http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14236762p-15057665c.html
Kings notes: Purple pain vexes Martin
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 30, 2006
PORTLAND, Ore. - Kevin Martin is too young for his memory to fail him, so he let his mind wander to other possibilities.
Why, he asked himself, is my right thigh in so much pain, with the kind of purple tint that has nothing to do with playing for the Kings?
"I was worried because I couldn't remember how I got hit," said Martin, who suffered the injury March 22 against the Los Angeles Lakers and has missed four games since.
The concern was put to rest when Martin and assistant athletic trainer Andrew Tai studied the game tape to uncover the point of impact. As it turns out, Lakers center Kwame Brown was the guilty party, inadvertently planting his knee in Martin's thigh in the first quarter of the Kings' loss.
With the cause of the injury found, Martin said he's closer to coming up with the solution. Rest and treatment have slowly helped the shooting guard, who said he had anticipated returning last Sunday against Golden State. And while he may return Friday at Golden State, he said he didn't "want to jinx it."
"It's frustrating," Martin said. "I feel like I'm left off the playoff roster again (as he was last season)."
Francisco García is moving proof that returning to play doesn't necessarily mean a return to true form. The rookie swingman said the left ankle he sprained March 1 remains at 80 percent effectiveness. It is, he admitted, still sensitive to hard cuts and heavy minutes, even though he has been back since March 21. García on Tuesday had his best game since returning, scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds in 19 minutes.
Role reversal - For the first time since Ron Artest became a King, the boos on the road weren't directed his way.
Former Trail Blazer Bonzi Wells endured a lighter version of what Artest went through in his Indianapolis return, receiving boos not only at introductions but with nearly every touch of the ball.
Artest received cheers at his introduction, as there was a large contingent of Kings fans.
The Bonzi boos turned to laughter when Wells' face was caught on the "Bubble Cam," which stretched his head that was wrapped in a towel across the Rose Garden video screen. Even Wells chuckled. Artest, meanwhile, faced the most vocal heckler since his arrival, though the man behind the Kings' bench was quickly quieted.
Hello again - Former Kings center Brian Skinner is finally getting the minutes he wanted, having played in all 16 games with Portland since being traded Feb. 23.
Skinner, who had 17 points and seven rebounds against the Kings in his second game with the Blazers, is averaging 22 minutes coming off the bench.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Purple pain vexes Martin
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 30, 2006
PORTLAND, Ore. - Kevin Martin is too young for his memory to fail him, so he let his mind wander to other possibilities.
Why, he asked himself, is my right thigh in so much pain, with the kind of purple tint that has nothing to do with playing for the Kings?
"I was worried because I couldn't remember how I got hit," said Martin, who suffered the injury March 22 against the Los Angeles Lakers and has missed four games since.
The concern was put to rest when Martin and assistant athletic trainer Andrew Tai studied the game tape to uncover the point of impact. As it turns out, Lakers center Kwame Brown was the guilty party, inadvertently planting his knee in Martin's thigh in the first quarter of the Kings' loss.
With the cause of the injury found, Martin said he's closer to coming up with the solution. Rest and treatment have slowly helped the shooting guard, who said he had anticipated returning last Sunday against Golden State. And while he may return Friday at Golden State, he said he didn't "want to jinx it."
"It's frustrating," Martin said. "I feel like I'm left off the playoff roster again (as he was last season)."
Francisco García is moving proof that returning to play doesn't necessarily mean a return to true form. The rookie swingman said the left ankle he sprained March 1 remains at 80 percent effectiveness. It is, he admitted, still sensitive to hard cuts and heavy minutes, even though he has been back since March 21. García on Tuesday had his best game since returning, scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds in 19 minutes.
Role reversal - For the first time since Ron Artest became a King, the boos on the road weren't directed his way.
Former Trail Blazer Bonzi Wells endured a lighter version of what Artest went through in his Indianapolis return, receiving boos not only at introductions but with nearly every touch of the ball.
Artest received cheers at his introduction, as there was a large contingent of Kings fans.
The Bonzi boos turned to laughter when Wells' face was caught on the "Bubble Cam," which stretched his head that was wrapped in a towel across the Rose Garden video screen. Even Wells chuckled. Artest, meanwhile, faced the most vocal heckler since his arrival, though the man behind the Kings' bench was quickly quieted.
Hello again - Former Kings center Brian Skinner is finally getting the minutes he wanted, having played in all 16 games with Portland since being traded Feb. 23.
Skinner, who had 17 points and seven rebounds against the Kings in his second game with the Blazers, is averaging 22 minutes coming off the bench.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
