Sactown Royalty

Marion for Brad Miller from Hoopsworld

2008-12-01T15:10:09Z

Marion for Brad Miller from Hoopsworld

Interesting proposition. Thoughts?

Where You From?

2008-11-30T19:56:47Z

World Map On A Cow = Ironic

One of the bi-products of the "Welcome Wagon" post was the reminder that we are truly a global community. It is absolutely amazing that there are Kings fans worldwide. Some are Sacramento transplants, while others only know The River City from overhead shots provided during Kings telecasts.

So, where are you and where are you from (born here/raised here/gonna die here)? How did you come to be a KIngs fan (The Solons left town)? And what in the world is keeping you a KIngs fan (two words - Kenny Thomas).

And you?

Schlock & Claws

2008-11-30T15:37:29Z

It seems like only yesterday we lauded Reggie Theus' frontline rotations. Last night against Dallas, Jason Thompson didn't enter the game until there were only 30 seconds left in the first quarter. He played about half the second quarter, earning two rebounds during his stint but doing little else. Still, he's been one of your brightest spots early this season. Per minute, Thompson and similarly snubbed Spencer Hawes (who also had six minutes in the first half) are the team's best big men scorers, far exceeding the potency of Brad Miller and Mikki Moore. Take a look.

Brad Miller                 35mpg    12.4ppg     .354 pt/min
Mikki Moore               23mpg      5.9ppg     .259 pt/min
Spencer Hawes       29mpg    12.4ppg     .433 pt/min
Jason Thompson    26mpg    10.7ppg     .418 pt/min

If you need to score, you turn to your better scorers, yes? In the third quarter, Sacramento again faltered. It wasn't quite as bloody as in Utah, but things got out of hand quickly. The Kings offense, particularly in the frontcourt, was pathetic. The team registered 19 points for the period.

How many minutes do you think Hawes, your best big man scorer, or Thompson, your second-best big man scorer, played in that fatal third quarter?

Hawes: 2 minutes, 45 seconds.
Thompson: 0 minutes, 0 seconds.

Theus is allowing his starters to play themselves out of the game before giving Thompson any burn. Is Moore really doing something out there that makes it hard to take him off the court? He plays decent enough team defense, especially compared to Miller or Hawes. But this team ain't winning with defense right now. And this team certainly ain't winning without getting a few buckets. Something tells me Mikki Moore isn't going to help you get more buckets. Something like ... empirical proof.

Of course, Thompson and Hawes happen to also be the two best rebounders in the rotation. And the two best shotblockers. And they are efficient scorers. And they turn the ball over less than the starters at their positions. And they create shots at a higher clip.

Don't tell me it's the foul situation. If you're down by 19 entering the fourth quarter, does it really matter if Thompson picked up his third personal foul back in the second? This team is not good enough to mess with foul tactics. This team needs to be playing its best players. You can't tell me Moore is better than Thompson right now. Miller's offensive gifts from the high post may outweigh Hawes' presence, but Hawes is also 20 years old while Miller is 32.

Vanquish the Hydra. Free Shock & Hawes.

Game #19: Mavericks at Kings

2008-11-30T01:00:09Z

Close out November with a ... middle finger? I don't know.

Goodbye, November 2008. Thank you for your Shock and Hawes, your Johnny Salmons and your occasional insurgencies from Donté Greene and Bobby Brown. Good riddance to your injuries, your suspensions, your owner-coach spats, your injuries, your bad losses, your injuries and your injuries.

Let's go Kings.

The Welcome Wagon

2008-11-29T19:30:08Z

Website, yay! Witch hunt, boo!

Shortly before/during/after the Portland games, we were inundated by new members. It was sort of like somebody building a sub-division on that big patch of farmland that had always been behind your housing development. Traffic increased, it got a little louder, some of us greeted our new neighbors while others longed for the good old days.

With most communities, there are growing pains when a community expands. The demand for services can temporarily outrun the provided services, and growth invariably and inevitably increases the number of crimes (if not the percentage) suffered in that area. But sometimes bigger is better (does Sacramento have an NBA franchise if this is 1978?).

This brings me (finally!) to a couple few several points that I would like to make in regards to our ever growing community -

New Members Our new members deserve the same protection as the rest of our citizens. That is, they are innocent until proven guilty. They are not automatically trolls just because we don't recognize them. This is not to say that we live in Paradise - trolls do exist. But if you think you encounter a troll, email TZ or me or give us a chance to research the individual. This may not always solve the problem during a game thread if TZ and/or I are not available. In that case, do your best to ignore the cretin (physician, heal thyself!!!) and try to enjoy the game with the rest of the community. Helpful hint - If you encounter what you think may be a troll, imagine yourself sitting on his/her head and passing gas until the urge to respond to him/her passes.
Finding A Voice Give our new members time to assimilate. I remember that I "lurked" for a few months before I got up the nerve to post, and it took me a while to find my voice and style and pace...and I was a jounalism major! There is a rather high level of intelligence amongst the STR membership, and it is not just KIngs knowledge. This place can be a little intimidating to the new member, especially while they learn the neighborhood (where the FanPosts and FanShots are located and how they differ, how to link, reply, recommend, etc.). New members, be sure to review the "Welcome Guide" for helpful tips. Also, proper spelling and grammar are not a must, but it is always appreciated. The occasional paragraph during long posts is also greatly appreciated. Helpful hint - Saying that Peaches is a tool is like bringing double fudge brownies to the community picnic. It is a sure fire "in."
Visitors From Out Of Town When folks from other websites drop in to offer their opinion, do your best to keep an open mind. They can often bring a fresh perspective, and they are usually here only when their team is involved, unless they also truly have an interest in the KIngs. Again, give them the benefit of the doubt at first while they get used to the new surroundings. That being said, it is our neighborhood and no one is saying that we have to put up with people that have no respect for our community. Helpful hint - Remember, some of these people actually think that Channing Frye has game. Show them some pity.
The Occasional Monster Game Thread This may only occur during Blazers games for awhile, but once a game thread approaches the 500 mark, it begins to bog down (remember the draft threads?). When this occurs, TZ and/or I will do our best to get another thread open, at which time we will post in the original thread that a new thread is open. Helpful hint - Either move to the new thread or stop posting every time the Kings commit a turnover/give up a 3-pointer.
Making A Difference In Your Community We have seen an increase in FanPosts and FanShots since the season began, and that is awesome! Without your contributions this site would be two pet lovers posting stories to each other (and rbiegler tossing in his two cents in between breaks at the state). There are two good rules to remember. First, check the front page, FanPost and FanShot areas before posting your item (especially FanShot items) to be sure that it is not already on the site. Second, try to get the item posted in the proper location. You opinions, your own trade ideas, "yours" goes into FanPost. A link to an article or video, something that was done by someone else is usually better as a FanShot. Helpful hint - If it's yours to boast, it's a FanPost. If it's not, then FanShot. OK, that's more "lame" than "helpful," but you get the idea.
CC&R's The community rules are pretty damn simple. You can park as many cars as you want on the street, leave your basketball hoop out front, don't mow your lawn...we don't care! The only rule is do your best to not make it personal. Disagree with the opinion but don't resort to calling the other community member an idiot just becuase you don't agree with him/her. Of course, this can be difficult if someone suggests a LeBron James for Brad Miller trade and is serious about it, but do your best to rise above it. Also, derogatory and insensitive comments are the surest way to earn banishment from the community. It just won't be tolerated (and this is an area where enforcement may be stepped up, so everyone please be aware). Helpful Hint - Just say no to bigoted comments.

I think that's it. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get my car off the lawn and back on concrete blocks where it belongs.

Diagramming a Trainwreck

2008-11-29T16:09:19Z

Obviously, the Kings lost Friday's game in Utah in 12 minutes -- the third quarter. For those busy doing pilates or raking leaves, the game was tied at 50 at the half. The Jazz entered the third quarter leading 94-70. BLARGH. Simply awful.

How did it happen? Take a look, if you dare.

*****

Jazz Poss #1: Mehmet Okur turnaround jumper from 12' over Brad Miller, on a set-up from Deron Williams. 52-50.

Kings Poss #1: Miller misses 16-foot set shot from left side on a set-up by Beno Udrih. Shot taken with 7 seconds left on the shot clock.

Jazz Poss #2: Williams hits a wide open Okur on the right baseline for a wide open 12-footer. Good. 54-50.

Kings Poss #3: Udrih drives from right to left, bounce pass to Miller from the left corner, no good.

Jazz Poss #4: Jazz push in transition, C.J. Miles goes 1-on-1 on John Salmons (with Donté Greene and Mikki Moore arriving just behind the play), Miles takes to the rim and draws an iffy foul. Miles hits both. 56-50.

Kings Poss #4: Udrih sets up Miller from 18 feet straightaway. Missed.

Jazz Poss #5: Williams drives right side, gets caught in traffic, rolls it out to the top of the key, gets it through to Miles for three. Good. 59-50.

Kings call timeout.

Kings Poss #5: Miller passes to Greene, who is coming off a screen at the left elbow. Greene shoots a three ... missed. Udrih chases the long rebound and is fouled. Francisco Garcia comes in for Greene. Miller sets up Salmons from 18-feet, left side of the top of the key. Missed. Garcia offensive rebound in traffic. Udrih gets it on the left side, tosses a lazy lob back to Miller at the top ... batted by Williams. Turnover.

Jazz Poss #6: Williams breaks out and hits Ronnie Brewer in transition. Brewer draws the foul, hits the first, Okur gets the offensive rebound on the second. Williams sets up, penetrates softly to about 12 feet, kicks it back to Okur at the top who swings to Miles left side. Miles takes a three ... missed. 60-50.

Kings Poss #6: Kings move the ball around a bit. Miller hits Garcia in the lane, but there's too much traffic. Garcia dribbles out toward Miller on the left side, stops 15 feet from the basket, turns around, and pulls a trigger on a hurried baseline jumper. Missed.

Jazz Poss #7: Williams presses on a 3-on-2, but Salmons plays it well and the Jazz back out. Williams, from the left side, penetrates softly on a monster screen from Paul Millsap. Williams kicks to Okur at right elbow, from three ... swish. 63-50.

Kings Poss #7: On a high pick from Mikki Moore on the right side, Udrih dribbles to Miller at the top of the key. Moore streaks to the rim, and Udrih shovels to Miller. Okur and Brewer fill the lane, but Miller sends a bounce pass to Moore nonetheless. Turnover.

Jazz Poss #8: The Jazz press, even though the Kings get back. The defense is never set and Okur gets a wide open three from the left elbow. He misses, and the ball hits the shot clock.

Kings Poss #8: Salmons has the ball left baseline. He drives to the rim, keeps his dribble alive under the basket and finds Udrih open at the top. Udrih dribbles to the free throw line -- still open -- and hits the 15-footer. 63-52.

Jazz Poss #9: Miles has the ball right baseline. He crosses Salmons and gets into the lane. The rotation is poor, and Miles scoops in a bucket easily. 65-52.

Kings Poss #9: Miller at the high post. Garcia slips backdoor right baseline. Miller hits him, and Garcia fakes before getting a lay-up. It's the first shot of the half from inside 15 feet for the Kings. 65-54.

Jazz Poss #10: Salmons breaks up the called play on the right side. Eventually, Williams has the ball on the right side. Moore helps push Williams baseline -- great defense from Moore here. But Williams, heading out of bounds, fires a brilliant passes to a streaking Miles, who lost Salmons in a millisecond. Miles hits the lay-up, as Miller's rotation is late. 67-54.

Kings Poss #10: After a loose ball foul on the Jazz, Spencer Hawes enters for Moore. Garcia and Miller set up a high pick-and-roll from the right side on the inbounds play. Garcia flutters towards the lane while Miller cuts hard to the basket, losing Okur, who stepped out on Garcia. Garcia hits MIller perfectly, Millsap challenges, but Miller lays it in. 67-56.

Jazz Poss #11: I think the Kings were a zone here. It's hard to tell, considering Williams just dribbled casually to the right elbow, whipped a pass to the left block ... where Brewer was absolutely wide open and finished with a dunk. I think Okur was supposed to screen Salmons so Brewer could slip backdoor, but Salmons was playing so soft out there (hence, the zone guess) that Okur didn't have to come within three feet of Salmons. Miller watched Okur the whole time, but still wasn't in position to challenge a shot if Williams would have passed it to the left elbow instead. Basically, even though the Jazz ran about the most basic non-iso play in the book, the Kings defended it as poorly as possible. Miller and Salmons might have well as laid down on the ground, put on a sleeping mask and taken some Nyquil. The result would have been no worse, unless Okur decided to tickle Miller. You know, I take it back. Miller's defense on the play was not so bad Okur could have tickled Miller without repercussions. It could have been worse. 69-56.

Kings Poss #11: A decent screen-roll with Miller and Udrih, followed by a give-and-go between Hawes and Udrih ends with a Udrih three from the right corner. Missed. If the Jazz played defense like the Kings played defense, Hawes and/or Miller and/or Udrih would have ended up with a lay-up. Because the Jazz know how to play team defense, the Kings ended up with a Beno Udrih three.

Jazz Poss #12: Williams shrugs off a high pick-and-roll with Millsap, and waits for Millsap to roll out on the right baseline from about 12 feet. Hawes stays with Millsap on the initial roll into the lane, but slags off as Millsap moves away from the basket ... I assume Hawes is waiting for Williams to drive. Williams does not drive, and hits the open Millsap from 12. Millsap hits. Not terrible defense from Hawes -- you'd rather a Millsap fadeaway than a Millsap dunk or a Williams lay-up. 71-56.

Kings Poss #12: Hawes sets up on the left block against Millsap. He backs in and floats into the lane for the hook. Help comes, but no help can defend a Spencer Hawes hook. 71-58.

Jazz Poss #13: Williams moves the ball up quickly, though the Kings get back. Williams drives one-on-one on Udrih into the lane. Garcia helps, but Udrih draws the foul. Hawes rotated a bit late. Miller didn't rotate at all, but he was on the opposite side of the play and he probably ought to stick with Okur anyways. Williams hits one. 72-58.

Kings Poss #13: Salmons goes iso right side, hits a 17-foot turnaround. 72-60.

Jazz Poss #14: Look up "defensive lapse" on Wikipedia. You'll see this play. Williams and Millsap, high pick at the left elbow. Millsap slips it as Miller apparently stays to trap Williams. Of course, the gap between Miller and Udrih is three car lengths wide. Williams makes an easy bounce pass to Millsap. Salmons sees it -- he's looking straight at the play. But his rotation is half-hearted and late. (He seems tired and/or bored.) Hawes rotates, but goes for the block 10 feet away from the basket. (This is where Millsap takes off. Hawes is at the peak of his jump as Millsap takes off. To be fair, Hawes had three fouls at the time.) Millsap soars for the dunk. Bleehhhhh. 74-60.

Kings Poss #14: Garcia dribbles left and takes a floating, fading 20-footer which (shockingly) rims out.

Jazz Poss #15: Williams hits Brewer with an outlet. Brewer catches, fakes to the rim, steps back, then attacks after the defense commits. Miller offers good effort, but Brewer takes him right under the rim for a reverse lay-in. Millsap screens off Hawes nicely, preventing him from getting into the play. To be honest, it doesn't really appear Hawes wants to get into the play though. Garcia is there, but isn't able to stay with Brewer. Salmons has the opportunity to help on the weak side, but elects to stay between the ball and Miles, who is parked at the left elbow. 76-60.

Kings Poss #15: Kings bailed out on a bad entry pass from Miller to Hawes with a foul on Millsap. After the inbounds, Miller tries to backdoor it to Salmons. The spacing is awful (Miller and Salmons are about six feet from each other) and Miles is actually between Miller and Salmons. If Geoff Petrie came up with a chemical which rendered the ball invisible to the opponent but perfectly visible to the Kings, this ball would still have been stolen. If Miles had no arms, this ball would still have been stolen. If Miles was an armless blind tomato worm, this ball would still have been stolen.

Jazz Poss #16: Miller fouls to either break up the fast break or show his frustration. He leaves the game, replaced by Jason Thompson. Millsap is replaced by Andrei Kirilenko. Kings are in the penalty; Miles hits both. 78-60.

Kings Poss #16: Thompson and Garcia miscommunicate. Garcia's going to Albany. Thompson thinks Garcia is going to Buffalo, and sends the ball Media Mail to Buffalo. Garcia makes it to Albany and doesn't understand why the ball is in Buffalo. They discuss things. Meanwhile ...

Jazz Poss #17: ... Utah blows a fast break with a bad outlet pass.

Timeout with 3:37 left in the quarter, and that's a good place to end it.

*****

That's 28 points in 17 possessions for the Jazz -- brilliant offense made more silky by a stunningly dreadful Kings defense. It's really something to watch these plays over again a few times. Like, I knew the Millsap dunk and the Brewer dunk were really terrible defensive plays in real-time. I sat there, I saw the plays, and I frowned. But watching it again -- my God, that is terrible. Miller might be the worst defender in the league. I haven't watched every team yet, and I certainly haven't seen too many teams in great detail. But really, this is not good. Not even close to good. Not even close to bad.

And Salmons -- we usually laud his defense. In the third quarter, he was almost as awful as Miller! He had one good defensive stand, where he almost turned out a steal. But he missed myriad rotations -- he saw the play and I assume he knows where he needed to be. He just didn't have the drive, determination, or desire to get there. His rotation on the Williams trap and Millsap dunk was truly atrocious. What happened to John Salmons? I wouldn't blame him for being tired -- he's been playing mega-minutes and carrying the offensive load -- but I'm not sure to seeing such cavalier defense from the guy. He was not helping the team out there.

But the Kings didn't help themselves with the atrocious offense (10 points in 16 possessions). Through the first half of the quarter, the team showed no interest in getting within 10 feet. The Jazz foul a lot -- more than any other team in the league. But the Kings refused to drive. Later, Miller started forcing it. Why the finesse? Okur's a good player, but he's not going to stop Hawes, Thompson or Miller from scoring from the block. Miles is long, a decent defender. But he isn't going to keep Salmons from getting to the rim. (We saw this plainly in the first half.) Sacramento is one of the best offensive teams in the league, and we watched a littany of off-balance jumpers and terrible backdoor passes through the third ... against an average defense. What the ufck, Kings?

I don't want to blame any one player, because every single dude in Kings purple had a bad game. Boo Kings. Boo.

Game #18: Kings at Jazz

2008-11-29T00:00:06Z

The game's at 6PM PST. Let's go Kings.

Giving Thanks After A(nother) Miserable Loss

2008-11-27T18:41:13Z

The turkey was safe until it ventured inside the 3-point line...

I'll try to be brief. It is Thanksgiving, after all. I have Christmas lights to hang and football to watch.

The Kings are on a pace to win 24 games this year. And while that pace has been set without mostly without Kevin Martin and with the perceived starting lineup playing only two games together (they won both, beating Minnesota and Golden State at home), 24 wins is 24 wins. The Kings have allowed shorthanded San Antonio and Phoenix teams to come to ARCO and win, and last night they spit the bit against a not too particularly talented New Jersey club.

Half of the team's losses have been by more than 10 points. I guess that you could also say that half of the team's losses have been close enough to win.

I guess what is on my mind this morning is this - It is OK for me to think that Reggie Theus sucks right now without wanting him fired. Like last year, he has this team playing very hard. But also like last year, this is a turnover prone team that cannot finish out quarters or games. The plays that are drawn up coming out of timeouts are either unimaginative or poorly executed.

Now I'm not saying that Reggie Theus is solely to blame for any of these losses, particularly last night. A couple of made free throws down the stretch and maybe we go home with a "W." But Reggie played a role. The team got down 17 and then came roaring back via the youth on this team, and much of that youth did not see the floor for the final six minutes of regulation or overtime. And while I stress that a made free throw could have been the difference, the fact remains that this team blew a six point lead with 34 seconds left in the game on their home floor.

So I may be in the "Bash Reggie" camp for awhile, at least until somebody gets a hand in the face of a three point shooter (The Nets shot 46% inside the arc last night, while their 43% 3-point percentage adjusts to a 64% yield), and at least until they consistently take better care of the ball (last night's 22 assist to 10 turnover output was a welcome exception to what we have seen in the Theus era).

Two final points. First, I agree that Reggie does not guard the three point shooters or handle the ball (insert "NOBODY DOES!" joke here). But he coaches this team, so he is responsible for the performance of this team. And I think that this team can play better than it has. Second, the "Bash Reggie" camp is not the "Fire Reggie" camp. I still believe that Theus should continue to coach this team through the rest of this year.

But I'm done cutting him slack because his star player is out or the team is young or someone missed a free throw. I want to see better execution on both ends of the floor. I'm fine with us losing a game because someone got a wide open look but couldn't hit the shot. But the recent lack of execution in late game situations has got to stop. And yes, it would be different if Kevin Martin were playing. But he's not, and the games keep ticking away.

Bash! Bash, bash, bash!

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving.

The View From Someone Else's Seats, 11/26

2008-11-27T07:38:18Z

(From the FanPosts. - TZ)

I'm in Sactown for the Thanksgiving holiday and my dad and I decide to go to the game tonight vs the Nets. It's my first time at Arco this season, so I'm excited and I decided to keep track of my thoughts for a section214-inspired take on the game (hope I'm not cramping your style, section). Here is what transpired.

Pregame:

We go to buy tickets and unfortunately they don't have anymore $10 seats, so we buy the $25.50 ones. Section 207 Row G. Sounds pretty good, but we notice that hardly anyone is at the game tonight and we decide to sneak down to the lower level. We have to move around a few times as late comers show up, but 2 minutes after the game starts we end up at our finals seats. We're right at halfcourt about 12 rows up, or as I refer to them, the David Stern seats. Absolutely beautiful view.

First quarter:

Jason Thompson showed us immediately that he's still a rookie. I like the gameplan out of the gate to post up Thompson on Bobby Simmons. It's a great matchup in our favor, but unfortunately Jason exhibits a lack of aggression and decisiveness. He gets a few looks in close that I think he should take shots on, but he ends up passing the ball back out. Then a few minutes later he goes in hard and gets a charge called on him. After that on defense he leaves his feet way too easily and fouls a jump shooter. To the bench with you, lad. I'm really excited about his potential, but he has a lot to learn.

Too many Brad Miller top of the key shots. I know it's a high percentage shot, but you know what else is? A layup or dunk. It really seems like the team settles for halfway-decent shots like these too often when they should first work for a much better one.

Second quarter:

Mikki Moore with a great rebound. I clap in delight. Then he immediately follows that up by turning it over with an errant pass. I throw my lobster claws up in the air in disgust.

Vince Carter can get to the rim at will. It's a good thing for us that he doesn't have a lot of will.

The highlight of our 22-point 2nd quarter crapfest is when I go to the concession stand and order some food including a King dog. I haven't had one in a long time, but I notice that they've really upgraded it. It's served on a nice bun with a dusting of cornmeal and it's served on a paper tray instead of wrapped in foil, so the bun stays dry. Kudos to the concessions management.

Halftime:

The annual turkey race/challenge/whatever. The guy from section 103 cheats as he begins to eat the pie by scooping in a few mouthfuls with his hands instead of having his hands behind his back and then he goes on to win. The other section got totally shafted.

Third quarter:

Yi Jianlian comes soaring in for a dunk and the Nets lead is 17. I talk to my dad about the wonderful hole we're in and the Kings proceed to go on a run and cut it to 5 before the quarter ends. Much like the current stock market, you never know what's going to happen with this Kings team.

Spencer Hawes blocks are totally awesome in person.

There was an article the other day on TrueHoop about Brook Lopez having huge feet. I take a look at all the players on the floor and his are definitely the largest and a good 2-3 sizes bigger than Brad Miller's. I don't know why this is important, but it is.

Fourth quarter:

Beautiful laser pass by Hawes up top to Beno down low for a layup. I wonder if Brad taught him that.

It's a great game right in the middle of the quarter and a lady in front of us gets up to leave with her 8 year old daughters. We ask her why she's leaving and she says that this looks to be the kind of game that will go to overtime. Psychic? Anyways, I turn to my dad and ask, "What the hell is wrong with these poeple?" He just shakes his head. Everyone has the day off tomorrow, what's the deal?

Donté, Jason, and Mikki are on their feet from the bench after every good play cheering the team on. I really like the energy of these guys. I then wonder why Jason hasn't gotten any real play in the second half. He did pick up a 4th foul in the 3rd, but surely he could've gotten going at some point.

Hawes clanks 2 free throws.

Salmons makes only 1. Twice.

The Kings follow up 10 minutes of great basketball with 2 minutes of terrible play and we're headed to overtime. I'm beginning to see why Joe Maloof is so mad about leaving 3-point shooters open.

Overtime:

The Kings are playing inspired ball until Brad Miller get's a no-call and proceeds to pick up a technical foul instead of running back hard on defense. It's back and forth after that, but the game eventually ends up in the toilet. Jersey wins at Arco for the first time in 11 years.

Postgame:

There were an number of little things that the team could have done to win the game tonight, but just didn't happen. A free throw here, a box-out there, anything to tip the scales in our favor permanently just didn't happen. I guess that's what happens with rebuilding teams.

I'm in the camp that believes having Brad Miller around is still a positive thing for this team, but that window is closing fast. His whiny-ness and lack of athletecism really hurts the team a number of times each game. He should be moved this summer IMO.

Please heal up fast Kevin and Cisco. The team needs you badly.

Game #17: Nets at Kings

2008-11-27T01:00:08Z

An early Happy Thanksgiving to all of you beautiful birds.

Game's at 7 PM. Go Kings.

A reminder of what happened during 2006's night-before-Thanksgiving game.

2008-11-26T22:17:07Z

A reminder of what happened during 2006's night-before-Thanksgiving game.

Time Management

2008-11-26T20:31:32Z

Scott Howard-Cooper has a great point.

*Brad Miller, 35.3 minutes a game.
*Spencer Hawes, 29.3.
*Jason Thompson, 27.
*Mikki Moore, 22.3.
*Shelden Williams, 10.1.

Take Williams, the guy most squeezed by Miller's return from the season-opening five-game suspension and the speedy development of Hawes and Thompson, off the list. That's still four bigs deserving of minutes, a major logjam, and four bigs getting minutes. Quality time management of the roster.

From the impossible position of needing to play veterans to win games and needing to play prospects to get to the future, Theus is making it across the tightrope.

We have lauded Reggie Theus of late for the team's improved energy and a better looking offensive effort, as well as a touch of improvement on defense (first Portland game aside). But his rotations have been especially strong. Maybe Shock got short shrift on Monday, but otherwise the mix has been excellent.

JT Getting More Love

2008-11-26T19:58:43Z

JT Getting More Love

David Thorpe from ESPN explains why scouts are kicking themselves for not getting Jason Thompson and he's pointing to his game on Sunday vs. the Lakers.

Garcia to play Friday or Saturday

2008-11-26T16:55:24Z

Garcia to play Friday or Saturday

Francisco Garcia expects to play against Dallas Saturday, but could be active Friday, when Utah visits.

You've got to respect mother nature...

2008-11-26T16:28:07Z

You've got to respect mother nature...

Jason Levien Officially a King

2008-11-26T04:02:18Z

Jason Levien Officially a King

It's a bright day in Sacramento, people.

Bobby Brown one-handed dunk on the break (via kingsflix)

2008-11-26T04:01:05Z

Bobby Brown one-handed dunk on the break (via kingsflix)

Nothing Left But a Forever in Time

2008-11-25T15:25:45Z

I'm not sure why these Blazers losses have me so verklempt. I mean, Portland is the third or fourth best team in the conference; obviously, I'm not down about the one-point road loss, especially given that John Salmons was an inch away from ending it with a win. As we've been over myriad times, we don't hate the Blazers 'round here ... there's something to be said for the mutual hatred of the Lakers and small town kinship.

There's certainly some mirroring going on between the franchise. Brandon Roy and Kevin Martin are of equal quality, and it's not hard to imagine one of Spencer Hawes or Jason Thompson becoming as good as LaMarcus Aldridge within a couple years. We need the third monster someday to catch up; it could be the other young big, it could be the '09 draft pick, it could the '10 free agent. The future looks as bright for the Kings now as it did for the Blazers in Winter '06. There's no reason to really worry right now.

I think there's a general understanding -- correct me if I'm wrong -- that this is the way it goes with a young rebuilding team. You will lose games to better teams nine times out of 10. It's a fact of life. We accept this, yes? I accept it. I got jittery in the final four minutes of this game not because I'd just die if the Kings blew it. I got jittery because of how excited I'd have been if the Kings actually won. It's almost the opposite of a, say, 2004 game. When you're a good/great team, there is relief with a win and devastation with a loss. With a rebuilding team that harbors hope, there is ecstasy with a win and indifference with a loss. We aren't going to remember the ball bouncing off back iron. We'll remember Spencer Hawes stripping Greg Oden, running the floor and finishing ferociously, drawing primal screams from us and the bench mob alike. Just give us a glimmer, and we'll be patient.

And I think that's the difference between us and Joe Maloof. We can brush off the end of the game because we can smell the bread baking. Maloof's running a business the only way he knows how: success now, success now, success now. In hotels and beer distribution, you don't need to have patience. There are no rules forcing a semblance of parity. If the Maloofs owned a baseball team, it'd be the Yankees or Red Sox or Angels -- the fam would buy a championship. (This is what they tried to do in 2001, 2002, 2003. Those attempts left us looking at the free agent class of '10 rather than '07 or '08.) We know tomorrow will be brighter -- we see it in Shock, we see it in Hawes, we see it in the Jason Levien hiring, we see it in Martin.

Hell, we see it in the Blazers. The difference between bad and good is patience. Most of the Kings -- the players, the coaches, the front office, the fans -- are ready to wait. Maloof's got to learn to do the same. Reggie Theus needs to remain the coach of this team. He got the message, and he's doing his job.

ESPN Honors JT...Sort of.

2008-11-25T12:31:54Z

ESPN Honors JT...Sort of.

MONDAY'S WORST
Jason Thompson, Kings: We honor the impressive rookie big man with expectations -- dropping zero points in a 91-90 loss to the Blazers is beneath the Rider alum who entered the game averaging 12.1 ppg.

Spencer Hawes gets the steal and the dunk (via kingsflix)

2008-11-25T06:51:41Z

Spencer Hawes gets the steal and the dunk (via kingsflix)