Bee: Kings buzz (10/18/05)

[Warhawk]

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13732174p-14574954c.html

By Joe Davidson


Rickey Paulding joked earlier in training camp that this was going to be one difficult roster to make, sensing from the start that the karma wasn't there. His last name wasn't spelled right on media day, his first name was misspelled on the team roster on the NBA's Web site and his name was mispronounced right up until his last day of camp.

Must see TV

The Kings were covered inside and out Monday, with NBA TV and ESPN Deportes on hand to gather interviews and footage. The NBA TV segment on the Kings' training camp will air on Sunday, and ESPN Deportes will air a lengthy interview with Francisco García on Oct. 27.

Tonight's game

Kings vs. Denver Nuggets, Arco Arena, 7 p.m. What to expect from the Kings: More of the same. After sleepwalking through most of their preseason opener against Dallas and picking it up considerably in a triumph over the Clippers, the Kings sparkled against Golden State on Sunday, rolling 114-99. Six Kings hit for double figures, and it's hard not to imagine more of an onslaught against the injury-depleted Nuggets.

What to expect from the Nuggets: A rested team, for one, but aching all over the roster. Denver has been in town since Sunday and held a practice Monday. Carmelo Anthony produced 23 points in 24 minutes against Portland on Saturday. Marcus Camby, Greg Buckner and Nene will not play because of ailments, and Earl Boykins and Earl Watson have been slowed with injuries and may also sit.



Key dates

• Saturday in Portland - Expect a chorus of boos for Wells, once Public Enemy No. 1 in Oregon; also a return trip for Shareef Abdur-Rahim. • Sunday vs. Phoenix in Fresno - Suns are reeling from loss of Amare Stoudemire but still have a running team, headed by MVP Steve Nash.

 

[Gtronic]

"The NBA TV segment on the Kings' training camp will air on Sunday"

I thought it was Tuesday the 25th

 

[Kings113]

Well, positives that can come out of the Nuggs being banged up are Julius Hodge (fun, very good versatile player to be in the NBA) getting some solid minutes in his second game, ditto Theron Smith, who is trying to make the swingmen/foward loaded roster, and had a nice game vs. Portland. Also the Kings having a very good chance to win.

 

[Bricklayer]

Well, positives that can come out of the Nuggs being banged up are Julius Hodge (fun, very good versatile player to be in the NBA) getting some solid minutes in his second game, ditto Theron Smith, who is trying to make the swingmen/foward loaded roster, and had a nice game vs. Portland. Also the Kings having a very good chance to win.

Not sure Hodge's head is really going to be in the game either -- got accused of sexually assaulting a woman in his apartment this morning.

 

[Kings113]

Yeah, I'm hoping that doesn't effect anything early on. Who knows how that story develops though.

Hodge was a stud leader at NC State, who will make out to be a really good player in the NBA.

 

[Bricklayer]

So you've said -- we'll see. College success is a pretty shaky indicator of pro success. Every guy drafted was a stud in college, but only maybe 1/3 of them make it.

 

[Kings113]

Well if you've seen him a pretty good deal, you'd know what I mean, and he's quite versatile and athletic. He'll be a nice fit for the NBA IMO. Problem is he's on a team loaded with swingmen, so he'll have to work his way up to earn minutes as the season goes on.