KingKong
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The Kings Report By C. Sawyer
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Nov 22, 2005, 17:02
http://www.hoopsworld.com/printer_15090.shtml http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_15090.shtml
FITTING IN
No question, it hasn’t been an easy start to the 2005-6 season for the Sacramento Kings. It certainly hasn’t been what the fans or players had hoped for. But what about the new guys. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Bonzi Wells, Jason Hart, Francisco Garcia and Jamal Sampson all joined a Kings team that most expected to be an easy lock for the playoffs. But at 4-7 it’s going to be a bigger challenge than anyone expected to get there.
It’s never easy being new. Just think of what it is like going to a new school, moving to a new neighborhood or starting a new job. You have to make new friends, get acquainted with your surroundings and get up to speed on all the new expectations. And imagine if you had to do this in a school, neighborhood or company where the course was not going as expected, in a bad way. Granted, in the NBA this reshuffling comes with the territory, but change is never easy, even when it is for the best.
For Shareef and Wells, fitting in is crucial if the Kings are to have any kind of success this season. Both come from less than optimal circumstances. Wells has a reputation that hampered his relationships at Portland and Memphis. Shareef has never been on a playoff team, playing for Vancouver, Atlanta and Portland. Hopefully in Sacramento both players will overcome their history and have the opportunity to succeed.
So far, while the Kings’ performance hasn’t been optimal, both Bonzi and Shareef are making contributions. Bonzi’s defense is critical for Sacramento to have a chance to stay competitive in games. Well’s is playing more minutes and delivering on defense with 8.4 rebounds per game, he is actually the most prolific rebounder on the team. His aggressiveness has also resulted in 1.64 steals per game, another team high. His energy has helped to spur the Kings on when they fall into a malaise, something that can’t necessarily be shown in a box score but can be seen and felt in a game. Even in the locker room his attitude has been as positive as anyone’s and he seems to bring a sense of humor to the game. On an individual level, although he is still struggling to get into an offensive rhythm he knows that it is just a matter of time “I know my teammates are going to be there to help me”. It’s an important sign that there is a show of confidence even with a tough start.
Bonzi’s surprising performance off the boards is complemented by Shareef’s unexpected skill in dishing out the ball. Shareef is handing out 3.8 assists per game and although there have been miscues, he is fitting in fast, “the offense we run is good for my personal game, I can thrive and help others game get better as well.” Although Shareef’s offensive output is down from previous years his shooting percentage is up and as familiarity with the offense increases so should his scoring. Shareef has been known to be more of a quiet personality than Bonzi however he has become more verbal on this Kings team and provides a quiet energy, leading the team in blocks, second in rebounds and third in points. Although the Kings are not where they want to be yet Shareef is confident that they will be, “its so early in the season”, they just need to “come out focused and ready to play” get a win and that momentum will build and confidence will build. With that confidence will come the ability to play more aggressively on offense and defense and that will hopefully lead to a continuing cycle of improvement.
Ultimately, the most important feature for this Kings team is for all the pieces to fit together. Sacramento’s style of play is very dependent on a team mentality. The Kings play best when they are aggressive, moving without the ball, cutting to the basket, and running their plays through their bigs, but they have to be completely comfortable with each other in order to succeed at this. Right now they still seem to be struggling to find their identity as a team. Are they going to be a high-energy cutting and screening team, a post play team, or is there a way to successfully combine both styles? Part of that answer will depend on how quickly and completely Wells and Shareef fit in.
Coming up
New Jersey (W) – The Nets are 5-5 and 1-3 on the road. This is a game that the Kings almost must have. After the gut-wrenching loss to San Antonio, Sacramento needs to take the momentum from the 4th quarter and carry it into Wednesday’s game. The Kings should be better offensively than the Nets, especially if they continue to improve as a unit. They will need to focus on their defensive assignments especially containing Carter and Jefferson, which will make Bonzi a busy guy. The Kings’ weakest link has been off the bench, even if just one player from the bench steps it up the Kings should get this, they really must.
Toronto (F) - Although the Kings have averaged 97.1 ppg, the Raptors have allowed 106.7 ppg. At 1-9 the Raptors are struggling worse than the Kings mostly due to a porous defense. The Kings need to capitalize on that and pound on Toronto in the paint and in transition. If the Kings want to win they will need to score at least 100 points and play some defense, as both Chris Bosh and Mike James are capable of having a breakout game. The Kings could use these two games as an opportunity to work at getting back to .500 basketball. Although still early in the season these are the games that the Kings have to win if they want to regain any respect.
Off the Bench
Sacramento’s biggest frustration right now looks like it is from the bench. The starting five are looking like they are improving but if they have to play all 48 minutes they are going to wear out. The bench players may need their own leader to inspire them and keep them focused when they are on the floor, otherwise they won’t be on the floor very much, and the whole team will suffer from it.
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Nov 22, 2005, 17:02
http://www.hoopsworld.com/printer_15090.shtml http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_15090.shtml
FITTING IN
No question, it hasn’t been an easy start to the 2005-6 season for the Sacramento Kings. It certainly hasn’t been what the fans or players had hoped for. But what about the new guys. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Bonzi Wells, Jason Hart, Francisco Garcia and Jamal Sampson all joined a Kings team that most expected to be an easy lock for the playoffs. But at 4-7 it’s going to be a bigger challenge than anyone expected to get there.
It’s never easy being new. Just think of what it is like going to a new school, moving to a new neighborhood or starting a new job. You have to make new friends, get acquainted with your surroundings and get up to speed on all the new expectations. And imagine if you had to do this in a school, neighborhood or company where the course was not going as expected, in a bad way. Granted, in the NBA this reshuffling comes with the territory, but change is never easy, even when it is for the best.
For Shareef and Wells, fitting in is crucial if the Kings are to have any kind of success this season. Both come from less than optimal circumstances. Wells has a reputation that hampered his relationships at Portland and Memphis. Shareef has never been on a playoff team, playing for Vancouver, Atlanta and Portland. Hopefully in Sacramento both players will overcome their history and have the opportunity to succeed.
So far, while the Kings’ performance hasn’t been optimal, both Bonzi and Shareef are making contributions. Bonzi’s defense is critical for Sacramento to have a chance to stay competitive in games. Well’s is playing more minutes and delivering on defense with 8.4 rebounds per game, he is actually the most prolific rebounder on the team. His aggressiveness has also resulted in 1.64 steals per game, another team high. His energy has helped to spur the Kings on when they fall into a malaise, something that can’t necessarily be shown in a box score but can be seen and felt in a game. Even in the locker room his attitude has been as positive as anyone’s and he seems to bring a sense of humor to the game. On an individual level, although he is still struggling to get into an offensive rhythm he knows that it is just a matter of time “I know my teammates are going to be there to help me”. It’s an important sign that there is a show of confidence even with a tough start.
Bonzi’s surprising performance off the boards is complemented by Shareef’s unexpected skill in dishing out the ball. Shareef is handing out 3.8 assists per game and although there have been miscues, he is fitting in fast, “the offense we run is good for my personal game, I can thrive and help others game get better as well.” Although Shareef’s offensive output is down from previous years his shooting percentage is up and as familiarity with the offense increases so should his scoring. Shareef has been known to be more of a quiet personality than Bonzi however he has become more verbal on this Kings team and provides a quiet energy, leading the team in blocks, second in rebounds and third in points. Although the Kings are not where they want to be yet Shareef is confident that they will be, “its so early in the season”, they just need to “come out focused and ready to play” get a win and that momentum will build and confidence will build. With that confidence will come the ability to play more aggressively on offense and defense and that will hopefully lead to a continuing cycle of improvement.
Ultimately, the most important feature for this Kings team is for all the pieces to fit together. Sacramento’s style of play is very dependent on a team mentality. The Kings play best when they are aggressive, moving without the ball, cutting to the basket, and running their plays through their bigs, but they have to be completely comfortable with each other in order to succeed at this. Right now they still seem to be struggling to find their identity as a team. Are they going to be a high-energy cutting and screening team, a post play team, or is there a way to successfully combine both styles? Part of that answer will depend on how quickly and completely Wells and Shareef fit in.
Coming up
New Jersey (W) – The Nets are 5-5 and 1-3 on the road. This is a game that the Kings almost must have. After the gut-wrenching loss to San Antonio, Sacramento needs to take the momentum from the 4th quarter and carry it into Wednesday’s game. The Kings should be better offensively than the Nets, especially if they continue to improve as a unit. They will need to focus on their defensive assignments especially containing Carter and Jefferson, which will make Bonzi a busy guy. The Kings’ weakest link has been off the bench, even if just one player from the bench steps it up the Kings should get this, they really must.
Toronto (F) - Although the Kings have averaged 97.1 ppg, the Raptors have allowed 106.7 ppg. At 1-9 the Raptors are struggling worse than the Kings mostly due to a porous defense. The Kings need to capitalize on that and pound on Toronto in the paint and in transition. If the Kings want to win they will need to score at least 100 points and play some defense, as both Chris Bosh and Mike James are capable of having a breakout game. The Kings could use these two games as an opportunity to work at getting back to .500 basketball. Although still early in the season these are the games that the Kings have to win if they want to regain any respect.
Off the Bench
Sacramento’s biggest frustration right now looks like it is from the bench. The starting five are looking like they are improving but if they have to play all 48 minutes they are going to wear out. The bench players may need their own leader to inspire them and keep them focused when they are on the floor, otherwise they won’t be on the floor very much, and the whole team will suffer from it.
