Bee: It's crunch time for long shots

[VF21]

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/408290.html

It's crunch time for long shots on Kings roster
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 5:42 am PDT Monday, October 1, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1

For players such as Nik Caner-Medley, the most crucial of times begins now.

The rookie forward out of Maryland will wear a Kings jersey starting today at the team's practice facility, where the annual affair known as media day will reveal little about this team other than its personality. There will be smile and sizzle, the hot lights of cameras and notepad-scribbling reporters chronicling the views and vibe of the upcoming campaign before a ball has been officially bounced.

But for Caner-Medley -- whose solid play in July's Las Vegas summer league earned him an invitation -- there is a chance, albeit small, of making an NBA regular-season roster. He's not the only long shot, either.

Beyond the familiar faces, 7-footer Rashid Byrd could bring some unexpected flair to training camp, which starts Tuesday and leads into the exhibition opener Oct. 9 against Seattle at Arco Arena.

Byrd, 26, who played at Eastern Oklahoma State Community College and made a 2005 showing in the Seattle SuperSonics' summer league, enters with the underground fame of having played on the And1 basketball tour. He's an athletic big man (7-foot-1, 240 pounds) who was dubbed "Seven and Sum Change" on the street-ball tour and hailed for his dunking repertoire.

Fellow 7-footer and soon-to-be 26-year-old Adam Parada (UC Irvine) is back for his second camp appearance with the Kings, who cut him before the 2004-05 regular season. Syracuse center Darryl Watkins also was a summer-league highlight, showcasing his defensive presence and length (6-11). He could have a realistic chance to secure a spot. Brandon Robinson, a 6-8 rookie forward from Auburn, will bang with the likes of Caner-Medley and the Kings' veterans down low, looking to wear the purple jersey for as long as possible. All the while, first-year coach Reggie Theus will begin molding his team.

Let the practices begin.

About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.

 

[jcassio]

Have we ever had so many 7 footers in training camp before? Not that I can remember. And, no, it probably doesn't mean much of anything at this point - other than an observation from the cheap seats.

 

[VF21]

It's interesting, to be sure. My memory may be a little shaky, but I seem to recall the majority of invitees being of the 2/3 variety in the past. Of course, maybe there are just more almost-NBA-worthy 7 footers out there this year.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

I think it'll be a good battle between Greene and Shakur for the point guard spot.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=q9a4iHcoTRY
Greene is physically gifted and we could use that athleticism and defence
but Shakur on the other hand is a team player that will get the team involved and played solid d in Summer league and what I watched at Arizona.
Either selection I'm happy with, I'm leaning more towards Shakur right now though.

 

[CruzDude]

I too think Caner-Medley has an outside shot, metaforically and realistically based on his NBA like body, outside shooting and rebounding.

Hopefully having 7 bigs in camp will generate some hot action to see who of them bubbles to the top, especially among Watkins, Moore and Williams.

Then too is the Greene-Shakur competition at the point.

Thought! What if one of those 2 outplay Bibbs later in camp especially on "D"??

Cisco and Douby did a big time bunch of playing PG during summer league, tho' Cisco only for 2 games. Both, at that level, were excellent ball handlers. Hmmm...............