Well, Randy, that major point to make is that not all the Kings' player have yet to show up to play in every game. Yesterday, Miller and Webber did the most damage, with a huge boost from Mike Bibby. But Peja and Christie were downright pathetic. Divac has been solid, and Peeler is helping. Songaila would be a huge help against guys like Trent and Madsen, but not glued to the bench.
Somehow, defensively the Kings are playing way better then during the season. We knew they could from last year, when they led the League in opponents shooting percentage. The job they are doing on defense is playoff calibur. But where is that offense? The Kings will need Peja to step up and score from the outside to win this series. Without him, the Kings are treading water, looking for answers. If Bibby can get open, or Christie gets hot, that can compensate, but it is Peja who they all want to take the majority of those shots.
Physically, the Kings are hoping Webber is not getting too sore from the schedule this week. Miller looks to have recouped from his numerous injuries and must be painfree to be throwing himself all over the court like he did yesterday. Christie has a very sore left foot, similar to the injury Peja had two years ago that caused him to be inaffective for stretches. Bobby Jackson actually indicated he was shooting for coming back to play this Friday. At this point, I have no idea if that is a good or bad thing. Would he be healthy enough to add that B-Jax flavor to the game or just a shadow of the effort?
Overall, I am not convinced this King's team is better then the Wolves. Too inconsistent. They go in stretches of games when they look to have zero desire and put out no effort. I blame part of that on Adelman's seven man rotation. It just wears out players who have to play a game every other day. When they start to drag like that, Adelman needs to call a time out and send in some fresher guys, but that is not how he does things. His starters NEED to sit once in a while just to observe how the game is being played.
Other pet peeves are the fancy passing when a more sensible toss is warranted, but not the telegraphed passes that Peja made on several occasions last night that got picked off.
If the Kings continue to play the type of defense they have been showing, combined with a return to the offensive juggarnaut they are known for but has been AWOL, no team in the playoffs would be immune to the Kings' winning. Since they can't seem to combine the two in the same game, making last second baskets for the win might be the best we can hope for.
