http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/47414.html
The 2006 Kings, in broad strokes
By Joe Davidson -
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in PROJECTS section, Page KINGS TIPOFF9
F, Ron Artest, 8th year, 6-7, 260
•Picture perfect: On defense, perhaps only Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves can guard multiple positions as well as Artest. He's amazingly nimble for a man his size, with quick hands and feet, and the instincts of when and where to slap at the ball. On offense, he's hard to slow down in the lane, and he has become a very dangerous shooter and ballhandler.
•Smudged image: For being the game's top defender - his view and that of many in the NBA - Artest often winds up with just a single rebound. The Kings need him to board - frequently. He also can't afford to take possessions and losses too personally.
F Shareef Abdur-Rahim, 11th year, 6-9, 245
•Picture perfect: Averaging 19.8 career points for teams that never reached the playoffs, Abdur-Rahim last season scored 12.3 per game en route to the Kings' eighth consecutive playoff berth. He also made a career-high 52 percent by scoring inside or hitting the flat-lined 15-footer. He hung tough despite missing 10 games - and a whole lot of solid-food eating - with a broken jaw.
•Smudged image: For all of his scoring ability, 'Reef' isn't the swiftest Jeep on the lot. He has never been a great defender, but he can be an effective rebounder, pulling in a career average of 7.8.
PG Mike Bibby, 9th year, 6-1, 190
•Picture perfect: Bibby's prime for an All-Star breakthrough after averaging a career-high 21.1 points last season and excelling this exhibition season before going down with a thumb injury. He'll need to recover in a hurry to help usher in a new season, a new offense and his new look of a trimmed-down defender with faster feet and a clear willingness to stop the ball. He's still a superb shooter from all distances - and generally an underrated passer.
•Smudged image: Well, it used to be his defense. NBA scouts have told Kings coaches that they've never seen Bibby better on "D." If it's true, expect a career year.
G Quincy Douby, 1st year, 6-3, 175
•Picture perfect: He scores. That's what he does, and he'll maintain that motto off the bench as a combo guard. The first-round draft pick out of Rutgers is quick and can hurt teams on runners or from deep with his unique, high-arching shot. He'll be asked to handle the ball, and he'll see some immediate time off the bench as Bibby heals from a thumb injury.
•Smudged image: He's slightly built, meaning Douby won't be winning too many bench-press competitions anytime soon. Then again, the Kings like thin, wiry athletic sorts, having drafted three of them consecutively in Kevin Martin, Francisco García and Douby. How he defends could define him as much as how he scores.
G/F Francisco García, 2nd year, 6-7, 195
•Picture perfect: Every team craves a long-armed, feisty pest. García is the Kings' resident irritant, not afraid to scrap for rebounds, dive on the floor for loose balls or trap a player in the corner. He can also pass, rebound and shoot, making for superb bench relief.
•Smudged image: He's not the greatest shooter on the club - he made just 40 percent last season - but he is dangerous. And as much as coach Eric Musselman wants him to be aggressive, he can't pile up the fouls in seven minutes of action.
PG Jason Hart, 6th year, 6-3, 185
•Picture perfect: A year ago, he was brought in to spell Bibby as a reliable ballhandler and a fierce defender. His role declined throughout the season, and he was in a camp battle just to retain a roster spot this fall. With Bibby out for a spell to open the season, Hart's job is safe, though he has been passed up in the rotation. Still, the veteran never seems to stress the issue.
•Smudged image: Knowing his roster spot hung in the balance, Hart took the news of his status like a true veteran. He can't force shots just to score, and he can't suddenly try to do too much to move back up the rotation. Steady play is what's needed.
G Kevin Martin, 3rd year, 6-7, 185
•Picture perfect: Hops. Explosion. No one on the roster can get off the ground quite like Martin, or cruise the open court. He's very fast, ideal on the fast break, and he and Bibby have an alley-oop connection. Martin also has improved his shooting, making 48 percent last season in averaging 10.8 points. He looked as if he belonged in the starting lineup when Bonzi Wells was out.
•Smudged image: His game is still evolving, on both ends of the floor. Martin still tends to get himself in trouble in the lane, up in the air and trying to pass. He's not the heaviest fellow so opponents look for a chance to post him up, though they also have to be wary of his quickness on defense.
C Brad Miller, 9th year, 7-0, 261
•Picture perfect: With apologies to Yao Ming, Miller might be the most skilled center in the league. He's a fine outside shooter, with the coaches imploring him to take more three-point shots. He's also a passing center without equal, having posted five games with 10 assists or more last season.
•Smudged image: Miller is the first to frown in recalling his lackluster playoff outing against the San Antonio Spurs last spring, when he didn't defend as much as he simply moved backward when foes attacked. He made an effort to contest shots, to hustle on defense and to scrap for boards this exhibition season, perhaps remembering that he can be an effective rebounder.
C Vitaly Potapenko, 11th year, 6-10, 285
•Picture perfect: There might not be a nicer fellow on the roster than the man who goes by the 'Ukraine Train.' But the Kings don't want him to be nice. They want him to be nasty and surly inside, to provide a reliable post reserve, particularly rebounding and a bulky body to get in the way. Scoring? No need.
•Smudged image: Attempting to pass the team's mandated conditioning test wore on Potapenko, who blamed himself for not being more prepared. In the process, he was passed in the big-man rotation, meaning he could pile up the dreaded DNP-CD - "Did not play, coach's decision."
PG Ronnie Price, 2nd year, 6-2, 190
•Picture perfect: A year ago, he was a roster long shot who made it. Now he's a sure thing in the rotation as the Kings will use his improving ballhandling skills and speed to break down defenses. He grows more confident daily.
•Smudged image: The Kings don't need Price to shoot nearly as much as they need his steady handle and stable defense - though he can get to the rim - or above it. His shot continues to improve - he made 36 percent last season, but he must guard against trying to do too much.
G John Salmons, 6th year, 6-6, 207
•Picture perfect: Salmons might have had the Kings' most productive and promising camp. He was brought in via free agency to be versatile, and he has done all of that and more. He'll start some games at point guard, others at shooting guard and perhaps some at small forward if Artest is out. Salmons can handle, shoot and rebound.
•Smudged image: If he plays small forward, he might get overpowered, and he'll have to be careful with the dribble against quicker, pest-like point guards who are lower to the ground. Still, he'll pile on more minutes this season than any in his career, and that's him sighing, "It's about time."
F Maurice Taylor, 10th year, 6-9, 260
•Picture perfect: He's a scorer with a lot of games to his credit and a résumé that includes leading the Clippers twice in scoring. He was also a lot younger then, though Taylor is still an effective scorer inside and from the 10-foot range.
•Smudged image: Still rounding into shape, Taylor was slowed in training camp by leg injuries. He'll back up Miller in the post, where he'll also have to defend.
F Kenny Thomas, 8th year, 6-7, 245
•Picture perfect: Rebounding is a team-wide concern - again - but Thomas is one man who can gobble up the boards. He averaged 7.5 rebounds in 28 minutes of action last season. He's one of the quickest power forwards in the game, and he's an effective inside scorer and shooter. He's an underrated passer.
•Smudged image: When he starts, he's a happy camper. If he loses his job, he's not as much so. That's the competitor in him. A happy Kenny T is a far more effective Kenny T, too.
F Corliss Williamson, 12th year, 6-7, 245
•Picture perfect: There's still plenty of snarl left in 'Big Nasty''s game, particularly inside where he muscles away for positioning. He had a solid camp, scoring on runners, post-up moves, jump hooks and backboard shots. And he can still hold his own inside on defense.
•Smudged image: He knows his career is winding down and his minutes might continue to fall on a roster filled with forwards. But in terms of class and leadership, he's invaluable.
The 2006 Kings, in broad strokes
By Joe Davidson -
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in PROJECTS section, Page KINGS TIPOFF9
F, Ron Artest, 8th year, 6-7, 260
•Picture perfect: On defense, perhaps only Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves can guard multiple positions as well as Artest. He's amazingly nimble for a man his size, with quick hands and feet, and the instincts of when and where to slap at the ball. On offense, he's hard to slow down in the lane, and he has become a very dangerous shooter and ballhandler.
•Smudged image: For being the game's top defender - his view and that of many in the NBA - Artest often winds up with just a single rebound. The Kings need him to board - frequently. He also can't afford to take possessions and losses too personally.
F Shareef Abdur-Rahim, 11th year, 6-9, 245
•Picture perfect: Averaging 19.8 career points for teams that never reached the playoffs, Abdur-Rahim last season scored 12.3 per game en route to the Kings' eighth consecutive playoff berth. He also made a career-high 52 percent by scoring inside or hitting the flat-lined 15-footer. He hung tough despite missing 10 games - and a whole lot of solid-food eating - with a broken jaw.
•Smudged image: For all of his scoring ability, 'Reef' isn't the swiftest Jeep on the lot. He has never been a great defender, but he can be an effective rebounder, pulling in a career average of 7.8.
PG Mike Bibby, 9th year, 6-1, 190
•Picture perfect: Bibby's prime for an All-Star breakthrough after averaging a career-high 21.1 points last season and excelling this exhibition season before going down with a thumb injury. He'll need to recover in a hurry to help usher in a new season, a new offense and his new look of a trimmed-down defender with faster feet and a clear willingness to stop the ball. He's still a superb shooter from all distances - and generally an underrated passer.
•Smudged image: Well, it used to be his defense. NBA scouts have told Kings coaches that they've never seen Bibby better on "D." If it's true, expect a career year.
G Quincy Douby, 1st year, 6-3, 175
•Picture perfect: He scores. That's what he does, and he'll maintain that motto off the bench as a combo guard. The first-round draft pick out of Rutgers is quick and can hurt teams on runners or from deep with his unique, high-arching shot. He'll be asked to handle the ball, and he'll see some immediate time off the bench as Bibby heals from a thumb injury.
•Smudged image: He's slightly built, meaning Douby won't be winning too many bench-press competitions anytime soon. Then again, the Kings like thin, wiry athletic sorts, having drafted three of them consecutively in Kevin Martin, Francisco García and Douby. How he defends could define him as much as how he scores.
G/F Francisco García, 2nd year, 6-7, 195
•Picture perfect: Every team craves a long-armed, feisty pest. García is the Kings' resident irritant, not afraid to scrap for rebounds, dive on the floor for loose balls or trap a player in the corner. He can also pass, rebound and shoot, making for superb bench relief.
•Smudged image: He's not the greatest shooter on the club - he made just 40 percent last season - but he is dangerous. And as much as coach Eric Musselman wants him to be aggressive, he can't pile up the fouls in seven minutes of action.
PG Jason Hart, 6th year, 6-3, 185
•Picture perfect: A year ago, he was brought in to spell Bibby as a reliable ballhandler and a fierce defender. His role declined throughout the season, and he was in a camp battle just to retain a roster spot this fall. With Bibby out for a spell to open the season, Hart's job is safe, though he has been passed up in the rotation. Still, the veteran never seems to stress the issue.
•Smudged image: Knowing his roster spot hung in the balance, Hart took the news of his status like a true veteran. He can't force shots just to score, and he can't suddenly try to do too much to move back up the rotation. Steady play is what's needed.
G Kevin Martin, 3rd year, 6-7, 185
•Picture perfect: Hops. Explosion. No one on the roster can get off the ground quite like Martin, or cruise the open court. He's very fast, ideal on the fast break, and he and Bibby have an alley-oop connection. Martin also has improved his shooting, making 48 percent last season in averaging 10.8 points. He looked as if he belonged in the starting lineup when Bonzi Wells was out.
•Smudged image: His game is still evolving, on both ends of the floor. Martin still tends to get himself in trouble in the lane, up in the air and trying to pass. He's not the heaviest fellow so opponents look for a chance to post him up, though they also have to be wary of his quickness on defense.
C Brad Miller, 9th year, 7-0, 261
•Picture perfect: With apologies to Yao Ming, Miller might be the most skilled center in the league. He's a fine outside shooter, with the coaches imploring him to take more three-point shots. He's also a passing center without equal, having posted five games with 10 assists or more last season.
•Smudged image: Miller is the first to frown in recalling his lackluster playoff outing against the San Antonio Spurs last spring, when he didn't defend as much as he simply moved backward when foes attacked. He made an effort to contest shots, to hustle on defense and to scrap for boards this exhibition season, perhaps remembering that he can be an effective rebounder.
C Vitaly Potapenko, 11th year, 6-10, 285
•Picture perfect: There might not be a nicer fellow on the roster than the man who goes by the 'Ukraine Train.' But the Kings don't want him to be nice. They want him to be nasty and surly inside, to provide a reliable post reserve, particularly rebounding and a bulky body to get in the way. Scoring? No need.
•Smudged image: Attempting to pass the team's mandated conditioning test wore on Potapenko, who blamed himself for not being more prepared. In the process, he was passed in the big-man rotation, meaning he could pile up the dreaded DNP-CD - "Did not play, coach's decision."
PG Ronnie Price, 2nd year, 6-2, 190
•Picture perfect: A year ago, he was a roster long shot who made it. Now he's a sure thing in the rotation as the Kings will use his improving ballhandling skills and speed to break down defenses. He grows more confident daily.
•Smudged image: The Kings don't need Price to shoot nearly as much as they need his steady handle and stable defense - though he can get to the rim - or above it. His shot continues to improve - he made 36 percent last season, but he must guard against trying to do too much.
G John Salmons, 6th year, 6-6, 207
•Picture perfect: Salmons might have had the Kings' most productive and promising camp. He was brought in via free agency to be versatile, and he has done all of that and more. He'll start some games at point guard, others at shooting guard and perhaps some at small forward if Artest is out. Salmons can handle, shoot and rebound.
•Smudged image: If he plays small forward, he might get overpowered, and he'll have to be careful with the dribble against quicker, pest-like point guards who are lower to the ground. Still, he'll pile on more minutes this season than any in his career, and that's him sighing, "It's about time."
F Maurice Taylor, 10th year, 6-9, 260
•Picture perfect: He's a scorer with a lot of games to his credit and a résumé that includes leading the Clippers twice in scoring. He was also a lot younger then, though Taylor is still an effective scorer inside and from the 10-foot range.
•Smudged image: Still rounding into shape, Taylor was slowed in training camp by leg injuries. He'll back up Miller in the post, where he'll also have to defend.
F Kenny Thomas, 8th year, 6-7, 245
•Picture perfect: Rebounding is a team-wide concern - again - but Thomas is one man who can gobble up the boards. He averaged 7.5 rebounds in 28 minutes of action last season. He's one of the quickest power forwards in the game, and he's an effective inside scorer and shooter. He's an underrated passer.
•Smudged image: When he starts, he's a happy camper. If he loses his job, he's not as much so. That's the competitor in him. A happy Kenny T is a far more effective Kenny T, too.
F Corliss Williamson, 12th year, 6-7, 245
•Picture perfect: There's still plenty of snarl left in 'Big Nasty''s game, particularly inside where he muscles away for positioning. He had a solid camp, scoring on runners, post-up moves, jump hooks and backboard shots. And he can still hold his own inside on defense.
•Smudged image: He knows his career is winding down and his minutes might continue to fall on a roster filled with forwards. But in terms of class and leadership, he's invaluable.
