Note: I would generally put this in the NBA forum but because of the number of references to the Kings I'm putting it in our Kings Rap area...
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/146812.html
Ex-Kings backup guard shows that he has Hart
Jason Hart, discarded by Sacramento, is helping power the Clippers' playoff drive.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:26 am PDT Friday, March 30, 2007
His favorite math teacher comes to watch, sitting in the same Staples Center seats where his family gathers, and Jason Hart -- you ready for this? -- actually plays.
He not only plays, he plays well. And he plays in his hometown, meaning his children can watch along with Mrs. Madden, who years ago helped young Jason prepare for the SATs that not only led to a Syracuse education but an NBA career that suddenly has much more than a pulse.
The true poetic justice, though, is that Hart now plays for the Clippers, who hold the eighth playoff spot the Kings so desire. Tonight, Hart returns to Sacramento with a chance to make the Kings pay for the way he feels he was mistreated before being released March 1.
Sweet revenge? Not quite, Hart said. But definitely sweet.
"Somebody else's trash is somebody else's treasure, so I'm having a blast," Hart said by phone Thursday. "It's like everything's come full circle."
The revival has taken place some 10 minutes away from where the circle began at Inglewood High School. It has been a mixture of good fortune and good play for Hart, with the change prompted by the season-ending injury to Clippers point guard Shaun Livingston and made possible only because Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie was willing to let Hart go.
But Petrie didn't just release Hart, he did it on the final day in which players could be made eligible for a playoff roster. What was merely fine print back then is wholly relevant now, with Hart's presence helping the Clippers win five of their past seven games and the team working with a 1-game lead over ninth-place Golden State and a 3 1/2-game lead on the Kings.
Hart has started in 11 of 12 games since heading south, all the while re-establishing his reputation as a pesky presence on the perimeter. Averaging two steals per game since arriving, he is defending alongside some of the league's best recently and enjoying a hoops life with the sort of shot-blocking teammates (see Elton Brand) that allow him to take big chances that turn into big plays.
There have been offensive highlights, too, like the game-winning layup in Milwaukee on March 21. It was a fine capper to a solid 6-of-9 shooting night in which he finished with five steals. Hart scored a season-high 16 points Wednesday night against Houston, but he couldn't celebrate in a Clippers' defeat that left the window open ever so slightly for one last Kings playoff push.
Defense, though, is how Hart has always made his mark. And while he said he's past the situation that turned sour in Sacramento, he never understood how Kings coach Eric Musselman could preach defense so often yet hardly look Hart's way for help.
"That's one of my strengths; that's why I was in the NBA," Hart said. "When I didn't get an opportunity, I was like, Wow, I thought we were doing defense."
Less than a month ago, the seven-year veteran was on the brink of free agency with a résumé in serious need of upgrading. Two seasons had passed since he had proven himself in Charlotte, putting up career highs in points (9.5) and assists (5) but fighting the stigma that came with flourishing on a bottom-feeding team.
In his first Kings season, there were opportunities from former coach Rick Adelman but, even Hart admits, not enough good moments to count as capitalizing. In his second Kings season, he could count on one hand the times he was truly called on (13-plus minutes four times) in what Hart said became a constant test of his faith.
"He just trusted in God, man," said swingman John Salmons, a close friend of Hart's and also a spiritual man. "He came in every day, worked hard, wanted us to do well, wanted the team to win.
"He used to always come over and give me pointers for what to do at the point guard position. He was never that guy that was going to bring the team down."
Or to throw stones. While his agent, Bill Neff, publicly criticized Musselman for how he handled his client, Hart said he has no reason to dwell on the past.
"I'm over that, man," he said. "I mean, I'm mad. But I don't have anything good to say, so I'm not going to say anything at all."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/146812.html
Ex-Kings backup guard shows that he has Hart
Jason Hart, discarded by Sacramento, is helping power the Clippers' playoff drive.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:26 am PDT Friday, March 30, 2007
His favorite math teacher comes to watch, sitting in the same Staples Center seats where his family gathers, and Jason Hart -- you ready for this? -- actually plays.
He not only plays, he plays well. And he plays in his hometown, meaning his children can watch along with Mrs. Madden, who years ago helped young Jason prepare for the SATs that not only led to a Syracuse education but an NBA career that suddenly has much more than a pulse.
The true poetic justice, though, is that Hart now plays for the Clippers, who hold the eighth playoff spot the Kings so desire. Tonight, Hart returns to Sacramento with a chance to make the Kings pay for the way he feels he was mistreated before being released March 1.
Sweet revenge? Not quite, Hart said. But definitely sweet.
"Somebody else's trash is somebody else's treasure, so I'm having a blast," Hart said by phone Thursday. "It's like everything's come full circle."
The revival has taken place some 10 minutes away from where the circle began at Inglewood High School. It has been a mixture of good fortune and good play for Hart, with the change prompted by the season-ending injury to Clippers point guard Shaun Livingston and made possible only because Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie was willing to let Hart go.
But Petrie didn't just release Hart, he did it on the final day in which players could be made eligible for a playoff roster. What was merely fine print back then is wholly relevant now, with Hart's presence helping the Clippers win five of their past seven games and the team working with a 1-game lead over ninth-place Golden State and a 3 1/2-game lead on the Kings.
Hart has started in 11 of 12 games since heading south, all the while re-establishing his reputation as a pesky presence on the perimeter. Averaging two steals per game since arriving, he is defending alongside some of the league's best recently and enjoying a hoops life with the sort of shot-blocking teammates (see Elton Brand) that allow him to take big chances that turn into big plays.
There have been offensive highlights, too, like the game-winning layup in Milwaukee on March 21. It was a fine capper to a solid 6-of-9 shooting night in which he finished with five steals. Hart scored a season-high 16 points Wednesday night against Houston, but he couldn't celebrate in a Clippers' defeat that left the window open ever so slightly for one last Kings playoff push.
Defense, though, is how Hart has always made his mark. And while he said he's past the situation that turned sour in Sacramento, he never understood how Kings coach Eric Musselman could preach defense so often yet hardly look Hart's way for help.
"That's one of my strengths; that's why I was in the NBA," Hart said. "When I didn't get an opportunity, I was like, Wow, I thought we were doing defense."
Less than a month ago, the seven-year veteran was on the brink of free agency with a résumé in serious need of upgrading. Two seasons had passed since he had proven himself in Charlotte, putting up career highs in points (9.5) and assists (5) but fighting the stigma that came with flourishing on a bottom-feeding team.
In his first Kings season, there were opportunities from former coach Rick Adelman but, even Hart admits, not enough good moments to count as capitalizing. In his second Kings season, he could count on one hand the times he was truly called on (13-plus minutes four times) in what Hart said became a constant test of his faith.
"He just trusted in God, man," said swingman John Salmons, a close friend of Hart's and also a spiritual man. "He came in every day, worked hard, wanted us to do well, wanted the team to win.
"He used to always come over and give me pointers for what to do at the point guard position. He was never that guy that was going to bring the team down."
Or to throw stones. While his agent, Bill Neff, publicly criticized Musselman for how he handled his client, Hart said he has no reason to dwell on the past.
"I'm over that, man," he said. "I mean, I'm mad. But I don't have anything good to say, so I'm not going to say anything at all."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
