http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13794616p-14636270c.html
By Joe Davidson
Now would be a good time for Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby to find their range. Both have admitted - and been reminded by their coaches - that they need to smooth out the wrinkles of their shooting touch.
The regular season for the Kings starts Tuesday in Oklahoma City against the displaced New Orleans Hornets with the veterans nowhere near the marksmanship that had Stojakovic averaging 20.1 points in 2004-05 and Bibby a career-best 19.6.
And they're not leaning on any "but it's only preseason" arguments. Two of the game's best shooters are ready to ratchet up the minutes and the makes. Stojakovic led the Kings this 3-5 preseason with 11.8 points in 25.8 minutes of play, but on 37 percent shooting. Bibby scored 8.6 on 36 percent (and 65 percent from the line) in 24.4 minutes.
"There's still a lot of things we can all improve on," Stojakovic said. "Me? Same way." Bibby said he will continue to work on his shot, including more solo practice time.
"We're not going anywhere unless Mike and Peja play at a high level," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "It's as simple as that. They always have (responded) in the past, so I assume they will again."
What's the D got? - Adelman said he won't get a full gauge on what his defense can do until the starters log starting minutes. Preseason games offer glimpses, sure, but he doesn't put a lot of stock into scrimmages.
"Frankly, on the defensive end, it's always tough to evaluate your team when they're playing against each other," Adelman said. "You've got to see them play other teams and then you start to see progress."
In perspective - Kings players participated in fundraiser efforts for Hurricane Katrina relief and now take on a Hornets team that leaves its battered city behind.
"I don't worry about professional athletes (in New Orleans)," Stojakovic said. "You have to worry about the people that lost their houses. They're in the streets, in shelters. The athletes will be fine."
Said Brad Miller: "A lot of those people don't have anything now. You do feel bad for them. Hopefully, the city will make adjustments to help prevent (flooding) if it happens again."
Flores update - Late Kings cut Luis Flores said two teams from Spain have expressed interest in him and he said he'll grow from the camp and the release. "I think, to an extent, it's good that it happened, because it gives me an opportunity to go play overseas and run a team for a year, and then come back," the guard said. "It'll give me an opportunity to play. I'm looking at it as an opportunity to grow as a player. It's an opportunity to mature more on my game, and then come back, and hopefully when I come back, I'll be deciding which team I want to go to rather than the team deciding on me."
By Joe Davidson
Now would be a good time for Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby to find their range. Both have admitted - and been reminded by their coaches - that they need to smooth out the wrinkles of their shooting touch.
The regular season for the Kings starts Tuesday in Oklahoma City against the displaced New Orleans Hornets with the veterans nowhere near the marksmanship that had Stojakovic averaging 20.1 points in 2004-05 and Bibby a career-best 19.6.
And they're not leaning on any "but it's only preseason" arguments. Two of the game's best shooters are ready to ratchet up the minutes and the makes. Stojakovic led the Kings this 3-5 preseason with 11.8 points in 25.8 minutes of play, but on 37 percent shooting. Bibby scored 8.6 on 36 percent (and 65 percent from the line) in 24.4 minutes.
"There's still a lot of things we can all improve on," Stojakovic said. "Me? Same way." Bibby said he will continue to work on his shot, including more solo practice time.
"We're not going anywhere unless Mike and Peja play at a high level," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "It's as simple as that. They always have (responded) in the past, so I assume they will again."
What's the D got? - Adelman said he won't get a full gauge on what his defense can do until the starters log starting minutes. Preseason games offer glimpses, sure, but he doesn't put a lot of stock into scrimmages.
"Frankly, on the defensive end, it's always tough to evaluate your team when they're playing against each other," Adelman said. "You've got to see them play other teams and then you start to see progress."
In perspective - Kings players participated in fundraiser efforts for Hurricane Katrina relief and now take on a Hornets team that leaves its battered city behind.
"I don't worry about professional athletes (in New Orleans)," Stojakovic said. "You have to worry about the people that lost their houses. They're in the streets, in shelters. The athletes will be fine."
Said Brad Miller: "A lot of those people don't have anything now. You do feel bad for them. Hopefully, the city will make adjustments to help prevent (flooding) if it happens again."
Flores update - Late Kings cut Luis Flores said two teams from Spain have expressed interest in him and he said he'll grow from the camp and the release. "I think, to an extent, it's good that it happened, because it gives me an opportunity to go play overseas and run a team for a year, and then come back," the guard said. "It'll give me an opportunity to play. I'm looking at it as an opportunity to grow as a player. It's an opportunity to mature more on my game, and then come back, and hopefully when I come back, I'll be deciding which team I want to go to rather than the team deciding on me."
