Details: When: Tuesday, April 5th Where: Arco Arena, Arco, Sacramento Time (Seattle): 7:00 P.M. TV: Fox Sports, League Pass Projected Starters: <font color="green">Seattle (50-23) </font> Luke Ridnour Ray Allen Damien Wilkins Reggie Evans Jerome James <font color="Indigo">Sacramento (45-30)</font> Mike Bibby Cuttino Mobley Peja Stojakovic Kenny Thomas Brian Skinner Injury Troubles: <font color="green">Seattle</font> Mateen Cleaves: Sprained thumb, ruled out. Vladimir Radmanovic: Stress fracture in leg, ruled out. Rashard Lewis: Bruised foot, ruled out. <font color="Indigo"> Sacramento</font> Brad Miller: Broken leg, ruled out. Bobby Jackson: Ligament tear, fuled out. Brief Notes: <ul> [*]The Supes try to put a disappointing loss against the Warriors behind them as they make the short trip to Sacramento, aiming to sweep the Kings for the first time since 1995/96. While still ailing, the performance of Danny Fortson would have heartened management, as the sturdy one posted 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Ray Allen scored 27, but put up 15 treys in doing it. [/list] <ul> [*]Seattle are still a win and a Denver loss away from clinching the inaugral Northwest divisional championship. The Nuggets have won 17 of 19 games since George Karl took over from interim Michael Cooper. [/list] * Useful/less lyric of the day: <font face="Verdana"><font size="5"><font size="2"> You think that everything you've done's fantastic, your music's shyte, it keeps me up all night, up all night. -- Oasis, Married With Children.</font></font></font> Quotable: "I give a lot of credit to Flip and Damien for coming in and playing pretty well in place of Rashard and Vlade." - Ray Allen Random Family Guy Quote Lois: Brian, you're home early. What happened with your date? Brian: The same thing that always happens, she was an idiot. All predictions, analysis and discussion relating directly to the game, both before, during and after, to be posted in this thread.
I'm glad to see that Ray is giving credit to players that are behind him on the depth chart. It's going to be interesting to see the mental focus of this group tonight. We've said all of the right things in the papers, but w/ the assurances of getting the third seed in the West, I'm wondering if this group already has it mind set on the postseason. I think as soon as we clinch our playoff seed (3rd), you will get an opportunity to see Bobby Swift in action.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post"> I think as soon as we clinch a playoff spot, you will get your opportunity to see Bobby Swift in action.</div> Playoff's were clinched a few games ago, so I assume you mean when they clinch the division (1 Denver loss or 2 sonic wins away). Bibby/Mobley could be a problem for our backcourt unless they decide to play defense tonight. Not having Christie on him should be a relief for Ray, Cat can play D, but he is usually thinking about his next wide open 3 when the other team has the ball. Without Miller or Webber the Supes could have an advantage down low. I think it will come down to Damien. If he can lock up Stojakovic and hold him at 15 or less while getting 15 or more himself it could be a clear W for the Supes. Reggie is facing Kenny Thomas...a smaller, better offensive version of Reggie himself. Reggie should just box him out and use his body to keep Kenny out of his comfort zone on offense. James should be able to post up on Skinner and get some easy dunks and hooks. That would help a LOT given the lack of scoring with Lew and Vlade out.
There goes my hope for a mistake free 2005 in this forum. I hope that Kings put their big line up on the court b/c we have a lot better chance exploiting our quickness advantage than we do taking advantage of our post up abilities. As much as I like Jerome, we seem to fair better when Nick is in the game. Nick isn't a consistent low post scorer yet, but he is excellent moving w/o the ball and provides mismatches for the other fives in the league. I think that the outcome of this game will be determined by how well our perimeter players play. If we can get 60 points from Luke, Ray, AD, and Flip we will definitely win this game.
Very disappointing outing tonight. We were terrible defensively tonight. Sacramento really got whatever they wanted on offense and we did a terrible job contesting three pointers tonight. We will not win a game that we give up 122 points. No need to panic considering we just need one win to win the division but it's obvious that we are playing our worst ball at the end of the season. Our primary concern for the playoffs will be whether or not there will be some rust to Sweet Lew's and Vladimir Radmanovic's game and how easily we will be able to incorporate them back into the offense. Damien Wilkins has been playing exceptionally well and it will be interesting to see if he will get an opportunity in the postseason. Overall I think that we are starting to save ourselves for the postseason b/c this was one of of more uninspiring performances of the year. For the record, Flip played absolutely horrible tonight. Considering that the playoffs are right around the corner, you would think that he would try to leave an impression on Nate so that his number would be called early and often in the postseason. Instead it's Damien who has been playing his way into a permanent spot in the rotation. These types of efforts may cement Flip on the sideline once Vlad and Sweet Lew return from the injured list. Flip needs to get his act together.
Well I guess I'll chime in with some comments based on what little I saw of the game. Sonics looked lethargic, no energy and let Sac shoot 59%. Granted they were raining 3's, a few with a hand in their face, but they looked slow on their rotations, too. Invidividually, no one played well except for Damien. That one handed throw down on Brad Miller in the 1st half was pretty nasty. Ridnour's been looking overrmatched, when Mobley or Bibby saw Luke on them it looked like their eyes got big and they started waiving guys off so they could isolate. And it's not just the Sac guards, it's almost any guard with skills it seems. Flip played really bad. Some forced shots, lazy passes and a step behind on D, whether he was on Mobley or Peja. Not sure if this emotional rollercoaster of a season is finally getting to him but he looks like he's mentally gone. Nate looked pretty PO'd after the game and I can't blame him. Right now it looks like we've given up until the calvary returns. The only thing positive about the situation right now is that every time I doubt the Supes they come back and suprise me with a big win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post">Weren't we promised some "amazing insight" on this game from the Coolguy? I'm a little disappointed.</div> I believe the expression is that children should be seen and not heard. Did Coolguy submit his photo in the JustBBall picture thread?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">That one handed throw down on Brad Miller in the 1st half was pretty nasty.</div> Brad Miller played?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheMatrix:</div><div class="quote_post">Brad Miller played?</div> My mistake, he's still out. Was watching on a smaller TV than usual so it must've been some other white guy, like Songaila or Mike Bibby.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheMatrix:</div><div class="quote_post">Brad Miller played?</div> Brad Miller was quietly seated on the sideline in street clothes looking annoyed he wasn't out there to get revenge of Reggie Evans. Skinner, Thomas, Big Nasty and Songalia played. Roland was referring to a play early in the game when Damien changed direction in the lane confusing Mobley (I think) and went up rather suddenly (uncontested) near Skinner (I think). It was a nice move, it looked like he was going to lay it in or try a little runner which is what I think the Big in question was waiting for...instead he just suddenly elevated and threw it down. It was kind of a less graceful version of what Ray does sometimes...glides in close and then is just up at the rim leaving the defense waiting for the layup or scoop shot. AD injured his knee before the game (Times says he heard something "pop") and they were icing it in the 3rd...I don't think he is out of favor, I think he just can't play right now.
Fair call that. It seems Damien is an underrated athlete. Then again, he wasn't exactly pegged as a great shooter before the season, and he's had no trouble hitting from outside 18 feet. Most of the praise he's gotten has been based around his defense, but he seems to be a pretty efficient scorer, and one who doesn't take bad shots. Yet another free agent who we could want to keep.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">I believe the expression is that children should be seen and not heard. Did Coolguy submit his photo in the JustBBall picture thread?</div> Ok First and foremost I never promised amazing insight Thrilla...Shiek simply ASKED for my insight. And ive been to busy to get on here and talk my apologies for not making it here in a timely fashion...I wasnt aware I was being waited on. Next Shiek I didnt even know there was a picture thread but for the record im 20 and im sorry if you saw me as badly educated because I probably had a lot of typos. I dont proof read on here...I wont proof read on here. I do plenty of that in class. And by the way you call me a child but yet you are the one that is trying to throw out personal insults and I havent went there one time. Im just here to talk basketball...not to insult/or be insulted by other people. As for the game last night I dont really have a lot to say without repeating you fine people in front of me. I felt we were outmatched from the beginning of the game and couldnt ever fully recover. They had energy but not enough execution. To many shots taken without any execution. But overall the problem was bad defense (obviously). Lot of uncontested shots (dont know how the hell Peja can be open so much). Overall though I think alot of credit has to be given to Sacramento...they played a VERY strong game. Sorry if that wasnt enough for you Shiek...your welcome to ask me any other questions you want to know and if your really that curious what I look like I can try to get a picture scanned for you.
