Kings - Grizzlies

Mayo KO's Kings

2010-03-23T07:49:11Z

While the NBA season quickly moves to an end, the Kings and power forward Carl Landry have to work out something.

Despite a fourth-quarter collapse that led to a 102-85 loss Monday night to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Kings, for a few minutes, appeared to have a way to get the ball to Landry.

Moreover, Landry, whom the Kings desperately would love to make their low-post threat, appeared ready to inherit the position. Landry, who scored a team-high 23 points on nine of 13 field-goal attempts, made the best of his offensive opportunities.

And the Kings were hanging quite nicely with the Grizzlies (38-33), one of the NBA's more talented young squads. Ultimately, though, Sacramento (24-47) received consistent scoring only from Landry and point guard Beno Udrih (18 points).

Meanwhile, each of Memphis' five starters reached double-figure scoring. All-star power forward Zach Randolph contributed game-highs of 25 points and 12 rebounds.

However, it was shooting guard O.J. Mayo, who scored 10 fourth-quarter points during a 1:45 span that stretched a one-point Memphis lead to nine.

The fourth-quarter numbers didn't lie in this one. Sacramento was 6 of 24 (25 percent) from the field in the fourth quarter, while Memphis made 11 of 18 (61.1 percent) field-goal attempts.

Perhaps it was no coincidence that Sacramento defeated the Clippers in Los Angeles Sunday afternoon, while the Grizzlies did not play.

No doubt the Kings felt the absence of rookie point guard Tyreke Evans, who missed his second consecutive game with a slight concussion and facial injuries incurred during a game Friday night at Arco against Milwaukee. Evans is not expected to return until late this week in Boston during the Kings' five-game road trip that begins Wednesday in New Jersey.

Kings coach Paul Westphal normally is not one for excuses.

However, he said he thought fatigue was a problem.

"I thought our team just simply ran out of gas (Monday night)," Westphal said.

The coach pointed to Mayo's shooting spree as the game's key sequence.
"It was basically Mayo," Westphal said. "Mayo got hot. He was missing some of the same shots he was missing earlier. He's the kind of player that can score in bunches and he's coming off those picks and shooting with range. We weren't maybe closing out quite as quickly, but on the other hand, those are shots he can make and did make."

It didn't help that most of Sacramento's offensive attack came from the perimeter. That led to just 14 free-throw attempts for the Kings while the Grizzlies were 20 of 32 from the line.
Westphal said he anticipates the days when the Kings can get the ball to Landry in the low post more consistently, and he will not be reluctant to do his thing.

"As everybody grows together," Westphal said, "I can see when Carl gets 25 shots. He's a nice person and he just got here, and he doesn't want to step on anybody's toes. But I also really, really admire that he is a willing passer. We'll get better getting the ball to him and he'll become more comfortable with us going to him."

Kings can't blunt Suns shine

2010-02-06T08:52:46Z

In Kingsland, just when you think things can't get any worse, there's another game.

This game came Friday night, and the words terrible, ugly, horrible and help came to mind during Phoenix's 114-102 victory over the Kings before a disappointed crowd of 14,922 at Arco Arena.

The Kings (16-33) lost their fifth straight game, their 12th in the past 13 and 19th of the past 22. They have lost nine of their past 12 home games and now begin a three game pre-All-Star Game road trip to Toronto, New York and Detroit. Sacramento has won just three of 24 road games.

How bad was it? Well, six Phoenix players, including all five starters, reached double-figure scoring, led by forward Amare Stoudamire's 30 points. Second-year Kings forward Donte Greene led all scorers with a career-high 31 points. However, he received little help offensively.

Scoring guard Kevin Martin did not do much to earn that title. He had just five points on two of nine field-goal shooting and one of two from the free-throw line in 26 minutes. Martin generally looked frustrated and disinterested rather than passionate and intense.

Martin admitted to feeling a bit lost.

"It just wasn't me out there," he said. "I have been here for five years and I just don't feel the same out there. I just can't put a finger on it. I have never been in a situation like this before."

Meanwhile, center Spencer Hawes scored just four points on one of six field-goal shooting during 21 minutes.

Defensively, the Kings presented little opposition to the high-scoring Suns (31-21), who won their fourth consecutive road game.

The performance, which elicited boos -- understandably so -- was so distasteful, Kings coach Paul Westphal received a technical foul in the first quarter from the officiating crew of former King Leon Wood, Derrick Stafford and Tommy Nunez, Jr., but couldn't get another.

Westphal tried late in the fourth, when Stoudamire bowled over rookie Jon Brockman for a lay-in. The coach chased Wood down the sideline all but begging for a second technical, but the referee would not do him the favor.

Only during the fourth quarter, which began with Phoenix leading, 96-71, did the Kings outshoot the Suns from the field. The game's only lead change came when Phoenix's Grant Hill stuck a three-pointer to give his team a 7-6 with 9:38 left in the first quarter. The Kings never trailed by fewer than 10 points (31-23) after the 2:07 mark of the first quarter.

Westphal recited a familiar refrain.

"Well, that first quarter barrage just put us back on our heels for the whole game," he said of the Suns taking a 39-24 into the second quarter. "I thought they came out and really took care of business, especially (Robin) Lopez and (Steve) Nash. They dominated us inside and Nash was hitting those buzzer-beating threes that are improbable for most, but routine for him."

The Suns have defeated the Kings in all three meetings this season and in 15 of the past 17 meetings overall. Things could get worse for the Kings since they meet the Suns a fourth and final time this season, Feb. 21 in Phoenix.

Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry complimented the Kings for their effort.

"The Kings have been playing good basketball," Gentry said. "The only problem they have had is they haven't been able to win close games. They have probably lost more close games than anyone this season."

Wallace comes back to torment Kings

2010-01-31T07:42:56Z

These weren't the Kings Gerald Wallace remembered.

So there was no motivation for Sacramento's No. 1 pick in 2001 to score a season-high 38 points to lead the Charlotte Bobcats to a 103-96 victory over the Kings before a crowd of 14,186 at Arco Arena on Saturday night.

Wallace was with the Kings for three seasons before the Bobcats selected him in the expansion draft. Now, he's a first-time NBA All-Star and playing with the best team he's been on.

"Oh, yes, by far, this is the best team," said Wallace, after going 12 for 18 from the field, 12 of 15 from the free-throw line. He also grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds, blocked two shots and picked up two steals.

It was a far cry from the days when Wallace sat, sat and sat some more while playing with the best teams Sacramento ever had.

"This is totally different," he said. "Ain't nobody here from when I was here. This was just another game and a chance to get a win."

Wallace, who will be 28 in July, was beaming about what the acquisition of swingman Stephen Jackson has meant to Charlotte's playoff chances.

"He makes a difference offensively and defensively," Wallace said of Jackson, who was acquired by the Bobcats from Golden State on November 16.

"We are a very, very aggressive team and he influences that because he is so aggressive. He influences all of us, not just me."

The Bobcats -- 24-22 overall -- are 21-16 since Jackson joined the team.

Moreover, they are 12-4 in January.

That aggression was on display at Arco, particularly during the third quarter.

Charlotte held a 56-54 lead entering the third, but outscored the Kings 27-5 during the first nine minutes of the quarter to take control of the game.

The Bobcats aggressively rerouted the Kings' offense and forced Sacramento into five of 20 field-goal shooting and seven turnovers.

The Bobcats scored 13 of their 34 third-quarter points off Kings turnovers. Charlotte was nine of nine from the line in the quarter while the Kings failed to get one free-throw attempt.

The Kings, whose record is 16-30, who have lost nine of their past 10 games, played most of the second half without rookie guard Tyreke Evans.

The talented 20-year-old bruised his left hip in Friday night's loss at Utah.

"I was limping (Friday night) and when I woke up (Saturday morning), it was sore, "said Evans, visibly slower during the 29 minutes he played against Charlotte. "I thought I would be able to go (Saturday), but I shouldn't have played a lot. I couldn't go at 100 percent. I knew I couldn't really move out there like I wanted to and get the looks I wanted."

Evans went two for five from the field and scored just four points, but did hand out a team-high seven assists.

Kings coach Paul Westphal watched his team get as close as 100-96 with a spirited comeback featuring Sergio Rodriguez, Jason Thompson, Omri Casspi and Kevin Martin. However, his team couldn't get over the hump.

"There was a lot of variation in the quality of our play," Westphal said. "Sometimes, we were really solid to very good and other times, we were awful. "Look at Gerald Wallace. He had a fantastic all-star performance. I told our players that this was a young player struggling with the Kings. They had to let him go. He just kept improving and he's fulfilling his potential now."

Kings break seven-game skid

2010-01-27T08:39:41Z

When a struggle turns into a victory, it doesn't seem as things went as badly as they appeared.

So the Kings took their 99-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night at Arco Arena before 14,522 fans and went home happily.

Well, most of them could tolerate ineptitude when coupled with the end of a seven-game losing streak.

Certainly Kings coach Paul Westphal could tolerate the victory no matter how it was produced. A KIngs Sac-era high 68 rebounds helped comfort the coach as well.

"I'm not going to lie," said Westphal, whose team improved to 16-28. "It feels good to get a win. Obviously, it wasn't the prettiest win anybody ever (has) see in this league. We shot 38 percent, they shot 32 percent (and) we had 21 turnovers and still found a way to win. So I'm not going to quibble about that."

Kevin Martin likely wasn't the planet's happiest fellow after making just one of nine field-goal attempts and scoring five points. Martin has made just three of 23 field-goal attempts over the past three games.

The coach, though, said he believes in Martin.

"I'm sure his confidence is rock-bottom now," said Westphal of his scoring guard, who is turning down shots he normally shoots and makes. "He's human, but at the same time he's trying to play through it and be aggressive. It wasn't his night, but he's going to get there."

However, no matter how diligently the Kings seemed bent on giving away a game in which they held a 21-point lead in the second quarter, they proved incapable of pulling off the feat.
The Warriors - who played without leading scorer Monte Ellis (right ankle sprain) - contributed even more to this game's ugliness. Sacramento shot 38 percent (35 of 92) from the field, but Golden State made a season-low 31.9 percent (30 of 94) of its field-goal attempts. The Warriors (13-30) made nine of 21 field-goal attempts (42.9 percent) in the fourth quarter, on the way to outscoring the Kings 36 to 26.

However, that was not enough to overcome strong performances off the bench from Andres Nocioni, Beno Udrih and little-used Sean May. Udrih scored a game- and season-high 24 points on eight of 15 from the field, and eight for eight from the free-throw line, while Nocioni scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds in just 19 minutes.

Sacramento's Jon Brockman missed the game with sore hip after a fall in Monday's practice, so Westphal spoke to May and let him know he could be receiving playing time.

May tied his season high with seven points, while his 11 rebounds in just 15 minutes were a season-high. He had not played since Dec. 12 - a total of 21 games. He'd not dressed in the past six and only had played in nine this season.

Yet, the Kings were ahead, 13-12, when May entered the game with 5:17 left in the first quarter. They were ahead, 32-21, when he left with 8:26 remaining in the second quarter. That helped lead the Kings towards what looked like a blowout. They held a 49-28 lead with 3:17 left in the second quarter, but the Warriors scored the first half's final 10 points.

"I knew I might play," May said, "but when the coach called me in the first quarter, I was shocked as hell. I know you always have to stay ready, and I was lucky I had been able to do so. People will say we almost threw this one away, but we held on and there is something to be said for closing it out."

The Kings have been troubled by their inability to turn leads into victories this season. They had difficulties Tuesday night, but they kept their lead to the end.

Kings mid-season report card

2010-01-24T07:57:49Z

The Kings, who won an NBA-low 17 games last year, began this season with nowhere to go but up. They've begun that process by improving their competitiveness and athleticism.

It started with draft picks Tyreke Evans and Omri Casspi and trading for Jon Brockman. Each has played at a higher level than could have been anticipated.

However, the Kings' 15-28 (.357) record is tied with Philadelphia and Detroit as the NBA's fourth-worst.

There have been numerous losses in which the team was positioned to win. However, pro sports is a bottom-line business - you win or lose.The Kings have lost seven straight - 12 of 14 and 14 of their past 16 following Saturday night's 115-84 loss in Miami that ended a six-game road swing.

Sacramento's early-season success had the team hovering around the .500 mark, but it was based on strong perimeter shooting.

The Kings' primary weaknesses at the season's start, poor interior defense and offense, continue. Sacramento cannot throw the ball into the post and manufacture points.

Clearly, the Kings have to become tougher inside and not allow teams to waltz, polka and stinky-leg their way to the hoop.

The NBA is about what you do nightly, not once a week or two times every three weeks. Teams cannot be successful playing with toughness and intelligence during two quarters.

Midway through this season, Sacramento has failed to show the consistent toughness required of a winner. They are a young team, but it's time to grow up.

It's time for Coach Paul Westphal needs to recognize his team's strengths and stick with them. Changing the starting lineups was fine early in the season, but it's time to decide which players will best get it done. Granted, Westphal has been hampered by Kevin Martin's and Francisco Garcia's injuries. However, Martin has returned and Garcia likely is within 10 days of a comeback. Westphal has to proceed with those who are the toughest. The Kings must ride or die with Spencer Hawes, who often plays timidly. They have to let Hawes show what he has so they can decide what to do with him. That Westphal has made the desperate move to start the 6-foot-7 Brockman s center shows displeasure with Hawes' performance. However, Brockman is not an NBA starting center. Ideally, he's a sparkplug off the bench. Yet Hawes has been so soft, it's understandable that Westphal and his coaching staff get sick of watching him some nights. However, Westphal is to blame for not making Hawes his post man and restricting those three-point attempts. Hawes really doesn't take that many -- 1.3 per game. However, he's the team's seventh most accurate three-point shooter. Put him in the post and make him use his low-post talents as well as passing skills. The report card cannot be pretty and wouldn't be one you would want to bring home to the folks. Centers Since we're dogging Hawes, we might as well stay with the centers, or those who are used as centers. The organization was displeased that Hawes didn't attend summer league. The Kid should have been in the weight room. He's weak and plays weaker, if that's possible. Brockman is not a center, but if his heart could be put inside Hawes, the Kings truly would have a center. Brockman, though, has no offense. Hawes has to become the factor defensively he's rarely been and he could start by consistently getting into a defensive stance and stop retreating on the pregame layup line.Newly-acquired Hilton Armstrong is a center, but we've not seen enough to grade. Grades Hawes - D.Brockman - B.Armstrong - Incomplete. Power forwards Jason Thompson needs to relax. He virtually forces every part of his game. He hurries offensively and plays defense with his hands instead of his big body and feet, size 20. Thompson was one of Sacramento's most consistent performers until about a month ago. Since then, he's hurt the cause more than helped. Thompson needs to forget about the referees. He needs to get in the post when Hawes isn't there, which is most of the time. Thompson needs to get a go-to move and go to it. Brockman, Andres Nocioni, Kenny Thomas, Donte Greene and Sean May also see time at power forward with only Brockman and Thomas functioning at their natural positions. Thomas has not played much recently and seemingly has forgotten how to score after being ignored for the past two seasons. Brockman is a solid guy off the bench, with Nocioni and Greene making perimeter shots and stretching the floor. Thomas is the best defender and at least will battle. May, in minimal time, has not shown much. Thompson - C.Nocioni - C.Thomas - Inc.Greene - C.May - Inc. Small forwards Greene and Omri Casspi have received the most minutes, along with Nocioni and Ime Udoka, at this position. Casspi, despite recent struggles, has been the most consistent at both ends. His energy and aggressiveness were a major factor when the team played well, but he's a rookie, so peaks and valleys are to be expected. Greene shows the potential of becoming a solid NBA producer, but has to figure out how and where to use his talents. Greene will be 22 next month, while Casspi turns 22 in June. Nocioni has been more scorer than anything else this season and his shot has been uncustomarily erratic. Udoka is the most solid and fundamental defender, but has to make open shots to stay on the floor. Francisco likely would have been the starter, but suffered a broken wrist and has yet to play. Casspi - B-plus.Greene - C.Udoka - C.Garcia - Inc. Shooting guards Martin has played in just 11 games this season because of injury, not enough to merit a grade. Clearly, he's still searching for a flow after rejoining the action January 15. The Kings need to figure out a way to get Martin started. At this point, he appears too tentative to do it himself. Casspi, Greene, Udoka and point guard Beno Udrih have garnered minutes here, with each having positive moments. However, none have shown consistency. Martin's ability to return to form to the Kings is key halting their abysmal play of late. Martin - Inc. Point guards Evans is utilized at this position, but truly is a combination guard. Evans is only 20 years old with huge upside. He clearly is not a point guard because he looks for his shot far more naturally than he does to get shots for others. That's not to say he doesn't look to get teammates shots, but his first inclination is to go for his. Evans has shown an ability to penetrate almost at will and when he learns to get one more dribble deeper into the lane, he'll be even more effective.His jumper needs more consistency, but that likely will come with work. Evans certainly pounds the ball too long on possessions, but he's been the team's best player at barely 20 years old. He plays hard, defends and competes nightly. He's a scorer who will get better with experience.Udrih has been one of the team's best and most consistent performers this season. He's made shots at nearly a 50 percent rate all season and fills the role as a playmaker when provided the opportunity. Sergio Rodriguez has been caught in a numbers game. Often, he appears to be the most natural point guard of the three. However, too many times he tries to make plays that aren't there. Sergio should get a little more playing time than he receives. Evans - A.Rodriguez - C. Coaching Westphal has done a sound job of challenging his players to play hard. He has to figure out what he has and get the most out of the team. Westphal's job is made tough because he has a number of players with similar production levels, so doling out minutes is a nightly dilemma. So he searches for combination and nightly production with what have been constantly changing starting lineups until this past week. Westphal has done a solid job despite 14 losses in the past 16 games.Now, he has to show the ability get his team to play as it has before. The Kings had the advantage of sneaking up on teams earlier in the season, but not anymore. Westphal - C.

Magic make Kings disappear

2010-01-13T08:41:48Z

When things are going well for shooters, it is said the basket looks as big as the ocean.

During the fourth quarter of Sacramento's 109-88 loss to the Orlando Magic Tuesday night, the basket looked like a thimble.

And one with a big, mobile, elastic-like hand in front of it. That hand belonged to Magic center Dwight Howard, whose presence and mobility played a major role in the Kings making just four of 22 field-goal attempts.

That 18.2 percent fourth-quarter field-goal shooting percentage changed a 78-76 Kings lead entering the final quarter into a early walk to the parking lot for the crowd of 14,426 at Arco Arena.

The Magic out-scored the Kings, 25-6, during the nine and a half minutes of the fourth to turn a hotly-contested game into an Orlando laugher.

Even Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, who wears a smile during a game as often as he breaks out into hilarity, managed a deep grin as his unit of three subs (former Kings first-round pick, Jason Williams, Oak Ridge High School star Ryan Anderson and Mickael Pietrus) along with Howard and JJ Redick (starting for injured Vince Carter), played every minute of the fourth quarter.

"Guys came off the bench and locked off the lane," said starting forward Rashard Lewis, "And instead of guys going to the basket like they were during the first three quarters, they had to shoot jumpers - and they weren't making them."

Sacramento's absence of post scoring ability reared its head again. It is extremely difficult to score predominantly from the perimeter, and the Kings were out-scored, 52-26, in the paint.

Forward Jason Thompson blamed himself, as he has recently, for the team's troubles. "I'm supposed to be one of the team's leaders," said Thompson, who started at center and had just six points, five rebounds, three turnovers and no assists in 19 minutes. "I've never played like this in my life and I've got to get out of this to help the team."

Orlando (26-12) received a game and season-high 30 points from Howard, who also grabbed 16 rebounds, handed out five assists and had three steals and blocks each.

Howard's block total was tripled by his number of shots changed.

Kings swingman Donte Greene said it's a good idea to know where Howard is hanging out.

"You always have to be aware where he is," Greene said of Howard. "Him and (Cleveland's) LeBron (James) are the best shot-blockers, to me." Howard only blocked one shot in the fourth, but his presence encouraged the Kings to attempt seven three-point field-goal shots.

The Kings, who shot just 34.9 percent for the game, made none of their fourth-quarter threes.

Coach Paul Westphal's squad played well before the basket turned into the thimble.

"I hate to let that fourth quarter put a damper on a game where we did so many good things against another top team," he said, "but the fourth quarter obviously is going to leave a bad taste in our mouths."

Westphal said a mouthful there.

Kings host the Magic

2010-01-12T05:20:15Z

At the very least, Kings President Geoff Petrie can see what the rest of us see.

His squad needs help defending its basket.

So when the New Orleans Hornets made their desire to discard salary a league-wide reality, it was time for Petrie to make a move for fourth-year forward-center Hilton Armstrong.

Sacramento took a flyer on Armstrong by sacrificing just a 2016 second-round draft choice. They also received cash in the deal.

Armstrong, 25, a 6-foot-11 post player out of the University of Connecticut, does what the Kings don't - defend. He is a shot-blocker and changer. Should he bring those qualities to the Kings, coach Paul Westphal will have another option in the frontcourt. Petrie said it was unlikely Armstrong would be available Tuesday when the Kings host the Orlando Magic at Arco Arena.

"He'll probably be here (Tuesday)," Petrie said of Armstrong. "But because of some things we need to get done with the league office, he probably won't be available."

The Kings begin a season-long, six-game road trip Friday in Philadelphia and that could be Armstrong's first opportunity to suit up for a game.

Starting center Spencer Hawes should hear footsteps and competition for playing time.
Monday afternoon, Petrie wouldn't acknowledge that motivating Hawes played a role in the trade. He didn't deny it, either.

"Whatever it takes," he said with a laugh.

Petrie said the Kings didn't take a major chance in acquiring Armstrong.

"Last year, (Armstrong) played some solid minutes when (New Orleans center Emeka) Okafor was injured," he said. "We didn't have to put a whole lot into getting him. I think Hilton has a lot of upside so we'll see.

"He's athletic and he'll give us more length up front. His stats won't wow you, but perhaps a change of scenery, a new environment and a new opportunity may help him."

Armstrong didn't get much of an opportunity this season with New Orleans. He averaged 13.3 minutes, 2.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 18 games for the Hornets. Armstrong, the 12th pick overall of the 2006 NBA Draft, only averaged 2.8 field-goal attempts.

One might think a big man playing with point guard par excellence, Chris Paul, would be the recipient of layup and dunk opportunities. However, Armstrong does not have great hands. However, he did make 56 percent of his field-goal attempts during the 2008-09 season in which he played in 70 games and started 29.

High School hoopers show wares

2010-01-11T05:30:35Z

A good day of hoops was had Saturday at Jesuit High School's 8th Annual Father Kelly Tribute.

Some of the area's best hoopers displayed their wares. Sheldon High School junior Darius "Boo" Nelson helped lead the Huskies to a 92-86 overtime victory against the Clovis East Timberwolves.

Nelson, along with Sacramento junior guard Josiah Turner, are deemed the two best players in the area. It's amazing that Nelson already fits into a category of "How good he could be, if..."

Nelson is listed at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds.

Nelson, whom I still see as an under-publicized player, is being recruited by many of the nation's top college basketball programs. If (there goes that word again) he ever realizes how good he could become, Nelson might become a very motivated athlete. His older brother, DeMarcus Nelson, one of the area's best-ever, moved on to Duke and now is playing professionally in Italy.

There is little that Darius Nelson is incapable of doing on a basketball court. Even in his current state of conditioning, he can grab a rebound and handle through-traffic to score or assist. He's a scorer, but equally capable and willing at times to hit the open man.

Nelson's coaches have failed to get their players' statistics entered on Maxpreps, a website that exposes their information nationally. No doubt the information can be located on highly-recruited players such as Nelson and Turner, but providing information on those not as talented, but capable of playing somewhere on the next level, could bring a couple of scholarships to some needy kids.

Getting that information in-put could be an extra credit assignment - or a part-time job for another student.

Turner's coaches at Sacramento High have his information on Maxpreps and his stats are descriptive.

Turner's Dragons fell to 8-5 with their 88-81 loss to the Oakland High Wildcats, but the 6'3" guard scored 34 points and had five assists to accompany seven turnovers. Oakland High has a quick, tough and athletic squad that matched Turner's crafty ability to get where he wants to go. Oakland's Jabari Brown and TJ Taylor are major-college talents as juniors on a team with just three seniors.

Turner has the nicest handle in the area and like Nelson, takes opponents to the basket with either hand. Turner is averaging 28 points per game and is ably assisted by senior Will Davis, who had a strong game with 20 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks. By contrast, Travon Abraham, who is normally reliable, made just three of 15 field-goal attempts.

Host Jesuit was not exactly charitable when it furnished an 82-47 whipping on the Berkeley Yellowjackets in the night's finale. The Marauders, who have been early-season surprises, executed offense impeccably in the first quarter and dominated from the start. Jesuit coach Greg Harcos has a stable of shooters in Brian Glodowski, Mackenzie McCullough, Akachi Okugo and James Moore, just to name a few. When they are making shots as they did early, Jesuit (12-4) will be tough to defeat.

Newark Memorial bashed Folsom's Bulldogs, 53-24. Folsom definitely missed standout 6'4" junior Kori Babineaux, who did not play, reportedly due to a disciplinary action. The Bulldogs never scored more than eight points in any quarter.

The Foothill Mustangs (12-2) won their eighth straight game in the afternoon opener, with a 64-49 decision against Skyline of Oakland. Senior guard Nick Stanley led Foothill with 20 points.

Hornets defeat Seattle

2010-01-10T07:00:44Z

Charles Garcia began the 2009-10 college basketball season relatively unknown while playing for Seattle University. With 2010 underway, it's clear Garcia is registered on the NBA radar.

Some observers say the 6-foot-10, 230-pounder could be a first-round choice in the June NBA draft.

Garcia was at Sac State during his freshman year, but could not keep his academic status stable enough to play or practice for the Hornets.

Garcia made a return to the Hornet Gym with his Redhawks, Saturday afternoon. It was Sac State who displayed all of its wares during a closer-than-it-seemed 80-67 victory before a crowd of 783.

Garcia scored 16 points, but made just five of 14 field-goal attempts and grabbed just five rebounds.

He entered the game the nation's 10th-leading scorer at 21.8 points per game and was averaging 9.3 rebounds. Garcia was the Redhawks leading scorer, but the Hornets made him and his teammates work for everything they had. Chris Gweth scored 14 for Seattle (7-10) and former Sacramento High and Yuba College point guard Cervantes Burrell scored 11.

Meanwhile, the Hornets placed six players into double-figure scoring, led by Antonio Flaggs and Duro Bjegovic, with 16 each.

Hornets coach Brian Katz, who was selected out of a coaching candidate field that included Seattle's Cameron Dollar, admitted to wondering what it would be like to coach Garcia.

"I didn't do it during the game, but all week while I was watching film I did," Katz said. "I don't know a coach who wouldn't want to coach Garcia. He's a tremendous athlete."

That didn't prevent Katz from using an attack-dog mentality in an attempt to slow Garcia. A number of pro scouts, including Kings President Geoff Petrie, were in attendance to see the 21-year-old from Los Angeles.

"We wanted to try and make him put it on the floor," Katz said. "We didn't want to let him get comfortable. When he did put it on the floor, we wanted to put what I call our blitz on him and make him back up and don't leave.

"I didn't care if he dribbled into the next county."

Hornets guard Domineek Daniel, who scored 11 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, said having a week off prior to the game helped the team prepare for Garcia and the season's remainder.

"We had physical practices Monday and Tuesday and I think that helped us get back to tightening up our defensive game," Daniel said.Katz said his team needed a reminder of what it is about.

"Sometimes during a season you can lose your way," Katz said. "But you have to hang your hat on something. For us, we've got to play the most relentless defense there is."

Garcia found out the Hornets' defense was in a pretty good state Saturday afternoon.

Kings lose season-high fifth straight

2010-01-09T07:36:13Z

A character test awaits the Kings and follows a huge wasted opportunity. That's life for the Sacramento Kings.

A crowd of 18,327 at Oracle Arena cheered as Sacramento wasted an 18-point third quarter lead Friday falling 108-101 to the Golden State Warriors.

When the Kings weren't shooting jumpers during the second half, they were committing 10 of their 17 turnovers on the way to their fifth consecutive defeat.

Moreover, the Kings (14-21) had difficulty slowing the Warriors' dribble-penetration. Golden State took over the game by scoring from both the field and the foul line.

The Warriors (11-24), led by guard Monta Ellis' game-high 39 points, made 19 of 23 free-throws in the second half to bolster their 52.6 percent field-goal shooting during the final two quarters. Warriors swingman Corey Maggette consistently made it to the free-throw line whether from a Golden State miss or a turnover.

Sacramento's self-destructing offense paired with a leaky defense was too much for even a 61-46 halftime lead to handle.

Kings coach Paul Westphal once again struggled to explain what seemed like yet another unexplainable defeat.

"Usually we play a messy first half and then come back to play a better second half," he said. "Unfortunately, we did just the opposite. (The Warriors) kept attacking and we stopped attacking. All the things we did to get the lead in the first half, we stopped doing.

"They took over the game and there was nothing we could do about it."

Westphal said he knew his team lost its focus offensively. It turned over the ball eight times and made just six of 15 field-goal attempts during the fourth quarter. Rookie guard Tyreke Evans scored a team-high 25 points and had six assists and a game-high six turnovers. Evans' penchant for over-dribbling played into Golden State's strategy of sagging and attempting to make him dribble through crowds.

"We stopped executing, we stopped playing together, we stopped playing good defense and when you do that you lose," Westphal said. "We didn't run our offense and we acted like we didn't know where we were supposed to be."

The Kings used a strong second quarter to resume the contest and spent the second half attempting to fend off the high-powered Golden State attack.

They failed.

The Kings needed a win badly, after having lost four straight and six of their past seven, entering the game. The contest in Oakland followed two home losses to Dallas and Phoenix and precedes Saturday's home game against Denver and Tuesday's vs. Orlando.

They still had a chance for victory, trailing 100-99, with just over a minute remaining. Jason Thompson took a pass from Ime Udoka (season-high 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds) and laid the ball in the hoop despite contact with Golden State's Ronny Turiaf.

Instead of a three-point play, Thompson, who scored just one of 11 points during nearly 16 second-half minutes, was whistled for an offensive foul with 1:05 left.

At the other end, Anthony Morrow buried the Kings with his lone field-goal of the night, a three-pointer off yet another penetration by Ellis to give Golden State a 103-99 lead with 49.2 seconds left. That was too much for Sacramento to handle.

The Warriors have lost 20-year-old forward Anthony Randolph for an extended period with an injured left ankle that authorities feared could be fractured, so Golden State didn't leave the game completely unscathed.

Suns eclipse Kings

2010-01-06T08:00:21Z

Right now, collectively, the Kings couldn't finish a sentence.

The Kings Tuesday night staged a valiant comeback from a 20-point second quarter deficit before falling 113-109 to the Phoenix Suns before a crowd of 13,630 at Arco Arena.

Sacramento thrice tied the game in the fourth quarter, but never could take the league in spite of multiple possessions.
The Kings lost their fourth straight game and fell to 14-20, while the Suns, who had lost seven straight road games entering the night improved to 22-13.

Kings coach Paul Westphal admitted the frustration that stems from close loss after close loss.

"This 'close but no cigar' is going to end," the coach said. "I don't know when, but it's going to end. I feel for the players. They are playing hard. (The Kings) played a great fourth quarter, a great second half and executed down the stretch. They got excellent shots every time. ... (had) hustle plays. ... and still we came up short. Is it upsetting? Yes.

"But we will not be discouraged and we will start winning these games. For whatever reason, we've had a string of having our heart pulled out of our chest, but ... this team is coming back."

One of the reasons why the Kings continue falling into holes is an absence of inner defense. They give up way too many uncontested layups during the course of a game. Those make it easier for opponents to string together points and build leads.

Sacramento received another spectacular performance from rookie guard Tyreke Evans, who had team-highs of 27 points, a career-high tying 11 rebounds and seven assists. Rookie forward Omri Casspi scored a season-high 24 points and did everything from grabbing seven rebounds to defending Phoenix point guard Steve Nash.

Second-year power forward Jason Thompson had his 13th double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Kings received yet another spark off the bench from forward Jon (Wildman) Brockman. He scored six points on three of three shooting and grabbed eight rebounds in 23 minutes.

Said Westphal, "I don't know what you can say about Jon Brockman. What an unbelievable performance he gave us in the second half. We were out-rebounded by nine in the first half and then ended up out-rebounding them by eight."

The Kings fruitless effort can be summed up by one offensive trip down the floor. Westphal called time with 1:10 left and the Kings trailing, 105-103. Evans drove down the middle and got to the rim, but missed the lay-in. Thompson missed a tip-in and Evans then missed a follow. Nash followed with excellent use of a pick-and-roll with Amare Stoudamire to get wide open and drain a 21-footer to give Phoenix a 107-103 lead with 44.5 seconds left.

Nash then made four of four free-throw attempts during the game's final 12 seconds to begin the Kings' heart surgery - again.

Kings and Suns look for answers to Arenas situation

2010-01-06T07:58:16Z

The reaction to Washington Wizards Javaris Crittenton and Gilbert Arenas' involvement with guns in their locker room at the Verizon Center has been shock, surprise, amazement and an unending curiosity.

Those were the feelings expressed before and after the Phoenix Suns' 113-109 victory over the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena Tuesday night, before an announced crowd of 13,630. Many of the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns want to hear what really occurred on Dec. 21, when Arenas says he showed Crittenton three guns as "a joke" in response to a beef the pair had two nights earlier on and following a card game on a flight to Washington from Phoenix.

Arenas has admitted having guns in the arena and faces penalties from the District of Columbia, federal authorities and the NBA. He has been quoted as saying he never pulled a gun on Crittenton.

Arenas also has admitted his reaction after the situation became public was not nearly as serious as it should have been.Crittenton has not spoken on his role in the situation but his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said the facts will show his client did nothing wrong. Meanwhile, the NBA awaits an accurate portrayal of what went down in that locker room. Players and coaches want to know how and when Arenas will be disciplined. Kings rookie Jon Brockman said he never imagined this would be an issue when he dreamed of playing in the NBA.

"I wouldn't say I was shocked when I first heard about it because there are so many people playing in the league," he said. "I just hope this isn't the first thing people think of when they look at the NBA."

Phoenix veteran Grant Hill has pretty much seen and done everything after 14 years in the NBA - but not this.

"Wow!" said Hill, who was raised in a Washington, D.C. suburb. "I'm somewhat disbelieving....I read the New York Post three straight days and it seemed like they had different accounts every day. I know Gilbert and I know he's not a bad person. Hopefully, lessons are learned by us as players and as a league. The league is made up of many intelligent professionals, but I think we all have to realize there are rules that must be obeyed and just because we are athletes, we are not above the law.

"Players also have to realize different states have different rules. Maybe now that something like this has happened to one of our own, it has become more personal. I know I'm interested to see how it all unfolds." Kings player personnel director and television analyst Jerry Reynolds said he was surprised. "It's a bad deal for the league," he said, "because our society is quick to judge many on the actions of a few. However, we have a league made up of a lot of good guys, character guys. Gilbert at one time said it was a joke, but this is no joke. That's something the league, the players association and now even Gilbert has admitted. We just can't have guys bringing guns into the work place."

Reynolds said he'd heard stories about players carrying guns.

"Bill Russell (former Kings President) said when he was with Seattle (the late) John Brisker got mad at somebody and said he had a gun," Reynolds said with a giggle. "Russell said he told Brisker, 'You do know they sell those, don't you?'" Kings President Geoff Petrie said the team periodically has law enforcement speak to the players regarding gun usage and possession.

"We know guys have the right to have arms," Petrie said. "We have Sacramento County sheriffs come in and talk. We do some promotional stuff with them. We had one talk, I believe two or three weeks ago. We'll probably do it again sometime soon as a refresher." NBA vice president of player development and former Kings guard Rory Sparrow is in town to speak to the players on a regularly scheduled briefing.

"The facts still have not come out," Sparrow said. "We do know there has been some bad judgment. And I don't think the players probably understood and the ramifications of their actions.

Said Sparrow, "I hope everyone learns there is no place for guns. I mean, we get called for fouls if we touch somebody.

"There are no gangsters in the NBA."

Kings stifled by Dallas

2010-01-03T07:09:13Z

In basketball and in life, we can be our own worst enemies.

Then when other factors make matters worse, things are all bad.That was the scenario Saturday night for the Sacramento Kings, who suffered a 99-91 loss to the visiting Dallas Mavericks before an announced crowd of 14,294 at Arco Arena.

Sacramento lost Friday night 109-108 in Los Angeles to the Lakers while the Mavericks were in Sacramento resting and watching the game on television. Had Sacramento been able to ride the 20-point first half lead to a victory, it wouldn't have experienced an unquestionable emotional letdown which carried over into the game with the Mavericks.

Saturday night, the Kings also welcomed back rookie Tyreke Evans (14 points, six of 18 shooting) into the starting lineup after missing the past three games with a sprained right ankle.

That adds talent, but also shakes up timing for the team's flow.

Toss in Sacramento's shoddy ballhandling (18 turnovers, nine in the second quarter) and the Kings helped jettison the Mavericks into a lead they'd never relinquish. Dallas outscored Sacramento, 30-21, in the second quarter and used its improved defense to maintain its advantage. Dallas ran off 11 consecutive points midway through the period. Five Kings turnovers in fewer than three minutes aided that streak.

Dallas all-star Dirk Nowitzki scored a game-high 25 points, but had only four until late in the second when the Mavs already had assumed control of the game.

The early damage had been done by J.J. Barea, Jason Kidd, former Kings forward Drew Gooden and former all-star Josh Howard. Dallas is deep, quick and different this season. Kidd, Barea and Jason Terry each have played point guard extensively in this league and coach Rick Carlisle often keeps two on the floor.

"We are better defensively this season," said Kidd, who scored 14 points, had a game-leading seven assists, three steals and made each of his two three-point attempts en route to shooting six of seven from the field."

We've got more defensively oriented players this season and Dirk and (Jason) have bought into the fact that we have to play better defense to win. We're not trying to win 130-120 every night. It's easier for us to win on the road playing defense because we don't always have to make shots and rely on that."

The Mavericks are 12-5 on the road and only Boston (13-4) and Cleveland (14-6) have won more away from home.

Kings coach Paul Westphal said he delivered the same message to the media and his team."We never like to lose," he said. "We hate to lose, but I also understand that we are human beings and it was a tough game to play (Saturday night). It was tough physically and emotionally, and on top of that, our opponent was a great team who is sitting here waiting for us and they played like they play."

Westphal received a technical for what he called "registering his displeasure," and also went into an act that seemed to resemble a blind person with a cane.

He was asked if he went Stevie Wonder on the sidelines and he said, "I sure did."

The Mavericks (23-10) entered Saturday night's matchup with the Western Conference's second-best record and as the Southwest Division's leaders.

So the schedule-maker didn't do the Kings a favor on this night either. And they didn't help themselves - their 91 points were the second-fewest scored at Arco this season.

Two more big games for Kings

2010-01-01T00:11:07Z

The Kings, as far as NBA teams go, are infants.

Every day is a new experience. Each game is an opportunity to learn.

Handling success, even on a moderate level, can be as important or moreso than dealing with defeat.

Common sense suggests there's no better place of NBA learning than against the world champion Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. That's where the Kings will spend New Year's night before returning to Arco Arena Saturday to face the Dallas Mavericks. Both opponents are far more experienced than the Kings.

The Kings (14-17) know how they must play to be successful: approaching every play as if it's the last.

Sacramento will not be able to rely on a talent advantage for victory. The Kings have to play with fire, intensity and togetherness, particularly at the defensive end.

Sacramento is also learning what life is like without rookie point guard Tyreke Evans. He's listed as doubtful for Friday's game with the sprained right ankle that has forced him to miss the past two games. Evans' ability and determination at each end of the floor have truly been missed.

Moreover, the rookie's 20 points, five rebounds and five assists are difficult to replace. In two months, Evans has become an integral piece of the Kings revival.

That should be even more apparent following Wednesday's 116-106 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Knowing what to do and doing it daily are different mechanisms.

Much of Sacramento's growth now will come on the mental side. It will show in its preparation and respect for its opponents.

The Kings should realize the Sixers spanked them like babies with aggression, athleticism and confidence. The mere mention of overlooking the Sixers suggests an immaturity that will have to be managed.

"I don't think we should allow ourselves to ever overlook any teams," guard Beno Udrih said. "If you look only one year ago. ... we only won 17 games. We just have to come every day, no matter what. ... play hard, especially on defense and the offense will come to us."

However, there will be games when the offense doesn't come and those are the games in which the Kings have to outwork their opponent. That didn't happen with Philadelphia.

When Sacramento takes the court Friday against the Lakers, it'll face the NBA's most confident player, Kobe Bryant. He won't care about the broken index finger on his right (shooting) hand. Bryant will be ready to show the Kings they had their chance for victory last week. That's how he is and what he does.

The Kings no longer sneak up on opponents, so Sacramento must become proficient in execution. If not, they'll execute themselves.

Kings fall flat to Sixers

2009-12-31T08:02:40Z

The Kings encountered unforeseen adversity Wednesday in the form of the Philadelphia 76ers and themselves.

The result was a 116-106 defeat by the Sixers before a disappointed crowd of 13,516 at Arco Arena.

Sacramento was thoroughly outclassed during the game’s final three quarters and truly had no one to blame.

“We weren’t ready to play,” swingman Donte Greene said. “I think we took them lightly. I know I did and that’s not the way we play.”

Kings power forward Jason Thompson said his team did not play with the usual components for success.

“They were getting to loose balls and it seemed (Philly) wanted it a little more than we did,” said Thompson, who finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds. “(The Sixers) were scrappier than we were and that’s not the way it’s been, especially at home.”

The Kings finished their four-game home stand 1-3 after playing well in defeats to Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers as well as Monday’s victory over the Denver Nuggets.

Perhaps the Kings had been letting their adoring fan base affect their game.

That seemed to be what Kings coach Paul Westphal indicated following the loss that dropped their home record to 11-6. Granted, the Kings (14-17) played their second straight game without rookie guard Tyreke Evans (sprained right ankle), but that was no reason for a lackadaisical approach by a sub-.500 team.

“We were ripe to be picked off (Wednesday),” Westphal said. “We need to learn we’re not as good as people say we are, unless we go out and play like that. We had a chance to build a nice lead and dictate the way the game was going to be played, and we let that get away.”

Sacramento twice led by 13 points in the second quarter. Omri Casspi was a big factor, scoring 11 of his team-high 21 points in the first period. The Kings consistently searched for mismatches and found them for success at the offensive end.

Yet, they played sloppily and carelessly throughout most of the first half.

Meanwhile, the Sixers gained momentum with their ability to score virtually at will with 33 points in the second quarter. Philadelphia’s reserves had a tremendous impact with 17 of those points, led by former All-Star forward Elton Brand.

The Sixers performed at a higher level than their 9-22 record would suggest. They won their second consecutive road game by using a balanced attack that featured six players in double-figure scoring, led by guard Louis Williams' 22 points.

Veteran All-Star guard Allen Iverson's minutes are being regulated but that didn't prevent him from scoring 20 points in 32 minutes.

Iverson returned to action Monday in a victory over Portland after missing the previous four games due to left knee arthritis and a left shoulder contusion.

Philadelphia coach Eddie Jordan said Iverson has been a welcome addition to his squad.

“The guys like playing off him and he knows how to play,” said Jordan, who is a former Kings assistant and head coach. “Allen knows it’s a medical thing as far as his minutes and so do I. I’d like to play him more.

“But he gives us some things we didn’t have before.”

Iverson said dealing with the reduced minutes is tough on him.

“It’s one of the most frustrating things that I’m dealing with because I’ve never had to deal with it in my career,” he said. “Hopefully, I can get through it mentally, then I don’t have to deal with it late in the season.”

The Kings had to deal with their own inconsistencies throughout the night. The game was tied 76-all late in the third quarter when swingman Rodney Carney came off the bench to stick three consecutive three-point goals. The nine points spanned 2:22 of the third and fourth quarters to give Philadelphia a working margin that never dropped below a four-point advantage.

The Kings continued to struggle to convert around the basket and had the game’s outcome been decided by missed layups, Sacramento would have won by a blowout.

Kings meet Sixers

2009-12-30T04:08:33Z

Many good feelings linger as the Kings end their four-game home stand Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers at Arco Arena.

Sacramento (14-16) lost the first two games in overtime and double overtime, respectively, to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the world champion Los Angeles Lakers.

However, Sacramento's 106-101 victory against the Denver Nuggets Monday provides the opportunity for the Kings to split the four-game set with a 2-2 mark.

The Kings have established themselves as a team that brings maximum effort nightly and will compete against whomever lines up against them.

Lakers forward Lamar Odom expressed his feelings about the new Kings.

"They've got all the components of a very good team if they can keep them together, and they should," Odom said. "They have a legitimate center, (a power forward), a (small forward) and in (Tyreke) Evans, they have a kid who is going to be a star."

Evans missed the game against Denver with a sprained right ankle and is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game.

"Tyreke tried to do some stuff (Tuesday), but he was still pretty gimpy," said Geoff Petrie, who who signed a three-year extension as the team's President of Basketball Operations Tuesday morning. "Plus, he's got a little history with that foot going back to high school. I know he wants to play, but I don't know. We'll have to see how he feels (today)."

Clearly, the Kings want to take all precautions with Evans, who is not only a leading candidate for NBA Rookie of the Year, but has the potential to lead this team for the next decade.

The skills and desire of Evans and fellow rookies Omri Casspi and Jon "Wildman" Brockman have helped give the Kings and their supporters reason to look positively toward the future, just six months after they finished the 2008-09 season with the league's worst record (17-65).

Add to that the development and ability of youngsters Jason Thompson, Donte Greene and Spencer Hawes, and there is a nucleus around which to build.

Beno Udrih, 27, has been the most consistent performer coach Paul Westphal has had all season. That's after a 2008-09 season that featured Udrih signing a five-year contract and then producing more disappointment than highlight.

Westphal has been receiving positive contributions from virtually anyone he's put into a game.

Thompson, the second-year power forward from Rider, has been playing under the radar with the success of the newcomers and his own consistency.

Thompson had a workmanlike 15 points and team-high 11 rebounds in the win over Denver. Mondays's game was his team-leading 10th double-double. The odds are in his favor as the Kings have won nine of the 10 games where Thompson got double-figures in scoring and rebounding.

Thompson's offense sometimes suffers from the scoring ability of others as well as his penchant for turning down scoring opportunities. The Kings can do themselves much service by looking toward Thompson first before casting threes and forcing shots.

The draft day acquisitions of Brockman (the 38th pick of the 2009 draft by Portland) and Sergio Rodriguez along with the Nov. 4 free-agent signing of 6-foot-5 swingman Ime Udoka provide much needed depth during times like these.

Brockman is a defensive end playing in the paint. He's more athletic than many first believe and his face is in the dictionary next to the word "fearless."

Brockman was asked about how could be whistled twice for holding off with his right hand while grabbing the rebound with his left.

The 22-year-old gives new meaning to the word "ambidextrous."

"You've got to be able to use your whole body to rebound here," he said.

Kings snag the Nuggets

2009-12-29T09:52:20Z

A little boy named Alex walked into the Kings locker room following Sacramento’s 106-101 victory Monday against the Denver Nuggets.

The youngster held a sign that read, “Santa said I could meet Mr. Jon Brockman.”

Brockman, who had grabbed 10 rebounds and scored six points, while helping the Kings use their brawn and aggression to earn the victory, said, “Alright. Now that’s a sign.”

Brockman (aka Wildman) already introduced himself to the Northwest Division-leading Nuggets with his performance Wednesday to the Central Division-leading Cleveland Cavaliers and in double-overtime last Saturday to the defending world champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Brockman, Andres Nocioni and Sergio Rodriguez came off the bench to fortify an effort without rookie star Tyreke Evans. This is the second game he's missed this season. Evans suffered a sprained right ankle Saturday in the double-overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets were without all-star point guard Chauncey Billups, who has a strained left groin.

Nocioni led the Kings (14-16) in scoring with 21 points and came off the bench visibly excited about playing and scoring. He made six of seven field-goal attempts (four of five from three-point range) and five of six free-throw attempts.

Nocioni had made just four of 17 field-goal attempts during his previous four games and had been used a combined 15 minutes in the losses to Cleveland and L.A.

Kings coach Paul Westphal said Nocioni had gone through a tough stretch recently.

“Nocioni obviously has been struggling shooting the ball lately and also defensively,” he said. “He’s a real pro who doesn’t ever back up. I told him after the game, 'Noc, you know how to get out of a shooting slump, don’t you?' ”

"He said, 'Yeah, keep shooting.’ ”

Westphal, a pretty fair shooter during his playing career, said, “It’s a shame to be hot and not know it; you’ve got to find out. If you’re a shooter, that’s what you do. He didn’t hesitate and I think sometimes he has been hesitating when he’s struggling with his shot. (Tonight), he didn’t.”

The game had 12 lead changes and 11 ties as the Kings battled the Nuggets, who grabbed 20 offensive rebounds and committed just nine turnovers. The Kings committed 17 turnovers that Denver converted into 25 points.

Sacramento trailed 94-92 with three minutes left in the game when Westphal reinserted Donte Greene, who scored nine of the Kings first 11 points and exhibited a strong defense against his hometown Baltimore big brother, Carmelo Anthony.

Greene, who made his 17th start of the season to a crowd of 14,548, said he wondered if he would get back into the game as time dwindled.

“I was sitting there hoping I’d get back in because there have been games when I came out in the third quarter and never got back in,” said Greene, who made six of nine field-goal attempts and all of his free-throw attempts for 17 points. “I just wanted to get back in and try to help us win the game.”

Greene scored the first time he touched the ball and also assisted on a three-pointer by Omri Casspi moments later to give the Kings (97-96) the lead for the remaining 2:01.
Greene helped pressure Anthony into a forced seven-footer on the ensuing possession.

Anthony scored a game-high 34 points, but shot 15 of 35 from the field, thanks in part to the defense by Greene and Nocioni.

Greene’s defense clearly was a highlight not lost on Westphal.

“ Donte,” Westphal said, “think about it – he guarded LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony. They all scored big and we told him '(Monday night), if (Melo) doesn’t get 40, we’ve got a chance.’ I thought Donte really took the challenge and made it tough for Carmelo.”

Alex got what he wished for from Santa, and the Kings got a win, even if it wasn't delivered on Christmas Day.

Kings fall in double OT

2009-12-27T07:57:11Z

The Kings have learned a couple of things this week while going against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. Unfortunately, figuring out how to defeat one of those NBA elite squads was not one of them. A victory was not in the lesson plan.

Saturday, the Kings searched for the killer instinct, but could not get the job done against the Lakers. They lost 112-103, this time in double overtime before a wild sellout crowd of 17,345 at Arco Arena.

There were nearly as many Lakers fans as Kings fans. The packed and animosity-filled arena was good for Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who scored a game-high 38 points.

"To be honest," he said, "it had been kind of boring in here for the past couple of games. It felt good to come out and hear the boos. I even saw some hate signs."

Bryant apparently injured his right arm late in the third quarter, but that didn't stop him from making back-to-back three-pointers in the second overtime, allowing the Lakers to outscore the Kings 13-2.

Kings coach Paul Westphal talked about the pain of the overtime loss to the Cavs Wednesday which was felt more poignantly after another defeat by the Lakers.

"One-four flat," said Westphal describing the play in which Tyreke Evans was isolated at the top of the floor against Bryant. "It was our best one-on-one player against their best defender and Kobe got him. I'd do it again. That was a pretty good moment out there. It was fun."

Westphal said the losses will provide lessons.

"It's definitely a learning experience," Westphal said. "We're ramming our head against the wall and it hurts. We're going to lower our head and keep ramming it until we knock it down. Those guys are sold out to competing and seeing how good they can get."

The Kings (13-16) scored the last six points of regulation to tie the game at 94 and had the fourth quarter's final possession. However, the possession ended with Bryant knocking the ball away from Evans. Bryant shook his head defiantly and wagged his finger, "No," as he walked back to the bench.

Evans, who limped out of the locker room to a pre-arranged, post-game, meet-and-greet with fans, said he felt responsible for the defeat.

"I blame this loss on me," he said. Evans scored 18 points on nine of 23 field-goal attempts, but never did get to the free-throw line in a physical contest. "I waited too long to go on that play."

Sacramento scored the first seven points of the first overtime to take a 101-94 advantage. The Kings defended tremendously throughout the fourth quarter and first overtime, however, the offense became tentative during the final 2:39 of the first OT.

"We stopped being aggressive," Westphal said. "We started playing against the clock, which is not what we want to do. We started killing the clock before we got into our offense. As we grow, we will learn to keep attacking with what got us the lead."

Once again, the Kings received huge contributions from Donte Greene, 16 points and solid defense against Bryant; Jon Brockman, nine rebounds in 21 minutes; Ime Udoka, 11 points and solid defense against Bryant; Beno Udrih, team-high 23 points and six assists; and Omri Casspi, 15 points and season-high 10 rebounds.

The Lakers played without former Kings swingman Ron Artest, who did not travel with the team Saturday morning after a Friday night mishap in which he reportedly fell down stairs at his home. He received stitches and suffered a concussion from the fall.

Kings take another test

2009-12-26T05:42:38Z

Each NBA game is a test.

Some teams test for greatness; others search for legitimacy.

The Kings take legitimacy test No. 2 tonight when they host the defending world champion Los Angeles Lakers at Arco Arena.

They lost their first test when they went up against Cleveland at home in the first of a four-game homestand. They now face the Lakers before meeting Denver on Monday and Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Tonight's game is another opportunity for the Kings (13-15) to show they can consistently compete with the league's best. Sacramento lost to the Cavs, but certainly showed the ability to go head-to-head with one of the league's best teams.

Christmas day, the Lakers got spanked 102-87 at home by the Cavs. Los Angeles is now tied with the Boston Celtics for the NBA's best record at 23-5.

Meanwhile, Sacramento is 2-10 in games against teams with .500 records. What could transform a mediocre team into a playoff contender? Success against the league's best teams, the ability to win on the road and the ability to defend the home court.

Poise and execution under pressure usually accompany maturity and togetherness, qualities the young Kings do not yet possess. That's one reason why the Kings offense stalled late against Cleveland. Sacramento did not score in overtime.

Sacramento coach Paul Westphal has used 11 different starting lineups this season as he attempts to find the best matchups for his squad. Westphal opened the Cavs game with Tyreke Evans (20 years old), Donte Greene (21), Omri Casspi (21), Spencer Hawes (21) and Jason Thompson (23). That starting lineup is the youngest since the franchise moved from Kansas City to Sacramento in 1985.

That configuration of youth usually is not a recipe for success late in games.

Moreover, Westphal used Casspi, Thompson, Hawes and Evans 41 minutes or more. Clearly, fatigue played a role in Sacramento missing each of seven overtime field-goal attempts.

The Kings are a developing product. Westphal's youngsters don't get the necessary experience until they take a couple of losses. One of Westphal's strengths is seeing the big picture.

Evans has gained a quick reputation for taking over games. The Cavaliers, one of the NBA's best defensive teams, were not going to allow Evans to single-handedly defeat them. Neither will the Lakers. Westphal knows this as well, but realizes Evans must learn how to use that defensive attention against his opponents.

"Did the ball stick in his hands a little bit too much sometimes?" Westphal asked of Evans. "Sure. He's not the only one in play. There's me, there are other players on the floor that allowed that to happen. We need to correct that.

"We want (Evans) shooting and we want him attacking. We just want to do it a little bit differently and a little more subtly. That will come."

If Westphal can receive consistent performances from Hawes akin to the one against the Cavs, it would go a long way toward taking the heat off of Evans. Hawes' aggressiveness at times mirrored that of his former University of Washington teammate Jon (Wildman) Brockman. Hawes grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds to combine with 17 points and three blocks.

However, the Lakers will bring an angry, large and talented front line for Hawes to battle.

Kings lose to LeBron and Cavs

2009-12-24T09:05:09Z

It wouldn’t have been miraculous for the Kings to get past the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday at Arco Arena. But it would take more maturity and togetherness under fire than Sacramento could manage.

The Kings took the more experienced Cavs into overtime before missing all seven of their field-goal attempts. They lost 117-104 before an excited crowd of 16,407.

Cleveland improved its record to 22-8 behind the expected dominance of all-star LeBron James, who fashioned his second triple-double with game-highs of 34 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists.

James was ably assisted by guard Mo Williams’ 27 points and received a surprising season-high 25 points off the bench from veteran center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The 11-year pro made 10 of 14 field-goal attempts, including three of three-point attempts from the right corner during a scoreless overtime for the Kings.

Kings coach Paul Westphal saw his team’s two-game winning streak end, but remained upbeat about its performance.

“I think that we didn’t execute as well as we needed to down the stretch,” Westphal said. “And even given that, we had the last shot to win the game (in regulation). We didn’t run what I wanted us to run and that wasn’t Tyreke (Evans’) fault on that last play."

Evans, who scored a team-high 28 points, advanced the ball slowly up court with 12 seconds remaining in the last quarter, which allowed the Cleveland defense to swarm him 35 feet away from the hoop.

The Cavaliers forced Evans away from the hoop and interrupted his dribble. Ultimately, Cleveland prevented him from getting the ball to his teammates and the Kings could not get a shot.

That turned out to be as good as it would get for the young Kings lineup. Westphal opened the game with Omri Casspi, Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes, Donte Greene and Evans. All five reached double-figure scoring. Thompson, 23, is the oldest.

Westphal wondered if that was the youngest starting lineup in NBA history.

“I think we started probably the youngest team that’s ever started a game in the NBA,” said Westphal, who also wondered later if he should have given some of those starters more rest. “We took (the Cavs) right down where he had the last shot. If things would have gone a little differently, we’d have big smiles on our faces.”

Hawes may have had his best game as a pro. He scored 17 points and had a game-high 12 rebounds.

“I’ve had some success against (Shaquille O’Neal) ever since he said he didn’t know my name,” said Hawes, who had five offensive rebounds, three blocks and three assists while battling as effectively as memory serves. “I thought we did a good job of spreading the floor and attacking him.”

O'Neal looks for title

2009-12-24T00:18:01Z

Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal has dealt with the obvious.

"I'm doing good," O'Neal said Wednesday morning following Cleveland's shootaround at Arco Arena."I'm getting old."

O'Neal, 38 in March, will team with LeBron James to lead the Cavs against the Kings tonight.

Of course age is relative, but 38 for a professional basketball player is darned near ancient.

It's even older when time inevitably erodes a player's physical skills.

Gone are the days when O'Neal could jump to the top of the square on the backboard or exhibit the exceptionally quick feet he combined with brute force to dominate the opposition. He's still a force to be reckoned with. However, there's less force and it's easier to reckon.

O'Neal, perhaps the most charismatic, quote-machine/superstar in NBA history, said as a young man he never thought about getting older.
"Never," he said. "I never thought about getting older. When you are the first to do everything - movies, albums, breakdancing - you don't think about getting old."

It has happened to the best in every sport. And when it comes to NBA centers, O'Neal's name sits side by side with George Mikan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the best there ever were - and will be.

O'Neal spoke about his role with the Cavs. He averages just 23 minutes (down from a career average of 35.5) and 10.3 points with Cleveland, but realizes it's about winning another championship. He won three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and one more in Miami, but another with James would be the cherry on his hoop sundae.
"I'm here to get LeBron his first title," O'Neal said when it was announced he'd been acquired by the Cavs this past summer in a trade with the Phoenix Suns. "When I came to Cleveland, (management) told me (they) didn't need me to take 100 shots or play 40 minutes a game. And I like how coach (Mike Brown) is using me."

O'Neal was selected to play in 15 NBA All-Star Games and played in 12. He'll likely not play in another, however, he knows his place in NBA lore is solid.

"I'm not worried about what other people say," he said. "When you open that NBA bible, my name will be in the first 10 pages. So I don't let it bother me."

He has four NBA titles, two scoring titles and has left a trail of hapless defenders and defenses splattered across North America. O'Neal, according to estimates by BasketballReference.com, entered this season having earned a total of $272 million since entering the league in 1992.

Yet, he appeared genuine when speaking about his post-basketball career: "I'm gonna get a job."

"Yeah, it's not like I'm Oprah," he said with a serious look on his face. "I've got a lot of options. Books, public speaking, law enforcement. When I was young I was told there are three different phases of your life. Zero to 18, you work on deciding and preparing yourself for your craft; the next phase you master your craft; and the third phase, people retire and chill, however way they want to."

Evans ready for prime-time

2009-12-23T08:20:19Z

Rookie guard Tyreke Evans has taken the star-starved Kings kingdom by storm.

However, folks must calm down ~~with~~ the hype and allow the 20-year old to first experience his job environment and then learn. In fact, it's the vision of what a matured Evans could become that should provide Kings fans the most excitement.

Kings scouting director Scotty Stirling says Evans reminds him of Miami all-star guard Dwayne Wade.

"He's ahead of the curve," Stirling said of Evans, who is averaging 20.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, five assists and 1.5 steals. "And the excitement about him is what's beyond the curve."

Already he is being anointed as a potential all-star in this February’s All-Star Game in Dallas. Being mentioned among the league's top guards truly is deserved just 26 games and less than two months into his pro career.

Evans said Tuesday he entered his rookie forward to being on the same floor with the likes of Chris Paul, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

"I just wanted to go up against those stars on the floor."

Evans fared well against Paul in two meetings this season and goes against James and the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at Arco. He faced Bryant during the preseason and again will meet him Saturday when the Los Angeles Lakers come to Sacramento.

Those hyper-active supporters should first check out Utah’s Deron Williams. The fifth-year, 25-year old point guard is averaging 9.5 assists, 18.5 points, was a member of the U.S. gold medal winning 2008 Olympic team and never has made an all-star team.

That’s in part because, in no particular order, of this list- Bryant, Phoenix’s Steve Nash, Dallas’ Jason Kidd, San Antonio’s Tony Parker, New Orleans’ Chris Paul, Denver’s Chauncey Billups, Portland’s Brandon Roy. Include Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant (the league’s No. 4 scorer, and Houston’s Tracy McGrady, who could possibly be unjustly voted into the starting lineup despite playing in just four games to date, and Evans likely has a slim chance of making this season’s Western Conference squad.

Evans, barring injury, likely will become a perennial all-star, probably beginning next season.

However, assistant coach Mario Elie says Evans deserves to be in the discussion.

"I believe he definitely should be in the discussion," said Elie, an 11-year NBA veteran who won two NBA championships with Houston and one with San Antonio. "He's been holding his own with anybody he's played against. He plays both ends of the floor and he's got that swagger and confidence to rise to the occasion. Tyreke can be having an off-day, but when the fourth quarter comes and we need him, he's there. You can't say that about everybody and especially, not a 20-year-old."

The 6-6, 220-pounder will remind true old-heads of players such as the late Super John Williamson and the late John Brisker. These two guards – both of whom starred in the old American Basketball Association – dominated with strength as well as skill. Evans has a knack of getting to the basket and finishing with regularity.

Kings player personnel director Jerry Reynolds said Evans reminds him of former New York Knicks guards Micheal Ray Richardson and Walt Frazier.

"His game is more like Micheal Ray but his demeanor is more like Frazier's," Reynolds said.

In fact, consider me blasphemous, Evans reminds some at times of Oscar Robertson, a former member of the franchise whom many NBA observers considered the greatest player in league history pre-Michael Jordan. Perhaps that because Evans often goes on the floor where he wants when he wants despite defenders knowing exactly what he wants to do.

It used to be said if you gave Robertson a 15-footer, he wanted a 10-footer. Give him an eight-footer and he wanted a four-footer and so on and so on.

Evans does over-dribble and can force the issue. Those penchants will decrease as he understands how defenses are playing him, how he’s taking an unnecessary beating by larger defenders and how the ability to take and make the open 15-foot shot makes him semi-indefensible.

Yet Kings observers marvel at his ability to recognize situations.

Kings assistant coach Bryan Gates said Evans was shown an adjustment during last week's victory over Washington and then made it minutes later.

"He made the adjustment and hit Jason Thompson for a basket and I think that was the most excited I'd seen him until (Monday night)."

Evans helped lead the Kings back from a 35-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the Chicago Bulls and again dominated the game's final minutes at each end of the floor.

He gets to the basket and finishes around the basket with unique footwork that he's borrowed after watching San Antonio's Manu Ginobili.

"I watched his films and highlights and then kept working on it until i got better at it," Evans said.

Evans also rebounds, defends in one-on-one situations (especially well for a rookie) and plays the passing lanes solidly with his 6-11 wingspan.

All that – and again he’s played in 26 games. He’s been annointed the season’s 2009-10 Rookie of the Year by overzealous admirers.

Let’s start with the Rookie of Almost Two Months. That’s good enough, isn’t it, for Unique Tyreke Evans, who was playing high-school hoops two years ago.

kings stage biggest comeback

2009-12-22T05:22:47Z

There are bad Christmas presents, and there are good Christmas presents.

Then there are Christmas presents that you will always remember.

The Kings (13-14) gave themselves and their fans one of the latter Monday night, with the team's greatest comeback in Sacramento-era history – a 102-98 victory. On the road. Against the Chicago Bulls.

It didn't look good as late as the third quarter, when The Kings trailed by 35 points (79-44) with 8:56 remaining. But the present hadn't yet been unwrapped.

And Tyreke Evans' 23 points were a bow on the whole thing.

The NBA delivered its own present to the Kings this season with this holiday schedule.

Bringing Cleveland’s LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and the Cleveland Cavaliers into Arco Arena two nights before Christmas -- and Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest and the defending world champion Los Angeles Lakers three days after -- offers opportunities to fill the house with folks. And revenue.

A Kings spokesman said Monday that fewer than 2,000 tickets remain available for each game. The Kings have sold out only one game this season, the season opener against Memphis.

The star attractions and high-powered opponents offer other, less-festive possibilities: Matching defeats, one on either side of the holiday.

Merry Christmas.

But that would be a pessimist’s view.

An optimist would see the two contests as opportunities for the Kings to establish legitimacy by competing against two of the NBA’s most talented teams.

It’s an opportunity to show the world -- as well as themselves -- that no opponent is too good, no moment too large for the league’s third-youngest team. Particularly at home.

Sacramento entered Monday's action as one of 13 teams to win 10 games at home and to represent itself as a team with a future. They proved themselves capable of a stunning come-from-behind victory. Another victory or two -- against the Cavs and/or Lakers -- could provide a major confidence boost.

Of course, there are those 11 defeats in 14 road games to illustrate the inconsistency of a young squad. And there is the erratic nature the Kings displayed Monday night.

But at this early juncture of the team's development, and despite Monday night's big win, success in these two upcoming games would be a surprise. Sacramento’s inability to consistently defend, especially around the basket, will show up most glaringly against the NBA’s elite.

It’s easy to envision James attacking the basket and meeting little or no resistance. The Lakers will bring one of the league biggest and tallest squads to Arco. Coach Phil Jackson’s squad will attack one of the Kings' most glaring weaknesses. And there are a number of them.

But Monday's victory should provide momentum.

The 35-point comeback was a memorable gift in an uncertain season, and gives credence to the young team's optimists. The Kings should roll into these upcoming contests against James and Bryant feeling good. They have shown they are fearless, if nothing else. So bring on King James and the Black Mamba and let's see if the neophytes can climb another mountain or two.

photo courtesy of kings.com

Kings preview

2009-10-09T05:48:22Z

It didn’t take long Wednesday night to recognize that this 2009-10 Sacramento Kings season could be long.

The young Kings are small and played even smaller Wednesday night in an 89-86 defeat by the potentially scary Portland Trail Blazers. The announced crowd of 10,454 at Arco Arena likely could see portents of the future before the first quarter ended.

New coach Paul Westphal and his coaching staff have major work ahead to make this team capable of winning nightly. His most physically gifted and talented player may be rookie guard Tyreke Evans.

He’s not a point guard at the offensive end, but likely may defend them. He’s an active and attacking offensive player, who will get to the basket. That’s his combination of skill, strength and determination.

Evans also is a rookie scorer and likely will play with veteran scorer Kevin Martin to form a backcourt that might need to average 50 points nightly between them.

And that’s not happening.

Westphal signed a two-year contract this summer, but he’s going to need lottery luck to get this squad into the playoffs while working on this deal.

The former Phoenix Suns and Seattle SuperSonics coach understands he’s less than two weeks into this daunting project. He was asked following Wednesday night’s game if he was getting a sense of identity with the team.

“No, not yet,” Westphal said with an immediate grin. “We need to get some key players back and healthy to figure out what our identity is. However, we’re going to fight. We’re going to hustle and scrap and if nothing else, that will be our identity.”

The Kings played without third-year center Spencer Hawes, who sprained his left ankle last week. Hawes played almost 24 minutes Tuesday night during a 98-86 loss in Portland, but did not run well.

Sacramento doesn’t play again until Oct. 15, so perhaps it was smart for Hawes to rest.

We’re not calling him soft, but he’s yet to earn a tough label, either. Hawes said he hoped to play against the Los Angeles Lakers next week in Los Angeles. If he doesn’t play, that ankle should be in a walking boot.

The Kings have to establish themselves as a much tougher team than last season’s squad. Perhaps Hawes doesn’t know his teammates, as well as others around the league, are looking at him. Then there is the possibility he doesn’t care. He is a 21-year-old who’ll earn $2.3 million this season.

Hawes, who loves to drift to the perimeter offensively, is the roster’s only center. His ability and desire to play around the basket will be a key to improvement on those dreadful 17 victories of last season.

Hawes possesses low-post moves, a quality few other teammates share. Scoring consistently without points close to the basket applies little pressure on the defense. The Kings will have problems finishing plays around the basket. Unfortunately, their opponents likely will not.

Sacramento’s lack of size and strength will be difficult to overcome defensively. Hawes’ absence made the Kings the equivalent of a small college team – and a weak one at that. Wednesday night, the ridiculously-deep Trail Blazers often used size and strength advantages to control the game.

The Trail Blazers are young, but the Kings are younger and have far less talent. Three Trail Blazers - Rudy Fernandez, Travis Outlaw and Joel Przybilla - who did not play at Arco would seriously contend for starting positions on Sacramento’s team. That’s if they weren’t awarded them outright.

It could be like that all season for the Kings, unless they display a defensive team unity and offensive execution that at this early date in the season appears unreachable.

The early guess at a rotation for opening night Oct. 28 in Oklahoma City would be Evans and Martin in the backcourt with Francisco Garcia and Jason Thompson as the forwards with Hawes at center. Veteran free agent Desmond Mason is a solid defender, whom if the Kings decide to play and pay, could start at small forward or come off the bench to play shooting guard.

Sacramento could use veteran and rarely-used Kenny Thomas as a banger, defender and rebounder. He’s in the last season of his long-term contract and the Kings would be wise to get something out of him.

In fact, getting something out of everyone on his roster will be what Westphal must do in order to move this team from nightly blowout candidate to competitor.