http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13779898p-14621754c.html
Kings notes: Sampson survives final round of cuts
Experience pays off as the center earns a spot with the Kings.
By Sam Amick
Lucky No. 13 wasn't so lucky after all, just a little more polished and poised to offer help if the need arises. His name is Jamal Sampson, and he is officially the last member of your Sacramento Kings. The 6-foot-11 center/forward survived the last round of cuts Thursday, when the Kings let center Luke Schenscher loose, and the roster was finally down from 20 to 13 players with the regular season starting Tuesday.
Kings coach Rick Adelman said the big-man battle came down to experience. Sampson is in his fourth NBA season, albeit with his fourth team. He is also capable of playing at power forward and center.
Schenscher, as assistant Pete Carrill said recently, has a huge upside for a rookie (he is, after all, 7-foot-1) but could be a couple years away from ready.
No matter how minuscule the minutes are for Sampson, he will go through every day in practice with one task at hand: shedding the image of laziness. Sampson has long been an alleged slacker, though Adelman said his effort has passed the grade so far.
"He's got to continue to work hard, and be ready if he gets the opportunity," Adelman said. "He's been fine so far, but that's what he's going to have to continue to do if he's going to maintain."
Sampson, who said he felt confident about his spot throughout training camp and preseason, can't wait for his chances.
"I'll bring rebounds and defense," Sampson said. "But you can only go one step at a time now. I'll just keep playing. Unfortunately, teams don't stay healthy all year, so you'll always get your opportunities. Once you get it, take advantage of it."
Long-awaited finale - Adelman is no fan of the NBA's preseason setup.
As the Kings play their eighth and final preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at UNLV, training camp and preseason will be over with not near enough training for Adelman's taste.
"I think eight games is too many," he said. "You have three games or so in the last seven days, then you start the (regular) season so quickly on Tuesday (in Oklahoma City). You'd like to have four or five days of practice before getting started."
Kings notes: Sampson survives final round of cuts
Experience pays off as the center earns a spot with the Kings.
By Sam Amick
Lucky No. 13 wasn't so lucky after all, just a little more polished and poised to offer help if the need arises. His name is Jamal Sampson, and he is officially the last member of your Sacramento Kings. The 6-foot-11 center/forward survived the last round of cuts Thursday, when the Kings let center Luke Schenscher loose, and the roster was finally down from 20 to 13 players with the regular season starting Tuesday.
Kings coach Rick Adelman said the big-man battle came down to experience. Sampson is in his fourth NBA season, albeit with his fourth team. He is also capable of playing at power forward and center.
Schenscher, as assistant Pete Carrill said recently, has a huge upside for a rookie (he is, after all, 7-foot-1) but could be a couple years away from ready.
No matter how minuscule the minutes are for Sampson, he will go through every day in practice with one task at hand: shedding the image of laziness. Sampson has long been an alleged slacker, though Adelman said his effort has passed the grade so far.
"He's got to continue to work hard, and be ready if he gets the opportunity," Adelman said. "He's been fine so far, but that's what he's going to have to continue to do if he's going to maintain."
Sampson, who said he felt confident about his spot throughout training camp and preseason, can't wait for his chances.
"I'll bring rebounds and defense," Sampson said. "But you can only go one step at a time now. I'll just keep playing. Unfortunately, teams don't stay healthy all year, so you'll always get your opportunities. Once you get it, take advantage of it."
Long-awaited finale - Adelman is no fan of the NBA's preseason setup.
As the Kings play their eighth and final preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at UNLV, training camp and preseason will be over with not near enough training for Adelman's taste.
"I think eight games is too many," he said. "You have three games or so in the last seven days, then you start the (regular) season so quickly on Tuesday (in Oklahoma City). You'd like to have four or five days of practice before getting started."
