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.
I'm glad the Kings added another front court player. It's clear we need some help up there, even though if we see Brock starting up there more often, he'll make his impact felt. The more I read from the team especially JT, it's great to hear the team is such a unit. That's winning chemistry. This is one tough battle with the Magic and Spence is going to have to step up, but I think we can pull it off. hopefully Carter doesn't play because of his shoulder injury.
We'll see what Hilton brings to the squad. If he blocks some shots and brings toughness I'll be content. It's time for JT to get out of his mini slump. This kings rookie group is legit, can't stop sayin that. Reke is ROY and Coach has to b COY.
I'll be there tomorrow right behind the Kings bench.. I paid the full price but hey, I know it will be worth it
JT says Hilton Armstrong has 4 plus years in the NBA. I know JT went to Ryder, did he graduate? If so what was his major?
who? ohhh I feel so bad. I have never heard of this guy before. I basically only pay attention to the kings fulls roster, ex-kings (like bibby), super stars on other teams, or players who make headline news (usually bad unfortunately). Anyway, hopefully he'll be a good addition and will add to the chemistry on and off the court. I'm totally protective about our team chemistry. It's super amazing right now, so I don't want to screw that up
Molecular Cell Biology.
lol j.k i don't know…
Thanks for catching that, TRH, and supporting the team. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.
Great to hear you'll be in attendance, Mocoveli!
Hilton
If you watched CWebb's career, Sac is a place where you can raise your game.
"Value the ball" , stay out of foul trouble, 12Strong… prove the critics wrong.
Lotta haters on the Sactown blog, but I think he can pull a Sergio.
Good Addition from the frontline,a good defensive player and a tough guy and he brings a lot of him on the court. hope he will fit in the club and make some defense.GOOD JOB.
better trade KMART he is no value on the Kings he will probably ruin the Kings chemistry and prone to injury.search for a trade Geoff. ahhm.!Caron Butler?
Caron Butler? u serious? im not a huge Kmart fan but why would we want Caron Butler? They play the same position n kmart is better. if u want to trade kmart for anyone it should obviously be for a big guy. I don't think armstrong will really bolster the front line but he improves it. it could be something good like udoka is.
i agree with dug on this one. i wouldnt trade for caron butler (even though in my opinion he has a better overall game than Kmart, he is just not as dangerous of a scorer as Kmart). But i would def. try to get a legit big man… carlos boozer or chris bosh. the only risk with those two is that it would be VERY difficult to resign either of them after their contracts are up at the end of the season. I think the Kings should see how things play out as the trade deadline comes up and then asses possible trades then.
we all know spencer can score; he's got hugh poteintial in that area, but jt is the more consistent offence player of our big man rite now. what we need is better interior defence. i like this guy, his size and defensive ability should compliment jt and spences offense.
look guys sacramento is doing great right now….and k mart is the best he is the only guy that is left on the team before everyone left and i respect him and his game…he got game and i wouldnt want to trade him for anyone i want to see kmart and evans play together…but what i would do is trade andreas nocioni, kenny thomas and beno udrih for t-mac i think that would be grea for the kings because i think he can still play and would help the kings….that sacramento would be a great team again…:)
no i disagree with ayan… beno is a good contributor off the bench and kenny thomas will be gone after this year… if anything trade noch because we have garcia and omri… trade k9 Noch and Greene while their still worth something for a big name big man… this is how i think the roster should be…
(BIG NAME BIG MAN)/HAWES can pay the 4 and 5/ARMSTRONG
THOMPSON/BROCKMAN
CASSPI/GARCIA
MARTIN/UDOKA
EVANS/UDRIH/RODRIGUEZ
If we could trade Nocioni and package Kenny Thomas for a big name big man, that would be a major miracle. Not too many teams are going to be eager to pick up Nocioni's 3 year contract. I disagree on trading any of our core players especially, Donte Green or Kevin Martin. Hilton Armstrong could be a real sleeper, like K-Mart it will all be about chemistry and until they all get on the floor together and get at least 10 games or more, we will never know what we have until we give it a chance . T-Mac is over the hill and far too expensive and will be a free agent next year so why would we give up Donte Green and years of basketball for one year!
A lot of really bad trade ideas can be ruled out by going to ESPN and enter nba trade machine into search… Most teams are trying to get under the cap or get below the luxury tax threshold and position themselves for the 2010 free agency . This is NBA basketball business reality!
i only think the kings should trade martin if there is some ridiculous trade offer that comes our way.
Yes. Finally. The Kings need a good post player. Look what Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol and did for the Lakers.
Go Kings!
i tried the nba trade machine and traded k9 and noc for chris bosh. i think that kmart stays in sac he's just too valuable to let go and he's still young. Noc shoots way too many threes for somebody who makes like 35 percent of them lol k9 is a good rebounder but we need a youn core. bosh is the guy. hell the trade even works with the likes of samuel dalembert. that guy would sell some tickets…
k9 noch and greene for dalembert or okafor?
keep Greene. that guy has way too much potential for his size and athleticism. you cant find that very often, especially since the NBA is becoming somewhat smaller at the power forward position.
love those kings way to let up in the 4th i love vegas thanks kings u guys are so predictable
I was thinking of possible trades for a big man and came across something interesting. There is talk about the L.A. Clippers shopping either Kaman or Camby to make more playing time for Griffin (don't know if this is still true since it was just reported Griffin is done for the season). I'm a big K-Mart fan too, but I would be willing to trade him for a legit bigman in Kaman. The guy is averaging close to a 20/10 this season. Plus Clippers can use a shooting guard that compliments B. Davis. What do yall think?
hilton we are here… fresh start big dawg…dnt worry about none of the haters just do ya thing and go hard….ya dig
peekskill stand up…. hilton is a king now- reppn #8
im stoked and ready to see him get some PT for the kings
Hopefully Hilton can make an impact in the frontcourt for the Kings.