"And they chanted 'TY-REKE! TY-REKE!,' and it was good."

Forty-seven minutes and forty-five seconds of a fight with cudgels, 15 ticks of sincere if knowing jubilation, a weekend of brighter time. Cheers!

***

The ball movement had been better in the first quarter than the fourth, but was well above the norm across the board. Hawes facilitated much of the offense early, and when this happens the other Kings are forced to move about the floor. When Tyreke handles the ball on the perimeter, chances are he'll eventually drive (for the shot, kick-out or drop-off) or pull-up for a jumper. Even if the other four move like the Bolshoi Ballet, Evans is likely to commence the possession with a move, not a pass.

Hawes finished with five assists and one turnover, which is pretty perfect. The 15 points and 12 rebounds — despite a teamwide deficiency on the boards — don't hurt.

***

And I — thoroughly modern in attitude I believe — I can't quarrel with that. Some strive for enlightenment, some relish all they have. Nocioni is the latter, and given how much he has, I can respect his worldview. Cheers, Chapu. Take that contested three.

***

The gesture between Westphal and Hawes was charming. The repeated "mountain-out-of-a-molehill" nonsense from Grant Napear was condescending, which is nothing new. Would you prefer we didn't care about the team so deeply, Mr. Napear?

***

Sometimes I mute the T.V. and imagine Lester Holt is calling the game.