Wabeno Udrih, you dog you. Waltzing into Los Angeles like you're a Macedonian, conquering the Clippers like you're ... every other NBA team except the Nets. What a ham!

(Beno tallied a career-high 17 assists against Baron Davis, defender extraordinaire. He added 20 points for good measure. Good measure, and no other reason.)

The Kings just clicked from tip to bell. The offense ended up looking "good enough" in the box score -- too many turnovers (15), especially considering the team had just one in the first quarter. But the defense! Spencer Hawes really did rule this game, all apologies to Wabeno, because Hawes dominated on defense. Three blocks and 10 rebounds, good times, but he did much more, altering shots, forcing jumpers, denying inside position. Chris Kaman only took 10 FGAs in 32 minutes, made four, had just one offensive rebound and three turnovers. DeAndre Jordan caused a bit more trouble for Hawes, as you'd expect, but Hawes just dominated Kaman, even if the box score doesn't explicitly say so.

Francisco Garcia was downright cagey as the starting two-guard. And I haven't even mentioned Carl Landry's 24!, on an array of post moves, quick finishes after Beno dishes, and those silky outside jumpers. Landry shredded every Clipper in his path, just dominated that end of the floor.

This is why you don't tank when you're in the Kings' position. If I were a Clippers fan, I'd be kicking fence posts and swearing about Davis up and down this town. The brief excitement from a dominant win is worth the potential loss of ping pong balls.