http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13698612p-14541328c.html
By Martin McNeal
There is no way to know just yet how far the Kings will advance this season.
However, here are a few things they'll need to handle to get anywhere near the NBA Finals - that is, if they get good, timely health.
1) The Kings' coaching staff will have to make a commitment to a style or philosophy of defense, and the players will have to adhere to that philosophy.
2) That philosophy must be one of intelligent aggression. Few successful defenses fail to be aggressive when presented the opportunity to do so. When an opposing player has the ball in a corner or against the baseline or sideline, intelligent aggression calls for trapping that player.
3) Players should not be permitted to fail to get back collectively or individually on defense. Not only should coach Rick Adelman immediately address the situation, but so should players on the floor. Championship squads police themselves.
4) There are player combinations available to Adelman that can be full-court-pressure effective. Those should be utilized.
5) Players must show enough personal pride to work on their individual defensive skills either before or after practice. A team with true championship aspirations should have veterans who set the example in this area. Veterans who will hang around the practice facility with younger players and show them the way.
(Historically, the Kings under Adelman have not practiced either exceptionally hard or long during the season, in part because of the schedule's demands.)
6) Any starter who steps into the locker room at halftime after playing in the neighborhood of 15 to 17 minutes rarely should be without a foul. The primary goal of using one's footwork and body to prevent penetration almost invites contact at some point. Besides, players hate to play against pests. San Antonio's Bruce Bowen is perhaps the league's most annoying defender in part because he refuses to abandon his gnat-like presence.
Martin improves; now he can prove it
Second-year Kings guard Kevin Martin almost could describe himself as a new person just one year into his NBA career.
He's bigger, stronger and more confident, much more confident entering tonight's preseason opener against the Dallas Mavericks at Arco Arena.
Martin was the consensus choice as the most improved player in Kings training camp, which, by the way, with its seven-day length surely seems a bit short.
Peja Stojakovic said Martin was in great shape and "obviously, worked on his game." Then the sharpshooter pointed at assistant coach Elston Turner and said, "There is Kevin's father over there."
Turner has worked with Martin a great deal since he was drafted out of Western Carolina in 2004.
"He did everything we could ask him to do over the summer," Turner said of Martin. "He's making the right cuts and making hard cuts. He's running the floor and making plays.
"In his case, it's time for the exhibition season to start, so now he can do it against other players ... against All-Stars."
Martin started his first exhibition game in 2004-05 with Chris Webber, Brad Miller, Stojakovic and Mike Bibby, while starter Doug Christie dealt with a sore foot. "C'mon," Martin said with a laugh Monday afternoon. "Those four guys had been playing together for years and then here I was playing with them. To tell you the truth, I didn't want to start that game."
By Martin McNeal
There is no way to know just yet how far the Kings will advance this season.
However, here are a few things they'll need to handle to get anywhere near the NBA Finals - that is, if they get good, timely health.
1) The Kings' coaching staff will have to make a commitment to a style or philosophy of defense, and the players will have to adhere to that philosophy.
2) That philosophy must be one of intelligent aggression. Few successful defenses fail to be aggressive when presented the opportunity to do so. When an opposing player has the ball in a corner or against the baseline or sideline, intelligent aggression calls for trapping that player.
3) Players should not be permitted to fail to get back collectively or individually on defense. Not only should coach Rick Adelman immediately address the situation, but so should players on the floor. Championship squads police themselves.
4) There are player combinations available to Adelman that can be full-court-pressure effective. Those should be utilized.
5) Players must show enough personal pride to work on their individual defensive skills either before or after practice. A team with true championship aspirations should have veterans who set the example in this area. Veterans who will hang around the practice facility with younger players and show them the way.
(Historically, the Kings under Adelman have not practiced either exceptionally hard or long during the season, in part because of the schedule's demands.)
6) Any starter who steps into the locker room at halftime after playing in the neighborhood of 15 to 17 minutes rarely should be without a foul. The primary goal of using one's footwork and body to prevent penetration almost invites contact at some point. Besides, players hate to play against pests. San Antonio's Bruce Bowen is perhaps the league's most annoying defender in part because he refuses to abandon his gnat-like presence.
Martin improves; now he can prove it
Second-year Kings guard Kevin Martin almost could describe himself as a new person just one year into his NBA career.
He's bigger, stronger and more confident, much more confident entering tonight's preseason opener against the Dallas Mavericks at Arco Arena.
Martin was the consensus choice as the most improved player in Kings training camp, which, by the way, with its seven-day length surely seems a bit short.
Peja Stojakovic said Martin was in great shape and "obviously, worked on his game." Then the sharpshooter pointed at assistant coach Elston Turner and said, "There is Kevin's father over there."
Turner has worked with Martin a great deal since he was drafted out of Western Carolina in 2004.
"He did everything we could ask him to do over the summer," Turner said of Martin. "He's making the right cuts and making hard cuts. He's running the floor and making plays.
"In his case, it's time for the exhibition season to start, so now he can do it against other players ... against All-Stars."
Martin started his first exhibition game in 2004-05 with Chris Webber, Brad Miller, Stojakovic and Mike Bibby, while starter Doug Christie dealt with a sore foot. "C'mon," Martin said with a laugh Monday afternoon. "Those four guys had been playing together for years and then here I was playing with them. To tell you the truth, I didn't want to start that game."
