| New Faces, Optimistic Schedule Bodes Well Authored by Bob Souza - March 12, 2005 - 1:32 am
“Get everybody healthy”.
Once again, that familiar refrain rings out. Loudly.
Now that the roster has been tweaked and the machine is starting to purr like a well-greased Hemi, the only thing left is to keep all those parts out of the shop. Considering the way this season has gone though, that seems unlikely.
Sacramento’s professional basketball team has come home to practice, play, and revel in the fabulous springtime weather. As folks in the East swear, moan and dig out of yet another vicious snowstorm, it appears someone above is smiling on the West.
Yeah, so we’re a little giddy. We get to. The post-season is within sight, and that old electricity is starting to generate. Can you feel it? Huh?
Okay – you will.
With 19 regular-season games left, there is ample time to work a nice groove into the playoffs. Six of the next nine will be in the friendly confines of Arco arena, and their opposition will include Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, and Golden State. The road games will feature Denver, the Clippers, and the pitiful Warriors - all extremely winnable exercises.
Seven victories would not be a shocker, and if they get by Dallas and Houston they could run the table. Of course this is the NBA, where anything can happen. Prior losses against the disgraceful Bobcats and Warriors have already proven that thesis.
The Kings hope they get it all figured out by the last 2 weeks of the season, where 3 of 4 and four of six will be on the road. Their opponents will include the Lakers and the Suns, twice each. Not pleasant.
Between all that, they will have to deal with Detroit, Cleveland, and Seattle - a tidy little gut-check. Only now it appears they may have the horses. Let’s saddle up and ride.
In Philly, Chris Webber is struggling through the boo-birds to keep his composure and adapt to a new team. In Orlando, Doug Christie is on the injured list. In Sacramento, the brand new guys are fine. Just fine.
They even look like they belong.
Corliss “Big Nasty” Williamson had his best game yet as a 2005 King, scoring 22 points in the latest win over the Clippers, and the team’s third straight.
Brian Skinner suddenly is the fellow doing the grunt work, blocking shots and sweating profusely on defense and on the boards – you know, the stuff most Kings have been afraid to go near for fear of catching something. Well hey, somebody’s gotta do it - might as well be the new guy.
Cuttino Mobley appears to be working well with guard-mate Mike Bibby, who continues to shoot the eyes out of the ball, routinely pumping in last second pressure shots. And Kenny Thomas is finding that his fit with the Kings is unlike that of an OJ hand to a glove.
“I don’t know what was going on here in the past, but now that the three of us are here, we know what we can do, what this team needs us to do, and that’s to do all the dirty work, things that a lot of guys don’t like to do,” Thomas offered.
Well said, Kenny. Please stick around.
“The new guys, they all add something a little different. So far, it’s been a pretty quick fix,” opined Geoff Petrie, president of basketball operations.
Yup.
So maybe the health worm has finally turned. The team was actually able to scrape together enough bodies for a scrimmage. Imagine that. “I think it was the first time since training camp,” joked Peja Stojakovic.
Let’s hope it’s not the last. |
