Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:38 pm
New look Kings fail their first test
Kings 73-119 Magic
This picture perfectly characterizes this game.
It feels like Peja Stojakovic has never left Sacramento. Everything’s the same as in season 05/06 – Stojakovic is the best scorer of his team, he makes the most three-pointers of all players in the game and his team… looses. Well, I guess not everything’s the same.
Sacramento lost its sixth straight to Orlando, in Stojakovic’s return and Kleiza’s debut in Kings uniform, by a wide margin, 73-119. Dwight Howard was the reason why – he had 25 points and 18 boards and he limited Cousins to just 8 points and 2 rebounds. Stojakovic had 23 points, including 5 made treys, in his return to Sacramento, Kleiza added a double-double - 18 points and 10 rebounds in a great debut for his new team.
“We are terrible defensively right now,” said Kings head coach Paul Westphal after the game, “We worked hard on it before, but now with the new players we have to start all over. New guys most learn our (defensive) schemes and try to adapt themselves into it.” To be honest Kings’ offense didn’t look much better either as they scored only 73 points, although they finally managed to score some points behind the arc, as they had 7 three-pointers, though 5 of them were made by Stojakovic.
“Howard was our man tonight,” Stan van Gundy started the press conference after the game, “I always tell my players to pass him the ball, tonight they did and Dwight didn’t let us down. Plus he played some great defense on Sacramento’s kid (Cousins)” Cousins really had an off night as he couldn’t do anything against Dwight offensively or defensively, and due to Sacramento’s lack of front court strength after the trade with Raptors, there wasn’t anyone for Kings to replace him and stop Dwight at least a bit. DeMarcus showed his frustration by yelling at the refs for which he got his first technical foul of the season.
Sacramento Kings are still desperate to grab their first win, despite the fact that hey have played all of their this season’s games at home court. They’ll continue to play at home for another five games, which includes meetings against Wizards, Mavericks, Nuggets and Blazers twice. They should grab at least one win from these five, because it won’t be any easier task, when they start playing away from ARCO Arena.
Dwight Howard
25 points
18 Rebounds
3 Blocks
11-16 FGM-A
3-3 FTM-A
P. Stojakovic (SAC) 23pts 5reb
L. Kleiza (SAC) 18pts 10reb 4ast
T. Evans (SAC) 9pts 5ast
D. Cousins (SAC) 8pts 3blk 2reb 3-12 FGM-A
J. Nelson (ORL) 26pts 2ast
H. Turkoglu (ORL) 25pts 6reb 5stl
G. Arenas (ORL) 18pts 4ast
J. Richardson (ORL) 15pts 11ast
Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:53 pm
Thu Jan 13, 2011 8:05 pm
Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:38 am
“Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors makes a 6-player deal” is the headline of the first two weeks of this NBA season. And how can it not be if teams are shaking up their rosters this early into the season. So what are they gains and losses for both teams in this move?
Toronto gets an addition to their rather weak frontcourt in Samuel Dalembert, who in addition is an expiring, which means, that Toronto can’t loose in this situation. If Dalembert works out in their frontcourt – perfect, they just extend his contract, although I doubt they, or for that matter any other team, would give him a contract which is similar to his current 10 million a season worth one. Raptors also add some young pieces in Donte Greene and Hassan Whiteside from this trade to their roster. But the big win for them in this trade, that they are committing to 1,5 millions a season for players they got for the next couple of seasons.
Sacramento Kings have found, or at least they think they have found, the reason of their poor start this season, and it is three-point shooting. Or to be precise, the lack of it. Their starting five now has 3 guys, that can score from behind the arc with regularity. Linas Kleiza as a stretch four is a good solution for them, because he will clear the paint for Tyreke Evans’ drives or Demarcus Cousins’ post play. Peja Stojakovic was a star here, and him starting for the Kings again could sold some more tickets, which hasn’t been very successful since the Kings last play-off performances.
To sum it up, I think the Kings could gain the most here, Kleiza is a real stud and could become their third best player, while Stojakovic has some game left in him and could not only help team get some wins, but also sell some more tickets. Raptors aren’t loosing anything either, they got a rental center for a year and this summer they can decide, whether they want to resign him or not. Plus the got two young pieces, Greene and Whiteside, for a low price.
This is Hot
1) Kobe Bryant and the Los Angles Lakers (5-0) have started the season in style. Lakers are not only one of two teams, which still haven’t lost this year, they also has beaten their opponents by 31,2 points per game. This includes complete destruction of Raptors (beaten by 52) and Wizards (by 45). Kobe has been nothing less than amazing during these first five games, as he averages 40,4 points and 8,8 assists per game. He obviously leads the NBA in scoring by a wide margin, Kevin Durant, who is second has 31,2 points per game. Pau Gasol has added 20 and 12 per game in the teams start of a season, which as seems is going in the right direction for Lakers, though the first real test for them just awaits – next weeks game against the Celtics at Staples centre.
2) Boston Celtics (5-0) is the second team in the League with a perfect 5-0 start and Kevin Garnett has been as great as he was in his days at Minnesota during this streak, averaging 26 and 14. He is the League’s leading rebounder right now, but he is not the only one leading the Celts. Paul Pierce adds 21 points each game for the Celts, and Jermaine O’Neal posts 12 points and 12 boards per game. Ray Allen is still a sharpshooter, although his scoring is at career-low 12 points per game. Rajon Rondo has seen a dip in statistics too, but he still is a great playmaker with 8 points and 9 assists per match. Nate Robinson adds 11 points per game from the bench.
3) Amare Stoudemire is posting up some serious numbers in New York – he has averaged a triple double in the first five games as a Knick. He has 21 points, 10 rebounds and most surprisingly 14 assists per game. Of course Stoudemire’s teammates has a part in these numbers too, as Felton, Gallinari and others are making shots after Amare’s passes at a high pace.
4) Tim Duncan and Steve Nash are both playing, like they’d still be 25 year old. Although, their teams aren’t doing very well on the standings right now – Suns and Spurs are both 3-3 after the first six games. But you can’t ignore the performance these two guys have put on the court. Tim Duncan has started his 14th season with 22 points and 12 boards per game, while Steve Nash has started his 15th year in the League with 27,5 points 6,5 assists and 5 boards. Did somebody took me back in time?
5) Peja Stojakovic returns to Sacramento, where he played during his best years in his career and returns with 23 points and 5 made three pointers vs. Magic. Unfortunately, Kings lost the game by a wide margin and it doesn’t look like there are much of positive things to come for the Kings. However, Stojakovic is still looking to stay in Sac-town after this season and is ready to retire there.
And This is Not
1) Carmelo Anthony has been really silent at the start of this season, which is an opposite of the volume of possible trade talks, which sends him either to New York or New Jersey. Denver still hopes to somehow convince Melo to stay with them, but do they really want this kind of Melo, who is completely unmotivated, on their team? Anthony is averaging just 13 points per game, which is an absolute career low, but things should change when Anthony leaves Denver. If he leaves.
2) Los Angeles Clippers (0-5) and Sacramento Kings (0-6) are the only two teams, which still haven’t won a single game in this NBA season. The difference here is that, if you could predict something like that for the Kings team, then I think no one could’ve imagine, that such a talented team as Clippers would be without wins after the first five games. For goods sake Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon alone should’ve gotten them at least one.
3) Many thought, that the team, which will win it all this year will be from Florida, the questions was, whether it be Heat or Magic? However the start of this season has cooled off those, who thought so, because Miami’s and Orlando’s record after the first games is identical and it’s 2-3. The biggest concern here is, that they haven’t played any elite teams yet, well maybe except New York, who beat the Heat (and if you consider them elite, Utah, who grabbed the win against Magic). The best teams those two have managed to beat is Philadelphia 76’ers, who are 3-3 at the moment.
4) Shaquille O’Neal has started this season pretty slow averaging only 2 points and 4 boards per game, which are pretty disappointing numbers for the big Shamrock. Although, he could have an argument here, because, until your team hasn’t lost a game, you’re doing everything just fine.
5) Jameer Nelson is still starting games for Orlando Magic, which is a real surprise for me given Nelson’s play recently and even more given Arenas’ great play at the beginning of the season. Orlando’s season haven’t started very well, so I think it’s just a question of time, when Stan van Gundy starts to change his starting line-up and the first guy to drop out most probably would be Nelson.
This is it for now. It has been great first two weeks in this NBA season and we are in for more than 5 months of NBA basketball before the Play-offs start
Sat Jan 15, 2011 12:44 am
newc wrote:Why the hate on Garcia?![]()
And maybe you want to join the draft?
Sat Jan 15, 2011 8:09 pm
Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:37 pm
(Four game wrap-up)
Tyreke with a late bucket in the third agains Washington
F-i-n-a-l-l-y. This was the word that came in mind, when Sacramento Kings managed to get their first win of the season. And they didn’t just get one, they got two in this four game stretch, despite losing the first two games.
It started with a game against the Washington Wizards, who had a surprisingly good start of the season, winning 4 of their first 6 games, and they got their fifth against the Kings, thanks to Wall’s 28 and 11. Sacramento were down by just 8 after the 3rd quarter, which ended with a bucket from Tyreke Evans 2,5 seconds before the horn, but Wizards got it together in the last quarter, winning it by 8 and the whole game by 16.
In the next game Sacramento faced the Dallas Mavericks, who, luckily for them, escaped from a loss against the Kings in the last quarter. Sacramento was 7 points ahead before the last 12 minutes, but Maverick’s experience took advantage of Kings’ youth and grabbed the win by just 4 points.
And the there was the game, which finally ended with a Kings victory. It was the game against the struggling Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony, who has looked distracted at the beginning of this season, because of the rumors, that he will leave Denver this season. This was a two-men game, as Kleiza and Stojakovic combined 60 points and 18 boards, making all 8 of 16 three pointers, while the rest of the Kings went for 0-3 from behind the arc.
Next, the Kings hosted a meeting against Portland Trail Blazers, and got the second win of the season, despite Brandon Roy’s awesome 37 point game. Tyreke had a great match too with 26 points and 15 dishes, Linas Kleiza was 3 assists short of a triple-double – 14 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists for him.Kings 86-102 Wizards
John Wall
28 Points
11 Assists
4 Steals
12-20 FGM-A
L. Kleiza (SAC) 21pts 6reb 4ast
P. Stojakovic (SAC) 18pts 5reb 3ast
D. Cousins (SAC)16pts 9reb 3ast
T. Evans (SAC) 14pts 5ast 4stl
J. Howard (WAS) 24pts 3stl
R. Lewis (WAS) 16pts 13reb
J. McGee (WAS) 8pts 9reb
A. Blatche (WAS) 6pts 5rebKings 93-97 Mavericks
Linas Kleiza
28 Points
12 Rebounds
4 Assists
4 Steals
5-8 3PM-A
T. Evans (SAC) 19pts 6ast 5stl
D. Cousins (SAC) 14pts 8reb 4ast
F. Garcia (SAC)10pts 3ast
P. Stojakovic (SAC) 8pts 9reb 0-6 3PM-A
S. Marion (DAL) 22pts 6reb
D. Nowitzki (DAL) 18pts 9reb
J. Terry (DAL) 14pts 5ast
J. Kidd (DAL) 11pts 3ast 3reb 3blkKings 112-100 Nuggets
Linas Kleiza
29 Points
11 Rebounds
11-14 FGM-A
4-5 3PM-A
P. Stojakovic (SAC) 31pts 7reb 4-11 3PM-A
D. Cousins (SAC) 16pts 7reb 6ast
B. Udrih (SAC)10pts
T. Evans (SAC) 9pts 13ast 6reb 4stl
C. Anthony (DEN) 27pts 9reb 5ast
C. Andersen (DEN) 17pts 7reb
C. Billups (DEN) 16pts 9ast
J. R. Smith (DEN) 15pts 5rebKings 105-93 Trail Blazers
Tyreke Evans
26 Points
15 Assists
4 Rebounds
2-3 3PM-A
D. Cousins (SAC) 16pts 6reb 5ast 3blk
P. Stojakovic (SAC) 16pts 5reb
L. Kleiza (SAC)14pts 11reb 7ast
F. Garcia (SAC) 14pts 4reb
B. Roy (POR) 37pts 5ast 16-23 FGM-A
N. Batum (POR) 14pts 2blk
L. Aldridge (POR) 13pts 5reb
M. Camby (POR) 6pts 11reb
Sat Jan 15, 2011 10:53 pm
Sun Jan 16, 2011 3:32 am
Sun Jan 16, 2011 5:44 am
Radioman wrote:There you have your first 2 wins, congratulations to that
Thierry • wrote:Kleiza is on fire
Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:06 am
Kings relocating?
The Maloof family, owners of the Sacramento Kings, are considering to relocate the team, reports Sacramento Bee. "We are looking at all options to ensure the long term viability of this franchise," Maloof told the Sacramento Bee. "We're looking at all our options. Of course you're going to look at your options! We're businessmen. We've been at this for 10 years without any (arena) success."
The Maloof family has been trying to secure a new arena in Sacramento for years, but they have been unsuccessful. Power Balance Pavilion, formerly known as Arco Arena, is a 22-year-old facility. "We can't sugarcoat it. Everybody knows the region needs a new arena. I can't give you a time table, but at some point, something has to get done. Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson is working with four different groups, looking at four plans, and we're hoping something comes out of this. We want to be right here in Sacramento. We've always said that.”
However, a report in the Orange County Register on Monday suggested that the Maloofs are in talks to move the franchise to Anaheim. „We receive calls from other city representatives every day,” Maloof told Sacramento Bee, „We are keeping our options open.”
Reports were revealed last week that two private firms are negotiating to buy controlling interest in the Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, leading to speculation that the Maloofs are in financial trouble, and could sell the NBA team too. This could be one of the reasons for a possible team move, because the possible buyers would be more interested into a team in Anaheim. “No comment,” asked about this told Joe Maloof.
Any relocation would have to be approved by the NBA Board of Governors, which also has the right to attach a relocation fee at that time. To apply for relocation in time to play elsewhere next season, the team would have to notify commissioner David Stern in writing by March 1.
Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:58 am
Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:13 am
Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:20 am
Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:32 am
Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:04 am
Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:25 am
Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:17 am
Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:27 am
Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:31 am
Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:27 pm
(Six game wrap-up)
DeMarcus Cousins with a block against PortlandKings 98-105 TrailBlazers
Brandon Roy
32 Points
6 Assists
6 Rebounds
14-20 FGM-A
L. Kleiza (SAC) 32pts 12reb 5ast
T. Evans (SAC) 21pts 8ast 3stl
P. Stojakovic (SAC)15pts 6reb
F. Garcia (SAC) 12pts
D. Cousins (SAC) 11pts 9reb 5ast 3blk
N. Batum (POR) 19pts 6reb 4ast
M. Camby (POR) 14pts 11reb
W. Matthews (POR) 11ptsBulls 87-100 Kings
Linas Kleiza
26 Points
15 Rebounds
4 Assists
4-8 3PM-A
L. Deng (CHI) 21pts 5reb 5ast 4stl 4blk
J. Noah (CHI) 19pts 13reb
D. Rose (CHI)18pts 6ast 4stl
C. Boozer (CHI) 11pts 8reb 3blk
T. Evans (SAC) 27pts 9ast
D. Cousins (SAC) 16pts 12reb 3ast
P. Stojakovic (SAC) 11pts
F. Garcia (SAC) 6pts 6rebCavaliers 100-84 Kings
Antawn Jamison
26 Points
13 Rebounds
7 Assists
4 Steals
A. Parker (CLE) 15pts 5reb
J. Moon (CLE) 14pts 7reb 3blk
A. Varejao (CLE)12pts 10reb 4ast
R. Sessions (CLE) 12pts
L. Kleiza (SAC) 27pts 8reb 5-6 3PM-A
T. Evans (SAC) 16pts 12ast 5stl 4reb
F. Garcia (SAC) 13pts
D. Cousins (SAC) 11pts 14reb 2blkMagic 121-89 Kings
Dwight Howard
26 Points
15 Rebounds
4 Blocks
12-15 FGM-AHeat 80-72 Kings
LeBron James
25 Points
10 Rebounds
6 Assists
2 Blocks
C. Bosh (MIA) 18pts 12reb 3blk
D. Wade (MIA) 14pts 8reb 8ast
Z. Ilgauskas (MIA) 8pts 5reb
J. Anthony (MIA) 2pts 14reb
T. Evans (SAC) 24pts 5ast
L. Kleiza (SAC) 17pts 10reb 3stl
D. Cousins (SAC) 9pts 15reb 4blk
P. Stojakovic (SAC) 8pts 7rebRockets 103-93 Kings
Linas Kleiza
29 Points
5 Rebounds
5 Assists
5-9 3PM-A
S. Battier (HOU) 23pts 4reb
A. Brooks (HOU) 23pts 4reb 4-5 3PM-A
K. Martin (HOU)14pts 6ast
C. Lee (HOU) 14pts
P. Stojakovic (SAC) 20pts 9reb 3-5 3PM-A
B. Udrih (SAC) 15pts
T. Evans (SAC) 11pts 10ast 5blk
D. Cousins (SAC) 2pts 13reb 3ast
Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:31 pm
Valdis wrote:Dinamo sucks...
Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:53 pm
Part 1: Team Report
Record: 3-13
Conference: 15th
Division: 5th
Player Stats:
This has been a difficult month for the Sacramento Kings as they got out of it with only three wins and a last place in the whole League. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel - the Kings are 3-5 after the trade with Toronto Raptors, which gives some optimism to Kings’ fans, coaching staff and players.
Linas Kleiza has been great after he got traded to the Kings, he averages 24 points 10 rebounds and almost 4 assists per game in Sacramento. Stojakovic has been a good addition too, adding 16 points and 6 boards per game and if you add Cousins, Evans and Garcia, you have a pretty good starting line-up, if not play-off caliber then certainly not a last place in the league starting line-up. And Thompson, Casspi, Udrih and Landry gives the Kings a pretty good play from the bench too. So where is the problem?
Many fingers will point to team’s head coach Paul Westphal, whose job security is pretty low right now, as rumored. He hasn’t done a great job of combining the youth(Evans, Cousins, Casspi) with experience (Stojakovic, Kleiza, Garcia), which resulted into some resentment inside the team, like Casspi being not a fan of coming off the bench, while Peja Stojakovic is starting.
This also has started trade rumors that send Casspi away from Sacramento. Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago are the possible destinations, says a league source.
The next month looks a bit easier for the Kings as they meet Grizzlies, Wolves (twice), Nuggets, Clippers (twice), Warriors, Pistons, Raptors and Stoudemire-less Knicks in their 10 of 15 games in December.
November Results:
Oct 28 vs. DAL: 90-117 L
Oct 30 vs. HOU: 83-101 L
Nov 1 vs. NOH: 96-106 L
Nov 4 vs. BOS: 85-97 L
Nov 6 vs. CLE: 93-103 L
Nov 8 vs. ORL: 73-119 L
Nov 10 vs. WAS: 86-102 L
Nov 13 vs. DAL: 93-97 L
Nov 15 vs. DEN: 112-100 W
Nov 17 vs. POR: 105-93 W
Nov 19 vs. POR: 98-105 L
Nov 21 @ CHI: 87-100 W
Nov 23 @ CLE: 100-84 L
Nov 25 @ ORL: 121-89 L
Nov 26 @ MIA: 80-72 L
Nov 28 @ HOU: 103-93 L
Thu Jan 20, 2011 3:41 am
Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:55 am
newc wrote:
Part 1: Team Report
Record: 3-13
Conference: 15th
Division: 5th
Player Stats:
This has been a difficult month for the Sacramento Kings as they got out of it with only three wins and a last place in the whole League. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel - the Kings are 3-5 after the trade with Toronto Raptors, which gives some optimism to Kings’ fans, coaching staff and players.
Linas Kleiza has been great after he got traded to the Kings, he averages 24 points 10 rebounds and almost 4 assists per game in Sacramento. Stojakovic has been a good addition too, adding 16 points and 6 boards per game and if you add Cousins, Evans and Garcia, you have a pretty good starting line-up, if not play-off caliber then certainly not a last place in the league starting line-up. And Thompson, Casspi, Udrih and Landry gives the Kings a pretty good play from the bench too. So where is the problem?
Many fingers will point to team’s head coach Paul Westphal, whose job security is pretty low right now, as rumored. He hasn’t done a great job of combining the youth(Evans, Cousins, Casspi) with experience (Stojakovic, Kleiza, Garcia), which resulted into some resentment inside the team, like Casspi being not a fan of coming off the bench, while Peja Stojakovic is starting.
This also has started trade rumors that send Casspi away from Sacramento. Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago are the possible destinations, says a league source.
The next month looks a bit easier for the Kings as they meet Grizzlies, Wolves (twice), Nuggets, Clippers (twice), Warriors, Pistons, Raptors and Stoudemire-less Knicks in their 10 of 15 games in December.
November Results:
Oct 28 vs. DAL: 90-117 L
Oct 30 vs. HOU: 83-101 L
Nov 1 vs. NOH: 96-106 L
Nov 4 vs. BOS: 85-97 L
Nov 6 vs. CLE: 93-103 L
Nov 8 vs. ORL: 73-119 L
Nov 10 vs. WAS: 86-102 L
Nov 13 vs. DAL: 93-97 L
Nov 15 vs. DEN: 112-100 W
Nov 17 vs. POR: 105-93 W
Nov 19 vs. POR: 98-105 L
Nov 21 @ CHI: 87-100 W
Nov 23 @ CLE: 100-84 L
Nov 25 @ ORL: 121-89 L
Nov 26 @ MIA: 80-72 L
Nov 28 @ HOU: 103-93 L
Stole the player stats look from Martti, hope he doesn't mind.