http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14072562p-14903145c.html
Down and out at OU
The Kings are no match for the Hornets in their home away from home.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, January 14, 2006
NORMAN, Okla. - When word came that the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets would be facing the Kings in Norman, Okla., it meant more work for all the Hornets who don't wear jersies.
With the Lloyd Noble Center 20 miles south of the Oklahoma City Ford Center in which the Hornets have played so well, team staffers had to haul everything from team gear to the shot clocks, backboards and rims down I-35 to the University of Oklahoma campus.
Much to the Kings' dismay, they trucked their home-style effort along for the ride, too, then managed to pack up that electric home atmosphere that was deafening and destructive to these visitors last time.
It all amounted to one of the Kings' worst showings of the season in a 90-76 loss, a Hornets hurtin' that came in front 11,343 and was so very similar to the one that started the season more than two months ago.
In finishing the road trip at 1-2, the Kings' scoring output was their second-lowest of the season, eclipsed only by the 67 points they scored in that 26-point loss at the Ford Center on Nov. 1.
Their 36.4 shooting percentage was also the second worst, better only than the 31.4 percent outing that also came in the opener.
The Kings hit just 3 of 16 three-pointers, with reserve point guard Ronnie Price and starter Mike Bibby going a combined 0 for 7. They were one off their season high for turnovers, finishing with 20 that turned into 18 Hornets points.
Center Brad Miller and rookie swingman Francisco García were the only Kings starters to score in double figures, combining for 35 points. García - who had a career high 17 points and four blocks - played in place of small forward Peja Stojakovic, who sat out with his recurring back injury.
Four Hornets scored in double figures, none more unexpected than a 16-point night from reserve Rasual Butler, who came in averaging 6.4 points.
"We just had not enough people play very well tonight," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We needed everybody to play well, and play at a high level and they didn't do it. When that happens, with the team we have today, it's hard to beat a team, especially on the road."
By the second quarter, the Kings were down by as many as 18 points and looking far too confused to fight their way back. In one sequence, Bibby stood alone atop the key, waving his arms and yelling for his teammates to move. For the most part, they stood pat, as Bibby drove the lane and was stripped of the ball.
The moment came during a 19-4 run that put the Hornets up by 18. The Kings - who hit 3 of 15 shots and had seven turnovers in the second quarter - never cut it lower than 10 points.
Adelman inserted Price in the second quarter for a change of pace, and the rookie hit just 1 of 10 shots on the night.
"I don't know what it is," said Kings forward Kenny Thomas, who had six points and 11 rebounds. "I guess it's mental. We're not focused."
In the waning seconds of the first half, focus was completely gone and frustration took over. Miller - upset because he thought he'd been fouled driving to the hoop - landed a hard arm to the back of the Hornets' Brandon Bass. When the whistle blew, Miller's arguing earned him a technical foul.
Early in the third, Adelman earned his own technical for arguing a call. Less than two minutes later, Miller - upset when he was whistled in the paint - landed hard alongside Desmond Mason. As the two were tangled, Mason threw a punch Miller's way, earning his own technical.
"I told them at halftime that you've got to continue to play the game," Adelman said. "You can't turn and look for a foul. When you're not playing well, and getting frustrated, sometimes that happens."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Down and out at OU
The Kings are no match for the Hornets in their home away from home.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, January 14, 2006
NORMAN, Okla. - When word came that the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets would be facing the Kings in Norman, Okla., it meant more work for all the Hornets who don't wear jersies.
With the Lloyd Noble Center 20 miles south of the Oklahoma City Ford Center in which the Hornets have played so well, team staffers had to haul everything from team gear to the shot clocks, backboards and rims down I-35 to the University of Oklahoma campus.
Much to the Kings' dismay, they trucked their home-style effort along for the ride, too, then managed to pack up that electric home atmosphere that was deafening and destructive to these visitors last time.
It all amounted to one of the Kings' worst showings of the season in a 90-76 loss, a Hornets hurtin' that came in front 11,343 and was so very similar to the one that started the season more than two months ago.
In finishing the road trip at 1-2, the Kings' scoring output was their second-lowest of the season, eclipsed only by the 67 points they scored in that 26-point loss at the Ford Center on Nov. 1.
Their 36.4 shooting percentage was also the second worst, better only than the 31.4 percent outing that also came in the opener.
The Kings hit just 3 of 16 three-pointers, with reserve point guard Ronnie Price and starter Mike Bibby going a combined 0 for 7. They were one off their season high for turnovers, finishing with 20 that turned into 18 Hornets points.
Center Brad Miller and rookie swingman Francisco García were the only Kings starters to score in double figures, combining for 35 points. García - who had a career high 17 points and four blocks - played in place of small forward Peja Stojakovic, who sat out with his recurring back injury.
Four Hornets scored in double figures, none more unexpected than a 16-point night from reserve Rasual Butler, who came in averaging 6.4 points.
"We just had not enough people play very well tonight," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We needed everybody to play well, and play at a high level and they didn't do it. When that happens, with the team we have today, it's hard to beat a team, especially on the road."
By the second quarter, the Kings were down by as many as 18 points and looking far too confused to fight their way back. In one sequence, Bibby stood alone atop the key, waving his arms and yelling for his teammates to move. For the most part, they stood pat, as Bibby drove the lane and was stripped of the ball.
The moment came during a 19-4 run that put the Hornets up by 18. The Kings - who hit 3 of 15 shots and had seven turnovers in the second quarter - never cut it lower than 10 points.
Adelman inserted Price in the second quarter for a change of pace, and the rookie hit just 1 of 10 shots on the night.
"I don't know what it is," said Kings forward Kenny Thomas, who had six points and 11 rebounds. "I guess it's mental. We're not focused."
In the waning seconds of the first half, focus was completely gone and frustration took over. Miller - upset because he thought he'd been fouled driving to the hoop - landed a hard arm to the back of the Hornets' Brandon Bass. When the whistle blew, Miller's arguing earned him a technical foul.
Early in the third, Adelman earned his own technical for arguing a call. Less than two minutes later, Miller - upset when he was whistled in the paint - landed hard alongside Desmond Mason. As the two were tangled, Mason threw a punch Miller's way, earning his own technical.
"I told them at halftime that you've got to continue to play the game," Adelman said. "You can't turn and look for a foul. When you're not playing well, and getting frustrated, sometimes that happens."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
