http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/123806.html
Marty Mac's World: Kings' main problems can be traced to offense
Despite record, playoffs remain a possibility
By Martin McNeal -
Last Updated 6:22 am PST Thursday, February 15, 2007
All right, the Kings entered Wednesday night's game against the New Orleans Hornets having played 50 games this season.
So, do we know what we have here? Yes, and it's not all good.
We have a team that easily -- and the emphasis is on the word easily -- could have had its 22-28 record reversed. And that's considering a few games the Kings have won -- such as the season's first victory, against Chicago -- that they probably should have lost.
Sacramento's offense lacks a true, consistent, low-post factor, partly because of its reliance on perimeter shooting as much as the lack of a dominant, back-to-the-basket scorer. That makes getting baskets with games on the line so difficult.
Mostly, the Kings still are a team that often looks lost on offense.
One can watch offensive possessions throughout games, as well as during crunch time, and wonder if the only plan is to isolate and attack. Certainly after practicing since October, the Kings have go-to plays in their playbook.
They've been consistently beaten on the backboards, yet have been competitive in nearly every game. The Kings have played hard and taken care of the ball well for most of the season. Oftentimes, their lack of quickness seemingly is viewed as a lack of hustle. But from here, these dudes, with a few exceptions, are outquicked by nearly every squad.
And when you're not big or quick, life on a basketball court is a problem. With all of this said, amazingly, the Kings have a legitimate opportunity to be a playoff team. That's as much a result of their opponents' troubles as anything else.
Yet it's not as if the Kings have reached this point by playing at their optimum. Ron Artest has done so during the past six or seven weeks. Kevin Martin has exceeded the expectations of probably everyone except himself. Corliss Williamson also has received playing time from coach Eric Musselman and shown he still can play this game.
However, there is real room for improvement by everyone else on the roster. And that means the potential for improved team play is real. Of course, it has been there for the first 50 games.
The Bibby question
The trade deadline is Feb. 22, and the name most often mentioned in talks is Mike Bibby. Should the Kings deal him? Yes, but only if there is a no-brainer that can be made to improve the team.
It would be easy to look at Bibby's career-worst shooting percentage and judge his game as a whole. Unquestionably, Bibby's on-the-ball defense needs improvement. But the guy hasn't lost his heart, and that's a quality every team needs.
Yeah, Bibby is a little sensitive at times, but that only makes him very much the NBA player of this decade ... and the one before this and the one before that.
Bibby was at his best with the Kings when he received open looks resulting from double teams on teammates and intelligent ball movement. Put an offensive post presence on the floor or a player who draws much attention such as Cleveland's LeBron James and he likely would resemble the dude who once consistently made big shots.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
Marty Mac's World: Kings' main problems can be traced to offense
Despite record, playoffs remain a possibility
By Martin McNeal -
Last Updated 6:22 am PST Thursday, February 15, 2007
All right, the Kings entered Wednesday night's game against the New Orleans Hornets having played 50 games this season.
So, do we know what we have here? Yes, and it's not all good.
We have a team that easily -- and the emphasis is on the word easily -- could have had its 22-28 record reversed. And that's considering a few games the Kings have won -- such as the season's first victory, against Chicago -- that they probably should have lost.
Sacramento's offense lacks a true, consistent, low-post factor, partly because of its reliance on perimeter shooting as much as the lack of a dominant, back-to-the-basket scorer. That makes getting baskets with games on the line so difficult.
Mostly, the Kings still are a team that often looks lost on offense.
One can watch offensive possessions throughout games, as well as during crunch time, and wonder if the only plan is to isolate and attack. Certainly after practicing since October, the Kings have go-to plays in their playbook.
They've been consistently beaten on the backboards, yet have been competitive in nearly every game. The Kings have played hard and taken care of the ball well for most of the season. Oftentimes, their lack of quickness seemingly is viewed as a lack of hustle. But from here, these dudes, with a few exceptions, are outquicked by nearly every squad.
And when you're not big or quick, life on a basketball court is a problem. With all of this said, amazingly, the Kings have a legitimate opportunity to be a playoff team. That's as much a result of their opponents' troubles as anything else.
Yet it's not as if the Kings have reached this point by playing at their optimum. Ron Artest has done so during the past six or seven weeks. Kevin Martin has exceeded the expectations of probably everyone except himself. Corliss Williamson also has received playing time from coach Eric Musselman and shown he still can play this game.
However, there is real room for improvement by everyone else on the roster. And that means the potential for improved team play is real. Of course, it has been there for the first 50 games.
The Bibby question
The trade deadline is Feb. 22, and the name most often mentioned in talks is Mike Bibby. Should the Kings deal him? Yes, but only if there is a no-brainer that can be made to improve the team.
It would be easy to look at Bibby's career-worst shooting percentage and judge his game as a whole. Unquestionably, Bibby's on-the-ball defense needs improvement. But the guy hasn't lost his heart, and that's a quality every team needs.
Yeah, Bibby is a little sensitive at times, but that only makes him very much the NBA player of this decade ... and the one before this and the one before that.
Bibby was at his best with the Kings when he received open looks resulting from double teams on teammates and intelligent ball movement. Put an offensive post presence on the floor or a player who draws much attention such as Cleveland's LeBron James and he likely would resemble the dude who once consistently made big shots.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
