Those ugly stats

Not to belabor a loss that really doesn't matter, but a few stats suggest that the Kings defense still needs a complete overhaul and their offense definitely needs work. For example:
- Fastbreak points favored the D-Leaguers 19-5.
- Points in the paint also favored the D-Leaguers 56-44.
- The Kings allowed their opponents to shoot 59.1 percent.
- The Kings committed 19 turnovers to 12 assists, led by Tyreke Evans' three feeds off the bench. The rookie has had a terrific Summer League, but on Wednesday, was visibly limited by his injured right hand. He was tentative, passive, and tended to over dribble.
- The D-Leaguers scored 31 points in the final period, when Kings veterans Jason Thompson and Donte Greene were on the floor against Trey Johnson, Othyus Jeffries, Gary Forbes, etc.

What can you say?

This from a perplexed Kings rookie Omri Casspi, who has spent the last few years playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel: "We don't share the ball. I'm not used to that, but I guess I'll have to adjust." My suggestion? Please don't. Basketball remains a simple game. The D-Leaguers prevailed because they were unselfish, played with greater energy, pushed the ball, and, yes, shared the ball. They were a bunch of no-namers who were trying to garner some attention from NBA types and were absolutely fun to watch. The Kings? Not so fun to watch.

A few quick thoughts on the Kings

- I was disappointed that Evans was injured. Having only arrived in Las Vegas in time for Tuesday's Kings-Blazers scrimmage - which the rookie guard skipped because of the injury to his right index finger - I missed the chance to see what GM's, scouts, journalists, etc., have been talking about. The consensus among NBA types is that Evans has been the second-best player here, behind only Golden State's Anthony Randolph. The Warriors' athletic second-year forward has been scary good. He threw down a dunk Tuesday night that brought the crowd to its feet, prompting several of the Warriors on the bench to stand up and start humming the intro to ESPN.
- Greene has to start showing that he has an NBA game. While Thompson emerged from his funk Wednesday with 31 points, 10 boards and two blocks, definitely motivated to establish himself after his struggles in previous games, his fellow second-year teammate scored eight points and collected five boards, but never imposed his presence on the opposition. With his size and athleticism, Donte should have been a much more dominating presence. If I were the Kings, I'd be worried.
- Casspi's game increasingly is looking to be that of a point forward. He is a high-energy performer who loves to penetrate and find teammates (charges too often, though), runs the floor, finishes plays, and what I probably like most: he pursues rebounds and quickly advances the ball. He has to calm down, though, and improve his conditioning. Similar to Evans, he definitely plays with an edge, and isn't shy about contact.
- I trust the instincts of my colleague Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times, a longtime chronicler of the NBA and a prominent figure in David Halberstam's classic, "The Breaks of the Game." Two summers ago at the pre-draft gathering in New York, Kelley insisted that Spencer Hawes' talents were both misrepresented and underappreciated. In retrospect, I am in complete agreement. If Spencer continues to develop and becomes more physical, I believe he has the potential to rank among the league's top tier centers. But Kelley hasn't sold me on Kings second-round pick (No. 38) Jon Brockman, Hawes' former college teammate at Washington. I appreciate the 6-foot-7 Brockman's effort, desire and professionalism, but he was dominated by his D-League opponents earlier tonight, especially in the opening quarter, and that's discouraging. I can't get beyond his size. He's only 6-foot-7. I hope I'm wrong, but unless he shows more, I suspect he will have a nice career in Europe.

Gates has coached the Idaho Stampede since 2006, although he was with the organization in various roles as early as 1997. His Stampede team won the 2008 D-League championship.

While Gates was being considered for an assistant job almost immediately after Westphal was hired on June 9, his name wasn't called when the Kings coach added Mario Elie, Jim Eyen, and Truck Robinson to his staff in the subsequent weeks. Gates, however, indicated to News2 in Boise, Idaho that he still believed he had a chance.

"I feel very comfortable with everything that's happened," he told the television station. "They've been very up front and honest about everything and I'm okay...
"I love the Stampede, everybody treats us great. I don't really want to leave. It's going to have to be a great pasture on the other side."

Gates has already been spending some time on the other side, watching Monday's Kings game with Westphal and much of his staff before interviewing with the head coach on Tuesday. Former Clippers coach/director of player development Neal Meyer was among the candidates for the job as well. - Sam Amick

--Jason Jones

Sure enough, the Idaho Stampede coach met with Westphal in Las Vegas to discuss an assistant post on Tuesday. Westphal told The Bee's Jason Jones in Vegas that he would be adding one more coach to the staff, although he did not indicate who that would be. And while my sources tell me that former Clippers assistant/director of player development Neal Meyer is also in the running (as well as at least one other candidate, I believe), Gates is already looking the part.

I didn't notice this until a day after it came out, but our own Jose Luis Villegas captured this shot of Gates already looking the part of Kings assistant at summer league Monday while watching the action with Westphal and other Kings folks. He's the one in the light blue shirt on the left.

And for what it's worth, Meyer is working with Cleveland this summer league in Vegas and is a candidate to be added to the staff of Cavs head coach/fellow University of San Diego alum Mike Brown. Meyer worked with new Kings assistant Jim Eyen with the Clippers previously.

HAWES ON MISSING SUMMER LEAGUE: "It's...more of a suggestion-type thing rather than a requirement."

So third-year center Spencer Hawes missed summer league, and we'd been hearing a number of reasons for why that was the case.

But thanks to Bob Nakutin from Hoquiam, Wa., who e-mailed to alert us that the rumor about Hawes keeping his commitment to attend a kids camp was true. Hawes was the featured guest at Hoquiam High School, where his mother, Lisa Reynvaan Hawes, was a 1974 graduate. Per this story from "The Daily World" in Aberdeen, Wa., we discover Hawes' whereabouts and hear his take on missing summer league. I'm not too sure this will clear his name with the Kings higher-ups. - Sam Amick

***

Donté Greene wants a time machine.

He said as much last week in Las Vegas, where the process of improving his game for the future continued at summer league but the Kings second-year small forward couldn't help but look back. During a long and candid interview inside his Palms hotel that resulted in Sunday's piece on his life and still-stalling career, Greene talked about a number of things that didn't make the story.

But the part about wanting to turn back time stuck with me the most, as even the most candid of athletes typically steer clear of admitting regret. Yet Greene didn't hesitate at all, discussing his decision to leave Syracuse after just one season and wondering what might have been if he had stayed. To review, he was drafted by Memphis with the 28th pick and traded to Houston that night before coming to the Kings in the August trade that netted the Rockets Ron Artest.

"It's been a long road, a lot of shoulda, coulda, wouldas," Greene said. "I wish I would've done this, wish I would've done that, wish I had me a time traveling machine. All kinds of crazy stuff. My family has definitely been there, told me to hang in there. It's just been a lot of tough things going on and off the court with me.

"I don't know," Evans said. "I'll just keep icing it and getting treatment and go from there."

Evans said he injured his finger on Monday when Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings hit his hand while knocking the ball away.

--Jason Jones

--Jason Jones

But as you might imagine, Tyreke Evans vs. Brandon Jennings was fun to watch.

Statistically, Evans was the dominant player. He finished with 33 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, but also had seven turnovers.

Jennings had 13 points, 14 assists and seven steals with four turnovers.

Evans was able to stay in front of the speedy and quick Jennings for the most part defensively. Jennings was able to use his quick hands to force a couple of turnovers.

Below is some video of Kings coach Paul Westphal discussing Evans' play and Evans commenting on his game and how his finger feels after a hard fall.

*I hear Spencer Hawes could be in town today to watch his teammates, but not play in the Kings final two games.

*The Kings will work out forward Sean May today. May is in town looking noticeably slimmer. The Kings are still in the market for another post player and May is trying to salvage what was a non-descript career in Charlotte.

*The Kings scrimmage the Blazers tonight at 6 p.m. I'll check in from there. And I'll tweet away during some of the other Summer League action. Follow me at twitter.com/jejones_sacbee.

I also have some leftover tidbits from Mario Elie that I didn't use yesterday. I plan to get that information out today.

--Jason Jones

Evans has done some of that in tonight's game against Milwaukee, taking advantage of the smaller and very talkative Brandon Jennings.

So far, Jennings has been outclassed, with an emphasis on class.

Nevermind that Evans has already posted up Jennings and earned as assist by finding Jason Thompson open for a jump shot. Or that Evans scored easily on the block against Jennings.

Jennings showed some of the immaturity he was criticized for having before the draft when after missing a shot on which he thought he was fouled, Jennings tripped Thompson.

Thompson only offered a stern glare, but has not retaliated.

--Jason Jones

Kings second-year forward Jason Thompson talks about his play...

Kings rookie small forward Omri Casspi discusses his summer league experience thus far...

- Sam Amick

It meant there was a delay on a number of fronts, including my intent to share information about how fans can view the summer league games. It's online only viewing this year, with a $14.99 fee granting you access to all of the games either live or in archived form. Even if you missed the Kings' first two games (or any others), you can pull them up after the fact. For those interested in doing so, go to this website to sign up.

Also, for those who aren't already on our Twitter path, click here to start the stalking and follow Kings and NBA chatter. - Sam Amick

As promised the other day, Rabbi Bob Taff of the Mosaic Law Congregation generously chatted on his cell phone a few minutes ago as his tour group of 21 Sacramentans rode on a bus through windy hills in central Israel Friday morning. And, yes, the weary travelers met up with members of Omri Casspi's family shortly after they arrived in Tel Aviv Tuesday evening. In Rabbi Taff's own words: "We arrived about 45 minutes early, and we immediately boarded the bus. I surprised everybody and told them where we were going. They didn't know. The Casspis live in Yavne, a bedroom commuity outside Tel Aviv. When we got there, they were outside the house waitinng for us. It was Omri's father (Shimon), his mother (Ilana). his brother (Eitan), and his sister (Aviv). They invited us into their home, and then we went outside and had refreshments and cold snacks in the back yard. Shimon brought out bottles of wine. Later, I had the kids from each family give them one of the Kings shirts, with Omri's name, and the number on the back. (Rabbi Taff bought these at the team store in Arco Arena) Then the families took a photo with the Casspis ... We were there almost two hours. They were so engaging, so down to earth. I think they were delighted to make the connection with people from Sacramento because they really don't know that much about the city. But there is no question they are thrilled about this opportunity, and the people in Israel are all excited. They told me that after Omri was drafted, people started coming to their house, leaving hundreds of bouquets of flowers on the sidewalk in front of their house. We just had a wonderful time."

Other offerings from the Rabbi
* Omri's brother, Eitan, plans to move here with Omri. (I have also heard that Ilana Casspi has been inquiring about Sacramento high schools for Aviv, who is a promising 16-year-old basketball star in her own right).
* Family members are not observant Jews in a religious sense, but Omri's parents want their son to observe the High Holy days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Sept. 18-28). "I'm sure he'll have to diplomatically make the rounds of the local synagogues," Taff added, with a chuckle.
* Asked the size of the Jewish population in Sacramento, the Rabbi said estimates are between 23,000 and 30,000. "Nobody really knows," he added. "There hasn't been a Jewish population study in 15 years."

Casspi cleared to play

Meanwhile, now that Casspi has received his letter of clearance from FIBA, basketball's international governing body, the small forward will make his unofficial Kings debut against the Detroit Pistons on Friday in the Las Vegas Summer League. From what my Bee colleague Sam Amick tells me, the rookie small forward is so geeked he'll probably turn the ball over, say, half a dozen times in the first half. imagine if he can play?

Now The Bee has officially arrived on location as it pertains to the blogosphere. But before we get to first day video interviews with all of the team's draft picks, a few additional tidbits of relevance.

* Regarding Hawes, the reasons for him not playing that I've heard include a wedding he attended, a camp he had to make an appearance at, a groin that was bothering him and an abdominal strain that bothered him last year and was apparently a tad touchy again recently. I haven't spoken to Hawes, but Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie cited only a "family commitment" and coach Paul Westphal referenced something with his "leg" as well as other personal matters.

Petrie said he has not spoken directly to Hawes about the matter. And for the record, he said he was unsure whether Hawes might play when he arrives Monday. Westphal said he didn't expect Hawes to play, and that he was coming to offer his teammates support.

His longtime friend, former University of Washington teammate and new Kings teammate Jon Brockman, meanwhile, said no one should question how hard Hawes has been working on his game elsewhere.

"I've been working out with him almost every day in Seattle," Brockman said after Wednesday's second practice. "He just had some other stuff going on that he could not miss, and I think he's a little banged up just from - he's been working really hard.
"He's been working really hard in the weight room and on the court, so you know I'm a little disappointed (he's not here) but I think we'll get a chance to see him here at some point. I think he'll be down here in a little bit."

Now on to the videos...

Tyreke Evans, the former Memphis guard who was taken No. 4 overall by the Kings in the June 25 draft, discusses his first day on the job. That day included the signing of his contract.

Brockman, who was taken 38th overall and impressed in his first day, talks about how he went 7-0 in the day's scrimmages.

Omri Casspi, the Israeli small forward who was kept off the court because of red tape, talks about his anticlimactic start.

- Sam Amick

Led by unofficial tour director Rabbi Reuven "Bob" Taff, 21 members of Sacramento's Mosaic Law Congregation are en route to Israel for a 10-day trip that will include a visit with Omri Casspi's famiy at his home outside Tel Avis. Although the rookie forward is in Sacramento preparing to play for the Kings in the Las Vegas Summer League, with practices beginning Wednesday, his parents extended an invitation to the groups after learning of their plans through a mutual friend. "I have a friend over there who happens to be close with Omri's father," said Taff, "and he made the arrangements. Ilana (Casspi's mother) initially said she wanted to cook for us, but I said, 'no, no, that's too much trouble.' So we settled on light refreshments. We'll go over there after we land in Tel Aviv about 6. p.m., Tuesday. We asked everyone in our group to bring a Kings T-shirt. One family even designed their own T-shirts with a Kings logo intertwined with the star of David, and Omri's jersey number (18) in Hebrew. I also went to Arco Arena and had four shirts made - the ones they had at the rally that say, 'New Kings on the Block." We're going to present the shirts to Omri's parents (Shimon and Ilana) and his sister (Aviv) and brother (Eitan) when we get there. This is such a historic moment for the state of Israel. If Omri has an impact ... it would be incredible."

The rangy 6-foot-9 Casspi, a small forward who played for Maccabi Tel Aviv before the Kings selected him with the second of their two first-round picks (23rd overall) in the recent NBA Draft, will become the first Israeli to play in the NBA. Taff, who says the size of his bi-annual travel groups had been almost halved because of the economy, expects a sizable representation from the Jewish community at the Kings home opener. "I don't think there's any doubt about that," he added. "They take their basketball very seriously in Israel."

We'll catch up with Taff and the weary travelers after they meet with the Casspi family on Tuesday. Hopefully, we'll have some photos from the scene. Meantime, here's a quick glimpse of the Sactown adventurers. (Rabbi Taff is in the pink shirt).

Hedo Turkoglu is one of the most amiable, easy-going players you'll ever meet. He would be happy playing on Mars, Pluto or Saturn, which is why his decision to recant his verbal acceptance of a five-year, $50 million deal from the Portland Trail Blazers leads one to believe that his wife was a major factor in the about-face. ESPN's Ric Bucher is reporting that Turkoglu, who was very popular during his three seasons with the Kings, in fact reneged on his agreement with the Blazers because his wife, Banu, preferred that the couple relocate to Toronto, an international city with a sizable Turkish community. Plus, living in the East cuts the roundtrip visits back to Istanbul almost in half. While I haven't spoken to Hedo in a few weeks, when we chatted before his former Orlando Magic lost to the Lakers in the NBA Finals, he mentioned that family considerations would be a large factor in his free agency. His daughter, Ela, was born in February. I think Bucher is probably right. I feel badly for Hedo, though, because his reputation is going to take a hit for taking the Blazers for a ride. (Think Carlos Boozer). Well, at least he will be well-compensated. He is expected to earn an additional $3 million from the Raptors.