http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/113969.html
Kings' midseason report card: Opportunity knocks for extra credit
Low marks could provide motivation to improve game
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 1:10 am PST Friday, January 26, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
It goes without saying that this very midseason report card was the underlying inspiration to the Kings' turnaround last season.
Presumptuous and borderline egotistical? Absolutely. But facts are facts, and chances are, a team that was 24-29 when grades came out last February didn't rush to the refrigerator to post the marks that included nary an "A" among the players, coaches or front office.
Then suddenly, mysteriously, there came a 20-9 finish and the playoffs to boot. Fine, go ahead and give Ron Artest some credit if you must.
So as a service to the fans who drag themselves to the couch to watch this bunch in action, the critique comes earlier and with a side experiment of seeing if the record will, in fact, improve from here.
In truth, the Kings' situation, at 17-23, is more desperate than last season's for several reasons. The Artest effect, for one, is a term that has taken on a whole different meaning from last year. And the prospect of another blockbuster deal that saves the season seems slim, with the idea of a turnaround taking on a timeline of months -- or years -- rather than weeks.
"We want to take our time," Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said last week. "We want to be methodical. But one thing that (Kings president of basketball operations) Geoff (Petrie) has done is he hasn't mortgaged our future with big long-term contracts. The future is promising, and people have to look at that.
"To pick a trade and do this and do that with no plan, that's not what we're about. That's not what the future's about. Our future salaries are not exorbitant. We can turn this thing around."
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Aside from his jaw staying intact this season, it's much the same story line for Abdur-Rahim. He wants to start, but remains professional when he doesn't. What he hasn't done is offer any sort of imposing defensive presence in the paint. And although he remains the team's best offensive post player, his inability to pass better out of double teams or rebound better hurt the team. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.4 is the worst on the team. • Grade: C-
Ron Artest
No one seems to care whose team it is now, either because they realized that conversation was futile or because pride in ownership justifiably has declined. Competitive nature brought out the worst in Artest early, when he refused to worry about shot selection as long as he was the one shooting. His play is on a serious rise recently, and he appears to have contained the fiery frustration that affected him and his teammates. His defense isn't what it was last season. • Grade: C
Mike Bibby
He's putting up a career-low field-goal percentage (38.6) and his lowest scoring average (17.4 points per game) since the 2002-03 season. His three-point percentage (29.6) is the second-lowest of his career. All in all, the season that could determine his possible free-agent value has been a disaster. An early revival in Bibby's defensive focus didn't last long, and a hot streak that lasted from late December to mid-January has been followed by an average of 13.3 points over the past eight games. • Grade: D+
Quincy Douby
The rookie's 21-point outing against Golden State on Dec. 30 seemed a good indicator that the kid can play at this level, but otherwise, his impact has been minimal. • Grade: C+
Francisco García
The second-year swingman has had his best games recently, with his energy and defensive presence being utilized as they should have been earlier this season. They likely would have been if García hadn't launched so many three-pointers early in the shot clock. Of his 132 field-goal attempts, 57 are threes. • Grade: C
Jason Hart
The veteran point guard wants to be traded or waived, and he won't be playing much anytime soon. He has played in just 12 games. • Grade: Incomplete.
Kevin Martin
At last season's All-Star break, the Kings were 10-1 in games in which Martin scored 20-plus points, but they are 8-12 in such games this season. Such is the reality of being a core player rather than a surprise sub. Martin must do more, both because he's capable and because he's already been benched on numerous occasions for not providing the intangibles. Still, his offensive numbers are superb, and his future is as bright as any young player in the league. • Grade: B+
(more)
Kings' midseason report card: Opportunity knocks for extra credit
Low marks could provide motivation to improve game
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 1:10 am PST Friday, January 26, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
It goes without saying that this very midseason report card was the underlying inspiration to the Kings' turnaround last season.
Presumptuous and borderline egotistical? Absolutely. But facts are facts, and chances are, a team that was 24-29 when grades came out last February didn't rush to the refrigerator to post the marks that included nary an "A" among the players, coaches or front office.
Then suddenly, mysteriously, there came a 20-9 finish and the playoffs to boot. Fine, go ahead and give Ron Artest some credit if you must.
So as a service to the fans who drag themselves to the couch to watch this bunch in action, the critique comes earlier and with a side experiment of seeing if the record will, in fact, improve from here.
In truth, the Kings' situation, at 17-23, is more desperate than last season's for several reasons. The Artest effect, for one, is a term that has taken on a whole different meaning from last year. And the prospect of another blockbuster deal that saves the season seems slim, with the idea of a turnaround taking on a timeline of months -- or years -- rather than weeks.
"We want to take our time," Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said last week. "We want to be methodical. But one thing that (Kings president of basketball operations) Geoff (Petrie) has done is he hasn't mortgaged our future with big long-term contracts. The future is promising, and people have to look at that.
"To pick a trade and do this and do that with no plan, that's not what we're about. That's not what the future's about. Our future salaries are not exorbitant. We can turn this thing around."
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Aside from his jaw staying intact this season, it's much the same story line for Abdur-Rahim. He wants to start, but remains professional when he doesn't. What he hasn't done is offer any sort of imposing defensive presence in the paint. And although he remains the team's best offensive post player, his inability to pass better out of double teams or rebound better hurt the team. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.4 is the worst on the team. • Grade: C-
Ron Artest
No one seems to care whose team it is now, either because they realized that conversation was futile or because pride in ownership justifiably has declined. Competitive nature brought out the worst in Artest early, when he refused to worry about shot selection as long as he was the one shooting. His play is on a serious rise recently, and he appears to have contained the fiery frustration that affected him and his teammates. His defense isn't what it was last season. • Grade: C
Mike Bibby
He's putting up a career-low field-goal percentage (38.6) and his lowest scoring average (17.4 points per game) since the 2002-03 season. His three-point percentage (29.6) is the second-lowest of his career. All in all, the season that could determine his possible free-agent value has been a disaster. An early revival in Bibby's defensive focus didn't last long, and a hot streak that lasted from late December to mid-January has been followed by an average of 13.3 points over the past eight games. • Grade: D+
Quincy Douby
The rookie's 21-point outing against Golden State on Dec. 30 seemed a good indicator that the kid can play at this level, but otherwise, his impact has been minimal. • Grade: C+
Francisco García
The second-year swingman has had his best games recently, with his energy and defensive presence being utilized as they should have been earlier this season. They likely would have been if García hadn't launched so many three-pointers early in the shot clock. Of his 132 field-goal attempts, 57 are threes. • Grade: C
Jason Hart
The veteran point guard wants to be traded or waived, and he won't be playing much anytime soon. He has played in just 12 games. • Grade: Incomplete.
Kevin Martin
At last season's All-Star break, the Kings were 10-1 in games in which Martin scored 20-plus points, but they are 8-12 in such games this season. Such is the reality of being a core player rather than a surprise sub. Martin must do more, both because he's capable and because he's already been benched on numerous occasions for not providing the intangibles. Still, his offensive numbers are superb, and his future is as bright as any young player in the league. • Grade: B+
(more)
I am thinking he should be the team reporter.