[ Shing's TWolves 5-1 ] - [ Win vs DAL ]

[Shing]

The way this season is shaping up, this could be a look toward a possible playoff contender scrap as both teams hover around the 0.500 mark. League Power Rankings have Sacramento at a lofty 6th and Seattle at 10th but critics say neither has what it takes, at the moment, to make the playoffs.
Shawn Marion's temporary stint in the Top 5 MVP Candidates was short lived and he makes way for teammate Mike Bibby who comes off his 34 point performance in the Kings loss yesterday to Chicago.


SACRAMENTO KINGS (6-5)

C - Brad Miller
(14.6ppg, 9.9rpg, 1.0apg, 0.8spg, 1.6bpg)

PF - Shawn Marion
(21.3ppg, 13.6rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, 1.7bpg)

SF - Kenny Thomas
(5.7ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, 0.0bpg)

SG - Raja Bell
(12.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.2apg, 1.8spg, 0.2bpg)

PG - Mike Bibby
(20.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 7.6apg, 2.6spg, 0.2bpg)



SEATTLE SUPERSONICS (4-4)

C - Danny Fortson
(14.0ppg, 10.6rpg, 1.1apg, 0.8spg, 0.9bpg)

PF - Chris Wilcox
(6.6ppg, 9.9rpg, 0.9apg, 0.8spg, 1.5bpg)

SF - Rashard Lewis
(25.5ppg, 7.5rpg, 0.1apg, 1.0spg, 0.6bpg)

SG - Ray Allen
(25.3ppg, 6.6rpg, 6.1apg, 1.8spg, 0.3bpg)

PG - Luke Ridnour
(14.1ppg, 2.5rpg, 7.1apg, 2.3spg, 0.4bpg)



The Phoenix Suns (7-0) are certainly the ones to beat this season, cruising to their 7th straight win against the number 1 seed in the East; Detroit Pistons (7-3).
The Cavaliers (5-3) are on a 3 game winning streak and are seeded fourth in the East behind Detroit, Philly and Atlanta; who don't seem able to hold onto their early season form.
San Antonio's (3-3) form has finally picked up and they have won their last 2 games.
The Clippers, the Kings and the TWolves are all on a 4 game slide following much better starts to their seasons.

[Marquis]

Oh another loss. Gordon killed you with 33 points

Phoenix is on fire with 7-0

[kibaxx7]

Yep Gordon did great for the Bulls... tough loss man, good luck against Sonics!

[KIG1]

wow Gordon pwned your team. Good luck against the Sonics.

[A-Sot]

I'm sure u can do a lot better

Go, go Sac-town and Shing

[TheBeast]

Tough loss man!Never mind..Good luck vs. Sonics!!!

[Shing]

Wow thx guys! I'm a happy guy when I get lots of replies

[Shing]

The Kings have returned to winning form on the back of an incredible performance by POTG Shawn Marion. The Kings power forward grabbed a season high 21 rebounds and led his team score sheet with 32 points to power Sacramento to victory.
"Really, I don't know that we could have done it without him [Marion]." Mike Bibby was interviewed in the post-match conference, "He played outstandingly today and always makes it so easy to run the floor every night."
After his performance Marion now leads the league in rebounds per game (14.3) ahead of former MVP Kevin Garnett (14.1) and P.J. Brown (12.0) as well as heading the Kings offence with 22.2 ppg.
Both sides shot the ball poorly - perhaps being the major helping factor behind Marion's rebounding performance. Infact both Seattle and Sacramento grabbed a huge amount of rebounds in the poor shooting performance. Nagging at the back of Shing Williams mind though, must be the under-performance of starting shooting guard Raja Bell who hasn't scored more than 10 points in a game since the Kings loss to Denver 5 games ago.



[ Skill Level: Superstar ] - [Quarter Length: 9 mins ] - [ Sacramento Boxscore ] - [ Sonics Boxscore ]

[ Screenshots ] - [ 001 | 002 | 003 ]

[ Player of the Game: Shawn Marion [SAC] ]

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HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO (11mb)
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Set to the tune of Fools Gold by The Stone Roses

[Shing]

The Kings return home Thursday night after a disappointing 4 game road trip saw them bring back only one win. They will face the Houston Rockets who, despite one of the best season starts in franchise history, have now dropped their last three games in a row against even the likes of Orlando (5-6).
Yao Ming is posting a career season so far, though his form has certainly struggled since their last win against Utah (2-6) over a week ago, he is among the top 5 expected for MVP.
Sacramento will be looking for a repeat of the performance that saw them beat Seattle last Friday, coach Shing Williams is sure to look to his duo of Mike Bibby and Shawn Marion to lift the Kings against Houston.


HOUSTON ROCKETS (8-4)

C - Yao Ming
(26.4ppg, 10.0rpg, 5.6apg, 1.3spg, 2.0bpg)

PF - Stromile Swift
(11.2ppg, 9.2rpg, 0.8apg, 0.8spg, 1.8bpg)

SF - Ryan Bowen
(6.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 0.1apg, 1.4spg, 0.6bpg)

SG - Tracey McGrady
(18.9ppg, 6.6rpg, 5.8apg, 1.8spg, 0.8bpg)

PG - Rafer Alston
(14.9ppg, 2.3rpg, 6.7apg, 1.3spg, 0.3bpg)



SACRAMENTO KINGS (7-6)

C - Brad Miller
(14.9ppg, 10.2rpg, 1.2apg, 0.7spg, 1.6bpg)

PF - Shawn Marion
(22.2ppg, 14.3rpg, 1.2apg, 1.3spg, 1.7bpg)

SF - Kenny Thomas
(5.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.8apg, 0.9spg, 0.0bpg)

SG - Raja Bell
(11.6ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.3apg, 1.7spg, 0.2bpg)

PG - Mike Bibby
(20.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 7.5apg, 2.7spg, 0.2bpg)



The Suns still haven't lost. Phoenix (8-0) extended its unbeaten run to 8 wins in a row with a 96-75 victory in Los Angeles against the Lakers on Monday. Perhaps Phoenix benefitted too much in the 3 player trade with Sacramento in November... Maybe Shareef will finally get a trip to the playoffs.
Chauncey Billups has entered the Top 5 MVP candidates, outsting the Kings own Mike Bibby, to join Bosh, Shaq, Wade and Yao.
The Washington Wizards (1-7) are now host to the league's worst record and the longest losing streak of 7 consecutive losses.
The quietest superstar in the league is Kobe Bryant whose personal form is struggling alongside his Lakers (3-6) form. Kobe is averaging only 21.9points, 5.2boards and 6.4assists per game!

[Marquis]

wow Marion had amazing game

Good that you won after 3 lost games in a row

[hova-]

Maybe Shareef will finally get a trip to the playoffs.

Oh my goodness, this cant be true

Well I didnt think they would benefit from this trade, but 8-0, sounds pretty good !

[KIG1]

Your dynasty is nice and neat and tidy. Keep up the good work

[Shing]

The Rockets' (8-4) fall from grace has been sudden and crushing. Three losses in a row have seen them fall from second place to mid-table in the space of 3 weeks and today they were beaten, convincingly, by the rejuvinated Kings. At times it seemed the only one who cared enough was Tracey McGrady whose stellar effort wasn't enough to lift the Rockets game.
Shawn Marion continued his MVP form, leading the Kings with 35pts 11reb to the win. Raja Bell posted his first prolific game in a month, hitting 3-4 three pointers and eventually ending the game with 15 points. Bell's Shooting Guard position is now under seige from Kevin Martin who managed 8 points in 9 minutes on his time on the floor! Kenny Thomas's form has suffered since he was started in favor of Corliss Williamson and will be benched again for the Kings next game against the Hornets.
Two wins in a row push Sacramento's record to (8-6) on the back of some fantastic linkups between Shawn Marion and Mike Bibby. Houston, however, travel to Denver (5-5) tonight in preparation for their game tomorrow.



[ Skill Level: Superstar ] - [Quarter Length: 9 mins ] - [ Rockets Boxscore ] - [ Kings Boxscore ]

[ Screenshots ] - [ TMac | Marion & Wesley | Bibby | Marion | TMac ]

[ Player of the Game: Shawn Marion [SAC] ]

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HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO (10mb)
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Set to the tune of Dissolved Girl by Massive Attack

[Shing]

Kenny Thomas's form has been lacklustre since he was pushed into the starting lineup, so for today's game he has been sidelined in favor of Corliss Williamson by Kings coach Shing Williams.
Both teams are hoping to capitalize on 2 game winning streaks: the Hornets beat Toronto and Charlotte on a road trip last week, whilst the Kings recent form has improved greatly against the Sonics and Rockets.

Sacramento will doubtless be looking to rely on the form of Power Forward Shawn Marion as they have done recently; in the past 4 games Marion is averaging (28.3ppg, 15.8reb)!


NEW ORLEANS/OKLA HORNETS(4-7)

C - P.J. Brown
(14.9ppg, 11.5rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3spg, 1.3bpg)

PF - David West
(16.5ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.1apg, 0.6spg, 0.9bpg)

SF - Desmond Mason
(14.7ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.6apg, 1.8spg, 0.6bpg)

SG - J.R. Smith
(14.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.8apg, 0.8spg, 0.4bpg)

PG - Chris Paul
(17.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 6.9apg, 2.4spg, 0.3bpg)



SACRAMENTO KINGS (8-6)

C - Brad Miller
(14.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 1.2apg, 0.7spg, 1.6bpg)

PF - Shawn Marion
(23.2ppg, 14.0rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, 1.8bpg)

SF - Corliss Williamson
(4.9ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.4apg, 0.9spg, 0.0bpg)

SG - Raja Bell
(11.8ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.2apg, 1.5spg, 0.2bpg)

PG - Mike Bibby
(20.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 7.4apg, 2.6spg, 0.1bpg)



Around the league on Monday, 26th of December: Happy Christmas! God hates the Golden State Warriors (4-4)!!! In one game they lost both Jason Richardson and Kenyon Martin, both for what is expected to be 3 weeks. The Warriors had been doing quite well despite the trade earlier in the season which surely they wont recover from entirely until they claim the Nuggets (5-8) first round draftpick next Summer.
It was in that game that Golden State finally gave the Suns (9-1) their first loss, after 9 straight victories! But irony kicked in and injured both JRich and KMart to laugh in the face of the Warriors, lol. Earl Boykins handled the pressure however and posted a career high 49 points to lead Golden State past the No.1 team in the league, Phoenix Suns.

Philadelphia (9-3) reinforced its dominance in the East by beating its nearest rivals the Detroit Pistons (10-5) on Saturday. Detroit have struggled this season against quality opposition; the Cavs (10-4) beat them a week ago and the Heat (12-6) did so last month.

Atlanta's (6-10) amazing season opening record has taken a hilarious nosedive, they've currently lost 6 in a row.
Washington (1-9) couldn't hit a barn door with a shotgun, they have 9 losses in a row.

Houston beat Denver and ended their 4 game losing streak.

[hova-]

wow, I love your highlight videos, T-Mac exploded, really nice !!

[Marquis]

Very interesting Around the league stuff

Boykins 49 points

Good luck against hornets

[HonorGlow]

Hey Shing, can you send me your player stat/pstat file after you complete your next game so I can computer your profiency score for your team? Are you playing your Dynasty on the PC? It's kind of tough to tell reading your dynasty...but if you are, I'd love to compute them for ya! Keep the Dynasty rockin...even though the real Sacs are threatening that 7th seed against 'my' Lakers...

[kibaxx7]

Amazing stuff Shing

[Shing]

Thanks guys!

I might post the Boykins, 49points, statline separately to commemorate the moment when the Phoenix Suns guarded a midget with a blind cripple (Steve Nash).

HonorGlow: I'm a bit drunk right now, but once I figure out what a pstat file is I'll get right on it


edit:
Boykins' statline:


My dynasty is officially LEET:


AND there seemed no other place to post this useless creation:

[Shing]

Tonight the Hornets (4-8) came to Sacramento (9-6) to face the mercurial Kings. The lead changed hands over and over again throughout the close match that saw both sides tied at 90 nearing the end of the 4th. Rookie of the Year contender Chris Paul was relied upon by the Hornets to take the last shot of the game but missed thanks to some solid perimeter defence by the Kings Mike Bibby.
In overtime the Kings took charge of matters, relying on some solid interior defence by Brad Miller who had 3 blocks in the extra period.
New Orleans now edge into the bottom quarter of the league and are looking ahead to a 5 game road trip that will surely test their endurance. The win will doubtlessly boost Sacramento who are away to the Nets (6-3) next Friday. New Jersey's Vince Carter is having a standout season, averaging 27.8ppg, second in the league.



[ Skill Level: Superstar ] - [Quarter Length: 9 mins ] - [ Hornets Boxscore ] - [ Kings Boxscore ]

[ Screenshots ] - [ Bibby on point | Miller fadeaway | Marion rebounds | Corliss posts up ]
[ Player of the Game: Shawn Marion [SAC] ]

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HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO (13mb)
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Set to the tune of Time Bomb by Rancid

[hova-]

Strong win over the Hornets, I really like your organized recap style, looks cool.
And hey WHAT A WICKED DUNK BY THE MATRIX !!!
Dives under two defenders for the up and under dunk, wicked sick !!!!
Keep it on, and don´t drink too much

[Shing]

The Kings 3 game winning streak will come up against its toughest opponents yet as they travel to the East Coast to take on New Jersey.

The buzz in Sacramento these days is all about the standout season of recent aquisiton Shawn Marion, 13th in the league in PPG and 1st in RPG! They will doubtless require his best form tomorrow against the Nets who have three superstars of their own in Jefferson, Kidd and Carter. The latter of these, Vince Carter, now leads the league in steals per game and is second in points per game! The Kings backcourt will stretched to its limits and some have hinted Shawn Marion may be moved to Small Forward to accomodate. The lineups, however, have been posted and these are the expected Starting 5's:



SACRAMENTO KINGS (9-6)

C - Brad Miller
(14.3ppg, 10.5rpg, 1.3apg, 0.7spg, 1.8bpg)

PF - Shawn Marion
(23.4ppg, 14.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, 1.8bpg)

SF - Corliss Williamson
(5.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.7apg, 0.9spg, 0.0bpg)

SG - Raja Bell
(12.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.0apg, 1.5spg, 0.1bpg)

PG - Mike Bibby
(20.4ppg, 2.9rpg, 7.5apg, 2.4spg, 0.1bpg)



NEW JERSEY NETS (6-3)

C - Nenad Krstic
(16.3ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.1apg, 0.7spg, 1.3bpg)

PF - Cliff Robinson
(9.4ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.0apg, 0.8spg, 0.9bpg)

SF - Richard Jefferson
(20.2ppg, 8.3rpg, 5.1apg, 2.4spg, 0.8bpg)

SG - Vince Carter
(27.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 4.4apg, 3.1spg, 0.2bpg)

PG - Jason Kidd
(18.7ppg, 5.7rpg, 7.6apg, 1.3spg, 0.6bpg)




Around the league on the 6th of January: The incredible story of the Phoenix Suns (11-1) continues, after slipping up to Golden State two weeks ago they've come back and won convincingly against quality opposition in the form of the Spurs (5-5) and Heat (13-7) and still lead the league standings.

The Celtics (6-4) disasterous season took a turn for the better, they've won 5 games in a row to take them into the mid table and Paul Pierce (27.3ppg) tied for 3rd in the scorers charts with Dirk Nowitzki.
Houston (12-5) bounced back after their 4 game losing streak and are now running a 4 game winning streak led by Tracey McGrady (22.3ppg 6.8rpg 5.5apg).

Cleveland (12-5) and Philadelphia (11-4) hold the top two spots in the East. Whilst Washington's (1-11) hilariously BAD season extends them to an 11 game losing streak!!!

League Standings and end-of-the-month Player Awards will be posted soon.

[kibaxx7]

Great game by Marion, nice win man... good luck against the Nets!

[Shing]

Although Portland lie 3rd in the West, their position in the whole league is behind that of Boston in the East. Phoenix and Houston are the only two teams in the West putting up any impressive numbers in 2005/06 whereas the East is showing a much greater depth. However, it is expected that the Spurs and Nuggets can only improve on their poor starts.






Peja Stojakovic still leads the league in scoring, though his average has dropped from 33.4ppg
to 28.2ppg. Yao Ming has dropped off the Top 20 after being 3rd at the end of last month.
Kobe Bryant edges his way into the Top 10 after a poor start to his season.



Mike Bibby makes the Top 10 in both assists and steals per game. Shawn Marion is 13th in
scoring and leads the league in rebounds per game!

[Shing]

(Sacramento (9-7) @ (7-3) New Jersey) Throughout the entireity of this matchup the Kings looked doomed to finish with a below 70 scoreline, but they caught fire in the 4th and even looked set to challenge the Nets by closing a 20point gap from the end of the 3rd Q.
Sacramento's charge was led by none other than Shawn Marion who none can blame for taking 29 shots because 20 of them were on target to nearly reach 70%FG! In the end it was not enough, New Jersey were too strong despite their slowdown in the last quarter.
Jefferson, Kidd and Carter shut down the Kings backcourt throughout the game. Mike Bibby finished incredibly poorly, hitting only 3 of 15 FG and 0 of 3 three pointers.

Marion and Carter both impress in the highlight reel, but watch especially for Corliss Williamson getting pwned by Vinsanity's awesome dunk.



[ Skill Level: Superstar ] - [Quarter Length: 9 mins ] - [ Kings Boxscore ] - [ Nets Boxscore ]

[ Screenshots ] - [ Carter rebounds | Bibby gets blocked | McInnis to RJ Alleyoop | Nenad Krstic ]
[ Player of the Game: Shawn Marion [SAC] ]

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HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO (13mb)
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Set to the tune of Grandma's Hands by Bill Withers



The performances of Shawn Marion since his move to the Kings in November: