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Don't just stand there!
Kings need someone - anyone - to step forward
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, April 29, 2005
It's the Seattle SuperSonics against the unknown quantity also called the Kings tonight at Arco Arena.
The Kings trail 2-0 in the best-of-seven first-round NBA playoff series and have talked a good game since losing Game 2 in Seattle, but in their current composition, they have no frame of reference for the situation. The Kings have never been here before as a unit. This starting lineup will be together for just the second time.
So neither coach Rick Adelman nor his players knows what the response will be to having the season essentially hanging on tonight's outcome. The concept of winning four straight games after trailing in a playoff series is a bit much, even if the Boston Red Sox did so last fall against the New York Yankees.
"We've got to get this one; of course, we've got to have both," Kings small forward Peja Stojakovic said, referencing Sunday night's Game 4 at Arco.
Tonight's outcome, some Kings say, might hinge on the team's sheer collective will.
"We have to want it more than they do," Adelman says. "(The Sonics) have wanted (to win) more than we have, and we have to change that around."
Kings center Brad Miller will start and play long minutes, Adelman said.
"As long as he doesn't get into foul trouble or have a heart attack, he's going to be out there," the coach said of Miller, who will play just his third game since originally injuring his left leg Feb. 27.
Miller's ability to remain on the floor will be one of the keys to improved efficiency at the offensive end as well as attempting to slow down Sonics center Jerome James (averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds in the series).
"The last thing we thought coming into this series was that we'd have to double Jerome James," Adelman said, "but give him credit.
"(But) you'll know how much we want it by the activity level at each end of the floor," the coach added. "If we pass the ball and jog through the lane or take quick shots, that's not going to get it done. Jerome had the ball (in Game 2) and moved toward the middle. We had three guys within two feet of him, and all of them just stood there.
"Sure we have a game plan, but you've got to play the game. He's not the best passer in the world, so in that situation when he's been hurting us, you've got to come at him. That's just playing smart.
"If we're getting to loose balls and getting our hands on passes, then we'll be fine."
Another key will be the Kings' willingness to attack the basket. The Sonics own a 58-30 edge in free-throw attempts.
When teams haven't played well, that's the time when leadership must take over. Exactly where this team's leadership is remains a question.
"I don't know," Miller said when asked. "Maybe we'll see (tonight)."
Kings shooting guard Cuttino Mobley said he is one of the team's leaders.
"It's going to be up to me and Mike (Bibby) to make sure we're ready to play," Mobley said. "We have to be more aggressive. We have to attack them like they've attacked us. That means not letting guys drive through the lane, giving hard fouls and taking charges.
"We've got to play tough and scrappy and basically put (our) neck on the line."
Ultimately, for the Kings, it always comes back to having five or six players perform at their highest levels. Usually, that spells victory. Anything less than that effort, and it's going to be difficult defeating a confident Sonics team that won 26 regular-season road games. Only the Phoenix Suns (31) and Dallas Mavericks (29) won more. "I think we'll respond," Adelman said. "I think when you get embarrassed, you usually respond."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12807124p-13657445c.html
Kings need someone - anyone - to step forward
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, April 29, 2005
It's the Seattle SuperSonics against the unknown quantity also called the Kings tonight at Arco Arena.
The Kings trail 2-0 in the best-of-seven first-round NBA playoff series and have talked a good game since losing Game 2 in Seattle, but in their current composition, they have no frame of reference for the situation. The Kings have never been here before as a unit. This starting lineup will be together for just the second time.
So neither coach Rick Adelman nor his players knows what the response will be to having the season essentially hanging on tonight's outcome. The concept of winning four straight games after trailing in a playoff series is a bit much, even if the Boston Red Sox did so last fall against the New York Yankees.
"We've got to get this one; of course, we've got to have both," Kings small forward Peja Stojakovic said, referencing Sunday night's Game 4 at Arco.
Tonight's outcome, some Kings say, might hinge on the team's sheer collective will.
"We have to want it more than they do," Adelman says. "(The Sonics) have wanted (to win) more than we have, and we have to change that around."
Kings center Brad Miller will start and play long minutes, Adelman said.
"As long as he doesn't get into foul trouble or have a heart attack, he's going to be out there," the coach said of Miller, who will play just his third game since originally injuring his left leg Feb. 27.
Miller's ability to remain on the floor will be one of the keys to improved efficiency at the offensive end as well as attempting to slow down Sonics center Jerome James (averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds in the series).
"The last thing we thought coming into this series was that we'd have to double Jerome James," Adelman said, "but give him credit.
"(But) you'll know how much we want it by the activity level at each end of the floor," the coach added. "If we pass the ball and jog through the lane or take quick shots, that's not going to get it done. Jerome had the ball (in Game 2) and moved toward the middle. We had three guys within two feet of him, and all of them just stood there.
"Sure we have a game plan, but you've got to play the game. He's not the best passer in the world, so in that situation when he's been hurting us, you've got to come at him. That's just playing smart.
"If we're getting to loose balls and getting our hands on passes, then we'll be fine."
Another key will be the Kings' willingness to attack the basket. The Sonics own a 58-30 edge in free-throw attempts.
When teams haven't played well, that's the time when leadership must take over. Exactly where this team's leadership is remains a question.
"I don't know," Miller said when asked. "Maybe we'll see (tonight)."
Kings shooting guard Cuttino Mobley said he is one of the team's leaders.
"It's going to be up to me and Mike (Bibby) to make sure we're ready to play," Mobley said. "We have to be more aggressive. We have to attack them like they've attacked us. That means not letting guys drive through the lane, giving hard fouls and taking charges.
"We've got to play tough and scrappy and basically put (our) neck on the line."
Ultimately, for the Kings, it always comes back to having five or six players perform at their highest levels. Usually, that spells victory. Anything less than that effort, and it's going to be difficult defeating a confident Sonics team that won 26 regular-season road games. Only the Phoenix Suns (31) and Dallas Mavericks (29) won more. "I think we'll respond," Adelman said. "I think when you get embarrassed, you usually respond."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12807124p-13657445c.html
