[Peja Vu]

<center> @

Sacramento Kings (2-2) @ Portland Trail Blazers (1-3)
Rose Garden, Saturday October 22nd, 2005
7:00 PT, CSN-Sacramento
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Probable Starters


Brad Miller/Shareef Abdur-Rahim/Peja Stojakovic/Bonzi Wells/Mike Bibby


Joel Przybilla/Zach Randolph/Darius Miles/Charles Smith/Steve Blake

--------------------------------------------------------------------

-Portland Trail Blazers board game thread-
-vBookie thread-
-NBA.com Preview-

</center>

[Peja Vu]

Kings notes: Hart injury a true shocker

The wires were coming from Jason Hart's lap, sprouting out of a small black box and toward the left side of his body.

"It feels like a consistent shock," the Kings point guard said Wednesday as he sat holding an electronic stimulation machine that helps increase blood flow. "You can even turn it up."

Sadistic much, Jason?

The shock jock looked like a glutton for punishment in the final seconds of the Kings' loss to Denver on Tuesday night, when he suffered a left hip pointer painful enough to warrant plenty of yells from Hart, but never an "Uncle!"

It took him two falls to the floor before he finally succumbed, including a surprising return after timeout was called and Hart seemed seriously hurt. Hart eventually was carried off the court and won't play this weekend against Portland and Phoenix.

"That was me trying to tough-guy it," Hart said. "I should've sat down."

To Hart's relief, he shouldn't have to sit for long with the injury, one that is more prominent among football players.

In essence, the injury is a deep bruise, which swelled to look like an instant love handle after the game but since has gone down considerably. Kings coach Rick Adelman said a precautionary X-ray was taken that revealed nothing of concern. Still, Hart was slow to take his own advice, saying he'd rather suffer his way back once again.

"I don't want to sit out no games, because I hate to miss any games," Hart said. "I'm going to try (to play over the weekend), but I also don't want to start the (regular) season with something that's hurting."

Make a point - Either Ronnie Price or Luis Flores will squeeze his frame through this window of opportunity.

The playing time should start pouring in for the point guards who have been competing for the Kings' third spot behind Hart and starter Mike Bibby. So far, their game-time showings have shown little. Price has played in all four games, totaling 18 minutes. He sank a three-pointer in the opener that was the only basket of his seven attempts. Flores played only against Golden State on Sunday, missing two shots in seven minutes while contributing a rebound and an assist.

Adelman said more time is needed to make a better assessment, and he will work both players into the rotation with the starters as part of his evaluation.

"You want those guys to play with your main people, to see, 'Can they fill in? Can they be adequate players for us?' " Adelman said. "They haven't had a fair chance to do anything. They've just got to get on the court with some of the main guys, when there's no pressure on them and they just have to fit in."

[Peja Vu]

Kings buzz

Steer clear
Bonzi Wells limped out of the trainer's room and climbed onto a stationary bike after practice, but the Kings guard insisted all that ails him is a sore body from the rigors of practice. And injuries? Don't even knock on hardwood, please.

"I'm fine, just a little sore like everyone else but those young kids out there," he said, referring to pups such as Ronnie Price and Luis Flores. "I won't even talk about injuries. Don't want a jinx. I'm too superstitious."

Key dates
Saturday: At Portland. Golden chance for Price and Flores to shine in place of a hobbled Jason Hart. Does Mike Bibby shoot better early?

[Peja Vu]

Price is right?

With Jason Hart likely to sit out Saturday's game at Portland and Sunday's game against the Phoenix Suns in Fresno, expect a lot more of Ronnie Price.

And he can hardly wait. Price, a 6-2 point guard who has been solid with the dribble and on defense, is a rookie from Utah Valley State. He was on the floor in the final seconds Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets at Arco Arena when Hart suddenly winced and went to the floor in agony with a hip pointer.

While going down, Hart dumped the ball to Price, who immediately took a three-pointer at the top of the key as time ran out. He missed everything.

"It was hard to concentrate because we had a guy go down," Price said. "That was strange."

[Peja Vu]

Wells doesn't have fond memories of Portland

Kings notes: Bibby's shot is missing in action in preseason

Kings buzz

Kings at Portland
Today, 7 p.m.

What to expect from the Kings: Some more floor time for point-guard roster hopefuls Ronnie Price and Luis Flores and better shooting from Mike Bibby. In order, Price and Flores will get a longer look with Jason Hart out because of a hip pointer. Will both make the roster? One? Bibby didn't shoot well against Denver in the last preseason outing and needs to find his groove. Brian Skinner has impressed so far in the preseason on both ends of the floor. You may also see more of Sampson to see if he'll make the roster as well.

What to expect from the Blazers: Perhaps a little more effort. Portland is 1-3 this preseason, which is no big deal since these games don't count, but new coach Nate McMillan hasn't been pleased with the energy level. The Blazers have played like zombies, and the former Sonics coach kicked Zach Randolph out of a recent practice. There's athleticism in Darius Miles and Sebastian Telfair, a solid center in Joel Przybilla, and an impressive rookie in Martell Webster, a good shooter who isn't exactly sure what defense is.

[Unique]

You guys should kill tonight! Good luck im rooting 4 u!

[thug_immortal8]

Hope you guys win, and I hope that Bonzi plays and has a great game.

[Masbee]

Wow. That's a sweet looking starting 5 - offensively.

How are you going to play defense with that crew?

Brad isn't very good.
SAR isn't very good.
Peja can defend if he puts his mind to it, but usually doesn't.
Bonzi can defend if he puts his mind to it, but usually doesn't.
Bibby isn't very good.

P.S. Not that it matters with the Blazers, I am thinking against other teams. Suggested defense against the Blazers - Keep your man in front of you and let them shoot jumpers. So easy, anyone can do it!

[DaUnbreakableKinG]

Kings by 15.


Can't wait to see them live for the first time for this season.

[maKINGSofgreatness]

Of course the Kings don't have the personel to be a very good defensive team, but I have thought they looked a little better than last year. SAR is a maligned defender, but ANYONE is better than C-Webb on one leg, and his size has helped. I bet he's better than people think on D, he's never been on a team that mattered before.

[Peja Vu]

I will probably be watching this game over the first game of the world series. Big fan or big loser