http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14015467p-14848121c.html
Kings are content to relax at home
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, December 25, 2005
Today, the Kings are just like everyone else.
Many of them will sit on their couches in the comfort of their homes, munching on holiday snacks not far from the glow of a Christmas tree.
Also, there will be the glow of the television, which will offer two scintillating NBA games. Conference champions collide this morning in Detroit, as the Pistons host San Antonio. Then, for the second year in a row, it's Kobe vs. Shaq, the Lakers playing at the Miami Heat in the afternoon.
The Kings, perhaps in sweats and slippers instead of jerseys and sneakers, will be among the viewing audience.
"I'll just be relaxing, watching some Christmas basketball, some Kobe and Shaq, eating some food," said point guard Jason Hart, who will spend the day with his wife, Brandi, and their 2-year-old son, Jason II. "Do some bonding, man, and relax."
Because, well, they can.
The Kings used to be on the other side of the television screen. Two seasons ago, they lost to Dallas 111-103 at Arco Arena on Christmas, the game a rematch of the 2003 Western Conference semifinals. In 2002, the Kings made their Christmas debut in the Sacramento era, beating the Lakers 105-99 in Los Angeles in a game that was a grudge match of their Western Conference finals clash the previous season.
But with the team's fall from elite status and lessened national exposure comes a perk no one is complaining about - being home for the holiday. No one is happier about it than coach Rick Adelman, who has long been against mixing hoops and holidays.
He gave the Kings, who face Portland on Monday after three non-game days, a day off today, sans practice, film sessions or anything requiring a drive to the practice facility. Adelman and his wife, Mary Kay, will spend the day at home, with all but one of their six children in town.
"I've never been one to say that I'm not doing my job by giving these guys a day off on Christmas," Adelman said. "If that's a problem, so be it.
"It seems like in our league, do you really need to have two games on TV on Christmas Day? I don't think the league's going to fall apart if they don't. I never understood that."
Elston Turner doesn't mind it. The Kings assistant considers it an honor to take part in a Christmas affair, when the games are hyped like heavyweight boxing matches and ratings typically skyrocket.
"Everybody's sitting around drinking eggnog, watching us as the entertainment," said Turner, who played eight seasons in the 1980s. "Everybody wants to be at home with their families, but our family would just celebrate either before I left or when I got back (from road trips). The celebration was still there."
Even if his kids' patience was not.
"The kids, with the anticipation of opening the presents, they struggle with it," Turner said.
Being in Sacramento left the Kings plenty of time to spread good will around the community, as every player was involved in a holiday event of some sort. Kings center Brad Miller took 25 kids to a Rocklin Toys "R" Us for a shopping spree Tuesday, part of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Bonzi Wells, Corliss Williamson, Brian Skinner and Ronnie Price helped dedicate a reading and learning center to the Martin Luther King Jr. Library in downtown Sacramento on Wednesday. Peja Stojakovic, Jason Hart and Jamal Sampson made a surprise visit to the Shriner's Hospital on Friday.
Today, though, they won't stray far from the couch.
"It's always nice to be home for Christmas, waking up with your family," said Williamson, who's in his 11th season. "Playing basketball for so many years, you don't realize you sacrifice a lot. So when you do get an opportunity to spend a holiday at home, you really appreciate it."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Kings are content to relax at home
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, December 25, 2005
Today, the Kings are just like everyone else.
Many of them will sit on their couches in the comfort of their homes, munching on holiday snacks not far from the glow of a Christmas tree.
Also, there will be the glow of the television, which will offer two scintillating NBA games. Conference champions collide this morning in Detroit, as the Pistons host San Antonio. Then, for the second year in a row, it's Kobe vs. Shaq, the Lakers playing at the Miami Heat in the afternoon.
The Kings, perhaps in sweats and slippers instead of jerseys and sneakers, will be among the viewing audience.
"I'll just be relaxing, watching some Christmas basketball, some Kobe and Shaq, eating some food," said point guard Jason Hart, who will spend the day with his wife, Brandi, and their 2-year-old son, Jason II. "Do some bonding, man, and relax."
Because, well, they can.
The Kings used to be on the other side of the television screen. Two seasons ago, they lost to Dallas 111-103 at Arco Arena on Christmas, the game a rematch of the 2003 Western Conference semifinals. In 2002, the Kings made their Christmas debut in the Sacramento era, beating the Lakers 105-99 in Los Angeles in a game that was a grudge match of their Western Conference finals clash the previous season.
But with the team's fall from elite status and lessened national exposure comes a perk no one is complaining about - being home for the holiday. No one is happier about it than coach Rick Adelman, who has long been against mixing hoops and holidays.
He gave the Kings, who face Portland on Monday after three non-game days, a day off today, sans practice, film sessions or anything requiring a drive to the practice facility. Adelman and his wife, Mary Kay, will spend the day at home, with all but one of their six children in town.
"I've never been one to say that I'm not doing my job by giving these guys a day off on Christmas," Adelman said. "If that's a problem, so be it.
"It seems like in our league, do you really need to have two games on TV on Christmas Day? I don't think the league's going to fall apart if they don't. I never understood that."
Elston Turner doesn't mind it. The Kings assistant considers it an honor to take part in a Christmas affair, when the games are hyped like heavyweight boxing matches and ratings typically skyrocket.
"Everybody's sitting around drinking eggnog, watching us as the entertainment," said Turner, who played eight seasons in the 1980s. "Everybody wants to be at home with their families, but our family would just celebrate either before I left or when I got back (from road trips). The celebration was still there."
Even if his kids' patience was not.
"The kids, with the anticipation of opening the presents, they struggle with it," Turner said.
Being in Sacramento left the Kings plenty of time to spread good will around the community, as every player was involved in a holiday event of some sort. Kings center Brad Miller took 25 kids to a Rocklin Toys "R" Us for a shopping spree Tuesday, part of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Bonzi Wells, Corliss Williamson, Brian Skinner and Ronnie Price helped dedicate a reading and learning center to the Martin Luther King Jr. Library in downtown Sacramento on Wednesday. Peja Stojakovic, Jason Hart and Jamal Sampson made a surprise visit to the Shriner's Hospital on Friday.
Today, though, they won't stray far from the couch.
"It's always nice to be home for Christmas, waking up with your family," said Williamson, who's in his 11th season. "Playing basketball for so many years, you don't realize you sacrifice a lot. So when you do get an opportunity to spend a holiday at home, you really appreciate it."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
