http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/13304738.htm
Posted on Thu, Dec. 01, 2005
Corliss Williamson doesn't complain about warming Kings' bench
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO - Despite being a solid defender who possesses a knack for scoring, Corliss Williamson remains an anonymous member of the Sacramento Kings this season, never leaving the bench in eight of the team's first 15 games.
Yet the veteran power forward, who plays behind both Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kenny Thomas, remains the good soldier, waiting for his opportunity. There is no griping, no back-stabbing teammates and no questioning head coach Rick Adelman's substitution pattern.
"Corliss has been nothing but positive about his situation here," Thomas said.
The oldest King at age 32, Williamson says he doesn't even consider rocking the boat in his second stint in Sacramento, where his game-time role most evenings is more cheerleader than contributor. He's played just 57 minutes.
Although playing time has been scarce, that has not been the case through much of Williamson's career. He played big minutes during his first five seasons in Sacramento, scoring in double figures in all but his rookie year.
Williamson enjoyed great success later with Detroit, averaging 13.6 points and being named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2001-02, beating out the Kings' energetic Bobby Jackson.
Two years later, he helped surprising Detroit win an NBA championship, dethroning the three-time defending champion Lakers.
"Everyone was surprised except the guys in the Detroit locker room," Williamson said. "You can't put into words how good that felt."
Despite the lack of playing time this year, Williamson has stepped up as one of the team leaders. He's vocal in the locker room, feeling that's an area where he can really contribute.
"This is my 11th season, I've been around a lot of different teams, different coaches, different players," Williamson said. "I try to help the younger guys out, lend them some of my experience. It's a lot of on-the-court stuff, but it's off-the-court stuff as well."
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Nothing to sing about
Standing stone-faced during the National Anthem last week at Arco Arena, Sacramento Kings assistant coach Elston Turner provided no hint the woman doing the singing was his wife.
Louise Turner has frequently done the pre-game honors during her husband's six seasons in Sacramento. She has been the scheduled singer and has filled in on several occasions with short notice, according to her husband.
"I don't think she was supposed to do it this game (against San Antonio), I didn't even know until I heard her singing," Elston said. "But she's enjoys it, she's happy to do it."
Turner said he and his wife grew up singing in church choirs. Would he ever consider a turn at the microphone, singing the anthem?
"No way, that's not for me," Turner said emphatically.
---
Slump? What slump?
There was no mistaking the trend, which started in the preseason and continued into the regular season for normally reliable Mike Bibby.
His jumper was AWOL during the first seven games when he shot 37 percent and averaged just 12.6 points. But the shooting slump, if indeed it was one, did not last.
Over the next six games, the Kings veteran point guard averaged 25 points and not surprisingly helped struggling Sacramento start winning.
Still, for the prideful Bibby, he refused to admit there was ever anything wrong.
"I didn't think I was ever in one," he said last week when asked about a slump.
---
Notes: Playing with tape on his sore shooting hand, Peja Stojakovic is a combined 4-of-18 in the last two games. . One of the NBA 's least impressive rebounding teams, the Warriors had a 49-32 edge in their Wednesday victory against the visiting Kings. . The Kings have four straight home games, starting Friday with Miami. Sacramento is 6-3 at Arco Arena.
Posted on Thu, Dec. 01, 2005
Corliss Williamson doesn't complain about warming Kings' bench
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO - Despite being a solid defender who possesses a knack for scoring, Corliss Williamson remains an anonymous member of the Sacramento Kings this season, never leaving the bench in eight of the team's first 15 games.
Yet the veteran power forward, who plays behind both Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kenny Thomas, remains the good soldier, waiting for his opportunity. There is no griping, no back-stabbing teammates and no questioning head coach Rick Adelman's substitution pattern.
"Corliss has been nothing but positive about his situation here," Thomas said.
The oldest King at age 32, Williamson says he doesn't even consider rocking the boat in his second stint in Sacramento, where his game-time role most evenings is more cheerleader than contributor. He's played just 57 minutes.
Although playing time has been scarce, that has not been the case through much of Williamson's career. He played big minutes during his first five seasons in Sacramento, scoring in double figures in all but his rookie year.
Williamson enjoyed great success later with Detroit, averaging 13.6 points and being named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2001-02, beating out the Kings' energetic Bobby Jackson.
Two years later, he helped surprising Detroit win an NBA championship, dethroning the three-time defending champion Lakers.
"Everyone was surprised except the guys in the Detroit locker room," Williamson said. "You can't put into words how good that felt."
Despite the lack of playing time this year, Williamson has stepped up as one of the team leaders. He's vocal in the locker room, feeling that's an area where he can really contribute.
"This is my 11th season, I've been around a lot of different teams, different coaches, different players," Williamson said. "I try to help the younger guys out, lend them some of my experience. It's a lot of on-the-court stuff, but it's off-the-court stuff as well."
---
Nothing to sing about
Standing stone-faced during the National Anthem last week at Arco Arena, Sacramento Kings assistant coach Elston Turner provided no hint the woman doing the singing was his wife.
Louise Turner has frequently done the pre-game honors during her husband's six seasons in Sacramento. She has been the scheduled singer and has filled in on several occasions with short notice, according to her husband.
"I don't think she was supposed to do it this game (against San Antonio), I didn't even know until I heard her singing," Elston said. "But she's enjoys it, she's happy to do it."
Turner said he and his wife grew up singing in church choirs. Would he ever consider a turn at the microphone, singing the anthem?
"No way, that's not for me," Turner said emphatically.
---
Slump? What slump?
There was no mistaking the trend, which started in the preseason and continued into the regular season for normally reliable Mike Bibby.
His jumper was AWOL during the first seven games when he shot 37 percent and averaged just 12.6 points. But the shooting slump, if indeed it was one, did not last.
Over the next six games, the Kings veteran point guard averaged 25 points and not surprisingly helped struggling Sacramento start winning.
Still, for the prideful Bibby, he refused to admit there was ever anything wrong.
"I didn't think I was ever in one," he said last week when asked about a slump.
---
Notes: Playing with tape on his sore shooting hand, Peja Stojakovic is a combined 4-of-18 in the last two games. . One of the NBA 's least impressive rebounding teams, the Warriors had a 49-32 edge in their Wednesday victory against the visiting Kings. . The Kings have four straight home games, starting Friday with Miami. Sacramento is 6-3 at Arco Arena.
