The proof that John Salmons was working hard in the offseason was he wasn't doing any work.
For two weeks leading up to training camp, the Kings swingman stayed off his feet in his hometown of Philadelphia. Doctor's orders had put him in the stale state, as he strained the groin muscle in his left leg in early September while preparing for the season and was told to rest.
The injury was significant enough that Salmons was advised to sit one week, but he opted to participate in training camp anyway. While he took part in all drills and scrimmages last week, Salmons has been excused from taking the team-mandated conditioning test at this time as a precaution.
"I just thought I'd see how (the week) would go," Salmons said. "I didn't want to sit out all week of training camp, especially after being out those two weeks before I came. It's not torn, just more sore."
The eagerness to participate should come as no surprise, as Salmons – according to Kings coach Reggie Theus – is in the rare role of entering the season as a starter. Until he started 41 games last season because of Kings injuries, he hadn't started more than 24 games in any of his five previous seasons.
Brown makes impression – Salmons joined the long list of Kings players or coaches to praise rookie Bobby Brown, the point guard who went undrafted out of Cal State Fullerton in 2007 and played in Germany last season.
"For one, he's a legit point guard," Salmons said. "You rarely find those these days. He's fast. He can get in the paint, find people. He makes the right decisions. He's a pass-first point guard, but he can shoot, too."
Theus, who has spent much of the week touting the up-tempo style he wants his team to play, said Brown is an ideal fit.
"Bobby Brown has done a great job of being a tempo changer for us," Theus said. "When he's pushing the basketball, it's a different kind of game out there. And I need him to do that every day."
Douby on the mend – Following a right ankle sprain in practice Friday, third-year guard Quincy Douby sat out practice and is questionable for Tuesday's exhibition opener at Portland.
"It's not too bad," Douby said. "It'll take a few days of rehabbing and just staying off of it. I think I should be good for Tuesday, but we'll have to see."
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