http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14187644p-15014697c.html
It's been a bumpy road for the Kings
Sacramento needs to find a way to finish away from Arco Arena.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, February 14, 2006
CHICAGO - Toothbrush? Check. Suits and shoes in accordance with the NBA dress code? Check. Focus, execution and energy enough to finally win a road game in the Ron Artest era? Check back tomorrow.
When the Kings packed their suitcases for the latest road trip, they did so with the simultaneous intent of dumping all that weighty baggage that's come with their season-long road woes. Heading into tonight's game in Chicago and Wednesday night's in Memphis, the Kings have lost eight of their last nine games away from Arco Arena, including all four since Artest joined the squad. It all adds up to a 6-17 road record that's among the worst in the business.
The latest losses have hardly been blowouts, the Kings clicking on all cogs for long stretches before the inevitable lapse that has come at varying times. The last two have put their variety act on display - the Kings took too long to get going in Phoenix on Friday, trailing big most of the night before a late rally came too late; they dominated for three quarters in Utah on Feb. 3, then turned in the historic 0-for-20 shooting fourth quarter that resulted in a 10-point loss.
Playing four quarters, as simple as it sounds, is what it takes.
"We've played OK on the road, but we just haven't finished any games," coach Rick Adelman said. "You've got to defend and you've got to execute when you're on the road, and we haven't done that. You've got to finish the games off.
"It's like the Phoenix game - you can't get down 20 points and expect to come back against the home team. We've got to get in the games all the way through."
And keep finding ways to score. The Kings' offense has been the difference between their home and road efforts, as they average 101.5 points per game in front of the Arco faithful but just 95.9 elsewhere.
In terms of production dropoff, no one has fallen further than second-year shooting guard Kevin Martin. At home, he's a scorching shooter, hitting 53.9 percent from the field and 46.4 from three-point range while averaging 12.1 points. He's less spectacular on the road, averaging 8.4 points while hitting 43.6 percent overall and 32.5 percent from beyond the arc. In the Kings' last 11 road games, Martin has scored 10 or fewer points seven times.
Forward Kenny Thomas has also been two different players based on location, his field-goal percentage dropping from 50.4 to 43.5 outside of Arco.
Scoring isn't the only answer, though, considering the Kings are only 4-5 in road games in which they've scored 100-plus points.
"We've just got to play for four quarters, keep playing like we play at home," said rookie Francisco García, who has seen a less dramatic decline in his shooting accuracy on the road. "At home, we come out in the first quarter and do it throughout the game and we have to do that on the road, too. ... Defense, defense. We've just got to bring that on the road too and be more aggressive."
Artest said the Kings need to recognize the importance of every possession.
"A couple hustle plays in Utah and maybe a couple hustle plays in Toronto and we would've won," he said. "We just have to give ourselves a chance. ... But I still feel good with the way we're going. I'm still thinking positive. We're going to get them on the road."
And if that happens, they may never want to come home.
"Sometimes on the road you start winning a game here or there, and all of a sudden your confidence changes and you think you can beat anybody," Adelman said. "That's what we've got to get to."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
It's been a bumpy road for the Kings
Sacramento needs to find a way to finish away from Arco Arena.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, February 14, 2006
CHICAGO - Toothbrush? Check. Suits and shoes in accordance with the NBA dress code? Check. Focus, execution and energy enough to finally win a road game in the Ron Artest era? Check back tomorrow.
When the Kings packed their suitcases for the latest road trip, they did so with the simultaneous intent of dumping all that weighty baggage that's come with their season-long road woes. Heading into tonight's game in Chicago and Wednesday night's in Memphis, the Kings have lost eight of their last nine games away from Arco Arena, including all four since Artest joined the squad. It all adds up to a 6-17 road record that's among the worst in the business.
The latest losses have hardly been blowouts, the Kings clicking on all cogs for long stretches before the inevitable lapse that has come at varying times. The last two have put their variety act on display - the Kings took too long to get going in Phoenix on Friday, trailing big most of the night before a late rally came too late; they dominated for three quarters in Utah on Feb. 3, then turned in the historic 0-for-20 shooting fourth quarter that resulted in a 10-point loss.
Playing four quarters, as simple as it sounds, is what it takes.
"We've played OK on the road, but we just haven't finished any games," coach Rick Adelman said. "You've got to defend and you've got to execute when you're on the road, and we haven't done that. You've got to finish the games off.
"It's like the Phoenix game - you can't get down 20 points and expect to come back against the home team. We've got to get in the games all the way through."
And keep finding ways to score. The Kings' offense has been the difference between their home and road efforts, as they average 101.5 points per game in front of the Arco faithful but just 95.9 elsewhere.
In terms of production dropoff, no one has fallen further than second-year shooting guard Kevin Martin. At home, he's a scorching shooter, hitting 53.9 percent from the field and 46.4 from three-point range while averaging 12.1 points. He's less spectacular on the road, averaging 8.4 points while hitting 43.6 percent overall and 32.5 percent from beyond the arc. In the Kings' last 11 road games, Martin has scored 10 or fewer points seven times.
Forward Kenny Thomas has also been two different players based on location, his field-goal percentage dropping from 50.4 to 43.5 outside of Arco.
Scoring isn't the only answer, though, considering the Kings are only 4-5 in road games in which they've scored 100-plus points.
"We've just got to play for four quarters, keep playing like we play at home," said rookie Francisco García, who has seen a less dramatic decline in his shooting accuracy on the road. "At home, we come out in the first quarter and do it throughout the game and we have to do that on the road, too. ... Defense, defense. We've just got to bring that on the road too and be more aggressive."
Artest said the Kings need to recognize the importance of every possession.
"A couple hustle plays in Utah and maybe a couple hustle plays in Toronto and we would've won," he said. "We just have to give ourselves a chance. ... But I still feel good with the way we're going. I'm still thinking positive. We're going to get them on the road."
And if that happens, they may never want to come home.
"Sometimes on the road you start winning a game here or there, and all of a sudden your confidence changes and you think you can beat anybody," Adelman said. "That's what we've got to get to."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
