By Sam Amick - samick@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/467704.html
SAN ANTONIO – "The cavalry is coming." Kings coach Reggie Theus said it as if Kobe Bryant himself was headed to Sacramento, or at least Joakim Noah.
Alas, the Kings' only addition a day after their blowout loss at New Orleans in the regular season opener was that of Beno Udrih.
The fourth-year point guard was signed to a one-year contract for the league minimum ($826,046) in emergency fashion, with Mike Bibby out for at least 10 weeks after having thumb surgery Sunday. The Kings' opener showed the desperate state of affairs in a 104-90 loss at New Orleans in which they trailed by as many as 26 points.
While the acquisition of other horses will be left for another day, the recent developments underscored how quickly the Kings' season has transitioned from one of optimism to one of possible instant rebuilding. In the wake of reports regarding a three-team deal among the Kings, Lakers and Chicago that would have sent Bryant to the Bulls and Ron Artest to the Lakers, two sources close to the Kings confirmed there had been recent trade talks with the Bulls.
And while the pieces discussed remain unclear, this much is known. The Kings tried mightily to move up in the June draft to acquire Noah out of Florida and, both then and now, are looking to upgrade their frontcourt. What's more, the inclusion of free agent P.J. Brown's name in the various rumors (as a possible sign-and-trade piece) surprised few as the Kings have looked his way before.
Lastly, there would likely be a request for draft picks from the Kings as they continue to try and build with youth.
That point was proven again Thursday, when Theus said he was "debating" changes to his starting lineup and rotation and instantly lauded praise on a rookie.
Just weeks ago, undrafted center Darryl Watkins was thrilled his hoops career didn't end at Syracuse. He had a quiet but solid training camp and saw some preseason minutes, but has recently emerged as a contributor.
His opportunity began with the absence of Justin Williams, the second-year big man who remains on a leave of absence as the Sacramento police investigate him on a sexual misconduct case. In 10 minutes against the Hornets, Watkins had four rebounds.
"He, right now, has the best post presence that we have," Theus said. "Shareef (Abdur-Rahim), who has good presence, just has bad wheels. (Watkins' emergence) goes back about a week ago.
"It's an extension of energy, (and) I've got to find somebody who can rebound. (Hornets point guard) Chris Paul got eight rebounds, and we got five rebounds between the two guys (Kevin Martin and John Salmons) who played the most minutes (Wednesday)."
Officially, Theus has proven what he's been preaching all preseason, that status or pay will have no bearing on playing time.
"I'm sticking to my guns," he said. "I'm not interested in who you are, I'm interested in results. If Darryl is going to have the energy, then I'm going to have to extend his minutes. That's all."
Udrih is expected to have joined the Kings by today, but he will not play against the Spurs tonight and won't likely be ready for at least a week due to a finger injury. He may, however, be given the championship ring he won with San Antonio last season.
He was drafted 28th overall in 2004 (two spots behind Martin, the Kings shooting guard), and played his first three seasons with the Spurs while winning two titles. He was traded to Minnesota on Oct. 27, then waived soon thereafter before being signed as a free agent.
At times in San Antonio, he was the dependable backup to Tony Parker, yet he spent other times being surpassed by Nick Van Exel or Jacques Vaughn.
For his career, the Slovenian averaged 13 minutes, 5.2 points and 1.8 assists. He won't, however, be able to offer immediate assistance, as Udrih broke a finger on his shooting hand in Spurs training camp and, according to his agent, has at least a week of recovery remaining.
"Beno's the kind of player who's a pure point guard," his agent, Marc Cornstein said. "I think he'll make a lot of the talented young wings in Sacramento like Kevin and Francisco (García) and John (Salmons) better as well, and getting them the ball when they need it."
http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/467704.html
SAN ANTONIO – "The cavalry is coming." Kings coach Reggie Theus said it as if Kobe Bryant himself was headed to Sacramento, or at least Joakim Noah.
Alas, the Kings' only addition a day after their blowout loss at New Orleans in the regular season opener was that of Beno Udrih.
The fourth-year point guard was signed to a one-year contract for the league minimum ($826,046) in emergency fashion, with Mike Bibby out for at least 10 weeks after having thumb surgery Sunday. The Kings' opener showed the desperate state of affairs in a 104-90 loss at New Orleans in which they trailed by as many as 26 points.
While the acquisition of other horses will be left for another day, the recent developments underscored how quickly the Kings' season has transitioned from one of optimism to one of possible instant rebuilding. In the wake of reports regarding a three-team deal among the Kings, Lakers and Chicago that would have sent Bryant to the Bulls and Ron Artest to the Lakers, two sources close to the Kings confirmed there had been recent trade talks with the Bulls.
And while the pieces discussed remain unclear, this much is known. The Kings tried mightily to move up in the June draft to acquire Noah out of Florida and, both then and now, are looking to upgrade their frontcourt. What's more, the inclusion of free agent P.J. Brown's name in the various rumors (as a possible sign-and-trade piece) surprised few as the Kings have looked his way before.
Lastly, there would likely be a request for draft picks from the Kings as they continue to try and build with youth.
That point was proven again Thursday, when Theus said he was "debating" changes to his starting lineup and rotation and instantly lauded praise on a rookie.
Just weeks ago, undrafted center Darryl Watkins was thrilled his hoops career didn't end at Syracuse. He had a quiet but solid training camp and saw some preseason minutes, but has recently emerged as a contributor.
His opportunity began with the absence of Justin Williams, the second-year big man who remains on a leave of absence as the Sacramento police investigate him on a sexual misconduct case. In 10 minutes against the Hornets, Watkins had four rebounds.
"He, right now, has the best post presence that we have," Theus said. "Shareef (Abdur-Rahim), who has good presence, just has bad wheels. (Watkins' emergence) goes back about a week ago.
"It's an extension of energy, (and) I've got to find somebody who can rebound. (Hornets point guard) Chris Paul got eight rebounds, and we got five rebounds between the two guys (Kevin Martin and John Salmons) who played the most minutes (Wednesday)."
Officially, Theus has proven what he's been preaching all preseason, that status or pay will have no bearing on playing time.
"I'm sticking to my guns," he said. "I'm not interested in who you are, I'm interested in results. If Darryl is going to have the energy, then I'm going to have to extend his minutes. That's all."
Udrih is expected to have joined the Kings by today, but he will not play against the Spurs tonight and won't likely be ready for at least a week due to a finger injury. He may, however, be given the championship ring he won with San Antonio last season.
He was drafted 28th overall in 2004 (two spots behind Martin, the Kings shooting guard), and played his first three seasons with the Spurs while winning two titles. He was traded to Minnesota on Oct. 27, then waived soon thereafter before being signed as a free agent.
At times in San Antonio, he was the dependable backup to Tony Parker, yet he spent other times being surpassed by Nick Van Exel or Jacques Vaughn.
For his career, the Slovenian averaged 13 minutes, 5.2 points and 1.8 assists. He won't, however, be able to offer immediate assistance, as Udrih broke a finger on his shooting hand in Spurs training camp and, according to his agent, has at least a week of recovery remaining.
"Beno's the kind of player who's a pure point guard," his agent, Marc Cornstein said. "I think he'll make a lot of the talented young wings in Sacramento like Kevin and Francisco (García) and John (Salmons) better as well, and getting them the ball when they need it."
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