http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12691828p-13544458c.html
(registration required)
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Columnist
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, April 8, 2005
You thought you knew these recently reconfigured Kings. You thought they were tougher and together. You thought they were inspired and inspiring. You thought they were committed enough to collectively cause a commotion. And sometimes they are.
And sometimes they're not.
Consistency isn't their muse of late.
At a time when NBA teams are seriously jostling for playoff positioning, the Kings have failed to establish either an offensive or defensive identity and emerged only as an enigma, a club capable of charming their fans one night and confounding and disappointing the next. (One spirited victory over the ailing Seattle SuperSonics doesn't solve a riddle.)
"Sometimes we don't always come to play," Kings guard Mike Bibby acknowledged, noting the current 6-4 swing. "We need to run a little bit more, play together, and that's all. We know how we're capable of playing."
A little reality check here first: These Kings aren't the beguiling, captivating Kings of midseason 2003-04, nor the demoralized Kings who limped down the stretch and were eliminated in the second playoff round. Those Kings weren't contenders, and nor are these Kings.
But why not embrace the role of spoiler? Why not make the postseason interesting? As the franchise fast-forwards toward its first post-Chris Webber postseason, with significant offseason personnel changes undoubtedly looming, there are abundant - if somewhat ambiguous - reasons to be intrigued. Stretch the imagination a little.
All-Star center Brad Miller could return and orchestrate the once-fluid offense. Bobby Jackson could make an appearance and ease the ballhandling duties on Bibby. Tim Duncan's ankle could require surgery. Steve Nash could stumble and stub a toe. Erick Dampier could disappear again. Shaq and Kobe ... oh, wait. There is no Shaq and Kobe.
This is 2004-05, the season the Western Conference formed an eight-team scrum. Every team has ailments and excuses, and the Lakers no longer have Shaq. It seems as good a time as any to celebrate the demise of an old foe, maybe even pour a little kerosene on the mood down there at Staples Center.
Characterized as outside-shooting long shots with nothing to lose - when mentioned at all in the national media - the Kings might as well cut loose and overdose on the entertainment value. Throw a few elbows. Rattle a few nerves. Run around, rebound and have a little fun. Re-energize the fan base with feisty defense, generous ball movement and wiser shot selection.
"We've only been together a short time," team president Geoff Petrie offered. "It can only get better."
Perhaps, but any improbably lengthy playoff run requires most of the following:
1. Bibby improving his on-the-ball defense. Sure, he's tired. But what's one more crucial task?
2. Peja Stojakovic continuing to balance his prolific inside-outside offense with screens and assists while overcoming his aversion for loose balls. (And take a charge once in a while.)
3. Cuttino Mobley listening to Pete Carril. Isolation plays are rarely needed around here. In this offense, crisp and generous ball movement ensures abundant shots for all. On-the-ball defense has to be more resistant, too.
4. Brian Skinner remaining healthy and a nasty, physical interior presence. The hard hat is a perfect fit.
5. Kenny Thomas using his length, versatility and athleticism, and executing more of those spin moves for dunks and layups.
6. Corliss Williamson imparting championship wisdom in the locker room and low-post scoring off the bench.
7. Maurice Evans resuming his supporting role as a physical defender, eager rebounder and (selective) slashing scorer.
8 (a). Eddie House. Stroking those timely textbook jumpers.
8 (b). Darius Songaila. See House.
9. Greg Ostertag. Resisting the munchies. The Big O continues to shed pounds and still can't squeeze through coach Rick Adelman's doggie door. Yet particularly against Dallas, his size and length will be needed.
10. Adelman. Taking another peek at Ostertag, clarifying his players' roles for those deciding possessions and finding more minutes for the bruising Skinner. When the former 76er is in the lineup, layups are contested, rebounds snatched, the Kings suddenly not so soft.
"I know that there are a lot of areas where we are hurting right now," Adelman said after Tuesday's victory, "and I do believe that when you get to the playoffs, it's a different scenario because you can lock in. You have time to practice and time to create some type of scheme the guys get used to seeing. This team is going to be a little different (than recent clubs), but I do believe our assistants are going to come up with game plans."
So, OK, why not?
Surprise us.
(registration required)
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Columnist
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, April 8, 2005
You thought you knew these recently reconfigured Kings. You thought they were tougher and together. You thought they were inspired and inspiring. You thought they were committed enough to collectively cause a commotion. And sometimes they are.
And sometimes they're not.
Consistency isn't their muse of late.
At a time when NBA teams are seriously jostling for playoff positioning, the Kings have failed to establish either an offensive or defensive identity and emerged only as an enigma, a club capable of charming their fans one night and confounding and disappointing the next. (One spirited victory over the ailing Seattle SuperSonics doesn't solve a riddle.)
"Sometimes we don't always come to play," Kings guard Mike Bibby acknowledged, noting the current 6-4 swing. "We need to run a little bit more, play together, and that's all. We know how we're capable of playing."
A little reality check here first: These Kings aren't the beguiling, captivating Kings of midseason 2003-04, nor the demoralized Kings who limped down the stretch and were eliminated in the second playoff round. Those Kings weren't contenders, and nor are these Kings.
But why not embrace the role of spoiler? Why not make the postseason interesting? As the franchise fast-forwards toward its first post-Chris Webber postseason, with significant offseason personnel changes undoubtedly looming, there are abundant - if somewhat ambiguous - reasons to be intrigued. Stretch the imagination a little.
All-Star center Brad Miller could return and orchestrate the once-fluid offense. Bobby Jackson could make an appearance and ease the ballhandling duties on Bibby. Tim Duncan's ankle could require surgery. Steve Nash could stumble and stub a toe. Erick Dampier could disappear again. Shaq and Kobe ... oh, wait. There is no Shaq and Kobe.
This is 2004-05, the season the Western Conference formed an eight-team scrum. Every team has ailments and excuses, and the Lakers no longer have Shaq. It seems as good a time as any to celebrate the demise of an old foe, maybe even pour a little kerosene on the mood down there at Staples Center.
Characterized as outside-shooting long shots with nothing to lose - when mentioned at all in the national media - the Kings might as well cut loose and overdose on the entertainment value. Throw a few elbows. Rattle a few nerves. Run around, rebound and have a little fun. Re-energize the fan base with feisty defense, generous ball movement and wiser shot selection.
"We've only been together a short time," team president Geoff Petrie offered. "It can only get better."
Perhaps, but any improbably lengthy playoff run requires most of the following:
1. Bibby improving his on-the-ball defense. Sure, he's tired. But what's one more crucial task?
2. Peja Stojakovic continuing to balance his prolific inside-outside offense with screens and assists while overcoming his aversion for loose balls. (And take a charge once in a while.)
3. Cuttino Mobley listening to Pete Carril. Isolation plays are rarely needed around here. In this offense, crisp and generous ball movement ensures abundant shots for all. On-the-ball defense has to be more resistant, too.
4. Brian Skinner remaining healthy and a nasty, physical interior presence. The hard hat is a perfect fit.
5. Kenny Thomas using his length, versatility and athleticism, and executing more of those spin moves for dunks and layups.
6. Corliss Williamson imparting championship wisdom in the locker room and low-post scoring off the bench.
7. Maurice Evans resuming his supporting role as a physical defender, eager rebounder and (selective) slashing scorer.
8 (a). Eddie House. Stroking those timely textbook jumpers.
8 (b). Darius Songaila. See House.
9. Greg Ostertag. Resisting the munchies. The Big O continues to shed pounds and still can't squeeze through coach Rick Adelman's doggie door. Yet particularly against Dallas, his size and length will be needed.
10. Adelman. Taking another peek at Ostertag, clarifying his players' roles for those deciding possessions and finding more minutes for the bruising Skinner. When the former 76er is in the lineup, layups are contested, rebounds snatched, the Kings suddenly not so soft.
"I know that there are a lot of areas where we are hurting right now," Adelman said after Tuesday's victory, "and I do believe that when you get to the playoffs, it's a different scenario because you can lock in. You have time to practice and time to create some type of scheme the guys get used to seeing. This team is going to be a little different (than recent clubs), but I do believe our assistants are going to come up with game plans."
So, OK, why not?
Surprise us.
