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Ailene Voisin: New season, new intrigue
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Last Updated 6:33 am PST Wednesday, November 1, 2006
MINNEAPOLIS-The Kings hit the road with a new coach, a new philosophy and a new attitude. While escaping a place where the home fires are burning -- measures Q & R bursting into flames -- the ever-loyal fan base seems mired in the past and confused about the club's future.
Yet on the court, 2006-07 teems with other unusual challenges, as well as a host of interesting possibilities.
Can Ron Artest maintain his composure? Is Eric Musselman as special as Geoff Petrie thinks he is? And as good as he was during his two seasons at Golden State? Is there a backup point guard around? Is Brad Miller finally going retro on us? Will Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kenny Thomas last the season without scuffling? And how long until young Kevin Martin joins the cadre of the league's most promising young stars?
Setting aside the arena mess for the moment, and restricting the tipoff discussion to basketball-related matters, here are nine points to ponder as the Kings begin the season.
1 Musselman hasn't done this for a while. True, but you're going to like this guy.
Aware that his player/people skills needed mending after his tenure with the Warriors, Musselman is making a concerted effort to communicate and maintain a lightness within a disciplined, professional atmosphere.
He is doing so despite the early distractions caused by his own alleged misdeed (that charge of driving under the influence) and circumstances well beyond his control (that arena mess).
2 Mike Bibby is leaner, more committed defensively and more valuable than ever. It's time to look again.
The Bibby who tormented opponents while playing for Larry Brown's Team USA in Puerto Rico three summers ago was not an imposter. Bibby's bosses long have demanded too little of him. When healthy, he will defend, and defend his reputation.
3 In light of Bibby's thumb injury, Petrie, who seldom leaves himself open to second-guessing, might have been better off drafting a point guard instead of the slight, undersized Quincy Douby out of Rutgers. While Bibby rests, who penetrates and passes? Who directs the offense?
Jason Hart isn't the answer. Ronnie Price is an excellent defender and perimeter shooter, but as a converted two-guard, he lacks the mentality of a distributor. John Salmons seems better suited as a swingman. Here's a suggestion: Francisco García. Give 'Cisco the ball and let him create. He slices into the lane with ease, finds open teammates and has exceptional court vision.
4 Martin is on the verge of taking another leap. No one works harder. No one is more coachable. Almost no one in this league is this humble. Liking this kid more and more.
5 Let's hope Musselman utilizes Miller more effectively and extensively than Mike Krzyzewski did during USA Basketball's latest overseas stumble. With the league-wide trend toward small ball -- mainly because the dominant low post center is on the verge of extinction -- Miller's combination of size and versatility can be an immense asset.
In the best-case scenario, the 7-foot veteran rebounds and outlets to a streaking teammate, who connects with Martin, García or Thomas for conventional, ever timely fast-break baskets.
6 Thomas and Abdur-Rahim would be advised to take out their frustration on the opposition, channeling their anger toward collecting rebounds.
The good news is that fists haven't flown in weeks.
The bad news is, the good news doesn't figure to last. One suspects Petrie is trolling for a trade involving one or both of these players.
7 It didn't take long, really, for Ron Artest to gain favor and establish himself as the Kings' leader. It took even less time for Artest to embrace the defense-first philosophy and intense personality of his new coach. But for Artest to retain his stature -- and for the Kings to be successful -- he must curb his tendency to dominate the ball and take ill-advised shots. How Musselman reacts if his star forward strays will be fascinating theater.
8 Everyone seems stuck in arena purgatory. OK, couldn't resist.
The last thing players and coaches need is to be worrying about a change of address -- or the fans fearing a change of address outside Sacramento zip codes. Arco Arena remains the toughest venue in the league for opposing teams, enabling the Kings to steal four or five games a year. Keep that in mind during the home opener next week ...
9 Finally, the late, great Boston Celtics patriarch Red Auerbach believed basketball was a beautiful game except when coaches complicated a simple, successful formula by throwing inch-thick playbooks at players, transforming instinctive, heady athletes into reluctant, analytical hoop geeks. For an old guy, Red was pretty hip.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com.
Ailene Voisin: New season, new intrigue
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Last Updated 6:33 am PST Wednesday, November 1, 2006
MINNEAPOLIS-The Kings hit the road with a new coach, a new philosophy and a new attitude. While escaping a place where the home fires are burning -- measures Q & R bursting into flames -- the ever-loyal fan base seems mired in the past and confused about the club's future.
Yet on the court, 2006-07 teems with other unusual challenges, as well as a host of interesting possibilities.
Can Ron Artest maintain his composure? Is Eric Musselman as special as Geoff Petrie thinks he is? And as good as he was during his two seasons at Golden State? Is there a backup point guard around? Is Brad Miller finally going retro on us? Will Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kenny Thomas last the season without scuffling? And how long until young Kevin Martin joins the cadre of the league's most promising young stars?
Setting aside the arena mess for the moment, and restricting the tipoff discussion to basketball-related matters, here are nine points to ponder as the Kings begin the season.
1 Musselman hasn't done this for a while. True, but you're going to like this guy.
Aware that his player/people skills needed mending after his tenure with the Warriors, Musselman is making a concerted effort to communicate and maintain a lightness within a disciplined, professional atmosphere.
He is doing so despite the early distractions caused by his own alleged misdeed (that charge of driving under the influence) and circumstances well beyond his control (that arena mess).
2 Mike Bibby is leaner, more committed defensively and more valuable than ever. It's time to look again.
The Bibby who tormented opponents while playing for Larry Brown's Team USA in Puerto Rico three summers ago was not an imposter. Bibby's bosses long have demanded too little of him. When healthy, he will defend, and defend his reputation.
3 In light of Bibby's thumb injury, Petrie, who seldom leaves himself open to second-guessing, might have been better off drafting a point guard instead of the slight, undersized Quincy Douby out of Rutgers. While Bibby rests, who penetrates and passes? Who directs the offense?
Jason Hart isn't the answer. Ronnie Price is an excellent defender and perimeter shooter, but as a converted two-guard, he lacks the mentality of a distributor. John Salmons seems better suited as a swingman. Here's a suggestion: Francisco García. Give 'Cisco the ball and let him create. He slices into the lane with ease, finds open teammates and has exceptional court vision.
4 Martin is on the verge of taking another leap. No one works harder. No one is more coachable. Almost no one in this league is this humble. Liking this kid more and more.
5 Let's hope Musselman utilizes Miller more effectively and extensively than Mike Krzyzewski did during USA Basketball's latest overseas stumble. With the league-wide trend toward small ball -- mainly because the dominant low post center is on the verge of extinction -- Miller's combination of size and versatility can be an immense asset.
In the best-case scenario, the 7-foot veteran rebounds and outlets to a streaking teammate, who connects with Martin, García or Thomas for conventional, ever timely fast-break baskets.
6 Thomas and Abdur-Rahim would be advised to take out their frustration on the opposition, channeling their anger toward collecting rebounds.
The good news is that fists haven't flown in weeks.
The bad news is, the good news doesn't figure to last. One suspects Petrie is trolling for a trade involving one or both of these players.
7 It didn't take long, really, for Ron Artest to gain favor and establish himself as the Kings' leader. It took even less time for Artest to embrace the defense-first philosophy and intense personality of his new coach. But for Artest to retain his stature -- and for the Kings to be successful -- he must curb his tendency to dominate the ball and take ill-advised shots. How Musselman reacts if his star forward strays will be fascinating theater.
8 Everyone seems stuck in arena purgatory. OK, couldn't resist.
The last thing players and coaches need is to be worrying about a change of address -- or the fans fearing a change of address outside Sacramento zip codes. Arco Arena remains the toughest venue in the league for opposing teams, enabling the Kings to steal four or five games a year. Keep that in mind during the home opener next week ...
9 Finally, the late, great Boston Celtics patriarch Red Auerbach believed basketball was a beautiful game except when coaches complicated a simple, successful formula by throwing inch-thick playbooks at players, transforming instinctive, heady athletes into reluctant, analytical hoop geeks. For an old guy, Red was pretty hip.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com.