It's certainly a day to move forward, with the Kings about to get their first look at their new team today in LA-LA land. With that in mind, be sure to stick with this post until the end as there is video of new King Carl Landry discussing tonight's game against the Clippers.
But the trade that sent Kevin Martin to Houston and brought Landry to the Kings will be a topic of discussion for quite some time, and Kings coach Paul Westphal was among those wanted to weigh in at yesterday's practice. After raving about Landry and what he'll bring, Westphal had something to say on the topic of how he used Martin.
As I detailed in this story, Martin certainly didn't think he was utilized effectively in Westphal's offense. From his vantage point, this coaching staff was far too reluctant to speak up when his younger teammates looked past him like he was the Invisible Man. He longed for more sets that fit his style, stagger screens and the like a la vintage Rip Hamilton in Detroit or Ray Allen in Boston.
Martin didn't help the situation with his passive aggressive ways, keeping his true feelings to himself and those closest to him while letting his oft-negative body language do all the talking around the team. He was well aware that there weren't many Martin believers left, and clearly he was right.
But as far as the Xs and Os and how he was used, Westphal took umbrage at the notion that he didn't run offensive sets for Martin.
"He got 20 points a game shooting under 40 percent," Westphal said. "He got a lot of shots and a lot of stuff run for him. I think a lot of it might have been timing, coming back from the injury, and confidence and stuff like that, but I resent a little bit acting like we forgot about Kevin and didn't feature him. (After) almost every time out, we ran something for him. I think he's going to do great in the new system and he'll be real good, but the implication that we didn't run a lot of stuff for Kevin is not true."
All that being said, it was no coincidence that Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie referenced his coach several times when explaining the trade Thursday. Wespthal's voice was heard loud and clear as it pertained to this trade, which takes us to the present.
The Tyreke Evans-Carl Landry era.
The Kings now have the sort of inside-out game they had dreamed about, and I'm among the many who think they are a better team because of this deal (As for the merits of the trade beyond the talent aspect, I'll be weighing in on that in the next few days).
The players themselves don't know how this will go, but at least it will be interesting to watch.
A quick injury update
Rookie forward Jon Brockman will be out two to four weeks with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee suffered during Friday's practice. As a result new King Joey Dorsey will be active tonight to play the rebounding, tough-guy-off-the-bench role. As for Landry, he is fired up about getting started.
-- Sam Amick
From The Bee
'Landry gives Kings additional toughness,' By Sam Amick
'Ball is in Evans' court, and everyone's watching,' By Ailene Voisin
From The Los Angeles Times
'Clippers are in need of a victory,' By Ben Bolch
'Clippers clear the way for a top free agent,' By Ben Bolch
TONIGHT'S GAME
Kings (18-36) at Clippers (21-33)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles.
TV: CSNCA. Radio: KHTK (1140 AM).
Kings update: The 23rd starting lineup of the season includes the return of Jason Thompson to the starting lineup, new addition Carl Landry and Francisco Garcia, who returned from injury this week. Landry might have won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award had he stayed in Houston the rest of the season. Now the league will see how he produces as a starter as he becomes the Kings' primary option in the post.
Clippers update: Los Angeles has an All-Star center in Chris Kaman. The Clippers also have some new players courtesy of two trades. One player will be familiar to Kings fans, as oft-dealt Drew Gooden had a brief stint with the Kings last season. With first overall draft pick Blake Griffin having missed the season because of a knee injury, the Clippers appear to be preparing for next season.
Probable starting lineups
Kings
No. Player Pos.
13 Tyreke Evans PG
32 Francisco Garcia SG
18 Omri Casspi SF
24 Carl Landry PF
34 Jason Thompson C
Clippers
No. Player Pos.
1 Baron Davis PG
10 Eric Gordon SG
45 Rasual Butler SF
9 DeAndre Jordan PF
35 Chris Kaman C
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.