Bee: Abdur-Rahim Won't Start to Complain

[Gtronic]

There was irony on the floor at Arco Arena on Friday night, the kind that wouldn't be noticeable to anyone who hasn't tracked Shareef Abdur-Rahim for some time.

Playing against Portland, the Kings forward received the start in an exhibition finale while his former Trail Blazers teammate, an injured Darius Miles, was nowhere to be seen between the lines. In other words, it was exactly the opposite of how things were two years ago, when Abdur-Rahim, then with Portland, was asked to yield to the youngster and become a bench player for the first time in his career.

It was a shift Abdur-Rahim wishes never happened, not then or now. But after a jaw fracture last season led to the loss of his starting job to Kenny Thomas, Abdur-Rahim again appears headed for reserve duty. Now, as then, he is too concerned with the big picture to worry about his small one.

"(Kings coach Eric Musselman) has got to do what he feels like is best for the team, and my job is to be ready to play and get something done, to help the team," Abdur-Rahim said. "If I'm starting, then I'm starting. If I'm coming off the bench, I'm coming off the bench. It's out of my hands.

"We all have our feelings about ourselves, but in this situation it's irrelevant at the end of the day. The first priority is us as a team, so whether I like it, don't like it, agree with it or disagree with it, he's got the say."

Technically speaking, Musselman said Friday the spot was secured by no one. Still, Thomas started in every game in which he was available, while Abdur-Rahim's four starts all came out of necessity when center Brad Miller was out or, as in the finale, when Thomas sat out with lower left leg tendinitis.

"I'll tell you hands down, if it was my decision, what I would do," Abdur-Rahim said. "But that's probably a little selfish."

And especially this time of year, Abdur-Rahim doesn't do selfish. The devout Muslim finished fasting Wednesday for Ramadan, the Islamic holy month in which more than 1 billion Muslims worldwide refrain from eating, drinking, sex and smoking during daylight hours. The latest Ramadan lasted 29 days, and Abdur-Rahim said it was more challenging than years past because of the two-practice-per-day routine during camp and Musselman's increased defensive demands.

"This training camp was probably a little bit more intense than last year's training camp," he said. "In the past, I had never done two-a-days fasting. And then it was like, two-a-days, fasting, and then I couldn't break fast until the end of the second practice. It was getting darker later."

He played hungry, too, providing much more offensive punch than Thomas in exhibition play. Abdur-Rahim trailed only shooting guard Kevin Martin and small forward Ron Artest in scoring, hitting 28 of 55 shots for 78 points.

Thomas, meanwhile, has been frustrated by his slow start in light of so much offseason work. Working with his trainer in San Antonio, he was glad to finally fully recover from a shoulder injury that pained him more than he let on last season.

He entered training camp feeling good about his stroke, especially from the free-throw line. But he hit just 11 of 26 shots and 6 of 18 free throws for 28 points in seven games. He and Abdur-Rahim have been comparable on the boards, with Thomas grabbing 35 rebounds in 168 minutes and Abdur-Rahim pulling down 33 in 184 minutes.

"Scoring is going to come," said Thomas, who is expected to play in Wednesday's regular-season opener. "I know it is. It always has. If we move the ball and have faith in one another, it's going to come."

The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.

 

[16to93]

I'm so glad we have a guy like Shareef on this team.

If we had two Thomas-like personalities battling for the starting job, this one would've gotten ugly a loooong time ago.

 

[Troy]

I'm so glad we have a guy like Shareef on this team.

If we had two Thomas-like personalities battling for the starting job, this one would've gotten ugly a loooong time ago.

SAR is awesome and is the better player. He should be the starter, but with us paying K9 and his non production, if any production, comes when he starts then we have to do this. SAR should be our 6th man like he was last year and fill in for 4/5. Taylor has been backing up Miller, but SAR is better than him as well.

With his fasting over, I hope he puts on some more muscle and puts last season's jaw injury behind him. SAR can really light up the score board with his shooting and good post up plays, he needs to be more aggresive grabbing rebounds which right now with the status of out team is K9's only saving grace. K9 has been unbelievbly bad shooting especially free throws, I think he was taking lessons from Lou this offseason!

 

[Bricklayer]

I'm so glad we have a guy like Shareef on this team.

If we had two Thomas-like personalities battling for the starting job, this one would've gotten ugly a loooong time ago.

Well I have no use for KTs 'tude, I will say this -- if Reef cared as much as KT did about starting, impressing, showing the world etc. etc., I think we would have a much better more effective player. There is no excuse whatsoever for Reef to be in a competition with a Kenny Thomas to start, outside of KT just caring more, fighting more, trying harder. Talentwise there should not be a comparison.

If he's coming off the bench? Yeah, Reef is the guy you want in that role. But its that same "niceness", same passivity, that is the reason he finds himself coming off the bench in the first place. Nice guys finish last.

 

[Roman]

If he's coming off the bench? Yeah, Reef is the guy you want in that role. But its that same "niceness", same passivity, that is the reason he finds himself coming off the bench in the first place. Nice guys finish last.

That would be my complaint about SAR. He seems to lack passion.

I remember him in Vancouver, he attacked all the time. He was almost a black hole.

Now, he'll get 2 feet from the basket and pass. He'll settle and not attack.

I wonder if all the losing has killed his spirit.

 

[Bricklayer]

I wonder if all the losing has killed his spirit.

Actually that is exactly my diagnosis.

And now he's almost scared to mess anything up and has exactly none of the confidence adn swagger of a great player anymore.

 

[Roman]

Actually that is exactly my diagnosis.

And now he's almost scared to mess anything up and has exactly none of the confidence adn swagger of a great player anymore.

It's unfortunate, because he's got more low post scoring ability than most players ever hope to see. It's a shame to see him play like a burn-out.

I wonder if under all that mess, if the player that wants to dominate is still there? I wonder if we could wake it up?

If we could, he'd be nasty along with Artest.

 

[Beezy]

I think that he has lost so much that it probably has damaged his psyche for his game. I remember reading in an interview when he was asked about missing the playoffs for so many years and he said it "it killed him." Then he went to Portland and they put him on the bench backing up Randolph & Miles so I'm sure that didn't help. Now he's here surrounded by more talent he's ever been around Bibby, Artest, Miller, Martin and unquestionably the best team he's been on by far so I guess he just wants to play a small part and help the team win.
I've met the man before and he's a great guy. He's really low-key but very humble and polite. I saw him at a restaurant a few years ago and was with what appeared to be his family. I was with one of my friends and said pretty loud "Hey that's Shareef!" He heard me and smiled and waved. So I felt pretty comfortable going up to his table and talking to him. He shook my hand and we talked for like a couple minutes then his food came so I left him alone and told him it was great meeting him, etc. What I was impressed with the most is me and my friends were waiting for our bill but it never came to our table so I went to one of the waiters and they pointed to Shareef as he was leaving the restaurant and said that gentlemen has already paid for your bill. I just thought that was really cool of him to do.

 

[gunks]

Nice guy!!

I think if anyone can bring SAR out of his funk its Muss. Adelman wasnt exactly much of a motivater, and of course there was the jaw injury last season too...So maybe this is where SAR starts to turn it around.

With his scoring efficiency he could probably put up about 15pts a night if he would take a few more shots a game.

 

[Roman]

With his scoring efficiency he could probably put up about 15pts a night if he would take a few more shots a game.

Would be nice if the coach could! It'd be a nice bedtime story of a guy who was too kind getting his just rewards.

As for 15PPG, he could easily do that. He was at 16-17 last year at only 11SPG.

We get him the ball 10-12 times, we'll be looking at 16-17PPG. We get him the ball 14-16, we'll be looking closer to 20.

The question is - who does it come from and how does he do this from the bench? Should he come from the bench?

Should he be a part of the team?

 

[BMiller52]

Would be nice if the coach could! It'd be a nice bedtime story of a guy who was too kind getting his just rewards.

As for 15PPG, he could easily do that. He was at 16-17 last year at only 11SPG.

We get him the ball 10-12 times, we'll be looking at 16-17PPG. We get him the ball 14-16, we'll be looking closer to 20.

The question is - who does it come from and how does he do this from the bench? Should he come from the bench?

Should he be a part of the team?

Either way Reef is going to get 27-35 minutes IMO whether he's starting or off the bench. I don't think he's the 20 PPG scorer anymore, and honestly we don't need that much anymore because this team's got other offensive talent like Artest, Bibby, Martin, Miller, etc. Everyone's gonna want their touches. We really need him to rebound like he used to.

 

[Roman]

Either way Reef is going to get 27-35 minutes IMO whether he's starting or off the bench. I don't think he's the 20 PPG scorer anymore, and honestly we don't need that much anymore because this team's got other offensive talent like Artest, Bibby, Martin, Miller, etc. Everyone's gonna want their touches. We really need him to rebound like he used to.

I agree that he needs to rebound. He's not that much good if he's going to get 4-5 rebounds a game. That just won't cut it. I was willing to cut him slack last year and say perhaps it was something weird going on. A nagging injury or something, but he's got to get rebounds this year.

As for being a 20PPG guy, I think he's got that easily if he's given the touches. It wasn't but two years ago that he left Atlanta and was averaging 20.1 and then averaged 17 for us before he got injured.

 

[VF21]

SAR isn't getting any younger. The thought that his rebounding numbers could increase just doesn't seem very likely.

 

[nbrans]

I actually think Shareef may very well be the opening day starter. He's looked far better than Kenny in the preseason and whereas Kenny seemed to fit Rick's offense better, Shareef's inside ability seems to fit Musselman's offense better. Kenny has been abysmal out of the post and he hasn't been markedly better than Shareef on the boards -- and if Kenny isn't soundly out-rebounding Shareef there's no reason for him to get more minutes. I wonder if Musselman will take advantage of Kenny's injury to put Shareef back in the starting lineup.

However, I agree with those who wonder about Shareef's fire -- the team could use a lot more selfishness on offense and more aggressiveness on defense and the boards. His willingness to take a back seat and fit in is admirable and shows a lot of character, but at the same time his talents aren't being utilized if he isn't attacking. He shows flashes, hopefully during the regular season it will be sustained.

 

[VF21]

I think our biggest problem with Kenny Thomas right now is what's happened to him mentally as far as free throws go. His shot makes Shaq's look like poetry in motion. Since he likes to battle inside for boards, he's liable to draw fouls and sending him to the line right now is almost unbearably painful.

 

[Entity]

I think with Bibby out of the lineup you need SAR's offense in the starting rotation. I do however fully understand with Bibby in the lineup that KT rebounding the ball and running the floor is an asset, BUT if he is not rebounding at least 9 a game he is useless to us as a starter and should be on the bench.

I would like to see (Dare I say) Hart starting in Bibby's absence with SAR starting as well so Hart's defense can help and he isn't asked to do much on offense except distribute the ball a task Price can't get ahold of. Then Bring Price, Salmons, Garcia, and KT off the bench to see if any of them can be a sparkplug. I am sure Price would feel more comfortable not being asked to run the offense with the starters but he would feel right at home jacking up shots and moving without the ball with Salmons and Garcia running the offense.

 

[Roman]

SAR isn't getting any younger. The thought that his rebounding numbers could increase just doesn't seem very likely.

He's 29. We're not talking about a 33 year old or anything. Two years ago he was at 9.3, I don't think he's lost THAT much of a step.

Could be wrong. What I think he's lost is desire. I think sitting in Portland and more losing just killed that competitive fire.

 

[Roman]

I think our biggest problem with Kenny Thomas right now is what's happened to him mentally as far as free throws go. His shot makes Shaq's look like poetry in motion.

That made me laugh!

 

[VF21]

He's 29. We're not talking about a 33 year old or anything. Two years ago he was at 9.3, I don't think he's lost THAT much of a step.

Could be wrong. What I think he's lost is desire. I think sitting in Portland and more losing just killed that competitive fire.

That could well be true. And who knows if he can get it back...

 

[Kingzrool]

I like SAR and have since he was on the Kings. I agree that his rebounds will not pick up if his passion does not. Odds are in our favour, it seems it would be hard to be on a team with Artest and not have some of the passion rub off on you. I would love to see him get a little more tough, if that is not too much to ask for.

 

[Roman]

I would love to see him get a little more tough, if that is not too much to ask for.

I'll go for everything else. Maybe Artest will rub off on him.

But ... SAR just doesn't strike me as "tough". He's a warrior, but he's just not "tough".

I mean, SAR at his most ferocious will never have a guy say: "Hey man, avoid that lane ... Reef is patrolling the paint."

 

[BMiller52]

I'll go for everything else. Maybe Artest will rub off on him.

But ... SAR just doesn't strike me as "tough". He's a warrior, but he's just not "tough".

I mean, SAR at his most ferocious will never have a guy say: "Hey man, avoid that lane ... Reef is patrolling the paint."

Yeah that's how I actually feel about him. He'll fight through pain and stuff to play for the team, but he won't block a shot into the 3rd row like Kenyon Martin or give a guy a hard foul like Rasheed Wallace. He doesn't seem to take games over either anymore.

 

[Kingzrool]

I'll go for everything else. Maybe Artest will rub off on him.

But ... SAR just doesn't strike me as "tough". He's a warrior, but he's just not "tough".

I mean, SAR at his most ferocious will never have a guy say: "Hey man, avoid that lane ... Reef is patrolling the paint."

Yeah, actually having ferocious and SAR in the same sentence was kinda weird. I do feel that toughness is what his game is lacking, he is just so soft.

He is short on passion, but he does have spirit and a positive attitude. That is why I like him. I believe him when he says that he will put in the same whether he starts or not - I just wish it would be a little more either way.

 

[fnordius]

One thing I have to say about SAR, is that I really appreciate his consistently good shooting. He topped the team in FG% last year, and did so again this preseason, I'm sure. His points per shot tied Kmart's for first place on the team last year (1.42), despite the fact that he only attempts a three every 2-3 games.

We used to be one of the very best shooting teams, but last year dropped to 12th, and with the Bonzi-Salmons transition, will be dropping some more this year. So, while SAR has his limitations, I will continue to be happy to see him out there playing as many minutes and taking as many shots as Muss and circumstance allow. He's not one of those guys who has such ice-cold shooting streaks that you get that sinking, "Vlade's attempting a three!?!" feeling.

I hope that Muss can get some of the passion back into his game, we're really going to need it this year.

 

[DETON8ER]

SAR IS TOO NICE!!

Well all i've got say, is that Shareef Abdur-Rahim should start....
I know he's still capable of gettin 15 - 17 ppg 7-8 rpg 1spg etc...
Now that Ramadan is over... he'll feel much stronger and his desire for basketball will start to shine in the season.......
Eric Musselman must insist SAR, to be more aggressive.....The first season with Portland Shareef said in the locker room " the seattle supersonics, are enemies of allah, and death is coming to them soon, OH portland trailblazer fans good news is coming to you. Our jihad against the evil, corrupt bands of gangsters led by the biggest infidel of them all.... Nate McMillan, will strike a decisive blow for Allah and blazers ... god willing" Where's that Shareef... look how hungry he was .... this was just 2 years ago.... cmon reef start destroying opponents

 

[BMiller52]

SAR IS TOO NICE!!

Well all i've got say, is that Shareef Abdur-Rahim should start....
I know he's still capable of gettin 15 - 17 ppg 7-8 rpg 1spg etc...
Now that Ramadan is over... he'll feel much stronger and his desire for basketball will start to shine in the season.......
Eric Musselman must insist SAR, to be more aggressive.....The first season with Portland Shareef said in the locker room " the seattle supersonics, are enemies of allah, and death is coming to them soon, OH portland trailblazer fans good news is coming to you. Our jihad against the evil, corrupt bands of gangsters led by the biggest infidel of them all.... Nate McMillan, will strike a decisive blow for Allah and blazers ... god willing" Where's that Shareef... look how hungry he was .... this was just 2 years ago.... cmon reef start destroying opponents

I wonder what people would say if Ron Artest said something like that...

 

[D-Mass]

SAR IS TOO NICE!!

Well all i've got say, is that Shareef Abdur-Rahim should start....
I know he's still capable of gettin 15 - 17 ppg 7-8 rpg 1spg etc...
Now that Ramadan is over... he'll feel much stronger and his desire for basketball will start to shine in the season.......
Eric Musselman must insist SAR, to be more aggressive.....The first season with Portland Shareef said in the locker room " the seattle supersonics, are enemies of allah, and death is coming to them soon, OH portland trailblazer fans good news is coming to you. Our jihad against the evil, corrupt bands of gangsters led by the biggest infidel of them all.... Nate McMillan, will strike a decisive blow for Allah and blazers ... god willing" Where's that Shareef... look how hungry he was .... this was just 2 years ago.... cmon reef start destroying opponents

I can't tell if you were being sarcastic or not, but you do know he didn't really say that, right? It's from the satirical sports news site, thebrushback.com.

 

[DaMan]

I can't tell if you were being sarcastic or not, but you do know he didn't really say that, right? It's from the satirical sports news site, thebrushback.com.

I think he was just being sarcastic.

 

[D-Mass]

I think he was just joking being sarcastic.

Hard to be sure sometimes...

 

[SacTownKid]

Reef is also kind of a victim of circustance. We need his size coming off the bench because we would be very small with Kenny coming off the bench.