http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14184279p-15011416c.html
A throwback triumph
The Kings' motion offense goes into high gear in their eighth consecutive home win.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, February 13, 2006
Movement and hustle.
Such a novel concept.
That combination worked spectacularly in seasons past for the Kings and defined them at Arco Arena. And after some lapses and hiccups (and boos for a toxic mix) this season when the machine clunked and wheezed, the Kings unleashed more of their trademark style Sunday night, with a somewhat stern coaching reminder at halftime to tone it down a bit.
Message received.
The Kings shook off a sputtering first half that included six turnovers and 37 percent shooting to squash the Atlanta Hawks 109-84 and gather some much-needed steam for a two-game road trip before the All-Star break.
"The first half, we had (too many) turnovers," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We were trying to make the spectacular play, and all we talked about at halftime was making the simple play. We calmed down and really played well."
While Sacramento has become more of a post-up team with Ron Artest's sturdy shoulders now in the mix, the concept of zooming in on cutters still has a place for this bunch.
The third quarter provided a prime example. Kevin Martin flew in for a hanging shot off a bounce pass from Artest. That was followed almost immediately by a Brad Miller three-point play off a Mike Bibby pass and an Artest three-point play from a Kenny Thomas pass for a 66-46 advantage, and your typical rout was in full swing.
And jump shooting later in the third made for a 12-2 run, all but sealing the Kings' eighth successive victory at home.
Now comes the real challenge: taking some of that good cheer on the road. Sacramento is 1-8 in its last nine away from home, and you don't have to be the founder of basketball - or even Pete Carril, for that matter - to understand that for the Kings to creep back into the postseason picture, road success has become a must.
"What we need is consistency on the road," Kings forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim said. "That's all. We get that, and we'll be fine. Just be consistent."
The Kings had plenty of balance against a Hawks team that came in at 15-33 yet had defeats of the two best teams in the NBA, Detroit and San Antonio.
Artest and Martin each scored 20 points to lead seven Kings in double figures, and the Kings produced 27 assists and outrebounded the youngest team in the NBA 46-35. Thomas had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Miller had 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Mike Bibby scored 13 points, and Abdur-Rahim and Francisco García each had 10 off the bench.
Artest had his best home performance to date, scoring 12 straight Kings points in the third. He also made two of his season-high six steals in the quarter and hounded Al Harrington into a baseline airball. He also took turns checking Josh Childress, Joe Johnson and darn near every other Hawk except Mike Woodson, the Atlanta coach who once played for the Kings.
But it was Artest's second-half defense of Johnson that was critical. The team's leading scorer at 19.9 points coming in, Johnson had 13 in the first half and none in the second.
"Ron did a great job on him," Adelman said. "He got his hands on the ball, and he kept working and forced the guy to make another play. He's really a handful defensively."
Said Johnson: "Artest definitely makes them a better team because they feed off his energy. He's not doing anything out of his character. He's still playing tough."
Said Woodson: "(The Kings) are pretty good. Artest does a lot of dirty stuff, nasty, can score, rebound and defend. They didn't go wrong in bringing him to the Kings. I wouldn't be surprised if they made the playoffs."
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com
A throwback triumph
The Kings' motion offense goes into high gear in their eighth consecutive home win.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, February 13, 2006
Movement and hustle.
Such a novel concept.
That combination worked spectacularly in seasons past for the Kings and defined them at Arco Arena. And after some lapses and hiccups (and boos for a toxic mix) this season when the machine clunked and wheezed, the Kings unleashed more of their trademark style Sunday night, with a somewhat stern coaching reminder at halftime to tone it down a bit.
Message received.
The Kings shook off a sputtering first half that included six turnovers and 37 percent shooting to squash the Atlanta Hawks 109-84 and gather some much-needed steam for a two-game road trip before the All-Star break.
"The first half, we had (too many) turnovers," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We were trying to make the spectacular play, and all we talked about at halftime was making the simple play. We calmed down and really played well."
While Sacramento has become more of a post-up team with Ron Artest's sturdy shoulders now in the mix, the concept of zooming in on cutters still has a place for this bunch.
The third quarter provided a prime example. Kevin Martin flew in for a hanging shot off a bounce pass from Artest. That was followed almost immediately by a Brad Miller three-point play off a Mike Bibby pass and an Artest three-point play from a Kenny Thomas pass for a 66-46 advantage, and your typical rout was in full swing.
And jump shooting later in the third made for a 12-2 run, all but sealing the Kings' eighth successive victory at home.
Now comes the real challenge: taking some of that good cheer on the road. Sacramento is 1-8 in its last nine away from home, and you don't have to be the founder of basketball - or even Pete Carril, for that matter - to understand that for the Kings to creep back into the postseason picture, road success has become a must.
"What we need is consistency on the road," Kings forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim said. "That's all. We get that, and we'll be fine. Just be consistent."
The Kings had plenty of balance against a Hawks team that came in at 15-33 yet had defeats of the two best teams in the NBA, Detroit and San Antonio.
Artest and Martin each scored 20 points to lead seven Kings in double figures, and the Kings produced 27 assists and outrebounded the youngest team in the NBA 46-35. Thomas had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Miller had 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Mike Bibby scored 13 points, and Abdur-Rahim and Francisco García each had 10 off the bench.
Artest had his best home performance to date, scoring 12 straight Kings points in the third. He also made two of his season-high six steals in the quarter and hounded Al Harrington into a baseline airball. He also took turns checking Josh Childress, Joe Johnson and darn near every other Hawk except Mike Woodson, the Atlanta coach who once played for the Kings.
But it was Artest's second-half defense of Johnson that was critical. The team's leading scorer at 19.9 points coming in, Johnson had 13 in the first half and none in the second.
"Ron did a great job on him," Adelman said. "He got his hands on the ball, and he kept working and forced the guy to make another play. He's really a handful defensively."
Said Johnson: "Artest definitely makes them a better team because they feed off his energy. He's not doing anything out of his character. He's still playing tough."
Said Woodson: "(The Kings) are pretty good. Artest does a lot of dirty stuff, nasty, can score, rebound and defend. They didn't go wrong in bringing him to the Kings. I wouldn't be surprised if they made the playoffs."
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com
