http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/28618.html
Kings Notes: Kings hit the fairways before they take court
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, September 24, 2006
In less than two weeks, the drills begin.
The balls start bouncing early and finish late. A purple haze sets in that begins with Kings training camp and ends -- at least in the past eight seasons -- in the playoffs six months later.
But Friday at DarkHorse Golf Club in Auburn, green was the color of choice for five Kings, who participated in KHTK's Sports 1140 Golf Classic.
Kings center Brad Miller -- who aptly deemed his offseason "short" after he spent much of it playing with Team USA in the world championships -- was the guest host, graciously taking pictures with fans following the event and chatting about his global experience with Hall of Famer Rick Barry, who recently left his post as a KNBR midday talk show host.
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie played in the event with his son, Mike, a video scout for the team last season whose duties likely will increase this season.
The basketball talent was hard to miss among the usual cast of media types, fans and corporate sponsors, as new center Loren Woods and guards Kevin Martin, Francisco García and Ronnie Price played. Del Campo High School graduate and former Kings forward Matt Barnes hit the greens as well. Former Kings assistant coach Elston Turner and his wife, Louise, were also on hand.
The line of the day came from the crowd during the post-tournament dinner party, hosted by "Phantom" of the station's morning show "The Rise Guys." When Barry -- the legendary Warriors player who was famous for shooting free throws underhanded -- won a raffle prize, he was nowhere to be found. Phantom cracked that Barry should expect a beating for his early departure, drawing a wayward jokester to yell, "Watch out -- I hear he punches underhanded!"
Wells still looking -- Bonzi Wells' options for a new team, it seems, are down to Charlotte, Miami, Houston and Denver.
The free agent and former Kings shooting guard visited with Bobcats general manager Bernie Bickerstaff on Thursday, a meeting Bickerstaff described to the Charlotte, N.C., Observer as "a good interview" that was not followed by an offer.
Although the Bobcats have the most salary cap room of the other three teams (approximately $9 million), the question of how much of it they would give Wells is another matter.
Wells' new agent, Merle Scott, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel he has talked with the Miami Heat and plans to do so again, and the Houston Chronicle reports Wells met Monday with Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy and general manager Carroll Dawson in Houston.
Wells turned 30 on Wednesday.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Kings Notes: Kings hit the fairways before they take court
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, September 24, 2006
In less than two weeks, the drills begin.
The balls start bouncing early and finish late. A purple haze sets in that begins with Kings training camp and ends -- at least in the past eight seasons -- in the playoffs six months later.
But Friday at DarkHorse Golf Club in Auburn, green was the color of choice for five Kings, who participated in KHTK's Sports 1140 Golf Classic.
Kings center Brad Miller -- who aptly deemed his offseason "short" after he spent much of it playing with Team USA in the world championships -- was the guest host, graciously taking pictures with fans following the event and chatting about his global experience with Hall of Famer Rick Barry, who recently left his post as a KNBR midday talk show host.
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie played in the event with his son, Mike, a video scout for the team last season whose duties likely will increase this season.
The basketball talent was hard to miss among the usual cast of media types, fans and corporate sponsors, as new center Loren Woods and guards Kevin Martin, Francisco García and Ronnie Price played. Del Campo High School graduate and former Kings forward Matt Barnes hit the greens as well. Former Kings assistant coach Elston Turner and his wife, Louise, were also on hand.
The line of the day came from the crowd during the post-tournament dinner party, hosted by "Phantom" of the station's morning show "The Rise Guys." When Barry -- the legendary Warriors player who was famous for shooting free throws underhanded -- won a raffle prize, he was nowhere to be found. Phantom cracked that Barry should expect a beating for his early departure, drawing a wayward jokester to yell, "Watch out -- I hear he punches underhanded!"
Wells still looking -- Bonzi Wells' options for a new team, it seems, are down to Charlotte, Miami, Houston and Denver.
The free agent and former Kings shooting guard visited with Bobcats general manager Bernie Bickerstaff on Thursday, a meeting Bickerstaff described to the Charlotte, N.C., Observer as "a good interview" that was not followed by an offer.
Although the Bobcats have the most salary cap room of the other three teams (approximately $9 million), the question of how much of it they would give Wells is another matter.
Wells' new agent, Merle Scott, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel he has talked with the Miami Heat and plans to do so again, and the Houston Chronicle reports Wells met Monday with Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy and general manager Carroll Dawson in Houston.
Wells turned 30 on Wednesday.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
