Thread Tools

Display Modes

**Peja Vu** · 12-29-2007, 12:03 PM

Quote:

The fingerprints on top of the hanging television are at least three weeks old now, with Kevin Martin simply unable to get up that high these days.

It used to be part of the Kings' shooting guard's pregame routine during healthier times, that walk into the locker room and leap above the big screens that would showcase his jumping ability in a way rarely seen during games. But if Martin has his way, that part of his regimen and every other aspect will be back sooner than expected.

Although he was expected to miss four to six weeks from his groin strain suffered Dec. 4, Martin said he "feels like it's healed" and is confident his return will be on the early side of the timeline.

"Like a week or a week and a half," he said.

He participated in a light practice Thursday, with a few obstacles of note in his past. He is shooting with his legs again and taking soft cuts on the floor, though it's still far from his typical hard-cutting ways. He continues to spend much of his time stretching with strength coach Daniel Shapiro and doing work with the enormous – yet effective – rubber bands.

"(The team's medical staff) said mid-January, but I'm trying to be a con artist and bank days (to get back sooner)," Martin said. "If I have a good workout, I'll say, 'Oh, I just now banked two days.' I feel like I'm getting there. I swear today I feel like I can go out there and play, but I know how dumb that would be, so I'm being cautious right now."

With point guard Mike Bibby planning to play on the three-game East Coast trip starting Jan. 16, even the prospect of adding healthy bodies is enough to lift the spirits of a team that's certainly down. Four days after falling to Denver in heartbreaking fashion on a buzzer-beating jumper, numerous Kings players brought up the loss that appears to have stuck with them and was compounded by the Wednesday loss to Boston.

**Peja Vu** · 12-29-2007, 12:03 PM

Theus intrigued by Bibby, Martin in small lineup

He is talking about going small at times with a lineup of

PG-Udrih
SG-Bibby
SF-Martin
PF-Artest

c_dog · 12-30-2007, 03:52 AM

bibby would be really undersized at the 2.. but anything to get mikki moore out of the starting lineup. udrih/bibby/martin/artest/miller

MikeBibbyAK · 12-30-2007, 07:36 AM

what about salmons? he is putting up the best numbers of any king.
i dont like mikki's game but he rebounds and finishes around the basket, which is what the kings lack.
and if bibby and udrih are playing at same time, what happens to garcia?
we got too many good players, when bibby and martin come back.
someone is gonna miss out.
u cant take minutes away from spencer. williams deserves some minutes also. so ron can't play much at the 4. i assume douby wont get minutes with martin and bibby back in, but is that enough minutes for udrih.

**Peja Vu** · 12-31-2007, 02:08 AM

Bibby said he will practice today for the first time since Oct. 27 surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb.

Bibby, who will travel with the team on the three-game trip that starts Wednesday, is planning his return to action for Jan. 16 at Toronto.

**Peja Vu** · 01-01-2008, 01:12 AM

Kings Notes: Bibby impresses in practice

Quote:

The solution was right there. At least one of them.

Mike Bibby ran as if nothing had happened, taking passes from assistant coaches after his first full-contact practice since his Oct. 27 thumb surgery and making long-range jumpers with a consistency befitting his reputation.

It was earlier Monday at the Kings' practice facility, though, when he had truly impressed the teammate who wishes he could have joined him. Kevin Martin, who is at least a week away from returning from his strained right groin suffered Dec. 4, watched Bibby lead the team's second unit to a 44-28 victory.

"Mike looked great," Martin said. "You can see what his presence brings."

His actual presence isn't likely until Jan. 16 in Toronto. But just one day after the Kings learned that Ron Artest likely would miss at least two weeks to have a bone chip removed from his right elbow, even getting one step closer to having a starter return lifted their spirits. They are certainly in need, having lost four consecutive games and about to take their 3-10 road record on a three-game getaway starting in New York on Wednesday.

"He looked like the old Mike, making plays, hitting jumpers, getting other people layups," swingman John Salmons said of Bibby. "He made it real easy for his team today."

Coach Reggie Theus said Bibby provided a lift.

"It was pretty positive in the sense that the guys all got on the floor, played for about 20 minutes," he said. "Just having him back on the floor, his presence was much needed."

Artest was to have a consultation with Dr. Michelle Carlson in New York on Monday, but Theus said he had not heard an update or a possible surgery date.

Martin – who shot long after practice with Bibby – likely will be the first of the three to return.

"This was definitely the most intense day I've been through," Martin said. "I did a lot of running, a lot of cutting. But nothing hurt, so I'm getting there."

**Peja Vu** · 01-03-2008, 01:38 AM

Quote:

As Theus revealed at the game tonight, Martin is eyeing the Jan. 8 home game against Orlando for a possible return. The team's medical staff may see things differently, but he's definitely getting close to coming back.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs...es/009813.html

**Peja Vu** · 01-08-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

UPDATE: Forgot to mention that Mike Bibby said Jan. 16 remains the return date, despite Kings coach Reggie Theus wondering if his point guard could return earlier.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs...es/009889.html

**Peja Vu** · 01-10-2008, 02:12 AM

The wait continues for Bibby and Martin: Coach Reggie Theus is vexed both have not been activated after practicing well

Quote:

The torture sessions continue for Kings coach Reggie Theus.

After watching point guard Mike Bibby practice efficiently Monday – yet knowing he won't have him for official use until next Wednesday because of his thumb injury – Theus watched shooting guard Kevin Martin (strained groin) go full speed Wednesday and expressed similar confusion as to why he can't be activated immediately. Martin is expected to return Monday against Dallas.

"Kevin took a couple of hard falls today in practice, so to me that's an indication he's ready to play," Theus said. "Contact is contact. I don't understand.

"I think (the team's medical staff is) being cautious. They set a time frame, and that's what they are working with."

After his first scrimmage since the Dec. 4 injury, Martin said he's yielding to the medical professionals.

"If it was me, I'd play (today)," he said. "I feel like I can go out there and play, but I know it's not my decision …. I'm definitely ready. I've been ready. (I've been doing) intense workouts, and I don't feel anything."

Thread Tools Display Modes

Thread Tools

Display Modes