http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/11277127p-12192349c.html
Weak defense raises a red flag for Kings
Aggressive measures might be in order, Bobby Jackson says.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, October 31, 2004
Last week, Kings guard Bobby Jackson was asked if the team had a no-layup rule for opposing teams, and he said he hoped so. After watching Sacramento's last two preseason games, Jackson should be ready to implore his teammates to adopt a philosophy in which layups and dunks are prevented by aggressive fouls.
The Kings, who open the regular season Tuesday night at Dallas, allowed at least 101 points in four of their final five preseason games on the way to a 2-6 record. Several factors, including injuries and the coaching staff's plan to look at free agents and rookies, contributed to the porous defense. However, surrendering 124 points to visiting Phoenix in Friday's preseason finale should have alarmed them.
If the Kings continue the poor on-ball defense they showed much of this preseason, they'll certainly have the chance to practice the hard-foul philosophy. Jackson said discussion about the prohibition of layups and dunks would be nothing new.
"We always talk about it," Jackson said, "but we never do it. Hopefully, we can do it this year. Everybody knows you shouldn't give up uncontested layups. Hey, foul the (hell) out of him! Don't just give up a layup. But all kinds of things go on during a game. You may have a foul or two in the first quarter, so you might not want to do that.
"It just depends on the situation in the game. Is the other team making a run? How many (points) are we up? How many points are they up? If they are making a run, you definitely want to take that foul."
Coach Rick Adelman long has spoken about his team's offensive approach affecting its defensive approach. And following the embarrassing 28-point loss to the Suns, it was abundantly clear that a haphazard, quick-shoot offensive attack placed more pressure on a leaky defense.
Transition defense was questionable against the quick Suns, but the halfcourt defense was worse. Getting beaten off the dribble, then having the interior defense penetrated resulted in unchallenged paths to the basket or wide-open perimeter attempts.
That's how Phoenix made 9 of 16 three-point attempts. And that's precisely the way Dallas, under coach Don Nelson, has attacked the Kings in the past and surely will do so Tuesday.
The Kings' performance so disgusted Adelman that he said he talked to the team about drastic measures. "I told them if they wanted me to call plays every time down the court and keep the scores in the 70s, I can do that," Adelman said in what for him nearly represents offensive blasphemy.
Before the Kings head to Dallas, cuts likely will be made today. Adelman said backup center Greg Ostertag, who is recovering from a broken hand, will be on the active roster. Guard Doug Christie, suffering from tender foot tissue, probably will learn his status today. If Christie goes on the injured list, he will miss five games.
Sacramento's starting lineup, besides Christie, consists of Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic, Brad Miller and Mike Bibby, with Ostertag, Jackson, Darius Songaila and first-round draft pick Kevin Martin coming off the bench. Maurice Evans, who looks ready to replace Christie in the opening-night lineup, and Matt Barnes clearly have been the best free agents.
That's 11 players, including Christie. The Kings then will have to decide what to do with still-hobbling Courtney Alexander, Erik Daniels, Alton Ford, David Bluthenthal and second-round draft choice Ricky Minard.
Weak defense raises a red flag for Kings
Aggressive measures might be in order, Bobby Jackson says.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, October 31, 2004
Last week, Kings guard Bobby Jackson was asked if the team had a no-layup rule for opposing teams, and he said he hoped so. After watching Sacramento's last two preseason games, Jackson should be ready to implore his teammates to adopt a philosophy in which layups and dunks are prevented by aggressive fouls.
The Kings, who open the regular season Tuesday night at Dallas, allowed at least 101 points in four of their final five preseason games on the way to a 2-6 record. Several factors, including injuries and the coaching staff's plan to look at free agents and rookies, contributed to the porous defense. However, surrendering 124 points to visiting Phoenix in Friday's preseason finale should have alarmed them.
If the Kings continue the poor on-ball defense they showed much of this preseason, they'll certainly have the chance to practice the hard-foul philosophy. Jackson said discussion about the prohibition of layups and dunks would be nothing new.
"We always talk about it," Jackson said, "but we never do it. Hopefully, we can do it this year. Everybody knows you shouldn't give up uncontested layups. Hey, foul the (hell) out of him! Don't just give up a layup. But all kinds of things go on during a game. You may have a foul or two in the first quarter, so you might not want to do that.
"It just depends on the situation in the game. Is the other team making a run? How many (points) are we up? How many points are they up? If they are making a run, you definitely want to take that foul."
Coach Rick Adelman long has spoken about his team's offensive approach affecting its defensive approach. And following the embarrassing 28-point loss to the Suns, it was abundantly clear that a haphazard, quick-shoot offensive attack placed more pressure on a leaky defense.
Transition defense was questionable against the quick Suns, but the halfcourt defense was worse. Getting beaten off the dribble, then having the interior defense penetrated resulted in unchallenged paths to the basket or wide-open perimeter attempts.
That's how Phoenix made 9 of 16 three-point attempts. And that's precisely the way Dallas, under coach Don Nelson, has attacked the Kings in the past and surely will do so Tuesday.
The Kings' performance so disgusted Adelman that he said he talked to the team about drastic measures. "I told them if they wanted me to call plays every time down the court and keep the scores in the 70s, I can do that," Adelman said in what for him nearly represents offensive blasphemy.
Before the Kings head to Dallas, cuts likely will be made today. Adelman said backup center Greg Ostertag, who is recovering from a broken hand, will be on the active roster. Guard Doug Christie, suffering from tender foot tissue, probably will learn his status today. If Christie goes on the injured list, he will miss five games.
Sacramento's starting lineup, besides Christie, consists of Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic, Brad Miller and Mike Bibby, with Ostertag, Jackson, Darius Songaila and first-round draft pick Kevin Martin coming off the bench. Maurice Evans, who looks ready to replace Christie in the opening-night lineup, and Matt Barnes clearly have been the best free agents.
That's 11 players, including Christie. The Kings then will have to decide what to do with still-hobbling Courtney Alexander, Erik Daniels, Alton Ford, David Bluthenthal and second-round draft choice Ricky Minard.
