http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/69240.html
Musselman is mum on his starting five
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:27 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
It is, after all, that time of year, with the arrival of Halloween and all its superstitious traditions.
And it was in that theme that Kings coach Eric Musselman kept the news of his regular-season starting five disguised on Monday, when he reasoned that past experience hasn't been kind to him in such situations. Announce the starters, only to see injuries pop up like a skeleton hidden in the bushes.
"We'll let you know Wednesday at 6 o'clock," Musselman said.
There seems to be little mystery, though. By all appearances, second-year point guard Ronnie Price has earned the starting nod for Wednesday's opener at Minnesota, as he's been with the first group in practice. Veteran Jason Hart will likely be the first in behind him.
After Price had scored in double digits in five of his last six exhibition games, he went scoreless in 26 minutes against Portland on Friday. Hart, meanwhile, scored just five points in 46 minutes in the final two games after playing just 17 minutes in the first five games.
"I think defensively that both point guards did a really good job (against Portland)," Musselman said. "Offensively, they did what we asked, because we wanted them to distribute the ball and they did that."
The likely lineup from there would be Kevin Martin at shooting guard, Ron Artest at small forward, Kenny Thomas at power forward and Brad Miller at center. Shareef Abdur-Rahim has made a legitimate push for the power-forward spot, though, nearly matching Thomas in exhibition rebounding (33 to 35) and scoring 78 points to Thomas' 28.
Miller, who missed one exhibition game with a chip fracture in his right pinky, went through most of practice and is expected to play. Thomas, who missed the exhibition finale with tendinitis in his lower left leg, also practiced with the first unit and will play. Point guard Mike Bibby, who was expected to miss at least two weeks from his right thumb injury suffered Oct. 22, took part in some practice while throwing passes and shooting with his left hand.
Salmons switchup -- Part of being versatile is being flexible, too, meaning John Salmons is fine with his current role.
The swingman who can play three positions was the first to attempt to fill in for Bibby, with the plan being quickly altered after Salmons had five points, four assists and three turnovers in a loss to New Orleans on Oct. 24.
His return to the role of everyman off the bench only puts Francisco García deeper on it. But if the swingman learned anything in his rookie season, it was the value of patience.
"I'm just waiting for my time, being patient," said García, who had spurts last season in which he was the Kings' best reserve. "That's (Musselman's) decision. I'll play (point guard, shooting guard or small forward)."
García averaged 15.8 minutes, 6.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in the exhibition season. He has yet to play the point-guard spot like he did last season, in which Bibby was often used coming off screens and García's attack mode served the Kings well.
"I'm not going to say I want (Musselman) to put me there," he said. "I'll play (point guard), though. I like creating for my teammates."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Musselman is mum on his starting five
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:27 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
It is, after all, that time of year, with the arrival of Halloween and all its superstitious traditions.
And it was in that theme that Kings coach Eric Musselman kept the news of his regular-season starting five disguised on Monday, when he reasoned that past experience hasn't been kind to him in such situations. Announce the starters, only to see injuries pop up like a skeleton hidden in the bushes.
"We'll let you know Wednesday at 6 o'clock," Musselman said.
There seems to be little mystery, though. By all appearances, second-year point guard Ronnie Price has earned the starting nod for Wednesday's opener at Minnesota, as he's been with the first group in practice. Veteran Jason Hart will likely be the first in behind him.
After Price had scored in double digits in five of his last six exhibition games, he went scoreless in 26 minutes against Portland on Friday. Hart, meanwhile, scored just five points in 46 minutes in the final two games after playing just 17 minutes in the first five games.
"I think defensively that both point guards did a really good job (against Portland)," Musselman said. "Offensively, they did what we asked, because we wanted them to distribute the ball and they did that."
The likely lineup from there would be Kevin Martin at shooting guard, Ron Artest at small forward, Kenny Thomas at power forward and Brad Miller at center. Shareef Abdur-Rahim has made a legitimate push for the power-forward spot, though, nearly matching Thomas in exhibition rebounding (33 to 35) and scoring 78 points to Thomas' 28.
Miller, who missed one exhibition game with a chip fracture in his right pinky, went through most of practice and is expected to play. Thomas, who missed the exhibition finale with tendinitis in his lower left leg, also practiced with the first unit and will play. Point guard Mike Bibby, who was expected to miss at least two weeks from his right thumb injury suffered Oct. 22, took part in some practice while throwing passes and shooting with his left hand.
Salmons switchup -- Part of being versatile is being flexible, too, meaning John Salmons is fine with his current role.
The swingman who can play three positions was the first to attempt to fill in for Bibby, with the plan being quickly altered after Salmons had five points, four assists and three turnovers in a loss to New Orleans on Oct. 24.
His return to the role of everyman off the bench only puts Francisco García deeper on it. But if the swingman learned anything in his rookie season, it was the value of patience.
"I'm just waiting for my time, being patient," said García, who had spurts last season in which he was the Kings' best reserve. "That's (Musselman's) decision. I'll play (point guard, shooting guard or small forward)."
García averaged 15.8 minutes, 6.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in the exhibition season. He has yet to play the point-guard spot like he did last season, in which Bibby was often used coming off screens and García's attack mode served the Kings well.
"I'm not going to say I want (Musselman) to put me there," he said. "I'll play (point guard), though. I like creating for my teammates."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
