http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/155762.html
Hobbled Price sits out
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:18 am PDT Monday, April 16, 2007
LOS ANGELES-As if the 10 stitches and one eye-opening experience weren't enough, Ronnie Price had to take it on the hip, too.
The second-year Kings point guard sat out Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of a hip pointer, just more damage from the tumble he took against Golden State on Friday night at Arco Arena and far from good timing.
Amid a late-season youth movement brought on by the team's elimination from the postseason picture, Price is less than thrilled to miss time as he nears free agency this offseason. He will receive treatment today and is a game-time decision to face New Orleans tonight.
"It's just really, really, really sore," said Price, who also suffered a gash above his left eye when his head hit the floor. "I couldn't run or jump (Sunday).
"Certain movements -- lateral movements -- as far as running and sliding, it's really, really tough."
Hart looks ahead -- The second reunion didn't go as Jason Hart had hoped, with the Clippers taking a major blow to their postseason hopes in a loss to the point guard's former team.
But Hart, who joined the Clippers on March 1 after being waived by the Kings, said he's confident he has done enough to earn gainful employment when he becomes a free agent in July.
"At least I know I'm going to have a job somewhere," Hart said. "That's the main thing. ... Where? I don't know. I would love to come back here, obviously, but we'll see what happens."
In his 20th consecutive start, Hart had six points and six assists in 29 minutes.
Artest plays on -- The regulars were in short supply in the fourth quarter, in which every Kings starter but Ron Artest spent all 12 minutes on the bench.
Artest prefers to continue playing despite the score or the implications of the game and consistently has stayed in when other starters have not. He said he has not asked coach Eric Musselman to leave him in, though.
"If I'm going to play, I want to play," Artest said. "If I'm not going to play, I'm not going to play. I want to approach it like a real game, and it is a real game. ... He's just been playing me. We didn't really talk about it, but he just kept me in the game."
Artest tallied a career-high 10 assists, but he hit just 5 of 15 shots in scoring 15 points.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Hobbled Price sits out
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:18 am PDT Monday, April 16, 2007
LOS ANGELES-As if the 10 stitches and one eye-opening experience weren't enough, Ronnie Price had to take it on the hip, too.
The second-year Kings point guard sat out Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of a hip pointer, just more damage from the tumble he took against Golden State on Friday night at Arco Arena and far from good timing.
Amid a late-season youth movement brought on by the team's elimination from the postseason picture, Price is less than thrilled to miss time as he nears free agency this offseason. He will receive treatment today and is a game-time decision to face New Orleans tonight.
"It's just really, really, really sore," said Price, who also suffered a gash above his left eye when his head hit the floor. "I couldn't run or jump (Sunday).
"Certain movements -- lateral movements -- as far as running and sliding, it's really, really tough."
Hart looks ahead -- The second reunion didn't go as Jason Hart had hoped, with the Clippers taking a major blow to their postseason hopes in a loss to the point guard's former team.
But Hart, who joined the Clippers on March 1 after being waived by the Kings, said he's confident he has done enough to earn gainful employment when he becomes a free agent in July.
"At least I know I'm going to have a job somewhere," Hart said. "That's the main thing. ... Where? I don't know. I would love to come back here, obviously, but we'll see what happens."
In his 20th consecutive start, Hart had six points and six assists in 29 minutes.
Artest plays on -- The regulars were in short supply in the fourth quarter, in which every Kings starter but Ron Artest spent all 12 minutes on the bench.
Artest prefers to continue playing despite the score or the implications of the game and consistently has stayed in when other starters have not. He said he has not asked coach Eric Musselman to leave him in, though.
"If I'm going to play, I want to play," Artest said. "If I'm not going to play, I'm not going to play. I want to approach it like a real game, and it is a real game. ... He's just been playing me. We didn't really talk about it, but he just kept me in the game."
Artest tallied a career-high 10 assists, but he hit just 5 of 15 shots in scoring 15 points.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
