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Kings notes: Artest's season pleases league
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, April 14, 2006
Story appeared in Sports section, Page C8
Ron Artest has seized the attention of the NBA again this season, from foes to coaches trying to figure out ways to get around him.
And the commissioner, David Stern, the man who was mortified at the sight of Artest barreling into those stands last season during that infamous brawl. Stern dropped the hammer hard on Artest, then with the Indiana Pacers, imposing a season-long suspension of 73 games. Now Stern says he watches with a bit of satisfaction as Artest has inspired the Kings with his relentless play while exhibiting stellar behavior.
"I must say, I have noticed," Stern said Thursday in a conference call. "It's something we follow. When we met him (following the suspension), we wished him well. We hoped that he (would) get back in the league this season and have an All-Star season.
"It's fair to say he's playing like an All-Star. He changed the fortunes of the team and we think that's great. We hope that it continues."
Thomas looks to bounce back - Kenny Thomas was there Tuesday against Phoenix, but not really.
The starting power forward logged just three rebounds and not a single point in his 15 minutes. Kings coach Rick Adelman didn't sound concerned, and neither did the player.
"It was an off game," Adelman said of Thomas. "It just didn't go his way. At this point of the season, guys are going to come through. He'll be fine."
Said Thomas, "I played 15 minutes. I'm cool. I'm fine. I've got to keep on playing hard."
K-Mart update - Kevin Martin has gone from reserve, to impact replacement for injured Bonzi Wells back to reserve to a sore-legged man looking to regain his game.
In short, Wells has played too well to take a seat now.
"He's going to have to figure it out," Adelman said of Martin's struggles. "I'm not going to alter the whole thing (by benching Bonzi) that's going on for one guy.
"We've been pretty successful lately, and I'm going to change that just so Kevin can get a better feel for himself? I don't think so. I think he will. He'll come along. He needs to have a game where he comes in (and plays well). I think he will. It's just a matter of time."
Channel surfing - Adelman admitted to clicking between games Wednesday night to monitor the progress of the Denver-Utah game and the New Orleans-Seattle show. Because Utah and New Orleans won, the Kings could not gain any distance on two clubs hot on their ankles in the playoff race.
And he'll keep an eye on tonight's Utah-New Orleans game.
"I fully expected those teams to win," Adelman said. "I really did. Someone's going to lose (tonight). That's a good thing. That would have been nice if they lost (Wednesday night), but they didn't cooperate."
[Link]
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, April 14, 2006
Story appeared in Sports section, Page C8
Ron Artest has seized the attention of the NBA again this season, from foes to coaches trying to figure out ways to get around him.
And the commissioner, David Stern, the man who was mortified at the sight of Artest barreling into those stands last season during that infamous brawl. Stern dropped the hammer hard on Artest, then with the Indiana Pacers, imposing a season-long suspension of 73 games. Now Stern says he watches with a bit of satisfaction as Artest has inspired the Kings with his relentless play while exhibiting stellar behavior.
"I must say, I have noticed," Stern said Thursday in a conference call. "It's something we follow. When we met him (following the suspension), we wished him well. We hoped that he (would) get back in the league this season and have an All-Star season.
"It's fair to say he's playing like an All-Star. He changed the fortunes of the team and we think that's great. We hope that it continues."
Thomas looks to bounce back - Kenny Thomas was there Tuesday against Phoenix, but not really.
The starting power forward logged just three rebounds and not a single point in his 15 minutes. Kings coach Rick Adelman didn't sound concerned, and neither did the player.
"It was an off game," Adelman said of Thomas. "It just didn't go his way. At this point of the season, guys are going to come through. He'll be fine."
Said Thomas, "I played 15 minutes. I'm cool. I'm fine. I've got to keep on playing hard."
K-Mart update - Kevin Martin has gone from reserve, to impact replacement for injured Bonzi Wells back to reserve to a sore-legged man looking to regain his game.
In short, Wells has played too well to take a seat now.
"He's going to have to figure it out," Adelman said of Martin's struggles. "I'm not going to alter the whole thing (by benching Bonzi) that's going on for one guy.
"We've been pretty successful lately, and I'm going to change that just so Kevin can get a better feel for himself? I don't think so. I think he will. He'll come along. He needs to have a game where he comes in (and plays well). I think he will. It's just a matter of time."
Channel surfing - Adelman admitted to clicking between games Wednesday night to monitor the progress of the Denver-Utah game and the New Orleans-Seattle show. Because Utah and New Orleans won, the Kings could not gain any distance on two clubs hot on their ankles in the playoff race.
And he'll keep an eye on tonight's Utah-New Orleans game.
"I fully expected those teams to win," Adelman said. "I really did. Someone's going to lose (tonight). That's a good thing. That would have been nice if they lost (Wednesday night), but they didn't cooperate."
[Link]
