http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13679379p-14521833c.html
Kings notes: They're running nonstop
Bonzi Wells thought he was fit - until he saw Daniel Shapiro.
by Joe Davidson
Three days in, and Bonzi Wells is still trying to catch his breath. Sacramento's new shooting guard has found that Camp Kings is no leisurely stroll. It includes a lot of movement, a lot of running. A lot of strength and conditioning coach Daniel Shapiro bearing down on the weary, with the hardwood feeling like an uphill trek by the second hour.
"This is the hardest camp I've ever been a part of," said Wells, a veteran preparing for his eighth NBA season. "I never did this much running in my life. You have some camps where you run a little early, chill, shoot the breeze. Ain't been much shooting the breeze around here."
Wells came into camp feeling fairly fit after a summer of working out in his native Indiana.
Still in shape there, Bonzi?
"I thought I was before I got here," Wells said with a grin. "Working out at home is nothing compared to running up and down the court and banging bodies. Run through Brian Skinner and big Brad (Miller) ... it becomes a toll on your body."
Kings coaches said they like what they see in Wells - his post-up skills, his defense, even if he is a bit gassed.
"The only thing hindering him is getting into basketball shape, his wind, but he'll get there," assistant coach Elston Turner said.
The ouch factor - A year ago, the Kings couldn't get through the first day of camp without someone going down to injury, a trend that haunted the club throughout the season.
Now, there's only one bad ankle, knock on hardwood.
Jamal Sampson turned his left ankle during a scrimmage, got it retaped and returned, though he labored in the end.
"It's a mild sprain," the 6-foot-11 forward said, pushing an ice pack on his wheel. "I think I'll be OK."
Sampson doesn't want to miss time, as he's one of eight forwards on a roster not expected to keep nearly that many.
Brad's ride - Miller is no fool.
The Kings center wheeled in his motor home for the double-day practice Tuesday, parked it outside the practice facility and sacked out in between sessions. He didn't want to drive an hour home and then return, and his ride features a bed plenty big for his 7-foot, 260-pound frame.
"Why not?" Miller reasoned.
He now drives to and from practice in his truck, the RV waiting for another assignment.
Loosening up - Kevin Martin said he cramped up his first two days of training camp, in part because he was so active and nonstop and because he didn't have enough liquid in his system.
"I'm hydrated (Thursday) and feel good," the guard said. "I think everyone's been healthy. Hopefully that's a good sign of things to come."
Said Kings coach Rick Adelman: "Everyone's doing pretty good (health-wise). It's the third day. That's the day guys have to play through the soreness."
Welcome aboard, mate - Luke Schenscher logged his first practice with the Kings, a day after being claimed off waivers by the Denver Nuggets.
And the tallest man in camp - he's 7-2 and towers over the 7-foot Anwar Ferguson - said he's ready to provide some rebounding, blocked shots and a little offensive game to a club that needs some size.
"I'm looking forward to this," the Australia native said. "I was disappointed it didn't work in Denver. But with all of their guaranteed contracts there, it was better to go somewhere else."
Schenscher said he walked through Old Sacramento on Wednesday night and decided he's going to like this place.
"I love California," he said. "I've been to California a couple of times before, touring with the Australian teams in Anaheim and Los Angeles. The weather is a bit more like home. They told me it starts snowing in Denver in October, so I got out just in time."
Kings notes: They're running nonstop
Bonzi Wells thought he was fit - until he saw Daniel Shapiro.
by Joe Davidson
Three days in, and Bonzi Wells is still trying to catch his breath. Sacramento's new shooting guard has found that Camp Kings is no leisurely stroll. It includes a lot of movement, a lot of running. A lot of strength and conditioning coach Daniel Shapiro bearing down on the weary, with the hardwood feeling like an uphill trek by the second hour.
"This is the hardest camp I've ever been a part of," said Wells, a veteran preparing for his eighth NBA season. "I never did this much running in my life. You have some camps where you run a little early, chill, shoot the breeze. Ain't been much shooting the breeze around here."
Wells came into camp feeling fairly fit after a summer of working out in his native Indiana.
Still in shape there, Bonzi?
"I thought I was before I got here," Wells said with a grin. "Working out at home is nothing compared to running up and down the court and banging bodies. Run through Brian Skinner and big Brad (Miller) ... it becomes a toll on your body."
Kings coaches said they like what they see in Wells - his post-up skills, his defense, even if he is a bit gassed.
"The only thing hindering him is getting into basketball shape, his wind, but he'll get there," assistant coach Elston Turner said.
The ouch factor - A year ago, the Kings couldn't get through the first day of camp without someone going down to injury, a trend that haunted the club throughout the season.
Now, there's only one bad ankle, knock on hardwood.
Jamal Sampson turned his left ankle during a scrimmage, got it retaped and returned, though he labored in the end.
"It's a mild sprain," the 6-foot-11 forward said, pushing an ice pack on his wheel. "I think I'll be OK."
Sampson doesn't want to miss time, as he's one of eight forwards on a roster not expected to keep nearly that many.
Brad's ride - Miller is no fool.
The Kings center wheeled in his motor home for the double-day practice Tuesday, parked it outside the practice facility and sacked out in between sessions. He didn't want to drive an hour home and then return, and his ride features a bed plenty big for his 7-foot, 260-pound frame.
"Why not?" Miller reasoned.
He now drives to and from practice in his truck, the RV waiting for another assignment.
Loosening up - Kevin Martin said he cramped up his first two days of training camp, in part because he was so active and nonstop and because he didn't have enough liquid in his system.
"I'm hydrated (Thursday) and feel good," the guard said. "I think everyone's been healthy. Hopefully that's a good sign of things to come."
Said Kings coach Rick Adelman: "Everyone's doing pretty good (health-wise). It's the third day. That's the day guys have to play through the soreness."
Welcome aboard, mate - Luke Schenscher logged his first practice with the Kings, a day after being claimed off waivers by the Denver Nuggets.
And the tallest man in camp - he's 7-2 and towers over the 7-foot Anwar Ferguson - said he's ready to provide some rebounding, blocked shots and a little offensive game to a club that needs some size.
"I'm looking forward to this," the Australia native said. "I was disappointed it didn't work in Denver. But with all of their guaranteed contracts there, it was better to go somewhere else."
Schenscher said he walked through Old Sacramento on Wednesday night and decided he's going to like this place.
"I love California," he said. "I've been to California a couple of times before, touring with the Australian teams in Anaheim and Los Angeles. The weather is a bit more like home. They told me it starts snowing in Denver in October, so I got out just in time."
The guy is just awesome.. Why go home when you can bring it with you to the practice.
