http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/140709.html
Returning home has drawback for Kings
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:20 am PDT Tuesday, March 20, 2007
ATLANTA -- The joke was funny, albeit inaccurate.
If the Kings had to pick a game to look utterly putrid, why not do it at Atlanta, where the fans are sparse and the spotlight not so bright?
Except for the fact that, as Shareef Abdur-Rahim pointed out, there is that television medium to consider, not to mention the newspapers and radio in this global communication age. And, for Abdur-Rahim, there was the family factor, too.
The Kings forward enjoyed everything but the game in a rare visit to his home state, where his entire extended family that includes 11 siblings resides and where he played two-plus seasons with the Hawks. The 99-76 loss Monday night ended a five-game road trip.
"I'm embarrassed that it happened to me in my hometown with my family and friends watching," he said. "That's an extra embarrassment, just the situation we're in. We're two games out of that spot in the division, and we don't compete any harder than that?"
Before tipoff, Abdur-Rahim was hustling to hit his ticket count, with numerous players wondering why getting complimentary seats was so tricky in a place that was so empty. Though the announced crowd was 13,879, there didn't appear to be half that total.
"It's like a summer-league game," guard Kevin Martin cracked.
Injury report -- Center Brad Miller left the game for good after the first quarter when his left foot problem flared up again. He continues to experience swollen tissue in the foot.
Forward Kenny Thomas missed his third game since suffering a chip fracture in his left big toe against Charlotte on Wednesday. He said he is hoping to play Wednesday against Minnesota but remains day-to-day.
Hot-lanta -- The Hawks appear to have waited too long to make a playoff push, but they continue to play surprisingly well without Joe Johnson. The All-Star guard might miss the rest of the season because of a deep bruise in his right calf, but Atlanta is 5-2 since his injury and has won five consecutive home games.
Almost but not quite -- Players hate nothing more than just missing the elusive triple double, and Hawks forward Josh Smith came one point short of his first with no one to blame but himself. Smith had nine points, 10 assists and 12 rebounds, and he was 1 of 4 from the free-throw line.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Returning home has drawback for Kings
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:20 am PDT Tuesday, March 20, 2007
ATLANTA -- The joke was funny, albeit inaccurate.
If the Kings had to pick a game to look utterly putrid, why not do it at Atlanta, where the fans are sparse and the spotlight not so bright?
Except for the fact that, as Shareef Abdur-Rahim pointed out, there is that television medium to consider, not to mention the newspapers and radio in this global communication age. And, for Abdur-Rahim, there was the family factor, too.
The Kings forward enjoyed everything but the game in a rare visit to his home state, where his entire extended family that includes 11 siblings resides and where he played two-plus seasons with the Hawks. The 99-76 loss Monday night ended a five-game road trip.
"I'm embarrassed that it happened to me in my hometown with my family and friends watching," he said. "That's an extra embarrassment, just the situation we're in. We're two games out of that spot in the division, and we don't compete any harder than that?"
Before tipoff, Abdur-Rahim was hustling to hit his ticket count, with numerous players wondering why getting complimentary seats was so tricky in a place that was so empty. Though the announced crowd was 13,879, there didn't appear to be half that total.
"It's like a summer-league game," guard Kevin Martin cracked.
Injury report -- Center Brad Miller left the game for good after the first quarter when his left foot problem flared up again. He continues to experience swollen tissue in the foot.
Forward Kenny Thomas missed his third game since suffering a chip fracture in his left big toe against Charlotte on Wednesday. He said he is hoping to play Wednesday against Minnesota but remains day-to-day.
Hot-lanta -- The Hawks appear to have waited too long to make a playoff push, but they continue to play surprisingly well without Joe Johnson. The All-Star guard might miss the rest of the season because of a deep bruise in his right calf, but Atlanta is 5-2 since his injury and has won five consecutive home games.
Almost but not quite -- Players hate nothing more than just missing the elusive triple double, and Hawks forward Josh Smith came one point short of his first with no one to blame but himself. Smith had nine points, 10 assists and 12 rebounds, and he was 1 of 4 from the free-throw line.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.