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Kings notes: Kings play on without Peja
By Nick Peters -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, April 17, 2005
PHOENIX - The seriousness of Peja Stojakovic's left groin strain has yet to be determined, but coach Rick Adelman said his sharpshooting forward would be on the bench with injured center Brad Miller for the Kings' remaining regular-season games.
Adelman, who has made a habit of surviving injury and adversity, called Stojakovic's groin strain "mild," yet he is planning for the worst-case scenario - the possibility that the Kings' scoring leader (20.1) won't be ready for the playoff opener.
"I have to think ahead," Adelman said Saturday night. "You've gotta be healthy to make a playoff run, and I'm concerned that we're not.
"But all I can say right now is that Peja is not going to play the last three games. It's obviously not great timing for us. He was playing real well lately."
Since he scored a season-high 38 points against Dallas on March 24, Stojakovic has averaged 23.5 points despite being limited to 26 total points in two games against the Lakers.
Of course, he played less than eight minutes Friday night in Los Angeles, leaving after making three three-pointers and scoring 14 points in a 115-106 romp.
He was helped to the locker room shortly after hitting a three-pointer, explaining: "I kind of felt it cramping up. Then, after the shot, I couldn't run at all."
Stojakovic did not accompany the team to Phoenix, reportedly returning to Sacramento on Friday night.
"I have no idea how he is," guard Mike Bibby said of Stojakovic. "We can't worry about it. We've just got to play on. We're used to it (dealing with injuries), but it's never the right timing."
Adelman said he would use the last three regular-season games to determine who is best suited to fill the void if Stojakovic isn't ready for the playoffs.
"We have to find out who can slide in there," he said.
Maurice Evans started against the Suns, but Adelman said rookie Erik Daniels would "get more playing time" and that Corliss Williamson also is in the picture.
The athletic Evans had a good audition against the Lakers on Friday, scoring 16 points in 36 minutes, including hitting all three of his three-pointers.
He likes Mike - Adelman has no doubt who should be the NBA's Coach of the Year - his former Kansas City Kings teammate Mike D'Antoni of the Suns, who have the NBA's best record.
"No question, it's Mike," Adelman said. "I felt it was between (D'Antoni) and Nate McMillan, but then Seattle fell off a bit. The Suns have bought into Mike's system, and they've played very consistent ball, night in and night out."
Asked about George Karl, who turned the Denver Nuggets around when he took over at midseason, Adelman firmly said no.
"George has done an unbelievable job, but you can't judge a guy on 38 games," Adelman said. "But it did surprise me that they got on such a roll."
Facts about groin strains
DEFINITION
Injury to the muscles or tendons in the area of the groin where the abdomen meets the thigh. Muscles, tendons and bones comprise units. These units stabilize the pelvis and allow its motion. A strain occurs at a unit's weakest part. TYPES OF STRAINS Mild (Grade I): </B>Slightly pulled muscle without tearing of muscle or tendon fibers. There is no loss of strength.
Moderate (Grade II): Tearing of fibers in a muscle, tendon or at the attachment to bone. Strength is diminished.
Severe (Grade III): Rupture of the muscle-tendon-bone attachment with separation of fibers. Severe strain requires surgical repair. Chronic strains are caused by overuse. Acute strains are caused by direct injury or overstress.
CAUSES
* Prolonged overuse of muscle-tendon units in the groin.
* Single violent injury or force applied to a groin muscle-tendon unit.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
* Prolonged healing time if activity is resumed too soon.
* Prone to repeated injury.
* Unstable or arthritic hip following repeated injury.
* Inflammation at the attachment to bone (periostitis).
* Prolonged disability (sometimes).
PROBABLE OUTCOME
If this is a first-time injury, proper care and sufficient healing time before resuming activity should prevent permanent disability. Average healing times are:
Mild strain: 2 to 10 days.
Moderate strain: 10 days to 6 weeks. Severe strain: 6 to 10 weeks. If this is a repeat injury, complications listed above are more likely to occur.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12741922p-13593578c.html
By Nick Peters -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, April 17, 2005
PHOENIX - The seriousness of Peja Stojakovic's left groin strain has yet to be determined, but coach Rick Adelman said his sharpshooting forward would be on the bench with injured center Brad Miller for the Kings' remaining regular-season games.
Adelman, who has made a habit of surviving injury and adversity, called Stojakovic's groin strain "mild," yet he is planning for the worst-case scenario - the possibility that the Kings' scoring leader (20.1) won't be ready for the playoff opener.
"I have to think ahead," Adelman said Saturday night. "You've gotta be healthy to make a playoff run, and I'm concerned that we're not.
"But all I can say right now is that Peja is not going to play the last three games. It's obviously not great timing for us. He was playing real well lately."
Since he scored a season-high 38 points against Dallas on March 24, Stojakovic has averaged 23.5 points despite being limited to 26 total points in two games against the Lakers.
Of course, he played less than eight minutes Friday night in Los Angeles, leaving after making three three-pointers and scoring 14 points in a 115-106 romp.
He was helped to the locker room shortly after hitting a three-pointer, explaining: "I kind of felt it cramping up. Then, after the shot, I couldn't run at all."
Stojakovic did not accompany the team to Phoenix, reportedly returning to Sacramento on Friday night.
"I have no idea how he is," guard Mike Bibby said of Stojakovic. "We can't worry about it. We've just got to play on. We're used to it (dealing with injuries), but it's never the right timing."
Adelman said he would use the last three regular-season games to determine who is best suited to fill the void if Stojakovic isn't ready for the playoffs.
"We have to find out who can slide in there," he said.
Maurice Evans started against the Suns, but Adelman said rookie Erik Daniels would "get more playing time" and that Corliss Williamson also is in the picture.
The athletic Evans had a good audition against the Lakers on Friday, scoring 16 points in 36 minutes, including hitting all three of his three-pointers.
He likes Mike - Adelman has no doubt who should be the NBA's Coach of the Year - his former Kansas City Kings teammate Mike D'Antoni of the Suns, who have the NBA's best record.
"No question, it's Mike," Adelman said. "I felt it was between (D'Antoni) and Nate McMillan, but then Seattle fell off a bit. The Suns have bought into Mike's system, and they've played very consistent ball, night in and night out."
Asked about George Karl, who turned the Denver Nuggets around when he took over at midseason, Adelman firmly said no.
"George has done an unbelievable job, but you can't judge a guy on 38 games," Adelman said. "But it did surprise me that they got on such a roll."
Facts about groin strains
DEFINITION
Injury to the muscles or tendons in the area of the groin where the abdomen meets the thigh. Muscles, tendons and bones comprise units. These units stabilize the pelvis and allow its motion. A strain occurs at a unit's weakest part. TYPES OF STRAINS Mild (Grade I): </B>Slightly pulled muscle without tearing of muscle or tendon fibers. There is no loss of strength.
Moderate (Grade II): Tearing of fibers in a muscle, tendon or at the attachment to bone. Strength is diminished.
Severe (Grade III): Rupture of the muscle-tendon-bone attachment with separation of fibers. Severe strain requires surgical repair. Chronic strains are caused by overuse. Acute strains are caused by direct injury or overstress.
CAUSES
* Prolonged overuse of muscle-tendon units in the groin.
* Single violent injury or force applied to a groin muscle-tendon unit.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
* Prolonged healing time if activity is resumed too soon.
* Prone to repeated injury.
* Unstable or arthritic hip following repeated injury.
* Inflammation at the attachment to bone (periostitis).
* Prolonged disability (sometimes).
PROBABLE OUTCOME
If this is a first-time injury, proper care and sufficient healing time before resuming activity should prevent permanent disability. Average healing times are:
Mild strain: 2 to 10 days.
Moderate strain: 10 days to 6 weeks. Severe strain: 6 to 10 weeks. If this is a repeat injury, complications listed above are more likely to occur.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12741922p-13593578c.html
Damn you Finley!
