and The Show combined to hit 5 of 11 threes for the game; the rest of the team went 1 of 11. Omri Casspi didn't hit his own threes, but played a good game, with 15 points and 10 rebounds. He had two huge and-1 baskets, as well.
When I watch Greene and Casspi, I get so excited about the future of this team. These wings are only 21, both nascent pros. And they have so, so much talent and enthusiasm, almost more than they know what to do with, at times.
When I watch Evans, I see the present. Like the others, he's so young, with so much talent and will. But he's ready now, as he's shown, and that makes it disappointing when he disappoints. We've been spoiled to date, and of course he'll improve. He makes it easy to believe. But that willing belief has at times served to suspend reality, and the reality is that he's 20 years old, playing for the first time against the best basketball players in the world. He has forced us to believe in him right now, and that belief comes with the cost of expectation. He bears that burden now.
That, of course, is not without its rewards. If he'd beat L.A., we'd be beknighting Evans this morning. Next time, kid.
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no disappointment here
I was lucky enough to go last night. Free tickets keep falling into my lap. As we pulled into the parking area, my wife said she had a good feeling. She asked me if I had a good feeling. I said no. I knew the underage drinking boys would show up, but I also knew the southern dickwads got their asses handed to the them on Xmas day and they would come to play. I guess I was just prepared not to be disappointed, and I wasn’t. The kids brought it all night long.
But “iso” ball sucks. There will come a time when Evans can isolate, it is just not now. He is 20. Leave the iso crap to Kobe, Dwade, and James. I kept wanting the ball in Beno’s hands down the stretch. The dude was pretty much clutch all night.
Some other notes.
1. I want Donte, Omri, Evans, Beno and JT on the court at crunch time. And if one of them does not have it, I want Brock out there. They play good “D” and they have big KAHUNAS and do not put up with anyone’s crap.
2. Spence’s stat sheet looked good, but “throw it down big man.” (see notes on #2 also) I love the dude’s attitude and skills, but if you good squeeze Brock’s heart, soul, and toughness into him, then Brock would not be on the court at crunch time.
3. KT’s and Noce’s days appear to more numbered and closer then ever?
4. And all I ever wanted for Xmas is some help in the middle.
by noreboundsnorings on Dec 27, 2009 7:45 AM PST reply actions
Agree about "iso" ball...
Didn’t like that final play set in regulation, don’t like iso ball in general. Tyreke is a stud, but asking him to create one on one vs a lebron or bryant is not a good play, especially if you’re not going to help him out at all with any screens or movement. seemed like we had a nice flow going in ot, then we went to iso ball and the offense ground to a halt.
Totally agree with your point #2, which I think applies to JT at times as well. DUNK the ball guys!
We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.
I was also there
and you know what ruined the entire experience for me was the pissy assed Laker bandwagon fans. They actually had a contingent sitting behind the backstop waving thundersticks at our own freethrow shooters. This is supposed to be our house. It takes a real asshole to gloat over a Lakers win at arco. I had to be held back. I wanted to f up some of them bad.
i was lucky enough
to be offered a free ticket, which as a government employee on furlough pay is probably the only way i can get into Arco. It was the first time i had ever been there when it was even close to full. At first i was feeling all of the “so this is how it was in the glory days” emotions, but the warm fuzzies were cooled off pretty quick when i realized roughly 5,000 of the attendants were Lakers fans….
It was a great game and i am definitely grateful for having been able to go, but dang man….most of the Lakers fans were in the lower seats. I’m pretty sure they don’t have season tickets so why in heck are Kings season ticket holders giving their seats up to them?????
I hope they made them pay double for those tickets at least….
Section214 is my hero. Good shakes!
I thought it was about 80% to 20% myself
Thats just part of a rivalry game. The Kings fans were much louder.
I grew up in St. Louis and every time the Cubs are in town there’s lots of Cub fans in attendance, its the same in Chicago.
No worries, but there used to be fewer when most seats were held by season tix holders.
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 27, 2009 11:29 PM PST up reply actions
Well said TZ
Thoughtful and fair. Great thoughts on deliberation and urgency.
I’ll add that Brock deserves some love for his game last night. When the rest of the team looked out of tune he kept beating a steady drum.
by BrooklynFan on Dec 27, 2009 8:06 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Tyreke's final possessions...
“Shaking Brandon Jennings and Kirk Hinrich just isn’t the same as shaking LeBron James and Kobe Bryant”
He didn’t shake Jennings. Jennings was benched for Reke’s game winning layup. Coach Skiles had more faith in Luc Mbah a Moute guarding Evans on the final possession. It just shows how ready Jennings is to play defense when it matters in the NBA
I believe that you are mistaken
Go back and look at the tape. Jennings did have the initial coverage and tried to go over the top of the high pick and roll. Reynolds even commented on it during the post game recap, I think.
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Nope -
Just looked at the tape – definitely not Jennings. I stand corrected.
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It was Mbah a Moute
One of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA.
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and when he got to the rim in Chicago, he only had Brad Miller and Noah to beat, not Gasol, Odom, and Bynum. Big difference.
by MichaelMack on Dec 27, 2009 11:34 AM PST up reply actions
That three way big man
works very well for the Lakers. The Kings could use another big like that.
Seriously
Bynum and Pau are both 7 feet, and then when you put Odom there (who’s a stretch 4) at the 3, you have 3 front court players who are excellent rebounders and post players. Its pretty ridiculous.
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Wouldn't it be nice if somebody gave us a Gasol
For Kenny Thomas’ expiring? That trade just altered the entire landscape of the NBA. Granted, Marc has been better than expected, but it was still a horrible trade for Memphis. Man, I hope we can find something ridiculous out there like that at the deadline.
Fantasy sports author for Rototimes and Fanball. Northern California sports fanatic. Kings blog: Kingskingdom.com
Okay, somebody felt the need to e-mail me personally over this comment justifying the Gasol deal, so I'm posting my response.
The guy also told me the Okafor/Chandler deal and the KG to Boston deal were worse. Not sure why he chose to e-mail me instead of comment here.
It was a terrible trade. Marc Gasol has blossomed and that is the only reason it doesn’t look bad now. Do you know how many second round picks actually become front line centers like Marc is turning into? Not many. The trade was Kwame Brown’s expiring, rights to Marc, Javaris Crittendon, 2008 first rounder and 2010 first rounder. The Lakers also got Memphis’ second rounder in 2010, that won’t be that far down the board from the Lakers first. Memphis already used the 2008, who was ironically enough Donte Greene. Greene was then shipped to Houston and came to Sac in the Artest deal. The only pick still on the board is the 2010 one that will come at the end of the first. Sure, you can find impact players there, but it isn’t that likely.
Yes, that trade altered the NBA. You don’t see big men entering their prime dealt for an expiring contract very often, especially when that player is still under contract for three more years. The Lakers were getting a proven commodity that helped propel them to a championship last season. It was ALL about cutting payroll and dealing their top player for Brown’s expiring. The fact that Marc has panned out looks great for them now, but was unlikely at that time. At the time, the deal was so bad that people were actually speculating that the deal was done to try and sell the team.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=3226776&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1 and here is the SI response: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/web/COM1117531/index.htm. You can’t remove history from it’s context. Even though Marc has done well, it was not a good NBA trade. If the Kings could put together a package for a premium big man entering his prime without giving up usable parts off of the roster, it would be HUGE.
The Garnett deal was different since he was expiring and the T-wolves had zero chance of resigning him. They had to make a deal and getting Al Jefferson for a guy that was going to leave in a year wasn’t a terrible haul.
The Okafor deal was a blessing for Charlotte. His contract is an albatross. One that I hope the Kings don’t take on. It would be salary cap hell to pay a guy top money that will never be a top player.
Fantasy sports author for Rototimes and Fanball. Northern California sports fanatic. Kings blog: Kingskingdom.com
by The Czar on Dec 28, 2009 7:10 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
LOL
An effect of the Gasol trade was us getting Greene? I hadn’t known that.
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1. something was wrong with the offense at the end of regulation and in the 2nd OT. Why did Beno and Tyreke stand just past the half court mark for 10 seconds doing nothing?
2. I’m super excited to see Donte’s improved play and his significant defensive efforts.
3. I agree Spence had good numbers but doesn’t seem to want to dunk.
4. I think if we had Kevin out there at the end of the game instead of Beno we win this one.
5. In crunch time we had 3 rookies a 2nd year player and beno on the floor
6. These guys will win these games in the future, I’m really stoked about this team now.
In the very near future we will start winning these types of games.
I was at the game and the energy in the building was palatable. Despite the loss I enjoyed watching the game and appreciated how far the Kings have gained ground in one year. The Kings by no means played a flawless game and they still had multiple chances to win. Tyreke will correct his decision making with more experience. I love that he has the ball with the game on the line. I would like to see Beno initiate a play and then pass it to a posting Tyreke with 4-5 seconds to work with. There are small details that will change the Kings from a good team to a great team. I also look forward to teams needing to deal with both Martin and Evans on the floor at the same time.
It’s a splendid time to be a King’s fan.
Ba-da
The Lakers had 11 blocks, and they didn't need to defend Brockman
who only took 1 shot in 21 minutes. You can’t post up Tyreke, because by the time he gets the ball, Gasol would be on him to help defend.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The Kings outscored the Lakers
39-33 while Brockman was in the game, according to the ESPN play by play log. That should be a plus 6, although Yahoo’s box score gives him a -2.
The Lakers had 11 blocks, and they didn’t need to defend Brockman
Ironically, the Lakers got all 11 blocks when Brockman wasn’t in the game, including two on one possession twice near the end of regulation. Spencer had SIX of his shots blocked.
It’s a good thing they didn’t need to defend Brockman, because I guess that’s how he gets the four offensive boards.
"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 27, 2009 9:55 PM PST up reply actions
My guess -
Gasol and Odom were a lot happier when Brockman was not in the game.
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What has that got to do with Tyreke trying to score by posting up?
The point is that if Brockman isn’t even going to try to shot, then it’s easy for other bigs to play off of him and give help defense in the paint. Brockman is 18-35 in 21 games this season and in the last 10 games he’s 4 for 13. That means he’s averaged .8 ppg over the last 10 games. In our 10 wins he’s averaging 2ppg & 4.5rpg, those are MM numbers.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist for teams to figure out that he’s not going to beat us. So, offensively, along with his poor passing and poor handling, when were on offense it 4 Kings against 5. If he were on the team last year Mikey Moore would be starting ahead of him.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
Dirty work
Someone needs to set screens, rebound and play defense. The Kings are effective when he is on the floor.
The team is now 6-3 when he plays at least 12 minutes, 7-13 when he doesn’t. If he plays the last couple minutes of that overtime against the Lakers, maybe we get the win.
I corrected you on the blocks because your point wasn’t valid even though you stressed it by putting it in your title. The guy playing ahead of Brockman had six of his shots blocked. I’m sure that “threat” took a lot of pressure off of Tyreke.
"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 28, 2009 9:27 AM PST up reply actions
Defend your opinion by only presenting Hawes weakness & not his strengths, weak
Yes 6 blocks, which implies that at least he took more than 1 shot, which can’t be said of Brockman. Now, let’s look at Hawes’ strenths. 8pts, 7 rebs, 7 assts, 4 steals in 31minutes. By the way JT , had 2 blocks also, 10 pts, 6rebs, 2 steals, & 6 PF in 41.5minutes, so let’s not exclude him from examination.
I am in no way unaware of Brockman’s benefits and what he adds to the team. And, next season if he develops a midrange jumper he’ll be even more valueable. But, the Kings are not going to win any (none at all) games based purely on their defense. Like most young teams, they win by their offense. And, right now Brockman is just a better Mason.
By the way the Kings are 8 & 8 when Kenny Thomas plays 10 minutes.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
Brockman
I am in no way unaware of Brockman’s benefits and what he adds to the team.
I am sure he will eventually grow on you.
"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 29, 2009 3:15 PM PST up reply actions
Cheap shot
If he were on the team last year Mikey Moore would be starting ahead of him.
I highly doubt it. Anyway, it’s a moot point. Mikey will just have to be content working his magic for the 8-21 Warriors.
"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 28, 2009 9:31 AM PST up reply actions
Though technically correct -
Theus and Natt would not have been smart enough to give Brockman minutes over Moore.
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Jon Brockman isn't given minutes.
He dives on the floor and wrestles them away from people.
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by LeaguePassAddict on Dec 28, 2009 11:07 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
After listening to Greenes comments I wonder...
Greene said that the team being “Young” has played itself out… I wonder what kind of comments were made on the bench, in the locker room when after the 2nd time in a row Tyreke played “Me” ball and never even looked for an open man… I have to think one or two players gave them a piece of their mind. In the interview I saw I never heard Reke take responsibility for a bad play… and I have to think when guys like Greene are busting their collective asses and chins, that they wanted the win in a bad way… they wanted the WIN and not the glory. OK… I am ready to be strung up now :)
Hard work beats talent when talent is hardly working...
I think that you may reading too much into Greene's statement
At 21, Greene is one of the “young” players, and when he says that being “young” has played itself out, I believe that he is speaking from a collective “we” standpoint, and not calling out an individual player. Certainly, to turn on Evans after he won games in the closing moments against Washington, Milwaukee and Chicago would make him less of a teammate and more of a…
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Yes, I read Greene's comment to mean, the team is playing well, and
being young should no longer be an excuse. Also, even though Evans is the point guard, he didn’t call his own number, PW did. The only thing you can blame Tyreke for is poor execution. And, considering how close all these young guys are, I’m sure there not putting all the blame on Evans. Omri’s missed 3’s were just as much to blame. As were Thompson & Hawes poor shooting percentage.
I’m sure they all would have liked their number call, to be the closer at crunch time. Everyone wants to hit the game winner. But, they also know that they wouldn’t want to be blamed for the lose when it is there time and they fail.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
I have my doubts
That PW instructed Tyreke to wait until the shot clock was at 3 seconds to start his dribble drive against Kobe.
"When you look at him, you say: 'Holy God.'" - Pete Carril on Tyreke Evans
Two points
Omri’s missed 3’s were just as much to blame
At least he got shots off.
And I’m with Otis here, no way you wait until 2 seconds.
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 27, 2009 3:04 PM PST up reply actions
PW puts as much or more emphasis on defense as on offense
I see this as a defensive move as well as an offensive one. No passing means no turnovers that lead to fast breaks and scoring by the Lakers. We had 16 turnovers and the Lakers had 10 steals. At the same time I felt that the Tyreke started his move with more than 2 secs left, which meant there wasn’t enough time for the Lakers to get a rebound and a shot.
If Tyreke gets by Kobe, we have a chance at a game winning shot, if Kobe fouls Tyreke we have a chance at a game winning FT with almost no time on the clock. The only other player I trust with the last shot is Beno. But that means Beno has to come off a screen, with chances of drawing an illegal screen or not getting away from his man and not getting an open shot anyways. But, having our best going against their best with no chance to lose the game in regulation is a chance I take 100 out of 100 times.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
As long as Kobe isn't leading it
LA looked too slow to run a great fast break. And uh, didn’t it result in a Salmons type TO? They did count it as one on the scoreboard last night.
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 27, 2009 4:47 PM PST up reply actions
Here's my problem
If Tyreke gets by Kobe, we have a chance at a game winning shot, if Kobe fouls Tyreke we have a chance at a game winning FT with almost no time on the clock.
Those are both huge ifs.
And don’t we know the end result here? It was a bad decision – the results bear that out. Whether it was the playcall itself, or the amount of time on the clock when Tyreke started his move, the end result was an ugly turnover with the team getting no chance to score and win the game.
But, having our best going against their best with no chance to lose the game in regulation is a chance I take 100 out of 100 times.
I’d agree with you on 30 of 32 teams in the league. The Lakers not being one.
"When you look at him, you say: 'Holy God.'" - Pete Carril on Tyreke Evans
The Cavs not being the other.
And yet…
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by LeaguePassAddict on Dec 28, 2009 11:06 AM PST up reply actions
There are 32 teams in the league?
Why didn’t I get the memo?
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LA has 4 teams
The Lakers, the Clippers, The Memphis Farm team, The Referees Union
by betweentheeyes on Dec 28, 2009 11:55 AM PST up reply actions 5 recs
I predict green within 3 hours.
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.....
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No.
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
Those are both if's?
What do you suggest we should have done, that isn’t an IF? Everthing we talk about on this site is an if. From trade suggestions, to rotations, to what’s going to happen when a player gets back from injury.
To discount my opinion that the play was the safest one to run, because the options can’t be verified absolutely, is taking the cheap way out, and is not proof at all for your arguement.
If (not a pun) you want to argue that there was a better play, state it and make your arguement. Otherwise your opinion is noted, as is mine.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
You are saying "if"
When you’ve seen the reality – do I need to link you to the actual video footage?
PW called the play, Tyreke executed the play, and Kobe Bryant made them both look like fools. Maybe in some alternate universe, Tyreke did a crossover that broke Kobe’s ankles and made the game winning layup or hit a free throw to close it out. But until we live in THAT universe, I’ll take what I actually saw at face value.
Again, it’s not really that big of a deal unless PW is serious about running that particular play every time against every opponent in a last play situation.
I still don’t understand this – if that play is so great, why not just run it every possession that Tyreke’s on the floor?
"When you look at him, you say: 'Holy God.'" - Pete Carril on Tyreke Evans
Because the play wasn't called because we were guaranteed to score
but because the Lakers were guaranteed not to score. Which is the point you keep ignoring.
I have said all along that the problem wasn’t with PW’s call but with Tyreke’s execution which is all the video footage shows. Your comment
we know the end result here? It was a bad decision – the results bear that out. Whether it was the playcall itself, or the amount of time on the clock when Tyreke started his move, the end result was an ugly turnover with the team getting no chance to score
seems to imply that either PW or Tyreke made a mistake. I disagree. So, again I ask, do you have a better play that when run doesn’t give LA a chance to win the game?
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
You are so worried about turning the ball over and leaving the Lakers a few seconds that you don’t give yourself a multifaceted play with a chance to score a bucket? That sounds suspiciously like playing to lose, not to win.
So, again I ask, do you have a better play that when run doesn’t give LA a chance to win the game?
See, we have a philosophical difference here. You are ultimately more concerned about the Kings missing a shot with time remaining or turning the ball over and in either scenario giving the Lakers a chance to win in regulation. And I am more concerned with using the time they had on the clock to run a play, get a good shot and then worry about defending the Lakers if there is time left on the clock.
Ultimately, the play to be called in that situation is dependent on the defense the Lakers were presenting. And the Lakers were presenting Kobe Bryant defending Tyreke Evans man-to-man on the perimeter. That’s a huge advantage to the Lakers. Simple answer would be to have Beno handling the ball, and let Tyreke work off some screens – then get him the ball. But what we did run was so painfully obvious, not a single Laker had to do anything on that play other than Kobe.
I’ve never seen anyone so afraid as you to run an actual play in crunch time. Well, besides Paul Westphal of course.
"When you look at him, you say: 'Holy God.'" - Pete Carril on Tyreke Evans
Completely agree
I had no clue wtf the point of that was. Leaves you no option for a kick-out plan B.
Screw you Knicks! LBJ to the Kings!!!
I had to sleep that one off
I was pretty disappointed last night, but really last night’s game was a GREAT game of NBA basketball to watch. Double overtime with lots of lead changes and big shots? Way fun.
That was a fun game to watch. Here’s to hoping the Kings-Lakers rivalry revives itself to its former glory!
by DirtyDribblers on Dec 27, 2009 10:22 AM PST reply actions
I had a great time
The world champions had to go to double OT to beat US, the proud winners of 17 games last year?
I was laughing my way through those overtimes.
I told all the Laker fans around me they should feel embarrassd to be cheering.
(this quieted many down quite well)
Yeah, those world champs really hung in there with us!
KINGS Notes:
Casspi and Donte’ played very well. A wild shot here or there, a blown coverage or two(Donte’ on/not on Kobe on that last 3 ball when he seemed to have been hypnotised watching the ball 25 feet away rather than staying with Kobe. It wasn’t even a pick, Kobe just walked out to the perimeter. Sigh) Pretty good defense over-all by both.
JT and Hawes I thought played better than they did stat wise, I was suprised by his numbers when I saw the box score. Pretty good damn D though.
Officially, I hate the 4-1 flat or whatever the hell they call it. If you are oing to run it you have to make your move before the clock is down to 2 seconds, I’m pretty sure any competant defender knows your options are all but gone by then and can tighten up.
Not only Tyreke but Beno also played ‘run down the clock’ in the 1st OT. Bad ideas with 2 minutes left.
L*ker notes:
Kobe looked on the verge of old to me, He never penetrated, he barely took a shot inside 20 feet and took many of the infamous 22 foot variety. Yes, yes, the 3s in overtime, thats what he’s getting paid the big money for.
The Lakers as a whole looked very slow. Unless its Kobe out front thier ‘fast’ breaks could have been from an over 40 YMCA game.
I would never go to war with Lamar Odem, he dissappeared for large stretches of the game. And Bynum? The most overrated 7 footer in the league.
Gasol never should have had tho opporunity to score the tying basket in the fist OT. That was a blatant foul on JT, well outside of the Let them play officiating tactic.
I know its getting tired, but these guys will find a way to start winning a lot of these games.
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 27, 2009 11:35 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
Great comments
On the
If you are oing to run it you have to make your move before the clock is down to 2 seconds,
I can still hear PW’s voice screeming across the court at the entire team, “I said not before 5 seconds” in another game, because he didn’t want to give the other team the last shot. And, maybe Evans was counting down the clock in his mind, instead of looking at it with Kobe in his face. I don’t know but if he was planning to go all the way to the rim, he didn’t leave himself enough time. Either way give Kobe credit, just like we gave Tyreke credit on his defense in the Wiz game.
If Kobe doesn’t get a hand on the ball or gets called for a foul, maybe we win.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
To be fair to Beelzebub
He was playing with a broken finger and a bad elbow.
Purchase you're tickets to the first ever StR Night at ARCO Arena, 12/28/09 v. the Nuggets. Link is here!
Well said TZ
As per usual.
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
Tyreke Evans: Trial by Fire
These Kings are wonderful. They play with energy, intensity and a desire to win. They don’t quit. But they are not the most talented of squads. Winning makes everyone look good. This same Lakers group that are the defending champs had heroes on their bench in June. Last night showed a thin, haphazard squad that is overly dependent on the play of their All-Stars.
The Kings are battling to the end of games and because of that, they are winning more than their predicted share. When the contests come down to the last few minutes – as TZ describes above – muscles (sphincters) tighten, nerves fray, decisions become more critical – who do the Kings turn to? Invariably, this team sport is unique because one player can dominate – for the Kings, this team and the coaching staff are turning to a 30 game seasoned, 20 year old rookie. WoW.
How often has Tyreke had to play down to the last shot against the best players in the world? So far, his record is impressive. Amazingly so. 30 games into his rookie campaign. His coach has enough confidence in this kid that he has given him the ball as the clock winds down and left it in his hands. It has been a trial by fire. Sometimes he has been John Salmons, sometimes he has been Michael Jordan. The hero only makes the winning shot every time in the fantasy books. There is a new story being written and this is just Chapter 1. Goodness gracious, we fans are lucky to be a part of this.
by betweentheeyes on Dec 27, 2009 12:04 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
I wish I knew what that stuff stands for
OMG and WTF I got, the rest?….
(I’m old)
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 27, 2009 3:06 PM PST up reply actions
BetweenTheEyes For The Win!!
Oh My God!!! Talk To You Later!!
(not the same effect)
Screw you Knicks! LBJ to the Kings!!!
Nice to see age is represented in these comments.....
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
So we took the defending champs to 2 OTs with our star having an off game?
Not bad. It’s not a win, but it’s not bad.
At least the Lakers can’t use the “it was close because we’re tired from playing a back to back” excuse since they took the previous night off.
www.mancancook.net
by vfettke on Dec 27, 2009 12:22 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

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