http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14222464p-15047852c.html
Kings notes: Round One to Bryant, but Artest will be back
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, February 25, 2006
For the time being, Ron Artest vs. Kobe Bryant was over, this round going to the Lakers star who scored 36 points as the Kings lost ground in the playoff race on Thursday night.
The next day in practice, Francisco García wanted to know what happened to the daily Cisco Kid vs. Ron Ron one-on-one battle that had yet to happen.
"I'm tired, man," Artest said when prompted by García to face off. "I was here last night late. Where were you?"
Artest didn't want to go to bed unsatisfied after he struggled against the Lakers, so he stuck around the practice facility after the Kings' plane touched down and the rest of the group - including García - headed for home. Artest was there until 1 a.m., hoping to hit the sack with images other than Bryant scoring at will in his head.
Artest said his conditioning became a factor when it came to chasing Bryant around. He welcomed the defensive help from Kevin Martin and García, who took over duty on occasion while Artest caught his breath.
"I wasn't really able to guard him the whole night because I wasn't in condition enough," he said. "I thought when I was on him, I did some good things. A couple times ... he made some tough shots.
"I think he's at his best right now, so it'll be good to see it when I'm at my best, too."
And while Artest admitted that Bryant had his way, he found humor in the one part of Bryant's repertoire that is nowhere near as sharp as his shot - his memory.
When asked after the game about the last time he faced Artest, Bryant said, "I haven't played against Ron in like four years. Seriously. I think I had 40(points)."
In actuality, it was just 27 months ago, and Bryant came nowhere near 40. He had 12 points in a 99-77 Lakers home win over Indiana, hitting 4 of 10 shots.
"He didn't have no 40," Artest said, laughing. "Kobe don't even guard me, though. He won't guard me because he can't guard me."
Adding to the banter, Bryant had taken exception at Artest saying before the game that he would keep Bryant below his scoring average. But given the history between them, it was a reasonable prediction.
Before the latest affair, the two had gone head to head only five times, and Bryant was held below his average for that season every time. The trend, Artest insisted, will return to normal when the Kings and Lakers meet again March 14 in Sacramento and March 22 in Los Angeles.
"He's going to get shut down," he said.
Well aware that he was feeding the hype machine for the next go-round, Artest found a common ground between he and Bryant.
"That's the difference with guys like me and Kobe," he said. "We're not afraid to step up to the challenge. I'm not afraid to talk mess to one of the best players in the NBA, and then see what happens later."
Back to basics - Coach Rick Adelman said this three-day stretch is vital to the Kings' playoff run, giving them a chance to fine-tune their offense and defense in a way they haven't been able to since Artest arrived.
"I think these practices are building blocks for what we want to do offensively and defensively," he said. "This will be like regular practice the next two days, like a training camp practice where you're going to cover both ends of the court and break it down."
Chief among the tasks is acclimating Artest even more into the system. Adelman said there has been too much "one-on-one" play from his small forward.
"With the different things teams like to do defensively (against Artest), he needs to get in tune with what our (offensive) calls are going to be and what we're trying to do," Adelman said.
Still waiting - After being traded to the Kings on Thursday, new Kings Sergei Monia and Vitaly Potapenko did not practice with the team.
While they were expected to arrive Friday, Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said they have to report by 5 p.m. Saturday and pass physicals by 5 p.m. Sunday in order to play against Portland on Monday.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Round One to Bryant, but Artest will be back
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, February 25, 2006
For the time being, Ron Artest vs. Kobe Bryant was over, this round going to the Lakers star who scored 36 points as the Kings lost ground in the playoff race on Thursday night.
The next day in practice, Francisco García wanted to know what happened to the daily Cisco Kid vs. Ron Ron one-on-one battle that had yet to happen.
"I'm tired, man," Artest said when prompted by García to face off. "I was here last night late. Where were you?"
Artest didn't want to go to bed unsatisfied after he struggled against the Lakers, so he stuck around the practice facility after the Kings' plane touched down and the rest of the group - including García - headed for home. Artest was there until 1 a.m., hoping to hit the sack with images other than Bryant scoring at will in his head.
Artest said his conditioning became a factor when it came to chasing Bryant around. He welcomed the defensive help from Kevin Martin and García, who took over duty on occasion while Artest caught his breath.
"I wasn't really able to guard him the whole night because I wasn't in condition enough," he said. "I thought when I was on him, I did some good things. A couple times ... he made some tough shots.
"I think he's at his best right now, so it'll be good to see it when I'm at my best, too."
And while Artest admitted that Bryant had his way, he found humor in the one part of Bryant's repertoire that is nowhere near as sharp as his shot - his memory.
When asked after the game about the last time he faced Artest, Bryant said, "I haven't played against Ron in like four years. Seriously. I think I had 40(points)."
In actuality, it was just 27 months ago, and Bryant came nowhere near 40. He had 12 points in a 99-77 Lakers home win over Indiana, hitting 4 of 10 shots.
"He didn't have no 40," Artest said, laughing. "Kobe don't even guard me, though. He won't guard me because he can't guard me."
Adding to the banter, Bryant had taken exception at Artest saying before the game that he would keep Bryant below his scoring average. But given the history between them, it was a reasonable prediction.
Before the latest affair, the two had gone head to head only five times, and Bryant was held below his average for that season every time. The trend, Artest insisted, will return to normal when the Kings and Lakers meet again March 14 in Sacramento and March 22 in Los Angeles.
"He's going to get shut down," he said.
Well aware that he was feeding the hype machine for the next go-round, Artest found a common ground between he and Bryant.
"That's the difference with guys like me and Kobe," he said. "We're not afraid to step up to the challenge. I'm not afraid to talk mess to one of the best players in the NBA, and then see what happens later."
Back to basics - Coach Rick Adelman said this three-day stretch is vital to the Kings' playoff run, giving them a chance to fine-tune their offense and defense in a way they haven't been able to since Artest arrived.
"I think these practices are building blocks for what we want to do offensively and defensively," he said. "This will be like regular practice the next two days, like a training camp practice where you're going to cover both ends of the court and break it down."
Chief among the tasks is acclimating Artest even more into the system. Adelman said there has been too much "one-on-one" play from his small forward.
"With the different things teams like to do defensively (against Artest), he needs to get in tune with what our (offensive) calls are going to be and what we're trying to do," Adelman said.
Still waiting - After being traded to the Kings on Thursday, new Kings Sergei Monia and Vitaly Potapenko did not practice with the team.
While they were expected to arrive Friday, Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said they have to report by 5 p.m. Saturday and pass physicals by 5 p.m. Sunday in order to play against Portland on Monday.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
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