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Artest calls season 'a failure'
He cites missing the playoffs as the reason for his belief.
By Sam Amick - samick@sacbee.com
Last Updated 5:47 am PDT Monday, March 31, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
SEATTLE – By the time Ron Artest left the KeyArena floor Sunday night, the word "failure" already had crossed his lips numerous times – as in the season at large, one deemed a failure by the Kings' small forward for all the most obvious reasons.
"It's a failure," he said. "We have one of the best defensive players to ever play the game in myself. We have Brad (Miller) and Kevin (Martin), up-and-coming first- and second-team All-NBA guys, and we have some good point guards, so it's a failure that we didn't make the playoffs."
By beating Seattle 120-107, the Kings tied last season's victory total (33) and moved within one game of official improvement. Artest, however, said there is no questioning that this season already is better than the last.
"We're definitely better than last year – easily," he said. "We have 33 wins, and we've been through so much."
Ironically, the question of the day was whether winning or developing was the larger priority from here on. After co-owner Joe Maloof expressed a desire to see the younger players more in an interview with The Bee, Artest said he agreed a change of emphasis might be in order.
"I think there comes a time when that's necessary for the young guys to play," he said. "It should be now. I guess we want to do better than last year, but it doesn't matter. Shoot, I'd rather see (the young players) play and get their confidence ready for next year. But we're just going to do what's asked of us."
Hawaii training camp – There might be brighter days in the Kings' future, even if the team doesn't improve anytime soon.
According to Maloof, the team will hold training camp in Maui next season. The week-long session will be in early October. Camp had been held at the team's practice facility in Sacramento.
There are still logistics to be worked out, Maloof said, and he needs to speak with basketball vice president Wayne Cooper regarding the plan.
"It's going to be very nice," Maloof said. "We thought it might be a pretty good idea to have a change of pace and try it."
Injury update – Rookie center Spencer Hawes didn't play after re-injuring his sprained left ankle Friday against Washington and is day-to-day.
Point guard Beno Udrih (lower back strain) did not make the trip and has missed six of the last seven games. He re-injured his back in the game in which he did play, in Houston on March 24.
About the writer:
- Read Sam Amick's Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.
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