Kings camp buzz: Day 6
By Joe Davidson and Jimmy Spencer -- Bee Staff Writers
No, not again
http://ads.sacbee.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_lx.ads/www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/1035947456/Button20/Sacbee/cars_300_ros_feb_5/img3_cars_300_ros.html/34323431636166643432373933383530?_RM_EMPTY_ After 3 1/2 hours of drills, instruction and running - lots of shooting, rebounding and running - no one wants to log even an inch more when practice was over Sunday.
With 19 players standing on the baseline jumping, with their arms up, a selected player stepped up to the free-throw line, with this simple plan: two makes and the rest of the gang is spared the line drills. A single miss and it's off to the races.
Kenny Thomas, Peja Stojakovic, Kevin Martin and Francisco García all made their two attempts. Then Eric Sandrin of Seattle Pacific made a rookie mistake, missing his second attempt, followed by a gym full of groans. And more running.
Move of the day
Thomas is one of the quickest power forwards in the league, and he showed some of the burst with a made inside jumper, fading away, with the foul.
Camping with Luis Flores
After some brief stints with Golden State and Denver last season, the point guard from the Dominican Republic hopes good health and a good camp results in a good roster spot.
Q: You seemed to be winning sprints in some practices. Are you the fastest guy on this team?
A: No, not by far. I just want to push myself to be in the best shape possible. Mike Bibby thinks he's the fastest, so I'm not really trying to hear it from him.
Q: With a year in the NBA, what's the biggest lesson you've learned?
A: Patience.
Q: You're a Yankees fan and (teammate) Francisco García is a Red Sox fan. Is there a lot of talk between you guys?
A: Definitely. Every time the Red Sox score, I get a phone call letting me know. Anytime the Yankees play the Red Sox, we make sure we watch it together.
Key dates
Tuesday: Preseason opener vs. Dallas, Arco Arena, 7 p.m. - Finally, the new-look Kings emerge, and the return of Doug Christie.
Oct. 16: Vs. Golden State, 6 p.m. - Who has better tans? Warriors after a camp in Hawaii or Kings at Folsom Lake?
