LMM
Starter
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12533062p-13388346c.html
Arco game report: Hey, the 80s are rad - on defense!
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, March 9, 2005
Defensive dominance warrants notice around these parts, where the Kings have been running through teams offensively and been run over defensively for a half decade now.
At least for the short term, there appears to be a new way in town.
As told by new/old King Corliss Williamson, whose nickname ("Big Nasty") and one-time employer (Detroit) give him the right to speak on all defensive matters.
"Defense is something coach (Rick Adelman) has been talking about since we got here," Williamson said. "I think we're starting to take pride in it."
The evidence speaks, too.
After downing Detroit 100-85 on Sunday, the Kings' 85-82 win over Memphis on Tuesday night at Arco Arena marked just the second time this season they've held an opponent in the 80s for two consecutive games. It was the first time the twofer has been pulled since defensive leader Doug Christie was traded to Orlando for Cuttino Mobley.
The Kings achieved the feat just four times last season, their pinnacle in recent history coming in 2003 when they allowed 76, 70, 76, and 82 points to Denver, Miami, Milwaukee and New Jersey in a four-game winning streak.
This time, every stop was needed to salvage the win after the Kings led by as many as 16.
They went cold late in the third quarter and deep into the fourth, missing 10 straight shots over a scoreless stretch of 9:53 that cut their lead from 13 to two before Mike Bibby ended the drought with a 17-footer. Overall, the Kings hit 4 of their final 19 shots.
"It's rare to see them go through a scoring drought," Williamson said as if he wasn't already a King. "It just shows that when you're not scoring the basketball, defense can help."
The Kings outrebounded the Grizzlies 47-37.
Start your Evans
"Mo" wouldn't mind, well, more of this.
Being a starter, that is.
In his eighth start of the season, Evans -taking the spot of injured guard Mobley (back) -used his hops and hustle to full advantage, grabbing a career-high 14 rebounds.
"I have a chance to let the game come to me, to find a rhythm and do some different things," Evans said. "You have to be aggressive, but pick your spots. You want to be a threat."
King for a day
MIKE BIBBY
Big shocker here. He not only finished with a game-high 26 points, he hit the game-winning three-pointer and salvaged a Kings victory that would have made for a devastating loss. Bibby had a team-high five assists, too, and only two turnovers.
Question posed
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THAT END OF THE COURT?
It was the one-month anniversary of the goaltending non-call in a Kings loss to Phoenix that was wrought with controversy. That was followed two days later by another disputed goaltending non-call against Dallas in another Kings loss. Combined with Tuesday night's debated game-winning shot by Mike Bibby, all three plays happened on the same end of the floor. Yet finally, a call went the Kings' way. Officials said the play wasn't reviewable, though they sure appeared to be reviewing it. Mayhem might have ensued if the Kings were given the short end of the stick once again. Situation averted.
- Sam Amick
Big number
17 - Kings' first-half offensive rebounds; the Grizzlies had 16 first-half rebounds - total.
Arco game report: Hey, the 80s are rad - on defense!
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, March 9, 2005
Defensive dominance warrants notice around these parts, where the Kings have been running through teams offensively and been run over defensively for a half decade now.
At least for the short term, there appears to be a new way in town.
As told by new/old King Corliss Williamson, whose nickname ("Big Nasty") and one-time employer (Detroit) give him the right to speak on all defensive matters.
"Defense is something coach (Rick Adelman) has been talking about since we got here," Williamson said. "I think we're starting to take pride in it."
The evidence speaks, too.
After downing Detroit 100-85 on Sunday, the Kings' 85-82 win over Memphis on Tuesday night at Arco Arena marked just the second time this season they've held an opponent in the 80s for two consecutive games. It was the first time the twofer has been pulled since defensive leader Doug Christie was traded to Orlando for Cuttino Mobley.
The Kings achieved the feat just four times last season, their pinnacle in recent history coming in 2003 when they allowed 76, 70, 76, and 82 points to Denver, Miami, Milwaukee and New Jersey in a four-game winning streak.
This time, every stop was needed to salvage the win after the Kings led by as many as 16.
They went cold late in the third quarter and deep into the fourth, missing 10 straight shots over a scoreless stretch of 9:53 that cut their lead from 13 to two before Mike Bibby ended the drought with a 17-footer. Overall, the Kings hit 4 of their final 19 shots.
"It's rare to see them go through a scoring drought," Williamson said as if he wasn't already a King. "It just shows that when you're not scoring the basketball, defense can help."
The Kings outrebounded the Grizzlies 47-37.
Start your Evans
"Mo" wouldn't mind, well, more of this.
Being a starter, that is.
In his eighth start of the season, Evans -taking the spot of injured guard Mobley (back) -used his hops and hustle to full advantage, grabbing a career-high 14 rebounds.
"I have a chance to let the game come to me, to find a rhythm and do some different things," Evans said. "You have to be aggressive, but pick your spots. You want to be a threat."
King for a day
MIKE BIBBY
Big shocker here. He not only finished with a game-high 26 points, he hit the game-winning three-pointer and salvaged a Kings victory that would have made for a devastating loss. Bibby had a team-high five assists, too, and only two turnovers.
Question posed
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THAT END OF THE COURT?
It was the one-month anniversary of the goaltending non-call in a Kings loss to Phoenix that was wrought with controversy. That was followed two days later by another disputed goaltending non-call against Dallas in another Kings loss. Combined with Tuesday night's debated game-winning shot by Mike Bibby, all three plays happened on the same end of the floor. Yet finally, a call went the Kings' way. Officials said the play wasn't reviewable, though they sure appeared to be reviewing it. Mayhem might have ensued if the Kings were given the short end of the stick once again. Situation averted.
- Sam Amick
Big number
17 - Kings' first-half offensive rebounds; the Grizzlies had 16 first-half rebounds - total.
