http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/121834.html
Kings Notes: Miller out with foot problem
Shareef Abdur-Rahim steps into the lineup at center.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, February 11, 2007
SEATTLE -- Eric Musselman was walking through an Emerald City mall Saturday, killing time hours before his Kings would attempt to win their fifth consecutive game.
When his cell phone rang, a recent string of positives for his team came to an end. It was team trainer Pete Youngman, calling to tell him to start planning for life without his starting center. Brad Miller missed Saturday's game in Seattle with inflammation in his left foot and will be out at least through the All-Star break. Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim enters the starting lineup in his place.
"We'll go through another adjustment period and try to make the best of it," Musselman said.
Just like last time. Miller -- who took part in the team's shootaround Saturday morning -- missed eight games with a partially torn plantar fascia (tissue) in the same foot. He said this injury is in the "same area" as the one suffered in the third game of the season.
Miller began experiencing pain three weeks ago, and had undergone routine treatment since and had a magnetic resonance imaging exam Friday. The pain increased to the point that extended rest seemed the best plan, with Miller hoping it requires no more than that.
"It's the first time I've ever had it, and it (stinks)," Miller said. "It stings. I'll just give it some time to immobilize it and see if that helps."
Miller had shone in his complementary role recently, finding cutters for easy layups and even offering more of a defensive presence than his norm. After tallying just 10 blocks in his first 29 games this season, he had 10 in his last seven games. He averaged 8.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists in his last 10 games.
The Kings' running problem with ball movement had improved largely because of the increased chemistry between Miller and his mates, calling for the biggest adjustment of them all.
"Obviously, Brad is arguably the best passing center in the NBA," Musselman said.
Quite a load -- Ray Allen was as thrilled as anyone to see Sonics small forward Rashard Lewis back in the lineup Saturday. Lewis had missed the previous 22 games with a hand injury, leaving Allen to keep an already undertalented Sonics squad afloat. Seattle was 8-14 without Lewis.
"I never (envied) what Allen Iverson did in Philly," Allen said. "What I've been trying to do for the last (22) games, I felt in that same light. You shoot a lot, everybody double-teams you, trying to keep the ball away from you. That's what he's had to do. I don't envy that because you have to do that every night."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Kings Notes: Miller out with foot problem
Shareef Abdur-Rahim steps into the lineup at center.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, February 11, 2007
SEATTLE -- Eric Musselman was walking through an Emerald City mall Saturday, killing time hours before his Kings would attempt to win their fifth consecutive game.
When his cell phone rang, a recent string of positives for his team came to an end. It was team trainer Pete Youngman, calling to tell him to start planning for life without his starting center. Brad Miller missed Saturday's game in Seattle with inflammation in his left foot and will be out at least through the All-Star break. Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim enters the starting lineup in his place.
"We'll go through another adjustment period and try to make the best of it," Musselman said.
Just like last time. Miller -- who took part in the team's shootaround Saturday morning -- missed eight games with a partially torn plantar fascia (tissue) in the same foot. He said this injury is in the "same area" as the one suffered in the third game of the season.
Miller began experiencing pain three weeks ago, and had undergone routine treatment since and had a magnetic resonance imaging exam Friday. The pain increased to the point that extended rest seemed the best plan, with Miller hoping it requires no more than that.
"It's the first time I've ever had it, and it (stinks)," Miller said. "It stings. I'll just give it some time to immobilize it and see if that helps."
Miller had shone in his complementary role recently, finding cutters for easy layups and even offering more of a defensive presence than his norm. After tallying just 10 blocks in his first 29 games this season, he had 10 in his last seven games. He averaged 8.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists in his last 10 games.
The Kings' running problem with ball movement had improved largely because of the increased chemistry between Miller and his mates, calling for the biggest adjustment of them all.
"Obviously, Brad is arguably the best passing center in the NBA," Musselman said.
Quite a load -- Ray Allen was as thrilled as anyone to see Sonics small forward Rashard Lewis back in the lineup Saturday. Lewis had missed the previous 22 games with a hand injury, leaving Allen to keep an already undertalented Sonics squad afloat. Seattle was 8-14 without Lewis.
"I never (envied) what Allen Iverson did in Philly," Allen said. "What I've been trying to do for the last (22) games, I felt in that same light. You shoot a lot, everybody double-teams you, trying to keep the ball away from you. That's what he's had to do. I don't envy that because you have to do that every night."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
