Ball Don't Lie - NBA

Ball Don't Lie

Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:33 pm EST

Game to pay attention to: New Jersey at Sacramento

By Kelly Dwyer

This goes a little beyond the, "the Nets didn't want to pay Mikki Moore," and "look who's at Arco Arena tonight", and "HEY! SQUARE BAGELS!"-bit.

Yeah, Mikki's got some crazy hair and a bunch of strange animals and he loves holding out six fingers for no particular reason, but the Nets have luxury tax concerns, and can be forgiven for thinking that Moore's career year last year (at the ripe age of 31) was a bit of a fluke. Plus, he's Mikki Moore. Before last season, three of you had heard of him. Let's move on.

The Sacramento Kings, we've been told, are ready to roll. Ready to start Mike Bibby, Ron Artest, and Kevin Martin for the first time all season. Ready to feature John Salmons, Francisco Garcia, and Beno Udrih off the bench. Hoping that Brad Miller and Mikki Moore continue the solid play. Wondering if that eight-man rotation, plus spare (younger) parts like Justin Williams and Spencer Hawes (stop laughing) might be enough to make one last charge at the playoffs.

I still think they should blow it up. I'm assuming that Kings GM Geoff Petrie still feels the same way, and is grateful for the chance to show off his parts for potential dealers before the late-February trade deadline. I'm also hoping that he remembers how well 1997's White Flag Deal worked out for the Chicago White Sox, and isn't afraid to pull the trigger next month even with the Kings just a few games out of the playoff bracket.

The Nets? Nobody can guess what's going on with them. The team's sub-.500 play isn't a surprise, but any guesswork in trying to determine just what's keeping these guys going from day to day isn't really getting us anywhere, either.

The Nets might be fodder, willing to take a dive on a quiet NBA night in front of a tough road crowd. Or, they could rise to the occasion. One never knows with this bunch. Either way, I'm watching.

Sacramento Kings: 17-22, 92.3 possessions per game (10th-most in the NBA), 106.7 points scored per 100 possessions (16th), 110 points allowed per 100 possessions (26th).

New Jersey Nets: 18-22, 89.5 possessions per game (20th), 103.4 points per 100 possessions (26th), 109 points allowed per 100 possessions (21st).

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21 Comments

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  1. Handsome 3K
    1. Posted by Handsome 3K Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:45 pm EDT

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    His "six fingers" are really his number "33" idiot.
  2. Brett Edwards
    2. Posted by Brett Edwards Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    LMFAO at the David Cross link.
  3. Ziller
    3. Posted by Ziller Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:16 pm EDT

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    Actually, Bossman 3K, Mrs. Mikki Moore once explained to me the "six fingers" started as an expression of his initials, M.M. Now, it doubles as his jersey numbers. Also, he really likes the West Coast.
    Jackhole.
  4. KD
    4. Posted by KD Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

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    Yes, 3K, I REALLY thought Mikki was signifying "six" in that photo.
    Jackhole.
  5. nja700
    5. Posted by nja700 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:39 pm EDT

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    http://webster.com/dictionary/irony
  6. Jeff
    6. Posted by Jeff Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    I thought he was just boasting about his rebound average.
  7. KD
    7. Posted by KD Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

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    How long his python is?
    No, that's not a schlong joke.
  8. NativeSun
    8. Posted by NativeSun Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:44 pm EDT

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    idiot jackhole. now i feel better.
  9. LeftCoastCrazy
    9. Posted by LeftCoastCrazy Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:59 pm EDT

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    I really don't care what he does w/ his fingers, or why - as long as he continues to elevate his play. But Artest needs to go, he wants to play with a contender but he'll probably ruin any contenders chance of getting a ring. The King's might turn into a contender if GP can make another good trade & I'd rather see Salmons play regardless.
  10. Jeff
    10. Posted by Jeff Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    As strange as this sounds. If Artest doesn't explode or implode keep them together. Miller and Matin have been very good Bibby has played well since his return and Artest is Artest. Moore just should clean glass and dunk when he is set up. With the injuries to Artest and Bibby Garcia,Salmons, and Ulrich have developed. They could be VERY dangerous with the talent they have.
  11. TD
    11. Posted by TD Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:53 pm EDT

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    Ya got to believe in the Kings after the thrashing they just gave the Nets. Actually I get bored if the excitement of a close, hard fought game isn't there. Cuz, surely the Nets weren't at Arco tonite. I have respect for players like J Kidd and company but, the Nets did not come to play. A win is a win and we Kings fans will take it.
    GO SAC KINGS!!!!
  12. TD
    12. Posted by TD Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:53 pm EDT

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    Ya got to believe in the Kings after the thrashing they just gave the Nets. Actually I get bored if the excitement of a close, hard fought game isn't there. Cuz, surely the Nets weren't at Arco tonite. I have respect for players like J Kidd and company but, the Nets did not come to play. A win is a win and we Kings fans will take it.
    GO SAC KINGS!!!!
  13. nba-central
    13. Posted by nba-central Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

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    I wasn't too suprise with the landslide victory that Kings posted. With the likes of Bibby, K-Mart, Braddie "Garrity" Miller and Ron "Rapper" Artest, there are contenders for the top 6 in west
    Regards,
    http://nba-central.blogspot.com
  14. frankie
    14. Posted by frankie Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:21 pm EDT

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    I agree Jeff, the Kings will have a deep bench once the injuries stop
  15. Nick B
    15. Posted by Nick B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    KD, I hate to be antagonistic, but why are you so down on Spencer Hawes? They drafted him to be Brad Miller's replacement, and by all accounts he should develop into a very good offensive center. No, he doesn't have all the defensive work figured out yet, but he was having a decent season until he got plunked on the end of the bench.
  16. KD
    16. Posted by KD Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

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    I wasn't clear: the "stop laughing" bit was more of a shot at the Kings coaching staff, who aren't playing Williams and Hawes as much as I'd wanted earlier in the season.
  17. Nick B
    17. Posted by Nick B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    All cleared up. I think you and I may actually be on the same wavelength.
  18. borrelian
    18. Posted by borrelian Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:11 pm EDT

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    I love the way vince kotter is leading the nets - straight to oblivion. Any day now he will start dogging it and demanding a trade. Good ol' vinnie areal class, errr crass act.
    Toronto
  19. Jzon
    19. Posted by Jzon Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:56 pm EDT

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    udrih shoud start and please dump the dumb bibby
  20. Jzon
    20. Posted by Jzon Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:56 pm EDT

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    udrih shoud start and please dump the dumb bibby
  21. NOYB
    21. Posted by NOYB Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    i agree with jeff, i'd leave the team as is! getting rid or bringing in other players could very well damage team chemistry, and they're starting to look really solid

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