The frustration built and at times boiled over. But once the Kings left the court following a physical practice Thursday, they refocused their attention.
"Hopefully, we can take that aggression from here and put it on the court (tonight)," said point guard Bobby Jackson as he iced his knees.
Following a disappointing exhibition opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Kings look to revise and release a more focused team tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a young team still finding its footing in its new city.
The Thunder arrived Thursday with reigning Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant and first-round draft pick Russell Westbrook while carrying the weight of a woeful 2007-08. The former Seattle SuperSonics finished 20-62 last season.
That's not to say the Kings were pleased with their 38-44 record. And the Kings certainly were not pleased with falling apart in Tuesday's game, as evidenced by Thursday's physical scrimmage.
"Very edgy," Kings coach Reggie Theus said. "Whether it be preseason, summer league, whatever it is, it always leaves a bad taste in your mouth when you lose."
It showed. Players grew frustrated with foul calls, then each other. Quincy Douby even threw a basketball at Kevin Martin's heels following a play on which the two became entangled.
"It got a little chippy out there," Spencer Hawes said. "If we had done a little more of that the other night, things would have worked out better for us."
The Kings played well during the first half of their 110-81 loss but later fell behind by as many as 35 points. Hawes said he hopes to rebound from his 2-for-9 shooting performance.
"I think the foul trouble early got to my head," Hawes said. "It took away how I wanted to play. I have to realize that it's preseason and if I get a few fouls, I can't let that change my mind-set."
Hawes' good friend, the Thunder's Durant, also looks to improve on his opening outing after shooting 3 of 13 and scoring 10 points in Oklahoma City's 88-82 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Durant said he was getting the shots he wanted against Minnesota, but they weren't falling.
"That's part of the game," Durant said.
With the Kings and Thunder fidgeting with rotations and working around injuries, Oklahoma City coach P.J. Carlesimo said he didn't have a gauge of what to expect from the Kings.
"At this stage in the year, people really don't know much about the teams, particularly teams that are somewhat in transition," Carlesimo said.
The biggest transition for the Thunder has been off the court. The Thunder still is adjusting into its new city, as players settle into new homes and a new arena, the Ford Center.
"We had one practice there," Carlesimo said. "That will be the next transition for us, playing there and getting to know that building a little bit."
In the meantime, they'll reacquaint themselves tonight with the Kings, who look to recapture the energy they brought to practice Thursday.
"We just have to build on the first half of last game," Theus said. "We are going to continue to work on the spacing, continue to work on the flow and continue to work on getting the ball up the floor. And hopefully we get better each time out."
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521.
