http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13985770p-14819258c.html
Bench slowly raises game
The Kings' reserves did well in Detroit, but they still lack consistency.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, December 16, 2005
SAN ANTONIO - Four games in five nights. A loss to the NBA champions of two seasons past and defending Eastern Conference champions. A stretch that still shows three wins in the last four tries.
It's silver-lining time.
The Kings' loss to Detroit on Wednesday night was not for naught. When their starters couldn't convince their legs to keep going against the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the bench was given a rare time to shine, perhaps brewing the confidence and cohesion so necessary for a turnaround that's yet to come.
The reserves' 13-1 run in the second quarter not only turned a nine-point deficit into a three-point edge, it gave Kings coach Rick Adelman an extended viewing of the reserves he's still trying to figure out, as he played them 94 collective minutes.
Corliss Williamson had season highs in points and rebounds, Kenny Thomas had his third straight solid outing, and Brian Skinner had a noticeable effect. In time, the bigger, better Pistons countered with a knockout blow a la their famous courtside fan, Tommy "Hit Man" Hearns, in the loss. But for the much-maligned Kings unit, time and production alone were reasons for optimism.
"Our starters do a great job of playing hard and fighting, but there's going to be some nights when they're not going to have it, and it's going to be the responsibility of the bench to pick up the slack and try to bring some energy to the game," Williamson said. "It's just a matter of us getting the opportunity to play together, and have an identity as a bench. (Wednesday night) was great in that we got some quality minutes, and get an opportunity to try and see what we can bring to this team."
The Kings' bench is ranked 28th in the league in scoring, averaging 19.1 points per game and better only than two teams that thus far have overcome the problem - division leaders Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Clippers. Chicago leads the league in bench scoring with an average of 45.7 points per game.
More than once, Adelman has spoke of past reserves, no one more so than Bobby Jackson. His name was synonymous with consistency and gave Adelman peace of mind in knowing what to expect nearly every time. There is no such luxury now.
"In past years, we've always had three or four guys who always played, with eight guys where you knew what you were going to get night in and night out," Adelman said. "This is a different group. The mixture's different and everything. I just have to keep trying things until we get some type of production on a consistent basis. That's what you need night in and night out."
There are positive signs. Power forward Kenny Thomas has hit 9 of his last 16 shots to go with 11 rebounds and six assists. Backup point guard Jason Hart has hit 11 of his last 22 shots in improving his shot selection and his stroke. Skinner had his best game of the season against the Pistons as he logged a season-high 18 minutes, tied his season high in points (six) and had four rebounds and two steals.
Meanwhile, Francisco García hasn't continued the surge that started when he replaced Stojakovic in the starting lineup from Nov. 21 to Nov. 25. The rookie has the lowest field-goal percentage of the bench bunch at 33.8 percent. He's made just 1 of his last 12 shots and 4 of 29 three-point attempts overall.
"It can't just be one night, and then the next five games, we're a non-factor," Williamson said. "We have to find the way to have that consistency so that coach will have confidence to put us in and we'll be able to respond to whatever's going on."
The goal being easier said than done, the second-unit soul search continues.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Bench slowly raises game
The Kings' reserves did well in Detroit, but they still lack consistency.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, December 16, 2005
SAN ANTONIO - Four games in five nights. A loss to the NBA champions of two seasons past and defending Eastern Conference champions. A stretch that still shows three wins in the last four tries.
It's silver-lining time.
The Kings' loss to Detroit on Wednesday night was not for naught. When their starters couldn't convince their legs to keep going against the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the bench was given a rare time to shine, perhaps brewing the confidence and cohesion so necessary for a turnaround that's yet to come.
The reserves' 13-1 run in the second quarter not only turned a nine-point deficit into a three-point edge, it gave Kings coach Rick Adelman an extended viewing of the reserves he's still trying to figure out, as he played them 94 collective minutes.
Corliss Williamson had season highs in points and rebounds, Kenny Thomas had his third straight solid outing, and Brian Skinner had a noticeable effect. In time, the bigger, better Pistons countered with a knockout blow a la their famous courtside fan, Tommy "Hit Man" Hearns, in the loss. But for the much-maligned Kings unit, time and production alone were reasons for optimism.
"Our starters do a great job of playing hard and fighting, but there's going to be some nights when they're not going to have it, and it's going to be the responsibility of the bench to pick up the slack and try to bring some energy to the game," Williamson said. "It's just a matter of us getting the opportunity to play together, and have an identity as a bench. (Wednesday night) was great in that we got some quality minutes, and get an opportunity to try and see what we can bring to this team."
The Kings' bench is ranked 28th in the league in scoring, averaging 19.1 points per game and better only than two teams that thus far have overcome the problem - division leaders Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Clippers. Chicago leads the league in bench scoring with an average of 45.7 points per game.
More than once, Adelman has spoke of past reserves, no one more so than Bobby Jackson. His name was synonymous with consistency and gave Adelman peace of mind in knowing what to expect nearly every time. There is no such luxury now.
"In past years, we've always had three or four guys who always played, with eight guys where you knew what you were going to get night in and night out," Adelman said. "This is a different group. The mixture's different and everything. I just have to keep trying things until we get some type of production on a consistent basis. That's what you need night in and night out."
There are positive signs. Power forward Kenny Thomas has hit 9 of his last 16 shots to go with 11 rebounds and six assists. Backup point guard Jason Hart has hit 11 of his last 22 shots in improving his shot selection and his stroke. Skinner had his best game of the season against the Pistons as he logged a season-high 18 minutes, tied his season high in points (six) and had four rebounds and two steals.
Meanwhile, Francisco García hasn't continued the surge that started when he replaced Stojakovic in the starting lineup from Nov. 21 to Nov. 25. The rookie has the lowest field-goal percentage of the bench bunch at 33.8 percent. He's made just 1 of his last 12 shots and 4 of 29 three-point attempts overall.
"It can't just be one night, and then the next five games, we're a non-factor," Williamson said. "We have to find the way to have that consistency so that coach will have confidence to put us in and we'll be able to respond to whatever's going on."
The goal being easier said than done, the second-unit soul search continues.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
