Hilton Strengthens Kings Up Front
January 11, 2010 by Andrew Nicholson
To bolster their front line, the Sacramento Kings acquired center-forward Hilton Armstrong from the New Orleans Hornets on Monday.
The athletic 6-foot-11, 235-pound Armstrong, who will wear jersey No. 8, arrives in Northern California regarded for his shot-blocking ability and his defense, which earned him Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior at the University of Connecticut in 2006.
“We’re looking forward to having Hilton join the team,” Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie said. “He gives us an athletic player who can play the four and five positions. We think he can come in and contribute and we’re looking forward to watching him play.”
The former Hornets player tallied a season-high 12 points and six rebounds in a winning effort against the LA Clippers on Nov. 9, 2009.
“He’s an experienced player who is in the League because of his rebounding and shot blocking,” Coach Paul Westphal added. “We think it’s a nice addition to our team.”
The Kings head coach doesn’t expect the newly-acquired Yonkers, N.Y., native to see action in Tuesday’s matchup with the Orlando Magic, saying Wednesday is most likely the first chance he’ll get to run with his new teammates in practice.
As closely knit as the young Kings are this season, Armstrong will have their support in getting acclimated with his new team and surroundings.
“We’re real fan-oriented, team-oriented guys,” Jason Thompson said. “(We’re) easy guys to get along with so we’ll fit him in with the family, if he’s ready to come out here and ready for the ARCO Thunder, get some wins and be a part of something special for years to come.”
Though Armstrong played limited minutes in the Sacramento-New Orleans matchups this season, Thompson is confident he’ll help strengthen the Kings inside presence.
“He’s been in this League (three-plus) years, played on Playoff teams with the Hornets and can bring a physical prowess in the paint and just protect it for us,” Thompson said. “Just playing against him, I know he should be a factor and help us out.”
Speaking of being a factor, it’s exactly what the Kings rookies have been for the team this season. Tyreke Evans continued his march toward Rookie of the Year honors by putting the finishing touches on his 27-point effort against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday with a game-winning jumper over Kenyon Martin. Omri Casspi further solidified his rank among the top of the rookie class with a 16-point, eight-rebound effort capped off by another clutch three-pointer. Jon Brockman, meanwhile, continued his ascent as an undersized big man to be reckoned with by tallying a game-high and career-high 12 rebounds in his first career start.
“I think they’ve embraced the game as professionals,” Westphal said after Monday’s practice. “They come to work. They try to get better. They play hard and they put the team first. I don’t think you could ask for anything more from any one of those guys.”
Watch – Kings Practice: Coach Westphal.
Having walked in the rookies’ shoes just two seasons ago, Hawes appreciates how well all three have played.
“He hasn’t missed a beat coming from where he was probably the biggest guy to where he’s one of the smallest guys,” Hawes said of Brockman. “And he’s still doing everything he’s always done.
“No matter what time of the game it is, no matter how the game is going, when it gets to the fourth quarter, it’s like they want the ball,” Hawes continued as he praised the poise of Evans and Casspi. “That’s what you want to see in guys. That’s the quality you can’t really teach, you either have it or you don’t.”
After being unable to seal victories for Sacramento against two of the League’s best, the LA Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, at home, Evans was happy to get over the one-four flat hump.
“I think that was a big moment for me,” Evans said reflecting on his game-winning shot. “Just to show people I can make a big basket. I made one in Milwaukee, so that was my second one. Coach never gave up on me and gave me the opportunity to have the ball in my hands and end the game.”
Watch – Kings Practice: Tyreke Evans.
Up next the Kings face a formidable center in Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard and a proficient three-point shooting Magic team, which makes the Southeast-division leaders a tough cover.
“I think it’ll be another good opportunity to settle our guys up with what Dwight does, mainly protecting the paint and kind of being the last line of defense down (in the post),” Hawes said. “(We don’t want to) feed into what he’s best at, going at the rim every time, trying to post him up and battling him down there because that’s his strength. JT and I, especially, have to use our (offensive versatility) to try and take advantage of that.”
As for the Kings wings, the third-year center says it’s important for them to stay true to the basics.
“It’s fundamentals, it’s rotations and it’s like playing against teams like the Warriors,” Hawes said. “It all breaks down when individual defense breaks down, so the first line of defense is stopping your man. If you can do that, it makes everything else easier.”
Watch – Kings Practice: Spencer Hawes.
See the dynamic young Kings battle Howard and the sharp-shooting Magic on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at ARCO Arena. Buy tickets now.
Comments