http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/47211.html
Kings Notes: For Taylor, role changes, but position stays same
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:09 am PST Sunday, October 29, 2006
There were playbooks and countless sets and long-winded speeches from coaches, but Maurice Taylor always knew the gist of his job.
Run to the post, establish position, go to work.
This is different, though, this new version of the 6-foot-9, 265-pounder that the Kings are trying to create. Taylor, the eight-year veteran big man who was signed as a free agent after being released from New York in late September, has been asked to diversify as a reserve center. Come out of the block, maybe hit a jumper. You know, be Brad Miller Lite.
In 80 exhibition minutes, he was 6 for 20 from the field with 12 rebounds. Admittedly, he was prone to fouls and turnovers and needs to clean up his game.
"I think everyone can see watching the games that sometimes I get caught thinking a little bit too much on the floor, due to the offense," Taylor said. "It's different for me to play out on the floor like I've been doing this preseason. And anytime you make a change in coaching styles, teams, or philosophies, it's going to be a feeling-out process. That's what I'm going through right now."
It didn't help matters that he missed two months in all -- including the first week of Kings camp -- with a calf injury. The legs are back to normal now, and Taylor said he is slowly rounding into shape.
He has yet to pass coach Eric Musselman's conditioning test with a qualifying mark of 62 seconds. The drill: Run five times from baseline to baseline, rest for two minutes, then repeat three times.
"My last one was about 64 seconds," Taylor said. "Next time, more than likely, I'll pass it."
Hindsight in action -- If not for the ever-present business aspect of the NBA, the Kings might have avoided their predicament at point guard, with starter Mike Bibby (thumb) scheduled to miss the start of the regular season.
The Kings' decision to draft shooting guard Quincy Douby on June 28 with the 19th pick came as a surprise only in light of the other players still available. Connecticut point guard Marcus Williams, who was once seen as a top 10 pick before an off-court incident appeared to drop his stock, was there for the taking. Kentucky point guard Rajon Rondo was also up for grabs. But the Kings already had veteran Jason Hart and second-year point guard Ronnie Price, with a combined $2.2 million owed to the duo for the coming season.
Williams eventually was nabbed by New Jersey at No. 22 and already has established himself as the backup to perennial All-Star Jason Kidd by averaging 16 points and seven assists in the exhibition season.
Rondo, who was once considered a top-five pick before his shooting woes scared teams off, went to Phoenix at No. 21 and promptly was traded to Boston.
He averaged 11.1 points per game in exhibition play, but his assist-to-turnover ratio (4.9 to 1.1) has impressed the most.
Douby, meanwhile, has found himself deep on the Kings' bench, having struggled in his limited minutes. The renowned shooter from Rutgers has played in 70 minutes over six games, hitting just 5 of 24 shots and 1 of 11 three-pointers.
Reading time -- Seven Kings and the coaching staff will be promoting reading and literacy Monday at the Boys and Girls Club in Sacramento as part of the NBA Cares and Read to Achieve programs.
With the team's dancers and Slamson joining Ron Artest, Bibby, Miller, Kevin Martin, Francisco García, Corliss Williamson and John Salmons, they will take part in a reading timeout, a book fair and a reading pep rally at the Boys and Girls Club's Lemon Hill Branch from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Kings Notes: For Taylor, role changes, but position stays same
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:09 am PST Sunday, October 29, 2006
There were playbooks and countless sets and long-winded speeches from coaches, but Maurice Taylor always knew the gist of his job.
Run to the post, establish position, go to work.
This is different, though, this new version of the 6-foot-9, 265-pounder that the Kings are trying to create. Taylor, the eight-year veteran big man who was signed as a free agent after being released from New York in late September, has been asked to diversify as a reserve center. Come out of the block, maybe hit a jumper. You know, be Brad Miller Lite.
In 80 exhibition minutes, he was 6 for 20 from the field with 12 rebounds. Admittedly, he was prone to fouls and turnovers and needs to clean up his game.
"I think everyone can see watching the games that sometimes I get caught thinking a little bit too much on the floor, due to the offense," Taylor said. "It's different for me to play out on the floor like I've been doing this preseason. And anytime you make a change in coaching styles, teams, or philosophies, it's going to be a feeling-out process. That's what I'm going through right now."
It didn't help matters that he missed two months in all -- including the first week of Kings camp -- with a calf injury. The legs are back to normal now, and Taylor said he is slowly rounding into shape.
He has yet to pass coach Eric Musselman's conditioning test with a qualifying mark of 62 seconds. The drill: Run five times from baseline to baseline, rest for two minutes, then repeat three times.
"My last one was about 64 seconds," Taylor said. "Next time, more than likely, I'll pass it."
Hindsight in action -- If not for the ever-present business aspect of the NBA, the Kings might have avoided their predicament at point guard, with starter Mike Bibby (thumb) scheduled to miss the start of the regular season.
The Kings' decision to draft shooting guard Quincy Douby on June 28 with the 19th pick came as a surprise only in light of the other players still available. Connecticut point guard Marcus Williams, who was once seen as a top 10 pick before an off-court incident appeared to drop his stock, was there for the taking. Kentucky point guard Rajon Rondo was also up for grabs. But the Kings already had veteran Jason Hart and second-year point guard Ronnie Price, with a combined $2.2 million owed to the duo for the coming season.
Williams eventually was nabbed by New Jersey at No. 22 and already has established himself as the backup to perennial All-Star Jason Kidd by averaging 16 points and seven assists in the exhibition season.
Rondo, who was once considered a top-five pick before his shooting woes scared teams off, went to Phoenix at No. 21 and promptly was traded to Boston.
He averaged 11.1 points per game in exhibition play, but his assist-to-turnover ratio (4.9 to 1.1) has impressed the most.
Douby, meanwhile, has found himself deep on the Kings' bench, having struggled in his limited minutes. The renowned shooter from Rutgers has played in 70 minutes over six games, hitting just 5 of 24 shots and 1 of 11 three-pointers.
Reading time -- Seven Kings and the coaching staff will be promoting reading and literacy Monday at the Boys and Girls Club in Sacramento as part of the NBA Cares and Read to Achieve programs.
With the team's dancers and Slamson joining Ron Artest, Bibby, Miller, Kevin Martin, Francisco García, Corliss Williamson and John Salmons, they will take part in a reading timeout, a book fair and a reading pep rally at the Boys and Girls Club's Lemon Hill Branch from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
