Practice: Team Update
April 6, 2009 by Andrew Nicholson
The Kings took to the practice court the day before their final contest against their rivals to the south.
With the Los Angeles Lakers coming to ARCO Arena on Tuesday, Kobe Bryant was the topic of defensive chatter for the Kings on Monday.
“Kobe is one of the best players in the League so it’s really tough to guard him,” Andres Nocioni said a day after tallying 13 points and a season-high tying 15 rebounds. “It’s more team defense than one-on-one defense.”
Asked what advice he’d give his younger teammates to aid in guarding the Lakers’ leading scorer, Nocioni said, “just try to have everyone active and try to be in the paint as much as possible.”
Coach Kenny Natt said along with strong team defense, it’s up to his players who find themselves matched up with Bryant to dig deep and use a sense of “individual pride” while moving their feet on defense to do the best they can against the Lakers’ shooting guard.
Like the Kings did in their 113-101 victory over the Lakers in December when they forced 16 L.A. turnovers and limited the Lakers to 40 percent shooting from the field, the team looks to contain Bryant as much as possible while limiting his teammates’ effectiveness.
“I think everyone has to be real in-tune to the scouting report,” Jason Thompson said after tallying 14 points and 11 rebounds against Golden State. “I think at times guys will have to switch off on guys. You shouldn’t just know your one man you’re assigned to right when the game starts, but pretty much know all the personnel — their strengths and weaknesses. I think it comes down to knowing all their personnel because you never know with certain game situations which guy is going to have the ball in his hands.”
As the Kings embark on their final stretch of the season, Thompson is confident he and his teammates will be ready to give it their all against one of the League’s elite.
“When the good teams come in here, it’s when we have the great starts and the game is usually neck and neck,” Thompson said. “We just have to have a good start and keep playing well for four quarters.”
Quotable
Thompson on the team going through he and Hawes early in the game:
“It doesn’t just get us going early. It opens the game up for the guards. If (the opposition) collapses on the paint then (our teammates) should be open for threes and all they have to do is pretty much be ready to shoot and hopefully make shots and spread the whole floor.”
Bobby Jackson on the NCAA Championship game between Michigan State and North Carolina:
“I’m a Carolina boy. I have to go with Carolina.”
Member of the 2005 NCAA Champion Tar Heels, Rashad McCants, on the NCAA Championship game:
“Carolina prevails as they always should, and as they always shall.”
Kings Injuries
“He’s getting it checked now,” Coach Natt said of Spencer Hawes’ left eye that was poked against the Warriors. “He didn’t participate in practice today. He’s going to the eye specialist as we speak. He seemed to be fine. His spirits were upbeat. You know Spencer, he’s always upbeat and feels that he’s ready to go, but we just want to be really cautious and make sure there is no serious damage to his retina and things of that sort.”
Kevin Martin remains day-to-day with a sore left ankle.
I hope Spencer is fine, I'd like to see him play tommorrow.. Beat LA, Beat LA, beat LA,. There is nothing worse for a Kings fan to see a Fakers fan chanting MVP. Or them gloating about that team.
We can send these guys back to LA LA land with a frown!! Go Kings! I'll be there tommorrow and when you hear the cowbell it will be me. I stole it from Phil Jackson's favorite cow!
We def need spence tomorrow! His defense has picked up, and I think everyone wants to see that matchup with him a Gasol! Let's make sure that it's not just Kobe we're watching out for. He is there best player, but there are others on that team who can hurt you if you focus to much on him! Lets see if Cisco can guard him on his own at first. While on the guarding topic, I'd love to see JT really go after Odom! Jason is much faster than he is and should take advantage of that on the defensive end of the floor as well! Let's get another one against em tomorrow!
Write your comment here…[youtube 0bJ8PUqW4oE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bJ8PUqW4oE youtube]
Where is Ron Artest when we need him? Oh. He is on the Houston Rockets. The Kings need to step up on the Defense with this game. Kobe Byrant respects all the teams he plays, however, I feel the Lakers want to humiliate us. We got to be prepared. The Lakers are not expecting the Kings to get the win. Ken (Modesto) I am glad you are bringing your cowbell. I am sure Phil Jackson will love that especially if you are sitting behind the Laker bench. Clang as loudly as you can. JT, Spence (if he plays), and Garcia hopefully can do some good Defense. . We really need all the team to play a tight Defense and play loosely on the Offense. Get some fast breaks and keep the pace of the Game fast.
kings are the worst team in the nba