http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/409874.html 
Hawes twists knee, likely to miss practice
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 5:02 am PDT Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
Since being drafted in June, Spencer Hawes has been working and waiting for the time when his NBA career would officially start.
He'll have to wait a bit longer.
The rookie center, who was picked No. 10 overall out of Washington, is not expected to participate in the Kings' first practice today after twisting his left knee Thursday during conditioning at the team's practice facility.
Hawes had an MRI on Friday that was inconclusive, and Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie said more should be known in the "next couple of days." Asked if there was even a rough timeline for Hawes' recovery, Petrie said Hawes still was being evaluated.
He won't be alone in the waiting room, as forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim also likely will sit out practice. Abdur-Rahim had loose bodies removed from his right knee in a late June operation. Abdur-Rahim, entering his 12th season, said he feels ready to go but is following the direction of the team's training staff.
"Everything's responding well, and I probably would've wanted to be let loose, but the trainers and everybody have been cautious," Abdur-Rahim said. "There was no reason to push it."
Abdur-Rahim said the procedure was virtual maintenance for legs that have played in 824 NBA games.
"There was no damage," he said. "It was wear and tear ... I'm waiting for them to tell me what's best."
Bibby's back -- In Mike Bibby's world, nothing has changed. Back for his seventh season in Sacramento despite trade rumors dating to early last season, the Kings' point guard said he's prepared to learn new coach Reggie Theus' system and get back to winning.
"I've been traded before," Bibby said. "It's a business. It's really (about) what direction Geoff wants to go.
"Geoff runs the show, and he's good at what he does."
The talk, Bibby said, is proof of a player's value.
"That must mean something good," he said. "You've got to worry when people aren't talking about you."
In numerous conversations with Theus that Bibby said were positive, the coach told him to be ready for an up-tempo style.
"He said he was going to pick the game up a little bit, try to put some points on the board," Bibby said. "That's always good."
Artest is ready for anything -- It wasn't quite the 25 pounds shed by Kings center Brad Miller, but Ron Artest arrived at camp 14 pounds lighter than this time last year.
The small forward, who went from 260 pounds to 246, spent much of the offseason working at the Indiana Pacers' practice facility and impressing onlookers with his physique and aggressive game. Artest will miss the first seven games of the season per his league suspension, but he has appealed and said he's hopeful it will be shortened.
While he downplayed any personal goals coming off his 2006-07 season of strife, Artest said he's willing to follow Theus' lead for the collective good. Theus repeatedly has said no starting jobs already have been won, a claim that didn't rattle Artest in the least.
"Even myself -- if someone is better than me and I have to sit the bench, I just want to win," he said. "If that's what it takes to win, then that's how it's going to be."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Hawes twists knee, likely to miss practice
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 5:02 am PDT Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
Since being drafted in June, Spencer Hawes has been working and waiting for the time when his NBA career would officially start.
He'll have to wait a bit longer.
The rookie center, who was picked No. 10 overall out of Washington, is not expected to participate in the Kings' first practice today after twisting his left knee Thursday during conditioning at the team's practice facility.
Hawes had an MRI on Friday that was inconclusive, and Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie said more should be known in the "next couple of days." Asked if there was even a rough timeline for Hawes' recovery, Petrie said Hawes still was being evaluated.
He won't be alone in the waiting room, as forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim also likely will sit out practice. Abdur-Rahim had loose bodies removed from his right knee in a late June operation. Abdur-Rahim, entering his 12th season, said he feels ready to go but is following the direction of the team's training staff.
"Everything's responding well, and I probably would've wanted to be let loose, but the trainers and everybody have been cautious," Abdur-Rahim said. "There was no reason to push it."
Abdur-Rahim said the procedure was virtual maintenance for legs that have played in 824 NBA games.
"There was no damage," he said. "It was wear and tear ... I'm waiting for them to tell me what's best."
Bibby's back -- In Mike Bibby's world, nothing has changed. Back for his seventh season in Sacramento despite trade rumors dating to early last season, the Kings' point guard said he's prepared to learn new coach Reggie Theus' system and get back to winning.
"I've been traded before," Bibby said. "It's a business. It's really (about) what direction Geoff wants to go.
"Geoff runs the show, and he's good at what he does."
The talk, Bibby said, is proof of a player's value.
"That must mean something good," he said. "You've got to worry when people aren't talking about you."
In numerous conversations with Theus that Bibby said were positive, the coach told him to be ready for an up-tempo style.
"He said he was going to pick the game up a little bit, try to put some points on the board," Bibby said. "That's always good."
Artest is ready for anything -- It wasn't quite the 25 pounds shed by Kings center Brad Miller, but Ron Artest arrived at camp 14 pounds lighter than this time last year.
The small forward, who went from 260 pounds to 246, spent much of the offseason working at the Indiana Pacers' practice facility and impressing onlookers with his physique and aggressive game. Artest will miss the first seven games of the season per his league suspension, but he has appealed and said he's hopeful it will be shortened.
While he downplayed any personal goals coming off his 2006-07 season of strife, Artest said he's willing to follow Theus' lead for the collective good. Theus repeatedly has said no starting jobs already have been won, a claim that didn't rattle Artest in the least.
"Even myself -- if someone is better than me and I have to sit the bench, I just want to win," he said. "If that's what it takes to win, then that's how it's going to be."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
