Sizing up their weapons
Adelman tries different combinations to counter Sonics
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, April 25, 2005
Rick Adelman, who often has been criticized for not using his bench, couldn't be faulted in that regard Saturday night.
The Kings' coach used 11 players in his team's 87-82 loss to the Seattle SuperSonics in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.
Adelman is trying to weave Brad Miller and Bobby Jackson, both coming off injuries, into the rotation and find the most effective ways to deal with the size and physical style of the Sonics' frontcourt.
Saturday, Adelman tried the unusual pairing of the 7-foot Miller and 7-2 Greg Ostertag on the front line. The coach also had 6-foot-7 Corliss Williamson guarding 7-1 Jerome James, and 6-4 Cuttino Mobley against 6-10 Rashard Lewis.
Miller and Ostertag rarely had played together on the floor even in practice, Adelman said.
"I was just trying to find some combination that would work against them, especially on the boards," Adelman said Sunday at the team's practice facility. "(The Sonics) were bouncing guys all over the place. Jerome was on the boards, and at that time, I thought it was worth a chance to see if it would change things."
Miller and Ostertag did slow Seattle on the boards and help Sacramento get back into the game. But it ultimately wasn't enough for the Kings, who will practice at their facility again today before flying back to Seattle for Game 2 Tuesday night.
Ostertag played all but eight seconds of the game's final 18 minutes and grabbed seven rebounds (three offensive), blocked one shot and made all three of his shots for six points.
Miller also was 3 for 3 from the field, scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds and had three assists during his eight-minute stint.
Adelman said he didn't think the first game of a playoff series was the time to push the envelope with Miller, who fractured his left fibula March 12 and had barely scrimmaged with the team.
"I wanted to see how he felt (Sunday) and see how he practiced," the coach said. "I was concerned he'd come in like in training camp and be sore everywhere. And if he (took) three steps back, where (would we be)? But I was much more confident in the way he played (Saturday night) and watching the way he (practiced). He had no ill effects, and I just see him getting better and better."
Miller said his leg felt better Sunday.
"I was able to do some things that I usually do in the game," he said. "And I feel good."
Adelman said he's still figuring out his team's strengths and weaknesses against the Sonics, and it's not an easy task, especially with so many unknowns created by injuries and new personnel.
"This has really been a tough one for me," Adelman said. "I've always gone in pretty much knowing, except for maybe that lockout year (1999), when I didn't know what we were going to do.
"This has really been tough to find out how we were going to play and how were we going to compete with (the Sonics) because I hadn't seen (the new players), either. At least (Game 1) gives me a little bit of where to go from here, especially if we feel Brad can play more and more. Now you have a constant starting point, and then you have to figure out who is going to come in."
Adelman said he did not anticipate the Kings starting so poorly on offense. Mike Bibby (1-for-16 shooting, three points) and Jackson (0 for 7, no points) struggled the most.
"I never expect Mike to come in and have a game like that," Adelman said. "He might have a half like that, but he never stays down that long. So, yeah, everything kind of changed. And then Bobby came in, and things didn't get much better.
"But I've been around Mike long enough, and I've got a lot of confidence in him. I've got to give Bobby Jackson a chance. Now, if that happens in two or three games, then you've got to start looking at something else."
Bibby, whose sore left foot clearly is troubling him more than he will admit, said Sunday he will not play that poorly again. He has had nine games in his NBA career in which he had made just one basket, including two this season.
"I came in and shot extra shots and shot good (Sunday)," Bibby said. "I guarantee that won't happen again. (Assistant) coach (Pete) Carril told me (to shoot with) a little more rotation, which means more (wrist) snap.
"I figured a couple (of shots) would drop, but my shot just didn't feel right. You're going to have some games like that. Well, not like that. You have games when you're not going to shoot the best or play the best. Like I always say, you have to take one of those. And I'll take one of those to get 10 good ones.
"I figure if I could have made a little more contribution, we could have won that game. But you're never going to see me and Bobby shoot 1 for 23, probably ever, so you've got to chalk it up."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12785748p-13636609c.html
Adelman tries different combinations to counter Sonics
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, April 25, 2005
Rick Adelman, who often has been criticized for not using his bench, couldn't be faulted in that regard Saturday night.
The Kings' coach used 11 players in his team's 87-82 loss to the Seattle SuperSonics in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.
Adelman is trying to weave Brad Miller and Bobby Jackson, both coming off injuries, into the rotation and find the most effective ways to deal with the size and physical style of the Sonics' frontcourt.
Saturday, Adelman tried the unusual pairing of the 7-foot Miller and 7-2 Greg Ostertag on the front line. The coach also had 6-foot-7 Corliss Williamson guarding 7-1 Jerome James, and 6-4 Cuttino Mobley against 6-10 Rashard Lewis.
Miller and Ostertag rarely had played together on the floor even in practice, Adelman said.
"I was just trying to find some combination that would work against them, especially on the boards," Adelman said Sunday at the team's practice facility. "(The Sonics) were bouncing guys all over the place. Jerome was on the boards, and at that time, I thought it was worth a chance to see if it would change things."
Miller and Ostertag did slow Seattle on the boards and help Sacramento get back into the game. But it ultimately wasn't enough for the Kings, who will practice at their facility again today before flying back to Seattle for Game 2 Tuesday night.
Ostertag played all but eight seconds of the game's final 18 minutes and grabbed seven rebounds (three offensive), blocked one shot and made all three of his shots for six points.
Miller also was 3 for 3 from the field, scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds and had three assists during his eight-minute stint.
Adelman said he didn't think the first game of a playoff series was the time to push the envelope with Miller, who fractured his left fibula March 12 and had barely scrimmaged with the team.
"I wanted to see how he felt (Sunday) and see how he practiced," the coach said. "I was concerned he'd come in like in training camp and be sore everywhere. And if he (took) three steps back, where (would we be)? But I was much more confident in the way he played (Saturday night) and watching the way he (practiced). He had no ill effects, and I just see him getting better and better."
Miller said his leg felt better Sunday.
"I was able to do some things that I usually do in the game," he said. "And I feel good."
Adelman said he's still figuring out his team's strengths and weaknesses against the Sonics, and it's not an easy task, especially with so many unknowns created by injuries and new personnel.
"This has really been a tough one for me," Adelman said. "I've always gone in pretty much knowing, except for maybe that lockout year (1999), when I didn't know what we were going to do.
"This has really been tough to find out how we were going to play and how were we going to compete with (the Sonics) because I hadn't seen (the new players), either. At least (Game 1) gives me a little bit of where to go from here, especially if we feel Brad can play more and more. Now you have a constant starting point, and then you have to figure out who is going to come in."
Adelman said he did not anticipate the Kings starting so poorly on offense. Mike Bibby (1-for-16 shooting, three points) and Jackson (0 for 7, no points) struggled the most.
"I never expect Mike to come in and have a game like that," Adelman said. "He might have a half like that, but he never stays down that long. So, yeah, everything kind of changed. And then Bobby came in, and things didn't get much better.
"But I've been around Mike long enough, and I've got a lot of confidence in him. I've got to give Bobby Jackson a chance. Now, if that happens in two or three games, then you've got to start looking at something else."
Bibby, whose sore left foot clearly is troubling him more than he will admit, said Sunday he will not play that poorly again. He has had nine games in his NBA career in which he had made just one basket, including two this season.
"I came in and shot extra shots and shot good (Sunday)," Bibby said. "I guarantee that won't happen again. (Assistant) coach (Pete) Carril told me (to shoot with) a little more rotation, which means more (wrist) snap.
"I figured a couple (of shots) would drop, but my shot just didn't feel right. You're going to have some games like that. Well, not like that. You have games when you're not going to shoot the best or play the best. Like I always say, you have to take one of those. And I'll take one of those to get 10 good ones.
"I figure if I could have made a little more contribution, we could have won that game. But you're never going to see me and Bobby shoot 1 for 23, probably ever, so you've got to chalk it up."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12785748p-13636609c.html
