http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/431831.html
Kings Notes: Frontcourt mates working to shake rust before season
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:26 am PDT Sunday, October 14, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C12
The potential is there.
A slimmer Brad Miller at center, next to a lengthy and active Mikki Moore in the paint. The combination gives the Kings scoring options down low and plenty of passing ability, albeit with the disclaimer that the wing players need to help rebound.
But the performance isn't matching the potential quite yet.
The pinpoint passes Miller is known for are a bit off target, while Moore has struggled to keep pace during some game action. The frontcourt duo had five turnovers apiece in the exhibition-opening win over Seattle on Tuesday, then combined for five more turnovers in Thursday's loss to Phoenix.
And while one would be hard pressed to wipe the smile off either player's face -- Miller because he's enjoying life without the 25 pounds he lost in the offseason and Moore because he's just the cheery type -- Kings coach Reggie Theus is looking for more. Like Rick Adelman and Eric Musselman before him, Theus will rely on Miller's passing skills but expects to see a refined version come November.
"On the court so far, he's moving well," Theus said. "I think his timing has not been very good. He's trying passes right now that are not there. He sees them, and they're not there. "Defensively, he's busting his (butt), really getting after it. He's trying to be in the right spots."
Miller disputes none of it -- the critique of himself or the 31-year-old Moore. The braided big man, who signed a three-year contract worth $17 million during the offseason, has been candid, admitting that the pressure that comes with his deal has been on his mind. He's tallied a combined seven points and five rebounds in 49 minutes.
"Once he gets his (darn) legs in normal shape, he'll be all right," Miller said. "He's an old guy like me. It takes us a while to get our legs underneath us on our shots and timing."
Theus said Moore's conditioning has been an issue.
"I think Mikki struggled the first two games, and I think his conditioning is average," Theus said. "Right now, I think part of his problem is he's tired. He's pressing. ... All of that comes from not being in the best condition possible. Some of that doesn't have anything to do with what he's done here, but with what he did before he got here this summer."
Greene Monster -- Ron Artest didn't know Orien Greene from local musician Jackie Greene.
But after two weeks as his teammate, he's his biggest fan.
"Just like I can guard the (shooting guard, small forward and power forward) spots, he can guard (point guard, shooting guard, and small forward)," Artest said. "He's got a chance to be even better than a good player. He could be very, very good, one of the best point guards in the league."
Greene, the third-year player signed in the offseason after stints in Boston and Orlando, has been as advertised thus far. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Greene entered with a reputation as a defensive specialist, then drew praise from Kings point guard Mike Bibby for being able to handle Artest one-on-one. While the coaching staff wants continued improvement on offense, Greene's play on the other end may be enough to earn him a role on its own.
"I think he's headed down the right track -- I really do," Theus said of Greene. "I don't need him to show me his offense. I need him to knock down the open shot, pass it, and drive and kick. I don't need him seeking out his offense. I need him to concentrate on defense and pushing that damn ball down the floor."
Birthday banter -- Theus turned 50 Saturday, and his players celebrated with a song after practice.
The tune, of course, was a classic "Happy Birthday" rendition sung by the rookies, as ordered by the veterans.
Theus' response? "That was horrible," he said with a laugh. "Horrible."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Kings Notes: Frontcourt mates working to shake rust before season
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:26 am PDT Sunday, October 14, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C12
The potential is there.
A slimmer Brad Miller at center, next to a lengthy and active Mikki Moore in the paint. The combination gives the Kings scoring options down low and plenty of passing ability, albeit with the disclaimer that the wing players need to help rebound.
But the performance isn't matching the potential quite yet.
The pinpoint passes Miller is known for are a bit off target, while Moore has struggled to keep pace during some game action. The frontcourt duo had five turnovers apiece in the exhibition-opening win over Seattle on Tuesday, then combined for five more turnovers in Thursday's loss to Phoenix.
And while one would be hard pressed to wipe the smile off either player's face -- Miller because he's enjoying life without the 25 pounds he lost in the offseason and Moore because he's just the cheery type -- Kings coach Reggie Theus is looking for more. Like Rick Adelman and Eric Musselman before him, Theus will rely on Miller's passing skills but expects to see a refined version come November.
"On the court so far, he's moving well," Theus said. "I think his timing has not been very good. He's trying passes right now that are not there. He sees them, and they're not there. "Defensively, he's busting his (butt), really getting after it. He's trying to be in the right spots."
Miller disputes none of it -- the critique of himself or the 31-year-old Moore. The braided big man, who signed a three-year contract worth $17 million during the offseason, has been candid, admitting that the pressure that comes with his deal has been on his mind. He's tallied a combined seven points and five rebounds in 49 minutes.
"Once he gets his (darn) legs in normal shape, he'll be all right," Miller said. "He's an old guy like me. It takes us a while to get our legs underneath us on our shots and timing."
Theus said Moore's conditioning has been an issue.
"I think Mikki struggled the first two games, and I think his conditioning is average," Theus said. "Right now, I think part of his problem is he's tired. He's pressing. ... All of that comes from not being in the best condition possible. Some of that doesn't have anything to do with what he's done here, but with what he did before he got here this summer."
Greene Monster -- Ron Artest didn't know Orien Greene from local musician Jackie Greene.
But after two weeks as his teammate, he's his biggest fan.
"Just like I can guard the (shooting guard, small forward and power forward) spots, he can guard (point guard, shooting guard, and small forward)," Artest said. "He's got a chance to be even better than a good player. He could be very, very good, one of the best point guards in the league."
Greene, the third-year player signed in the offseason after stints in Boston and Orlando, has been as advertised thus far. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Greene entered with a reputation as a defensive specialist, then drew praise from Kings point guard Mike Bibby for being able to handle Artest one-on-one. While the coaching staff wants continued improvement on offense, Greene's play on the other end may be enough to earn him a role on its own.
"I think he's headed down the right track -- I really do," Theus said of Greene. "I don't need him to show me his offense. I need him to knock down the open shot, pass it, and drive and kick. I don't need him seeking out his offense. I need him to concentrate on defense and pushing that damn ball down the floor."
Birthday banter -- Theus turned 50 Saturday, and his players celebrated with a song after practice.
The tune, of course, was a classic "Happy Birthday" rendition sung by the rookies, as ordered by the veterans.
Theus' response? "That was horrible," he said with a laugh. "Horrible."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
