King Makers

by Ziller on Apr 13, 2008 7:32 AM PDT in Recaps Comment 18 comments

This is all pretty absurd, the below-.500 Kings deciding the #1 seed in the best conference in recent NBA history. One down, LOL amirite?!

Before we get into the importance (local and national) of the two remaining for Sactown, let's not let this ultra-satisfying win pass slowly into the night. Err, morning.

Ron Artest, man. Ron Artest. His three-point shooting must be 10% better in the fourth quarter. A stunning series of makes, and his nightly jawdropping drive-and-dunk was spectacular, per usual. I still don't want the Kings to give him $10 million. But damn he's a ton of fun to watch.
Francisco Garcia is a beast. I didn't know you could be a streaky player on defense, too. Apparently so. That fourth-quarter block party was something to behold. When you see those happen so close to those inexplicable touch fouls on three-point shots ... you realize they are Siamese twins: you cannot have all those blocks without a few cringeworthy fouls.
Great activity from Shelden Williams, great production from Spencer Hawes. (The backside block on Tyson Chandler was a personal high note.) It showed up in John Salmons line more than these fellows, but the ability of Kings to hang tough in the rebound margin was unexpected and frankly upsetting. If we can't count on the Kings being a sucky rebounding team, what can we rely on in this crazy world?!
Speaking of Salmons: All sorts of brilliant. He's a starter in this league. I hope it's with this team. A three-man swing rotation of Martin-Salmons-Garcia would be better than most.

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Artest & Garcia

There is a fine line drawn between fearlessness and stupidity, and those that dare even approach that line are to be applauded and appreciated, even though they will make your blood boil when they cross that line.

Ron Artest and Francisco Garcia are two of those players. I think Spencer Hawes may eventually become that player some day, too. John Salmons may also be that type of player, with a silencer attached to him...never heard it comin'.

As the 4th quarter unfolded last night it became apparent that Artest and Garcia wanted the game worse than anyone else on the floor, on the bench, in the arena. It was their will that decided the game. It was apparent when Garcia undressed Peja on defense (wow), when he clanked 3 pointers (yeesh) but still had the 'nads to hoist and make one as the shot clock wound down (whew), when he stuffed Pargo at the hoop (amazing), when he fouled Peterson from 3 with 23 seconds left and the Kings up by 7 (wtf?!?).

The play and decision making of these individuals can sometimes kill you when you are in the moment of the game, but upon reflection you have to love these guys for putting their heart, soul and passion on the floor every time they lace them up.

Tip of the hat, pop of the collar, gentlemen. Thanks for caring enough about your craft to bleed it out time and time again.

Item last - if Spencer Hawes does the work, he will be > Brad Miller. He is quciker, faster, longer and more athletic than Brad. If the kid that turns 20 this month gets stronger and smarter, he will displace muff209 as my favorite person in a Peaches t-shirt.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Apr 13, 2008 8:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That was truly special

Even if we helped the Lakers out last night, that was truly a special win for the team. The team as shorthanded as can be, missing their go to scorer, a team playing out the strings the rest of the season and the Kings came out with enough energy to stun the Hornets.

Next year, we gotta translate this to road games.

The NBA Lottery: Where fans turning against their favorite team happens.

by kingme18 on Apr 13, 2008 9:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

There

is nothing wrong with helping out the Lakers at this point.

I'm kinda hoping to see a Lakers vs. Celtics Finals this year.

by ProjectCambio on Apr 13, 2008 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is always something wrong

with helping the Lakers if you are a true Kings fan. The only reason a Kings fan roots for a Celtics Lakers final is to see Phil Jackson cry when he comes so close and loses.

by SavageBeast on Apr 13, 2008 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Derek Fisher

He's a major weeper.

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Apr 13, 2008 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well yea

I'm looking at the bigger picture here.

Why go for the small minor victories now, when we can see the Lakers crushed during the big show?

by ProjectCambio on Apr 13, 2008 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh the irony....

if phil is denied passing red on alltime title list by the celts... :D

by DowJones on Apr 13, 2008 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another great win

You know - these young guys keep getting minutes and the Kings keep winning. This was just another amazing win with another big assist from Artest. My position on Ron hasn't changed, but when he's good, he's really good. Great work all around.

by Carl on Apr 13, 2008 12:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Artest

I would prefer to see Artest shipped for a big man. But I do agree that Artest could be a valuable player and should not be given away for nothing.

The NBA Lottery: Where fans turning against their favorite team happens.

by kingme18 on Apr 13, 2008 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who wouldn't

If you're a NBA team why give up something valuable to get Artest?

We could build ping-pong ball shrines and make sacrifices at them, like broken ping-pong paddles, or burning Peaches in effigy--LPA

by pookeyguru on Apr 14, 2008 2:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your team has some serious cojones

They would be top five in the East. I know you hate it when your team helps out the Lakers, but I'm sure thanking everyone up in Sactown for the effort. You can bet the Lakers won't take the Kings lightly on Tuesday. They already beat LA at Staples this season, and they're really playing some good ball at the end of the season despite being shorthanded. Maybe one of you could whisper in RonRon's ear that Bowen has been dissing him behind his back?

by The Dude Abides on Apr 13, 2008 5:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs