Kings Blog and Q&A

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We are equal-opportunity pleasers here at The Bee, meaning we want to give you the real dish about what's going on with the Kings while not offering doom-and-gloom insights every single day.

What that in mind, we present the latest update to the ongoing Spencer Hawes story: he's playing pretty well.

After Hawes talked recently about his mindset, he has gone on to make his presence felt against Denver and San Antonio - 23 points (10 of 18 shooting), seven rebounds, three assists and one block against the Nuggets on Monday; 18 points (9 of 14 shooting), six rebounds, three assists, three blocks against Spurs on Wednesday.

Both teams have formidable frontlines, so no one can take anything away from what Hawes was able to do. And in light of coach Paul Wespthal's comments made Thursday, Hawes' next goal should be to eventually be known as the team's best post player.

"Tyreke (Evans) is our best post player," Westphal said when asked by former Bee scribe and current Sacramento Press writer Marty McNeal about the post play. "Haven't you watched the games?

"We don't have a big guy in the low post that you can throw into and make everything calm down and better. I think that's obvious. At the same time, we have plays and sets that I think we're doing a better job of executing. I think for the most part, we can expect to get a pretty good shot when we need to."

I asked Westphal about Hawes' comments in the story I linked above, when the third-year center was candid about the fact that he has no desire to play like teammate/resident bruiser Jon Brockman. For the most part, Westphal agreed with his player but clarified that he could add elements of that kind of game.

"He's not going to intimidate anybody with his body," Westphal said. "He's more of a finesse type player. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have to use leverage and make contact first. He has a totally different style than Brockman, but he's as entitled to loose balls as Brockman and he's entitled to carving out his position and learning how to best utilize the body that he has. No, everybody can't have the same style, they have to find a way to get the job done. I think he's learning how to mix it up.
"For example, (against San Antonio) he was going to try to box out (Tim) Duncan, and Duncan being the wily veteran that he is grabbed Spencer's wrist right as he was trying to box him out and use the leverage point to move Spencer away from the step he's supposed to make...It's a nice trick...Duncan outwilyed him (yes, I realize that's not a word, but you get the point)."

The Kings are down one post player for tonight's game in Jason Thompson, as he will miss his second game because of a death in the family and meet the team in Toronto. Small forward Omri Casspi will play in spite of dealing with a stomach virus that caused him to miss practice on Thursday.

Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin said he has been impressed with Hawes lately.

"With Spencer, a lot of things revolve around him, but confidence-wise it was (case of) him reading a little too much (when he referenced his D-plus grade in the above story)," Martin said. "But in this last week, he has really grown up a little, shown he can handle what comes with this business."

From The Bee

'Team isn't fully in top gear,' By Sam Amick

'Udrih, Westphal differ over playing time,' By Sam Amick

From The Arizona Republic

'Suns' Robin Lopez-Channing Frye combination working at center,' By Paul Coro

'Amare Stoudemire favoring opting in with Suns,' By Paul Coro

TONIGHT'S GAME
PHOENIX (30-21) AT KINGS (16-32)
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Arco Arena
TV: CSNCA.
Radio: KHTK (1140 AM).

Kings update: The downside of progress continues for the Kings. Before they started the season with a surprising 13-14 record, the idea of remaining competitive with a team like the run-and-gun Suns qualified as success. So when they fell twice to Phoenix by reasonable margins on Dec. 5 and Jan. 5 (115-107 and 113-109, respectively), it was hailed as such. Now, though, coming close is no longer enough. In what is their fifth attempt to match last season's franchise-low win total of 17, this team simply needs a victory.

Suns update: Trade rumors aren't bothering Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, who has led his team in scoring throughout its four-game winning streak. It's the high-point of the season for Phoenix, which is not only winning but taking out high level foes in Dallas, Houston, New Orleans and Denver. It's the sort of potential playoff preview that could inspire the front office to hold onto Stoudemire until the summer at least. He as an early termination option on his contract for next season but has yet to decide if he'll become a free agent.

Probable starters

No. Player Pos.
13 Tyreke Evans PG
23 Kevin Martin SG
18 Omri Casspi SF
20 Donte' Greene SF
31 Spencer Hawes C

SUNS

No. Player Pos.
13 Steve Nash PG
23 Jason Richardson SG
33 Grant Hill SF
1 Amare Stoudemire PF
15 Robin Lopez C - Sam Amick