http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14244211p-15062789c.html
Kings notes: Abdur-Rahim finally will be in postseason
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, April 17, 2006
As soon as there was a pause in the Kings' dressing room Sunday night, with a playoff berth finally secured and plenty of hollering, everyone gave it to Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
The streak is no longer his burden.
The Kings' postseason entry means that Abdur-Rahim's wait for postseason duty is over after 10 years and 742 games. The first-year Kings forward had the longest active streak for games played without reaching the playoffs. His streak is second all-time to Tom Van Arsdale, who logged 12 seasons and 929 games with five teams, ending in 1977, without a postseason contest.
"I'm really happy for him," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "I don't know if he understands you get extra money for that, too. That excited him."
Said Kings guard Mike Bibby, who was Abdur-Rahim's teammate during some dreadful times in Vancouver: "We're happy for him. He finally gets this off his back. Everyone gave him fives in there."
Said Abdur-Rahim: "It feels really good. It was a tough year, with the injury (a broken jaw in December), but we're here. Feels good."
A's for Adelman
Byron Scott is an Adelman guy. Scott played against him when Adelman was an assistant coach and later the head coach with Portland, and he was on Adelman's bench for two Kings seasons in getting his NBA coaching start.
"He's done a terrific job," said Scott, now New Orleans' coach. "All the criticism he's taken has been unfair. All the changes they've had here, the trades, the turmoil ... it's a different team, but he's still winning. He's done a terrific job."
Scott said it bewilders him that Adelman could be coaching his final games in Sacramento without even a hint of a contract extension in the works. (Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof have said they will wait until the end of the season to decide, and Adelman has similarly said he will wait until then to figure out if he wants to return.)
"Eight straight years in the playoffs is proof enough that he can coach," Scott said. "He's a great coach."
Paul is the man
From all indications, from performance to a poll of NBA writers across the country, the Hornets' Chris Paul is a lock for Rookie of the Year.
The point guard from Wake Forest, the fourth pick in the draft, is averaging 16.4 points, 7.9 assists and 5.2 rebounds. The announcement for the honor will be made soon.
"A lot of people thought I was joking when I said that he was the best player in the draft and that he'd be Rookie of the Year," Scott said. "That's fact now. He's a terrific player and a terrific young man."
Said Adelman: "I was impressed every time we played him, how he plays, his maturity."
Playoff tickets
A limited number of playoff tickets for Games 3 and 4 (opponent, days and times to be determined) went on sale after Sunday night's game at www.ticketmaster.com. Fans also may call (916) 649-TIXS, (530) 528-TIXS or (209) 551-TIXS or visit the Arco Arena box office.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Abdur-Rahim finally will be in postseason
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, April 17, 2006
As soon as there was a pause in the Kings' dressing room Sunday night, with a playoff berth finally secured and plenty of hollering, everyone gave it to Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
The streak is no longer his burden.
The Kings' postseason entry means that Abdur-Rahim's wait for postseason duty is over after 10 years and 742 games. The first-year Kings forward had the longest active streak for games played without reaching the playoffs. His streak is second all-time to Tom Van Arsdale, who logged 12 seasons and 929 games with five teams, ending in 1977, without a postseason contest.
"I'm really happy for him," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "I don't know if he understands you get extra money for that, too. That excited him."
Said Kings guard Mike Bibby, who was Abdur-Rahim's teammate during some dreadful times in Vancouver: "We're happy for him. He finally gets this off his back. Everyone gave him fives in there."
Said Abdur-Rahim: "It feels really good. It was a tough year, with the injury (a broken jaw in December), but we're here. Feels good."
A's for Adelman
Byron Scott is an Adelman guy. Scott played against him when Adelman was an assistant coach and later the head coach with Portland, and he was on Adelman's bench for two Kings seasons in getting his NBA coaching start.
"He's done a terrific job," said Scott, now New Orleans' coach. "All the criticism he's taken has been unfair. All the changes they've had here, the trades, the turmoil ... it's a different team, but he's still winning. He's done a terrific job."
Scott said it bewilders him that Adelman could be coaching his final games in Sacramento without even a hint of a contract extension in the works. (Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof have said they will wait until the end of the season to decide, and Adelman has similarly said he will wait until then to figure out if he wants to return.)
"Eight straight years in the playoffs is proof enough that he can coach," Scott said. "He's a great coach."
Paul is the man
From all indications, from performance to a poll of NBA writers across the country, the Hornets' Chris Paul is a lock for Rookie of the Year.
The point guard from Wake Forest, the fourth pick in the draft, is averaging 16.4 points, 7.9 assists and 5.2 rebounds. The announcement for the honor will be made soon.
"A lot of people thought I was joking when I said that he was the best player in the draft and that he'd be Rookie of the Year," Scott said. "That's fact now. He's a terrific player and a terrific young man."
Said Adelman: "I was impressed every time we played him, how he plays, his maturity."
Playoff tickets
A limited number of playoff tickets for Games 3 and 4 (opponent, days and times to be determined) went on sale after Sunday night's game at www.ticketmaster.com. Fans also may call (916) 649-TIXS, (530) 528-TIXS or (209) 551-TIXS or visit the Arco Arena box office.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com.
