http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/69782.html
There's already a magic number
The opposition's field-goal accuracy becomes the Kings' defensive focus.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:15 am PST Wednesday, November 1, 2006
The subject was not new.
The Kings and defense, or lack thereof. The Kings and their coach, Rick Adelman, the lightning rod of so many critics who claimed he paid as much attention to defense as Mark Cuban does to paying league fines.
Then amid a first-round playoff series last season against San Antonio that was competitive as few expected, there was the familiar story line: In the Kings' four losses, they allowed an average of 116 points.
A coaching change later, a new era begins tonight at Minnesota, one the Kings hope is marked by defensive repute. First-year coach Eric Musselman was hired largely on the basis of it, and -- with starting point guard Mike Bibby out at the start because of an injured thumb -- the Kings say the current events have only heightened its importance. Making it happen while taking part in three consecutive home openers -- at Minnesota, Chicago and Milwaukee -- in four days only complicates matters.
"One of the areas we wanted to get better at as a team was defensively, across the board," Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie said. "We've put in a lot of different things, defensively, in terms of being more aggressive on the perimeter, extending our defense at times, doing things out of timeouts."
They call them wrinkles. But there is one main objective: limiting opponents' field-goal percentage and reaching that statistical utopia that is displayed on a wall in the Kings' practice facility with an unexplained poster that reads "42 percent."
The mark of 42 percent in opponents' field-goal percentage typically translates into victories. Last season, the Kings were 15-3 when getting there, and defensive-minded San Antonio was 32-1 when doing so. The Kings achieved the feat three times in the exhibition season, going 3-0.
Defensive progress has been evident, most notably in the tone of the players. Center Brad Miller, whose defensive game seemed to fade in recent years, suddenly talks about defensive schemes much more often. Before Bibby was hurt, he was noticeably more active and aggressive, along with many in the bunch.
The Kings finished the exhibition season ranked ninth in points per game (93.3) and 13th in opponents' field-goal percentage (44.4).
"We've been preaching defense since before Day One, and I think we've all got that mind-set," swingman John Salmons said. "We all understand that, without Mike, we're definitely going to have to win that way, and with Mike (as well)."
The resident expert on such matters, small forward Ron Artest, said this team is capable of having a defensive identity.
"We're going to grind it out on 'D' with Mike in, and without him," Artest said. "We've got the ammunition. We just have to do it."
Even before the regular season, Artest began working out a solution to a defensive problem. The departure of Bonzi Wells meant the Kings were even thinner in rebounding, as the shooting guard trailed only Miller (7.8 rebounds per game) in boards last season, averaging 7.7. And although hitting the glass never has been a large part of Artest's game, he led the team with 42 rebounds in eight exhibition games. Overall, the Kings finished 23rd in rebounding, averaging 38.6.
"(Rebounding) is an area that we have to keep on top of," Petrie said. "I thought Ron did a great job. He had that one preseason game where he didn't have any (rebounds), and he really came back after that and started doing a really terrific job there."
Bibby's absence could lead to a slow start. Second-year point guard Ronnie Price is expected to start in his place, with no one expecting him to fill the offensive void left by someone who averaged a career-high 21.1 points last season.
"I keep hearing (former Detroit) coach (Chuck) Daly saying that it takes you 50 games to know your team," Musselman said. "We feel like we know a lot about our group right now, but without 20 (points per) night in Mike, then somebody else has to pick up the pace."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
There's already a magic number
The opposition's field-goal accuracy becomes the Kings' defensive focus.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:15 am PST Wednesday, November 1, 2006
The subject was not new.
The Kings and defense, or lack thereof. The Kings and their coach, Rick Adelman, the lightning rod of so many critics who claimed he paid as much attention to defense as Mark Cuban does to paying league fines.
Then amid a first-round playoff series last season against San Antonio that was competitive as few expected, there was the familiar story line: In the Kings' four losses, they allowed an average of 116 points.
A coaching change later, a new era begins tonight at Minnesota, one the Kings hope is marked by defensive repute. First-year coach Eric Musselman was hired largely on the basis of it, and -- with starting point guard Mike Bibby out at the start because of an injured thumb -- the Kings say the current events have only heightened its importance. Making it happen while taking part in three consecutive home openers -- at Minnesota, Chicago and Milwaukee -- in four days only complicates matters.
"One of the areas we wanted to get better at as a team was defensively, across the board," Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie said. "We've put in a lot of different things, defensively, in terms of being more aggressive on the perimeter, extending our defense at times, doing things out of timeouts."
They call them wrinkles. But there is one main objective: limiting opponents' field-goal percentage and reaching that statistical utopia that is displayed on a wall in the Kings' practice facility with an unexplained poster that reads "42 percent."
The mark of 42 percent in opponents' field-goal percentage typically translates into victories. Last season, the Kings were 15-3 when getting there, and defensive-minded San Antonio was 32-1 when doing so. The Kings achieved the feat three times in the exhibition season, going 3-0.
Defensive progress has been evident, most notably in the tone of the players. Center Brad Miller, whose defensive game seemed to fade in recent years, suddenly talks about defensive schemes much more often. Before Bibby was hurt, he was noticeably more active and aggressive, along with many in the bunch.
The Kings finished the exhibition season ranked ninth in points per game (93.3) and 13th in opponents' field-goal percentage (44.4).
"We've been preaching defense since before Day One, and I think we've all got that mind-set," swingman John Salmons said. "We all understand that, without Mike, we're definitely going to have to win that way, and with Mike (as well)."
The resident expert on such matters, small forward Ron Artest, said this team is capable of having a defensive identity.
"We're going to grind it out on 'D' with Mike in, and without him," Artest said. "We've got the ammunition. We just have to do it."
Even before the regular season, Artest began working out a solution to a defensive problem. The departure of Bonzi Wells meant the Kings were even thinner in rebounding, as the shooting guard trailed only Miller (7.8 rebounds per game) in boards last season, averaging 7.7. And although hitting the glass never has been a large part of Artest's game, he led the team with 42 rebounds in eight exhibition games. Overall, the Kings finished 23rd in rebounding, averaging 38.6.
"(Rebounding) is an area that we have to keep on top of," Petrie said. "I thought Ron did a great job. He had that one preseason game where he didn't have any (rebounds), and he really came back after that and started doing a really terrific job there."
Bibby's absence could lead to a slow start. Second-year point guard Ronnie Price is expected to start in his place, with no one expecting him to fill the offensive void left by someone who averaged a career-high 21.1 points last season.
"I keep hearing (former Detroit) coach (Chuck) Daly saying that it takes you 50 games to know your team," Musselman said. "We feel like we know a lot about our group right now, but without 20 (points per) night in Mike, then somebody else has to pick up the pace."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
