Sports Radio Service


		Kings defeated in final game of the season in LA By Ben Schneider April 13, 2010

	The Tyreke Evans, Paul Westphal rebuilding project part one is officially in the books. Young star in the making Tyreke Evans was ejected in the 3rd quarter as the Kobe less Lakers defeated the Kings 106-100. The twenty-five game win total is an improvement of eight games from last year when the Kings finished with a franchise worse seventeen game win total, good for worst record in the NBA. The Lakers are already locked into the number one seed in the Western Conference so Kobe rested but the Lakers did get 28 points from Pal Gasol on 12-15 shots and 24 points from Sheldon Brown. T The Kings got another steady game from most improved player candidate, or at least he should be, Beno Udrih. The Slovenian finished with 21 points and 11 assists for his 7Th double-double of the season. Jason Thompson finished the year on a strong not with 19 points and 16 rebounds. The season couldn't have ended with more mixed emotions then it did for Kings Evans. Evans was tossed in the third quarter by referee Derek Richardson, who whistled back-to-back technical fouls when Evans apparently said something unsavory to him. Evans had just hit consecutive layups to pull Sacramento within 67-66, and apparently was angry about a foul not being called.Evans is the leading candidate for the NBA’s rookie of the year award, entering the game averaging 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists. Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and Lebron James are the only other NBA rookies to average a 20-5-5.Evans had 10 points, three assists and one rebound before his ejection. First year coach Paul Westphal said afterword, “Honestly, I’m sorry it’s over,” first-year coach Paul Westphal said. “I really like this team. We knew that we had a hill to climb, and the journey is just beginning. We added eight more wins and added some players we can build around, so by any measure, there was improvement. The first thing is that we had to compete this year. We did that, and one of these days, we’ll learn how to win.” Sacramento finished 7-34 on the road, losing eight of its last nine away from Arco Arena. This was the first time the Lakers swept the season series from the Kings since the 1997-98 season. A year before they made their first trip to the playoffs. The Kings will miss the playoffs for the third straight year. Continue to read Sports Radio Service all off-season for Kings news, notes, rumors,insight and interviews. Sports Radio Service reporting gives you year round coverage of your favorite Northern California professional sports teams.