http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13661443p-14504340c.html
Hey, who's that guy? Might be a new King
Introductions will be in order as the revamped team starts training camp today.
By Joe Davidson
The Kings open training camp today with an introduction to the media, and with so many new faces coming through the practice facility, it's a good thing everyone will be wearing jerseys with numbers and their names on the back. Twenty athletes will be on hand with the goal of coming up with an opening day roster of 13 or 14 willing and capable bodies for the NBA marathon. The preseason begins Oct. 11 against the Dallas Mavericks at Arco Arena and the regular season Nov. 1 against the displaced New Orleans Hornets in Oklahoma City.
Some are obvious locks, here to hone and sharpen skills, to round into shape, such as the likely starting core of Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, Peja Stojakovic and summer acquisitions Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. The bench appears to be in good shape with the potential to be one of the most effective, versatile and deepest units in the Western Conference with forwards Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson, center Brian Skinner and guards Kevin Martin and Jason Hart.
But with just Bibby, Miller and Stojakovic as the main holdovers from Kings camp 2004, all hands will have to come together in learning Rick Adelman's offensive schemes.
And there are questions.
Will Wells and Abdur-Rahim be able to fit in after frustrating NBA stops elsewhere? How will Thomas do in camp after starting games last season following his trade from Philadelphia, and what if he outplays Abdur-Rahim? Does Thomas become the starting power forward?
Will Skinner be healthy and be able to block shots as he did last season before disappearing in the postseason with injuries? Can Martin, the first-round pick in 2004, and Francisco García, this year's first-rounder, provide a spark off the bench? Is there a long shot on the training camp roster who might help defensively, such as 7-footers Anwar Ferguson and Lonnie Jones?
Also:
The Kings at camp
Breaking down the Kings' training camp roster.
Mike Bibby, guard, eighth year
* Poised to make his first All-Star team and ready to show he can be a floor and team leader; coming off best season.
Bonzi Wells, guard, eighth year
* In a contract year with a ton to prove, specifically his behavior and being a defensive presence for a team that sorely needs it.
Peja Stojakovic, forward, eighth year
* A year ago, he expressed a desire to relocate; he's happy to be a King again, and he's expected to produce a career season.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, forward, 10th year
* Finally has a chance to help a winner, and he gives the Kings an inside presence and a rebounder, always a nice combo.
Brad Miller, center, eighth year
* Must be a veteran leader now with so many new faces, in addition to scoring inside and outside, rebounding and staying healthy.
Kenny Thomas, forward, seventh year
* Isn't ready to concede starting nod just yet, not after a productive stint last season, including some of the best games of his career.
Corliss Williamson, forward, 11th year
* Former Kings first-rounder still is effective inside as a scorer, and he has an NBA championship ring from the Pistons for the ultimate bling.
Brian Skinner, center, eighth year
* Was exceptional after coming aboard last season and blocking shots, then was nonfactor late and in the playoffs with sore thumbs.
Kevin Martin, guard, second year
* Golden chance to shine in preseason and seize some regular-season minutes; must defend and hit shots.
Jason Hart, guard, fourth year
* Has played in Greece and last season with Charlotte; could help by taking some of those Bobby Jackson minutes as a combo guard.
Francisco García, guard, rookie
* First-rounder can score - he averaged 18.9 points in FIBA Americas Championships this summer - and likely will play plenty in preseason.
Ronnie Price, guard, rookie
* Impressive in summer league and signed to league minimum for two years; granted every opportunity to boost off the bench.
Erik Daniels, forward, second year
* Has upside and skills but was buried amid glut of Kings forwards in 2004; this camp has even more forwards, meaning a harder roster to make.
Anwar Ferguson, center, rookie
* Returning camper was a late cut in 2004; can block shots and run but is so slight as a 7-foot, 200-pounder, Bibby can muscle him out of the key.
Luis Flores, guard, first year
* Could be a find here after impressive summer-league showing for Denver; played in 15 games with Golden State last season.
Lonnie Jones, center, rookie
* A 7-footer from Ball State, he's here because he does one thing especially well: block shots, the only way he makes the club, or any NBA outfit.
Dan Langhi, forward, fourth year
* Bounced around the NBA as a 6-11 shooter and has played in 133 NBA games.
Ricky Paulding, guard, rookie
* A 6-4 guard and a dunking demon a la Maurice Evans; needs to improve shooting.
Jamal Sampson, forward, fourth year
* Played 14 games for expansion Charlotte last season after stops with Milwaukee and Clippers. Must become a rebounder and shot blocker to make it.
Eric Sandrin, forward, rookie
* A center who played for the Lakers' summer team; has logged time with the Harlem Globetrotters and played internationally.
Hey, who's that guy? Might be a new King
Introductions will be in order as the revamped team starts training camp today.
By Joe Davidson
The Kings open training camp today with an introduction to the media, and with so many new faces coming through the practice facility, it's a good thing everyone will be wearing jerseys with numbers and their names on the back. Twenty athletes will be on hand with the goal of coming up with an opening day roster of 13 or 14 willing and capable bodies for the NBA marathon. The preseason begins Oct. 11 against the Dallas Mavericks at Arco Arena and the regular season Nov. 1 against the displaced New Orleans Hornets in Oklahoma City.
Some are obvious locks, here to hone and sharpen skills, to round into shape, such as the likely starting core of Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, Peja Stojakovic and summer acquisitions Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. The bench appears to be in good shape with the potential to be one of the most effective, versatile and deepest units in the Western Conference with forwards Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson, center Brian Skinner and guards Kevin Martin and Jason Hart.
But with just Bibby, Miller and Stojakovic as the main holdovers from Kings camp 2004, all hands will have to come together in learning Rick Adelman's offensive schemes.
And there are questions.
Will Wells and Abdur-Rahim be able to fit in after frustrating NBA stops elsewhere? How will Thomas do in camp after starting games last season following his trade from Philadelphia, and what if he outplays Abdur-Rahim? Does Thomas become the starting power forward?
Will Skinner be healthy and be able to block shots as he did last season before disappearing in the postseason with injuries? Can Martin, the first-round pick in 2004, and Francisco García, this year's first-rounder, provide a spark off the bench? Is there a long shot on the training camp roster who might help defensively, such as 7-footers Anwar Ferguson and Lonnie Jones?
Also:
The Kings at camp
Breaking down the Kings' training camp roster.
Mike Bibby, guard, eighth year
* Poised to make his first All-Star team and ready to show he can be a floor and team leader; coming off best season.
Bonzi Wells, guard, eighth year
* In a contract year with a ton to prove, specifically his behavior and being a defensive presence for a team that sorely needs it.
Peja Stojakovic, forward, eighth year
* A year ago, he expressed a desire to relocate; he's happy to be a King again, and he's expected to produce a career season.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, forward, 10th year
* Finally has a chance to help a winner, and he gives the Kings an inside presence and a rebounder, always a nice combo.
Brad Miller, center, eighth year
* Must be a veteran leader now with so many new faces, in addition to scoring inside and outside, rebounding and staying healthy.
Kenny Thomas, forward, seventh year
* Isn't ready to concede starting nod just yet, not after a productive stint last season, including some of the best games of his career.
Corliss Williamson, forward, 11th year
* Former Kings first-rounder still is effective inside as a scorer, and he has an NBA championship ring from the Pistons for the ultimate bling.
Brian Skinner, center, eighth year
* Was exceptional after coming aboard last season and blocking shots, then was nonfactor late and in the playoffs with sore thumbs.
Kevin Martin, guard, second year
* Golden chance to shine in preseason and seize some regular-season minutes; must defend and hit shots.
Jason Hart, guard, fourth year
* Has played in Greece and last season with Charlotte; could help by taking some of those Bobby Jackson minutes as a combo guard.
Francisco García, guard, rookie
* First-rounder can score - he averaged 18.9 points in FIBA Americas Championships this summer - and likely will play plenty in preseason.
Ronnie Price, guard, rookie
* Impressive in summer league and signed to league minimum for two years; granted every opportunity to boost off the bench.
Erik Daniels, forward, second year
* Has upside and skills but was buried amid glut of Kings forwards in 2004; this camp has even more forwards, meaning a harder roster to make.
Anwar Ferguson, center, rookie
* Returning camper was a late cut in 2004; can block shots and run but is so slight as a 7-foot, 200-pounder, Bibby can muscle him out of the key.
Luis Flores, guard, first year
* Could be a find here after impressive summer-league showing for Denver; played in 15 games with Golden State last season.
Lonnie Jones, center, rookie
* A 7-footer from Ball State, he's here because he does one thing especially well: block shots, the only way he makes the club, or any NBA outfit.
Dan Langhi, forward, fourth year
* Bounced around the NBA as a 6-11 shooter and has played in 133 NBA games.
Ricky Paulding, guard, rookie
* A 6-4 guard and a dunking demon a la Maurice Evans; needs to improve shooting.
Jamal Sampson, forward, fourth year
* Played 14 games for expansion Charlotte last season after stops with Milwaukee and Clippers. Must become a rebounder and shot blocker to make it.
Eric Sandrin, forward, rookie
* A center who played for the Lakers' summer team; has logged time with the Harlem Globetrotters and played internationally.
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