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Arco game report: Newest Kings fit in with the crowd
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, March 7, 2005
And to think these guys were nervous.
Once they broke a sweat and stood up to the Detroit Pistons, the Kings' new frontcourt trio of Brian Skinner, Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson blended into their new home digs.
Skinner started at center for the ailing Brad Miller and had 12 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. Thomas discovered a sudden hot hand - his - and kept shooting. He had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Williamson had five points.
There were ovations sprinkled throughout from an Arco Arena crowd that was anxious to see what the new-look Kings could do.
"I just love being here," Skinner said.
Thomas and Williamson echoed those sentiments, knowing a good showing would be twofold: a win and a chance to earn some fan approval.
"I didn't really know how the fans were going to be," Thomas said. "I was really nervous. It just feels really good to be here and get back to playing basketball."
Thomas said he enjoys working with Mike Bibby, opposed to Philadelphia where, he said, "I'm kind of used to one person dribbling around all the time."
Hurt patrol
The Kings still aren't healthy -is that even allowed in Sacramento anymore? -with Brad Miller and Cuttino Mobley sitting out. Miller has missed four straight games with a right calf contusion. Mobley was out with a sore back.
Coach Rick Adelman said he wasn't sure when either would return, though both could be ready Tuesday against Memphis.
Et cetera
When Skinner was finished speaking to the media, offering insight to a pack of camcorders, he couldn't believe how simple it was. This was no grill session. "You guys all ask easy questions," he said with a smile. "This is nice. In Philly, the press is brutal."
* A fact not normally associated with an NBA championship team: The Pistons are 0-28 the last two seasons when trailing by 10 or more in the fourth period.
* Chauncey Billups on Maurice Evans, who started for Mobley and had 12 points and nine rebounds: "I thought he was great."
* With 695 wins, Adelman is within one of tying Red Holzman for 15th on the all-time NBA list.
King for a day
KENNY THOMAS - The team's new power forward came off the bench to make 8 of 13 shots, showing a soft touch from 15-18 feet, for 19 points. He also snatched 10 rebounds and blocked two shots.
Question posed
CAN THE KINGS BUILD SOME STEAM WITH THE FIVE-GAME HOMESTAND AND INCH BACK INTO A HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE POSITION FOR THE PLAYOFFS? If Sunday was any kind of an indicator, count on some mounting momentum. The post-Chris Webber Kings, still a work in progress and shorthanded as long as Cuttino Mobley and Brad Miller are out because of injuries, can offer waves of defense and energy. Memphis, in town Tuesday, has injury woes. The Clippers come in Friday and they're still, well, the Clippers, so a 3-0 home start is possible.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12523773p-13379232c.html
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I really enjoyed the "etcetera" portion of this article where Skinner comments about our medias easy questions as compared to Philly journalists.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, March 7, 2005
And to think these guys were nervous.
Once they broke a sweat and stood up to the Detroit Pistons, the Kings' new frontcourt trio of Brian Skinner, Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson blended into their new home digs.
Skinner started at center for the ailing Brad Miller and had 12 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. Thomas discovered a sudden hot hand - his - and kept shooting. He had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Williamson had five points.
There were ovations sprinkled throughout from an Arco Arena crowd that was anxious to see what the new-look Kings could do.
"I just love being here," Skinner said.
Thomas and Williamson echoed those sentiments, knowing a good showing would be twofold: a win and a chance to earn some fan approval.
"I didn't really know how the fans were going to be," Thomas said. "I was really nervous. It just feels really good to be here and get back to playing basketball."
Thomas said he enjoys working with Mike Bibby, opposed to Philadelphia where, he said, "I'm kind of used to one person dribbling around all the time."
Hurt patrol
The Kings still aren't healthy -is that even allowed in Sacramento anymore? -with Brad Miller and Cuttino Mobley sitting out. Miller has missed four straight games with a right calf contusion. Mobley was out with a sore back.
Coach Rick Adelman said he wasn't sure when either would return, though both could be ready Tuesday against Memphis.
Et cetera
When Skinner was finished speaking to the media, offering insight to a pack of camcorders, he couldn't believe how simple it was. This was no grill session. "You guys all ask easy questions," he said with a smile. "This is nice. In Philly, the press is brutal."
* A fact not normally associated with an NBA championship team: The Pistons are 0-28 the last two seasons when trailing by 10 or more in the fourth period.
* Chauncey Billups on Maurice Evans, who started for Mobley and had 12 points and nine rebounds: "I thought he was great."
* With 695 wins, Adelman is within one of tying Red Holzman for 15th on the all-time NBA list.
King for a day
KENNY THOMAS - The team's new power forward came off the bench to make 8 of 13 shots, showing a soft touch from 15-18 feet, for 19 points. He also snatched 10 rebounds and blocked two shots.
Question posed
CAN THE KINGS BUILD SOME STEAM WITH THE FIVE-GAME HOMESTAND AND INCH BACK INTO A HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE POSITION FOR THE PLAYOFFS? If Sunday was any kind of an indicator, count on some mounting momentum. The post-Chris Webber Kings, still a work in progress and shorthanded as long as Cuttino Mobley and Brad Miller are out because of injuries, can offer waves of defense and energy. Memphis, in town Tuesday, has injury woes. The Clippers come in Friday and they're still, well, the Clippers, so a 3-0 home start is possible.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12523773p-13379232c.html
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I really enjoyed the "etcetera" portion of this article where Skinner comments about our medias easy questions as compared to Philly journalists.
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