Bibby is vastly overrated IMO, meaning that I don't think the Kings really suffer that much. Bobby J is the top backup PG in the league, so they are well cushioned for this blow.
Codell, let me put it this way. If EG or Cato were playing on the Kings last year and not Pollard, they would be Champions. You just cannot have Pollard be part of the second team and then say it is better than ours. When Vlade was on the bench he could not respond. Why do you think they went after Clark? As for Doug Christie, he practically admitted he choked in that series. He absolutely dissappeared. Then I am supposed to come here and believe that he is going to get the better of a matchup with Mobley. He is a very good defensive player but I do not see a mismatch where Rudy T has to give help or change his game plan. I believe we will cause them more headaches than they will cause us. You think they are not going to have to change their game plan because of Ming. Rookie or no Rookie, think again.
I agree with you about Jackson. I think Bibby is not one of the top elite point guards during the regular season. So in that, yes, he may be overrated if people say he is. However, after last year, he is no doubt a clutch playoff performer and those type of players are invaluable (see Bob Horry).
i remember a game 2 yrs ago when the Rocks played the Kings in Arco... and the kings couldnt miss a shot...they were almost perfect in the 1st quarter but francis kept us in the game and to the 3rd quarter i think.. Francis made a monster dunk on a fast break and was given some techs for taunting.. and i think this year even with bibby in the game..(even tho hes out) we can beat them or even out the record 2-2.
Kidrock, well cushioned is a relative term. Against the lesser teams it should not be an issue. But when you are talking about a team projected to win 62 games by ESPN, this got to hurt. In other words if ESPN had to redo that projection right now, there would be a downward adjustment. Jackson did not just appear from nowhere. He was on the team when they went to get Bibby and it was never an issue of him starting. He is a good backup but a backup is a backup. Luckily for them, while he is out they would not play many game against the better teams in the West. If the Kings can go into the Texas Traingle now and do not come out with 2 or 3 losses, with Bibby out, then they are going to have the best record this year.
I dont agree with that at all. Im not a Pollard guy or anything, but he played the role they needed him to play. Do you really think Cato helps the Kings overcome the Lakers? No way. Never. Griffin? He was a rookie that got alot of playing time on a bad team and that gave him a chance to develop. With Sacramento, he would not have played a vitale role like he did with us. And even if he did, hes not what would put the Kings over the Lakers. I never said Christie would get the better of a Cuttino. The point I was making is, its not like Cuttino is going to drop 30 on him on a consistant basis. Cuttino has never played well against on the ball defenders, which are few and far between. Its not that the Kings have any one matchup that they have a tremendous edge. So it doesnt matter how our players matchup with their players individually. The Kings beat you as a team, not with one on one performances. Kings are in a different class than we are right now until we prove otherwise. I dont like our chances this year but maybe in the next 2 or 3 years. As far as Bibby, its not going to hurt them a whole heck of alot. Does anyone remember that Webber was out the first 2 mos last season? Even without him, they were kicking severe butt. If they can do it without Webber, then can do it without Bibby.
Look what the Kings did without Peja last year against LA... Bobby Jackson is closer to Bibby than Turkoglu is to Peja. What would hurt the Kings more is if they lost a big man. Losing a PG is not a big deal in the West, especially with the 5-man/motion offense the Kings run, where the PG doesn't handle the ball as much as 90% of the NBA teams.
I don't really care for the Kings, but you are smoking crack if you think EG would have been better for the Kings last year than Scot Pollard. Yes, EG has more shooting range, but he is nowhere near the inside physical presence that Pollard is. Pollard's no star, but he's a great garbage guy, something a finesse team like the Kings need to matchup with the big-man oriented West. Also, you play into LA's hands by having a big man who is going to shoot jumpers, just to get Shaq away from the basket. The Lakers would gladly give up 20 ft jumpers from your center, rather than 5-10 ft hook shots, etc. FWIW, LA had the best perimeter FG% (3pt %) defense in the NBA last season. Yet, everyone says that it's their weakness because Shaq doesn't like to roam away from the basket.
Jackson plays both guard spots, with his home position being point. Kind of like Steve and Tito. Jackson ran the team when Bibby wasnt playing.
Kidrock, I agree with the majority of your post. But the last little smidget doesn't make much sense to me. The fact that Shaq doesn't like to roam away from the basket hurts their pick and roll defense. Also it gives centers like Divac or Sabonis wide open 15-20 ft jumpers. I don't see what it has to do with the opponent's 3-point game. The Lakers have 3 very solid perimeter defenders in Fisher, Bryant, and Fox, and had Hunter off the bench as well. That more than anything accounts for the fact that they have the best 3 pt. % defense in the NBA.
I with you on this one. Since when does a center have anything to do with 3pt defense? If your center is out guarding 3 point shooters, then you have a problem. lol Fisher, Fox and Kobe are work well together on perimeter defense.
That less-abled team is the savvyest, most experienced, and dirtiest(with the best ability to get away with it) team in the league. In the playoffs, these attributes are more important than ever. Our Rockets wouldn't be able to beat the Jazz in the playoffs, imo. There's just not enough experience there at all. In the regular season it's a different story, which is why the Kings swept the Jazz and averaged about 20 points per victory in their 4 regular season meetings. In the playoffs, everything goes out the window. Thus, it's not valid to use the Kings-Jazz series as an excuse in this case.
You make great points. Playoff savvy counts. Great example is the 95 Rockets. Spurs kicked out butt during the regular season. I dont need to recap how that all turned out.
Unless Sam Perkins comes out of retirement and is on every opposing team. Thanks for the compliments btw.
Sam "Smooth" Perkins. He caused alot of matchup problems. He was a Rocket killer back in the day when he played for Dallas.
Ah, I think he was called, "The Big Smooth". Those were the good old days, when nicknames were original, not this "CWebb, JWill, T-Mac, etc." crap. What's next, P-Ew? Perkins always seemed to hit timely 3's against us as a member of the Sonics as well.
Dallas had three Rocket killers in Blackman, Harper and Perkins. Dallas and Houston had some good playoff math ups. I remember when Hakeem and Floyd both dropped 40 on them. Dallas had a great team with Schrempf, Perkins, Aquirre, Blackman and Harper. Donaldson didnt play bad D on Olajuwon. I was suprised that they didnt win much. You are right about the nicknames. Robert "The Chief" Parrish. Sam "BIg Smooth" Perkins. Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon. Ervin "Magic" Johnson. Michael "Air" Jordan. Dominique "The Human Highlight Film" Wilkins. Nicknames nowadays are just an excuse not to have to pronounce someones full name. lol
It has to do with DEFENSIVE ROTATION. When you have Shaq not guarding a guy, then it means another Laker must cover him, which means they all must rotate quickly, which is something the Lakers do better than any other team. Yes, Kobe and Fox are very good defenders, but they have nothing to do with the fact that LA doesn't give up open 3s.
