http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13712525p-14554956c.html
By Joe Davidson
Kings at Clippers,
Staples Center, 7:30 p.m. What to watch from the Kings: Energy. The Kings had none of it early against the Dallas Mavericks in their preseason opener and were routed for it. And do the Kings pick up the defense, particularly the things that have been hammered on in practice? Rebounds and blocked shots would be a help, too. How Kevin Martin and Francisco García fare will also again be telling.
What to watch from the Clippers: Los Angeles rolled Dallas in its preseason opener, and the club features a new backcourt in former King Cuttino Mobley and former Kings nemesis Sam Cassell, who played some of the most inspired ball of his career for Minnesota in the 2004 playoffs against the Kings. Elton Brand is always a load, and Chris Kaman, who gave the Kings fits last season, will not play because he is attending a relative's funeral.
Must see TV
Jason Hart finally feels at home. He's got cable. The new Kings guard said he can tune into the real world again - meaning hours of ESPN, of course - and no more "fuzzy CBS, fuzzy ABC." But the images of his beloved Angels losing to the Chicago White Sox after the controversial finish in Game 2 of ALCS on Wednesday left him seething and offering suggestions.
"That was my TV surprise," Hart said. "We're human beings. We all make mistakes, including the umpires. There should be instant replay for the playoffs."
Hart lives in Carson in the offseason and attends as many Angels games as he can. But if the Angels wind up losing the series, he said he might have to kick that TV.
Bonzi and the Irish
Bonzi Wells is a Ball State graduate, but he's also a Notre Dame fan. And the Kings' guard with Indiana roots insists the golden domers will topple top-ranked USC on Saturday.
"It's going to happen, I promise," Wells said.
Key dates
Sunday: Vs. Golden State, 6 p.m. -The Warriors trashed the Lakers twice in Hawaii. How do they do on the mainland? Oct. 22: At Portland, 7 p.m. -Does Shareef Abdur-Rahim start, or is it still Kenny Thomas? Does it matter at this point?
Oct. 28: At Lakers (in Las Vegas) First look at new-look Lakers with determined Kobe and returning Phil.
Oct. 31: Rosters set for regular season.
By Joe Davidson
Kings at Clippers,
Staples Center, 7:30 p.m. What to watch from the Kings: Energy. The Kings had none of it early against the Dallas Mavericks in their preseason opener and were routed for it. And do the Kings pick up the defense, particularly the things that have been hammered on in practice? Rebounds and blocked shots would be a help, too. How Kevin Martin and Francisco García fare will also again be telling.
What to watch from the Clippers: Los Angeles rolled Dallas in its preseason opener, and the club features a new backcourt in former King Cuttino Mobley and former Kings nemesis Sam Cassell, who played some of the most inspired ball of his career for Minnesota in the 2004 playoffs against the Kings. Elton Brand is always a load, and Chris Kaman, who gave the Kings fits last season, will not play because he is attending a relative's funeral.
Must see TV
Jason Hart finally feels at home. He's got cable. The new Kings guard said he can tune into the real world again - meaning hours of ESPN, of course - and no more "fuzzy CBS, fuzzy ABC." But the images of his beloved Angels losing to the Chicago White Sox after the controversial finish in Game 2 of ALCS on Wednesday left him seething and offering suggestions.
"That was my TV surprise," Hart said. "We're human beings. We all make mistakes, including the umpires. There should be instant replay for the playoffs."
Hart lives in Carson in the offseason and attends as many Angels games as he can. But if the Angels wind up losing the series, he said he might have to kick that TV.
Bonzi and the Irish
Bonzi Wells is a Ball State graduate, but he's also a Notre Dame fan. And the Kings' guard with Indiana roots insists the golden domers will topple top-ranked USC on Saturday.
"It's going to happen, I promise," Wells said.
Key dates
Sunday: Vs. Golden State, 6 p.m. -The Warriors trashed the Lakers twice in Hawaii. How do they do on the mainland? Oct. 22: At Portland, 7 p.m. -Does Shareef Abdur-Rahim start, or is it still Kenny Thomas? Does it matter at this point?
Oct. 28: At Lakers (in Las Vegas) First look at new-look Lakers with determined Kobe and returning Phil.
Oct. 31: Rosters set for regular season.
