His body, as he said when the comeback began in earnest two months ago, will make the decision for him. The ailing right knee that was operated on for the second time in six months last December either will or will not allow him to take part in October training camp. If not, retirement - and possibly a coaching career - could be on the horizon.
But on an 11-day trip to Africa that concludes on Monday and stretched from Senegal to South Africa, Abdur-Rahim said he was reminded how fortunate he is no matter what his future holds. While taking part in the same "Basketball Without Borders" program that brought Kevin Martin and Ron Artest there last summer, Abdur-Rahim witnessed poverty and struggles that provided rich perspective.
"We have poverty in America, a lot of poor people," the Kings forward said by phone from South Africa. "But this is real poverty around here. It makes you extremely appreciative. It's the simple things you take for granted, like running water, a bathroom...You take the worst projects you've been to in the states and nothing compares to this."
]]> Abdur-Rahim said his physical progress remains frustratingly "slow," and that he's "going to sit down and focus on that when I get back." Asked if he's decided whether he'll be able to take part in training camp, he said, "I haven't made a decision, but when I get back I will."***
For a look back at how trips to Africa affected Kevin Martin and Ron Artest last summer, click on the old stories below.
Africa Martin.mht">Martin's trip
Artest Africa.mht">Artest's trip - Sam Amick
]]>CLICK HERE TO WEIGH IN ON NEW KINGS PAGE - Sam Amick
]]>- Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim and assistant coach Kenny Natt are in Africa with the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program.
From what I'm told, Abdur-Rahim's training continues and it's looking like his attempt at a comeback will continue into training camp.
On a somewhat related note, the Kings big man coaching job has gone unfilled and I could still see Abdur-Rahim filling that role eventually. It has been discussed informally within the halls of Kingsland, but all involved will continue to follow Abdur-Rahim's lead as his future unfolds.
- Brad Miller and Kevin Martin have been among the players training hard in Sacramento recently.
Our own photographer Hector Amezcua told me he saw Miller and his family during a State Fair visit when Jessica Simpson was performing. According to his hometown paper, he's headed back home soon for the annual Brad Miller charity golf outing with Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
]]> As for Martin, he's about to head for Florida for his offseason training regimen with personal coach David Thorpe. Speaking of which, I'm scheduled to meet with him in Florida for a piece starting on Monday if Hurricane Ike lets me in. Martin will be looking to lose himself in hoops after dealing with a tough family loss recently when his grandfather passed. Dallas Martin - whose name is honored in grandson Kevin Dallas Martin - was 76. Best wishes to the famly.- I'm assuming that Kings rookie forward Jason Thompson was at the recent rookie transition program in New York. The same could be said for Miami's Mario Chalmers and Memphis' Darrell Arthur, too, at least until the former fellow Kansas Jayhawks were kicked out midway through.
Needless to say, every GM in the league not named Chris Wallace or Randy Pfund was breathing a sigh of relief that it wasn't their draft pick getting in trouble. Way to take a bit of tarnish off the championship trophy, boys.
BLOG UPDATE: Chalmers and Arthur have apologized for the women, but deny the reporting of marijiuana.
GARCIA EXTENSION COMING?
The Kings have until Oct. 31 to offer Francisco Garcia an extension, but it remains all quiet on that front.
From talking to numerous sources on this topic, I'd be shocked the Kings didn't let Garcia become a restricted free agent next summer. As for his summer "vacation," Garcia has been doing his home country proud while playing for the Dominican Republic national team.
THE INFAMOUS WILLIAM PHILLIPS
Remember William Phillips? Come on, how could you forget him? He was the agent who turned down a Kings offer of $38.5 million for his client, Bonzi Wells, in 2006, leaving the guard without a contract and leading him down yet another rocky road in his career.
Well after Phillips failed so spectacularly to cash in on Wells' spectacular playoff run that season and was eventually fired by Wells, he has lost yet another high-profile client. This time, however, it wasn't his own doing. Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who has used Phillips as his representation for quite a few years, resigned today amid a cloud of controversy that just wouldn't go away. - Sam Amick
]]>Steverson, 36, who was 14 years old when Clips owner Donald T. Sterling relocated the franchise to the old Los Angeles Sports Arena, supported all the San Diego pro teams hough his loyalties could have been evenly split: With his parents divorcing, his mother remained in the Los Angeles area and his father moved to San Diego. As a result, he spent time in both locations.
"Loved the Chargers, too," he continued, "especially those (Don) Coryell teams. Kellen Winslow. Charlie Joiner. Wes Chandler. John Jefferson ..."
Asked whether he has developed an affinity for the Kings, the local team that plays across the river and a few miles to the north, Steverson laughed, then added: "Can't be a Kings fan. I'm a Clippers fan. People can hate me all they want, but you like who you like, right?"
Nonetheless, Steverson admitted that he doesn't wear his Clippers gear in public, at least not in Sacramento. "You think I'm crazy?" he laughed. "Down there, yeah. Up here? No way."
If the Kings were still interested in adding a "big man's" coach to Reggie Theus' staff - and it appears that they no longer are - they missed their chance at Jeff Ruland, the former NBA center who subsequently enjoyed a long, successful run as head coach at Iona College. Ruland, who spent last season coaching Albquerque in the NBA Developmental League, was hired by the 76ers a few days ago to replace Henry Bibby.
In the NBA, he was drafted by Golden State in 1980, but spent most of his career with the Washington Bullets. At 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, he was an excellent shooter and rugged, physical rebounder. But I was always most appreciative of his slick passing. His career ended prematurely because of foot and knee injuries. Those were the days, you might recall, before arthroscopic surgery prolonged careers.
Ruland, 49, initiated contact with the Kings several months ago, but when I spoke with him Wednesday, said he interviewed with the 76ers about a week after hiring agent Warren LeGarie. He credits LeGarie - who represents coaches, players and is particularly connected in the overseas market - with his current opportunity. Plus, it doesn't hurt that he played for the 76ers briefly before retiring in 1993, spent the 1993-94 as one of Freddie Carter's assistants, and remained highly regarded within the organization. Now he gets to work with Elton Brand. Not too shabby.
Later in the day, I called Theus and asked what happened to all the talk about adding a frontcourt specialist to work with Spencer Hawes and rookie Jason Thompson, and from what he said, it sounds like the idea has been tabled. "Whatever they (Geoff Petrie and the Maloofs) want to do is fine with me," said Theus. "I just haven't heard anything about that for a while. But I think they saw Spencer getting better late in the season, so maybe that had something to do with where we're at."
On the hunt
Before training camp opens at the end of September, Theus plans to go dove hunting in New Mexico with his 14-year-old son, Reggie. Think bows and arrows, not shotguns. We keep hearing that Reggie is quite the archer. But he's hoping that his namesake - who already stands 6-foot-4 - is more inclined to develops his basketball skills. "His feet are huge," said Theus, laughing. "I want him to keep playing."
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby ...
Theus is quickly gaining a sense of Bobby Jackson's popularity within the community. Virtually everywhere he goes, people approach and express their excitement about the veteran guard's return. "Bobby Jackson, Bobby Jackson, Bobby Jackson," Theus said. "I say, 'guys, that was eight years ago. He can still play. But that was a long time ago.' The good thing is, I've talked to Bobby, and explained to him how important his presence is going to be in the locker room. It's going to be enormous. It's important to mentor the young guys the right way, and a lot of our success is going to depend on how quickly the young guys develop."
It's the setback that keeps on giving.
Ellis was heading into a huge season -- the replacement for Baron Davis as the starting point guard and the best player on the team, a guy still needing to prove he can play the position, the big-money player in the wake of the six-year, $66-million contract. And now he's out until about December in a best-case scenario, a huge hit for a team with playoff aspirations and for a player on a major upswing.
Worse, Ellis' game is speed. This cuts to the heart of what has made him one of the best young players in the game and what could easily turn him into an unguardable offensive force. He's got a very good mid-range game, but that all starts because teams have to back off. Play Ellis too close and he goes around you and takes flight to the rim.
(I asked Allen Iverson in February if there's a comparison of Ellis and a young Iverson. Iverson is one of the game's all-time small warriors and Ellis isn't close in that regard, but based on style of play: scoring guards who handle the ball, warp speed, little guys who will blast down the lane and take on the bigs. "No," AI said. "I can't jump like Monta. Nowhere near it.")
Maybe Ellis gets all his acceleration back. Players have come back 100 percent from worse. But it's concerning anytime an injury strikes directly at what makes someone so good, and the Ellis of 2007-08 was so good on offense. (So nonexistent on defense.)
So they lose more games than expected? The playoffs were iffy anyway.
Before, the Warriors were in a mix with the Trail Blazers, Clippers, maybe the Nuggets, for the final spot. Now, it would be tough to put Golden State ahead of Portland and L.A. for sure, and maybe even fading Denver.
The real issue is, the development of an important player is now on hold.
Before, the Warriors had an exciting, talented, blooming player. Now, they have Marcus Williams. Davis is gone, Ellis is hurt, and this is the worst thing possible after a tumultuous offseason. Needing stability, they just got more uncertainty.
*Jonathan Feigen, the veteran Rockets beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, puts the Ron Artest trade in perspective against the other major deals in recent franchise history. He ranks that move sixth, with good reason. Most transactions he puts higher either led to a championship or included a future Hall of Famer. The history of blockbusters there is amazing. If Artest has a key role in a deep playoff run, the order can be revised.
]]> *The rest of the world really is catching up to the NBA. A writer for a European web site just determined one of the factors of the Team USA win in the Olympics: the referees. Naturally.*Good reminder from Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated on the major offseason story everyone forgets: Jermaine O'Neal to the Raptors. If O'Neal returns to his old form, Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon continue at their current one, and role players like Jason Kapono, Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker contribute, Toronto will have a vote in the Eastern Conference outcome. If O'Neal remains a frustration of injuries, the Raptors will merely be stuck with a bad contract. As Thomsen writes, O'Neal was working hard in the United States while most NBA eyes were focused on Beijing.
]]>I just got off the phone with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, who like everyone else who was around the NBA in the late 1980s and '90s, was saddened by the death of former Portland Trail Blazers center Kevin Duckworth. According to news reports out of Oregon, the man known as "Duck" died of unknown causes Tuesday at age 44.
A 7-footer who battled weight issues throughout his 11-year-career, Duckworth succumbed while representing the Blazers at a basketball clinic in Lincoln City, Ore. The two-time All-Star is best known for anchoring Rick Adelman's Portland teams that reached the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992. More importantly, he will be remembered as one of the nicest men in the league, and much to the delight of journalists, a genuinely entertaining, thoughtful character. After one particularly subpar playoff performance, for instance, he spent most of an interview session talking about his passion for fishing and his plans to become a "worm" farmer when he retired. Instead, he ran a construction company, owned a restaurant and pursued his love for hunting and fishing.
"He was a gentle giant, a real sweetheart of a guy," recalled Petrie, who joined the Blazers front office shortly into Duckworth's tenure with the club, "and he was a very effective player on a great team. He had a soft touch, a little jump hook, and face-up jumper. In his best years, he could actually run well for a guy his size. Toward the end of his career, he really struggled with his weight. It wasn't something he wasn't aware of, and it doesn't take away from the spirit of the man. It's so sad, such a premature passing."
Duckworth, who averaged 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds, also played for San Antonio, Washington, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers. His career undoubtedly was affected by his weight problems; at times, he ballooned close to 400 pounds.
Petrie had not yet spoken to his front office assistant Wayne Cooper, a former Blazers teammate of Duckworth. "Wayne's on vacation in Hawaii," Petrie added, "but I'm sure he heard about it this morning."
Never too old to admit his mistakes
Petrie mentioned that he was impressed with Michelle Obama's speech Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, and then revealed his own personal interest in the upcoming race: It's the Princeton connection, of course. Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, also played for Petrie's mentor, Pete Carril at the Ivy League school. Robinson is the new head basketball coach at Oregon State.
But what I wanted to know is this: Are the Princeton ties sufficient to bring Carril back into the "Democratic" family? The Kings consultant - now living near his family in New Jersey - voted for George W. Bush in 2000, but later acknowledged his lapse in judgment. Best guess here is that Barack Obama can count on Coachie this time ...
]]>WE HARDLY KNEW YE, SEAN SINGLETARY
The point guard out of Virginia drafted in the second round by the Kings didn't take long to go from a player the organization allegedly coveted all along to an expendable piece to make the Ron Artest trade work. And now, Singletary is on the move again. He's been traded to Phoenix.
Truth be told, the initial trading of Singletary to Houston - in which his eventual destination was known weeks before it became official on Aug. 14 - killed a feature story I had planned on him. Singletary and I had a pleasant 30-minute interview next to the McDonald's inside the Palms Casino, where he talked on everything from his hoops to family life. He's a fascinating guy who has been through a lot, as both of his parents have been battling cancer for five years.
His hoops life and family struggles intersected on draft night, when his mother was "having a bad day," as Singletary told me then and he wound up heading for his grandmother's home nearby in the Philadelphia area to watch the draft. Of course there was no television there, so he learned of his Kings drafting from a phone call from his agent.
At the time, joining the Kings was a wondrous opportunity considering it was Beno Udrih and Singletary at the point. Then came the subpar summer league performances in the final few games and the subsequent Bobby Brown signing - all of it writing on the wall. He could be in line for some decent minutes behind Steve Nash if all goes well. Good luck to you, Sean. We hardly knew ya.
For those who don't know Rod Benson (and those folks have been decreasing rapidly for some time now), he is a fringe NBA player with a huge fanbase thanks mostly to his candid and oft-entertaining blog.
On his Ball Don't Lie blog with Yahoo!, he raises a fascinating question about whether NBA types who blog are compromising their own futures. He thought of this question, of course, because he ran into Eric Musselman.
The former Kings coach has his own blog that has received all sorts of attention. The question is whether it's the sort of attention that leads to an NBA return or endangers it. As I see it, Musselman's blog raises his profile in the overall hoops world but lowers it in the pros. Everyone in the NBA knows he can be organized, that he has an insatiable appetite to grow as a tactician and student of the game. But showcasing your homework and thoughts in such a public way does nothing to prove you can relate to players or keep a locker room from turning against you.
On the flip side, consider this: Reggie Theus' personal Web site is no more. The Kings coach has long had his own site highlighting all his accomplishments and updating his fans on all things Reggie (formerly www.reggietheus.com). I haven't asked him about it yet, but wonder if it could be an attempt to go low profile as he enters the final guaranteed season of his contract.
Addendum: I love the fact that the smiling mugshot on Musselman's blog is from a Kings news conference. Weren't there happier coaching times?
KEVIN MARTIN WEB SITE FINALLY UP AND RUNNING
For the K-Mart lovers out there, here's what you do: first, read Scott Howard-Cooper's thoughts on the shooting guard that will act as an exciting primer, then go visit Kevin Martin's official site. This thing was supposed to be active months ago, but better late than never. All kinds of good material and an edgy, high-tech feel that really works.
FREE BASKETBALL CLINIC IN OAK PARK
I'll remind you all again as it draws closer, but there will be a free basketball clinic in Oak Park on Sept. 20 featuring Martin, Bobby Jackson, Matt Barnes and local hoops guru/coach Guss Armstead.
I've copied and pasted the release below, for those looking for more info...
3rd ANNUAL OAK PARK CELEBRITY BASKETBALL CLINICBobby Jackson, Kevin Martin, Matt Barnes, and Guss Armstead Team Up to
Host Free Basketball Clinic in the Oak Park CommunitySacramento - Mark your calendars! Plans are in motion for the 3rd Annual Oak Park Celebrity Basketball Clinic. NBA player appearances include Kevin Martin, Matt Barnes and Bobby Jackson. The FREE Celebrity Basketball clinic is open to boys and girls, Kindergarten through High School of the Sacramento community for up to 150 children. The clinic, scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Dr. Ephraim Williams Family Life Center of Oak Park, will include guest appearances by Ruthie Bolten, and former Sacramento King's player, Harold Pressley.
This is Bobby Jackson's third year appearing at the clinic and he couldn't be more excited to kick off his Sacramento homing coming through the clinic. "I'm just hoping that we can go out there and be great role models, and hopefully make a difference in these kid's lives. Most kids don't have that avenue to attend these $300 or $400 camps. And to give that avenue to these kids is important," said Jackson.
Children attending the clinic spend the day learning basketball fundamentals, the importance of teamwork, and visiting a series of life skills station hosted by area celebrities and professionals. Stations include presentations by Advanced Student Connection, a Sacramento based college preparatory and basketball skills academy, 24 Hour Fitness' Hoopology Program with former Monarchs player Danielle Viglione, Marty McNeal of the Sacramento Bee, and Ruthie Bolten, Olympian and former Sacramento Monarchs player. Of course, kids also have the opportunity to spend time with Sacramento's NBA favorites; Bobby, Matt, and Kevin. Children will receive a t-shirt, lunch provided by Chipotle, thirst stations provided by Vitamin Water, photos, prizes, awards and mini basketballs.
- more -The Oak Celebrity Basketball Clinic was founded in 2006 by Professional Basketball Skills Trainer, Guss Armstead and Crystal Chodes, former Marketing Director to Basketball Town. Each summer, many basketball camps and clinics are provided to children throughout the Sacramento community. However, the high cost associated with these camps and clinics often prohibit many children and families who cannot afford this expense, from attending. It is the sincere hope of the clinic's founders as well as Bobby, Matt, and Kevin to provide a quality and educational basketball experience to deserving children. These friends have come together with the desire to create a basketball festival and all-inclusive atmosphere that fosters hope, goodwill and a spirit of giving back to the community that so passionately supports them.
# # #
The premise:
*Jerry Colangelo, the Team USA managing director, and Mike Krzyzewski, the Duke coach who ran the current team of pros, were proven right in constructing a roster loaded with perimeter players. That's Martin. Building off the success of Beijing, future teams should be heavy on guards and athletic wings, agile players who can shoot and pass and on defense disrupt the pick-and-roll schemes that ruined the Americans in the past. The international game is not the isolation game of the NBA.
*There will be turnover at guard from this '08 Redeem Team. We may not know for years exactly how much turnover, but it will happen. The aging process heading toward Turkey in 2010 -- party at Hedo's house! -- mandates change in the backcourt more than any place.
*Martin was put on the select team, the group of young players brought to Las Vegas in July to practice against the Beijing-bound stars. Think of it as a farm system. USA Basketball wants him in the loop.
Again, the next major international competition for the United States isn't for two years and it may take Colangelo and Coach K that long to get the champagne smell out of their clothes. Martin, among the many candidates, still has an entire 2008-09 of auditioning. But things broke very well for his candidacy.
Managing director -- The man who sets the tone and has the strongest voice in choosing a coach and players. Colangelo has been noncommittal about whether he wants to sign up for another tour. If he does, the job is his. He's earned it.
And if not? Two words.
Jerry. West.
The Logo is a perfect fit in so many ways. Great presence, respected within the NBA offices, and this is an NBA operation, unemployed and therefore able to devote the time.
Coach -- Same as Colangelo: let Krzyzewski come back if he wants to come back. But it won't happen. It never happens with Olympic coaches.
Gregg Popovich of the Spurs, an assistant at the 2004 Olympics, and Mike D'Antoni of the Knicks, an assistant this time, are the favorites. Both have extensive international experience, both are players' coaches who could properly balance driving a team with the understanding it's a summer job.
Players -- This is where it gets tricky.
The Redeem Team: Carlos Boozer, Jason Kidd, LeBron James, Deron Williams, Michael Redd, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Tayshaun Prince, Carmelo Anthony.
Redd, supposedly the designated shooter, played the second-fewest minutes. He won't be back. Kidd is 35 now. Ditto.
This is where it gets really tricky.
It is impossible to predict the next international step for Bryant -- he turned 30 on Saturday and, while it's easy to see him as a popular and marketable star in four years, it's also realistic that he will not want to make another lengthy commitment. Same goes for Wade. He's much younger, 26, but a lot of these guys may want their summers back. That will become the overriding consideration for most potential returnees.
That leaves James, Anthony, Paul and Williams as the youth among the wings, making them more likely to stay in the program. Plus, Nike will drag LeBron to London if that's what it takes. So there could be two openings (Redd and Kidd) or more, and no one is close to knowing the number. And then that number could shift if Colangelo / successor decide to add another big as insurance or because a guy like power forward Kevin Love is too good of an international fit (great passer, shooting range) to skip despite lacking the mobility of the others. Or maybe the play of Amare Stoudemire, Andrew Bynum or, for defense, Greg Oden demand their inclusion at center.
Here's the Martin competition for the moment, though, just among the wings and just on what we know now: Brandon Roy (front of the line), Kevin Durant, Andre Igoudala, Monta Ellis, Mike Miller, Rodney Stuckey, and O.J. Mayo and Derrick Rose (incoming rookies, but on the select team). Any change is possible depending on improvement, stumble and injury between now and Turkey, among that checklist or others who may emerge, but it's a good starting point.
Here are a few notes from today's news conference:
* Jackson's plan is still to play one to three years before getting into coaching.
"I'm not trying to get into it right now," Jackson said. "My main focus right now is basketball. Everyone knows what I want to do. I've played a long time and think I can do it. I have a lot of good qualities. I studied the game just like I played the game. I feel like I have a lot to offer on the coaching side."
* With his career timeline in focus, Jackson fielded questions on his legacy. What does he want to be remembered for after his playing days are over?
"A guy who played hard and took care of his family," he said.
* Speaking of family, Jackson and his wife are expecting their fifth child.
* Jackson will sign autographs at the California State Fair on Friday. The meet-and-greet is from 6-7 p.m. inside Building D, space 596.
* Below is video from today's news conference.
]]>But this is worth tracking.
The United States plays Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto and defending champion Argentina in the Olympic semifinals Friday at 7:15 a.m. California time. Bryant turns 30 on Saturday.
Actually, he turns 30 on Saturday in the aftermath of the heaviest workload of his career, 103 games and 4,055 minutes with the Lakers, from the start of the regular season to the end of the playoffs without missing a tip, and during a summer dramatically shortened by the Team USA schedule. And now he's got finger surgery pending.
The age thing is just a numbers milestone. Figure it will matter not at all. He was the best player in the league at 29 years and five or seven or nine months, so a few extra pages on the calendar won't change that much. If anything, a full season with Pau Gasol and a healthy Andrew Bynum, per the Lakers' hopes and dreams, would mean less heavy lifting for Bryant in 2008-09.
It's an interesting coincidence, though, Kobe crossing the threshold at the very moment he's being taxed more than ever.
He has an abbreviated summer. Mike Krzyzewski isn't exactly running anyone into the ground as the U.S. rolls through what will have to pass for competition -- LeBron James leads at 24 minutes a game, Bryant and Chris Paul are second at 21.5 -- but it has been a considerable time commitment nonetheless. Team USA opened camp in Las Vegas on July 21, practiced and played there, went to Macao, went to Shanghai, went to Beijing, and won't finish playing until Aug. 24.
He still has an operation pending on his right pinkie, an injury from February. He put off a corrective procedure to remain with the Lakers in the heated Western Conference race, then put it off to try and win a gold medal in Beijing amid incredible popularity in China. Surgery is expected sometime soon after the return to the United States and not cost him much of camp.
Long season, short summer, surgery, new season.
Good as ever?
1) When you tell your friends about this must-see web site address, you no longer have to take a breath in the middle before finishing. The previous lengthy URL has finally been shortened to a logical www.sacbee.com/kingsblog, so spread the word.
2) My apologies for allowing the Q&A portion of the site to become a Q&... We will be honing that feature leading up to the season and get back on track with answering your queries, but we (at least I) have a temporary solution to serve the same purpose. I'll be sure to browse the comments and look for questions I can answer directly there, so don't be surprised if you see myself or another of the hoops team joining the conversation.
Now back to your regularly scheduled blog browsing... - Sam Amick
Here are some notes from today's news conference:
* Theus hasn't watched much of the U.S. men's basketball team this summer, but that's not because he thinks they'll come home short of gold.
"That team can't be beat," Theus said. "That's a real basketball team. The team they had before wasn't. I have only watched a couple games, because I know the outcome."
* Video of the news conference was promised in a previous post. That video was shot and ready to go until the camera froze and turned itself off. The camera did not listen to my chants of "please save, please save."
A second effort will be launched Thursday for Bobby Jackson's news conference at 1 p.m. inside the Kings locker room.
* Theus is pretty familiar with Spanos Center. While coaching at New Mexico State, his Aggies played against Pacific and he vividly recalls his last trip to Stockton.
"We won in overtime," Theus said.
New Mexico State defeated the Tigers 79-69 in an overtime game Feb. 18, 2006 at Spanos Center.
Theus also remembers playing in Stockton in 1987 while a member of the Kings. When asked by a reporter at Wednesday's news conference if he remembered who he played against in that exhibition game, Theus chuckled as he retorted: "Do you remember where you were in 1987?"
Luckily, The Bee archives remember. The Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors 122-104 in front of an announced crowd of 3,791. Theus led the Kings with 25 points.
Want to read the original game story from 1987 that appeared in The Bee? Click the "continue reading" tab below.
Kings notebook -- Russell's ability to experiment with his front line was limited, as 7-foot center Jawann Oldham sat out the game with an inflamed tendon. . . . Guard Franklin Edwards, who has appeared in only one game this exhibition season -- a scoreless six-minute stint in the opener Oct. 18 -- missed his fifth consecutive game with ankle problems. . . . Pressley, whose broken nose is still healing, wore a protective mask for several minutes, then discarded it.
Prior to the game, the Warriors said they had reached a four-year agreement with holdout guard Terry Teagle, who had been a free agent. The Warriors' top reserve last season, Teagle will sign his contract today. . . . Warriors guard Henderson suffered a hip injury and didn't play in the second half. . . . The Warriors' lone victory in the exhibition season was a 101-86 decision over the Portland Trail Blazers Oct. 20 in Oakland. . . . The Kings will leave today for a two-day trip to Montana. The club plays the San Antonio Spurs Sunday afternoon in Shelby, then returns for its final preseason game Monday night at Shasta College in Redding against the Phoenix Suns.