Twix
Starter
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12474348p-13330214c.html
Post-trade Kings will lean toward the physical
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, February 27, 2005
PHILADELPHIA - There was a moment in the second quarter Saturday at Wachovia Center when the Kings delivered a sandwich foul. Two forwards zeroed in on a driving Philadelphia 76ers victim, creating a collision of humanity just below the rim.
http://ads.sacbee.com/RealMedia/ads...l/64313865323634663432323230623630?_RM_EMPTY_ And when was the last time Kings fans saw much of that?
The hammering duo was Corliss Williamson and Kenny Thomas, and they promised there would be more of the muscle when needed. If the Kings hope to do any damage in the playoffs, Williamson and Thomas must continue to bump and grind away.
The Kings might have lost some of that sexy swagger and big-name appeal that comes with an accomplished performer such as Chris Webber, but the early returns on The Trade show the team wasn't left with spare parts and damaged goods.
These new guys - Thomas, Williamson and Brian Skinner - can play. Sure, it's one game, but wrapped around a 101-99 Kings victory was some of that much needed interior play: rebounds, point-blank points, hard fouls.
Williamson, the former Kings first-round pick who has come full circle, started and had 17 points, six rebounds and two steals. He even fouled out. Thomas, the expected starter in place of Webber, proved to be the quickest, most explosive power forward the Kings have unleashed in years. He had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Though Skinner, the tallest forward of the three at 6-foot-9, didn't score - that's not part of his game - he provided the Kings with a sorely needed element. He blocked two shots in his 10 minutes.
"I think those guys will fit right in," Kings center Brad Miller said.
Of the three new parts, the most critical is Thomas.
He didn't like his diminished role in Philadelphia, where there were high hopes early, then a lot of bench time lately. He became a jump shooter in coach Jim O'Brien's system when he wanted to be a driver and banger. That's music to the Kings' ears. Webber became a jump shooter no longer needed.
A fifth-year pro out of New Mexico, Thomas didn't say it outright, but he wasn't much of an O'Brien fan.
"It was a frustrating year," Thomas said. "Still, I didn't want to be traded. I got real close to the guys here. I hated to leave, but now I'm excited about what we can do in Sacramento."
Williamson was the most delighted of the three to learn of the trade. Then his emotions were mixed. He will return to Sacramento without his wife, Michelle, who is pregnant with their third child.
"You're never really prepared or ready for a trade," Williamson said. "My wife is expecting in May, so she can't come to Sacramento with me right now. She can't travel. I'll have to leave my family behind. It'll be sad to be away from them, but I'll manage."
Williamson did admit, amid laughter, that hotel life with his family would have been difficult.
The Kings hope to provide their own brand of difficulty with their new options. Peja Stojakovic is due back any game now with a healed hamstring. And for once, there will not be a forward on the roster in dire need of ice packs.
Post-trade Kings will lean toward the physical
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, February 27, 2005
PHILADELPHIA - There was a moment in the second quarter Saturday at Wachovia Center when the Kings delivered a sandwich foul. Two forwards zeroed in on a driving Philadelphia 76ers victim, creating a collision of humanity just below the rim.
http://ads.sacbee.com/RealMedia/ads...l/64313865323634663432323230623630?_RM_EMPTY_ And when was the last time Kings fans saw much of that?
The hammering duo was Corliss Williamson and Kenny Thomas, and they promised there would be more of the muscle when needed. If the Kings hope to do any damage in the playoffs, Williamson and Thomas must continue to bump and grind away.
The Kings might have lost some of that sexy swagger and big-name appeal that comes with an accomplished performer such as Chris Webber, but the early returns on The Trade show the team wasn't left with spare parts and damaged goods.
These new guys - Thomas, Williamson and Brian Skinner - can play. Sure, it's one game, but wrapped around a 101-99 Kings victory was some of that much needed interior play: rebounds, point-blank points, hard fouls.
Williamson, the former Kings first-round pick who has come full circle, started and had 17 points, six rebounds and two steals. He even fouled out. Thomas, the expected starter in place of Webber, proved to be the quickest, most explosive power forward the Kings have unleashed in years. He had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Though Skinner, the tallest forward of the three at 6-foot-9, didn't score - that's not part of his game - he provided the Kings with a sorely needed element. He blocked two shots in his 10 minutes.
"I think those guys will fit right in," Kings center Brad Miller said.
Of the three new parts, the most critical is Thomas.
He didn't like his diminished role in Philadelphia, where there were high hopes early, then a lot of bench time lately. He became a jump shooter in coach Jim O'Brien's system when he wanted to be a driver and banger. That's music to the Kings' ears. Webber became a jump shooter no longer needed.
A fifth-year pro out of New Mexico, Thomas didn't say it outright, but he wasn't much of an O'Brien fan.
"It was a frustrating year," Thomas said. "Still, I didn't want to be traded. I got real close to the guys here. I hated to leave, but now I'm excited about what we can do in Sacramento."
Williamson was the most delighted of the three to learn of the trade. Then his emotions were mixed. He will return to Sacramento without his wife, Michelle, who is pregnant with their third child.
"You're never really prepared or ready for a trade," Williamson said. "My wife is expecting in May, so she can't come to Sacramento with me right now. She can't travel. I'll have to leave my family behind. It'll be sad to be away from them, but I'll manage."
Williamson did admit, amid laughter, that hotel life with his family would have been difficult.
The Kings hope to provide their own brand of difficulty with their new options. Peja Stojakovic is due back any game now with a healed hamstring. And for once, there will not be a forward on the roster in dire need of ice packs.
