http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/101714.html
Return of leather balls isn't pumping up Martin
The Kings shooting guard has been on target this season with the synthetic version.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:28 am PST Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
The Kings will be a day late in using the formerly banished leather basketballs tonight against New York, but it wasn't quite as simple as rolling out the old ball.
After the Dec. 11 announcement that the NBA was ditching its new synthetic ball to return to the cowhide, teams received their first shipment of 10 leather balls Dec. 14. Six days later, teams received 10 more new leather balls and four used ones to integrate into practices and reacquaint the players with the feel.
The collective ball count should be up to 50 per team by the end of January, a relief to the many players who balked at the league's decision to make the original switch without consulting its highest-paid employees.
Kevin Martin, however, isn't among them. The Kings shooting guard, who has been outstanding shooting the new ball, said he wishes the league had waited until the offseason to go back on the ball.
"Are they going to change the court in midseason, too?" Martin said with a laugh. "We'll get through it, (but) it felt strange because I haven't touched the ball since last April. It's something new, and we'll see what happens."
Dropping the (Big Apple) ball -- The New York core of the Kings and their staff lamented the New Year's Eve traditions of the West Coast after practice Monday, amazed that network television coverage offered only the Times Square countdown that was broadcast on a three-hour tape delay.
The Big Apple pride will only continue tonight, as the Kings are full of personnel with New York City ties. There are the homegrowns (Ron Artest, Francisco García and Quincy Douby) and those with Knicks connections (former Knicks assistant Brendan O'Connor and former Knicks forward Maurice Taylor).
Taylor, who will face the Knicks for the first time since they bought him out for about $8 million during the offseason, wasn't shy about sharing his New Year's resolution this week.
"More minutes," said Taylor, who has played in just seven games for a combined 47 minutes. "Give me some more damn minutes."
Price staying positive -- Jason Hart has spent most of the season frustrated, confident that he could help the cause but unable to do so without playing time.
But among the Kings' backup point guards, Ronnie Price had plenty to feel good about. He had three double-digit scoring games in November, then averaged 14 minutes over the first six games of December.
Yet coach Eric Musselman's decision to play rookie Quincy Douby more in the past four games has affected Price more than anyone. Price, however, refuses to get discouraged.
"It happens around the league all the time," the second-year player said. "I'm a professional. And I still look at this as not only my dream but my job. So I'll still come to work. And when the opportunity comes, I'll be ready."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Return of leather balls isn't pumping up Martin
The Kings shooting guard has been on target this season with the synthetic version.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:28 am PST Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
The Kings will be a day late in using the formerly banished leather basketballs tonight against New York, but it wasn't quite as simple as rolling out the old ball.
After the Dec. 11 announcement that the NBA was ditching its new synthetic ball to return to the cowhide, teams received their first shipment of 10 leather balls Dec. 14. Six days later, teams received 10 more new leather balls and four used ones to integrate into practices and reacquaint the players with the feel.
The collective ball count should be up to 50 per team by the end of January, a relief to the many players who balked at the league's decision to make the original switch without consulting its highest-paid employees.
Kevin Martin, however, isn't among them. The Kings shooting guard, who has been outstanding shooting the new ball, said he wishes the league had waited until the offseason to go back on the ball.
"Are they going to change the court in midseason, too?" Martin said with a laugh. "We'll get through it, (but) it felt strange because I haven't touched the ball since last April. It's something new, and we'll see what happens."
Dropping the (Big Apple) ball -- The New York core of the Kings and their staff lamented the New Year's Eve traditions of the West Coast after practice Monday, amazed that network television coverage offered only the Times Square countdown that was broadcast on a three-hour tape delay.
The Big Apple pride will only continue tonight, as the Kings are full of personnel with New York City ties. There are the homegrowns (Ron Artest, Francisco García and Quincy Douby) and those with Knicks connections (former Knicks assistant Brendan O'Connor and former Knicks forward Maurice Taylor).
Taylor, who will face the Knicks for the first time since they bought him out for about $8 million during the offseason, wasn't shy about sharing his New Year's resolution this week.
"More minutes," said Taylor, who has played in just seven games for a combined 47 minutes. "Give me some more damn minutes."
Price staying positive -- Jason Hart has spent most of the season frustrated, confident that he could help the cause but unable to do so without playing time.
But among the Kings' backup point guards, Ronnie Price had plenty to feel good about. He had three double-digit scoring games in November, then averaged 14 minutes over the first six games of December.
Yet coach Eric Musselman's decision to play rookie Quincy Douby more in the past four games has affected Price more than anyone. Price, however, refuses to get discouraged.
"It happens around the league all the time," the second-year player said. "I'm a professional. And I still look at this as not only my dream but my job. So I'll still come to work. And when the opportunity comes, I'll be ready."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
