http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14234970p-15056371c.html
Kings notes: Kings in midst of injury wave
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, March 25, 2006
If Friday's practice was any indication, the Kings may limp to the finish of the Western Conference playoff race.
Coach Rick Adelman was without point guard Mike Bibby, power forward Kenny Thomas and shooting guard Kevin Martin, all three resting their ailments before tonight's game in Utah.
Martin's injury may be the most serious; he is listed as questionable. Wednesday, he was hit in the right inner thigh by a Laker and left the game after playing just 14 minutes. Martin said the entire thigh is swollen and the pain has yet to subside.
"It doesn't feel good or look good," he said. "My range of motion is horrible. It's just really stiff. I keep trying to get in a stance and run, and I have no explosiveness. ... I'm not going to go out there and hurt the team if I can't be effective."
Bibby, who has played through most minor injuries during his career, also was banged up in Los Angeles, taking a hit to his right shin that kept him out for most of the third quarter.
Thomas has battled tendinitis in his left shoulder for some time.
Bibby and Thomas are listed as probable for tonight's game.
Reserves such as Vitaly Potapenko will be more than willing to pick up the extra playing time.
"Being around the league through the years, you know guys are going to be fatigued and banged up late in the year," Potapenko said. "In the NBA, you have to be ready to step in for four or five or six minutes."
All that Jazz - With Utah two games behind the Kings for the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference, Sacramento won't have time to reflect on last month's Delta Center debacle.
The Feb. 3 game ended with an 0-for-20 fourth-quarter shooting effort that led to an 89-79 loss.
"That's a different game," Adelman said. "That's a different team they're throwing out there."
Carlos Boozer wasn't in the mix when the Kings last visited, and the powerful big man is back after missing nearly a year with hamstring and foot problems. Finally, he's earning the $70 million, six-year contract the Jazz gave him in 2004. Boozer presents the Kings with numerous matchup problems.
"You throw (Boozer) out there with (Mehmet) Okur and (Andrei) Kirilenko and (Matt) Harpring, and that's four really physical, aggressive people," Adelman said.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Kings in midst of injury wave
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, March 25, 2006
If Friday's practice was any indication, the Kings may limp to the finish of the Western Conference playoff race.
Coach Rick Adelman was without point guard Mike Bibby, power forward Kenny Thomas and shooting guard Kevin Martin, all three resting their ailments before tonight's game in Utah.
Martin's injury may be the most serious; he is listed as questionable. Wednesday, he was hit in the right inner thigh by a Laker and left the game after playing just 14 minutes. Martin said the entire thigh is swollen and the pain has yet to subside.
"It doesn't feel good or look good," he said. "My range of motion is horrible. It's just really stiff. I keep trying to get in a stance and run, and I have no explosiveness. ... I'm not going to go out there and hurt the team if I can't be effective."
Bibby, who has played through most minor injuries during his career, also was banged up in Los Angeles, taking a hit to his right shin that kept him out for most of the third quarter.
Thomas has battled tendinitis in his left shoulder for some time.
Bibby and Thomas are listed as probable for tonight's game.
Reserves such as Vitaly Potapenko will be more than willing to pick up the extra playing time.
"Being around the league through the years, you know guys are going to be fatigued and banged up late in the year," Potapenko said. "In the NBA, you have to be ready to step in for four or five or six minutes."
All that Jazz - With Utah two games behind the Kings for the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference, Sacramento won't have time to reflect on last month's Delta Center debacle.
The Feb. 3 game ended with an 0-for-20 fourth-quarter shooting effort that led to an 89-79 loss.
"That's a different game," Adelman said. "That's a different team they're throwing out there."
Carlos Boozer wasn't in the mix when the Kings last visited, and the powerful big man is back after missing nearly a year with hamstring and foot problems. Finally, he's earning the $70 million, six-year contract the Jazz gave him in 2004. Boozer presents the Kings with numerous matchup problems.
"You throw (Boozer) out there with (Mehmet) Okur and (Andrei) Kirilenko and (Matt) Harpring, and that's four really physical, aggressive people," Adelman said.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
