LMM
Starter
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14010031p-14842825c.html
Hardly discouraged
The Kings' bench puts forth a big-time effort, but it can't make up for the loss of two starters.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, December 23, 2005
Brad Miller of the Kings, right, loses a battle for a rebound to Dallas' DeSagana Diop late in the fourth quarter.
Dirk Nowitzki was wide-eyed and black-eyed all at once.
Resting inside Arco Arena after a road trip practice on Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks forward whose shiner came courtesy of Lakers star Kobe Bryant was dissecting the Kings team that came next on the schedule.
"Hey, so Bonzi (Wells) is going to be out?" Nowitzki said.
"For three or four weeks," a team official answered.
Thus, the eyes grew the size of grapefruits.
Nowitzki, who had seen Bryant score 62 points in a win over the Mavericks on Tuesday, took full advantage of a Kings team in its first game without both the injured Wells and small forward Peja Stojakovic. With the game tied 85-85 and 5:36 left, the Kings hanging around like so few thought they could, Nowitzki went on his own 11-0 run to stymie the underdog upset bid in a 105-95 Mavs win on Thursday night.
But while Nowitzki finished with 37 points, the Kings lost their fourth straight game and a game at Arco Arena ended with their defeat for the eighth time, coach Rick Adelman was far from Scrooge-like afterward.
He'd seen the Kings erase a 14-point first half deficit, and even lead by three points early in the fourth quarter. He'd seen six players score in double figures, including a surprising breakout showing from little-used rookie point guard Ronnie Price (career-high 11 points). He saw the Mavericks on their heels, no more so than when they entered the fourth quarter up by one to a team that could hardly win when it had Wells and Stojakovic. He'd seen a collective resolve and energy unlike any that's appeared this season, elements he hopes translate into wins in his starters' absence.
"Our guys gave a great effort," Adelman said. "I have nothing against the way we played tonight. If we play like that night in and night out, we're going to be fine."
His only lament was a Kings drought that came at the worst time, as the Kings missed seven straight shots late in the fourth quarter as Nowitzki heated up.
"We missed a ton of shots in those last seven minutes - open shots," Adelman said.
The loss of Wells and Stojakovic was the worst kind of early Christmas present, as the Kings lost the players who combined for 32.1 points per game. Wells went down against Charlotte, falling in the first quarter in what was later learned to be a partial tear in his right groin that will keep him out for three to four weeks. Stojakovic is beset with a back injury, his ailment expected to bench him no less than a week.
The remaining starters struggled. Bibby had 22 points, but he had no assists for just the second time in his career. Power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim hit just 6 of 16 shots, and center Brad Miller was 4 of 12.
For a quarter, the Kings looked ready to hit the holidays whether they were happy or not. The starting five of Mike Bibby, Kevin Martin, Francisco García, Abdur-Rahim, and Miller fell behind the Mavericks 24-14 less than eight minutes in, with sloppy turnovers and conversions on the other end (12 points off them) their method. The Mavs hit 16 of 26 shots, and the rout appeared to be on.
But down 46-33 with seven minutes left in the first half, the reserve revival began when the unit changed. Price and forward Kenny Thomas joined Bibby, García, and Miller. Price hit a driving layup. Bibby hit a three-pointer. The Mavs suddenly couldn't find open shots, as they were held to just one field goal in the final 6:58. The half ended with Price guarding Nowitzki, a mismatch that ended with another missed attempt and the Kings having cut the lead to 54-49.
For once, Price was able to do more than cheer, which he's done all season with aplomb. This time, he was deserving of both the high-fives and applause he's usually giving, as he hit 4 of 8 shots.
"They're going to have an opportunity to go out there and find out what they can do and get some confidence," Adelman said of the reserves. "We get guys who start contributing night after night, we're going to win. And they've got to believe that."
Hardly discouraged
The Kings' bench puts forth a big-time effort, but it can't make up for the loss of two starters.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, December 23, 2005
Brad Miller of the Kings, right, loses a battle for a rebound to Dallas' DeSagana Diop late in the fourth quarter.
Dirk Nowitzki was wide-eyed and black-eyed all at once.
Resting inside Arco Arena after a road trip practice on Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks forward whose shiner came courtesy of Lakers star Kobe Bryant was dissecting the Kings team that came next on the schedule.
"Hey, so Bonzi (Wells) is going to be out?" Nowitzki said.
"For three or four weeks," a team official answered.
Thus, the eyes grew the size of grapefruits.
Nowitzki, who had seen Bryant score 62 points in a win over the Mavericks on Tuesday, took full advantage of a Kings team in its first game without both the injured Wells and small forward Peja Stojakovic. With the game tied 85-85 and 5:36 left, the Kings hanging around like so few thought they could, Nowitzki went on his own 11-0 run to stymie the underdog upset bid in a 105-95 Mavs win on Thursday night.
But while Nowitzki finished with 37 points, the Kings lost their fourth straight game and a game at Arco Arena ended with their defeat for the eighth time, coach Rick Adelman was far from Scrooge-like afterward.
He'd seen the Kings erase a 14-point first half deficit, and even lead by three points early in the fourth quarter. He'd seen six players score in double figures, including a surprising breakout showing from little-used rookie point guard Ronnie Price (career-high 11 points). He saw the Mavericks on their heels, no more so than when they entered the fourth quarter up by one to a team that could hardly win when it had Wells and Stojakovic. He'd seen a collective resolve and energy unlike any that's appeared this season, elements he hopes translate into wins in his starters' absence.
"Our guys gave a great effort," Adelman said. "I have nothing against the way we played tonight. If we play like that night in and night out, we're going to be fine."
His only lament was a Kings drought that came at the worst time, as the Kings missed seven straight shots late in the fourth quarter as Nowitzki heated up.
"We missed a ton of shots in those last seven minutes - open shots," Adelman said.
The loss of Wells and Stojakovic was the worst kind of early Christmas present, as the Kings lost the players who combined for 32.1 points per game. Wells went down against Charlotte, falling in the first quarter in what was later learned to be a partial tear in his right groin that will keep him out for three to four weeks. Stojakovic is beset with a back injury, his ailment expected to bench him no less than a week.
The remaining starters struggled. Bibby had 22 points, but he had no assists for just the second time in his career. Power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim hit just 6 of 16 shots, and center Brad Miller was 4 of 12.
For a quarter, the Kings looked ready to hit the holidays whether they were happy or not. The starting five of Mike Bibby, Kevin Martin, Francisco García, Abdur-Rahim, and Miller fell behind the Mavericks 24-14 less than eight minutes in, with sloppy turnovers and conversions on the other end (12 points off them) their method. The Mavs hit 16 of 26 shots, and the rout appeared to be on.
But down 46-33 with seven minutes left in the first half, the reserve revival began when the unit changed. Price and forward Kenny Thomas joined Bibby, García, and Miller. Price hit a driving layup. Bibby hit a three-pointer. The Mavs suddenly couldn't find open shots, as they were held to just one field goal in the final 6:58. The half ended with Price guarding Nowitzki, a mismatch that ended with another missed attempt and the Kings having cut the lead to 54-49.
For once, Price was able to do more than cheer, which he's done all season with aplomb. This time, he was deserving of both the high-fives and applause he's usually giving, as he hit 4 of 8 shots.
"They're going to have an opportunity to go out there and find out what they can do and get some confidence," Adelman said of the reserves. "We get guys who start contributing night after night, we're going to win. And they've got to believe that."
