This was the first game I've been to in years, and I have a few things to point out.

Kevin Martin is very good, but nobody will give him the ball. It's like they don't even know he's on the team. The best player should be getting more touches. When Theus took Martin out to rest him in the fourth, it killed their chances of a comeback.

Mikki Moore is not a good basketball player. He had a couple decent offensive boards with putbacks, but other than that, he seemed like an uncoordinated oaf. Every time someone hit him with a good pass, his body froze up and the ball bounced away. At least he's not getting millions. Oh, wait. He is.

Spencer Hawes is not a true center. He was content to stand on the perimeter the whole time and wait for the ball. Luckily, he's got a really nice touch from outside (except when he rushes the shot, like the 3-point attempt he airballed).

Quincy Douby needs to shoot the ball. When he tries to create shots for himself, he seems very natural and athletic.

Francisco Garcia is a very talented player. I think he should start with Artest, Bibby, Martin and whoever is playing center.

John Salmons is very strong, and has a very good offensive repertoire. I think he could be a fantastic sixth man if the Kings had good starters. He needs to pass the ball more, though. Too often he stood at the top of the key, motionless, for 5-6 seconds, waiting for an opportunity to take it to the hoop himself. Every time I got mad at him for being a ball hog, he scored.

Who the hell is Beno Udrih and why is he shooting the ball? He seemed to be a good ballhandler with decent penetration skills, but why is he jacking up threes and shooting fadeaways when Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia are making just about anything they shoot? Aren't point guards supposed to distribute the ball? Perhaps it's just the unfamiliarity with the system, but pass the freaking ball already.

Speaking of the system, is there one? It seems like Reggie's strategy is to space the floor, have everyone stand around, and after one pass take it to the hoop. I like that they tried to get the ball down close to the basket, but unfortunately they have no size and can't take advantage of good passes. On the whole, the team didn't pass the ball really at all, especially as the game wore on. I think Udrih wanted to be the hero, but Reggie needs to build the offense around Kevin Martin, who is an incredible offensive talent.

It was a rough game to watch. The Jazz were much better than the Kings offensively and defensively. They are much more athletic and strong than Sacramento, and Sloan's system really wore the Kings down. There were far too many open looks from within 10 feet of the basket.

I hope that Artest, Bibby and Miller bring more to the table, because this team is not good as is. If Martin had been able to shoot the ball 5-10 times more, the Kings may have had a chance to make it close at the end. But the Kings stubbornly refuse to make use of the tremendous offense of Kevin Martin. Boo, indeed.

Great post TZ, however, I have a slightly different take on the situation than you do. I do not believe Salmons (or Bibby for that matter) is any more at fault for Kevin's lack of touches than KEVIN, the Speedracer, is himself! I acknowledge that he is far and away our most efficient player, there is truth in the numbers, but I strongly feel that the reason for his lack of touches mainly lies with the man himself. I've stated on here before that although he is a remarkable player, what seperates him from the (Kobe's, Lebron's, Gilber's, McGrady's, Baron's, AI's, Melo's, The Boston big three's ect) is that fact that he simply does not have the killer instinct nor the internal WANT to take over a game. His style of player, is much more comfortable playing "off" another player and not having to single handidly take the reins as your stereotypical "go-to guy".

Go back and take a look at the 4th quarter of the Cavs-Kings game a few night back. (as a matter of fact go back to the game thread and read my comment about this lack of WANT late in the game from Martin). During the final streatch of the game (id say the final 4 minutes), EVERY SINGLe DAMN time down the court Martin would stand on the left baseline tree point line and just STAND there looking like a zombie. Meanwhile, the rest of the guys were dribbling around like a bunch of chickens with they're heads cut off looking for a leader (this is where Mike came in handy! whether or not you want to believe it, these situations are the ones he lived for) I kept waiting for Kevin to take part in the offence, but to my displeasure he just gravitated towards that same spot, farthest away from the action as possible and just STOOD there. Thats not Salmons fault nor anyone else on the teams' fault but Kevin's himself, Im sure Theus didnt call the "Hey Kevin- dont do shit and stand in the corner play" 5-6 times in a row.

Now I dont want this posts to be recieved the wrong way because Kevin's game is truly one of my favorite in the league. However, with his young age and amazing set of skills you can't just automatically assume that Kevin WANTS to be the guy just yet. Hopefully that comes soon but only time will tell!