http://www.sacbee.com/2010/02/21/2553096/shaky-start-for-new-king-landry.html The topic of discussion in the Kings' locker room after Saturday night's 99-89 loss to the Clippers focused on the recent trade flurry around the league. Specifically, it was noted that new King Carl Landry wasn't the only one who got off to a bad start with his new team. Cleveland's Antawn Jamison was 0 of 12 in his debut, and former King Kevin Martin was 3 of 16 in his first game with Houston. As the conversation that included Omri Casspi came to a close, the rookie small forward looked up between bites of his club sandwich and said: "(Landry) is going to be fine. We know he's a good player." It's a good thing, too, because you couldn't tell it from his first time out. With only that morning's shootaround to assimilate with his new teammates, Landry hit just 4 of 11 shots and finished with 10 points and eight rebounds in 36 minutes in the second start of his three-year career. "That was probably the most ineffective he'll ever be as a King," Kings coach Paul Westphal said. "He didn't get a few calls. He didn't get a few rolls. It really wasn't his night. I'm thrilled that he's here. I think he showed glimpses of what he can do with his quickness and his power. … I think he was feeling his way in an uncomfortable manner. And when he settles in, he'll be a real force for us." Landry's first possession was like a movie preview that shows all the good parts of a bad film. He received the ball near the left block early in the first quarter, double-pumped and rose up through Chris Kaman and Rasual Butler en route to a three-point play for the Kings' first points. It looked like a nerve-calming kind of moment given his demeanor at the free-throw line, as he took a deep breath and paused before converting the foul shot. But the script went downhill from there. He was called for traveling three times in the first half, his moves indecisive and his feet shuffling as if he had taken a role on "Dancing with the Stars." Whether it was jitters or simply an off-night, he missed numerous attempts early that he'll certainly make on most nights, then seemed to take more contested looks as the game wore on. An uncontested layup going right. An open eight-footer. A 15-footer. A tough running hook falling away. Yet nothing – except for that vintage Landry look just 28 seconds in – would fall his way. "I didn't know how I felt," Landry said. "I didn't know if I was nervous. I didn't know if I was excited. It was a lot of mixed emotions. I didn't play the game that I wanted to play, unfortunately. … Just thinking a little bit too much out there. Just an off-night. It's only going to get better." The chants of "defense" showering the Staples Center floor during the fourth quarter were nothing new, common fare in every arena in the league. Except that they were for the visiting team. The Kings, having trailed by 18 points, cut the lead to five on an Andres Nocioni runner when Casspi's supporters were so loudly heard. But the "MVP" chants for the Clippers' Eric Gordon quickly followed, as he scored on a running jump shot to start the final Clippers push in a 15-2 run. Gordon – who shined while his team was without Baron Davis and new addition Drew Gooden – had 14 of his 30 points in the final period. But in reality, the Clippers broke a six-game losing streak by way of a second quarter in which they scored 39 points and forced seven of the Kings' 17 turnovers.
I wish Landry the best, but he'll have to step up if he's going to ascend as a real star at the forward position. His defense (good enough) and toughness (good as it gets) are already there, and his knack for scoring is obviously there. As a King, he'll have nowhere to hide. If the Rockets were short on scoring, the Kings are all but empty. Landry and Evans are it. There's nothing to discourage teams from double teaming him on all post touches, and he's got to adapt to that. There's no rebounding aside from him and Thompson, and Landry's grabbed 10 boards (season high) only three times this season. He's also got to improve his consistency - 12 times this year he's hit 12 points or less. 8 games in single digits. His bad nights could hide on the Rockets, with enough depth to make up for it, but not on the Kings. If Landry doesn't produce, they lose. I do think he can do it. He's been given the opportunity to prove himself a major player in this league, and I have to believe he's hell bent to make good on that chance. He also knows that he has to explode in this role to earn a real contract. He's got the motivation, he's got the potential, he's got the role. Best to him.
I like Landry and wish him all the best. But, he is a sixth man for a reason. You put him against other teams' starting PFs for 30 minutes, his games will suffer!
I like Landry, but I think as a starter, his "short"comings will be exposed more often than coming in as a change of pace guy.
Shaky starts for new Rocket Martin. It'll be interesting to see how Landry responds to starting nightly having never started a single game is his career as a Rocket.
I think it'll take him a while to get used to starting. He hasn't really adjusted to the double teams he got when he was over here, so we'll see what happens.
Hahaha... you people kill me. Already calling him "K-brick" after two obviously nervous games with a new team, despite him leading the league in shooting efficiency for 3 years. Hilarious!
One is a PF and the other is a SG. I'm not even sure why we are even comparing them other than the fact they were traded for each other.
I watched a replay of this game tonight on FSW (get Clippers & Laker games - always good fun to root for the other guys, except Jazz & Mavs). It was surreal to see our very own Landry in a Kings uniform. He looked like he was having fun but a little out of sync. Do you think he will look forward to playing us? I miss Landry
He's a McGrady fan; look through his posts. For some reason he blames Martin for his hero being traded.
In the 4th quarter, I believe he had a stretch of: 3 point play (dunk) 3 point play (driving floater) 3 pointer (Francis-esque dribbling between the legs 8 times and rise up to shoot with a dude in his face) 3 point play (driving layup) Everything he threw up went in.
Amazing... people judge other users by whether their Mcgrady fans or not? Can people not understand the concept of being a Mcgrady fan and a Rockets fan? Now if he was spitting random crap and was literally only a TOF than thats a whole different story, but just because you like T-mac doesn't mean your a TOF
