duncan228
04-14-2008, 10:23 AM
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/859360.html
Kings stand in Lakers' way in West
By Sam Amick
LOS ANGELES – On concept alone, the notion seems to reflect a Kings season of immense success and elite play.
The Western Conference championship goes through them. No, really. It does.
Ignore the sub-.500 record. It's the scheduling anomaly combined with the Kings' recent penchant for dragon slaying that has kept them relevant until the end, even if the only real role is that of party crasher.
There was Saturday's unexpected win over New Orleans that knocked the Hornets into a tie for the Western Conference lead with the Los Angeles Lakers, who since have moved ahead and alone in the race and have a virtual do-or-die game against the Kings on Tuesday for their regular-season finale. In between, the same San Antonio squad that was overmatched and undermanned against the Lakers in a 106-85 loss at Staples Center on Sunday comes to Arco Arena tonight with its own postseason position on the line.
There is, of course, more to come. But for the moment, Lakers coach Phil Jackson wanted to express his gratitude. Asked before tipoff against the Spurs if he had called Kings coach Reggie Theus to thank him for downing the Hornets, Jackson said, "Oh, no. Ron Artest is the one everybody is going to send a birthday cake to. But (Artest) may come down here on Tuesday night and kick our butt anyway, so it might not matter."
That's precisely what the Lakers did against the defending champion Spurs, who looked as old as advertised and are 1 1/2 games behind in the West. Playing for the second consecutive game without leading scorer Manu Ginobili (groin strain, game-time decision tonight), the Spurs once again fell flat against one of the league's best. They haven't defeated a team currently in the playoff picture since a 109-88 win over Houston on March 30, falling to Utah by 26 points, Phoenix by 17 points and the Lakers by 21 in that span.
As it was, Sunday's most positive performance for the Spurs came when guard Brent Barry ran sprints before the game without pain from the left calf that continues to keep him off the floor. Barry, whose long-range game could aid a Spurs offense that has averaged just 79 points in the last five games, has not played since re-signing with San Antonio on March 23. He suffered a torn muscle in his left calf Jan. 23.
Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who came in an early February trade, did what he was acquired to do, not only running the triangle offense as if he has been with Los Angeles for years but adding a defensive presence that will be so key in a few weeks.
In an ominous sign for San Antonio, forward Tim Duncan couldn't find his way around or over the 7-foot Gasol, hitting just 6 of 19 shots in the Spurs' 41.8 percent shooting performance. It has been that way for some time now for Duncan (16 points), whose worst month yet was March.
Gasol and the Lakers, meanwhile, are headed in the opposite direction, on the brink of winning the West with only the Kings left in the way of the crown.
There was chatter among the players in the Lakers' locker room afterward as to whether Artest would play Tuesday, with the consensus being his sprained left thumb wouldn't keep him off such a stage. The West, strange as it sounds, will go through the Kings.
"We're definitely not overlooking them," Gasol said. "We know how dangerous they are and how much fun they have playing against the Lakers, so we want to make sure we come out hard and with the intensity required to beat them."
Or, as Lakers guard Derek Fisher put it: "Eighty-one games of work goes out the window if we lose on Tuesday night."
Kings stand in Lakers' way in West
By Sam Amick
LOS ANGELES – On concept alone, the notion seems to reflect a Kings season of immense success and elite play.
The Western Conference championship goes through them. No, really. It does.
Ignore the sub-.500 record. It's the scheduling anomaly combined with the Kings' recent penchant for dragon slaying that has kept them relevant until the end, even if the only real role is that of party crasher.
There was Saturday's unexpected win over New Orleans that knocked the Hornets into a tie for the Western Conference lead with the Los Angeles Lakers, who since have moved ahead and alone in the race and have a virtual do-or-die game against the Kings on Tuesday for their regular-season finale. In between, the same San Antonio squad that was overmatched and undermanned against the Lakers in a 106-85 loss at Staples Center on Sunday comes to Arco Arena tonight with its own postseason position on the line.
There is, of course, more to come. But for the moment, Lakers coach Phil Jackson wanted to express his gratitude. Asked before tipoff against the Spurs if he had called Kings coach Reggie Theus to thank him for downing the Hornets, Jackson said, "Oh, no. Ron Artest is the one everybody is going to send a birthday cake to. But (Artest) may come down here on Tuesday night and kick our butt anyway, so it might not matter."
That's precisely what the Lakers did against the defending champion Spurs, who looked as old as advertised and are 1 1/2 games behind in the West. Playing for the second consecutive game without leading scorer Manu Ginobili (groin strain, game-time decision tonight), the Spurs once again fell flat against one of the league's best. They haven't defeated a team currently in the playoff picture since a 109-88 win over Houston on March 30, falling to Utah by 26 points, Phoenix by 17 points and the Lakers by 21 in that span.
As it was, Sunday's most positive performance for the Spurs came when guard Brent Barry ran sprints before the game without pain from the left calf that continues to keep him off the floor. Barry, whose long-range game could aid a Spurs offense that has averaged just 79 points in the last five games, has not played since re-signing with San Antonio on March 23. He suffered a torn muscle in his left calf Jan. 23.
Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who came in an early February trade, did what he was acquired to do, not only running the triangle offense as if he has been with Los Angeles for years but adding a defensive presence that will be so key in a few weeks.
In an ominous sign for San Antonio, forward Tim Duncan couldn't find his way around or over the 7-foot Gasol, hitting just 6 of 19 shots in the Spurs' 41.8 percent shooting performance. It has been that way for some time now for Duncan (16 points), whose worst month yet was March.
Gasol and the Lakers, meanwhile, are headed in the opposite direction, on the brink of winning the West with only the Kings left in the way of the crown.
There was chatter among the players in the Lakers' locker room afterward as to whether Artest would play Tuesday, with the consensus being his sprained left thumb wouldn't keep him off such a stage. The West, strange as it sounds, will go through the Kings.
"We're definitely not overlooking them," Gasol said. "We know how dangerous they are and how much fun they have playing against the Lakers, so we want to make sure we come out hard and with the intensity required to beat them."
Or, as Lakers guard Derek Fisher put it: "Eighty-one games of work goes out the window if we lose on Tuesday night."