http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/459380.html
Who will step up for the Kings?
By Sam Amick - samick@sacbee.com
Last Updated 5:05 am PDT Monday, October 29, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
Someone can become Kevin Martin.
A day after Mike Bibby's thumb surgery meant the Kings point guard would miss 10 to 12 weeks and changed his team's season so mightily before it even began, moving forward meant talking about the bright side. A veteran goes down, a youngster steps up, just as Martin did when a groin injury to former Kings shooting guard Bonzi Wells in 2005 led to his unexpected breakout.
"Didn't Brett Favre get his start that way, with somebody going down?" Kings coach Reggie Theus asked after Sunday's practice. "It happens all the time. An opportunity is in front of somebody to really get out and showcase themselves and really show what they can do."
Although second-year guard Quincy Douby took Bibby's place in the final exhibition game against the Lakers on Friday, third-year point guard Orien Greene could receive the starting nod in Wednesday's regular-season opener in New Orleans. Greene, who ran with the first team during practice, brings a defensive tenacity that blends with Theus' focus and is even more vital with the absence of Ron Artest (suspended by the league to start the season).
Greene hasn't had such an opportunity since his rookie season in Boston, when he averaged 15.4 minutes in 80 games while backing up Delonte West. Theus said he would announce his decision today.
"It's an opportunity for somebody to step up," Martin said. "Other guys just have to play, just bring their game. I think everybody's got to take their game up more."
That is, of course, unless Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie can find more help elsewhere. One option opens up today, as there is a 5 p.m. EDT deadline for teams to finalize their regular-season rosters, and the Kings could browse the waiver wire for point guards.
Third-year Houston point guard John Lucas III is expected to be waived. And although the Rockets have four cuts to make to bring their roster to the league limit of 15, it's highly unlikely anyone in the backcourt stable of Rafer Alston, Mike James, Luther Head, Aaron Brooks and Steve Francis will be cut.
Francis, 30, is out of the rotation and unhappy with his role, but he is in the first year of a guaranteed two-year contract (player option for the 2008-09 season) worth $5.07 million. He could come the Kings' way only if the Rockets cut and paid him or via trade.
It also appears unlikely either Gary Payton or Earl Boykins is headed Sacramento's way. Because the Kings are over the salary cap and out of exceptions, they can offer only the minimum salary. A league source said the Kings inquired about Boykins and that he would not accept the minimum, and it's unclear whether there is interest from either side regarding Payton. There have, however, been discussions about unemployed point guard Keith McLeod, a five-year veteran who has started 88 of his 200 games and averaged 18.6 minutes per game for four teams (Indiana last season).
Although the Kings currently have 15 players and might make one more cut before today's deadline, the point-guard situation and any possible signings today could be the determining factor.
"(Petrie) understands what I want," Theus said. "(But) it's always a matter of what you'd like to have, what you want, what you can get. Somewhere in the scope of things, he's going to look at it and see if we can get what we need."
Miller sits – Kings center Brad Miller sat out Sunday's practice with a back strain. The injury "flared up," Miller said, the morning before the Kings' Las Vegas exhibition game against the Lakers on Friday that he missed. And although Miller said Friday he would not miss the season opener, Theus said sitting might be the safer option.
"As crazy as it is, I'd rather him miss a couple of games and get better rather than miss more games and make it worse," Theus said.
About the writer: Call The Bee's Sam Amick, (916) 326-5582.
Who will step up for the Kings?
By Sam Amick - samick@sacbee.com
Last Updated 5:05 am PDT Monday, October 29, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
Someone can become Kevin Martin.
A day after Mike Bibby's thumb surgery meant the Kings point guard would miss 10 to 12 weeks and changed his team's season so mightily before it even began, moving forward meant talking about the bright side. A veteran goes down, a youngster steps up, just as Martin did when a groin injury to former Kings shooting guard Bonzi Wells in 2005 led to his unexpected breakout.
"Didn't Brett Favre get his start that way, with somebody going down?" Kings coach Reggie Theus asked after Sunday's practice. "It happens all the time. An opportunity is in front of somebody to really get out and showcase themselves and really show what they can do."
Although second-year guard Quincy Douby took Bibby's place in the final exhibition game against the Lakers on Friday, third-year point guard Orien Greene could receive the starting nod in Wednesday's regular-season opener in New Orleans. Greene, who ran with the first team during practice, brings a defensive tenacity that blends with Theus' focus and is even more vital with the absence of Ron Artest (suspended by the league to start the season).
Greene hasn't had such an opportunity since his rookie season in Boston, when he averaged 15.4 minutes in 80 games while backing up Delonte West. Theus said he would announce his decision today.
"It's an opportunity for somebody to step up," Martin said. "Other guys just have to play, just bring their game. I think everybody's got to take their game up more."
That is, of course, unless Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie can find more help elsewhere. One option opens up today, as there is a 5 p.m. EDT deadline for teams to finalize their regular-season rosters, and the Kings could browse the waiver wire for point guards.
Third-year Houston point guard John Lucas III is expected to be waived. And although the Rockets have four cuts to make to bring their roster to the league limit of 15, it's highly unlikely anyone in the backcourt stable of Rafer Alston, Mike James, Luther Head, Aaron Brooks and Steve Francis will be cut.
Francis, 30, is out of the rotation and unhappy with his role, but he is in the first year of a guaranteed two-year contract (player option for the 2008-09 season) worth $5.07 million. He could come the Kings' way only if the Rockets cut and paid him or via trade.
It also appears unlikely either Gary Payton or Earl Boykins is headed Sacramento's way. Because the Kings are over the salary cap and out of exceptions, they can offer only the minimum salary. A league source said the Kings inquired about Boykins and that he would not accept the minimum, and it's unclear whether there is interest from either side regarding Payton. There have, however, been discussions about unemployed point guard Keith McLeod, a five-year veteran who has started 88 of his 200 games and averaged 18.6 minutes per game for four teams (Indiana last season).
Although the Kings currently have 15 players and might make one more cut before today's deadline, the point-guard situation and any possible signings today could be the determining factor.
"(Petrie) understands what I want," Theus said. "(But) it's always a matter of what you'd like to have, what you want, what you can get. Somewhere in the scope of things, he's going to look at it and see if we can get what we need."
Miller sits – Kings center Brad Miller sat out Sunday's practice with a back strain. The injury "flared up," Miller said, the morning before the Kings' Las Vegas exhibition game against the Lakers on Friday that he missed. And although Miller said Friday he would not miss the season opener, Theus said sitting might be the safer option.
"As crazy as it is, I'd rather him miss a couple of games and get better rather than miss more games and make it worse," Theus said.
About the writer: Call The Bee's Sam Amick, (916) 326-5582.
