sacbee
Ailene Voisin: 'Sac Town's Finest' is just that on this night
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, November 3, 2004
DALLAS - On the night the nation elected its next president, the early returns on the Kings' 2004-05 season were still being calculated. Confusion reigned. Roles reversed. Questions were raised. Answers were elusive. And the leading candidate for a starring role was the local kid - Matt Barnes - who, mere days ago, was just happy to have a job.
There was that. And Chris Webber's strong effort. And Brad Miller's gritty presence. And Bobby Jackson's energy. And Greg Ostertag, in his Kings debut, planting that 7-foot-2, 280-pound frame of his in the lane, and intimidating underneath a time or two.
But there was also Peja Stojakovic struggling through a miserable performance, Mike Bibby doing likewise and Doug Christie still seated on the bench in street clothes, nursing that sore foot of his ... and yet the Kings were still within a few three-pointers of stealing out of American Airlines Center with a victory.
"I hate saying I am encouraged by a loss," said Webber, "(but) truthfully, I like the way we played together in the second half."
And unlike Tuesday night's political loser, at least the Kings live to play another night, perhaps even with a blueprint for their backup small forward. Barnes. The local product. The youngster with the tattoo on his upper left arm that identifies him as "Sac Town's Finest." If he continues to display the versatility that he did in Tuesday's defeat to the Mavericks, he very well might be rewarded with more permanent employment, and as a bonus, without having to ship any furniture anywhere.
If the notion sounds more than a little bizarre - a former Del Campo High School standout filling the stat sheet like a young Christie? - consider everything else that occurred on opening/election night inside the arena. Radio talk-show hosts complained that the Mavs' opener "lacked the buzz" of previous years, and indeed, the 113th consecutive sellout was assured only because of a late walk-up. Televisions throughout the building flashed the election updates more frequently than NBA scores, enticing employees for an occasional peek, and prompting conversations among total strangers. Kings owners Joe, Gavin and George Maloof, having cast their votes for John Kerry, nervously inquired about the early polling results. Mavs coach Don Nelson quipped that he also voted for Kerry - twice, "once in Texas and once in Hawaii," where he maintains his offseason home.
Additionally, while Mavs owner Mark Cuban chided NBA officials for the scheduling conflict, the Maloofs' presence enabled him to write off the pregame dinner as a business expense; it seems that the competing Kings and Mavs owners, joined by former Mavs owner Ross Perot Jr., momentarily have set aside their competitive differences and entered into a multimillion-dollar development project on approximately 70 acres of land outside the arena.
Plans include a nightclub, several restaurants and a Ghost Bar, similar to the one in the Maloofs' Palms hotel/casino in Las Vegas.
"We're just investors," explained George Maloof. "Perot has all the land. Mark (Cuban) has the building (American Airlines). But what's cool about it is that there is going to be so much more activity around the arena. It is going to change the whole area. We're really excited about it."
Meantime, the season continues, and with it, so does the uncertainty. Can Webber provide another solid effort in San Antonio tonight after his 35-minute stint against the Mavs? Can Stojakovic regain his offensive rhythm without Vlade Divac setting him up with those nifty one-bounce passes? Can Ostertag improve the interior defense? Can Bibby possibly play any worse than this? Can Christie's foot withstand the nightly pounding? And what about Barnes?
What about Barnes?
The second-year pro who squeaked onto the roster, whose bio was not even included in the early editions of the Kings 2004-05 media guide, afterward was itching for another 30 minutes. The game ended, and he wanted more. More opportunities to slice through defenses, to utilize his length, quickness and athleticism, to pursue rebounds and loose balls.
More chances to prove that he belongs, that the search for someone to rest Stojakovic should end right down the street in Sacramento.
"I've been waiting all my life for this," said Barnes, who finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists while playing mostly shooting guard. "I just wanted to be ready. My game is to get everybody involved, move the ball, play good defense and hit the open shot. I'm trying to make a name for myself."
Matt Barnes. Tuesday night, he won a few votes.
Ailene Voisin: 'Sac Town's Finest' is just that on this night
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, November 3, 2004
DALLAS - On the night the nation elected its next president, the early returns on the Kings' 2004-05 season were still being calculated. Confusion reigned. Roles reversed. Questions were raised. Answers were elusive. And the leading candidate for a starring role was the local kid - Matt Barnes - who, mere days ago, was just happy to have a job.
There was that. And Chris Webber's strong effort. And Brad Miller's gritty presence. And Bobby Jackson's energy. And Greg Ostertag, in his Kings debut, planting that 7-foot-2, 280-pound frame of his in the lane, and intimidating underneath a time or two.
But there was also Peja Stojakovic struggling through a miserable performance, Mike Bibby doing likewise and Doug Christie still seated on the bench in street clothes, nursing that sore foot of his ... and yet the Kings were still within a few three-pointers of stealing out of American Airlines Center with a victory.
"I hate saying I am encouraged by a loss," said Webber, "(but) truthfully, I like the way we played together in the second half."
And unlike Tuesday night's political loser, at least the Kings live to play another night, perhaps even with a blueprint for their backup small forward. Barnes. The local product. The youngster with the tattoo on his upper left arm that identifies him as "Sac Town's Finest." If he continues to display the versatility that he did in Tuesday's defeat to the Mavericks, he very well might be rewarded with more permanent employment, and as a bonus, without having to ship any furniture anywhere.
If the notion sounds more than a little bizarre - a former Del Campo High School standout filling the stat sheet like a young Christie? - consider everything else that occurred on opening/election night inside the arena. Radio talk-show hosts complained that the Mavs' opener "lacked the buzz" of previous years, and indeed, the 113th consecutive sellout was assured only because of a late walk-up. Televisions throughout the building flashed the election updates more frequently than NBA scores, enticing employees for an occasional peek, and prompting conversations among total strangers. Kings owners Joe, Gavin and George Maloof, having cast their votes for John Kerry, nervously inquired about the early polling results. Mavs coach Don Nelson quipped that he also voted for Kerry - twice, "once in Texas and once in Hawaii," where he maintains his offseason home.
Additionally, while Mavs owner Mark Cuban chided NBA officials for the scheduling conflict, the Maloofs' presence enabled him to write off the pregame dinner as a business expense; it seems that the competing Kings and Mavs owners, joined by former Mavs owner Ross Perot Jr., momentarily have set aside their competitive differences and entered into a multimillion-dollar development project on approximately 70 acres of land outside the arena.
Plans include a nightclub, several restaurants and a Ghost Bar, similar to the one in the Maloofs' Palms hotel/casino in Las Vegas.
"We're just investors," explained George Maloof. "Perot has all the land. Mark (Cuban) has the building (American Airlines). But what's cool about it is that there is going to be so much more activity around the arena. It is going to change the whole area. We're really excited about it."
Meantime, the season continues, and with it, so does the uncertainty. Can Webber provide another solid effort in San Antonio tonight after his 35-minute stint against the Mavs? Can Stojakovic regain his offensive rhythm without Vlade Divac setting him up with those nifty one-bounce passes? Can Ostertag improve the interior defense? Can Bibby possibly play any worse than this? Can Christie's foot withstand the nightly pounding? And what about Barnes?
What about Barnes?
The second-year pro who squeaked onto the roster, whose bio was not even included in the early editions of the Kings 2004-05 media guide, afterward was itching for another 30 minutes. The game ended, and he wanted more. More opportunities to slice through defenses, to utilize his length, quickness and athleticism, to pursue rebounds and loose balls.
More chances to prove that he belongs, that the search for someone to rest Stojakovic should end right down the street in Sacramento.
"I've been waiting all my life for this," said Barnes, who finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists while playing mostly shooting guard. "I just wanted to be ready. My game is to get everybody involved, move the ball, play good defense and hit the open shot. I'm trying to make a name for myself."
Matt Barnes. Tuesday night, he won a few votes.
