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Turner says Kings must strip away temptation
The summer coaching staff warns youngsters to avoid trouble in Las Vegas.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, July 7, 2005
LAS VEGAS - Talented, but out of shape.
That was Elston Turner's summation of the Kings summer-league team that revved up Wednesday near the Strip, where 16 teams are meeting in the desert to mold their contracted players and take a peek at other NBA hopefuls. And not to get anyone in trouble, but the Kings assistant, who is the summer squad's head coach, might want to chat with his second-year swingman about helping with the Kings' Mission Team Fitness.
Kevin Martin has been working hard, hitting the weights five days a week and eating right through the summer. But when he welcomed Percy Miller, more famously known as rapper Master P, to the team, Martin was encouraging unhealthy living. And loving the fact he could dish out rookie treatment instead of taking it.
"When I first came, (Martin) said 'Rookie, you're going to get the donuts for the team.' I said, 'Man, you crazy, I'm a special rookie,' " said Miller, a 34-year-old journeyman who has played in other pro leagues and past NBA summer leagues and training camps. "He's funny, man."
Miller might well have delivered the donuts, as the Kings looked a bit sluggish in an 81-75 loss to the Phoenix Suns in which Sacramento trailed throughout. Martin said he scored 23 points, even if the box score that was unusable because a technical malfunction had him with 19. Martin said guard Francisco García had 12 points (the box said nine), meaning his official debut might never truly be official. The only certainty was Miller, who sprained his ankle playing in Los Angeles last week, didn't play.
And so began the double-edged challenge for Turner and his coaching staff in the next nine days: steering the focus of their players to basketball, all while hoping they don't go careening wildly off-course with the allure of Sin City at their feet.
The Kings of significance - Martin, second-year forward and free agent Erik Daniels, and rookie Garcia - are 22, 23, and 23, respectively, each looking forward to playing hoops in entertainment-rich Las Vegas as opposed to mild-mannered Sacramento. Predictably, they and the other Kings will stay at the Palms Casino & Resort, the hot-spot hotel of Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof and the temporary home of six NBA teams in all.
"It's not the ideal place to have a summer league, obviously, with young guys and everything else there," said Kings coach Rick Adelman, whose coaching staff gave a "be-good" speech before the team left. "They've got a responsibility. If they're trying to make a team, they'd better take that seriously."
García and Martin, in particular, have plenty to play for, mainly future playing time. Adelman said before the team left that these games truly matter for his two young guards.
"We're going to give both of them every opportunity," Adelman said. "(Martin) has to have the attitude, and so does Francisco, that they come into summer league and fall camp competing. They're competing for minutes, competing for time. They both have a lot of upside."
Evans sighting - If the looks on their faces were any indication, guard Maurice Evans and the Kings have a positive vibe.
Evans, a free agent, watched the Kings' game while chatting and laughing with general manager Geoff Petrie for a few minutes. The Kings didn't know Evans would attend, but they made him feel welcome once he arrived. He was given tickets to each of the Kings' five summer-league games and also is staying at the Palms - on his own dime.
Officially, Evans' status hasn't changed. His agent, Roger Montgomery, reiterated they are talking to four teams including the Kings, though he said a deal could be coming.
