Kings notes: Kings avoid scene of season-opening loss to Hornets
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, January 13, 2006
NORMAN, Okla. - Once the man made up his mind, there would be no stopping him.
Sort of like when his team plays at its favorite place.
Byron Scott - former Kings assistant and current head coach of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets - is the one behind the strange locale of today's Kings game, which takes place way off the NBA map in the college town of Norman, Okla.
This is Oklahoma Sooners country, 20 miles from Oklahoma City and the Ford Center, where Scott's Hornets have played so tough this season. With his team already in transition because of the Hurricane Katrina-induced relocation, Scott began campaigning last month to alter the Hornets' already complicated schedule.
All it took to strengthen Scott's conviction was one game this season in Baton Rouge, La. In a Dec. 16 game at LSU's Maravich Center, a crowd of 7,302 saw the Hornets fall to Phoenix 101-88. The turnout was nothing like the average of 18,770 who have helped the Hornets go 10-6 at the Ford Center.
"I'm trying to win games," Scott told the Oklahoman last week. "And our players feel that (the Ford Center) is our home. We feel that we have an edge, and we feel we can beat any team when they come in there."
Thus, the remaining five games scheduled in Baton Rouge were moved, with three slated for the repaired New Orleans Arena. A Jan. 18 game against Memphis was moved to the Ford Center, while the Kings are headed to the University of Oklahoma's Lloyd Noble Center because Bon Jovi needs to practice for Saturday night's concert.
No word yet on whether the Kings will be sending the rock band a thank-you card. After all, the Kings started this trend: In the season opener, they fell 93-67 to the Hornets as a Ford Center crowd of 19,163 watched.
"I think it probably is (good to avoid the Ford Center), because they have played well there," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "That first game, they were very loud, very enthusiastic. I'm sure it'll be the same way (in Norman)."
The Lloyd Noble Center, which seats about 12,000, is expected to be sold out.
"It isn't so much where we play but who (we play)," Kings point guard Jason Hart said. "We split so far (with the Hornets), so it'll be an interesting game. I guess that's good that we're playing them in Norman, though."
Making them count - The transition from practice all-star to game-time gunner continues for Francisco García.
García - known among Kings players and coaches for shooting the lights out in practice - hit 3 of 4 three-pointers Wednesday night as he scored 12 points in the Kings' 88-80 win over Houston.
"Maybe a game like this will get him a little relaxed, where he'll look for his shot and start knocking them down," Adelman said.
And maybe he'll listen to Adelman's instructions next time. Early in the fourth quarter, Adelman hollered at García for making an unnecessary cut to the hoop. Had he been patient and stayed in the corner, Adelman told him, he would have had an open look.
García tried to calm his coach, as he put up his hands up and said, "My bad." Minutes later, he made good on it. On an almost identical play, García stood his ground, took a pass in the opposite corner and buried a three that helped stave off the surging Rockets.
"We've been telling him and Kevin (Martin) for 33 games to stay in the corner and quit cutting to the basket," Adelman said. "Kevin did it three times (against Houston). If they just stay in their spots, they're going to have wide-open shots. ... But those guys are young, and I don't know if there's some part of 'Stay in the corner, or stay in your spot' that they don't understand. I don't get it."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
wow, so now you know why Kevin likes to stay in the corner and looking so passive. Personally, I rather have him cutting since he doesnt have that good of a shot from outside.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14068353p-14899098c.html
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, January 13, 2006
NORMAN, Okla. - Once the man made up his mind, there would be no stopping him.
Sort of like when his team plays at its favorite place.
Byron Scott - former Kings assistant and current head coach of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets - is the one behind the strange locale of today's Kings game, which takes place way off the NBA map in the college town of Norman, Okla.
This is Oklahoma Sooners country, 20 miles from Oklahoma City and the Ford Center, where Scott's Hornets have played so tough this season. With his team already in transition because of the Hurricane Katrina-induced relocation, Scott began campaigning last month to alter the Hornets' already complicated schedule.
All it took to strengthen Scott's conviction was one game this season in Baton Rouge, La. In a Dec. 16 game at LSU's Maravich Center, a crowd of 7,302 saw the Hornets fall to Phoenix 101-88. The turnout was nothing like the average of 18,770 who have helped the Hornets go 10-6 at the Ford Center.
"I'm trying to win games," Scott told the Oklahoman last week. "And our players feel that (the Ford Center) is our home. We feel that we have an edge, and we feel we can beat any team when they come in there."
Thus, the remaining five games scheduled in Baton Rouge were moved, with three slated for the repaired New Orleans Arena. A Jan. 18 game against Memphis was moved to the Ford Center, while the Kings are headed to the University of Oklahoma's Lloyd Noble Center because Bon Jovi needs to practice for Saturday night's concert.
No word yet on whether the Kings will be sending the rock band a thank-you card. After all, the Kings started this trend: In the season opener, they fell 93-67 to the Hornets as a Ford Center crowd of 19,163 watched.
"I think it probably is (good to avoid the Ford Center), because they have played well there," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "That first game, they were very loud, very enthusiastic. I'm sure it'll be the same way (in Norman)."
The Lloyd Noble Center, which seats about 12,000, is expected to be sold out.
"It isn't so much where we play but who (we play)," Kings point guard Jason Hart said. "We split so far (with the Hornets), so it'll be an interesting game. I guess that's good that we're playing them in Norman, though."
Making them count - The transition from practice all-star to game-time gunner continues for Francisco García.
García - known among Kings players and coaches for shooting the lights out in practice - hit 3 of 4 three-pointers Wednesday night as he scored 12 points in the Kings' 88-80 win over Houston.
"Maybe a game like this will get him a little relaxed, where he'll look for his shot and start knocking them down," Adelman said.
And maybe he'll listen to Adelman's instructions next time. Early in the fourth quarter, Adelman hollered at García for making an unnecessary cut to the hoop. Had he been patient and stayed in the corner, Adelman told him, he would have had an open look.
García tried to calm his coach, as he put up his hands up and said, "My bad." Minutes later, he made good on it. On an almost identical play, García stood his ground, took a pass in the opposite corner and buried a three that helped stave off the surging Rockets.
"We've been telling him and Kevin (Martin) for 33 games to stay in the corner and quit cutting to the basket," Adelman said. "Kevin did it three times (against Houston). If they just stay in their spots, they're going to have wide-open shots. ... But those guys are young, and I don't know if there's some part of 'Stay in the corner, or stay in your spot' that they don't understand. I don't get it."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
wow, so now you know why Kevin likes to stay in the corner and looking so passive. Personally, I rather have him cutting since he doesnt have that good of a shot from outside.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14068353p-14899098c.html
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