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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12500926p-13356434c.html
Kings notes: Mobley, Francis renew their old friendship
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 3, 2005
ORLANDO - Kings guard Cuttino Mobley was happy to return to Orlando on Tuesday night and see some of the new friends he met during the four months he spent with the Magic.
That's not to mention hooking up with his main man, Steve Francis, with whom he has spent the bulk of his NBA career in Houston and Orlando.
Mobley, who said he dislocated a finger on his left (shooting) hand Sunday against Washington, said despite the mishap it was cool to be playing against his best friend.
Mobley defended Francis much of the game, while Francis spent more time defending Mike Bibby in the second half.
"It wasn't like Houston," said Mobley, who scored 14 points. "I had a lot of emotions in Houston. I met a lot of cool people here. Orlando is a great place, and it doesn't hurt to have your best friend here, too."
Mobley said he hadn't often played against Francis, although they faced each other at times during the summer.
"He is hard to guard," Mobley said after Francis scored a game-high 29 points and had 10 assists, tying Bibby for the game high.
"He had the upper hand on me with the dislocation of my finger," Mobley said. "He played well. He has to be aggressive because he needs to score for them to win. I can score 18 and my team can win. But they played well. Everybody on their team played well."
Said Francis of the matchup: "It was good. It will always be the same. Regardless of if I play for a team in Alaska and he plays for a team Beijing, we're still going to be cool. That's just the way it is."
Stojakovic tries to be patient - Peja Stojakovic scored a team-high 28 points on 7-of-12 shooting (3 of 7 from three-point range) and 11 of 11 from the free-throw line but didn't play effortlessly.
"I had it in the back of my mind, but I felt good," Stojakovic said of his strained right hamstring. "I missed three weeks, so I'm happy to be back on the floor. I know it's going to take time for me and for my teammates."
Center Brad Miller tested his right calf before the game but decided it was too sore to play. He'll likely play Friday night at Miami. Forward Darius Songaila (15 points and seven rebounds in 35 minutes) said the tendon on his left foot was sore when he started the game, but he forgot about it once the contest continued.
Kings notes: Mobley, Francis renew their old friendship
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 3, 2005
ORLANDO - Kings guard Cuttino Mobley was happy to return to Orlando on Tuesday night and see some of the new friends he met during the four months he spent with the Magic.
That's not to mention hooking up with his main man, Steve Francis, with whom he has spent the bulk of his NBA career in Houston and Orlando.
Mobley, who said he dislocated a finger on his left (shooting) hand Sunday against Washington, said despite the mishap it was cool to be playing against his best friend.
Mobley defended Francis much of the game, while Francis spent more time defending Mike Bibby in the second half.
"It wasn't like Houston," said Mobley, who scored 14 points. "I had a lot of emotions in Houston. I met a lot of cool people here. Orlando is a great place, and it doesn't hurt to have your best friend here, too."
Mobley said he hadn't often played against Francis, although they faced each other at times during the summer.
"He is hard to guard," Mobley said after Francis scored a game-high 29 points and had 10 assists, tying Bibby for the game high.
"He had the upper hand on me with the dislocation of my finger," Mobley said. "He played well. He has to be aggressive because he needs to score for them to win. I can score 18 and my team can win. But they played well. Everybody on their team played well."
Said Francis of the matchup: "It was good. It will always be the same. Regardless of if I play for a team in Alaska and he plays for a team Beijing, we're still going to be cool. That's just the way it is."
Stojakovic tries to be patient - Peja Stojakovic scored a team-high 28 points on 7-of-12 shooting (3 of 7 from three-point range) and 11 of 11 from the free-throw line but didn't play effortlessly.
"I had it in the back of my mind, but I felt good," Stojakovic said of his strained right hamstring. "I missed three weeks, so I'm happy to be back on the floor. I know it's going to take time for me and for my teammates."
Center Brad Miller tested his right calf before the game but decided it was too sore to play. He'll likely play Friday night at Miami. Forward Darius Songaila (15 points and seven rebounds in 35 minutes) said the tendon on his left foot was sore when he started the game, but he forgot about it once the contest continued.
