funsc
Bench
Lineup? Kings deciding at arena
With all the team's injuries, coach Rick Adelman often is winging it a game time.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, February 4, 2005
So, you want to know who will start tonight for Kings against the visiting New York Knicks?
So does Kings coach Rick Adelman.
That knowledge might not come for sure until a half-hour or so before the 7 p.m. tipoff at Arco Arena.
It's been like that for Adelman, who has dealt with injuries to Peja Stojakovic (back), Chris Webber (knee), Mike Bibby (ankle), Maurice Evans (groin) and Cuttino Mobley (back, ribs, groin, ankle).
And don't forget Bobby Jackson, the super-sub whose wrist-ligament tear will force him to miss the rest of the regular season unless he joins that innovative Terrell Owens comeback program.
Evans did his time on the injured list and returned Wednesday to score 15 points in the 111-107 victory at Golden State that included a huge three-pointer to help Kings overcome a five-point deficit in overtime.
Bibby missed one game because of his ankle, and that near-triple-double (17 points, nine rebound, 11 assists) 49-minute performance against the Warriors is proof he's feeling better.
Adelman said Wednesday he thought Mobley and Webber could return tonight, but he did not know about Stojakovic, who seems to be improving.
When the coaching staff isn't sure who will play, it's difficult to form a plan of attack.
"We've tried to figure out what (offensive plays) to call because some of these guys haven't played at all," Adelman said this week.
The same problem exists defensively for a team that over the past month and a half has practiced less than a kids' soccer team.
Adelman threw in the 2-3 zone against the Warriors in the second half, lived with the mistakes that come from a lack of practice and watched his choices beat Golden State.
The Kings, because of Webber's return from knee surgery, the acquisition of Mobley and all the injuries, basically have been showing up at the gym three or four nights a week.
They are dealing with the NBA as if it's the world's best rec league - with much better facilities and larger crowds.
At this point, Darius Songaila has become a given.
He and Brad Miller are the only two Kings to play in each of the team's 45 games.
Songaila has started six of the seven games missed by Webber and often has found out just a few minutes earlier than the fans in attendance.
The second-year forward just comes to work, hardly says anything to anybody, then does his job as well as anyone.
Songaila has averaged 13.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists while averaging 38.3 minutes in Webber's absence.
In fact, the ability of Songaila and Matt Barnes to step up, play tough minutes and really not show any major fatigue is a testament to their work ethic.
Songaila said not knowing whether or not he will play is no big deal.
"Everything stays the same," he said. "I don't change my routine. I'm fine in terms of playing minutes.
"Once you get out there and go up down and get that wind going, and second wind, you're all right."
The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12235331p-13099262c.html
With all the team's injuries, coach Rick Adelman often is winging it a game time.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, February 4, 2005
So, you want to know who will start tonight for Kings against the visiting New York Knicks?
So does Kings coach Rick Adelman.
That knowledge might not come for sure until a half-hour or so before the 7 p.m. tipoff at Arco Arena.
It's been like that for Adelman, who has dealt with injuries to Peja Stojakovic (back), Chris Webber (knee), Mike Bibby (ankle), Maurice Evans (groin) and Cuttino Mobley (back, ribs, groin, ankle).
And don't forget Bobby Jackson, the super-sub whose wrist-ligament tear will force him to miss the rest of the regular season unless he joins that innovative Terrell Owens comeback program.
Evans did his time on the injured list and returned Wednesday to score 15 points in the 111-107 victory at Golden State that included a huge three-pointer to help Kings overcome a five-point deficit in overtime.
Bibby missed one game because of his ankle, and that near-triple-double (17 points, nine rebound, 11 assists) 49-minute performance against the Warriors is proof he's feeling better.
Adelman said Wednesday he thought Mobley and Webber could return tonight, but he did not know about Stojakovic, who seems to be improving.
When the coaching staff isn't sure who will play, it's difficult to form a plan of attack.
"We've tried to figure out what (offensive plays) to call because some of these guys haven't played at all," Adelman said this week.
The same problem exists defensively for a team that over the past month and a half has practiced less than a kids' soccer team.
Adelman threw in the 2-3 zone against the Warriors in the second half, lived with the mistakes that come from a lack of practice and watched his choices beat Golden State.
The Kings, because of Webber's return from knee surgery, the acquisition of Mobley and all the injuries, basically have been showing up at the gym three or four nights a week.
They are dealing with the NBA as if it's the world's best rec league - with much better facilities and larger crowds.
At this point, Darius Songaila has become a given.
He and Brad Miller are the only two Kings to play in each of the team's 45 games.
Songaila has started six of the seven games missed by Webber and often has found out just a few minutes earlier than the fans in attendance.
The second-year forward just comes to work, hardly says anything to anybody, then does his job as well as anyone.
Songaila has averaged 13.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists while averaging 38.3 minutes in Webber's absence.
In fact, the ability of Songaila and Matt Barnes to step up, play tough minutes and really not show any major fatigue is a testament to their work ethic.
Songaila said not knowing whether or not he will play is no big deal.
"Everything stays the same," he said. "I don't change my routine. I'm fine in terms of playing minutes.
"Once you get out there and go up down and get that wind going, and second wind, you're all right."
The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12235331p-13099262c.html
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