Resentful? No.
Well, at least not much, rookie Donté Greene said Thursday before heading to Houston, where he will play against the team that traded him.
"You want to make them feel like they made a mistake in trading you," said Greene, who was drafted 28th overall by Memphis before being traded to Houston, where he logged an impressive summer league performance before the Ron Artest trade sent him to Sacramento in August.
"It's part of the business. I'm in a better situation," said Greene, who is looking to record his first NBA dunk and begin his professional highlight reel.
First, though, Greene said he needs to address the defensive issues he encountered in Wednesday's 116-112 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at Spanos Center in Stockton. Greene was 0 for 1 with two turnovers and four fouls in nine minutes.
"I'm always my hardest critic, and I didn't play well," Greene said. "But you have to put it in the past. They say you have to have a mind like a relief pitcher. You have to forget about it."
Hello, Hawes – The Kings announced they have picked up the option on Spencer Hawes for the 2009-10 season.
The 2007 first-round (10th overall) draft pick out of Washington has averaged 11.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in four exhibition games.
Break time – Swingman Francisco García will miss tonight's game with a sore left foot. García sat out most of Thursday's practice with the injury, much to his chagrin.
"I want to give him a couple days rest to see how he feels," Kings coach Reggie Theus said. "He was sitting on the sidelines (in Thursday's practice). He hates more than anyone on the team to sit out. He looked awfully lonely."
Theus said he expects to have the rest of his roster ready to play tonight as he "moves into a more normal rotation."
Rookie rites – Pink backpacks stood out in the Kings' locker room at Spanos Center on Wednesday and didn't mesh well when worn, either. The backpacks are this year's rookie initiation, although Hawes is donning one as well.
"I love my backpack," said Greene, who has a pink and black Hello Kitty backpack. "I was actually getting compliments (Wednesday in Stockton) when I was signing autographs. Everybody likes them."
Still hoping – Theus said he expects to meet with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie next week to talk about the roster. The Kings have 16 players, with the league requiring teams to trim to no more than 15 players by Oct. 27.
The Kings have two unsigned hopefuls, forward Noel Felix of Fresno State and forward Bobby Jones of Washington. However, the team can choose to sign neither and carry 14 players this season.
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521. To get breaking news alerts and game scores sent directly to your phone, text KINGS to 72737.
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