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Kings notes: Believing they can fly - for now
Tonight's Kings game in Denver is still on, despite a blizzard that shut down the airport.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:30 am PST Friday, December 22, 2006
Barring a surprise snowstorm, the Kings should tip off against Denver tonight as scheduled.
As word came Thursday that Denver International Airport would stay closed through midday today, the Kings were among the masses wondering when and if they would touch down in the Mile High City. Per league rules, the original plan was to depart late Thursday night after facing Washington. But the team's players and staff instead packed their bags for a flight out this morning, hoping to land just after the airport is expected to open at approximately noon.
Should the team be delayed, league spokesman Maureen Coyle said there is no rule regarding how long before the game the team must arrive in such unique situations.
The question once they arrive revolves around "The Answer," as in new Nuggets guard Allen Iverson, and whether he will be able to debut tonight. Iverson, who was traded from Philadelphia on Tuesday, was -- like the rest of the general public -- delayed in getting to Denver.
For Iverson to play tonight, all parties in the trade must arrive in their new cities and pass physicals, unless the teams choose to waive the stipulation. As of Thursday evening, former Nuggets point guard Andre Miller had not been able to fly out of Denver. Forward Joe Smith also must be in Philadelphia and get cleared, as does Iverson in Denver.
By George -- Scott Brooks spent his last three seasons under Denver coach George Karl as an assistant.
And for all the masses who question whether the veteran coach can handle the mix of Iverson's personality with that of a franchise player like Carmelo Anthony, Brooks isn't one of them.
"Coach Karl can make average teams work, and now that he has a good team, he can probably make it special," said Brooks, who was known during his 11-year NBA career as a model citizen. "Coach Karl can't coach the Mark Popes, the good guys, like myself. He can't coach a team full of those guys.
"He loves competitive, borderline out-of-control play. And when he sees that, he gets excited. He loves not street basketball, but fast, aggressive, angry basketball teams."
Artest out -- Ron Artest didn't start against Washington on Thursday night, citing sore knees.
The Kings small forward has struggled much of the season with lower back pain, but the knee problem was a new injury. Kings swingman John Salmons started in his place, hitting his first five shots as the Kings jumped ahead 48-41 midway through the second quarter.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Believing they can fly - for now
Tonight's Kings game in Denver is still on, despite a blizzard that shut down the airport.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:30 am PST Friday, December 22, 2006
Barring a surprise snowstorm, the Kings should tip off against Denver tonight as scheduled.
As word came Thursday that Denver International Airport would stay closed through midday today, the Kings were among the masses wondering when and if they would touch down in the Mile High City. Per league rules, the original plan was to depart late Thursday night after facing Washington. But the team's players and staff instead packed their bags for a flight out this morning, hoping to land just after the airport is expected to open at approximately noon.
Should the team be delayed, league spokesman Maureen Coyle said there is no rule regarding how long before the game the team must arrive in such unique situations.
The question once they arrive revolves around "The Answer," as in new Nuggets guard Allen Iverson, and whether he will be able to debut tonight. Iverson, who was traded from Philadelphia on Tuesday, was -- like the rest of the general public -- delayed in getting to Denver.
For Iverson to play tonight, all parties in the trade must arrive in their new cities and pass physicals, unless the teams choose to waive the stipulation. As of Thursday evening, former Nuggets point guard Andre Miller had not been able to fly out of Denver. Forward Joe Smith also must be in Philadelphia and get cleared, as does Iverson in Denver.
By George -- Scott Brooks spent his last three seasons under Denver coach George Karl as an assistant.
And for all the masses who question whether the veteran coach can handle the mix of Iverson's personality with that of a franchise player like Carmelo Anthony, Brooks isn't one of them.
"Coach Karl can make average teams work, and now that he has a good team, he can probably make it special," said Brooks, who was known during his 11-year NBA career as a model citizen. "Coach Karl can't coach the Mark Popes, the good guys, like myself. He can't coach a team full of those guys.
"He loves competitive, borderline out-of-control play. And when he sees that, he gets excited. He loves not street basketball, but fast, aggressive, angry basketball teams."
Artest out -- Ron Artest didn't start against Washington on Thursday night, citing sore knees.
The Kings small forward has struggled much of the season with lower back pain, but the knee problem was a new injury. Kings swingman John Salmons started in his place, hitting his first five shots as the Kings jumped ahead 48-41 midway through the second quarter.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
