10-11-2005, 06:06 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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MANRAM!
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: NORCAL
Age: 24
Posts: 18,070
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Backup SF?
Mark Kreidler: Big issue: Backup at small forward
Quote:
After Peja, what? What does the Kings' offense become, exactly?
"You look at all the different scenarios you can have," Adelman said after Monday's workout, the Kings' final practice before tonight's exhibition opener against Dallas. "If it's Francisco (García), then you're going to have a different type of team out there. If it's Corliss (Williamson) or Kenny (Thomas) - or Bonzi (Wells) - it's a different type of team."
Different, not always meaning better. Different, sometimes meaning, "So how do we make this work, again?"
"I'm not locking in to anything right now," Adelman said. "I do think we have some flexibility that we didn't have before."
Of course, flexibility and certainty are two different - but equally valuable - currencies in the NBA. Adelman has the one. Not all the way there yet on the other.
Entering this camp, the question of who would spell Stojakovic at small forward was perhaps the most obvious one after the Thomas-Shareef Abdur-Rahim decision at power forward. But the conversation at the four spot revolves exclusively around who gets the lion's share of the minutes. In the Peja discussion, the questions are more complex.
What does the offense look like when the small forward with the big perimeter game leaves the floor? Who gets those minutes?
Most significantly, if it's nobody about whom Adelman has a firm conviction or high confidence, does that mean we see Peja's legs fall off like wheels on a trashed car with a broken axle? Or does that kind of wear and tear just come with the territory?
"I'm used to it," Stojakovic said with a smile. "I'd rather be on the court than sitting, no doubt about that."
As his Kings tenure can attest, Adelman sure would rather Stojakovic be there as well. Last year, his seventh in the NBA, Stojakovic pounded the floor to the tune of 38.4 minutes per regular-season game and nearly 41 per playoff game.
But the man is no automaton. Last season, Stojakovic missed 16 games, some because of back spasms and a bunch because of hamstring issues. This just in: He wears down.
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Backup SF?
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