http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/11162514p-12078606c.html
Chemistry woes? Miller swears it's not an issue
The Kings center doesn't have much to say, and neither does Chris Webber.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, October 21, 2004I
One of the key topics entering the Kings' preseason was whether the team's chemistry - often cited as a positive force during its recent climb to the upper echelon of the Western Conference - would sour.Chris Webber's offseason comments were perceived by some as criticisms of teammates, particularly Peja Stojakovic and Brad Miller.
Stojakovic's decision to go public with a trade request shortly thereafter added to the speculation. The All-Star small forward, though, repeatedly has said he and Webber have no problems.Now, Miller has weighed in.
He was asked Tuesday in Fresno, where the Kings played the Lakers in an exhibition, about the perception of tension between him and Webber.
Shaking his head, Miller was succinct.
"All I want to say is (expletive) that," he said. "(Expletive) them. (Expletive) everybody. That's (expletive)."
Webber also had little to say on the subject.
"I don't even want to get into that," he said, "but you can quote me on this. Believe half of what you read and none of what you hear."
On a different note, Kings free-agent point guard Tony Bland did not play in the team's first three exhibitions. He finally got his chance Tuesday against the team he loved growing up in Southern California.
"I got on the court, and I guess there were some mixed emotions," Bland said. "But I'm with the Kings, and I'd run through a wall for the Kings."
Bland said there was no anxiety playing the Lakers.
"I'm going against Bobby Jackson and Mike Bibby every day, so I've got to be ready for it no matter who I step on the court against."
Kings coach Rick Adelman gave his team Wednesday off to rest before practice today, followed by games Friday at the Utah Jazz and Saturday at Arco Arena against the New Orleans Hornets. Adelman says he'll make the first round of cuts after today's practice.
Including Doug Christie and Greg Ostertag, who are injured, Adelman has 20 players in camp. The coach said he has free agents who have impressed enough to merit further consideration. Usually, coaches don't spend much time on first cuts, especially with this many players in camp.
"There are five or six guys on whom we'll have to make some tough decisions," Adelman said. "We're going to have to find out how many players we're allowed to keep."
NBA teams have 12 players on their active rosters and may keep as many as three players on the injured list. In the past, the Kings have had three players on the injured list. Last season, however, in a cost-cutting measure, the team attempted to pare their roster as tightly as possible.
The Kings have been well above the luxury-tax level the past two seasons and were forced to pay about $20 million total.
Adelman also said he will begin to give his core players more court time in the final four preseason games as they prepare for the regular-season opener Nov. 2 at Dallas against the Mavericks.
"I have to start getting our main guys more time," the coach said. "I want to give them more extended minutes; get them around 30 to 36 minutes, where they get about 18 minutes a half. I want to give them an opportunity to play together more."
Chemistry woes? Miller swears it's not an issue
The Kings center doesn't have much to say, and neither does Chris Webber.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, October 21, 2004I
One of the key topics entering the Kings' preseason was whether the team's chemistry - often cited as a positive force during its recent climb to the upper echelon of the Western Conference - would sour.Chris Webber's offseason comments were perceived by some as criticisms of teammates, particularly Peja Stojakovic and Brad Miller.
Stojakovic's decision to go public with a trade request shortly thereafter added to the speculation. The All-Star small forward, though, repeatedly has said he and Webber have no problems.Now, Miller has weighed in.
He was asked Tuesday in Fresno, where the Kings played the Lakers in an exhibition, about the perception of tension between him and Webber.
Shaking his head, Miller was succinct.
"All I want to say is (expletive) that," he said. "(Expletive) them. (Expletive) everybody. That's (expletive)."
Webber also had little to say on the subject.
"I don't even want to get into that," he said, "but you can quote me on this. Believe half of what you read and none of what you hear."
On a different note, Kings free-agent point guard Tony Bland did not play in the team's first three exhibitions. He finally got his chance Tuesday against the team he loved growing up in Southern California.
"I got on the court, and I guess there were some mixed emotions," Bland said. "But I'm with the Kings, and I'd run through a wall for the Kings."
Bland said there was no anxiety playing the Lakers.
"I'm going against Bobby Jackson and Mike Bibby every day, so I've got to be ready for it no matter who I step on the court against."
Kings coach Rick Adelman gave his team Wednesday off to rest before practice today, followed by games Friday at the Utah Jazz and Saturday at Arco Arena against the New Orleans Hornets. Adelman says he'll make the first round of cuts after today's practice.
Including Doug Christie and Greg Ostertag, who are injured, Adelman has 20 players in camp. The coach said he has free agents who have impressed enough to merit further consideration. Usually, coaches don't spend much time on first cuts, especially with this many players in camp.
"There are five or six guys on whom we'll have to make some tough decisions," Adelman said. "We're going to have to find out how many players we're allowed to keep."
NBA teams have 12 players on their active rosters and may keep as many as three players on the injured list. In the past, the Kings have had three players on the injured list. Last season, however, in a cost-cutting measure, the team attempted to pare their roster as tightly as possible.
The Kings have been well above the luxury-tax level the past two seasons and were forced to pay about $20 million total.
Adelman also said he will begin to give his core players more court time in the final four preseason games as they prepare for the regular-season opener Nov. 2 at Dallas against the Mavericks.
"I have to start getting our main guys more time," the coach said. "I want to give them more extended minutes; get them around 30 to 36 minutes, where they get about 18 minutes a half. I want to give them an opportunity to play together more."
