http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/130944.html
Kings deliver a cheery win
A high-scoring triumph makes Arco Arena a festive place.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, March 1, 2007
They were screaming for the Kings this time, not at them. That much was clear on its own, but also because the mascot had proof of the fan support.
As the Kings' Slamson did a rollerblade dance at midcourt of Arco Arena on Wednesday night, he held a sign that said "Scream!" But the crowd had obliged even before then, just as Kevin Martin had hit his eighth consecutive shot, the Kings led Charlotte by nine points and it was as if this sort of thing happened every time out.
The Kings' 135-120 win over the Bobcats was more than the first home game in eight days. It was the first home affair since Mike Bibby told the New York Times that these folks were "still the same fans (as recent years), but a lot of them scream at us now, instead of scream for us."
And it was, for the fans, their first Bibby viewing since it was determined he was still theirs, with the Thursday trade deadline passing without an address change for the point guard.
Bibby responded by scoring 30 points and tying a franchise record with six three-pointers in the second half.
"I haven't done that in a while, so I had to bring that back out and show people I still had it," Bibby said.
It was a true statement about his play, but he was talking about his other sort of moves. The foot-shuffling jig that comes only on the hottest of Bibby streaks returned after a long absence, as he dusted off the dance when his final three-pointer fell with 3:44 left in a scene that was so different from an hour before.
Midway through the second quarter, Bibby had played just seven minutes. He sat on the bench eating a power bar that proved both prophetic and helpful. And by the time Bibby checked out for good with 1:15 left? He had his own private applause party from fans near the Kings' bench.
Martin finished with 36 points on 13-for-19 shooting, meaning the top four scoring games of his career have come with Ron Artest out. The Kings small forward was sidelined because of a knee injury but was on the bench.
There were apt comparisons to the All-Star Game being made, what with the Kings shooting a season-high 62.7 percent (42 of 67) and the Bobcats finishing at 51.8 percent (44 of 85). John Salmons, Brad Miller, and Francisco Garcia combined for 44 points, as the Kings hit 14 of 22 three-point attempts in what was also a season high for makes. Former Kings forward Gerald Wallace was prompting plenty reaction of his own as he brought his high-flying act back to Sacramento, finishing with 31 points on 11-for-17 shooting.
And although the Kings didn't win the much talked-about rebounding battle (they entered having lost it in 26 of the last 30 games), they managed to tie Charlotte 29-29. It was enough to inspire a smiling fist pump from Kings coach Eric Musselman when he was asked about it afterward.
"If we can win the rebound game or stay close, with our ability to shoot the ball and our ability to get to the foul line, we will win games," Musselman said.
Getting to the line was no problem, either, as they hit 37 of 50 free-throw attempts. It was enough for Musselman's 100th career win, one that came after so much controversy surrounded his decision to take blame for the loss at Philadelphia on Monday.
Asked if he would take credit for the win, he said: "Nope. Not at all. It's a player's league. ... When Kevin Martin's doing what he's doing and Mike's doing what he's doing offensively, we're a pretty good team."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Kings deliver a cheery win
A high-scoring triumph makes Arco Arena a festive place.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, March 1, 2007
They were screaming for the Kings this time, not at them. That much was clear on its own, but also because the mascot had proof of the fan support.
As the Kings' Slamson did a rollerblade dance at midcourt of Arco Arena on Wednesday night, he held a sign that said "Scream!" But the crowd had obliged even before then, just as Kevin Martin had hit his eighth consecutive shot, the Kings led Charlotte by nine points and it was as if this sort of thing happened every time out.
The Kings' 135-120 win over the Bobcats was more than the first home game in eight days. It was the first home affair since Mike Bibby told the New York Times that these folks were "still the same fans (as recent years), but a lot of them scream at us now, instead of scream for us."
And it was, for the fans, their first Bibby viewing since it was determined he was still theirs, with the Thursday trade deadline passing without an address change for the point guard.
Bibby responded by scoring 30 points and tying a franchise record with six three-pointers in the second half.
"I haven't done that in a while, so I had to bring that back out and show people I still had it," Bibby said.
It was a true statement about his play, but he was talking about his other sort of moves. The foot-shuffling jig that comes only on the hottest of Bibby streaks returned after a long absence, as he dusted off the dance when his final three-pointer fell with 3:44 left in a scene that was so different from an hour before.
Midway through the second quarter, Bibby had played just seven minutes. He sat on the bench eating a power bar that proved both prophetic and helpful. And by the time Bibby checked out for good with 1:15 left? He had his own private applause party from fans near the Kings' bench.
Martin finished with 36 points on 13-for-19 shooting, meaning the top four scoring games of his career have come with Ron Artest out. The Kings small forward was sidelined because of a knee injury but was on the bench.
There were apt comparisons to the All-Star Game being made, what with the Kings shooting a season-high 62.7 percent (42 of 67) and the Bobcats finishing at 51.8 percent (44 of 85). John Salmons, Brad Miller, and Francisco Garcia combined for 44 points, as the Kings hit 14 of 22 three-point attempts in what was also a season high for makes. Former Kings forward Gerald Wallace was prompting plenty reaction of his own as he brought his high-flying act back to Sacramento, finishing with 31 points on 11-for-17 shooting.
And although the Kings didn't win the much talked-about rebounding battle (they entered having lost it in 26 of the last 30 games), they managed to tie Charlotte 29-29. It was enough to inspire a smiling fist pump from Kings coach Eric Musselman when he was asked about it afterward.
"If we can win the rebound game or stay close, with our ability to shoot the ball and our ability to get to the foul line, we will win games," Musselman said.
Getting to the line was no problem, either, as they hit 37 of 50 free-throw attempts. It was enough for Musselman's 100th career win, one that came after so much controversy surrounded his decision to take blame for the loss at Philadelphia on Monday.
Asked if he would take credit for the win, he said: "Nope. Not at all. It's a player's league. ... When Kevin Martin's doing what he's doing and Mike's doing what he's doing offensively, we're a pretty good team."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
