http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13974248p-14808147c.html
Kings notes: Kings push out of Arco for long road stretch
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, December 13, 2005
MINNEAPOLIS - Just when the Kings started to feel at home again, it's back on the road.
And what a road trip it is, from a team that's won five of six games (Minnesota) to squads that have produced the last two world championships (Detroit and San Antonio) to a mediocre team (Charlotte) that hopes to welcome a bruised and battered Kings group once Monday rolls around.
Bold prediction here: No one in purple is singing Willie Nelson lyrics right about now, because no one "just can't wait to get on the road again." Even country fan Brad Miller.
"There's no breaks," the Kings' center said. "There never is. The All-Star break's the only real break. Every game's tough."
The troubling part for the Kings is that the honeymoon at home didn't go so well. They played 14 of their first 21 games at Arco Arena and went 7-7, as they plodded through a four-game home losing streak that was historic in all the wrong ways before ending with a win over New Orleans/Oklahoma City on Sunday night. The seven home losses surpassed the Kings' season totals from both the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons, while tying the 2003-04 total. Now comes the other edge of the scheduling sword - the fact that 14 of their next 23 games are away.
The test will be a telling one. At their most simplified, the Kings have been a team that wins when their offense is in rhythm and loses when it isn't.
They're 0-10 when scoring less than 100 points, with the formula usually including at least one starter having a horrific night and the bench failing to pick up the slack. Given the defenses on the agenda, it's a problem that could rear its ugly head again.
Before losing 90-89 to Philadelphia in overtime on Monday night, the Timberwolves had allowed 310 points in their previous four games, an average of 77.5 points per game and the best stretch of defense in franchise history.
Then come the Pistons and Spurs, who have been known to stop a team or two in their tracks every once in a while.
"It's a tough trip, but I want to see how we play," coach Rick Adelman said. "I think if we go out and we're competitive, and we're playing well, that's going to be the difference. If we do that, we have a chance to win every game on this trip. But we have to go out and do it."
Starting to heat up - The preseason pick for best on-paper starting five is starting to look good on the court - and great on paper.
While the Kings' 9-12 record means no Kings will be caught calling the new look a raving success, their performance against Seattle on Saturday was both dominant and distinct.
When all five starters scored at least 15 points and shot 50 percent or better from the field, they were just the second group in the past eight years to achieve the feat, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Detroit's starting group did it last month.
Kings starters last reached those lofty numbers in 1983, when the team was calling Kansas City home.
More from strange stat land - By tallying 10 assists in 28 minutes against the Sonics, Miller became just the second center in 20 years to hit double digits in dishes in under 30 minutes of play. The other? Vlade Divac, who did it twice for the Kings over a nine-day span in February 2004.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Kings push out of Arco for long road stretch
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, December 13, 2005
MINNEAPOLIS - Just when the Kings started to feel at home again, it's back on the road.
And what a road trip it is, from a team that's won five of six games (Minnesota) to squads that have produced the last two world championships (Detroit and San Antonio) to a mediocre team (Charlotte) that hopes to welcome a bruised and battered Kings group once Monday rolls around.
Bold prediction here: No one in purple is singing Willie Nelson lyrics right about now, because no one "just can't wait to get on the road again." Even country fan Brad Miller.
"There's no breaks," the Kings' center said. "There never is. The All-Star break's the only real break. Every game's tough."
The troubling part for the Kings is that the honeymoon at home didn't go so well. They played 14 of their first 21 games at Arco Arena and went 7-7, as they plodded through a four-game home losing streak that was historic in all the wrong ways before ending with a win over New Orleans/Oklahoma City on Sunday night. The seven home losses surpassed the Kings' season totals from both the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons, while tying the 2003-04 total. Now comes the other edge of the scheduling sword - the fact that 14 of their next 23 games are away.
The test will be a telling one. At their most simplified, the Kings have been a team that wins when their offense is in rhythm and loses when it isn't.
They're 0-10 when scoring less than 100 points, with the formula usually including at least one starter having a horrific night and the bench failing to pick up the slack. Given the defenses on the agenda, it's a problem that could rear its ugly head again.
Before losing 90-89 to Philadelphia in overtime on Monday night, the Timberwolves had allowed 310 points in their previous four games, an average of 77.5 points per game and the best stretch of defense in franchise history.
Then come the Pistons and Spurs, who have been known to stop a team or two in their tracks every once in a while.
"It's a tough trip, but I want to see how we play," coach Rick Adelman said. "I think if we go out and we're competitive, and we're playing well, that's going to be the difference. If we do that, we have a chance to win every game on this trip. But we have to go out and do it."
Starting to heat up - The preseason pick for best on-paper starting five is starting to look good on the court - and great on paper.
While the Kings' 9-12 record means no Kings will be caught calling the new look a raving success, their performance against Seattle on Saturday was both dominant and distinct.
When all five starters scored at least 15 points and shot 50 percent or better from the field, they were just the second group in the past eight years to achieve the feat, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Detroit's starting group did it last month.
Kings starters last reached those lofty numbers in 1983, when the team was calling Kansas City home.
More from strange stat land - By tallying 10 assists in 28 minutes against the Sonics, Miller became just the second center in 20 years to hit double digits in dishes in under 30 minutes of play. The other? Vlade Divac, who did it twice for the Kings over a nine-day span in February 2004.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
