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http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/12809875.htm
Posted on Mon, Oct. 03, 2005
Kings thinking defense in first days of training camp
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento Kings have a new look and new firepower, but the first day of training camp was all about their usual problem: defense.
The Kings opened camp at their training complex Monday, four weeks before the season opener against the New Orleans Hornets in Oklahoma City on Nov. 1. Sacramento's projected starters are five proven NBA scorers: Bonzi Wells, Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Peja Stojakovic.
The real question is whether those five players and their supporting cast can put clamps on teams defensively.
"Yeah, on paper we look like one of the top starting fives in the league," Wells said. "We know we can score. But we have to stop guys on the other end. That's what it is all about."
Sacramento coach Rick Adelman said the restructured roster is probably an opportunity for the Kings to solidify the defensive end.
"In the last couple of years, our defense hasn't been as good as it was three years ago," Adelman said. "It's not like we haven't emphasized it, but we are not going to become better as a team unless we have more of a commitment at that end of the court. With different personnel, I think we have a chance to change that. We have to have some shot-blockers in there, and some people who are willing to take charges."
The Kings were the NBA's second highest-scoring team last season while making the playoffs for the seventh straight year under Adelman. But Sacramento lost its first-round series for the first time since 2000 when Ray Allen, Jerome James and the Seattle SuperSonics roared right past the Kings' attempts at defense.
While Adelman knows the Kings' defense must get better, their offense must remain strong while integrating two new starters and a handful of new reserves.
"I've got to find out if this team can be efficient offensively as we have been in the past," Adelman said. "I can have this team scoring 92 points a game real easy by walking it up the court, but if we only win 32 games, I don't think anybody is going to be happy about that. Teams like San Antonio and Detroit ... most of their guys are good at (defense). Our team, for the most part, is very good at the offensive end."
Bibby hasn't exactly established himself as a defensive stopper during his seven NBA seasons, but the veteran point guard wants that skill etched in his repertoire.
"Not a lot of people in this league can guard anybody one-on-one," Bibby said. "So in regards to that, I'm going to play my hardest. If that's not the best, hopefully my teammates will be there to help me out. Team defense is the best thing that can happen."
Bibby likes the active, aggressive styles that Wells and Abdur-Rahim bring to the team.
"They are hard-nosed players, and they are not going to let anybody push them around," Bibby said. "I welcome their toughness. I love it."
The revamped Kings have a whole month to figure out what they can do defensively and offensively - but for most players, they need to get it together in a hurry.
"We just have to use training camp for what its for," Abdur-Rahim said. "Quickly get acclimated with each other, and for the ones who don't know this offense or system, learn it now."
Posted on Mon, Oct. 03, 2005
Kings thinking defense in first days of training camp
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento Kings have a new look and new firepower, but the first day of training camp was all about their usual problem: defense.
The Kings opened camp at their training complex Monday, four weeks before the season opener against the New Orleans Hornets in Oklahoma City on Nov. 1. Sacramento's projected starters are five proven NBA scorers: Bonzi Wells, Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Peja Stojakovic.
The real question is whether those five players and their supporting cast can put clamps on teams defensively.
"Yeah, on paper we look like one of the top starting fives in the league," Wells said. "We know we can score. But we have to stop guys on the other end. That's what it is all about."
Sacramento coach Rick Adelman said the restructured roster is probably an opportunity for the Kings to solidify the defensive end.
"In the last couple of years, our defense hasn't been as good as it was three years ago," Adelman said. "It's not like we haven't emphasized it, but we are not going to become better as a team unless we have more of a commitment at that end of the court. With different personnel, I think we have a chance to change that. We have to have some shot-blockers in there, and some people who are willing to take charges."
The Kings were the NBA's second highest-scoring team last season while making the playoffs for the seventh straight year under Adelman. But Sacramento lost its first-round series for the first time since 2000 when Ray Allen, Jerome James and the Seattle SuperSonics roared right past the Kings' attempts at defense.
While Adelman knows the Kings' defense must get better, their offense must remain strong while integrating two new starters and a handful of new reserves.
"I've got to find out if this team can be efficient offensively as we have been in the past," Adelman said. "I can have this team scoring 92 points a game real easy by walking it up the court, but if we only win 32 games, I don't think anybody is going to be happy about that. Teams like San Antonio and Detroit ... most of their guys are good at (defense). Our team, for the most part, is very good at the offensive end."
Bibby hasn't exactly established himself as a defensive stopper during his seven NBA seasons, but the veteran point guard wants that skill etched in his repertoire.
"Not a lot of people in this league can guard anybody one-on-one," Bibby said. "So in regards to that, I'm going to play my hardest. If that's not the best, hopefully my teammates will be there to help me out. Team defense is the best thing that can happen."
Bibby likes the active, aggressive styles that Wells and Abdur-Rahim bring to the team.
"They are hard-nosed players, and they are not going to let anybody push them around," Bibby said. "I welcome their toughness. I love it."
The revamped Kings have a whole month to figure out what they can do defensively and offensively - but for most players, they need to get it together in a hurry.
"We just have to use training camp for what its for," Abdur-Rahim said. "Quickly get acclimated with each other, and for the ones who don't know this offense or system, learn it now."
