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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14010032p-14842823c.html
Kings notes: Bibby, Terry recall not-so friendly skies
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, December 23, 2005
Mike Bibby and Jason Terry share a lot of stories, which comes with the territory when you win a national championship.
The guards keyed Arizona's march to the top of the college heap in 1997, Bibby the cool, confident shooter and Terry the cool, calculating burner to the bucket. But there was one downer, a flight in a small plane to New Mexico for a game that had the friends who faced off against each other Thursday night at Arco Arena wondering if planes can bounce off mountains softly.
"He was screaming like crazy in that 12-seater," Bibby said. "It was a real bumpy flight, and he thought we were going down."
Did Bibby, the floor-leading point guard, offer any words of wisdom to calm the man's nerves?
"I didn't tell him anything," Bibby said. "I was in the back praying."
More on Mike
Terry said he feels for his pal, with Bibby's Kings sitting in last place in the Pacific Division after so many winning seasons. They talk shop on the phone, with more upbeat tones coming from Terry because the Mavericks again are among the NBA elite.
"This season, the losing, it eats at him," Terry said. "It takes him back to his Vancouver days. This guy is not a loser by any means. But he's been through it before. He knows how to respond."
No more Christie
Thursday was supposed to be the night Kings fans would be able to celebrate Doug Christie and his impact in Sacramento, similar to the standing ovations offered to Vlade Divac and Chris Webber last season.
But it never happened because Christie's troublesome foot forced him to retire after seven starts this season with the Mavericks. Christie didn't suit up when Dallas played at Arco in the preseason, though he did say then, "I'll be back, or just keep the memories in your head."
Said Terry, "It was definitely disappointing that it didn't work out for Doug."
Thomas faces tall order
Kenny Thomas has had his fill of Dallas All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, including several meetings a season during his Houston days.
"I've faced him many times," the Kings forward said. "He's always tough. You've got to get up in on him and move your feet on defense. Dirk is another person I accept the challenge of trying to stop."
Breaks and pulls
Kings players said you'd rather have a broken bone than try to endure a strain or a pull or a muscle tear, like the plight of Bonzi Wells and the groin injury that could keep the guard out a month.
"With a break, you know exactly when you'll be back," center Brad Miller said. "With pulls and things like that, you have no idea, and that's what makes it frustrating."
Said Dallas coach Avery Johnson: "Groins and hamstrings are the tough ones. I saw a replay of Bonzi. The way he dropped in the hallway, it looked like he was in some excruciating pain."
Et cetera
Pete Carril said he was tickled to be honored with a lifetime of achievement award at the annual Pete Newell Challenge on Wednesday, though he downplayed it by saying a man at his age - 75 - should be past accolades and pats on the back by now. The Kings assistant said he enjoyed seeing familiar faces from his Princeton days and chatting with Newell, 90, who remains active in basketball as a mentor and camp coordinator.
* Kings director of player personnel Jerry Reynolds said his book - "Reynolds Remembers: 20 Years with the Kings" - has been selling well, even better than Dennis Rodman's "I Should Be Dead By Now." Reynolds joked that his partying style and personality are "very similar to Rodman's," hence the nice book sales.
Kings notes: Bibby, Terry recall not-so friendly skies
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, December 23, 2005
Mike Bibby and Jason Terry share a lot of stories, which comes with the territory when you win a national championship.
The guards keyed Arizona's march to the top of the college heap in 1997, Bibby the cool, confident shooter and Terry the cool, calculating burner to the bucket. But there was one downer, a flight in a small plane to New Mexico for a game that had the friends who faced off against each other Thursday night at Arco Arena wondering if planes can bounce off mountains softly.
"He was screaming like crazy in that 12-seater," Bibby said. "It was a real bumpy flight, and he thought we were going down."
Did Bibby, the floor-leading point guard, offer any words of wisdom to calm the man's nerves?
"I didn't tell him anything," Bibby said. "I was in the back praying."
More on Mike
Terry said he feels for his pal, with Bibby's Kings sitting in last place in the Pacific Division after so many winning seasons. They talk shop on the phone, with more upbeat tones coming from Terry because the Mavericks again are among the NBA elite.
"This season, the losing, it eats at him," Terry said. "It takes him back to his Vancouver days. This guy is not a loser by any means. But he's been through it before. He knows how to respond."
No more Christie
Thursday was supposed to be the night Kings fans would be able to celebrate Doug Christie and his impact in Sacramento, similar to the standing ovations offered to Vlade Divac and Chris Webber last season.
But it never happened because Christie's troublesome foot forced him to retire after seven starts this season with the Mavericks. Christie didn't suit up when Dallas played at Arco in the preseason, though he did say then, "I'll be back, or just keep the memories in your head."
Said Terry, "It was definitely disappointing that it didn't work out for Doug."
Thomas faces tall order
Kenny Thomas has had his fill of Dallas All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, including several meetings a season during his Houston days.
"I've faced him many times," the Kings forward said. "He's always tough. You've got to get up in on him and move your feet on defense. Dirk is another person I accept the challenge of trying to stop."
Breaks and pulls
Kings players said you'd rather have a broken bone than try to endure a strain or a pull or a muscle tear, like the plight of Bonzi Wells and the groin injury that could keep the guard out a month.
"With a break, you know exactly when you'll be back," center Brad Miller said. "With pulls and things like that, you have no idea, and that's what makes it frustrating."
Said Dallas coach Avery Johnson: "Groins and hamstrings are the tough ones. I saw a replay of Bonzi. The way he dropped in the hallway, it looked like he was in some excruciating pain."
Et cetera
Pete Carril said he was tickled to be honored with a lifetime of achievement award at the annual Pete Newell Challenge on Wednesday, though he downplayed it by saying a man at his age - 75 - should be past accolades and pats on the back by now. The Kings assistant said he enjoyed seeing familiar faces from his Princeton days and chatting with Newell, 90, who remains active in basketball as a mentor and camp coordinator.
* Kings director of player personnel Jerry Reynolds said his book - "Reynolds Remembers: 20 Years with the Kings" - has been selling well, even better than Dennis Rodman's "I Should Be Dead By Now." Reynolds joked that his partying style and personality are "very similar to Rodman's," hence the nice book sales.
