KingKong
Starter
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/8111752
Power Rankings: Kings could be royal pain with Mobley
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Updated Jan. 18
The Orlando Magic will enjoy Doug Christie's defense and selflessness, but the Kings got the better end of the deal that brought Cuttino Mobley to Sacramento. It's already beginning to show.
Cuttino Mobley has quickly become a vocal leader in the Kings' locker room. (AP)
Mobley has come up with critical defensive stops in consecutive wins over the L.A. Clippers, proving the Kings didn't get a total slouch on that side of the ball. That's a huge bonus considering he was brought on board to kick the team's offense up a notch, helping them chase down the Pacific Division's newest superpower, the Phoenix Suns.
The Kings have two of the league's best passing big men in Chris Webber and Brad Miller, a heady, quick point guard in Mike Bibby, and one of the league's best perimeter scorers in Peja Stojakovic. Adding Mobley gives them another playmaker and shooter teams have to respect.
"We're going to present problems for a lot of different teams," Mobley told The Oregonian. "From one to five, I don't know who's better than us, you know what I mean?"
The Kings have won eight of their past 10 and have taken advantage of the Suns' recent road struggles to pull within 4 1/2 games of the division lead. Starting out 1-4 has had them in catch-up mode, but they're finally starting to make headway.
A four-game home stretch begins Tuesday night that will see the Blazers, Cavs, Spurs and Nets come through town.
If Webber's sore left knee holds up and Mobley finds a quick comfort zone, the Kings can take advantage and introduce themselves as a new legitimate contender in the Western Conference race.
To his credit, Mobley has already asserted himself from a vocal standpoint, quickly adapting to his new surroundings.
"In my opinion, and I hope people don't take this the wrong way, but we finally have another loudmouth on this team," said Webber. "Now, I don't have to do all the talking and encouraging. I can just sit back and listen. I like the fact I have another guy on the team who is vocal and a leader in his own way."
We have a feeling the results he'll help bring will also be met with resounding favor.
The Power Rankings through games of Jan. 17:
POWER RANKINGS
Current Team Previous
[/font]1 [font=Arial, Helvetica]Phoenix Suns 1
The Suns' rear-view mirror now looks a lot more crowded, but they remain the pace car provided Steve Nash is back and healthy.
2 Seattle SuperSonics 2
The unheralded point guard duo of Luke Ridnour and Antonio Daniels has been extremely productive.
3 San Antonio Spurs 3
It had to be encouraging to see Brent Barry and Devin Brown emerge with Manu Ginobili out. When all is said and done, the Spurs' depth may be what guides them to the top.
4 Miami Heat 4
Back home after an exhausting trip out west, expect the Heat to re-establish their positive momentum.
5 Sacramento Kings 7
Sparkplug Eddie House, who happens to be Mike Bibby's brother-in-law, will have an opportunity to help replace injured super-sub Bobby Jackson.
6 Detroit Pistons 8
The Pistons have finally gotten things together. You didn't expect they would just concede the East to Miami, did you?
7 Dallas Mavericks 5
The Mavs' solid depth helped get them through a tough stretch where Marquis Daniels, Erick Dampier and Josh Howard were all hampered.
8 Cleveland Cavaliers 6
Like all Eastern Conference teams that venture west, the Cavs have struggled to find their way. The trip continues this week.
9 Washington Wizards 10
Jarvis Hayes, off a mild concussion, delivered a career-high 27 points in a loss at San Antonio. He'll be a valuable part of the offense with Larry Hughes sidelined.
10 Memphis Grizzlies 12
The Grizzlies' Jan. 19 visit to Phoenix will tell us whether they're for real; they've won nine of 10 entering the contest.
11 Houston Rockets 11
With the Rockets' backcourt finally producing consistently, it's time for the bigs to get their act together. Listening, Yao?
12 Los Angeles Lakers 9
Based on his current rate of production, it will take rookie starter Sasha Vujacic four games to score as many points as Kobe Bryant averages in one.
13 Minnesota Timberwolves 13
Wrestling to stay above .500, the T-Wolves embark on a critical three-game road trip for games against the Lakers, Sonics and Blazers.
14 Orlando Magic 15
Coach Johnny Davis plans to keep Hedo Turkoglu in the starting lineup for the time being, leaving Doug Christie with a reserve role.
15 Chicago Bulls 17
Scott Skiles deserves the bulk of the credit now that the work he's put in with Chicago's youngsters is producing positive results.
[/font]
Power Rankings: Kings could be royal pain with Mobley
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Updated Jan. 18
The Orlando Magic will enjoy Doug Christie's defense and selflessness, but the Kings got the better end of the deal that brought Cuttino Mobley to Sacramento. It's already beginning to show.
Cuttino Mobley has quickly become a vocal leader in the Kings' locker room. (AP)
Mobley has come up with critical defensive stops in consecutive wins over the L.A. Clippers, proving the Kings didn't get a total slouch on that side of the ball. That's a huge bonus considering he was brought on board to kick the team's offense up a notch, helping them chase down the Pacific Division's newest superpower, the Phoenix Suns.
The Kings have two of the league's best passing big men in Chris Webber and Brad Miller, a heady, quick point guard in Mike Bibby, and one of the league's best perimeter scorers in Peja Stojakovic. Adding Mobley gives them another playmaker and shooter teams have to respect.
"We're going to present problems for a lot of different teams," Mobley told The Oregonian. "From one to five, I don't know who's better than us, you know what I mean?"
The Kings have won eight of their past 10 and have taken advantage of the Suns' recent road struggles to pull within 4 1/2 games of the division lead. Starting out 1-4 has had them in catch-up mode, but they're finally starting to make headway.
A four-game home stretch begins Tuesday night that will see the Blazers, Cavs, Spurs and Nets come through town.
If Webber's sore left knee holds up and Mobley finds a quick comfort zone, the Kings can take advantage and introduce themselves as a new legitimate contender in the Western Conference race.
To his credit, Mobley has already asserted himself from a vocal standpoint, quickly adapting to his new surroundings.
"In my opinion, and I hope people don't take this the wrong way, but we finally have another loudmouth on this team," said Webber. "Now, I don't have to do all the talking and encouraging. I can just sit back and listen. I like the fact I have another guy on the team who is vocal and a leader in his own way."
We have a feeling the results he'll help bring will also be met with resounding favor.
The Power Rankings through games of Jan. 17:
POWER RANKINGS
Current Team Previous
[/font]1 [font=Arial, Helvetica]Phoenix Suns 1
The Suns' rear-view mirror now looks a lot more crowded, but they remain the pace car provided Steve Nash is back and healthy.
2 Seattle SuperSonics 2
The unheralded point guard duo of Luke Ridnour and Antonio Daniels has been extremely productive.
3 San Antonio Spurs 3
It had to be encouraging to see Brent Barry and Devin Brown emerge with Manu Ginobili out. When all is said and done, the Spurs' depth may be what guides them to the top.
4 Miami Heat 4
Back home after an exhausting trip out west, expect the Heat to re-establish their positive momentum.
5 Sacramento Kings 7
Sparkplug Eddie House, who happens to be Mike Bibby's brother-in-law, will have an opportunity to help replace injured super-sub Bobby Jackson.
6 Detroit Pistons 8
The Pistons have finally gotten things together. You didn't expect they would just concede the East to Miami, did you?
7 Dallas Mavericks 5
The Mavs' solid depth helped get them through a tough stretch where Marquis Daniels, Erick Dampier and Josh Howard were all hampered.
8 Cleveland Cavaliers 6
Like all Eastern Conference teams that venture west, the Cavs have struggled to find their way. The trip continues this week.
9 Washington Wizards 10
Jarvis Hayes, off a mild concussion, delivered a career-high 27 points in a loss at San Antonio. He'll be a valuable part of the offense with Larry Hughes sidelined.
10 Memphis Grizzlies 12
The Grizzlies' Jan. 19 visit to Phoenix will tell us whether they're for real; they've won nine of 10 entering the contest.
11 Houston Rockets 11
With the Rockets' backcourt finally producing consistently, it's time for the bigs to get their act together. Listening, Yao?
12 Los Angeles Lakers 9
Based on his current rate of production, it will take rookie starter Sasha Vujacic four games to score as many points as Kobe Bryant averages in one.
13 Minnesota Timberwolves 13
Wrestling to stay above .500, the T-Wolves embark on a critical three-game road trip for games against the Lakers, Sonics and Blazers.
14 Orlando Magic 15
Coach Johnny Davis plans to keep Hedo Turkoglu in the starting lineup for the time being, leaving Doug Christie with a reserve role.
15 Chicago Bulls 17
Scott Skiles deserves the bulk of the credit now that the work he's put in with Chicago's youngsters is producing positive results.
[/font]
Miller/Webb/Peja/Cat/Bibby...WOW!
