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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/11598192p-12491019c.html
Kings shake off early doldrums
They appear back on track after winning seven games in a row.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, November 28, 2004
Statistically, Kings power forward Chris Webber had just played one of his best games of the season in Friday night's 109-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.
Webber's 22 points, season-and game-high 16 rebounds and seven assists contributed mightily to the victory. But it was the mention of Doug Christie's three-pointer among other acheivements that brought that familiar smirk to Webber's face.
"I was laughing when that went in," Webber said of the 25-footer that tied the score 102-102 with 1:35 left. "I told Doug, 'You're not even supposed to shoot that shot.'
"But that doesn't surprise me at all, that Dougie took it or made it. I know how much heart this team has."
After the conference semifinal loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, Webber created more anxiety for Kings fans by questioning the toughness of some of his teammates.
And when the Kings lost their first three games and four of their first five this season, the bandwagon that already was dragging folks along was emptying at a record rate.
Webber and many of his teammates, though, preached calm, and it appears they were right. Entering tonight's game against the Timberwolves at Arco Arena, the Kings have won seven straight.
Still, Webber didn't want to make too much of the triumph over the Lakers.
"I think it reaffirms that we're on the right track," said Webber, who ranks sixth in the NBA in rebounding with a 10.8 average. "I don't want to get ahead of myself, because it's possible that at some point this season we may lose two or three games in a row again. But it's good that we didn't panic like a lot of people were and we kept everything encouraging and upbeat."
Friday, the Kings staged their fourth consecutive fourth-quarter comeback by executing with precision offensively and staying strong mentally despite shaky officiating that upset both teams.
"We're playing a lot better offensively than we were earlier in the year, and we're healthy," coach Rick Adelman said, looking back to the minimal minutes Christie played at the season's onset.
"You can look at our team, and we led the league in assists last year and the year before. We were down to No. 25 or 26 after those early road games (this season). Since then, we've been starting to get around 30 assists a game and not turn the ball over very much.
"We're up to (third) in the league in assists, and that's where you can tell if we're playing well. If we get assists and a lot of guys get them, that's what has been the key."
Against the Lakers, five players had three or more assists, led by Webber. Christie's presence in the rotation allows Mike Bibby and/or Bobby Jackson to play more off the ball in the halfcourt and also puts one more solid ballhandler on the floor.
Tonight's matchup pits the league's two best teams in assist-per-turnover ratio. Both teams share the ball and don't throw it away. For the Kings, that means more possessions and helps offset being pounded on the boards.
With a trip to Memphis and New Orleans following tonight's game, the Kings hope they can build off victories over Phoenix and the Lakers in their last two road games. "It's always nice to win," Jackson said, "and it's even nicer to get a win on the road, whether it's L.A. or anywhere else."
Kings shake off early doldrums
They appear back on track after winning seven games in a row.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, November 28, 2004
Statistically, Kings power forward Chris Webber had just played one of his best games of the season in Friday night's 109-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.
Webber's 22 points, season-and game-high 16 rebounds and seven assists contributed mightily to the victory. But it was the mention of Doug Christie's three-pointer among other acheivements that brought that familiar smirk to Webber's face.
"I was laughing when that went in," Webber said of the 25-footer that tied the score 102-102 with 1:35 left. "I told Doug, 'You're not even supposed to shoot that shot.'
"But that doesn't surprise me at all, that Dougie took it or made it. I know how much heart this team has."
After the conference semifinal loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, Webber created more anxiety for Kings fans by questioning the toughness of some of his teammates.
And when the Kings lost their first three games and four of their first five this season, the bandwagon that already was dragging folks along was emptying at a record rate.
Webber and many of his teammates, though, preached calm, and it appears they were right. Entering tonight's game against the Timberwolves at Arco Arena, the Kings have won seven straight.
Still, Webber didn't want to make too much of the triumph over the Lakers.
"I think it reaffirms that we're on the right track," said Webber, who ranks sixth in the NBA in rebounding with a 10.8 average. "I don't want to get ahead of myself, because it's possible that at some point this season we may lose two or three games in a row again. But it's good that we didn't panic like a lot of people were and we kept everything encouraging and upbeat."
Friday, the Kings staged their fourth consecutive fourth-quarter comeback by executing with precision offensively and staying strong mentally despite shaky officiating that upset both teams.
"We're playing a lot better offensively than we were earlier in the year, and we're healthy," coach Rick Adelman said, looking back to the minimal minutes Christie played at the season's onset.
"You can look at our team, and we led the league in assists last year and the year before. We were down to No. 25 or 26 after those early road games (this season). Since then, we've been starting to get around 30 assists a game and not turn the ball over very much.
"We're up to (third) in the league in assists, and that's where you can tell if we're playing well. If we get assists and a lot of guys get them, that's what has been the key."
Against the Lakers, five players had three or more assists, led by Webber. Christie's presence in the rotation allows Mike Bibby and/or Bobby Jackson to play more off the ball in the halfcourt and also puts one more solid ballhandler on the floor.
Tonight's matchup pits the league's two best teams in assist-per-turnover ratio. Both teams share the ball and don't throw it away. For the Kings, that means more possessions and helps offset being pounded on the boards.
With a trip to Memphis and New Orleans following tonight's game, the Kings hope they can build off victories over Phoenix and the Lakers in their last two road games. "It's always nice to win," Jackson said, "and it's even nicer to get a win on the road, whether it's L.A. or anywhere else."
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