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Final few are head games
The Kings are still in search of a playoff berth and the correct mind-set.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Tuesday, April 5, 2005
Kings forward Corliss Williamson has something no one else on his team possesses but that everyone wants.
That's the huge, diamond-covered 2004-05 NBA championship ring he won with the Detroit Pistons. And one of the important staples in the Pistons' effort was aggression, especially on defense.
Williamson was asked about the mind-set of last season's Pistons entering the playoffs.
"The playoffs are a totally different game," he said. "The little fouls you get during the regular season, you're not going to get those. The intensity level is picked up on both ends. So our mentality was to be aggressive on both ends of the floor.
"Offensively, (it was about) taking the ball to the basket and trying to create stuff and sharing the ball. Defensively, we wanted to be really aggressive and physical because that's playoff basketball."
The Kings will not win a ring tonight, but they can prove a couple of things by turning a solid performance into a victory over the visiting Seattle SuperSonics, who have beaten them in all three meetings this season.
The Kings can prove they can slow the Sonics, who have averaged 109.7 points against them.
They can also prove that inside their collective mind-set, there exists a willingness to defend as much as there is to jack up jumpers at a moment's notice.
During the final seven regular-season games, the Kings must find a way to improve defensively and become more mentally tough on offense. If not, they will be going home early.
It will take a tremendous run of poor fortune for the Kings to be excluded from the playoffs, but four games of loose defense, and they could be golfing.
The Sonics have used quickness, aggression and physicality to leave the Kings in their wake this season. But Seattle will not have All-Star forward Rashard Lewis (bruised foot) or reserve forward Vladimir Radmanovic (stress fracture in his right leg) available for tonight's game.
The Sonics (50-23) have been the league's biggest surprise under coach Nate McMillan, a prime choice for the Coach of the Year award. McMillan, who began this season as a coach with minimal job security, is still without a contract for next season.
Somehow, with a roster amazingly similar to last season's 37-45 squad, McMillan has Seattle playing smart, aggressive ball.
Conversely, the Kings' performances are up and down.
Kings guard Cuttino Mobley said he spends a lot of time trying to figure out his team.
"I've got nothing else to do," he said. "That's all I do."
Mobley believes any Western Conference team can be beaten, but he's looking for wins and consistency in the final regular-season games. Finishing strong is fine, Mobley said, but it's playoff success by which this team will be judged.
"If you make the playoffs, you've got to do some damage," Mobley said.
Kings guard Mike Bibby is looking for his team to play as it did in the past.
"Move the ball, share the ball and help each other out a little more on defense," he said, "instead of hugging our guy all the time. Help each other on both ends."
It has been Bibby's mantra all season long, but he says, "I don't know if people are listening yet. We have to get on the same page. We still have to get three wins to solidify our playoff spots."
Bibby expects the Kings to play well tonight but cautioned that the improvement will come from within each individual.
"You can't make somebody do something," he said. "These are all grown men. You've got to want to. You've got to have it within yourself."
Williamson knows you can't make huge strides overnight, but he says the Kings can't continue on their present path if they hope to have continued success.
"I don't think we have that aggressive disposition on the defensive end," he said. "We kind of react to what is going on on the court rather than trying to make them react to how the defense is playing. "Maybe some of it is our scheme, and maybe some of it is we're a little passive. But as a player, regardless of what defense you're in, you have to find ways to be aggressive. If there is an opportunity to trap, then we have to take advantage of it."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12676476p-13529544c.html
The Kings are still in search of a playoff berth and the correct mind-set.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Tuesday, April 5, 2005
Kings forward Corliss Williamson has something no one else on his team possesses but that everyone wants.
That's the huge, diamond-covered 2004-05 NBA championship ring he won with the Detroit Pistons. And one of the important staples in the Pistons' effort was aggression, especially on defense.
Williamson was asked about the mind-set of last season's Pistons entering the playoffs.
"The playoffs are a totally different game," he said. "The little fouls you get during the regular season, you're not going to get those. The intensity level is picked up on both ends. So our mentality was to be aggressive on both ends of the floor.
"Offensively, (it was about) taking the ball to the basket and trying to create stuff and sharing the ball. Defensively, we wanted to be really aggressive and physical because that's playoff basketball."
The Kings will not win a ring tonight, but they can prove a couple of things by turning a solid performance into a victory over the visiting Seattle SuperSonics, who have beaten them in all three meetings this season.
The Kings can prove they can slow the Sonics, who have averaged 109.7 points against them.
They can also prove that inside their collective mind-set, there exists a willingness to defend as much as there is to jack up jumpers at a moment's notice.
During the final seven regular-season games, the Kings must find a way to improve defensively and become more mentally tough on offense. If not, they will be going home early.
It will take a tremendous run of poor fortune for the Kings to be excluded from the playoffs, but four games of loose defense, and they could be golfing.
The Sonics have used quickness, aggression and physicality to leave the Kings in their wake this season. But Seattle will not have All-Star forward Rashard Lewis (bruised foot) or reserve forward Vladimir Radmanovic (stress fracture in his right leg) available for tonight's game.
The Sonics (50-23) have been the league's biggest surprise under coach Nate McMillan, a prime choice for the Coach of the Year award. McMillan, who began this season as a coach with minimal job security, is still without a contract for next season.
Somehow, with a roster amazingly similar to last season's 37-45 squad, McMillan has Seattle playing smart, aggressive ball.
Conversely, the Kings' performances are up and down.
Kings guard Cuttino Mobley said he spends a lot of time trying to figure out his team.
"I've got nothing else to do," he said. "That's all I do."
Mobley believes any Western Conference team can be beaten, but he's looking for wins and consistency in the final regular-season games. Finishing strong is fine, Mobley said, but it's playoff success by which this team will be judged.
"If you make the playoffs, you've got to do some damage," Mobley said.
Kings guard Mike Bibby is looking for his team to play as it did in the past.
"Move the ball, share the ball and help each other out a little more on defense," he said, "instead of hugging our guy all the time. Help each other on both ends."
It has been Bibby's mantra all season long, but he says, "I don't know if people are listening yet. We have to get on the same page. We still have to get three wins to solidify our playoff spots."
Bibby expects the Kings to play well tonight but cautioned that the improvement will come from within each individual.
"You can't make somebody do something," he said. "These are all grown men. You've got to want to. You've got to have it within yourself."
Williamson knows you can't make huge strides overnight, but he says the Kings can't continue on their present path if they hope to have continued success.
"I don't think we have that aggressive disposition on the defensive end," he said. "We kind of react to what is going on on the court rather than trying to make them react to how the defense is playing. "Maybe some of it is our scheme, and maybe some of it is we're a little passive. But as a player, regardless of what defense you're in, you have to find ways to be aggressive. If there is an opportunity to trap, then we have to take advantage of it."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12676476p-13529544c.html
GO KINGS!
