http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13728023p-14570892c.html
Kings turn up aggression in heated game
Sacramento pours on the points and displays defense and depth in a runaway victory.
By Sam Amick
Baron Davis was fed up, frustrated at being the only Golden State player on the floor who played in the spirit of the team's Warriors mascot. So he gave an out-of-nowhere forearm shiver to the backside of Kings forward Peja Stojakovic, eliciting a technical foul.
In another Maalox moment, Kings shooting guard Bonzi Wells fouled Mickael Pietrus hard as he tumbled through the key. When official Greg Willard called a flagrant foul, coach Rick Adelman hollered in his left ear while Wells screamed in the other.
Emotions ran high in a preseason game between Northern California rivals that felt like a midseason matchup. But for all the hype surrounding the renewed Warriors, the Kings were the ones running up the score and looking capable of shaking up the Pacific Division in a 114-99 win Sunday night at Arco Arena.
"We need to be aggressive, to have that edge and play with a little temper," Kings forward Corliss Williamson said. "When somebody hits you in the mouth, what are you going to do? You either lay down, or you get back up and fight back."
The Kings looked dangerous, but not only in the way Williamson spoke of.
Having hit only four of 17 shots entering the game, Stojakovic scored 15 points on 4-for-9 shooting. He made his typical long-range jumpers, but he also featured quick dribble-drives and created his own shot more than usual.
Wells, who had been strong in the passing and defense departments in the first two games, was the streak scorer of his pre-Kings days. In a late second-quarter stretch, he scored seven of eight Kings points from the post and through it, finishing with 11.
Forwards Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim - who had started once each in the first two games - started together this time, with Abdur-Rahim playing center. Thomas had 11 points and nine rebounds, and Abdur-Rahim had eight points and five assists.
The Kings shot 51 percent from the field, led 65-48 at halftime and pushed the lead to 28 in the fourth quarter.
"It was fun to see how the guys played together," point guard Mike Bibby said. "I've been saying, 'It's a lot easier when we help each other.' We've just got to make other teams make plays, and bring it every night like that."
The Kings looked defensive.
Playing without shooting guard Jason Richardson because of personal reasons, the Warriors were held to 42 percent shooting. Davis was Golden State's lone threat, scoring 22 points. Forward Troy Murphy had a quiet 15 points.
The Kings looked deep.
Wells' backup, Kevin Martin, scored 15 points in 20 minutes, highlighted by an alley-oop on a perfect pass from rookie Francisco García to put the Kings up 43-32 in the second quarter. García had his best game yet, scoring 13 points on 4-for-7 shooting. He looked comfortable in the offense, getting creative in the second quarter when he faked a downscreen and cut to the basket instead. He received the pass, was fouled and hit one free throw for a 50-34 edge.
"He's getting better every day," Adelman said. "He had a good camp and has had a good two games."
The rout gave Adelman his first chance to empty his bench. Point guard Luis Flores, forwards Eric Sandrin and Erik Daniels and center Luke Schenscher played for the first time this preseason. Adelman, who has 18 players and plans to have 13 come the regular-season opener Nov. 1, said there will be cuts today.
From the listlessness of the preseason-opening loss to Dallas to an energetic second straight win, Adelman is seeing more that he likes.
"Sometimes a game like (the opener) does that to you," Adelman said. "The guys were a little embarrassed, and they've responded."
Kings turn up aggression in heated game
Sacramento pours on the points and displays defense and depth in a runaway victory.
By Sam Amick
Baron Davis was fed up, frustrated at being the only Golden State player on the floor who played in the spirit of the team's Warriors mascot. So he gave an out-of-nowhere forearm shiver to the backside of Kings forward Peja Stojakovic, eliciting a technical foul.
In another Maalox moment, Kings shooting guard Bonzi Wells fouled Mickael Pietrus hard as he tumbled through the key. When official Greg Willard called a flagrant foul, coach Rick Adelman hollered in his left ear while Wells screamed in the other.
Emotions ran high in a preseason game between Northern California rivals that felt like a midseason matchup. But for all the hype surrounding the renewed Warriors, the Kings were the ones running up the score and looking capable of shaking up the Pacific Division in a 114-99 win Sunday night at Arco Arena.
"We need to be aggressive, to have that edge and play with a little temper," Kings forward Corliss Williamson said. "When somebody hits you in the mouth, what are you going to do? You either lay down, or you get back up and fight back."
The Kings looked dangerous, but not only in the way Williamson spoke of.
Having hit only four of 17 shots entering the game, Stojakovic scored 15 points on 4-for-9 shooting. He made his typical long-range jumpers, but he also featured quick dribble-drives and created his own shot more than usual.
Wells, who had been strong in the passing and defense departments in the first two games, was the streak scorer of his pre-Kings days. In a late second-quarter stretch, he scored seven of eight Kings points from the post and through it, finishing with 11.
Forwards Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim - who had started once each in the first two games - started together this time, with Abdur-Rahim playing center. Thomas had 11 points and nine rebounds, and Abdur-Rahim had eight points and five assists.
The Kings shot 51 percent from the field, led 65-48 at halftime and pushed the lead to 28 in the fourth quarter.
"It was fun to see how the guys played together," point guard Mike Bibby said. "I've been saying, 'It's a lot easier when we help each other.' We've just got to make other teams make plays, and bring it every night like that."
The Kings looked defensive.
Playing without shooting guard Jason Richardson because of personal reasons, the Warriors were held to 42 percent shooting. Davis was Golden State's lone threat, scoring 22 points. Forward Troy Murphy had a quiet 15 points.
The Kings looked deep.
Wells' backup, Kevin Martin, scored 15 points in 20 minutes, highlighted by an alley-oop on a perfect pass from rookie Francisco García to put the Kings up 43-32 in the second quarter. García had his best game yet, scoring 13 points on 4-for-7 shooting. He looked comfortable in the offense, getting creative in the second quarter when he faked a downscreen and cut to the basket instead. He received the pass, was fouled and hit one free throw for a 50-34 edge.
"He's getting better every day," Adelman said. "He had a good camp and has had a good two games."
The rout gave Adelman his first chance to empty his bench. Point guard Luis Flores, forwards Eric Sandrin and Erik Daniels and center Luke Schenscher played for the first time this preseason. Adelman, who has 18 players and plans to have 13 come the regular-season opener Nov. 1, said there will be cuts today.
From the listlessness of the preseason-opening loss to Dallas to an energetic second straight win, Adelman is seeing more that he likes.
"Sometimes a game like (the opener) does that to you," Adelman said. "The guys were a little embarrassed, and they've responded."
