http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/83095.html
Kings Notes: Kings get a big boost -- 7-footer Miller returns
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:32 am PST Sunday, November 26, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C6
It wasn't quite from hurt to healthy overnight, but it sure seemed that way.
A torn tendon in the left foot of Kings center Brad Miller put him out of commission on Nov. 4, with the prognosis that he would miss at least four weeks. The early buzz was that it could take even longer, but that was before Miller was suddenly sighted as a regular in pregame drills and practice routines, acting more active than an inactive player typically does.
Saturday at Arco Arena, Miller made a surprise return against Portland. Although Kings coach Eric Musselman and his staff decided to limit him to 15 minutes or less of playing time, the luxury of having a 7-footer was welcomed for a team that has struggled defensively in the paint lately. He played his first six minutes in the second quarter, tallying three rebounds, two assists, two points and three fouls in that time.
"With Brad, (the situation) was, Is he going to be activated for the Clippers game (Tuesday), for the Texas trip (Friday and Saturday)?" Musselman said. "But he's continually been on his own with the medical staff doing full-court stuff, slides, and hasn't experienced any discomfort.... To me, (the Kings' medical staff) has done an incredible job of getting guys back as quick as possible."
Including Ron Artest. The Kings small forward was relieved to learn that the magnetic resonance imaging exam on his back was negative. Artest didn't start, but he came off the bench for the first time with 51 seconds left in the first quarter.
Swingman John Salmons started in his place, having recovered from his right thigh contusion. As for Miller, Musselman said the big man deserves plenty of credit for staying in shape while he was out.
"He actually lost weight, which is a huge credit to him and his seriousness about trying to stay in game shape," Musselman said.
Reconsidering rebounding -- And now, the downside of improved rebounding: decreased health. Artest said his new habit of hitting the boards has come with the price of a banged-up body, meaning an adjustment might be in order.
Artest, who entered play Saturday second on the team in rebounds (80) and with a career-best average (8.0 per game), was asked by Musselman during the offseason to focus on rebounding as never before. After grabbing 12 rebounds against Golden State on Nov. 16, Artest had five apiece against San Antonio and Utah before missing the Seattle trip to have an MRI exam.
"If it comes my way, I'll just grab it, you know, but I've hurt my finger a couple times, hurt my back a couple times," Artest said. "I've just been trying to go easy, not really attack as much, to try and do something else."
The overall glass-cleaning effort, Musselman said, needs to be maintained as a necessary means to scoring.
Before facing Portland, the Kings led opponents 455-440 in rebounding, were fourth in the league in offensive rebounding (13.0 per game) and 17th overall (41.4).
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Kings Notes: Kings get a big boost -- 7-footer Miller returns
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:32 am PST Sunday, November 26, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C6
It wasn't quite from hurt to healthy overnight, but it sure seemed that way.
A torn tendon in the left foot of Kings center Brad Miller put him out of commission on Nov. 4, with the prognosis that he would miss at least four weeks. The early buzz was that it could take even longer, but that was before Miller was suddenly sighted as a regular in pregame drills and practice routines, acting more active than an inactive player typically does.
Saturday at Arco Arena, Miller made a surprise return against Portland. Although Kings coach Eric Musselman and his staff decided to limit him to 15 minutes or less of playing time, the luxury of having a 7-footer was welcomed for a team that has struggled defensively in the paint lately. He played his first six minutes in the second quarter, tallying three rebounds, two assists, two points and three fouls in that time.
"With Brad, (the situation) was, Is he going to be activated for the Clippers game (Tuesday), for the Texas trip (Friday and Saturday)?" Musselman said. "But he's continually been on his own with the medical staff doing full-court stuff, slides, and hasn't experienced any discomfort.... To me, (the Kings' medical staff) has done an incredible job of getting guys back as quick as possible."
Including Ron Artest. The Kings small forward was relieved to learn that the magnetic resonance imaging exam on his back was negative. Artest didn't start, but he came off the bench for the first time with 51 seconds left in the first quarter.
Swingman John Salmons started in his place, having recovered from his right thigh contusion. As for Miller, Musselman said the big man deserves plenty of credit for staying in shape while he was out.
"He actually lost weight, which is a huge credit to him and his seriousness about trying to stay in game shape," Musselman said.
Reconsidering rebounding -- And now, the downside of improved rebounding: decreased health. Artest said his new habit of hitting the boards has come with the price of a banged-up body, meaning an adjustment might be in order.
Artest, who entered play Saturday second on the team in rebounds (80) and with a career-best average (8.0 per game), was asked by Musselman during the offseason to focus on rebounding as never before. After grabbing 12 rebounds against Golden State on Nov. 16, Artest had five apiece against San Antonio and Utah before missing the Seattle trip to have an MRI exam.
"If it comes my way, I'll just grab it, you know, but I've hurt my finger a couple times, hurt my back a couple times," Artest said. "I've just been trying to go easy, not really attack as much, to try and do something else."
The overall glass-cleaning effort, Musselman said, needs to be maintained as a necessary means to scoring.
Before facing Portland, the Kings led opponents 455-440 in rebounding, were fourth in the league in offensive rebounding (13.0 per game) and 17th overall (41.4).
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
