Let's try this again.
Alright, Rudy Gay is going to debut for the Kings for real this time. The Kings are in Phoenix to take on the Suns. The game tips at 6 p.m. Pacific.
MATCHUP OF THE GAME
Goran Dragic vs. Isaiah Thomas
I'm most concerned about Eric Bledsoe vs. Ben McLemore given the rook's recent shooting woes and the fact that Bledsoe missed the Kings' two wins over Phoenix in November. But I'm most excited to watch the physical Dragic vs. the athletic and speedy Pizza Guy. Dragic was a holy terror on Tuesday when the Suns beat the Lakers; Goran had 31 points.
3 THINGS
1. I'll repeat one from Wednesday: what kind of looks and how many will Rudy Gay get? I really want he's used a lot differently in Sacramento than he was in Toronto.
2. Can McLemore contribute if the shot's not falling? I'd prefer the shot fell. But he's usually shown an ability to contribute when it isn't. Need to keep seeing that, or he's going to lose minutes to Marcus Thornton.
3. Is Jimmer Fredette's shot at the back-up point guard spot going to continue? I've been surprised that Ray McCallum hasn't gotten more of a look based on Michael Malone's comments on Jimmer's position earlier this season. Jimmer can take the spot and those minutes if he does well while he has the opportunity. Doing it well would really help his free agent chances, too.
START FOUR
I'm now ranked No. 27 on the leaderboard. But that's mostly because I set a lineup every game. I've been pretty horrible all told.
PREGAME HAIKU
Now Rudy can play.
The question is, Can he play?
Gee, I sure hope so.
PREDICTION
Kings 100, Suns 99.