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http://www.nba.com/kings/news/We_Three_Kings-134781-58.html
The newest members of the Sacramento Kings are happy to be in purple
We Three Kings
by Chris Navalta
One of the toughest adjustments any NBA player has to make after a mid-season trade is not only adapting to a new playbook – but adjusting to their new surroundings. Fortunately for new Kings Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner, they have someone to fall back on.
Corliss Williamson, who spent his first five seasons with the Kings, was the third member of the six-player deal that sent him, Thomas and Skinner, to Sacramento in exchange for Chris Webber, Matt Barnes and Michael Bradley.
But it took 18 days and a six-game road trip before the newest Kings were able to take the ARCO Arena floor. The day finally came Sunday and it couldn’t have come sooner.
“I was happy,” Skinner said, regarding his initial reaction to being traded. “It just felt different going to a different team. Knowing where I stand with Philly for the last 50 games, I was just happy to get out of there.”
“I thought it was going to be a great situation for me, as far as my all around game,” added Thomas. “I was shocked because I didn’t think I was going to be sent to a team that would be a contender.”
For Williamson, his first five years as a King had its ups and downs. He’s now come full circle, returning to the place where he began his professional career.
“I can’t lie,” Williamson admitted. “I thought this was the last place I’d ever come back to. But it’s a great feeling, knowing I can come back to where I started my career. These guys have been playing well. Hopefully, I can fit in and help the team continue to improve.”
So far all three have made major impacts for the Kings, putting quality minutes on the floor. For Thomas and Skinner, part of the transition period is learning a new system as well as finding a new home to get situated in.
“With the players I spent the past four or five months with (in Philadelphia), you knew when they were going to pass and you knew what they were going to do, how they’re going to play and when they’re going to shoot,” Skinner said. “Now, to go to a bunch of new guys, you sort of have to reconfigure that out. You don’t have four or five months to do it. You have a couple of days to do it. You really have to find your groove and your niche if you want to play effectively.”
As far as finding a home, Skinner and Thomas will be staying in a hotel until they can find the time to look for a permanent home.
“Different guys, different environment, different arena, different everything,” Thomas said. “It’s something that I have to adjust to. But I am a professional. So, I have to be professional about it. I think it’s going to be great. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Williamson, on the other hand, has the luxury of being familiar with the area, having spent the early stages of his career in Sacramento.
“It’s always nice to come back to a place you’ve been before,” Williamson said. “I still have relatives and people in the community that I know. And I still know my way around here. It’s not going to be hard for me to get a home. I know which areas are nice. I’ll be looking forward to finding a permanent home.”
“I remember the whole experience (when I started here),” he added. “Starting here, coming out of college, you didn’t know what to expect about the NBA. What better place to start a career than here in Sacramento. The fans have always been loyal to this team. They always supported me when I was here. I had some great years here in Sac. And I look forward to having a few more.”
The Kings are now deeper and more-experienced. And with the additions of Williamson, Skinner and Thomas, who knows how far this team will go in the postseason.
“It’s just going to be a matter of how hard we go,” Skinner said. “The guys that we have here are a solid group of guys. They know what they need to do. Our job is to basically come in here and not screw anything up.”
“Hopefully, we’ll fare well,” Williamson added. “This team has gotten deeper. We have guys that can play different positions in the front court. That’s going to help make this team better. We just have to continue to work hard in practice and see how well we can gel.”
The newest members of the Sacramento Kings are happy to be in purple
We Three Kings
by Chris Navalta
One of the toughest adjustments any NBA player has to make after a mid-season trade is not only adapting to a new playbook – but adjusting to their new surroundings. Fortunately for new Kings Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner, they have someone to fall back on.
Corliss Williamson, who spent his first five seasons with the Kings, was the third member of the six-player deal that sent him, Thomas and Skinner, to Sacramento in exchange for Chris Webber, Matt Barnes and Michael Bradley.
But it took 18 days and a six-game road trip before the newest Kings were able to take the ARCO Arena floor. The day finally came Sunday and it couldn’t have come sooner.
“I was happy,” Skinner said, regarding his initial reaction to being traded. “It just felt different going to a different team. Knowing where I stand with Philly for the last 50 games, I was just happy to get out of there.”
“I thought it was going to be a great situation for me, as far as my all around game,” added Thomas. “I was shocked because I didn’t think I was going to be sent to a team that would be a contender.”
For Williamson, his first five years as a King had its ups and downs. He’s now come full circle, returning to the place where he began his professional career.
“I can’t lie,” Williamson admitted. “I thought this was the last place I’d ever come back to. But it’s a great feeling, knowing I can come back to where I started my career. These guys have been playing well. Hopefully, I can fit in and help the team continue to improve.”
So far all three have made major impacts for the Kings, putting quality minutes on the floor. For Thomas and Skinner, part of the transition period is learning a new system as well as finding a new home to get situated in.
“With the players I spent the past four or five months with (in Philadelphia), you knew when they were going to pass and you knew what they were going to do, how they’re going to play and when they’re going to shoot,” Skinner said. “Now, to go to a bunch of new guys, you sort of have to reconfigure that out. You don’t have four or five months to do it. You have a couple of days to do it. You really have to find your groove and your niche if you want to play effectively.”
As far as finding a home, Skinner and Thomas will be staying in a hotel until they can find the time to look for a permanent home.
“Different guys, different environment, different arena, different everything,” Thomas said. “It’s something that I have to adjust to. But I am a professional. So, I have to be professional about it. I think it’s going to be great. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Williamson, on the other hand, has the luxury of being familiar with the area, having spent the early stages of his career in Sacramento.
“It’s always nice to come back to a place you’ve been before,” Williamson said. “I still have relatives and people in the community that I know. And I still know my way around here. It’s not going to be hard for me to get a home. I know which areas are nice. I’ll be looking forward to finding a permanent home.”
“I remember the whole experience (when I started here),” he added. “Starting here, coming out of college, you didn’t know what to expect about the NBA. What better place to start a career than here in Sacramento. The fans have always been loyal to this team. They always supported me when I was here. I had some great years here in Sac. And I look forward to having a few more.”
The Kings are now deeper and more-experienced. And with the additions of Williamson, Skinner and Thomas, who knows how far this team will go in the postseason.
“It’s just going to be a matter of how hard we go,” Skinner said. “The guys that we have here are a solid group of guys. They know what they need to do. Our job is to basically come in here and not screw anything up.”
“Hopefully, we’ll fare well,” Williamson added. “This team has gotten deeper. We have guys that can play different positions in the front court. That’s going to help make this team better. We just have to continue to work hard in practice and see how well we can gel.”
