STOCKTON – A full arena was the goal, but in a struggling economy, the noisy crowd at the Spanos Center was nothing to snub.
"You always want to sell out," said Lynn King, the athletic director at Pacific. "They discounted a lot of tickets, and we did the best job we could to give as many people a chance to see them play as possible."
As fans sat down – the announced attendance was 4,028 in the 6,150-seat arena – to watch the Kings take on the Los Angeles Clippers, King said he hopes to have the exhibition game return to Stockton. Kings coach Reggie Theus gave his nod of approval.
"I think it's a great idea for the organization to really want to branch out," Theus said. "I think it's a smart thing to do."
Theus coached at the Spanos Center while at New Mexico State and played in the facility as a member of the Kings. Theus led the Kings in scoring with 25 points in a 1987 exhibition win over the Golden State Warriors, 122-104, in front of 3,791 fans.
Don't be bashful – Bobby Jackson said he entered Wednesday's game knowing he needed to be more selfish around the basket.
"Coach talked to me the other day about being aggressive and getting shots off," Jackson said. "I'm going to look for my shot and make things happen."
And that's exactly what he did. Jackson went 6 for 13 from the field to finish with 13 points against the Clippers.
As Jackson warmed his legs in sweat pants before the game, the veteran point guard said his father is in good spirits, despite his failing health. Bobby Jackson Sr. was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer five months ago and remains in Washington, D.C.
Jackson said being unable to see him has been difficult, but he's made phone calls a steady substitute.
"He's up and down, but he's hanging in there," Jackson said. "You never know what's going to happen. But right now he's in good spirits."
Fighting temptation – Mikki Moore slipped into a suit jacket knowing it was the best way to ensure he wouldn't bug Theus to change his mind.
Theus told Moore on Tuesday that he wouldn't play Wednesday. The move freed up minutes for younger players and allowed Moore to rest his right knee, which has minor tendinitis.
"(Coach) knew I would get the urge to get out there," Moore said. "So I brought a suit."
Quincy Douby joined Moore on the dressed-up list. Douby said the swelling in his right ankle has lessened, but he doesn't want to push himself to return too early.
That's what he said he did Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers, when he aggravated his injury.
"I felt like it was good enough at the time, but playing on it, I realized it wasn't," Douby said. "But there are no regrets."
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521.
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