Warriors Wolves Worthwhile

Good game in Oaktown featuring the streaky Warriors and the promising Wolves. By record, neither team has much to be proud about. But this game had great action and energy. Plus the subplots: Heat reunion with Dorell Wright squaring up with Michael Beasley, Monte Ellis 48 minute offensive masterpiece, Darko’s career high 25 points, the lithe David Lee battling the burly Kevin Love, the return of Johnny Flynn and Martell Webster and the reawakening of Andris Biedrins. Good stuff. Ellis was silly, with all sorts of acrobatic drives and dagger jumpers. What a dynamo! Darko was something is his own right. Great presence in the post, hard cuts in the lane and a hook shot that looked damn good. Sort of poetic justice that he is on Ironwood’s juggernaut.

I caught a good bit of the Houston-Sacramento game, and all I can say is that the Kings look like they are almost ready to pack it in for the season. I mean, they quit playing. The Rockets were on a roll, no doubt. But, jeez, it was sad. Especially in contrast to the battling Warriors and Wolves. Paul Westphal looks 100 years old.

I am looking forward to the Celtics-Knicks game. Great to see a little excitement back in MSG.

TY-REKE!

With apologies to HP, whatta comeback!

Down 35 in the second half Evans scored the Kings last 9 points. The rookie played 44 minutes, pouring in 23 points, 8 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Wow! Fellow Memphis phenom Derrick Rose posted similar numbers, but clearly Rd. 1 of the battle between for alumni bragging rights goes to Tyreke.

Kings are playing great. Jason Thompson has been super. Hawes, Nocioni, Casspi, Udrih, Udoka, and Donte Green are all filling their roles. What a nice surprise.

(a sorta) League Preview: Sacramento Kings

New Jersey and Milwaukee down. Staying stinky, but switching Conferences, I bring you the least of the Pacific.

Sacramento Kings

Depth chart:

PG Beno Udrih Tyreke Evans Sergio Rodriguez

SG Kevin Martin Francisco Garcia

SF Andres Nocioni Donte Green Omri Casspi

PF Jason Thompson Kenny Thomas

C Spencer Hawes Sean May

Perhaps slightly more talented and well rounded than its fellow Eastern cellar dwellers, Sacto is more a victim of the talent at the top two thirds of the West. To their credit, the Kings have several exciting perimeter players. Martin is a super efficient scoring machine. Nocioni and Garcia have proven they can answer the bell. The ability to get to the rim of young rookie Evans was the talk of the summer league. Even Udrih brings some veteran savy.

Up front is where picture gets a lot more hazy. Both Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes have displayed big time pro potential. They are long, young and athletic. But defend well they do not. Subs Kenny Thomas and Sean May offer little help on that score. If you cannot defend the paint, you lose a lot of games. Sacto has the grit that the might offer a fight to about anyone on the right night. Problem is that there will mostly be wrong nights.