Double overtime win, double the disappointing fans

I attended the game last night against the New York Knicks, and I must say, I was highly entertained. How about you?

Granted these teams aren't exactly the best of both worlds, I didn't expect much, but for $10 why not? The fans are becoming more and more disappointing, but I will get to that later. A double overtime game, it was quite the thriller with the Knicks having two chances to beat the Kings at the buzzer but the defense of Ron Artest against the much heavier Eddy Curry prevailing.

Say what you will about the record of this team, these guys are improving. This was a game they should have won and they did what they had to do to get it done. Coach Reggie Theus made some timely substitutions and adjustments, aside from a timeout at the end of the game when I think he should have let K-Mart drive to the bucket.

Martin scored a career high 43 points, and while he is keeping me competitive in my fantasy league, he is also staying competitive in the All-Star ballots. Any player who is in the top 4 in league scoring is going to be a major candidate for the All-Star team. Enough with the individual accolades though, this is about the team as a whole.

As I expected, the addition of Beno Udrih and the return of Ron has given the team a huge boost. Again, I'm not saying that we should expect the playoffs, but at least Reggie has them competing and protecting their home court.

Now to the fans, or better yet, what fans? What is up you loyal thumpers? Did you guys forget how horrible the Kings were for all of those years before Vlade and Chris came? You weren't sitting on your hands then, let alone leaving after the end of regulation going into overtime!

The minute the buzzer went off at the end of the 4th quarter (on a Friday night mind you) the rows were filled with fans heading for the exits. Now unless they didn't know how basketball works and thought the game just ended in a tie, they decided that leaving would be a better option than watching 10 more minutes of basketball.

I understand that you got used to winning and are stubborn now blah blah, but that's just not how professional sports work folks. You have good times and you have rebuilding years. The best you can hope for during rebuilding is effort and enthusiasm and that is exactly what this group brings to the court.

I think it's time for a chant...ready? When I say "Fair!" you say "Weathers!"

There will "Be-no" lack of intensity

This last home stand has given proof that the Kings might be headed in the right direction.

There are signs from what you want to see out of a young squad: growth, energy, competitiveness and consistency. Of course this may not be the case on the road, but at least at home these guys are actually putting their hearts on the floor.

With the addition of Beno Udrih and with Ron coming back this week, the Kings actually might win a few games. I still highly doubt the playoffs are a possibility given the amount of talent currently on the roster, and the fact that Mike Bibby might not be back before the All Star Break, but at least it may be an exciting brand of basketball.

It is clear we do have a pure point guard now in Beno, with even the possibility of some growth. The guy did spend most of his young career backing up Tony Parker on the champion Spurs, so playing time was anything but steady for him. With the chance at a few months of starts however, he could turn out to be a solid backup, or even replacement, to Bibby in the future.

Francisco Garcia continues to bring energy, even though I still believe his carelessness will result in some losses, and Spencer Hawes is finding his way on to the court. When you look at basing the future around Martin, Garcia, Douby, Hawes and Beno, that doesn't sound all that bad. Maybe we can be dubbed the "baby Kings" like the Bulls were a few years ago during their run back to the spotlight.

One last thing; I am going to see the Kings play the Spurs this month for the price of a movie. That's right, for $10 I am going to Arco to see them play the champions. If you couldn't afford a game in the past now is your chance folks. Get in while the fair weathers are on their couch!

First win

The home opener, equipped with a shiny new court that is definitely an update to the old one, launched the Kings towards their first victory Tuesday night.

Facing a 20-point deficit in the second quarter, the “boo-birds” came out of the seats of Arco. I was on the same page. The lack of defense and no cohesiveness on offense had me ready to change the station to CNN. Somehow though, the Kings managed to get some offense together and rally towards a victory over the, now 0-4, Seattle Sonics.

The crowd, which broke the sell out streak by not completely filling the stands, was rejuvenated. Finally fans were given something to get excited about.

With Kevin Martin scoring 31 points, I assumed it would have to be the lanky 55 million-dollar man to come up clutch at the end of the game. The Kings down by two with under a minute left. Instead, it was Francisco Garcia who hit a corner three after having previously shot blanks all over the court for the entire game.

Even though Garcia won the game, I think the guy is a hazard with a hot temper and an arrogance that doesn't get backed up with his playing abilities. In an interview after the game, a reporter asked him if he had heard coach Reggie Theus calling for a timeout. He said he did but told himself "hell no I'm going to knock this down." You made the basket Cisco’ but you still haven't convinced me you are a team player.

So we find ourselves 1-3 with Lebron and the Cavs coming to town Friday. James will get his 35 easily against our inside defense. The deciding factor will be if Kevin can put up another big game and if the fans can lift the team the way they did Tuesday night.
I highly doubt the Kings win that game if it was up in Seattle.

Get to the games fans! They are going to need all the support they can get to protect home and have any chance at a respectable record. Let's start a new sell out streak!!

Also of note: Kevin Durant is for real.

Uh oh

The territory is bleak, very bleak. The Kings are now ranked dead last in the league rankings this week on NBA.com.

Without Bibby or Artest, the team is, on average, down by 19 points at halftime so far this season. With no one to distribute the ball to him, Kevin Martin is only doing what he can to get the team any points on the board. Everybody else, other than John Salmons, is no where to be found. Brad Miller, even with the weight he lost, is the same old Brad falling all over the floor under the basket and missing mid-range jumpers.

You can even tell in the voice of TV announcer Grant Napier that the team is just not getting anything done. The highly-excitable Napier displays a clear lack of interest during the telecasts these days. Tuesday night marks the first time the hometown fans get a glimpse at this squad of under achievers and will likely do the same.

Even when Bibby and Artest come back to the lineup (especially Bibby) it might already be too late for Reggie Theus and the left overs of last year's disappointment.

Watching the Kings getting stomped on by the Spurs over the weekend I couldn't help but look at Kenny Thomas and ask myself why. Why Petrie? Why are we still watching this sluggish forward run up and down the floor for our team. This is the same guy we traded Chris Webber for! Remember how long ago that happened? I never thought this guy would last past the end of that season three years ago. I guess that is what you get with these massive contracts though.

The only hope I can offer you fans is that this new point guard they picked up can help balance out the team. He should have some good qualities seeing as he backed up Tony Parker in San Antonio for a couple of years.

You can go check out the home games now anytime you want, so get out there and show your support. WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM.

That's right, the sell out streak is coming to an end.