http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14187647p-15014706c.html
Marty Mac's World: Artest effect tangible, and league takes notice
And yet, the hobbled forward longs to do more
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, February 14, 2006
The returns are coming in on how opponents are viewing the Kings following the acquisition of Ron Artest.
And they are all good.
Artest's defensive abilities certainly are rubbing off on his teammates, but it's his skills, anticipation, focus and strength that stand out above all.
Shooting guards and small forwards are amazed by his strength, and Artest is rendering post-up opportunities at these positions as a waste of time.
Atlanta Hawks color commentator Steve Smith said Artest's presence and effect on the Kings is visible.
"He's got these fellas playing defense like I haven't seen them play before," Smith said. "The guy is a great player who can do a lot of things."
And Artest said after Sunday's 109-84 Kings victory against Atlanta that he can do more - and will do more - as he recovers from a hip pointer.
Surprisingly, Artest says the injury has prevented him from truly hustling.
"That's the worst thing," he said, "I haven't been able to hustle the way I want to. That's the whole key to playing this game."
Artest said he learned from watching the league's best teams how important hustle is to success.
"If you watch the best teams in the league," he said, "they play through fatigue, and they always hustle. Watching Detroit and San Antonio and L.A. and Chicago in the past, that's the way they play. And that's the way you have to play if you want to become the best."
Artest said he never has had a hip pointer. He incurred his being banged by former Kings mountain man Greg Ostertag on Feb. 3 against Utah.
Artest usually has given hip pointers to others, not received them.
Delk waiting ... and waiting ...
It really wasn't that long ago - after the 1999-00 season - when Kings fans couldn't believe team president Geoff Petrie allowed the Phoenix Suns to snatch away then-free agent Tony Delk. Petrie, it might be remembered, had a nice backup plan: He signed this dude named Bobby Jackson.
Delk, meanwhile, played just 1 1/2 seasons with the Suns before being traded to Boston. He spent a season with Dallas before moving on to the Hawks on Aug. 4, 2004. Kings fans will remember Delk scored 53 points, albeit in a losing performance, at Arco on Jan. 2, 2001.
Now, he's a 32-year-old veteran caught in an Atlanta youth movement. Delk has been inactive for most of the season and then was a "did not play - coach's decision" in many box scores until finally getting onto the court Sunday for 7 minutes, 14 seconds against the Kings at Arco.
"I was hurt the first four or five games," he said, "but that's it. I don't know whose decision it was not to play me, but it's tough knowing you can help the team and not getting the opportunity to do it. I'm watching guys learn how to play a game I already know how to play."
Delk, who averaged 11.9 points for the Hawks last season, said he's hoping to receive a trade to a better situation.
"I'm waiting," he said. "I've been waiting and, hopefully, I can get somewhere with a chance to win and to play. I don't have any problem with a youth movement. Just don't hold me back."
6-foot-and-under dunk contest?
Since the NBA can't entice any of its prime-timers to participate in its annual dunk contest, how about one for the shorties? If you're 6-foot-1 or taller, you're ineligible. Bring all the little cats with hops and let them do their thing.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
Marty Mac's World: Artest effect tangible, and league takes notice
And yet, the hobbled forward longs to do more
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, February 14, 2006
The returns are coming in on how opponents are viewing the Kings following the acquisition of Ron Artest.
And they are all good.
Artest's defensive abilities certainly are rubbing off on his teammates, but it's his skills, anticipation, focus and strength that stand out above all.
Shooting guards and small forwards are amazed by his strength, and Artest is rendering post-up opportunities at these positions as a waste of time.
Atlanta Hawks color commentator Steve Smith said Artest's presence and effect on the Kings is visible.
"He's got these fellas playing defense like I haven't seen them play before," Smith said. "The guy is a great player who can do a lot of things."
And Artest said after Sunday's 109-84 Kings victory against Atlanta that he can do more - and will do more - as he recovers from a hip pointer.
Surprisingly, Artest says the injury has prevented him from truly hustling.
"That's the worst thing," he said, "I haven't been able to hustle the way I want to. That's the whole key to playing this game."
Artest said he learned from watching the league's best teams how important hustle is to success.
"If you watch the best teams in the league," he said, "they play through fatigue, and they always hustle. Watching Detroit and San Antonio and L.A. and Chicago in the past, that's the way they play. And that's the way you have to play if you want to become the best."
Artest said he never has had a hip pointer. He incurred his being banged by former Kings mountain man Greg Ostertag on Feb. 3 against Utah.
Artest usually has given hip pointers to others, not received them.
Delk waiting ... and waiting ...
It really wasn't that long ago - after the 1999-00 season - when Kings fans couldn't believe team president Geoff Petrie allowed the Phoenix Suns to snatch away then-free agent Tony Delk. Petrie, it might be remembered, had a nice backup plan: He signed this dude named Bobby Jackson.
Delk, meanwhile, played just 1 1/2 seasons with the Suns before being traded to Boston. He spent a season with Dallas before moving on to the Hawks on Aug. 4, 2004. Kings fans will remember Delk scored 53 points, albeit in a losing performance, at Arco on Jan. 2, 2001.
Now, he's a 32-year-old veteran caught in an Atlanta youth movement. Delk has been inactive for most of the season and then was a "did not play - coach's decision" in many box scores until finally getting onto the court Sunday for 7 minutes, 14 seconds against the Kings at Arco.
"I was hurt the first four or five games," he said, "but that's it. I don't know whose decision it was not to play me, but it's tough knowing you can help the team and not getting the opportunity to do it. I'm watching guys learn how to play a game I already know how to play."
Delk, who averaged 11.9 points for the Hawks last season, said he's hoping to receive a trade to a better situation.
"I'm waiting," he said. "I've been waiting and, hopefully, I can get somewhere with a chance to win and to play. I don't have any problem with a youth movement. Just don't hold me back."
6-foot-and-under dunk contest?
Since the NBA can't entice any of its prime-timers to participate in its annual dunk contest, how about one for the shorties? If you're 6-foot-1 or taller, you're ineligible. Bring all the little cats with hops and let them do their thing.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
