<div align="center"> @ Saturday, February 26 2005 Projected Starters C- Brad Miller PF- Kenny Thomas SF- Corliss Williamson SG- Cat Mobley PG- Mike Bibby C- Samuel Dalembert PF- Chris Webber SF- Kyle Korver SG- Andre Iguodala PG- Allen Iverson Preview This has got to be the most anticipated game of the year. The Kings travel to Philly to face off against their ex-team leader, Chris Webber. If there is one game that Sacramento wants to win, it's this one. The whole league will be watching, and Sacramento wants to prove that they are better without Webber. Usually I look at the two teams past matchups, but that's pretty much pointless for this game. There will be a lot of emotions involved, so you can basically throw everything out the window as far as analysis is concerned. Each team has new additions, so we won't be seeing the best of each squad. I would imagine that Sacramento will try to push the pace even more than usual. Webber was the slowest guy on the team, and usually the least likely to run hard, so expect the Kings to become more focused on fast break opportunities. Webber is the best passing big man in the league, and he was responsible for running a lot of the offense. That will be the major hill that they'll have to climb, because the defensive side is definitely more improved, and all the other pieces are in place. If this becomes a game where both teams have to go to their bench, then Sacramento has the edge. Philly traded away a lot of depth in order to get Webber, and the bench is much weaker than it was a week ago. However, the Kings bench is now one of their huge strong points. Sac's got Evans, House, Skinner, Williamson, and Songaila, who will all be solid contributers off the bench. Prediction Sacramento is going to take this game as seriously as possible. You know that they'll miss Webber, and that they probably didn't want him to go in the first place. Webber will be trying to rally his new squad, because this game is just as important to him. I expect a close game, but in the end I think that Sacramento has too much firepower for Philly to put out. SAC 106 PHI 102</div>
This should be an intense match-up with all the players involved in that blockbuster trade. The Kings will try to prove a point and silence the critics ripping them on this deal, by showing they are in fact a better team without Webber. It should be an emotional night, and both teams will be playing this as though it's a playoff game. The 76ers will get an early test against a premiere NBA team with their new duo of Webber & Iverson. I'm going with the Kings in this game, because it will be easier for them to adapt to their new group of players, versus Webber and Iverson finding a chemistry. The Kings are also the better team, but Philly is a tough place to play even for a good team. I have a feeling Peja miraculously recovers for this game and suits up against his former teammate and critic ... Chris Webber.
Chris Webber in another uniform besides the Kings is going to be strange. C-Webb is the major reason i became such a big kings fan for the past few years (ever since he got to sacramento), he lost all his respect from his fans. i totally agree with barkley when he said he never got the respect he deserved because he put sacramento on the nba map. that picture says it all, that man is a...can't say it, but use your imagination. the kings have changed so much in one yr, losing christie, divac, and now webber, it's just not the same team. my 2nd fav team obviously switches from kings to philly, of course i still like the kings cuz of brad miller and mike bibby, but i hope they have a free fall for trading c-webb and that webber finishes off his career strong and proves everybody wrong. webber dismantle the kings tommorow night. ~webber 4 ever~
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">This should be an intense match-up with all the players involved in that blockbuster trade. The Kings will try to prove a point and silence the critics ripping them on this deal, by showing they are in fact a better team without Webber. It should be an emotional night, and both teams will be playing this as though it's a playoff game. The 76ers will get an early test against a premiere NBA team with their new duo of Webber & Iverson. I'm going with the Kings in this game, because it will be easier for them to adapt to their new group of players, versus Webber and Iverson finding a chemistry. The Kings are also the better team, but Philly is a tough place to play even for a good team. I have a feeling Peja miraculously recovers for this game and suits up against his former teammate and critic ... Chris Webber.</div> as of today, its anticipated that all parties will have passed their physical in time to play tomorrow. Stojakovic and Jackson went to the arena to practice together and were still at the arena as of 7:00pm est. but Stojakovic has said that he will not play untill he can get in a full practice so that he knows what the hammy is going to do. that means as it stands right now, no Peja for tomorrow. I hope that you are right about the "miraculous" recovery, but I dont really see it happening. Webber and Barnes on the other hand just left for Philly today around noon pst and are both reportedly taking their physicals tonight. Assuming that all parties have passed their physicals, this could be one of the best games this year. If Webber gets his stroke going, its a tossup as to who will win but either way it will be close. (I'll take the Kings 105 over the Sixers 99) If Webber has another 5 for 20 game? Kings should win in a blowout (unless they fade in the 4th again)
I'm excited to watch, but still alittle skeptical for the Kings. I like teh analysis that you guys have given and would liek tosee how Peja performs and how the former Sixers play. I say that is a close, but a sloppier game. and the Kings win - by a hair.
This of course will be a high-anticipated game. Strongly enough Webbers debut with the Sixers will be against his old team. Like the pervious posts have stated this game will be very emotional. I'm sure Chris will try to come out with something to prove, the same with the Kings. But it is important for Webber not to try to do too much against his old team. I imagine this game will be a slow paced one. Reason being both of these teams obviously have just came off major roster changes. When blockbuster trades such as these occur I would think it would affect both teams participating in the trade, the new players won't have a feel for their new team and vice versa. So in my opinion this game is going to come down to playmaking whoever makes the most plays down the stretch will likely win the game.
Im anticipating myself saying something like "kings had to be shorthanded again?" Sacramento probably wont have Peja and it will probably prove tough for them to win in philly.Just waiting for the day that all the players on the roster are available.
yeah thats good1 to watch dam Sacra wont have Peja :/ i think Phila will take it 101:111 Wierd..Webbers debut in sixers is against his old team Sacra :S
wow... i cant wait...... but still its sad watchin webber leave.. the 3 people better step up.... im hopin kings can pull of a Victory
There might be some changes to the starting line-up for the Sacramento Kings. There is word that Darius Songaila will get the nod over Kenny Thomas because he's more accustomed to the Kings system(obviously), they project Thomas to eventually get the starting role once he becomes more familiar with the Kings offensive/defensive scheme. As for Corliss Williamson we may see him come off the bench as well. Reason being is because or shall I say according to the commentators in the Mavericks/Kings game recently, there is a strong chance that Peja Stojakovic will suit up Saturday evening against Philly. And since he might be out to prove something, he may push himself to play, so I'm guessing we may very well see Peja suit up tonight. If he doesn?t I will be pleasantly surprised. As for the game itself, I have my money on Sacramento. This is the probable outcome even though I feel in my heart that Philadelphia will win. It will take Iverson and Webber about five games or so to become somewhat accustomed to one another. Also playing with Iverson for the first time in and this being an emotional as well, it will an awkward situation for Webber and it may be a little difficult to be on top of his game. The Kings on the other hand will be very determined to pull of a win and shut down the critics who think that this team is pretty much "done" without Webber. So I'm going with the Kings as the probable winners. Also, look out for Allen Iverson. He usually plays big when he?s not in the spotlight. Now me may not necessarily be completely out of the spotlight, but let's face it, this game is really and mainly between Webber and his old team. Whenever he (Iverson) is forgotten about he usually comes up big. Artest first game back after a suspension earlier this season got a lot of publicity and everyone forgot that they were playing Iverson and the 76ers, and what do you know, Iverson stole the spot light by hitting a buzzer beater, his first career buzzer beater at that. And that was certainly not the first time he stole the show when he isn't the main attraction. So look for him to come up big especially against this lackadaisical defensive team.
How strange does this look? Right now it's Halftime, and the Sixers are leading 50-45. Webber has 8/6 K. Thomas has 11/4 Corliss has 8/4
This could have been a perfect chance for Webber to leave a good first impression on Philadelphia. Instead he missed a layup, not sure how much control of the ball he had at the time though, I'll have to look at the replay. A great game to watch though, Bibby and Cat just weren't feeling it in the first half, they come back in the second half and both have a great half. Eddie House just killed the Sixers too.
The new additions were great... Thomas 16/10 Williamson 17/6/3 Let's hear some details....I didn't get to see the game. I've never watched the ESPN.com scoreboard so intensely before tonight.
sorry thrilla didnt get to do my play of the game clip this game cuze im not home... but wow what a game the Sixers lead most of the way in this game and they traded the lead for a bit untill late in the 4th when Mobley put up a couple of super tough shots that he was able to hit on, then hit a couple of huge free throws. this game really went down to the wire when Mobly made an intentional foul with about 3 seconds left to put AI on the line for 2 shots with no time outs left. He hit the first, then intentionally missed the second and the kings were able to keep it out of the hands of the Sixers in what looked more like a melee than any kind of re bounding attemtps to seal the deal.
Excellent win! An important win as well.Just traded away one of the most important players in franchise history and went on the road shorthanded to beat the new look Sixers.Nice game for two of the new additions for the Kings as well.Sac held the Sixers to 40% shooting!Cant remember the last time a team shot below 45% against the Kings.
nice input from the new guys and good to see kings winning even with peja on the bench and cwebb on the opposing team.
The former 76ers look like they'll fit well in the Sac system. Especially KT, he even expressed how different and better for him it is.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Need4Sheed:</div><div class="quote_post">The former 76ers look like they'll fit well in the Sac system. Especially KT, he even expressed how different and better for him it is.</div> you should have seen him on the local tv post game interview Grant Napier: So, are you happy to be in Sacramento? KT: (rolling his eyes) Are you kidding me?????? It was pretty funny to watch. I was very surprised to see how well they fit into this offensive scheme, but really I probably shouldnt have been. As I have said before, just about any player with a good shoot and a bit of incentive for some reason can just get plugged into this team & produce immediatly. the additional rebounding and defense that these guys bring are also going to be a great boost. I am just really hoping that they can move the kings back up to being at the top of the leage this year rather than waiting untill next... the next few games will give us the answer for that one... ... but we can hope!
