Twix
Starter
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13849027p-14688991c.html
Same teams, different story
A players-only meeting provides a boost as the Kings top Denver
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, November 12, 2005
The urgency hit the surface inside the Kings' practice facility, where 13 individual parts came together Thursday afternoon. After a long and humbling session of watching game tape, where the Kings broke down the horror film that was their fourth loss in five games from the night before in Denver, the players decided there was more to review.
Mike Bibby asked them to stay, as did Corliss Williamson. They all remained.
"We talked amongst ourselves, just called a spade a spade, with everyone voicing their opinion," Kings center Brad Miller said. "It was just guys being truthful. Everybody was talking. Everybody had a chance to speak. There were 13 opinions right there."
And one positive result.
The Kings were revived once again Friday night at Arco Arena, controlling the Denver Nuggets 101-85 in much the same fashion they had been dominated so often in this early season.
The face of desire arrived in the form of Peja Stojakovic in one early instance. Stojakovic, he of the interior passiveness, cut off 6-foot-9 Nuggets guard DerMarr Johnson on the right baseline in the first quarter, then defended Johnson's drive with a shot block that brought so many looks of wonder and prompted one fan to say, "Was that Peja?"
Stojakovic, who finished with 23 points and six rebounds, scored 10 points in a 19-6 run that put the Kings up 29-19 after one quarter.
They never trailed thereafter, leading by as many as 22 points and stretching Denver's losing streak at Arco Arena to 18 games.
"Sometimes you've got to go through that, get slapped down, put down and embarrassed, and that makes you respond," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "I don't know why. But believe me, it's not something we haven't said to them all the way along."
More importantly, they said it to each other. Kings director of player personnel Jerry Reynolds said he can't remember a players-only meeting taking place with any Kings team in the last decade.
Still, Adelman had said before the game that it would all be for show if the Kings lost, a storyline with the inconsequential ending.
A win was the only acceptable outcome.
"We had to be fearless tonight, no matter what happened," Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin said. "It's like I told a couple of players - if we get beat at the end (of the game) on a 93-foot shot, we still played bad, because we needed a win tonight."
For the first time this season, the reserves pitched in, this after five games of mostly subpar play. Adelman, who had been playing as many as 10 players, shortened the rotation to eight. He said he wanted bench players to carry less of the load while they teamed with the starters. The move worked.
After shooting 36.4 percent and missing all of his six three-pointers coming in, Martin scored 14 points, hitting 5-of-6 shots and 2-of-3 three-pointers. He hit a three-pointer from the right side to open the second quarter, ensuring the Nuggets wouldn't crawl any closer.
Backup point guard Jason Hart played 11 of the first 18 minutes in place of starter Mike Bibby, running the offense effectively and nullifying Nuggets point guard Andre Miller.
In 10 minutes of play, struggling backup forward Kenny Thomas played with more zeal than ever. He grabbed three rebounds and hit all three of his shots for eight points, driving through the paint twice and sinking a jumper.
The starters were solid again, too, with all five scoring in double figures and Miller nearing a triple double with 12 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
In all, the Kings held the Nuggets to 35.6 percent shooting, including a combined 7 for 28 by forward Carmelo Anthony and guard Voshon Lenard.
"I hope they call another (meeting) tomorrow," Adelman said. "I think it is good, because this team has got to come together and hold themselves accountable."
For a day, consider it done.
About the writer:
I hope the players call for more meeting!
Same teams, different story
A players-only meeting provides a boost as the Kings top Denver
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, November 12, 2005
The urgency hit the surface inside the Kings' practice facility, where 13 individual parts came together Thursday afternoon. After a long and humbling session of watching game tape, where the Kings broke down the horror film that was their fourth loss in five games from the night before in Denver, the players decided there was more to review.
Mike Bibby asked them to stay, as did Corliss Williamson. They all remained.
"We talked amongst ourselves, just called a spade a spade, with everyone voicing their opinion," Kings center Brad Miller said. "It was just guys being truthful. Everybody was talking. Everybody had a chance to speak. There were 13 opinions right there."
And one positive result.
The Kings were revived once again Friday night at Arco Arena, controlling the Denver Nuggets 101-85 in much the same fashion they had been dominated so often in this early season.
The face of desire arrived in the form of Peja Stojakovic in one early instance. Stojakovic, he of the interior passiveness, cut off 6-foot-9 Nuggets guard DerMarr Johnson on the right baseline in the first quarter, then defended Johnson's drive with a shot block that brought so many looks of wonder and prompted one fan to say, "Was that Peja?"
Stojakovic, who finished with 23 points and six rebounds, scored 10 points in a 19-6 run that put the Kings up 29-19 after one quarter.
They never trailed thereafter, leading by as many as 22 points and stretching Denver's losing streak at Arco Arena to 18 games.
"Sometimes you've got to go through that, get slapped down, put down and embarrassed, and that makes you respond," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "I don't know why. But believe me, it's not something we haven't said to them all the way along."
More importantly, they said it to each other. Kings director of player personnel Jerry Reynolds said he can't remember a players-only meeting taking place with any Kings team in the last decade.
Still, Adelman had said before the game that it would all be for show if the Kings lost, a storyline with the inconsequential ending.
A win was the only acceptable outcome.
"We had to be fearless tonight, no matter what happened," Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin said. "It's like I told a couple of players - if we get beat at the end (of the game) on a 93-foot shot, we still played bad, because we needed a win tonight."
For the first time this season, the reserves pitched in, this after five games of mostly subpar play. Adelman, who had been playing as many as 10 players, shortened the rotation to eight. He said he wanted bench players to carry less of the load while they teamed with the starters. The move worked.
After shooting 36.4 percent and missing all of his six three-pointers coming in, Martin scored 14 points, hitting 5-of-6 shots and 2-of-3 three-pointers. He hit a three-pointer from the right side to open the second quarter, ensuring the Nuggets wouldn't crawl any closer.
Backup point guard Jason Hart played 11 of the first 18 minutes in place of starter Mike Bibby, running the offense effectively and nullifying Nuggets point guard Andre Miller.
In 10 minutes of play, struggling backup forward Kenny Thomas played with more zeal than ever. He grabbed three rebounds and hit all three of his shots for eight points, driving through the paint twice and sinking a jumper.
The starters were solid again, too, with all five scoring in double figures and Miller nearing a triple double with 12 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
In all, the Kings held the Nuggets to 35.6 percent shooting, including a combined 7 for 28 by forward Carmelo Anthony and guard Voshon Lenard.
"I hope they call another (meeting) tomorrow," Adelman said. "I think it is good, because this team has got to come together and hold themselves accountable."
For a day, consider it done.
About the writer:
- The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
I hope the players call for more meeting!
