is an improvement – I will take it with any Kings win, any day. In fact the win was “tray mannyfeek”

I’m enjoying watching the replay of the game.

V and 4-3 giving you crap aside (deservedly) the content is worth point/counterpoint discussion.

You bring up some inspring items here – The Kings need toughness, they interior strength and a strong showing against Marc Gasol, Darko and the Memphis team is a start but we (always) want more (not Mikki).

More than excited about DIogu I am curious. He has been compared to Shel Williams and no more apt comparison can be made. I saw him play in Oaktown his rookie year and he made his prescence known, with glimpses of stardom. As has been constantly reported in the Bay Area, Don Nelson continues to pine for a rebounding, low post scoring true power forward. Diogu was the key piece in the trade that brought Al Harrington in and had Dunleavy and Murphy leave. Indiana agreed on the deal because of all the promise that Ike had shown up to that point. I don’t know why he digressed, and like Portland, hoped that it was coaching and all he needed was a change in scenary. Well, Portland did not play him either and they also need a low post, rebounding power forward. Am I optimistic that Ike Diogu has found his place in Sacramento? I am seeing a 6’8" Quincy Douby, power forward version as a probabiity, not possibility.

McCants, in more ways than most in the Nefarious Bonehead Association, has given people enough material to shake their heads in disgust that the stands look like a Parkinson’s convention. Well, to quote an oldie (and baddie) “One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch (girl), Given me one more try before you give up on love”. (what is more depressing, that I know the lyrics or that an Osmonds song is quoted anywhere outside of the Utah area?). Maybe McCants needs some Shock therapy. In the meantime, until he shows wisdom, parents – hide your daughters.

Nocioni – little to say, as truly, what’s not to love? The guy plays with effort and intensity every day. I am hopeful that a locker room of BJax, Shock, Hawes (under rated as a future leader), Cisco and KMart is the start of a team that plays with the attitude that Nocioni displays.

Saying all that – I want the continued conflict of playing to win but continue to lose to help our chances (and they are only chances) of getting the #1-2 pick in the upcoming lottery.

rebounding along with toughness. Salmons is a good one on one defender, replacing him with a rebounding SF should make the interior defense and initiation of the offense much improved.

I saw this on CelticsBlog and ESPN mini-bullets:

Steve Weinman of CelticsBlog has an interesting Doc Rivers critique: “One major coaching issue for me in this game: the personnel on the floor for Andrei Kirilenko’s second free-throw attempt with eight seconds to play. The Celtics were down three at this point with no timeouts left. Barring a miracle, a miss followed by a defensive rebound and a three-pointer was going to be this team’s only realistic shot to tie the game. In theory, that makes grabbing the rebound off any potential Kirilenko miss rather important. With Brian Scalabrine fouled out and Garnett injured, Doc Rivers’ three choices for the two low blocks spots appeared to be Large Baby, Leon Powe and Kendrick Perkins. He went with…drumroll please…Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Those two were on the floor along with Rajon Rondo, Eddie House and Gabe Pruitt. I understand the idea of looking to maximize perimeter shooting, but none of that is relevant if the team can’t gain possession of the ball while still trailing by only one possession. You know the rest by now. The ball comes off to Allen’s side. He fails to get the rebound. Ronnie Brewer does and hits two foul shots to douse the Celtics’ hopes.”

back in the glory days long past, Jon Barry was a part of the lovable “Bench Mob”. I could see BJax captaining the young guys in this manner.

To get to that level. Right now I’m happy with 17 & 9, energy, limiting fouls, staying in games, and still growing.

In 2010 if he’s not a dominant player at his position we’ll all be disappointed. But if he’s not then he’s backing up Blake Griffin? And we’ve drafted ourselves two more years of patience and hope….

he has to work on boxing out and consistency.