http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14233954p-15055659c.html
Kings notes: Artest backs off from Bryant talk
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 23, 2006
LOS ANGELES - Faster than Kobe Bryant can pull up and release from long range, Ron Artest had changed his tune.
No more boisterous predictions regarding Bryant and how he would fare against Artest. No more, as Artest put it, stirring the pot of the Kings-Lakers rivalry and the faceoff of each team's stars.
Faced with the latest chance to turn the spotlight on himself and Bryant, Artest passed on the chance entering Wednesday's game at Staples Center.
"I hope he gets 70 (points) and we win the game," Artest said.
The Kings small forward has been unafraid to speak his mind since arriving, predicting the Kings would make the playoffs after just two games with his new team and recently saying they would see the second round.
"I know a bit about marketing, and I know how to stir things up," he said. "(But) marketing's not helping get wins."
So, one reporter asked Tuesday, was it a marketing ploy to forecast postseason success?
"That's (about the) team," Artest said. "That's as serious as (the prediction that) we're going to make the playoffs."
Artest has stopped short of predicting the Kings' finish in the Western Conference, he said, because he's not concerned about it.
"If everybody keeps winning, and we keep winning, we'll be right in the seventh spot," he said. "So whatever happens, you know, if we play San Antonio, or we play Dallas, who cares?"
Re-Vitaly-ized - The Lakers' physical play early was bad for the Kings in general but good for one player.
Center Vitaly Potapenko relieved a weary Brad Miller with 46 seconds left in the first quarter, seeing action for just the third time since he was traded from Portland to the Kings on Feb. 23.
He scored his first points as a King with 11:09 remaining in the second quarter, picking up a loose ball in the lane to sink a right-handed hook shot and cut the Lakers' lead to 32-16.
Phil-osophy - Square up, avoid the arms that are disguised as pistons and sink that jumper.
That was the advice given by Lakers coach Phil Jackson to Bryant entering his matchup with Artest. The approach worked in the first half, as Bryant scored 15 points, and the Lakers led 53-40.
"He's really a tank, an intimidator," Jackson said of Artest. "I've always admired the way he plays defense."
It wouldn't be Jackson, though, if a compliment wasn't soon followed by a complaint.
"He does get some liberties out there (from the officials) as a defensive player," he said.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Artest backs off from Bryant talk
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 23, 2006
LOS ANGELES - Faster than Kobe Bryant can pull up and release from long range, Ron Artest had changed his tune.
No more boisterous predictions regarding Bryant and how he would fare against Artest. No more, as Artest put it, stirring the pot of the Kings-Lakers rivalry and the faceoff of each team's stars.
Faced with the latest chance to turn the spotlight on himself and Bryant, Artest passed on the chance entering Wednesday's game at Staples Center.
"I hope he gets 70 (points) and we win the game," Artest said.
The Kings small forward has been unafraid to speak his mind since arriving, predicting the Kings would make the playoffs after just two games with his new team and recently saying they would see the second round.
"I know a bit about marketing, and I know how to stir things up," he said. "(But) marketing's not helping get wins."
So, one reporter asked Tuesday, was it a marketing ploy to forecast postseason success?
"That's (about the) team," Artest said. "That's as serious as (the prediction that) we're going to make the playoffs."
Artest has stopped short of predicting the Kings' finish in the Western Conference, he said, because he's not concerned about it.
"If everybody keeps winning, and we keep winning, we'll be right in the seventh spot," he said. "So whatever happens, you know, if we play San Antonio, or we play Dallas, who cares?"
Re-Vitaly-ized - The Lakers' physical play early was bad for the Kings in general but good for one player.
Center Vitaly Potapenko relieved a weary Brad Miller with 46 seconds left in the first quarter, seeing action for just the third time since he was traded from Portland to the Kings on Feb. 23.
He scored his first points as a King with 11:09 remaining in the second quarter, picking up a loose ball in the lane to sink a right-handed hook shot and cut the Lakers' lead to 32-16.
Phil-osophy - Square up, avoid the arms that are disguised as pistons and sink that jumper.
That was the advice given by Lakers coach Phil Jackson to Bryant entering his matchup with Artest. The approach worked in the first half, as Bryant scored 15 points, and the Lakers led 53-40.
"He's really a tank, an intimidator," Jackson said of Artest. "I've always admired the way he plays defense."
It wouldn't be Jackson, though, if a compliment wasn't soon followed by a complaint.
"He does get some liberties out there (from the officials) as a defensive player," he said.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
