http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14087142p-14917419c.html
Phoenix leaves the rising to Kings
A rout of the Suns is a glaring example of what Sacramento can accomplish if it gains consistency.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, January 18, 2006
A former Western Conference, championship-winning coach said recently that the Kings are the ultimate mystery, always capable of losing to the worst teams but talented enough to beat the best.
A smart man, indeed.
With no less than the Pacific Division-leading Phoenix Suns visiting Arco Arena, the Kings played as if they were the highest-scoring team in the league Tuesday night, as if they were the ones so widely known for offensive fireworks and steamrolling foes with impressive ease.
Not only did their 119-90 win leave a sellout home crowd to wonder where this team has been all season, it re-raised a question that hadn't been talked about for weeks: How good can this team be?
"There's no reason why (games like this) can't happen," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We have talent on our team. But we've been so up and down, the inconsistency has been killing us. ... There's a long ways to go in this season, and ... these are the types of games you really want to build on."
It's been awhile since the Kings were anywhere near building mode, but not nearly as long as it had been since every starter tallied at least 18 points and three assists. The Kings' first group did just that, with the two youngsters - rookie Francisco García and second-year shooting guard Kevin Martin - having career nights.
Garcia turned in his first double double, a career-high 21 points to go with 10 rebounds. Martin set his career high for the second straight game, scoring 25 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Forward Kenny Thomas scored 22 points on 10-for-13 shooting and had a season-high 15 rebounds.
The victory margin was the Kings' second-biggest of the season, trailing only a 119-83 win over Utah on Nov. 15. It was the Suns' worst defeat of the season, far uglier than their previous low, a 12-point loss to Memphis on Nov. 16. They hadn't lost in regulation since Dec. 23, having fallen in two triple-overtime games since.
Phoenix also tied its worst shooting percentage of the season (37.5). Reigning MVP Steve Nash had seven points.
"We got our (butts) whupped tonight, and that is it," said Suns forward Shawn Marion, who had a team-high 25 points. "It's that simple."
The question of how this revival could happen was thrown about the Kings' locker room afterward, though there was - for once - a somewhat plausible answer. Numerous Kings talked about a DVD they were given by their coaching staff, a tape of unflattering moments from their last few games that focused on their most egregious defensive lapses. It was, according to Martin, the debut of this coaching device, one they credited with opening their eyes.
"They got on us pretty hard about the mistakes," García said. "They're getting tired of seeing the same mistakes, and I know y'all are getting tired of the same mistakes, too. We've just got to keep trying to keep doing what we're doing. I give the coaches a lot of credit."
Kings center Brad Miller had plenty to play for besides the win itself. Before the game, he met with Suns CEO Jerry Colangelo, who will pick the next U.S. Olympic team. After telling Colangelo what he'd like to offer, he showed him. Miller had 18 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. He brought the intangibles, too, setting hard picks and winning nearly every battle on the boards.
At halftime, injured Suns forward Amare Stoudemire stood just outside the three-point line, bouncing a ball in his dark blue suit as if he were thinking about a possible outfit change. Phoenix could have used him.
A defensive ploy by Suns coach Mike D'Antoni had backfired. He put Raja Bell on Mike Bibby, while Nash guarded Martin. Bibby, who finished with 19 points, responded with 12 first-quarter points, while Martin had nine. By halftime, the Kings were up 65-43.
The Kings' building project may inherit new workers soon, as Adelman said he's hopeful injured starters Peja Stojakovic (back) and Bonzi Wells (groin) will practice today. Stojakovic received a cortisone shot Monday and may play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Phoenix leaves the rising to Kings
A rout of the Suns is a glaring example of what Sacramento can accomplish if it gains consistency.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, January 18, 2006
A former Western Conference, championship-winning coach said recently that the Kings are the ultimate mystery, always capable of losing to the worst teams but talented enough to beat the best.
A smart man, indeed.
With no less than the Pacific Division-leading Phoenix Suns visiting Arco Arena, the Kings played as if they were the highest-scoring team in the league Tuesday night, as if they were the ones so widely known for offensive fireworks and steamrolling foes with impressive ease.
Not only did their 119-90 win leave a sellout home crowd to wonder where this team has been all season, it re-raised a question that hadn't been talked about for weeks: How good can this team be?
"There's no reason why (games like this) can't happen," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We have talent on our team. But we've been so up and down, the inconsistency has been killing us. ... There's a long ways to go in this season, and ... these are the types of games you really want to build on."
It's been awhile since the Kings were anywhere near building mode, but not nearly as long as it had been since every starter tallied at least 18 points and three assists. The Kings' first group did just that, with the two youngsters - rookie Francisco García and second-year shooting guard Kevin Martin - having career nights.
Garcia turned in his first double double, a career-high 21 points to go with 10 rebounds. Martin set his career high for the second straight game, scoring 25 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Forward Kenny Thomas scored 22 points on 10-for-13 shooting and had a season-high 15 rebounds.
The victory margin was the Kings' second-biggest of the season, trailing only a 119-83 win over Utah on Nov. 15. It was the Suns' worst defeat of the season, far uglier than their previous low, a 12-point loss to Memphis on Nov. 16. They hadn't lost in regulation since Dec. 23, having fallen in two triple-overtime games since.
Phoenix also tied its worst shooting percentage of the season (37.5). Reigning MVP Steve Nash had seven points.
"We got our (butts) whupped tonight, and that is it," said Suns forward Shawn Marion, who had a team-high 25 points. "It's that simple."
The question of how this revival could happen was thrown about the Kings' locker room afterward, though there was - for once - a somewhat plausible answer. Numerous Kings talked about a DVD they were given by their coaching staff, a tape of unflattering moments from their last few games that focused on their most egregious defensive lapses. It was, according to Martin, the debut of this coaching device, one they credited with opening their eyes.
"They got on us pretty hard about the mistakes," García said. "They're getting tired of seeing the same mistakes, and I know y'all are getting tired of the same mistakes, too. We've just got to keep trying to keep doing what we're doing. I give the coaches a lot of credit."
Kings center Brad Miller had plenty to play for besides the win itself. Before the game, he met with Suns CEO Jerry Colangelo, who will pick the next U.S. Olympic team. After telling Colangelo what he'd like to offer, he showed him. Miller had 18 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. He brought the intangibles, too, setting hard picks and winning nearly every battle on the boards.
At halftime, injured Suns forward Amare Stoudemire stood just outside the three-point line, bouncing a ball in his dark blue suit as if he were thinking about a possible outfit change. Phoenix could have used him.
A defensive ploy by Suns coach Mike D'Antoni had backfired. He put Raja Bell on Mike Bibby, while Nash guarded Martin. Bibby, who finished with 19 points, responded with 12 first-quarter points, while Martin had nine. By halftime, the Kings were up 65-43.
The Kings' building project may inherit new workers soon, as Adelman said he's hopeful injured starters Peja Stojakovic (back) and Bonzi Wells (groin) will practice today. Stojakovic received a cortisone shot Monday and may play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.