Before I say anything, this is totally off topic: How long until Bikini Girl from American Idol is on the cover of Playboy? I'm going with the May issue. You heard it here first.
One bright spot about following the worst team (yeah, I said it) in the league is that we constantly get to read articles about potential trade rumors for the Kings.
When it comes to trades, I'm assuming that everyone except for Kevin Martin is available. Obviously, some players are more likely to go than others. We aren't giving up JT for Joe Smith's expiring contract.
But lets explore two types of trades that the Kings could explore. The first is the more likely, the salary dump. Trading Brad Miller for Shawn Marion would essentially be done to free up more cap space at the end of this season. The same goes for any trade wtih John Salmons and Beno Udrih.
That's all fine and dandy. We all get the logic behind freeing up cap space, especially if your current team is a dud. The major problem with this theory is that it comes with a huge question mark. Just because the Kings have cap space, does than necessarily mean that top players will sign in Sacramento? Do you really think the Kings can compete with the Knicks for Chris Bosh?
Now there is a second, less likely trade option.
What if the Kings traded for a star? Ziller just wrote about the pros of trading for Amare Stoudemire. I don't need to go over all the points again. But there is one really important point that he didn't talk about.
If the Kings were to get Amare now, the question mark would be gone. He is on the team. End of story.
There are risks of course. We would probably have to include Hawes or Thompson in the deal. Also, he could walk in 2010.
But that's a risk I'm willing to take. Because if he is a King, in the summer of 2010, we would have the inside edge at resigning him, something that would never happen if he were coming from another team.
Remember, even if we also give up the Rockets 1st rounder, we would still have a Top 5 pick in this year's draft, plus a slew of other young players.
Once again, probably not gonna happen. But if it did, Petrie has my support.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Not Another 7'0 White Guy
That was my initial thought when the Kings drafted Spencer Hawes last summer. Recent history is unkind to men who look like Spencer Hawes.
We already had Brad Miller, who thankfully did not qualify as a "Big White Guy." First off, there was this. Then of course, he could pass. Thirdly, his number wasn't OO.
But Miller doesn't even look like the stereotypical Big White Guy. He isn't as hulky. He doesn't have a crew cut. He doesn't look like he's from Utah. The list goes on.
But Hawes is tricky. While scouts were saying he would be known for his offense, I was worried. The man, at least in my opinion, looks much more like Greg Ostertag than Shaquille O'Neil.
But Hawes doesn't play like that. Sure, he might qualify for the blog, White NBA Players Who Look Like Abusive Husbands, but he sure doesn't act like one.
I've been thinking a lot today about racism, namely against Blacks. What has come out of my thinking is that we tend to box people too much into groups. In terms of basketball then, why do I expect people to play a certain way?
Why do I think of Spencer Hawes as a (much) more talented Robert Swift when in actually, they're games are worlds apart?
We (I) have to stop having certain expectations for players who look a certain way. This doesn't mean you can't love a player because you relate to him. If you grew up in the same neighborhood as Matt Barnes, feel free to root for him. But don't expect Matt Barnes to play how you play just because you drank the same water.
I honestly don't know where my thoughts are right now. I've just been wondering why my expectations for Hawes were so low.
We already had Brad Miller, who thankfully did not qualify as a "Big White Guy." First off, there was this. Then of course, he could pass. Thirdly, his number wasn't OO.
But Miller doesn't even look like the stereotypical Big White Guy. He isn't as hulky. He doesn't have a crew cut. He doesn't look like he's from Utah. The list goes on.
But Hawes is tricky. While scouts were saying he would be known for his offense, I was worried. The man, at least in my opinion, looks much more like Greg Ostertag than Shaquille O'Neil.
But Hawes doesn't play like that. Sure, he might qualify for the blog, White NBA Players Who Look Like Abusive Husbands, but he sure doesn't act like one.
I've been thinking a lot today about racism, namely against Blacks. What has come out of my thinking is that we tend to box people too much into groups. In terms of basketball then, why do I expect people to play a certain way?
Why do I think of Spencer Hawes as a (much) more talented Robert Swift when in actually, they're games are worlds apart?
We (I) have to stop having certain expectations for players who look a certain way. This doesn't mean you can't love a player because you relate to him. If you grew up in the same neighborhood as Matt Barnes, feel free to root for him. But don't expect Matt Barnes to play how you play just because you drank the same water.
I honestly don't know where my thoughts are right now. I've just been wondering why my expectations for Hawes were so low.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
No, Really, Does Kevin Martin Suck?
I felt a need to respond to the post on Sactown Royalty concerning the talents of Kevin Martin. While SR has been pretty sarcastic these days (I guess it's a way of coping), this post got me thinking. Does Kevin Martin actually suck?
Obviously, the short answer is no. But is he an elite player, or even a great player? Umm...I dunno.
Kevin Martin is a fantastic scorer. Faced up to the basket, his shot is very difficult to defend. But the question isn't whether or not Kevin Martin is an elite scorer (though that does factor into the equation).
The Sactown argument is that it isn't that Kevin Martin is bad, its that everyone around him is terrible. I mean, I get that. But if Kevin Martin was soooooooooooo good, why isn't he making the players around him better?
This is what makes an elite player. If Daniel "Boobie" Gibson (haha, boobie) were on any other team, he would be afterthought, a participant in the NBDL All-Star game. But Lebron attracts so much attention that Boobie (haha, I said it again), is left open all game long. Kevin Martin doesn't do that for players.
I also keep noticing a trend about Martin. He always starts out strong and then fades when the game is ending. I don't think that it is because he isn't clutch. I think that its that teams adjust their defenses and are able to contain him. I noticed it when I saw the Kings play the Nets a couple weeks ago. He starts off incredibly hot. Then the other team just pays more attention to him and he fades.
If Martin was a better ball handler this wouldn't an issue. Then he would be able to break defenses easier. But when he forced to make his own play, he just isn't good enough.
And that is the Kings problem. They don't have anyone else on the team to alleviate the pressure off of Martin. And Martin doesn't do enough to create space for Daniel Gibson types to hit open shots.
Martin is a fantastic player. But the Kings need someone else to get us out of the cellar. I nominate Quincy Douby (Don't worry, I slapped myself for saying that).
Obviously, the short answer is no. But is he an elite player, or even a great player? Umm...I dunno.
Kevin Martin is a fantastic scorer. Faced up to the basket, his shot is very difficult to defend. But the question isn't whether or not Kevin Martin is an elite scorer (though that does factor into the equation).
The Sactown argument is that it isn't that Kevin Martin is bad, its that everyone around him is terrible. I mean, I get that. But if Kevin Martin was soooooooooooo good, why isn't he making the players around him better?
This is what makes an elite player. If Daniel "Boobie" Gibson (haha, boobie) were on any other team, he would be afterthought, a participant in the NBDL All-Star game. But Lebron attracts so much attention that Boobie (haha, I said it again), is left open all game long. Kevin Martin doesn't do that for players.
I also keep noticing a trend about Martin. He always starts out strong and then fades when the game is ending. I don't think that it is because he isn't clutch. I think that its that teams adjust their defenses and are able to contain him. I noticed it when I saw the Kings play the Nets a couple weeks ago. He starts off incredibly hot. Then the other team just pays more attention to him and he fades.
If Martin was a better ball handler this wouldn't an issue. Then he would be able to break defenses easier. But when he forced to make his own play, he just isn't good enough.
And that is the Kings problem. They don't have anyone else on the team to alleviate the pressure off of Martin. And Martin doesn't do enough to create space for Daniel Gibson types to hit open shots.
Martin is a fantastic player. But the Kings need someone else to get us out of the cellar. I nominate Quincy Douby (Don't worry, I slapped myself for saying that).
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
What Just Happened?
Hey, sorry. Last night, I was checking up on the Kings game and all of a sudden I got punched in the face and passed out. Who won?
Seriously, last night might have been the roughest game of the season for the Kings, and that's saying a lot, especially after that drubbing by the Celtics. The craziest part of the game is that, as embarrassing as a 129-81 score is, it doesn't even tell half the story.
After being absolutely manhandled by the Suns in the 1st half, the point differential in the 3rd quarter was 30-12! How do you only score 12 points in a quarter?!?!?!
There are other really embarrassing stats about this game. John Salmons, for example, had 19 and 7. Pretty decent game. Until you realize that his point differential for the night was a team worst -43! Compare that to Amare, who only played in 27 minutes and was a +49. I honestly think that John Salmons is Robert Horry's brother or something.
Then we have the bench. Oh God is our bench terrible. Possibly the funniest stat of the night is Sheldon Williams scoring 1 point. I don't even have to say more.
And a message to Kenny Thomas: You know you suck when your team loses by 50 points and your coach decides that it isn't worth it to put you in the game. If the Kings were the continent of Africa, you would be ebola. That's why you are contained as far away on the bench as possible.
Remember when we traded C-Webb for Thomas? HILARIOUS! (I just died a little).
This is when you know that a Kings game is going terribly. I had a much better time watching Kobe throw down 61 (Watching that game was ridiculous. He was actually on fire. I saw him get hosed down before a tv timeout) last night than hear about the Kings game.
Total sidebar: I have a theory that Kobe Bryant is Borat's dad. Boltok the Rapist? Sounds a little too familiar for my liking...
Now if only I can find my Jason Williams jersey so I can blow my nose in it...
Seriously, last night might have been the roughest game of the season for the Kings, and that's saying a lot, especially after that drubbing by the Celtics. The craziest part of the game is that, as embarrassing as a 129-81 score is, it doesn't even tell half the story.
After being absolutely manhandled by the Suns in the 1st half, the point differential in the 3rd quarter was 30-12! How do you only score 12 points in a quarter?!?!?!
There are other really embarrassing stats about this game. John Salmons, for example, had 19 and 7. Pretty decent game. Until you realize that his point differential for the night was a team worst -43! Compare that to Amare, who only played in 27 minutes and was a +49. I honestly think that John Salmons is Robert Horry's brother or something.
Then we have the bench. Oh God is our bench terrible. Possibly the funniest stat of the night is Sheldon Williams scoring 1 point. I don't even have to say more.
And a message to Kenny Thomas: You know you suck when your team loses by 50 points and your coach decides that it isn't worth it to put you in the game. If the Kings were the continent of Africa, you would be ebola. That's why you are contained as far away on the bench as possible.
Remember when we traded C-Webb for Thomas? HILARIOUS! (I just died a little).
This is when you know that a Kings game is going terribly. I had a much better time watching Kobe throw down 61 (Watching that game was ridiculous. He was actually on fire. I saw him get hosed down before a tv timeout) last night than hear about the Kings game.
Total sidebar: I have a theory that Kobe Bryant is Borat's dad. Boltok the Rapist? Sounds a little too familiar for my liking...
Now if only I can find my Jason Williams jersey so I can blow my nose in it...
Monday, February 2, 2009
Kings vs. Suns: I Can't Stop Hating Shaq
Tonight, the Kings face a struggling Suns team after beating the Thunder yesterday in OT (YES! We're barely better than the Thunder!).
Shaquille O'Neil (are you even Irish?) is probably my least favorite player. Sure, he may have won a couple points but asking Kobe to eat his bum, but that doesn't make up for all the crap he has pulled on the Kings.
Don't get me wrong. Sure, I'm bitter about all the Kings-Lakers series but that doesn't automatically make you my least favorite player. You don't see me hating on Derek Fisher in this post.
My beef is three-fold. Two of them are posted in the videos below. Shaq: If you got beef with Vlade Divac, you got beef with me. He needs to go where people know his name? Check out your mom's bed then.
Also, don't you dare call us the Sacramento Queens. You want me to get started on all of the lakes in the Los Angeles region? Yeah, that's what I thought.
But here is the biggest issue I got. You may have read this a couple months back but it is worth reading a second time:
Shaquille O'Neil (are you even Irish?) is probably my least favorite player. Sure, he may have won a couple points but asking Kobe to eat his bum, but that doesn't make up for all the crap he has pulled on the Kings.
Don't get me wrong. Sure, I'm bitter about all the Kings-Lakers series but that doesn't automatically make you my least favorite player. You don't see me hating on Derek Fisher in this post.
My beef is three-fold. Two of them are posted in the videos below. Shaq: If you got beef with Vlade Divac, you got beef with me. He needs to go where people know his name? Check out your mom's bed then.
Also, don't you dare call us the Sacramento Queens. You want me to get started on all of the lakes in the Los Angeles region? Yeah, that's what I thought.
But here is the biggest issue I got. You may have read this a couple months back but it is worth reading a second time:
Well Shaq, with Brad Miller out tonight, you will get to know our boy Spencer Hawes pretty well. Hopefully he won't land on your precious toe after he dunks over you.
Question [Scott Howard-Cooper]: Would you go to Sacramento as a backup and be a tutor to Spencer Hawes?
Answer [Shaquille O'Neal]: Who's that?
Q: Their first-round pick last year.
A: Oh, I didn't know that. That's his name? Can he play?
Q: Apparently in time.
A: In time. Spencer Hawes? No.
Someone Wants to Do Spencer Hawes...
Or she LOVES hot dogs.
Ailene Voisin, Sacramento Bee: "There is nothing bland about Spencer Hawes. If he were an entrée, he would be a 7-foot-long hot dog smothered in mustard and onions. He always has an answer — or at least something to say — and has long possessed the skills to become a quality NBA center. But he is only 20 years old. Sometimes we forget. Sometimes, he forgets. He doesn't know more than his coaches. He hasn't outplayed Brad Miller. He hasn't earned the right to whine to the referees with the perfected high pitch of a seasoned veteran. And he hasn't provided enough details for Kings officials (or anyone else) to complete his professional portfolio."
Ailene Voisin, Sacramento Bee: "There is nothing bland about Spencer Hawes. If he were an entrée, he would be a 7-foot-long hot dog smothered in mustard and onions. He always has an answer — or at least something to say — and has long possessed the skills to become a quality NBA center. But he is only 20 years old. Sometimes we forget. Sometimes, he forgets. He doesn't know more than his coaches. He hasn't outplayed Brad Miller. He hasn't earned the right to whine to the referees with the perfected high pitch of a seasoned veteran. And he hasn't provided enough details for Kings officials (or anyone else) to complete his professional portfolio."
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Blackout in Seattle
I've never understood how people can root for a team that they have no emotional connection to. For example, when living in Montreal, I met tons of people who were "die hard" fans of random teams. These "fans" try to come off as hardcore when really they are just loyal bandwagoners. How can you legitimately be an Indianapolis Colts fan if you have never been to the Midwest, let alone Indiana?
Now, I don't watch baseball (except in the playoffs. I'm only human). I'm not one of those "baseball is boring" guys. In fact, it used to be that, after basketball, baseball was my sport. Then Major League Baseball broke my heart.
I was a Montreal Expos fan. People outside of Montreal like to blame the fans for their move to Washington. I don't really want to get into why that is totally offensive and makes me want to cry, but it is what it is.
Bill Simmons has a great column about rules for being a sports fan in which he says that if your team moves away, you are known as a sports widow. But while I am bitter about the Expos leaving, that isn't the reason I don't follow them. It's just tough to watch for me to watch a sport without being invested in a team.
So today, in the battle for Blake Griffin, don't expect to see any high ratings in the Seattle region. And that is what the NBA and other leagues don't understand. Not only are the Sonics fans not going to root for the "Thunder," they aren't going to watch any basketball. Basketball, until another team goes there, is dead in the Northeast. With the Grizzlies and the Sonics gone, why would anyone want to watch the sport?
Now, I don't watch baseball (except in the playoffs. I'm only human). I'm not one of those "baseball is boring" guys. In fact, it used to be that, after basketball, baseball was my sport. Then Major League Baseball broke my heart.
I was a Montreal Expos fan. People outside of Montreal like to blame the fans for their move to Washington. I don't really want to get into why that is totally offensive and makes me want to cry, but it is what it is.
Bill Simmons has a great column about rules for being a sports fan in which he says that if your team moves away, you are known as a sports widow. But while I am bitter about the Expos leaving, that isn't the reason I don't follow them. It's just tough to watch for me to watch a sport without being invested in a team.
So today, in the battle for Blake Griffin, don't expect to see any high ratings in the Seattle region. And that is what the NBA and other leagues don't understand. Not only are the Sonics fans not going to root for the "Thunder," they aren't going to watch any basketball. Basketball, until another team goes there, is dead in the Northeast. With the Grizzlies and the Sonics gone, why would anyone want to watch the sport?
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