http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/122525.html
Big question mark looms in middle
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:08 am PST Tuesday, February 13, 2007
They didn't have a giant to truly match up with Dikembe Mutombo, but Brad Miller offered something different.
The Kings' center, as the plan for tonight's game in Houston was supposed to go, would use his perimeter style to lure the Rockets' rebounding vacuum out of the key. And if all went as hoped, then maybe Mutombo wouldn't finish with 18 rebounds, as he did the last time the Kings faced him without their own 7-footer.
But Miller is out just as he was for that Jan. 13 overtime loss, deciding to rest his inflamed left foot at least through the All-Star break while the unwelcome adjustment period without him continues.
Kings coach Eric Musselman first responded by starting Shareef Abdur-Rahim at center in Saturday's victory in Seattle, then learned the next day that forward Kenny Thomas (strained lower back) was out, too. So in came rookie Justin Williams, making his first start, Musselman said, because there needed to a be a "big" in the mix while Abdur-Rahim slid to his natural power forward spot. Williams was an eventual nonfactor, playing just eight minutes.
Thomas received treatment Monday and is a day-of-game decision for tonight. Should he be out, chances are that the experimental idea of playing Ron Artest at power forward and Abdur-Rahim at center will be put on hold because, well, no one demands a rebounding counterpart quite like Mutombo. For the big picture, Musselman said the loss of Miller's passing skills means a more refined act is required.
"We're going to have to cut harder, going to have to set harder screens, all those little details," Musselman said. "We have to do a better job of them without a guy that makes pinpoint passes."
For those who have to wait until the All-Star break for rest, it can't come soon enough. Swingman John Salmons has had mild back pain as a result of his car accident Thursday. Shooting guard Kevin Martin's right middle finger has caused significant pain but has had little effect on his shot.
Corliss kudos -- No one had come out and said it quite like Bob Hill did, but having the truth on your side always helps.
In praising Kings forward Corliss Williamson for his season of unexpected productivity, the SuperSonics' coach gave the context of where Williamson was before.
"He's like coming from the dead," Hill said. "He's playing very aggressively, giving them a big boost coming off the bench. He's playing great for them, and that's good. I've always been a fan of his from a distance."
Hill's comments came before Williamson proved him right again Sunday, when he scored 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting. He played 38 minutes, which was more than he had played in all but one game this season.
In that Jan. 13 loss to the Rockets, Williamson helped make up for Miller's absence (personal reasons) by setting season highs that still stand in points (30), rebounds (12) and minutes (43). After playing in just 37 games last season, Williamson is the Kings' leader in field-goal percentage (51.1 percent) while averaging 19.4 minutes in 45 games. He is averaging 9.1 points.
Rare Ron -- The Kings' recent stretch of good play left plenty to be dissected as to the cause, but Artest's continued strong play was as big a factor as any.
While Martin has been consistent for so much of the season, the emergence of another steady and increasingly efficient scorer was a boon, not to mention Artest's defense returning to form.
Sunday, ironically, became the anti-example of his influence. In shooting 35 percent (7 of 20), Artest shot worse than 40 percent for just the second time in the last 14 games. By comparison, his 7-for-13 outing in Seattle on Saturday had everything to do with the Kings dominating in their 114-93 victory.
While the Kings were digging their early-season hole, Artest shot less than 40 percent 13 times in his first 22 games, even dipping lower than 30 percent five times.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Big question mark looms in middle
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:08 am PST Tuesday, February 13, 2007
They didn't have a giant to truly match up with Dikembe Mutombo, but Brad Miller offered something different.
The Kings' center, as the plan for tonight's game in Houston was supposed to go, would use his perimeter style to lure the Rockets' rebounding vacuum out of the key. And if all went as hoped, then maybe Mutombo wouldn't finish with 18 rebounds, as he did the last time the Kings faced him without their own 7-footer.
But Miller is out just as he was for that Jan. 13 overtime loss, deciding to rest his inflamed left foot at least through the All-Star break while the unwelcome adjustment period without him continues.
Kings coach Eric Musselman first responded by starting Shareef Abdur-Rahim at center in Saturday's victory in Seattle, then learned the next day that forward Kenny Thomas (strained lower back) was out, too. So in came rookie Justin Williams, making his first start, Musselman said, because there needed to a be a "big" in the mix while Abdur-Rahim slid to his natural power forward spot. Williams was an eventual nonfactor, playing just eight minutes.
Thomas received treatment Monday and is a day-of-game decision for tonight. Should he be out, chances are that the experimental idea of playing Ron Artest at power forward and Abdur-Rahim at center will be put on hold because, well, no one demands a rebounding counterpart quite like Mutombo. For the big picture, Musselman said the loss of Miller's passing skills means a more refined act is required.
"We're going to have to cut harder, going to have to set harder screens, all those little details," Musselman said. "We have to do a better job of them without a guy that makes pinpoint passes."
For those who have to wait until the All-Star break for rest, it can't come soon enough. Swingman John Salmons has had mild back pain as a result of his car accident Thursday. Shooting guard Kevin Martin's right middle finger has caused significant pain but has had little effect on his shot.
Corliss kudos -- No one had come out and said it quite like Bob Hill did, but having the truth on your side always helps.
In praising Kings forward Corliss Williamson for his season of unexpected productivity, the SuperSonics' coach gave the context of where Williamson was before.
"He's like coming from the dead," Hill said. "He's playing very aggressively, giving them a big boost coming off the bench. He's playing great for them, and that's good. I've always been a fan of his from a distance."
Hill's comments came before Williamson proved him right again Sunday, when he scored 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting. He played 38 minutes, which was more than he had played in all but one game this season.
In that Jan. 13 loss to the Rockets, Williamson helped make up for Miller's absence (personal reasons) by setting season highs that still stand in points (30), rebounds (12) and minutes (43). After playing in just 37 games last season, Williamson is the Kings' leader in field-goal percentage (51.1 percent) while averaging 19.4 minutes in 45 games. He is averaging 9.1 points.
Rare Ron -- The Kings' recent stretch of good play left plenty to be dissected as to the cause, but Artest's continued strong play was as big a factor as any.
While Martin has been consistent for so much of the season, the emergence of another steady and increasingly efficient scorer was a boon, not to mention Artest's defense returning to form.
Sunday, ironically, became the anti-example of his influence. In shooting 35 percent (7 of 20), Artest shot worse than 40 percent for just the second time in the last 14 games. By comparison, his 7-for-13 outing in Seattle on Saturday had everything to do with the Kings dominating in their 114-93 victory.
While the Kings were digging their early-season hole, Artest shot less than 40 percent 13 times in his first 22 games, even dipping lower than 30 percent five times.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
