Which loss hurt the Kings more?

[TDMVPDPOY]

i blame rasho for the kings loss

[Scobe]

Did you see game 2 WCF '99?

It wasn't close at all; Portland was up by tons. The Miracle was so huge because it capped an almost impossible comeback.

This one is tough on the Kings, but not MDM or .04 tough....because arguably their best player wasn't there.

Mentally they have that to fall back on.

ie: We could have won that w/o Artest - we'll get 'em when he gets back.

Spurs still have some psyche crushing to do in this one IMO.

They would not have played that well WITH Artest. No way Martin gets 26 and Wells gets 28. And SAR wouldnt have gone nuts because Artest would have taken most of the shots that SAR took. They played well because three guys had the game of the year at the same time. Artest can't do that by himself, and those guys won't do that again. Just like the Spurs won't shoot 80% and score 73 points in a half again this year.

[Scobe]

There are certainly arguments for why the Kings might be worse on the offensive end with Artest out, because he has a prediliction for overestimating his offensive abilities and dominating the ball.

I'm just saying if the Kings play like they did last night and have Artest they're going to be very tough. Manu is unlikely to have another game like that if Artest is on him.

The way for Manu to handle Artest is for Pop to put Manu at the point in certain situations and let him take Artest off the dribble. Artest isn't nearly quick enough to stay in front of him, and if the refs keep calling tight games Artest won't be able to push and hand check to keep Manu in front of him. Manu can completely abuse Artest when he handles the ball from the point.

[SAGambler]

Bonzi, Sar, and Martin all had career night.
With Artest in the lineup, that doesn't happen.

What I did find strange though, was the kid with the hot hand all night long, did not take one shot in the overtime period.

[word]

A loss is a loss, a win is a win.

Did anyone expect SAC to take out the Spurs in round 1 ?

We've got bigger fish to fry. Much bigger fish....

[T Park]

A loss is a loss, a win is a win.

deep.......

hat I did find strange though, was the kid with the hot hand all night long, did not take one shot in the overtime period.

Thank Mike Bibby.

He made a couple shots, then bricked i think 1 and turned it over.


SAR, and Martin wont go off like that again.

Bonzi? Maybe, theyve found something that works in putting him in the post against the Spurs.

Duncan should be able though to work against them a little more, but they are hardcore on denying him a shot by doubling him hard and quick.

[KingsFanWithoutName]

It's the same old situation to this point--nothing remarkable has happened until a home team loses.

Exactly.

[T Park]

@ king fan holding on....

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

u think? I think if they will win one, it will be game 3. We still will win it in 5 or 6(as I predicted)

I don't see why the Spurs should think they can't get the 2 early wins, to avoid unnecessary games. They've beaten them when the Kings fought all out, they've slaughtered them with an Artest Run Offense. Spurs will lose a game if they let off a little on the Kings, but I think this game 2 steal of a win, will give the Spurs the confidence to put it away and go home early. They realize now that the King are not as dimensional yet this year, to put up a struggle as they thought. We'll need the extra rest against Dallas. If Dallas is looking to have their way with Memphis. Which looks like an iffy-yet-favorable matchup. So I say, Spurs shouldn't shy away from going for the sweep if health is their concern. Nuggets got swept after the fluke loss. Kings think they're better than they really are.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

It's the same old situation to this point--nothing remarkable has happened until a home team loses.

That's deluded optimism-- we always get that from the opponents in the playoffs. Some win a game saying it. Some still lose a game saying it . It means nothing to us and the Spurs. Spurs have best Road-Record. Spurs are playing the Playoffs and should have dropped a game 1, or 2 by now. They haven't. They've come in stronger into the postseason than before.

The only time that was a valid statement was fromthe Pistons in June. Pistons were actually, the Championship Pistons. Kings are not! They're an 8th seed (arguably 4th,5th)that has been a successful work in progress but still need another year to fill out with the Artest acquisition.

[ShoogarBear]

That's deluded optimism-- we always get that from the opponents in the playoffs. Some win a game saying it. Some still lose a game saying it . It means nothing to us and the Spurs. Spurs have best Road-Record. Spurs are playing the Playoffs and should have dropped a game 1, or 2 by now. They haven't. They've come in stronger into the postseason than before.

The only time that was a valid statement was fromthe Pistons in June. Pistons were actually, the Championship Pistons. Kings are not! They're an 8th seed (arguably 4th,5th)that has been a successful work in progress but still need another year to fill out with the Artest acquisition.

What are you talking about?

2004: Spurs win 1 and 2 at home vs. Lakers, lose next 4.
2005: Spurs win 1 and 2 at home vs. Sonics, lose 3 and 4 on road.
2005: Spurs win 1 and 2 at home vs. Pistons, lose 3 and 4 on road.

The Spurs always end up struggling because they relax and underestimate how hard things are going to be. Maybe Spur fans deserve that because they seem to have the same at udes.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I guess I was thinking about the previous First Rounds. The Spurs have not been a Sweep Team since 1999, and it's kind of funny how they've developed into the kind of championship team that looks beatable, but ends up on top.

but as far as this Kings series goes..I don't see why the Spurs should settle. They're the better team than the Kings. Sure the Mavs will be a tough matchup. But if they know a loss comes because they're complacent. Then all they have to do is, well Don't be Complacent this time! They admit it. They know their past. And yet they accept it, instead of correcting it. It's not like they've got anything to lose from staying awake the next to games. They'll earn rest actually.. The only reason we got the game 2 win was because Manu's relentless attacking. He's one of the few players that doesn't get satisfied or complacent since he's come in for us in 2003. He's very in the moment, with urgency. Barry was awake last night too. If we're ever looking awful, it's all because mentally, half the team is asleep.