http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/430413.html
Kings Notes: Theus unfazed by turning 50
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:05 am PDT Saturday, October 13, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
If 40 is the new 30, and 40 was once considered as being "over the hill," then turning 50 means what exactly?
Reggie Theus couldn't care less. The first-year Kings coach turns 50 today in a milestone birthday he hardly has time for, what with his team to tinker with, player cuts to be made and a week of road games on the horizon. Besides, as Theus noted, he hardly fits the part, anyway -- on the outside or inside.
"The worst part is that, emotionally and mentally, I'm not even close (to 50)," Theus said. "That's the problem. I hope by the time I'm 70, I'm acting close to my age. My old man used to tell me, 'You know, if you live long enough, you're going to get old.' "
Some of his players, meanwhile, are hoping to survive long enough to make the upcoming road trip. With the Kings facing Dallas on Tuesday in Las Cruces, N.M., Utah on Thursday in Albuquerque, N.M., and Portland on Friday, they still have 19 players.
The regular-season roster limit is 15, and the Kings have just 11 players with guaranteed contracts. Theus -- who gave the team a day off Friday -- said there would be cuts made before the road trip.
Among returning Kings players, only big man Justin Williams has a non-guaranteed contract.
The hopefuls -- The convoluted competition for backup point guard began with third-year player Orien Greene getting the early nod, playing 15 minutes Tuesday against Seattle and showcasing his defensive skills.
His physical play caught the eye of Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof, who noted Greene and his lockdown defense when asked about his first impressions. Thursday against Phoenix, Mustafa Shakur had his turn, while Greene was the only player who never came off the bench.
The undrafted rookie out of Arizona played 11 minutes with little impact, missing all four of his shots from the field -- including an in-and-out three-point attempt -- and going without an assist. Undrafted rookie center Darryl Watkins (Syracuse) also played for the first time, but he did little to supplant Williams in the backup big-man role. Watkins had two rebounds and no points in 13 minutes.
Hit the boards -- The return of solid rebounding, Theus has repeated, will be partially dependent on the Kings' guards helping in the cause.
And for that reason, point guard Mike Bibby deserved kudos Thursday night as he led the team with seven rebounds. He was nearly alone in his effort.
No Kings big man grabbed more than four rebounds (Brad Miller and Mikki Moore) and the Kings -- 29th in the league last season with a rebounding differential of minus-4.4 -- lost the overall rebounding battle 43-42.
Martin moves quickly -- The player known in some circles as "Speed Racer" is off to a fast start.
In two exhibition games, shooting guard Kevin Martin has hit 13 of 21 shots, 4 of 6 three-pointers and all 14 free throws while tallying 27 and 17 points, respectively, against the Sonics and Suns. All this, of course, came in a combined 40 minutes.
The efficiency and production are nothing new for Martin, who was one of two players last season -- Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire was the other -- to average 20-plus points while taking fewer than 14 shots per game.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Kings Notes: Theus unfazed by turning 50
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:05 am PDT Saturday, October 13, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
If 40 is the new 30, and 40 was once considered as being "over the hill," then turning 50 means what exactly?
Reggie Theus couldn't care less. The first-year Kings coach turns 50 today in a milestone birthday he hardly has time for, what with his team to tinker with, player cuts to be made and a week of road games on the horizon. Besides, as Theus noted, he hardly fits the part, anyway -- on the outside or inside.
"The worst part is that, emotionally and mentally, I'm not even close (to 50)," Theus said. "That's the problem. I hope by the time I'm 70, I'm acting close to my age. My old man used to tell me, 'You know, if you live long enough, you're going to get old.' "
Some of his players, meanwhile, are hoping to survive long enough to make the upcoming road trip. With the Kings facing Dallas on Tuesday in Las Cruces, N.M., Utah on Thursday in Albuquerque, N.M., and Portland on Friday, they still have 19 players.
The regular-season roster limit is 15, and the Kings have just 11 players with guaranteed contracts. Theus -- who gave the team a day off Friday -- said there would be cuts made before the road trip.
Among returning Kings players, only big man Justin Williams has a non-guaranteed contract.
The hopefuls -- The convoluted competition for backup point guard began with third-year player Orien Greene getting the early nod, playing 15 minutes Tuesday against Seattle and showcasing his defensive skills.
His physical play caught the eye of Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof, who noted Greene and his lockdown defense when asked about his first impressions. Thursday against Phoenix, Mustafa Shakur had his turn, while Greene was the only player who never came off the bench.
The undrafted rookie out of Arizona played 11 minutes with little impact, missing all four of his shots from the field -- including an in-and-out three-point attempt -- and going without an assist. Undrafted rookie center Darryl Watkins (Syracuse) also played for the first time, but he did little to supplant Williams in the backup big-man role. Watkins had two rebounds and no points in 13 minutes.
Hit the boards -- The return of solid rebounding, Theus has repeated, will be partially dependent on the Kings' guards helping in the cause.
And for that reason, point guard Mike Bibby deserved kudos Thursday night as he led the team with seven rebounds. He was nearly alone in his effort.
No Kings big man grabbed more than four rebounds (Brad Miller and Mikki Moore) and the Kings -- 29th in the league last season with a rebounding differential of minus-4.4 -- lost the overall rebounding battle 43-42.
Martin moves quickly -- The player known in some circles as "Speed Racer" is off to a fast start.
In two exhibition games, shooting guard Kevin Martin has hit 13 of 21 shots, 4 of 6 three-pointers and all 14 free throws while tallying 27 and 17 points, respectively, against the Sonics and Suns. All this, of course, came in a combined 40 minutes.
The efficiency and production are nothing new for Martin, who was one of two players last season -- Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire was the other -- to average 20-plus points while taking fewer than 14 shots per game.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
