http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12824771p-13674901c.html
Jackson, rest of bench fall flat
The Kings guard comes up with zeros.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, May 2, 2005
Bobby Jackson was about as effective as he was for much of the season, when he had a cast on his left wrist and was stashed behind the bench to heal and observe.
The Kings' most dynamic and reliable reserve was uncharacteristically off Sunday night when he absolutely had to be on, as if he had never set foot on the Arco Arena floor. He produced nothing: no points, no rebounds, no assists, no steals, not even a personal foul.
Jackson wasn't alone in his bench misery, with the Kings receiving minimal impact from their three reserves as coach Rick Adelman made it clear he was going to win or lose Game 4 against the Seattle SuperSonics with the horses that helped win Game 3.
Corliss Williamson provided 12 points, but he had all of one rebound. He had two offensive fouls about the time the snowball was rampaging toward full Seattle rout mode.
Darius Songaila managed four points and three rebounds in his 11 minutes, and that was that. Maurice Evans, Eddie House, Greg Ostertag and Brian Skinner did not play - coach's decision. Of the lot, Evans might have helped chase down Ray Allen, who had a playoff career-high of 45 points.
House understood after not playing in Game 3 that he might not play much the rest of the way, not with the Kings needing to milk every minute out of Mike Bibby and with Jackson also in the mix. Ostertag didn't play in Game 3 either, with Adelman preferring an offensive lineup, and Skinner hasn't been himself since jamming both thumbs six weeks ago.
"It's disappointing that we didn't protect our home court when we were up 19 in the first half," Evans said. "I know I wanted to help. I know I have contributed this season. The competitor in me wanted to be out there, and I was thinking that I could chase Ray around and make him work. It was hard, because it was frustrating. We saw fatigue, but those (starters) were the ones who (gave the Kings the big leads).
"But we're on the brink now."
Williamson said he addressed his team immediately after the game, a voice of reason with some pedigree to speak of. He was a key cog to the Detroit Pistons team that won the NBA championship last season, and he reminded his current teammates that the one binding thread was cohesion and confidence. He said the Kings can ill afford to lose any of those elements.
"I told the guys they can't feel sorry for themselves now," Williamson said. "I told them to keep their heads up. We can't let down now."
Williamson also has other pressing concerns to deal with.
His wife, Michelle, is due to give birth to their third child Wednesday, in Philadelphia, where he was employed by the 76ers before being traded in February. His team needs him in Game 5 on Tuesday.
"(The baby), it's very positive," Williamson said, finally allowing a smile on an otherwise tiring night.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com or (916) 321-1280.
Jackson, rest of bench fall flat
The Kings guard comes up with zeros.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, May 2, 2005
Bobby Jackson was about as effective as he was for much of the season, when he had a cast on his left wrist and was stashed behind the bench to heal and observe.
The Kings' most dynamic and reliable reserve was uncharacteristically off Sunday night when he absolutely had to be on, as if he had never set foot on the Arco Arena floor. He produced nothing: no points, no rebounds, no assists, no steals, not even a personal foul.
Jackson wasn't alone in his bench misery, with the Kings receiving minimal impact from their three reserves as coach Rick Adelman made it clear he was going to win or lose Game 4 against the Seattle SuperSonics with the horses that helped win Game 3.
Corliss Williamson provided 12 points, but he had all of one rebound. He had two offensive fouls about the time the snowball was rampaging toward full Seattle rout mode.
Darius Songaila managed four points and three rebounds in his 11 minutes, and that was that. Maurice Evans, Eddie House, Greg Ostertag and Brian Skinner did not play - coach's decision. Of the lot, Evans might have helped chase down Ray Allen, who had a playoff career-high of 45 points.
House understood after not playing in Game 3 that he might not play much the rest of the way, not with the Kings needing to milk every minute out of Mike Bibby and with Jackson also in the mix. Ostertag didn't play in Game 3 either, with Adelman preferring an offensive lineup, and Skinner hasn't been himself since jamming both thumbs six weeks ago.
"It's disappointing that we didn't protect our home court when we were up 19 in the first half," Evans said. "I know I wanted to help. I know I have contributed this season. The competitor in me wanted to be out there, and I was thinking that I could chase Ray around and make him work. It was hard, because it was frustrating. We saw fatigue, but those (starters) were the ones who (gave the Kings the big leads).
"But we're on the brink now."
Williamson said he addressed his team immediately after the game, a voice of reason with some pedigree to speak of. He was a key cog to the Detroit Pistons team that won the NBA championship last season, and he reminded his current teammates that the one binding thread was cohesion and confidence. He said the Kings can ill afford to lose any of those elements.
"I told the guys they can't feel sorry for themselves now," Williamson said. "I told them to keep their heads up. We can't let down now."
Williamson also has other pressing concerns to deal with.
His wife, Michelle, is due to give birth to their third child Wednesday, in Philadelphia, where he was employed by the 76ers before being traded in February. His team needs him in Game 5 on Tuesday.
"(The baby), it's very positive," Williamson said, finally allowing a smile on an otherwise tiring night.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com or (916) 321-1280.
