GAME 25 at Milwaukee, Preview & Game Thread

by Tom Ziller on Dec 19, 2007 3:08 PM PST in Game Threads

MILWAUKEE BUCKS (10-14) 105.5 ORtg (#18), 110.7 DRtg (#27), 89.1 Pace (#21)
SACRAMENTO KINGS (10-14) 106.2 ORtg (#17), 109.7 DRtg (#23), 92.0 Pace (#11)

On Milwaukee
Same story as last week: Good shooters, good offensive rebounding, terrible defense. When the Bucks visited ARCO, Sacramento was lucky/skilled enough to limit Michael Redd to some poor shooting; anyone betting on lightning hitting John Salmons again? Add in: 1) Salmons has to be a bit tired after last night's explosion, and 2) Beno Udrih is hampered at the least and possibly out, which puts more offensive pressure on Salmons and Ron Artest, the two guys who could defend Redd. I'm not predicting a 40-point explosion or anything... yes I am. 40 points for Redd.

What's that mean? I think it means a Milwaukee win. Yes, Richard Jefferson went off last night and the Kings survived. But compound Salmons' likely regression on defense with perhaps some slippage on offense, too. Salmons played great in New Jersey -- I don't want to underrate this -- but he did not face good defense at any point. Thus, the disparity in defensive ability between New Jersey (average) and Milwaukee (catastrophic) is irrelevant. Redd wouldn't be a great defender in Division I ball, and he's certainly less than effective here in the NBA. But Salmons isn't a 30 ppg guy -- it's unlikely he could keep it up if he played Milwaukee and New York every night. I'm not predicting a sub-25 point night from Johnny... yes I am. Less than 25 for Salmons.

If Redd goes off and Salmons does not, it's a tough struggle for the Kings. Heck, if Redd goes off and Salmons goes off, it's still a tough try. Rebounds will be more important than usual because the Bucks are so good on the offensive boards -- Redd, Mo Williams and Charlie Bell hardly need extra tries.

Of course, the thing we need to pay most attention to: Mikki Moore's shots. Mikki will not stand to be ignored by the coaching staff! Rex Kalamian is on notice!

Game at 5 pm. Go Kings.

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Comments

More Moore!

Hopefully he'll have a productive game so he can shut up and feel like he's contributing too.

by kingsfaninjapan on Dec 19, 2007 3:35 PM PST reply actions

Back-to-back road games

Let's hope this turns out better than last time.

by otis29 on Dec 19, 2007 3:55 PM PST reply actions

Go Kings!

I kind of feel like Mikki Moore has the same coordination as that man in the lobster suit. Which beckons the question, would lobster man be cheaper over the next two years? Could he become the modern day Charles Oakley and be the King's enforcer with that huge claw?

I always question why roleplayers come out to the media about being unhappy about the coaching decisions. It does more harm then good and will most likely end up with his number called the same amount or less. This team hasn't lived or died by the lobster, why should we start now?

P.S. Otis, the King's have been horrendous since Vlade left on the backside of back to backs, especially road games. My theory is that Vlade's body was used to far more punishment then back to back basketball games so playing two games instead of partying, drinking, and chain-smoking, was helpful rather than harmful.

by moproblemz on Dec 19, 2007 4:35 PM PST reply actions

lol.

As a musician I had to admire Vlade's lifestyle....if he played an axe, he'd fit right in...

Great pic, TZ. Where do you get this stuff?

by Rhondda Nunes on Dec 19, 2007 7:44 PM PST up reply actions

Well...

This was one of my own photos from Halloween, actually.

by Tom Ziller on Dec 20, 2007 7:10 AM PST up reply actions

Damn...I've gotta admire that....

Way cool to be living the surreal life fo' shizzle...

by Rhondda Nunes on Dec 20, 2007 8:07 PM PST up reply actions

End of the trip

A win would give us a very nice 3-2 record on this trip. It'll be tough, but I'm sure we'll play hard.

The key for me is winning the TO battle. When we protect the ball we compete, when we don't it's usually ugly.

Winning the TO battle and our unreal 3pt shooting saved us last night when we were out shot and out rebounded.

by Kfan in Korea on Dec 19, 2007 5:11 PM PST reply actions

Nice start

4 early TOs for the Bucks, hot shooting for the Kings, and 8 1st Q points for Moore. And Redd just picked up his 2nd foul. 26-20 Kings 2:58 left in the 1st.

by Kfan in Korea on Dec 19, 2007 5:30 PM PST reply actions

Not a nice end to the 1st

Bucks on a 10-2 run. Kings up 2 end of 1. I think Theus has broken Douby's spirit. He's really struggling.

by Kfan in Korea on Dec 19, 2007 5:38 PM PST reply actions

Sweating the Bucks??

I called the Kings' victory in Arco the other night, the Bucks will be there all night at home but the Kings'll prevail.

It's the Bucks for crying out loud.

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Dec 19, 2007 5:39 PM PST reply actions

hmm

What a horrible game

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 6:04 PM PST reply actions

Halftime

Kings down by 1. At least we're still in it

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 6:11 PM PST reply actions

Moore

has 10

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 6:24 PM PST reply actions

Horrible Offense

I'm surprised we're still in this game

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 6:26 PM PST reply actions

Okay

We're now clicking. 6 pt lead

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 6:30 PM PST reply actions

I spoke too soon

Moore fubles another pass. I bet he never played football when he was young

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 6:32 PM PST reply actions

correction

fumbles

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 6:32 PM PST up reply actions

statement

The Kings (even w/o Kev and Mike) are better than the Bucks

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 6:37 PM PST reply actions

Subs

Quincy's off the bench. Spark a Douby!

The wise man tells you Where you have fallen And where you yet may fall - Invaluable secrets! The world may hate him. But good men love him.

by Psychrates on Dec 19, 2007 6:46 PM PST reply actions

Yi or Shawes

BTW, anyone still want Yi over Shawes?

The wise man tells you Where you have fallen And where you yet may fall - Invaluable secrets! The world may hate him. But good men love him.

by Psychrates on Dec 19, 2007 6:49 PM PST reply actions

No

I've always liked Hawes. Shawes or Bogut? I think Bogut would fit our team

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 6:53 PM PST up reply actions

Redd is a chucker!

Is anyone enamored by Michael Redd? I'd take Martin anyday

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:00 PM PST reply actions

Beno

clutch. Yi is doing well btw

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:05 PM PST reply actions

It's raining 3s

We're suddenly making shots

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:07 PM PST reply actions

Yi for me too

The wise man tells you Where you have fallen And where you yet may fall - Invaluable secrets! The world may hate him. But good men love him.

by Psychrates on Dec 19, 2007 7:08 PM PST reply actions

Benoooooooooooooooo

I love it!

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:09 PM PST reply actions

Beno nails another one

6 3s!!! Take that Mikki

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:10 PM PST reply actions

Beno is on FIRE!

6/7 from 3 and 21 points, 11 in the 4th.

by Kfan in Korea on Dec 19, 2007 7:11 PM PST reply actions

Ummmmm It seems I posted the wrong stuff

on the footnotes. Whoops? Hehe

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 19, 2007 7:11 PM PST reply actions

The sprinkler system has been turned on

Rant's mouth serves as a curse. I hope the battle with his mouth vs reality continues.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 19, 2007 7:13 PM PST reply actions

Salmons got lucky there...he was off balance

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 19, 2007 7:14 PM PST reply actions

I will give Reggie alot of credit

He's learned that he has a ton of interchangibility between Salmons Garcia and Artest both offensively and defensively. That's something I'm not sure Musselman understood.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 19, 2007 7:16 PM PST reply actions

Musselman

I'm not sure Musselman understood that he's not supposed to drive when he's drunk

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:18 PM PST up reply actions

weee

11-14 without 2 of our starters. Playoffs! Playoffs!

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:17 PM PST reply actions

john salmons

is a good basketball player.

the sacramento kings: where joel przybilla happens

by ptgloden on Dec 19, 2007 7:17 PM PST reply actions

hmmm

Tell that to the Sixers' fans

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:19 PM PST up reply actions

Hey Sixers fans:

John Salmons is a good basketball player. Maybe you should have given him a chance.

by Michael Beasley on Dec 19, 2007 7:33 PM PST up reply actions

LOL

Tell that to AI. LOL. So is he underpaid or overpaid for the MLE? Just right?

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:36 PM PST up reply actions

Great game, Udrih!

After seeing Udrih and Miller stepping up, who gets traded 1st, Millah or Bibbeh?

This msg brought to you by MGDoobie

The wise man tells you Where you have fallen And where you yet may fall - Invaluable secrets! The world may hate him. But good men love him.

by Psychrates on Dec 19, 2007 7:18 PM PST reply actions

hmm

Bibby definitely! Hawes is not yet read. However, Udrih is.

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:20 PM PST up reply actions

The earth is still on it's axis jerry.....

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 19, 2007 7:19 PM PST reply actions

Sigh

I agree the team is not playing a full deck without Martin on the floor. But a team can't miss a player it doesn't have in Bibby or Abdur Rahim.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 19, 2007 7:21 PM PST reply actions

Huh?

by Michael Beasley on Dec 19, 2007 7:34 PM PST up reply actions

Playoffs?!?!?!? Nooooo!

The worst thing that can happen besides Martin's groin fatally exploding is the playoffs.

The wise man tells you Where you have fallen And where you yet may fall - Invaluable secrets! The world may hate him. But good men love him.

by Psychrates on Dec 19, 2007 7:22 PM PST reply actions

Brad

Brad's doing his best to seperate his head from the hydra! And it's making this team look alright. It's actualy exciting to think about what this team can be when they have all their firepower back.

by kingsfaninjapan on Dec 19, 2007 7:22 PM PST reply actions

Wow

And I mean wow. B2B on the road.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Dec 19, 2007 7:22 PM PST reply actions

Wow

B2B already deserves a wow, but on the road? wow wow wow wow wow

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:24 PM PST up reply actions

While it's nice they finished the road trip well

It's somewhat interesting they're winning the games by hitting 3's. I don't mind that they're hitting the 3's. But it's becoming this clear this team lives & dies by the 3. That's not a trend I would personally be encouraged to see continue.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 19, 2007 7:23 PM PST reply actions

Re:

That's what happens when you have Moore as your PF and your C loves to take jump shots.

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:25 PM PST up reply actions

buzz kill

That rain is really beginning to get you, huh?

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Dec 19, 2007 7:26 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah all that merciless drizzle /IS/ getting to me

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 19, 2007 7:53 PM PST up reply actions

Artest with 8 assists

I think it depends on the kind of 3s we're taking. If we're coming down looking for 3s or going one on one and settling for long jumpers, that's bad. But if we're getting open 3s out of double teams in the post, you've got to take and hit those shots.

by Kfan in Korea on Dec 19, 2007 7:33 PM PST up reply actions

Dude

Dude, you jsut described how Michael Redd plays

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:38 PM PST up reply actions

Moore...

I don't think he's lobsteresque. He seems more of the crab-people type.

The wise man tells you Where you have fallen And where you yet may fall - Invaluable secrets! The world may hate him. But good men love him.

by Psychrates on Dec 19, 2007 7:25 PM PST reply actions

Artest postgame w/ Grant & Jerry

Ron Artest just said that "We're winning the games we're supposed to be winning, being one of the best teams in the league"

My 8 yr old son looks at me, completely serious, and says, "Dad, when Artest tells jokes, he never even smiles."

"Yankees Giants Giants Yankees Giants Giants Giants. Yankees."

by TerrenceLongsTaint on Dec 19, 2007 7:30 PM PST reply actions

lol

ROFL. That's one smart 8-year old you have there

by kingme on Dec 19, 2007 7:39 PM PST up reply actions

lol....!

Wait till he's 16....

by Rhondda Nunes on Dec 19, 2007 7:48 PM PST up reply actions

What, We are one of the best teams in the league

One of the 25 best teams in the league.

by Kfan in Korea on Dec 19, 2007 7:45 PM PST up reply actions

Just another reason why you've got to love Artest

by thelettere on Dec 19, 2007 8:48 PM PST up reply actions

Gotta Love Your Sacramento Kings!!

Nice to go 3-2 on the road just like the last homestand...a good confidence booster.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rhondda

by Rhondda Nunes on Dec 19, 2007 7:49 PM PST reply actions

9-8 with Artest

Just realized we're above .500 with Artest in the lineup now. 2-5 start and 0-1 vs. PHX when Artest was visiting his sick daughter.

by Kfan in Korea on Dec 19, 2007 7:59 PM PST reply actions

Detonation cancelled

So are the pundits still calling for Petrie to blow up the team?

by SavageBeast on Dec 19, 2007 10:50 PM PST reply actions

Yes

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 20, 2007 3:38 AM PST up reply actions

Only because they want the parts for nothing

by SavageBeast on Dec 20, 2007 7:42 AM PST up reply actions

Or maybe because I understand the

history of trade value. There are infinite examples of where teams wait for value to rise only to find it's dropping. Teams aren't going to break the bank for Artest or Bibby. They aren't going to give up a young 4 for Bibby; why would they? Bibby isn't worth anything near that. Artest's talent proves he's talented; it also proves he's somewhat volatile and inconsistent in his impact. You don't give up all-stars for that. You wait for the team to give that talent up at a lower price or you simply say fuck it. There aren't many other options than that. Not if you live in the real world.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 20, 2007 8:28 AM PST up reply actions

And your point would be . . .

So let me see if I understand your thinking here. Since we aren't going to be able to get anything for anyone anyway, we should just trade for what we can get?

Hmmm, we currently have an entertaining team. We will have significant salary cap room in two years at the worst. We are close to a 500 team without three of last year's starters--two of whom will be returning before the end of January if everything goes right. We may have the best back-up guard of the Sacramento era, or at least since B-Jax left. But you want to trash all that, because other GMs aren't going to up their offer.

Here's the thing. We have nothing to lose if we don't manage to trade Bibby/Miller/K-9 this year. No one expected us to make the playoffs. Many--including me--thought we had the potential to be one of the worst teams in the league. We are currently overachieving.

The teams that might be willing to trade for one of our expendable pieces are teams that expected to either make the playoffs or even contend for a conference title. The longer we play well and they slide down, the more their fans will push for a change. Tell me the Knicks aren't looking much harder at Ron-Ron now then they were back at the beginning of the season. Tell me Isaiah and Riley don't start to sweat bullets as the trade deadline approaches and their teams are drowning.

A heck of a lot of people have been questioning Petrie's moves as of late. Considering how well Salmons, Udrih, (and Mikki on occasion) have performed, I am enjoying watching the master GM at work. I'd much rather watch we have on the floor now plus Bibby and K-mart for the next two years than blow the team up and talk about how cool our 2008 and 2009 future draft picks will be when they finally hit their stride in 2011. years.

by SavageBeast on Dec 20, 2007 9:47 AM PST reply actions

Disagree

I think we have something to lose if Bibby is allowed to come back and regain his starting PG spot. And if you don't put him back as the starter, his trade value goes in the tank. Get what you can for him - if you can move KT's contract along with him, I'd be ecstatic.

I agree with you on Artest - we should hold off until/unless we get a fair offer. Having him on the roster really doesn't hurt you, as he brings some things to the floor that this team really needs.

Plus, I think Artest's youth and defensive ability makes him a higher-reward trade target for many teams than Bibby.

by otis29 on Dec 20, 2007 9:56 AM PST up reply actions

agreed

Beno is simply a better PG for this team than Bibby. Mike doesn't make his teammates better. He doesn't have Beno's vision nor driving/finishing ability. Beno's a better defender. Actually, I didn't think that I'd be willing to say this so early in the season, but, let's face it, Beno is a better all-around player.

Sitting Beno down when Bibby comes back will make this team worse.

by Kusian on Dec 20, 2007 11:13 AM PST up reply actions

Sitting Beno down for Bibby

Scares the crap out of me.

by otis29 on Dec 20, 2007 11:28 AM PST up reply actions

Okay

Some things need to be said.

So let me see if I understand your thinking here. Since we aren't going to be able to get anything for anyone anyway, we should just trade for what we can get?

What I said was that trade value manifests differently inside NBA circles than it does in fan minds. If you think you're going to get a talented young big for Bibby you're out of your mind. As far as Artest that's a must see. He's a far better player than Bibby; but he's just as difficult, if not harder, to trade because of his thorny side issues too. If you don't believe me fine.

Okay some things here to break down too. We MAY have significant cap room in 2 years. And to do exactly what with? And to sign whom? Cap room, as Chicago proved for years (just ask some Blog A Bull regulars if you think I'm lying), is nice to have but doesn't do jack shit without player interest.

I don't care about Beno's standing at this point. I like Beno; indeed I didn't think he would do much. I'm pleasantly surprised, and am glad I am. I have no issue with being surprised by a team that could have been worse, but isn't.

I don't want to trash that; I don't think being mediocre is worth something hang onto. Sorry if you disagree.

I disagree with the overachievement. I think Reggie is overachieving early with how he's approached the players. Other than that this team is pretty much what it is. It has a decent mix to win some games in the NBA. But that's what it is, and I would like to see this team win a championship before I need a cane because some fans are satisfied with over-achievement.

Tell me the Knicks aren't looking much harder at Ron-Ron now then they were back at the beginning of the season. Tell me Isaiah and Riley don't start to sweat bullets as the trade deadline approaches and their teams are drowning.

Actually I disagree about Isiah becoming desperate for Artest. He doesn't fit in well with Curry or Randolph; whom both would be difficult to move. Neither are good defenders; Randolph only rebounds when he does nothing else defensively. Giving up David Lee robs the Knicks of both flexibility of playing Lee at both the 3 & 4 plus they lose his strong Rebounding Per Minute rates too. Neither are strong plus's to take a guy of Artest's caliber, and risk. The tabloid's of New York, which is exactly there to stir up shit, and be somewhat devoid of fact, are doing what they do.

I am extremely confident of this: I don't know what Isiah is thinking. Quite frankly (to not be confused with Stephen A Smith's crappalicious show) I don't want to.

Great, I'm glad you're pleased with Petrie. You should tell his wife; perhaps you can work out a schedule to share him. In the meantime, and I speak for myself here, I only care about the future of this team in part because I see that as Geoff's job. The other part is that I don't care about an overachieving team as much as more fairweather fans who aren't on the up & up of this team's daily life. Don't get this confused, I'm neither calling you or a bandwagon or me an insider, I'm just merely pointing out that outside influences that mean nothing to me matter a great deal to the Maloof's. After all they view the Kings as a business, not a creative outlet. I'm not interested in watching a painful rebuilding process of inexperienced young players. I'm also not interested in seeing a team that's 500 for years running because the trade value wasn't up to snuff of what some perceived to be trade value. That's just stupid. I don't know the answers, nor am I purporting too either. I'm just simply pointing out, which seems to be of not your liking, that this team isn't worth keeping together for an 8th playoff spot and 500, even if it's an overachievement and puts the team in good standing. As far as I'm concerned many fans truly care when the team is winning consistently.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 20, 2007 10:10 AM PST up reply actions

Consider them said

See if Geoff's wife will share him? I think I'll leave the three ways to others. Honestly I think you are reading a lot into what I am saying, though. Where did I say that our primary goal should be an 8th playoff seed? What I said was that a trade for the sake of a trade is not necessarily a move in the right direction. If tearing the team apart means a quicker trip to respectability I am all for it. But at the moment I don't even hear rumors of anything that makes sense for the Kings future. You don't want to watch a young team rebuild itself, but do you really think there is a team out there right now that is going to offer a significant piece of our future for an injured Mike Bibby? Or resurgent Brad Miller? Who? What? Here's what I see. Martin and Salmons are solid. Beno is at least a solid back up and might even prove to be a pg of the future. Artest is one of the best small forwards in the league with the personality and maturity of my seven-year-old son. And if he stays with the Kings next year, I'll buy you dinner here in Salt Lake or in old town Sac. next time I'm in town. That's all we have as far as a solid future nucleus at the moment. Garcia has moments of brillance. Hawes has potential. Douby has--well I don't know what Douby has. Mikki is a place holder. Miller and Bibby are solid vets with bloated salaries and limited future. K-9 and Shareef are dead weight. I don't see anyone offering anything more than expiring contracts for Bibby. I don't see anyone offering even expiring contracts for any of our non-performing power forwards. So what does blowing up the team really mean? Tanking to get a good draft pick? Cutting players whose salaries we are going to be stuck with anyway? Yeah, that sounds like something to get excited about. You might as well just sit everyone. The way to create value for your players is to win games. The way for Theus to build the trust of the Maloofs is to win games. The way to put butts in seats (which is what will keep the Maloofs happy and get a new stadium, by the way) is to win games. The way to turn young talent into solid pieces of a championship team is to win games. Am I rooting for the Kings to make the playoffs? Hell yes! The day I root for my team to lose games is the day I quit watching basketball. But not at the expense of our future. I want trades that will make us a better team by the end of the decade, which is when we have a realistic chance of being a contender again. But if it ain't there, it ain't there. Last point. Just because I haven't been posting here much before does not make me a new or fairweather fan. I've been a Kings fan in Sac when they first moved there, in Chicago when MJ and Rodman played for the Bulls and tickets to see the Kings when they came to town were through the roof, and now in Utah where I pay a crazy fee to watch them on DirectTV. My wife knows more about the Kings than most so-called knowledagble fans and all of my kids can tell you Jersey numbers for years and years backward.

by SavageBeast on Dec 20, 2007 1:29 PM PST up reply actions

Lot's of good stuff here

And I agree with pretty much everything you've noted. At some point, any championship caliber team needs a true superstar to get them over the hump (Detroit Pistons being the clear exception to that rule). Our Kings from a few years back weren't getting to that championship-caliber level until they picked up C-Webb.

So that's the key, isn't it? If we don't believe that anyone on our current squad (and I would agree with this thought) is going to be of a superstar level, then the Kings will still need to acquire that piece. And that requires Petrie being patient until the right deal (or set of deals) comes along. Or we just get damn lucky with the ping-pong balls. I totally get that.

So I'm down with hanging onto Artest until the right deal comes along. However, maybe it's just the Bibby-hater in me, but I think you have to pull the trigger on him as soon as possible. He obviously has some trade value, but he also has a detrimental value (IMO) to the growth of this team when he returns. Maybe that's just a short-term problem until we finally are free of him, but I'm not a big fan of taking a step back to take two steps forward. Especially in Bibby's case, which I think is a huge step back.

This is my thinking - if Bibby isn't going to net us an exceptional player or a decent draft pick by holding onto him, why not just get what you can and let this team continue to grow under Theus? I can't imagine the caliber of deal you will get at the deadline or in the offseason would be that much better than what you would get in a month.

Again, my dislike of Bibby and my enjoyment of the offense as run by Beno probably clouds my judgement.

by otis29 on Dec 20, 2007 1:51 PM PST up reply actions

Can't argue

There's a part of me that still loves the Bibby of four five year's ago. But that's really just a holdover from not being able to let go of what we had at the time, plus the memories of him hitting those buzzer beater threes. But as long as a Bibby trade could get us some young prospects or cap room, I wouldn't shed too many tears to see him traded. I love seeing a pg that actually plays defense and gets assists.

by SavageBeast on Dec 20, 2007 2:11 PM PST up reply actions

I don't necessarily disagree but . . .

We tried to move Bibby last year and got nowhere. Now that he is injured what makes his trade value any higher or even as high? I would be delighted, make that overjoyed, to get 2008 cap space and a first round draft pick or a couple of young prospects for Bibby, even though he is still one of my favorite Kings.

But . . . if teams are trying to unload their problems on us for a legitimately high quality PG, no thanks.

If we don't trade Bibby it could come back to hurt us like when Webber returned. But I also think it could be entertaining to see Bibby and Udrih play together. Bibby is a pretty fun player to watch when he doesn't have to be the primary ball handler. So far Theus seems to have a knack for putting together fun small ball combainations.

by SavageBeast on Dec 20, 2007 10:02 AM PST reply actions

I wanna take up that point...

I'd like to see beno stay on point & try Bibby at the 2; especially if Martin is still out...If Mike plays well, maybe that could raise his trade value; helping him & the team.

by Rhondda Nunes on Dec 20, 2007 8:19 PM PST reply actions