http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/92608.html
Musselman needs Kings to become defensive again
By Joe Davidson - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:53 am PST Thursday, December 14, 2006
The Kings are not blessed with a roster full of shot blockers. In fact, there isn't one to be found in purple.
So coach Eric Musselman has implored his bunch to defend in different ways, to poke at the ball, to scrap for rebounds, to draw charges.
"We want to continue to do a better job with weak-side defense, which includes taking charges," he said. "Kevin Martin has done a very good job with that. He has the ability to draw the contact with his feet. He's gained more and more respect in the league in that facet."
Musselman reminded that defense must become a team-wide priority again, with recent teams blowing past the Kings.
"You have to be a collective unit, five men working as one group," he said. "That's what we'll continue to work on. All we can is come to work and get better, work hard. Hopefully, we'll see some results."
He added a moment later: "I guess it hasn't worked if teams are scoring 120 on us. Something's not working. I have no problem taking the blame."
Not that defense hasn't been a problem area before. The Kings are not the most athletic team in the league. They do not have explosive post players. They sometimes struggle to slow down opposing guards with dribble penetration.
"We're trying to emphasize things we can do on defense to help, taking charges, and steals," Musselman said. "Early in the year, we led the league in steals. As the season has progressed, that has gone down. I wish I could (figure out why). The guys are trying."
First-quarter woes -- The Kings have been slow starters -- or generous in the eyes of their opponents -- in the first quarter. The team has not led after the opening period on the road all season, a big reason it is 2-7 on the road.
"We are playing teams that come out of the gates pretty good," Musselman said. "Now teams are saying, Hey, jump on the Kings early. We recognize it's a problem."
K-Mart charging -- He's quick to the basket on offense and quick to the deck on defense when drawing a charge. Martin is a blur to the floor on contact, moving his feet, absorbing contact.
"I like taking charges," he said. "I always use my quickness and slide in front of the guy."
Any flop to those falls, as Golden State coach Don Nelson pleaded Tuesday?
"Might be a little flop, but they're legit when they call it," Martin said.
Scheduling fun -- Fans can pore through the Kings' schedule three times, and it still comes up daunting. Utah, with the best record in the NBA, hosts the Kings on Friday. That's followed by home games against Phoenix, the hottest team in the NBA with 12 consecutive victories, Saturday and Dallas on Monday. The Jazz rallied from a 21-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Kings 110-101 on Nov. 22; Dallas rolled 109-90 on Dec. 1; and Phoenix cruised 127-102 on Dec. 5.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com.
Musselman needs Kings to become defensive again
By Joe Davidson - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:53 am PST Thursday, December 14, 2006
The Kings are not blessed with a roster full of shot blockers. In fact, there isn't one to be found in purple.
So coach Eric Musselman has implored his bunch to defend in different ways, to poke at the ball, to scrap for rebounds, to draw charges.
"We want to continue to do a better job with weak-side defense, which includes taking charges," he said. "Kevin Martin has done a very good job with that. He has the ability to draw the contact with his feet. He's gained more and more respect in the league in that facet."
Musselman reminded that defense must become a team-wide priority again, with recent teams blowing past the Kings.
"You have to be a collective unit, five men working as one group," he said. "That's what we'll continue to work on. All we can is come to work and get better, work hard. Hopefully, we'll see some results."
He added a moment later: "I guess it hasn't worked if teams are scoring 120 on us. Something's not working. I have no problem taking the blame."
Not that defense hasn't been a problem area before. The Kings are not the most athletic team in the league. They do not have explosive post players. They sometimes struggle to slow down opposing guards with dribble penetration.
"We're trying to emphasize things we can do on defense to help, taking charges, and steals," Musselman said. "Early in the year, we led the league in steals. As the season has progressed, that has gone down. I wish I could (figure out why). The guys are trying."
First-quarter woes -- The Kings have been slow starters -- or generous in the eyes of their opponents -- in the first quarter. The team has not led after the opening period on the road all season, a big reason it is 2-7 on the road.
"We are playing teams that come out of the gates pretty good," Musselman said. "Now teams are saying, Hey, jump on the Kings early. We recognize it's a problem."
K-Mart charging -- He's quick to the basket on offense and quick to the deck on defense when drawing a charge. Martin is a blur to the floor on contact, moving his feet, absorbing contact.
"I like taking charges," he said. "I always use my quickness and slide in front of the guy."
Any flop to those falls, as Golden State coach Don Nelson pleaded Tuesday?
"Might be a little flop, but they're legit when they call it," Martin said.
Scheduling fun -- Fans can pore through the Kings' schedule three times, and it still comes up daunting. Utah, with the best record in the NBA, hosts the Kings on Friday. That's followed by home games against Phoenix, the hottest team in the NBA with 12 consecutive victories, Saturday and Dallas on Monday. The Jazz rallied from a 21-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Kings 110-101 on Nov. 22; Dallas rolled 109-90 on Dec. 1; and Phoenix cruised 127-102 on Dec. 5.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com.
