Why Francisco Why?

by Ziller on Mar 23, 2008 6:57 AM PDT in Recaps Comment 15 comments

Not that the difference between W or L has tons of weight at this point, and no win was even guaranteed had the play ended with a Spencer Hawes rebound instead of three Juan Carlos Navarro free throws. But good freaking gravy. Bad play, man. Bad play.

I might also question just a bit the absence of John Salmons in the last quarter. Salmons had been playing good defense, and Memphis's lineup left the Kings with Mikki Moore guarding Rudy Gay and Garcia guarding Mike Miller. I think Salmons would've done more to limit either. I understand why Garcia was in there -- he shot fairly well, he was rather active (usually in a good way). But Salmons carried you through a month of this season. He is good. He should play.

While we should be applauding the first career start and double-double for Spencer Hawes, we'll instead fact-check Mikki's postgame comments:

"As a team we played selfish on both ends of the floor," said Kings forward Mikki Moore, who had nine points and eight rebounds. "We didn't help each other out on defense, and we were greedy on offense."

Mikki had four made FGs. He was assisted on three of those. The fourth was a putback dunk. Overall, the Kings assisted 20 of 43 FGMs, which is not very high but isn't low either.

There was a stretch where the ball movement died -- the early fourth. And the defense was uniformly awful, save a six-minute stretch in the third. (By the way, if you haven't watched the game yet, from the 7-min mark to the 1-min mark in the third might make you feel good about the future of this team.)

Shock & Hawes, people. Shock & Hawes.

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Sheesh

Mikki Moore is a crab. Just kidding, Mikki. Love ya', babe.

Moore had 5 of the team's 20 assists so he may have a little bit of a point, but I don't think that you can expect Hawes (who had a couple of nice assists) to be as prolific a passer as Miller, and Salmons averages fewer assists than Artest. Also, without Udrih we logged 22 minutes without a "true" point guard on the floor. All in all I thought that the retrofitted lineup was fairly effective on the offensive end.

Mikki is right about the defense. Lot's of open looks and easy baskets for the Grizzlies. That said, I would expect that from Hawes and Williams as they begin to gain experience with the team's defensive schemes.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Mar 23, 2008 10:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Can you remember a Kings team

that has as much talent as this and so disjointed consistently as this one is section?

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 Mar 23, 2008 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disjointed

Well, last year's team would rank right up there.

A big part of the problem has been player availability. Note that I do not say injuries but availability. Injuires, suspensions, South Beach flu, roster turnover, etc. have all played a role.

After reading Mikki's comments on Sam Amick's blog my concern is that there may be an environment developing where some players are questioning other players as it pertains to the level of their injuries. That can poison a ballclub faster than you can say "Dick Motta."

When I take a step back and look at this season, I am actually amazed that we actually rank as the 18th best team in the league (by record). Rookie coach, ungodly amount of players not available, one pg brought in at the 11th hour and another traded halfway through the season.

Disjointed? Yes. But unlike last year I can actually find some positive points. That said, barring a miracle I still think that we could be at least another year away from competing for a playoff spot.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Mar 23, 2008 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree last year was disjointed

and, in any reasonable way more so. However this is where I take exception to that.

Where as Musselman hung himself, has Reggie Theus done the same thing? Musselman had a chance to keep the team moving forward? Did Reggie?

Thank You for the response.

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 Mar 23, 2008 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cisco has a habit ...

of making bonehead plays. It's his downside.

by KingsFan on Mar 23, 2008 1:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

kind of his upside

Haven't you ever seen him take a three in the fourth, found yourself thinking "No, no, no..." only to scream "yes, Yes, YES!"

The kid has no guilt. Gift and a curse.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Mar 23, 2008 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No! NO! Yess!!!

Used to say the same things about J-Will back in the day. I guess that's a lot harder to deal with coming from your point guard.

by misterbrister on Mar 24, 2008 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No! NO! Yess!!!

C-Webb and the elbow jumper.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Mar 24, 2008 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No! No! No! No! YES!!!!

Ron Artest three point shot. Ron Artest ISO. Ron Artest rebound resulting in Ron-Ron pounding it up the floor instead of passing ahead to the open three point shooter, or the open point guard standing next to him.

What can I say except that I'm strangely attracted to his behavior while knowing it's bad for my future emotional health? Except that when he breaks my heart by playing selfishly, I swear I am finished with him...again...I mean it this time.

/channeling by my 22 year old former self.

God bless you, Corliss. You always played as though you knew how expensive my tickets were. -section214

by KK on Mar 24, 2008 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now if you only down 2 strawberry daiquiries

and forget the whole thing you'll be okay. :)

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 Mar 25, 2008 1:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You'll have to take it on trust

that it took more than 2 strawberry daiquiries.

But yeah, those helped. At least in the short term.

God bless you, Corliss. You always played as though you knew how expensive my tickets were. -section214

by KK on Mar 25, 2008 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take it on trust????

Shiiiiittttt. I take it as mandatory it would take more than that. What are you? A girl?

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 Mar 26, 2008 1:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

KK

You should work on your self-image. You are a wonderful, intelligent person who posts insightful comments on StR. You can do much better than him. You DESERVE much better than him.

Sing with me. "These boots were made for walkin'..."

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Mar 25, 2008 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs