11-04-2005, 10:58 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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Offensive machine is running on empty
Bibby and Stojakovic have started slowly, as the Kings struggle to put points on the board
Quote:
"We've had some good looks we didn't make," said forward Abdur-Rahim, the only player who is shooting above 50 percent. "A lot of the shots we had, nine out of 10 nights those guys are going to make those shots. Everybody goes through their struggles throughout the year. If you made them all, it wouldn't be fun, so we'll just keep going."
There have been no saviors in the second line, either. In the opener, Hornets guard Speedy Claxton matched the Kings' bench with 17 points - a tie in the match of one man vs. seven. A night later in Houston, former King turned King-killer Jon Barry outscored Sacramento's bench 24-14.
Kings forward Kenny Thomas, whose request to start last month was more about his own comfort level with the role than pure ego, has yet to find his flow off the bench. He is the most polished offensive threat not starting, yet he has a total of eight points in nearly 36 minutes. Hart, who has one field goal in 29 minutes, said the Kings need to go inside to get out of their funk.
"We probably need to penetrate a little bit more," Hart said. "We shoot a lot of jumpers. It's tough to win when you shoot a lot of jump shots. We've got to get a little something more going to the basket and continue to trust each other."
The Kings' long-range ways led to their unraveling in Houston, when a 49-46 halftime lead became a 12-point deficit with a flurry of misfirings. The Kings missed 16 of their first 18 shots in the third quarter, with 10 of the misses coming from at least 11 feet out.
Meanwhile, Abdur-Rahim has been the proof in the paint in both games, hitting 15 of 29 shots with decisive power moves and plenty of touch.
From coach Rick Adelman on down, the belief is that the collective breakout will come.
"I know (Bibby and Stojakovic) are pros," said shooting guard Bonzi Wells, who recovered from a tough opener to score 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting against Houston. "They've been doing it in this league for years. It's two games. I'm not going to count them out. I know they're going to come back and do their thing."
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Offensive machine is running on empty
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