(POSTED HERE SO MAYBE A MOD WILL MOVE IT TO THE BASKETBALL BOARD) http://fullcourtpress.kingsconnect.com/archives/4538 The Kings are feeling confident heading into their final contest of a four-game home stand — a matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday at ARCO Arena. Led by Sergio Rodriguez’s spectacular 13 fourth-quarter points, the Kings closed out the Hornets by outshooting (61.1-50 percent), outrebounding (12-1) and outscoring (30-22) New Orleans in the fourth quarter. Along with becoming the sixth straight game the Kings tallied at least 100 points, it’s the latest example of the team displaying improvement in an area it wasn’t previously proficient. “I think the players are playing to their strengths and finding ways to use the strengths of their teammates,” Coach Paul Westphal said after the team’s practice on Tuesday. “I think that’s the main thing I’d say I’m pleased about so far. Whether it’s Sergio setting the table for everybody and penetrating or (Jon) Brockman rebounding or Kenny (Thomas) coming in and guarding the best player in the low post or the spot-up shooters finding ways to spot up and feed off each other, that’s what I like best about this team so far.” Westphal’s comments show his confidence in each player’s awareness and further evidence the Kings are united in their efforts. Though it has been two days since Rodriguez’s impressive all-around performance, featuring his career-high 24 points, five assists and zero turnovers, Westphal and his teammates continue to be impressed by the Spanish point guard’s play. “He has just continued to play so well in practice and in the games that it’s hard not to notice him and hard not to get more time for him,” Westphal said. “He’s been consistently really good.” Watch – Kings Practice: Coach Westphal. “Sergio, in practice, he’s fun to play against,” Tyreke Evans said. “And he’s fun to watch. The little guy can go. Once he gets it going, there’s no stopping him, so I was pretty happy with him the other night. He played a good game and he was a big part of the win.” As exciting as Rodriguez’s Sunday showing was, the entire Kings bench has produced well. During the past two games, the home team’s bench has outscored the Nets and Hornets benches, respectively, by a combined 108-31.
The cake is baking Duh! You can't take it out of the oven and add more sugar/ingredients halfway though the cooking process. The wheels, McMillan wheels, are already in motion. Though very slowly.
Sacramento is kind of surprising because they're playing so hard and overacheiving. kind of liek the blazers last year.
Sacramento has always been one of my other favorite teams. Sergio is a good guy and I will continue to wish him well.
On the Kings, Sergio ranks #9 in minutes, but #1 in +/- (barely). So of course, he ranks #1 in +/- per minute (by a light year). http://www.nba.com/statistics/plusminus/plusminus_sort.jsp?pcomb=1&season=22009&split=9&team=Kings
It's this new coach Paul Westphal. He was drummed out of the NBA after he was the Sonic head coach, the one between George Karl and Nate McMillan. Nate had been Paul's assistant coach. Westphal coaches fast break, like most coaches. Sergio would have looked a lot better on any NBA team this year. For 3 years I've said that he will need to change teams to play his style.
Paul Westphal had the best quote ever in the press conference after his Suns went down 0-2 in a best of 5 against the Lakers in 1993. It was something like "We're gonna win on Tuesday, then we're gonna win on Thursday, and then we're gonna come back here and win on Sunday and everyone will say what a great series was." And then it came true! I met the guy because his son played in a basketball league with me for 4 years in LA. Very nice guy and I told him how much I loved that quote. A great moment in playoff history. The Suns went on to reach the NBA Finals where Barkley had one of the best quotes ever. After the Suns won Game 5 to close the series gap from 1-3 to 2-3, he said something like "I talked to God today and he says we're gonna win the series." Classic.
