LAL@Kings - Monday, Dec. 26, 2011: game one

[FINGER]

Kobe was injured.

You no longer have Phil Jackson. So don't cry for so little.
Welcome back dear black jersey.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

This was one of my favorite Kings games I've ever been to. The atmosphere was awesome, Lakers fans walking up and down the aisle were getting booed in unison, "Beat LA" chants was like listening to a Beethoven symphony live, and the Kings looked pretty damn good.

I'm too lazy to type up everything I wanted to about the game so I'll just keep it short.

Chuck Hayes' defense is incredible. I've never seen someone stay in front of their defender while having no space between their bodies. It's crazy. Not to mention his quick, pesky hands. I was really impressed with our defensive rotations most of the night--I guess the saying is true--defense IS contagious.

If Tyreke can hit his jump shot with any consistency (I'm still skeptical) our team will be a nightmare for opposing defenses, although we already knew that.

Thornton is that man and a damn fine closer as well.

I wanted to say more but I have to go to work.

[ADoaN17]

Tyreke's midrange looked nice.

[City of Trees]

Anyone have a link to Cousins interview on GameTime?

[DakoBarr]

I thought your guys' team looked pretty good last night. Of course it's only one game, but I wish the media would focus more on Sac-town winning than the Lakers losing. I really want you guys to make it to the playoffs and get revenge on those yellow bastards.

Marcus Thornton is a baller.

[City of Trees]

No Doubt I saw improvement from last season.. NOT to mention the KINGS are now the youngest team in the NBA. I got 99 problems but the Kings aint one.

[Wolfay]

I thought your guys' team looked pretty good last night. Of course it's only one game, but I wish the media would focus more on Sac-town winning than the Lakers losing. I really want you guys to make it to the playoffs and get revenge on those yellow bastards.

Marcus Thornton is a baller.

It would be nice to get some love, but flying under the radar isn't a bad thing. It motivates the team to prove the doubters wrong, while keeping the pressure light without all those eyes on you. Other than the road-heavy schedule early, this team is in an ideal situation to keep getting better.

[The Beam King]

Kobe was injured.

The fact that his wrist injury came so quickly after the divorce papers were filed is just a mere coincidence, right...?

[deepthighbruise]

My friend got tickets for Christmas. We went to the game, got the blackout shirts. I'm a Wolves fan, but will always have a soft spot for the Kings. I've grown up here. The atmosphere was the best I've ever been to at any sporting event. Nicky Nix Noot already hit all the important atmosphere points: it was insane. It felt like the glory days.

After the game, I saw a group of Laker fans throw a drink at a group of Kings fans, and all hell just about broke loose. Security broke it up, and, with perfect comedic timing, a voice, from the sea of black, screamed "THROWING THAT DRINK IS ALMOST AS WASTEFUL AS PAYING ARTEST 7 MIL A YEAR!"

Hayes played great. Thornton came out playing in the fourth. I still think the Kings need another center, and I was not impressed by Hickson. It felt like the Kings were feeding off the crowd, the chants, the cheering. Hickson got caught sleeping a few times, and after World Peace got a dunk that Hickson should've covered, Westphal pulled him right away. He just didn't fit in.

But Hayes might be the best free agent signing this off-season. Great pickup.

[408Kings]

Kings looked pretty impressive in the first game of the season. Much more polished than in the first pre-season game @ warriors in which they played very lackadaisically and didn't even try on the defensive side.

This game was a total 180. They boxed out, rotated well on d (for the most part), but most importantly, they hustled! Loved JJ Hickson running the length of the court right pass Troy Murphy to try to save the ball. It reminded me of the days of Jon Barry, Bobby Jackson, and to take it way back, Michael Smith.

We have decent talent on the team, but couple that with some great effort and heart, and I think we might have something to build on here*. The Kings can be the "Rudy" of the NBA season. Blue collar, hard working group of castaways (I use that term loosely), that the city of Sacramento loves rooting for.


*I'd like to acknowledge though, that it has only been ONE game into the season.

[HUBlackstar83]

Anyone have a link to Cousins interview on GameTime?

I DVR'ed it last nite. He really didn't say too much besides what he worked on in the off-season and the biggest point he made is that we should look at Marcus Thorton as a superstar. I agree and disagree. People throw around the term superstar too loosely. Superstars are guys like KD, Kobe, Lebron, D-Wade etc. Marcus is will be recoginzed as a star though by mid season. I'm sure we KINGS fan recognize, but I'm talking about the media.