http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/104368.html
Little-used Taylor making an impact for Kings
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 5:07 am PST Monday, January 8, 2007
Proving size does matter after all in Kings land, Maurice Taylor had his New Year's resolution come true just one week into the new calendar.
More minutes for "Big Mo" came in an overtime loss to Portland on Saturday, when the 6-foot-9, 265-pounder used his width and pent-up energy to help down low. In 13 minutes, he had six rebounds, two assists and a block. But considering the outcome (a second consecutive overtime loss), the effect was both lauded and lamented.
As the Kings struggle on the boards, coach Eric Musselman was puzzled about why Taylor was among the few willing and able to rebound aggressively. Musselman's team has been outrebounded in five consecutive games. No King has had double-figure rebounds in the past six games.
Taylor's six rebounds tied Ron Artest and Kevin Martin's totals, and forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim had seven in just 29 minutes. The team's leading rebounder, Kenny Thomas, had just one in 22 minutes. Center Brad Miller, who missed Thursday's game against the Lakers with the flu, played nine minutes before the illness forced him out.
Taylor benefited, surpassing his previous season high of nine minutes while playing in just his ninth game.
"(Taylor) gave us second chances to score the ball on the offensive end and then defensively," forward Corliss Williamson said. "He was a presence inside, boxing out, rebounding. You've got to tip your hat to him for staying ready. He hasn't been playing that much, but when he came in, he was ready to help us and give us an opportunity to win."
Painful pair -- The Kings are 4-5 in games decided by five or fewer points but 0-3 in overtime games. Their first overtime loss was a 93-91 defeat to Miami on Dec. 7.
The last two, however, came when the Kings needed home success as a prelude to their upcoming road stretch. Beginning with Friday's game at Portland, nine of the following 12 games are away from Arco Arena.
"It's more than just losing the way we lost these last two," Kings swingman John Salmons said. "It just seems like this has almost been the theme of the season. We've lost a lot of close games like this, and at some point, we've got to get over the top and win these, especially at home."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Little-used Taylor making an impact for Kings
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 5:07 am PST Monday, January 8, 2007
Proving size does matter after all in Kings land, Maurice Taylor had his New Year's resolution come true just one week into the new calendar.
More minutes for "Big Mo" came in an overtime loss to Portland on Saturday, when the 6-foot-9, 265-pounder used his width and pent-up energy to help down low. In 13 minutes, he had six rebounds, two assists and a block. But considering the outcome (a second consecutive overtime loss), the effect was both lauded and lamented.
As the Kings struggle on the boards, coach Eric Musselman was puzzled about why Taylor was among the few willing and able to rebound aggressively. Musselman's team has been outrebounded in five consecutive games. No King has had double-figure rebounds in the past six games.
Taylor's six rebounds tied Ron Artest and Kevin Martin's totals, and forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim had seven in just 29 minutes. The team's leading rebounder, Kenny Thomas, had just one in 22 minutes. Center Brad Miller, who missed Thursday's game against the Lakers with the flu, played nine minutes before the illness forced him out.
Taylor benefited, surpassing his previous season high of nine minutes while playing in just his ninth game.
"(Taylor) gave us second chances to score the ball on the offensive end and then defensively," forward Corliss Williamson said. "He was a presence inside, boxing out, rebounding. You've got to tip your hat to him for staying ready. He hasn't been playing that much, but when he came in, he was ready to help us and give us an opportunity to win."
Painful pair -- The Kings are 4-5 in games decided by five or fewer points but 0-3 in overtime games. Their first overtime loss was a 93-91 defeat to Miami on Dec. 7.
The last two, however, came when the Kings needed home success as a prelude to their upcoming road stretch. Beginning with Friday's game at Portland, nine of the following 12 games are away from Arco Arena.
"It's more than just losing the way we lost these last two," Kings swingman John Salmons said. "It just seems like this has almost been the theme of the season. We've lost a lot of close games like this, and at some point, we've got to get over the top and win these, especially at home."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
