What better way to celebrate the birth of that magical man than by losing in the most gut-wrenching, embarrassing fashion conceivable? Which brings me to this question (ponder aside to yourselves):

Who would you least like to have hit a game-winner on you…

1. A small, mythical gnome
2. Shaq
3. Your little sister
4. Linas Kleiza

It’s a thinker, but the correct answer in this case is No. 4.

The scenario was this: Kings up by 1 at the line trying to ice the game (Beno had just missed two throws that would have ended things) Brad steps up to the line. Clank………..Clank…

Holy fricking crap. With something like 10 seconds left it was Nuggets ball down 1. Not surprisingly, Iverson was called on to take the final shot. HE MISSED!!! Yay, but oh yeah. Yet another chance for the Kings to show how rebounding is not part of their holiday tradition. The ball eventually got batted out to that ever-dangerous Kleiza who had time to check the clock on the other side of the court, spin, jump and shoot a 22-footer at the buzzer to virtually step on the privates of Kings fans everywhere.

As my friend later put it; “The Kings just ruined Christmas.” Indeed.

The Kings dominated the entire stinking game and, if I’m not mistaken, the final score was the first lead the Nuggz had since it was 2-0. I really really hate Linas Kleiza. Not only that, I will now never again watch It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas or whatever it’s called because I don’t want to hear the character of the same name give his spotlight Jesus soliloquy.

Lost in the shuffle of this sad, pathetic, angry loss is the fact that the Kings are coming off of a 3-2 road trip. The same friend who opined that Christmas is ruined said I may videotape him doing jumping jacks to an 80s song of my choosing to commemorate the momentous trip, so. Keep an eye out on YouTube for that.

I really like how the Kings are playing right now overall. Salmons and Artest are playing really well, as is Brad. Even Garcia isn’t pissing me off lately. Too bad the Nuggets had to win that last one so horrendously.

Oh well. Try and enjoy Christmas anyway, folks. Maybe if you’re really good we’ll get a win on Wednesday against the Celtics. (Sigh)