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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/11632946p-12522413c.html
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, December 2, 2004
NEW ORLEANS - Peja Stojakovic woke up Wednesday morning and moved very slowly.
He had bruised the side of his shooting hand Tuesday night in Memphis, Tenn., and gave the right hand the pain test.
"I'd iced it the night before, but I didn't know how it was going to feel, so very slowly I tried to make a fist and spread my fingers, and then realized it was OK," Stojakovic said. "I had it in my mind that it wasn't broken, so I felt I'd be able to play with it if it was just sore."
In the Kings' 94-81 win over the New Orleans Hornets, Stojakovic played 38 minutes and made 6 of 15 shots and all five of his free throws for 20 points.
Hilarity reigns on this night - Even scouts watching this game had to shake their heads at some of the terrible plays made by each team, especially during the first half. Players dribbled the ball off their feet and tripped over imaginary lines. Shots caromed hard off the backboard as if kids were throwing them as part of a game.
The funniest moment from the Kings' vantage point came with under two minutes remaining. During a Kings possession, the ball was knocked loose and Bobby Jackson gained control approximately 40 feet from the basket. The 24-second clock was down to about nine seconds and someone yelled, "Eight, seven."
There was no chance for the clock to hit six. Jackson predictably launched a 35-footer that turned his bench into a laughing chamber.
"I don't know why they were counting," Kings guard Mike Bibby said. "Everybody knew he was going to shoot it."
The shot missed, and Jackson responded with his trademark sheepish grin.
Can't score, they can't score - Don't overly credit the Kings' defense for the Hornets' low point total; New Orleans has scored 90 or more in just seven of its 14 games.
Sacramento's defense should receive some due, but the Hornets have scored 100 points or more just once this season, that in a triple-overtime loss at Golden State.
New Orleans has failed to shoot at least 44 percent in 10 games.
Quack, quack - It's not quite a tradition yet, but as backup center Greg Ostertag left the locker room the past two nights (both victories), he sounded a nice, loud duck call on a double hit.
Said Matt Barnes: "There goes a 7-foot kid." Said Chris Webber: "You mean a 7-foot duck."
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By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, December 2, 2004
NEW ORLEANS - Peja Stojakovic woke up Wednesday morning and moved very slowly.
He had bruised the side of his shooting hand Tuesday night in Memphis, Tenn., and gave the right hand the pain test.
"I'd iced it the night before, but I didn't know how it was going to feel, so very slowly I tried to make a fist and spread my fingers, and then realized it was OK," Stojakovic said. "I had it in my mind that it wasn't broken, so I felt I'd be able to play with it if it was just sore."
In the Kings' 94-81 win over the New Orleans Hornets, Stojakovic played 38 minutes and made 6 of 15 shots and all five of his free throws for 20 points.
Hilarity reigns on this night - Even scouts watching this game had to shake their heads at some of the terrible plays made by each team, especially during the first half. Players dribbled the ball off their feet and tripped over imaginary lines. Shots caromed hard off the backboard as if kids were throwing them as part of a game.
The funniest moment from the Kings' vantage point came with under two minutes remaining. During a Kings possession, the ball was knocked loose and Bobby Jackson gained control approximately 40 feet from the basket. The 24-second clock was down to about nine seconds and someone yelled, "Eight, seven."
There was no chance for the clock to hit six. Jackson predictably launched a 35-footer that turned his bench into a laughing chamber.
"I don't know why they were counting," Kings guard Mike Bibby said. "Everybody knew he was going to shoot it."
The shot missed, and Jackson responded with his trademark sheepish grin.
Can't score, they can't score - Don't overly credit the Kings' defense for the Hornets' low point total; New Orleans has scored 90 or more in just seven of its 14 games.
Sacramento's defense should receive some due, but the Hornets have scored 100 points or more just once this season, that in a triple-overtime loss at Golden State.
New Orleans has failed to shoot at least 44 percent in 10 games.
Quack, quack - It's not quite a tradition yet, but as backup center Greg Ostertag left the locker room the past two nights (both victories), he sounded a nice, loud duck call on a double hit.
Said Matt Barnes: "There goes a 7-foot kid." Said Chris Webber: "You mean a 7-foot duck."
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