<div align="center"> <font color="navy">The Sacramento Kings (16-21)</font> vs. <font color="purple">The Los Angeles Lakers (21-17)</font> Thursday, January 19th, 2006 Arco Arena, Sacramento, California 7:30 Pacific; Local and LP </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="navy"> <font size="1">(M. Bibby, K. Martin, C. Williamson, K. Thomas, B. Miller)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Mike Bibby - 19.9 PPG Leading Rebounder: Brad Miller - 7.9 RPG Assist Man: Mike Bibby - 5.4 APG The 'X' Factor: Brad Miller (14.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 5.3 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/mike_bibby.jpg[/imgl]<font color="navy">Mike Bibby</font> PPG: 19.9, RPG: 3.1, APG: 5.4 Bibby, having argueably the best year of his career, despite the Kings' hardships is going to have to will his way to victory. He led his team with a huge game against Orlando, and led the victory against the Suns. In this game, Bibby will have to assert himself offensively. On defense, he can't let Smush get involved. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kevin_martin.jpg[/imgl]<font color="navy">Kevin Martin</font> PPG: 7.7, RPG: 3.3, APG: 1.3 I'm not going to lie, I don't know anything about Kevin Martin. What I do know is that, if the Kings want a win, they better triple team Kobe every time Martin is guarding him. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/corliss_williamson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="navy">Corliss Williamson</font> PPG: 4.5, RPG: 2.0, APG: 0.4 Williamson, the former Detroit reserve swingman, is filling in for the injury depleted Kings, who are missing Peja at this position. He'll have his hands full all night if Lamar decides to asser himself. Williamson is going to have to stay out of foul trouble and make shots when he is given the opportunity. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kenny_thomas.jpg[/imgl]<font color="navy">Kenny Thomas</font> PPG: 7.8, RPG: 4.9, BPG: .36 Kenny Thomas, a skinny forward, will have a handful with the often inconsistent, yet big-bodied Kwame Brown. He can't let Kwame get dunking position on him and has to keep him off of the boards. On the offensive end, Thomas will have to be assertive. He needs to look to pick up fouls on the Laker bigs and try to get his shot. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/brad_miller.jpg[/imgl]<font color="navy">Brad Miller</font> PPG: 14.8, RPG: 7.9, BPG: .53 This Indiana native should have no problem scoring and getting Mihm in foul trouble. Miller is a threat from all over the court. He can score from the inside, the outside, and the free throw line. He should be able to keep Mihm off of the glass, as well. For the Kings to win, Miller will be key. </font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="purple"> <font size="1">(S. Parker, K. Bryant, L. Odom, K. Brown, C. Mihm) </font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Kobe Bryant - 34.3 PPG Leading Rebounder: Lamar Odom - 9.3 RPG Assist Man: Lamar Odom - 5.6 APG The 'X' Factor: Smush Parker (11.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.1 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/smush_parker.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Smush Parker</font> PPG: 11.5, RPG: 3.2, APG: 3.1 Smush! He had a disappointing game against the Heat and should look to change that against Mike Bibby and the Kings. He'll have his hands full all night with the challenge that Bibby presents, but I think he'll show up for this matchup. He's going to have to be the secondary distributer, behind Lamar. He should have some open shots if Bibby goes over to help on Kobe, he'll have to knock them down. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kobe_bryant.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> PPG: 34.3, RPG: 5.6, APG: 4.4 MVP! MVP! MVP! With Kevin Martin on him, that's what Kobe should look like. He should have a flawless game. He finally got the burden of beating Shaq off of his back, so there is more stress off of him. Normally when stress is relieved, players go on a tear. Kobe, did you hear that? I'm calling 41, 6, and 7 against a far inferior opponent. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/lamar_odom.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Lamar Odom</font> PPG: 14.6, RPG: 9.3, APG: 5.6 Consistency? He stepped up against the Heat, can he do it again against the Kings? He has to look to score again, stop worrying about creating for others all of the time, and create for himself. He'll get his assists and rebounds, it's the points we need from him. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kwame_brown.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kwame Brown</font> - PPG: 6.2, RPG: 6.1, BPG: .64 He was a non factor in the Heat game, it was almost as if he was timid to go at Shaq, but outside of Andrew Bynum, that's not a surprise. Kwame's been playing good ball lately, I wouldn't be surprised if he came in here and dropped 11 and 10. He needs to stay out of foul trouble though, no stupid fouls and good post defense, that is what we really want out of him. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/chris_mihm.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Chris Mihm</font> PPG: 10.2, RPG: 6.6, BPG: 1.32 For the second straight game, Chris Mihm will have his hands full. Brad Miller is no Shaq, but he's no pushover. What is more entertaining than two rednecks going at it? You suppose they'll talk about hunting and budweiser on the free throw lines? Naw, but seriously, Mihm needs to be prepared for this. We don't need his infamous disappearing act in this one. </font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="navy">Control the Tempo</font> - With so many injuries, the Kings will have to come out and control the tempo of the game. If the Lakers get rolling early, with the hotstreak they have been on, it could be over before it even started.[*]<font color="navy">Double; Triple Kobe</font> - I could be completely wrong about Kevin Martin, he could be the best defender in the world, but I haven't heard anything about him. I think Kobe will smell fresh blood here and ATTACK. Bibby and Williamson are going to have to atleast double up on Kobe and force the other Lakers to beat them.[*]<font color="navy">Play Off of the Crowd</font> - With all of the injuries this team is dealing with right now, they're going to have to play off of their huge win against Phoenix and the crowd momentum. That means getting out early and running. Bibby is going to have to construct some early fastbreaks to take the Lakers out of it and get the crowd roaring.[*]<font color="purple">Follow Up, Lamar?</font> - Can we get a encore, Lamar?[*]<font color="purple">Role Players</font> - Calling Smush, Kwame, George, Mihm, and Walton. Bring it. The Kings are riding high after beating the Suns with their injury-riddled roster. Ride the momentum from the Heat game and contribute, that's all we need.[*]<font color="purple">Contine the Fire</font> - The Lakers seem to be playing a different type of basketball lately. A more, passionate type. They are sticking in close games and actually pulling them out with wins. Ride the emotion, continue climbing the playoff rankings. Don't take this game lightly, the Kings are still very lethal, even with all their injuries.[/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> This should be a fun game, no doubt. I don't see the Lakers losing unless they take the Kings lightly though, they just have to overcome too many injuries. Lakers: 106, Kings: 101.
They freaking killed the Suns last night.. Dont know how we will manage to win them, they're without 3 of their starters, but who knows, they just might of had a good game against the Suns. In the Preseason we won them, Kwame with 20 pts. So i hope Kwame plays some really good offense and defense. And Phil needs to play Bynum more, he's our future.
Mike Bibby has been playing out his mind these last couple of games. He dropped 42 on the Magic, and had 19/5 last night against Phoenix. The Kings were able to hang with Phoenix, because of their small-ball lineup and ability to score. They won't have those same opportunities against the Lakers and our size and control of tempo will be the difference in the Lakers winning this game. The Lakers are coming off two huge confidence builders by beating the Cavs and the Heat. More importantly, they did not have a let down game against the Warriors, and it goes to show the Lakers are completely focused on winning every game here on out. Winning games against divisional opponents is crucial for every team in the West. The Lakers have to beat the Kings and continue to ride this win streak. Looking at the matchups, the Kings have no answer for Kobe in this game. They don't have a Doug Christie or Maurice Evans to battle Kobe, and make him work a little harder on offense. Kobe is going to be attacking all game long, and once the defense starts collapsing on him, his teammates are going to have WIDE OPEN looks against one of the worst defensive teams in the league. The Laker big men have to play smart in this game and keep the options open for the coaching staff by not getting into early foul trouble. If they can stay on the court then the Lakers can take advantage of mismatches by using a big lineup or small lineup by sliding Odom to PF. Smush Parker has to be up to the challenge of containing Bibby and working through the picks. The Kings favorite play on offense is the pick and roll with Bibby and Miller. If the Lakers cannot defend this effectively the Kings will milk it all game long. Don't be surprised to see Kobe switch to defend Bibby down the stretch if the game is close.
I think the Kings vs Suns game was kind of a fluke game...not to put down the Kings or anything, but come on...I doubt Kings could do that to Pheonix again.....anyways...Lakers can win this game...VERY LIKELY that they can....if any King's player gets into foul trouble they are very much...how do i put this...."screwed"....so as long as we contain Bibby from scoring OR make sure that he is the ONLY King with a good scoring night and shut down the rest of the team then I can see a great win for Lakers...let's get it!....btw Shape it would be great if you coudl update me during the game and all...cause no TV again...stepmothers....grr
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DynastYWarrioR6:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the Kings vs Suns game was kind of a fluke game...not to put down the Kings or anything, but come on...I doubt Kings could do that to Pheonix again.....anyways...Lakers can win this game...VERY LIKELY that they can....if any King's player gets into foul trouble they are very much...how do i put this...."screwed"....so as long as we contain Bibby from scoring OR make sure that he is the ONLY King with a good scoring night and shut down the rest of the team then I can see a great win for Lakers...let's get it!....btw Shape it would be great if you coudl update me during the game and all...cause no TV again...stepmothers....grr</div> You took the words right out of my mouth, that game was most definitely a fluke, and likely not to happen again. If Phoenix woulda showed up I woulda turned $100 into $900 too, bastards. Anyways, I'd like to thank K8B for making this preview for us, and I agree with his prediction. No answer for Kobe imo on the Kings, I believe the Lakers will take this, not very easily, but not too difficult either. I hope Lakers take them serious and not over look the game like they did with Portland.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> <font color=""Black""><font size=""4""><font face=""Arial Black"">Abdur-Rahim, Stojakovic Expected to Play Tonight</font></font></font> "Shareef Abdur-Rahim, whose jaw was broken by the errant elbow of Portland's Zach Randolph on Dec. 26, was expected to miss up to two months. But little more than three weeks later, he will attempt to play limited minutes against the Lakers at Arco Arena on Thursday night," writes Sam Amick of the SACRAMENTO BEE. "The Kings will also welcome small forward Peja Stojakovic, who has missed three games with a back injury. Stojakovic practiced Wednesday, and said he will play against the Lakers."</div> Source:http://http://www.sacbee.com/content/sport...-14917660c.html This changed a bit, eh?
LOL! unreal. I read Abdur-Rahim was going to be out for a LONG TIME. Whatever, BRING THEM ALL ON, BRING BONZI WELLS ON TOO. Lakers ain't scared, we love the challenge, we'll beat any Kings team, let's do it.
Just going to give u abit of info about my man Kevin Martin as you said you don't know much about him. He's playing really well in the games where hes got proper minutes. Hes had alot of games scoring over 20 points. In the games where he scores over 14, the Kings are 7-1, hes a big part of what could happen. Hes coming off a hot hand with a career high against phoenix with 25 points (4-5 3pt) and 6 rebounds (Not a career high). His defense, he is one of the best defenders on the Kings team (which I know doesn't say much), he is lightning quick but that doesn't mean he's going to stop Kobe. No one can do that, and K-Mart is only 22 in his second year in the L. He is a promising young player, very athletic (can jump out the gym) but has been only consistent if given minutes. Still figuring out what he's able to do. Nothing for Kobe to worry about, but he's the only Kings player with even a remote chance of stopping him. By the way, K-Marts stats there don't mean anything. He would be averaging alot more only for he kept getting shitty minutes with Bonzi there (Bonzi is injured). He averages ridicolous numbers when he gets starting. Something like 16ppg 2apg 6rpg 2spg. Promising player. My prediction: LA Lakers 108 - 100 Sacto Kings (I'm probably one of the only realistic Kings fan on this board!). Hope it was a good read!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shootingmachine:</div><div class="quote_post">Just going to give u abit of info about my man Kevin Martin as you said you don't know much about him. He's playing really well in the games where hes got proper minutes. Hes had alot of games scoring over 20 points. In the games where he scores over 14, the Kings are 7-1, hes a big part of what could happen. Hes coming off a hot hand with a career high against phoenix with 25 points (4-5 3pt) and 6 rebounds (Not a career high). His defense, he is one of the best defenders on the Kings team (which I know doesn't say much), he is lightning quick but that doesn't mean he's going to stop Kobe. No one can do that, and K-Mart is only 22 in his second year in the L. He is a promising young player, very athletic (can jump out the gym) but has been only consistent if given minutes. Still figuring out what he's able to do. Nothing for Kobe to worry about, but he's the only Kings player with even a remote chance of stopping him. By the way, K-Marts stats there don't mean anything. He would be averaging alot more only for he kept getting shitty minutes with Bonzi there (Bonzi is injured). He averages ridicolous numbers when he gets starting. Something like 16ppg 2apg 6rpg 2spg. Promising player. My prediction: LA Lakers 108 - 100 Sacto Kings (I'm probably one of the only realistic Kings fan on this board!). Hope it was a good read!!!</div> Thanks for that great insight. I remember first time I saw Kevin Martin, I was like "GOD DAMN, dude looks like a little kid, he's in the NBA?" But ya, he was lighting it up against the Suns, I hope he doesn't do that today =P I appreciate the honesty in your prediction, you are a good man! I definitely feel it will be close game that will be decided by 4 points or less.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting arre:</div><div class="quote_post">Source:http://http://www.sacbee.com/content/sport...-14917660c.html This changed a bit, eh?</div> He should've been out longer then expected i guess. It doesnt matter, SAR wont get more then 15 minutes. I also think he's causing the chemistry problems. I still hope we win. We just can lose to a team that has a worser record then, just like we lost to Portland. And Peja, Lamar Odom needs to shut him down, we have much better defense then they do, IMO they're the worse defense team in the league.
Of course they are going to try to put Peja and SAR in tonight, every Laker game is personal to the Kings. Kevin Martin is gonna get used tonight by Kobe, but Smush is gonna have a hectic time trying to guard Bib. Lamar can shut down Peja and I think offensivly Lamar has the upper hand, because Peja's defense is Swiss cheese. If I were Phil, I would run more offensive plays for Lamar. I think that one move by Bynum over Shaq will get him some minutes tonight and for the rest of the season. I expect a good game.
The Kings should stick with the lineup they used to beat the Suns the other night. Having some role players like Kenny Thomas in the starting lineup gave the Kings more balance on the court. They've been having a poor season because all 5 starters need the ball in their hands to make an impact. Kenny Thomas get 8 to 10 points without a single play called for him, by just hustling and ourworking his man for the offensive putback. Bringing back SAR and Peja for this game ruins the chemistry from the Phoenix game and also raises the stakes for the Lakers to be more focused. The Lakers can move into a tie with the Clippers for the #6 seed tonight with a win. The Lakers have played well on the road all season long, and with a few days of rest and time to prepare for Sacramento, I expect a victory.
The Kings are going to be shorthanded and have been pretty inconsistent all season. I hope for the win but id give the lakers the edge at this point. Youd think the Kings would have some kind of homecourt advantage, but just take a look at their home record. Kobe is going to kill the Kings, but then again who doesnt he kill....other than the Pistons. If Peja can get back to scoring a bunch of points i think the Kings will start winning alot of games. I dont think Peja will ever be able to change the perception of being a horrible defender . He really ISNT BAD.
nice preview. its great to see someone making these again in the laker forum. as for the game? i say the lakers take this by double digits. the lakers have been hot so far, and i dont see their streak ending to the queens. i know that peja and shareef might be back, but they shouldnt be too much trouble, since they were out for a long time and should be pretty rusty.
Offensively I would run Lamar at Peja and make him play tough defense..and of course let Kobe do his thing on whoever is in front of him.... Defensively, just keep up what they been doing... I think Bynum could do well against this Kings team if he played...he has the height which Kings don't...I think we could own the boards by more than 10....but maybe I'm just wishfully thinking
The lakers are playing well. Period. Charles barkley can suck my d**k. He's another kobe hater. He's the reason why I hate watching TNT. And youll see the same results tommorow on espn when Tom Tolbert will say some crap about kobe. It's stupid. Why cant everyone be like Kevin Harlan or Doug Collins and just do their job. Mark my words. Tommorow on BSPN, you will see Tom Tolbert bashing kobe on how he's not getting his teammates involved.
