Change

We had a big statement win against the longtime rival Lakers last Tuesday. I feel like once we change the team around and get more wins, the Lakers will be a real rival, especially with the history the two teams have had in the past. That game drew a big crowd at ARCO — the best crowd I’ve seen. And we didn’t disappoint with our 12-point win that gave them their third loss of the season. It was a real good win for us. Everybody played with a lot of energy right from the jump and that’s the most important thing. Guys were playing defense like their lives depended on it and it showed.

After that we had a couple practice days and then we went to L.A. and played the Lakers in another tough game with a high-intensity atmosphere like at ARCO. It pretty much went down to the wire. In the last minute-and-a-half they had a couple more things go their way and they came out with the victory. But it wasn’t one of those losses where you’re like, ‘Man, what happened?’ We felt real confident and knew we should have won the game.

We came back to ARCO to face the Knicks with a lot of confidence but we didn’t start the game like we wanted to, like we started against L.A. I feel like we played to the level of the competition, which I was afraid of. But we did, and now we know what we got to do in the future.

Today Coach Theus got let go and Coach Natt has replaced him. I guess the big word is change. I don’t think our record speaks for the team that we have but that’s what happens when you’re a head coach in this league. That’s business. When you have success and when you have downfall the credit goes to you, first, and then it goes to the star players and then it goes to the guys like me who are learning.

Now, tonight we play the Timberwolves — a team we beat at ARCO and lost a close one to at their place in the first game of the year. Then we have a long road trip. We’ll be on the road for about a week and we’ll really see how we are. It’s going to be a real big test for us.

On my off day, yesterday, I got to help out my boy Donté Greene once again as a special guest on his show. We went to Raley’s. We rode around in some motorized shopping carts singing some songs and making the show a success, just like the last episode was. The question was, ‘Should JT come back?’ And I guess you guys — Kings fans — chimed in and said, ‘Bring him back!’

So, Happy Holidays everybody! Keep supporting us. Keep trying to pack ARCO. The most important thing is once we have you guys supporting us in ARCO it’s hard for us not to play well. Once you guys have it packed and start making it lively, we thrive off that energy. So just keep doing what you’re doing, bring your friends and family to our games, be safe and once again, Happy Holidays!

Oh, and we’ll see if JT has some type of show in the future!

My Guest Appearance and Turkey Day

JT here, back at it.

Last Friday we played the Blazers at home. We had a great crowd. We got off to a good start but the Blazers shot the lights out as a team. We came up short and we didn’t have one of our better games. I tried to spark the team a little bit throughout the game. I ended up with a career-high in points and rebounds with 19 and 12. I guess that was a positive, but you always wish to come out with a ‘W’ rather than the stats.

Then we went to L.A. and played a tough Lakers team that’s been on a roll. We played them real tough during the last two minutes of the game. They had a couple things go their way, like a couple offensive rebounds so they came out with the win, but we played with a lot of energy. I think the young guys and I, the “Young Gunnas,” came out throughout the second and third quarters and really sparked the team. We definitely had a couple chances to win. I know in the past the Lakers and Kings have had a rivalry. And as much as we keep emerging and improving as a team, hopefully the rivalry will get better and better as the years go.

I finally played against Kobe in a game that counts. I had a little taste of him and their team in Las Vegas. It was kind of a similar game even though we played them tough throughout. But it’s great to play against him. He’s a great player and he had a great game. Great players are going to have good games and I think as a team, we played tough. But we just have to finish.

On Monday we played Portland again. But this time their young team didn’t shoot the ball as well. We really locked down defensively and it came down to the last second. We had a chance to win it but the shot didn’t fall for us. It was great to see us bounce back from our home loss Friday and come back strong into a high-energy environment like Portland and almost get the ‘W.’

On my off day, I helped out my fellow rookie teammate, Donté Greene, on his show. I did some things I didn’t think I would be doing! We paddled on a boat about three miles into the middle of the lake. We did a little storytelling on the boat. We spit a few rhymes…a couple remixes on “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” and Tina Turner’s “Rolling on the River!” It was a good time, just chilling with a friend and helping him out on his successful show. I’m serious on the court, but I try to have fun and mingle with guys on and off the court.

Besides kicking it with Donté, I also got a massage and rested my body a little bit. I also took some shots in the gym to stay focused. It’s always good to have an off day.

To close things out I want to give a shout out to Rider basketball. We’re 2-1 right now. We had a couple close games that we won at the end. My brother and the team are playing well. And Happy Thanksgiving to my family even though I’m not going to see you! Hopefully you’ll have fun but not too much fun without me! And everybody out there, have fun and be safe.

Happy Holidays and Happy Thanksgiving! Don’t eat too much turkey!