http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13717942p-14560292c.html
By Sam Amick
LOS ANGELES - On Day 1 of training camp, Kings assistant and resident wise man Pete Carril summed up the first practice in simple terms:
"Rome wasn't built in a day."
Ten days later, the first pillar finally went up.
With a touch of the trademark offensive style and plenty of promise to build on, the Kings notched the first win since Gang Green in Seattle sparked a rebuilding job in last season's playoffs.
No one cared that the 90-84 victory at Staples Center came against a Los Angeles Clippers squad that was missing two starters and a key reserve. Nor did it matter that a 22-point third-quarter lead was cut to four before the Kings held the Clippers scoreless for nearly six minutes and rookie Francisco García sank a decisive three-pointer late in the fourth.
"It's just going to get better and better, once we're comfortable playing with so many players on the floor," Kings center Brian Skinner said. "We're trying to get everything down, get our structure down and offensive and defensive sets. ... We have a bunch of guys who know basketball, so it's only a matter of time."
This was a step toward building an identity, not the missing-persons program they'd been operating. García scored 10 of his 13 points down the stretch, and center Brad Miller and point guard Mike Bibby scored 14 points apiece while directing an offense that, at times, moved the ball as in the old days in tallying 26 assists.
For the first time, new additions Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Bonzi Wells didn't look like new additions. Abdur-Rahim, who started, scored on turnaround jumpers and moves in the block that didn't stop the offensive flow.
Wells was active on both ends, grabbing nine rebounds and scoring eight points.
For the first time this season, it was a good time for the Kings, whose preseason-opening loss to Dallas left coach Rick Adelman wondering about the potential so many already were sold on.
Before tipoff, Adelman said he was far from convinced about his team, saying, "I don't look at it like a lot of other people like we have this terrific team right now. That has yet to be proven. ..."
He felt better afterwards.
"We moved the ball better tonight, were a little more active defensively, responded better than the other night," Adelman said. "That's what happens in preseason games - you learn from them."
The start seemed reminiscent of the opener against Dallas. The Kings fell behind early Friday, trailing 19-11 nine minutes in, with former King Cuttino Mobley providing the punch with 15 first-quarter points.
But it was less a case of the Kings faltering and more of Mobley showing his penchant for hot streaks.
The Kings opened the third quarter with a 19-7 run, with Miller scoring 10.
"You know everyone can play, but everybody going in the same quarter, the same time was nice," Miller said. "Now we have to try to duplicate that, I guess."
Adelman chose against duplicating the starting lineup. Abdur-Rahim - who finished with 10 points and five rebounds - started for Kenny Thomas at power forward, joining Bibby, Wells, Peja Stojakovic and Miller. Adelman said he is tinkering with the lineup and has made no decisions about who ultimately will start. Backup point guard Jason Hart was a highlight again, frustrating Clippers point guards Sam Cassell and Daniel Ewing. Stojakovic was cold from the field once again, hitting 3 of 10 after going 1 for 7 in the opener.
By Sam Amick
LOS ANGELES - On Day 1 of training camp, Kings assistant and resident wise man Pete Carril summed up the first practice in simple terms:
"Rome wasn't built in a day."
Ten days later, the first pillar finally went up.
With a touch of the trademark offensive style and plenty of promise to build on, the Kings notched the first win since Gang Green in Seattle sparked a rebuilding job in last season's playoffs.
No one cared that the 90-84 victory at Staples Center came against a Los Angeles Clippers squad that was missing two starters and a key reserve. Nor did it matter that a 22-point third-quarter lead was cut to four before the Kings held the Clippers scoreless for nearly six minutes and rookie Francisco García sank a decisive three-pointer late in the fourth.
"It's just going to get better and better, once we're comfortable playing with so many players on the floor," Kings center Brian Skinner said. "We're trying to get everything down, get our structure down and offensive and defensive sets. ... We have a bunch of guys who know basketball, so it's only a matter of time."
This was a step toward building an identity, not the missing-persons program they'd been operating. García scored 10 of his 13 points down the stretch, and center Brad Miller and point guard Mike Bibby scored 14 points apiece while directing an offense that, at times, moved the ball as in the old days in tallying 26 assists.
For the first time, new additions Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Bonzi Wells didn't look like new additions. Abdur-Rahim, who started, scored on turnaround jumpers and moves in the block that didn't stop the offensive flow.
Wells was active on both ends, grabbing nine rebounds and scoring eight points.
For the first time this season, it was a good time for the Kings, whose preseason-opening loss to Dallas left coach Rick Adelman wondering about the potential so many already were sold on.
Before tipoff, Adelman said he was far from convinced about his team, saying, "I don't look at it like a lot of other people like we have this terrific team right now. That has yet to be proven. ..."
He felt better afterwards.
"We moved the ball better tonight, were a little more active defensively, responded better than the other night," Adelman said. "That's what happens in preseason games - you learn from them."
The start seemed reminiscent of the opener against Dallas. The Kings fell behind early Friday, trailing 19-11 nine minutes in, with former King Cuttino Mobley providing the punch with 15 first-quarter points.
But it was less a case of the Kings faltering and more of Mobley showing his penchant for hot streaks.
The Kings opened the third quarter with a 19-7 run, with Miller scoring 10.
"You know everyone can play, but everybody going in the same quarter, the same time was nice," Miller said. "Now we have to try to duplicate that, I guess."
Adelman chose against duplicating the starting lineup. Abdur-Rahim - who finished with 10 points and five rebounds - started for Kenny Thomas at power forward, joining Bibby, Wells, Peja Stojakovic and Miller. Adelman said he is tinkering with the lineup and has made no decisions about who ultimately will start. Backup point guard Jason Hart was a highlight again, frustrating Clippers point guards Sam Cassell and Daniel Ewing. Stojakovic was cold from the field once again, hitting 3 of 10 after going 1 for 7 in the opener.
