Kings vs. Wizards Preview: LAST RITES
by Tom Ziller on Feb 22, 2012 12:00 PM PST
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Sacramento Kings at Washington Wizards
4 p.m. Pacific on Comcast SportsNet California
The Kings have one last game on this road trip, one last opportunity to get a win. Only 2 percent of us thought the Kings would go winless on the six-game trip before it began. Another 9 percent called a 1-5 record. The other 89 percent thought Sacramento would win multiple games. Whoops! (I picked 3-3, for the record. Seriously: whoops.)
This trip hasn't been too depressing, in all honesty. The Kings have been in every game in the fourth quarter, save the Knicks' obliteration. They competed hard against the Bulls and Heat, two of the league's three best teams. These losses are been far, far different than the ones the Kings suffered on the road early this season, ones in which Sacramento was killed by 20, 25, 30 points with regularity. This is progress. It's fruitless, in the end, but it's progress.
A win sure would be nice, though. Luckily, the Wizards are by far the worst opponent on this trip -- a good step below even the Pistons. The 'Zards are 3-8 in February ... and that's been the team's good month. (They were 4-14 in January.) Washington is not strong at home, just 4-12 at the Phone Booth with a -6.1 average margin. The Kings, of course, are -11.7 per game on the road ... so ... yeah. But in eight February road games, the Kings are only -4.8 on the road. Progress!
John Wall vs. Isaiah Thomas is a huge match-up to watch, and the Kings needs DeMarcus Cousins to bounce back and pound shotblocker JaVale McGee. The Wizards struggle to score, but struggle even more to defend, so Sacramento has a shot at continuing Tuesday's awesome offensive output.
Game's at 4. Game threads are set for 4 and 5:30. Let's go Kings!
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Can we PLEASE play like we did last night!
I want a W.
4 o’clock games are even worse than 4:30 games. It takes me almost the entire game to catch up
by HeuristicLineup on Feb 22, 2012 12:03 PM PST reply actions
If they play like they did last night
They will not lose to the Wizards
by HeuristicLineup on Feb 22, 2012 12:19 PM PST up reply actions
I'll be there tonight
silently rooting for our beloved Kings.
by mrosado on Feb 22, 2012 12:06 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
That's the best you can do in D.C.
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on Feb 22, 2012 12:55 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I was hoping for 3
wins but clicked on 2 in the poll thinking that was more likely to happen. Now I can’t believe I’m praying for 1. Any status on John’s hip?
Out until he is cleared for the trade to Philly for AI and two first rounders.
I hope.
by Kfan in Korea on Feb 22, 2012 1:10 PM PST up reply actions
Leave out the picks...I think an indoor soccer player
is more than a reasonable market value for Salmons.
Assuming the Kings win and IT has another solid game (lets get that triple-double),
I wonder what Malibu’s Most Wanted Jimmers brother will have to say this time if Jimmer gets another DNP.
This is it.
This is the one game I predicted we’d win. I must be honest though, my confidence is waning.
The Kings have showed the tendency of playing to the level of their competition. The get up to play the L*kers, Thunder, and Heat. They find ways to lose to the Pistons, the Cav’s sans Verajao, and fail to show up against the Knicks.
The Wizards are terrible. So I fear the King’s effort will be too.
My concern as well
in addition to the second night of a back to back right before the All-Star break.
by TTown Kings on Feb 22, 2012 12:56 PM PST up reply actions
Hopefully the threat of an 0-6 road trip will scare the Kings into winning this game.
I say they will. (although, I picked them going 3-3 as well).
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
Fatigue was a definite factor in the 4th qtr last night. Smarts rotations didn't allow any
rest for the starters. I hope that (fatigue) doesn’t carry over tonight. They are young but they played pretty hard last night.
Hoping we get two quick fouls on McGee,
otherwise it might be along night.
Purveyor of Bull Plop
I predict that McGee will be the first player to commit a foul on himself.
Then when he goes to the line for the free throws he will attempt to dunk it from the line instead of shooting it. He will fail.
with 2.4 seconds left in the game
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
Then after the miss he will start to run back on defense and trip over the half court line
before Wall points at the free throw line and explains to him how he still has another free throw coming. McGee will then attempt to throw the ball of the backboard to alley-oop it to himself. He makes it but the ball never hit’s the rim. This is a violation. McGee doesn’t understand what he did wrong.
Can't believe it...
IT is the guy who has to run the starting 5. I’m very glad he’s playing very well, but i always envisioned Tyreke being the guy.
Anywho, let’s get this W!
Tyreke can still initiate the offense, and be the primary option,
I think the team is better letting IT or Jimmer bring the ball up the floor though.
This will also give Tyreke a chance to attack from all over the court, instead of only the top of the key. I think this has been the foregone conclusion for a while now, even last season when we had Beno. This year we just needed either IT or Jimmer to take over the reigns.
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
Leaving for the VC now...
I used to be a faithful Bullets/Wiz fan but this team, besides being crappy, isn’t that likeable (exceptions: Booker, Veseley and usually Wall). If the Wiz play a decent game I’ll probably cheer, but if the Kings prevail I won’t be heartbroken.
BUT if I was a Kings fan I’d worry about them coming out flat, after the last nine days and especially the tough loss last night.
This game is all about pride
The team that has the most pride will win.
The Wiz are looking at this game as their chance at a win. If the Kings come out flat they could easily lose.
Show some damn g-dammit! Go out there & crush this team from start to finish. Show them you ARE better than them.
by Allbenji on Feb 22, 2012 3:26 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Wilson Chandler in Toronto today discussing a deal
WTF? What is Petrie doing? Sitting on his f*cking hands like always. Asleep at the damn wheel! I’m so sick of this shit man…..
by Allbenji on Feb 22, 2012 3:43 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Wilson Chandler in Toronto today discussing a deal
WTF? What are the Maloofs doing? Sitting on their f*cking wallets like always. Broke at the damn wheel! I’m so sick of this shit man…..
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Feb 22, 2012 3:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
It doesn't cost any money to have a discussion
I don’t see how it would be ok to offer AK47 a $30 million deal & $14 to Jamal Crawford but they won’t let Petrie talk to Chandler? Come on 214……
by Allbenji on Feb 22, 2012 4:10 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
#30 in the NBA in payroll
This does not excuse Petrie for the Salmons or Hickson deals, or even the Outlaw signing. But if you think that he has the green light to spend any money right now, well, let’s just say that I’m not the one being naive.
Remember, Crawford was offered $5m per, as the Kings were still under the minimum cap. That went away when they signed Outlaw. I see Kirilenko as a pie in the sky offer.
All you have to do is point out the last time that the Malindas spent more money instead of less. Show me the last time that they on boarded salary without the need to attain the minimum cap. Show me the last time that they made a tangible investment in players, coaches or front office. When you show me that, I’ll reconsider my stance.
Wilson Chandler is in Toronto and you instantly take the default position that Petrie is asleep at the wheel. Come on Allbenji…
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
I won't deny that the Maloofs have cheated us out of a good team for years & years
I’m not saying they will approve a max contract for Wilson Chandler. What I’m saying is they approved a trade that cost the team an additional $10 million(Salmons), they spent $21 mil on Hayes, $12 mil on Outlaw, offered AK $30 mil, & $5 mil to JC. Are you telling me GP isn’t allowed to talk Chandler?
Offer him the same money you offered AK. That money has already been Maloof approved.
by Allbenji on Feb 22, 2012 5:41 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Everything that you mentioned above did nothing but get the team to the minimum cap
That’s it.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Feb 22, 2012 10:18 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Of course you see the Kirilenko offer as pie in the sky.
Because if you took it at what it was, which is a serious offer, it would disprove your whole narrative that the Maloofs won’t spend on players. We were in the mix for Tony Parker which would’ve added salary. We were in the mix for Deron Williams which would’ve added salary. We contacted LeBron’s people which would’ve accepted nothing less than a max contract from us.
You asked Allbenji to point out the last time the Maloof’s spent more instead of less. I will ask you to point out one deal that the would’ve improved the team that the Maloof’s declined because of money.
I’m not a Maloof apologist. They have made mistakes. But they are not the only one’s making cut’s because of the current economy. Hell the L*kers cut most of their scouting staff and they’re one of the richest teams in the league!!
Scoreboard
I will rest my case on the actual amount of money that these tightwads have spent on coaching, players and front office over the past few years. When I see those fat f*cks actually invest in this team, I will change my tune. Until then, I will be subscribe to the fact that they have not spent actual money on this team in years.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
So now we're talking about the coaching staff and front office?
Because I was talking about spending on players.
I agree with you that they’ve been cheap asses when it comes to the coaching staff. To be fair though, they are not the only one’s that have downsized their front office. A few teams have.
My point was that the Maloof’s have shown, somewhat, to be willing to spend on the right players. That’s all.
We are at the league minimum only because players didn’t accept our offers which were reported to be more than the signed for in Dalembert’s and Crawford’s case. Kirilenko didn’t take anyone’s offer and stayed in mother Russia. If they take our offers we’re not talking about having the lowest payroll. But they have to accept for the Maloof’s to spend.
Hypothesis:
My point was that the Maloof’s have shown, somewhat, to be willing to spend on the right players. That’s all.
Fact: Link.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
That doesn't disprove anything I said.
I never disputed the fact that we have the lowest payroll.
Did we not offer Dalembert more than what he signed for?
Did we not offer Crawford more than he signed for?
Did we not offer Kirilenko a 3 year deal worth roughly $25-$27 million?
Do these offers show a willingness to commit money to certain players?
Now if you can link to something that proves that we didn’t make those offers I will gladly eat crow.
I'm not trying to get you to eat crow
And the genesis of this conversation was whether we are where we are because Petrie is asleep at the wheel or because the Malindas refuse to spend. Your comments would indicate that Petrie is not asleep at the wheel, if in fact all of these offers were made.
However, it must be noted that Dalembert was offered money only as an alternative to Hayes. That is, the money paid to Dalembert would have been offset by the subtraction of Hayes’ contract. Net-net we would have still been the lowest payroll in the NBA.
The offer to Crawford was only $2m per more than what we eventually gave to Outlaw. Had we landed Crawford we would not have chased Outlaw. Net-net, we would have still been the lowest payroll in the NBA.
That leaves Kirilenko. Had he signed we would not have chased Outlaw, so the net increase would have been $6m per. That would have elevated us to the 25th ranked payroll in the league, still $10m below the league median and $12m below the league average.
Cheap-cheap.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
And the Salmons deal added $8m when you adjust for trading down 3 slots in the draft
A virtual wash over the next two years, with the Kings taking the extra year of Salmons, at which time the Malindas, if nothing has changed, will make sure that the roster manages to again achieve the league minimum.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Feb 22, 2012 10:29 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
The Maloofs can talk about all the money they are "spending"
but the bottom line, they continue to keep their overall spending level right around the league minimum.
Reminds me of:
You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time. – Bob Marley"
"Should he just be renamed Player of the Week?" HeuristicLineup on Cousins.
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