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Kings living royally even without Webber
Addition of Miller, play of Stojakovic key latest surge
By Rich Hammond
Staff Writer
Chris Webber's salary comprises almost one quarter of Sacramento's team
payroll, but the Kings are doing just fine without their injured $15.9
million man.
Webber, recovering from June surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his
left knee, hasn't played this season, but his status is something of a
moot point these days, even in hoops-crazy Sacramento.
That's because without Webber, the Kings are 22-8, exactly where they
were a season ago, and Saturday's victory over the Clippers moved the
Kings ahead of the Lakers for the NBA's best record.
"We definitely miss Chris," Mike Bibby said. "The sooner he gets back,
the better. But when somebody goes down, the other people have to step
it up, and fortunately that's what happened here."
The Kings have hung tough without Webber, a five-time all-NBA selection,
because players such as Bibby, Brad Miller and Peja Stojakovic have made
moderate but crucial improvements. The Kings also have avoided the
widespread injury problems that hampered them last season.
A big reason for the Kings' success, in literal and figurative terms, is
Miller, the 7-foot center acquired from Indiana in July. Miller, with
his fourth team in six seasons, is on his way to a breakthrough year,
averaging 15 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
"The addition of Brad Miller has been very important," Stojakovic said.
"He has really adjusted to our system and he's been able to do a lot of
the same things Chris does for us. He's a scorer, but he's also a great
rebounder and passer. Brad's done a terrific job."
Miller isn't a prolific scorer as is Webber, who averaged 23 points last
season, but Miller's balanced game provides a strong complement to the
Kings' other big man, Vlade Divac.
Sacramento's excellent ball movement, notably from Divac and Miller,
has opened up the offense for Bibby and Stojakovic, both of whom have
accepted increased roles.
"It's a little easier to get things done in the regular season," Miller
said, "but when playoff time comes, we will definitely need Chris out
there. I'm excited just to see him practicing, because I haven't been
able to play with him yet.
"It's definitely been a challenge without Chris. When I came to
Sacramento, I didn't really know what to expect, other than that they
had been a dominating team and they played real well at home. Luckily
I've been able to fit in pretty well. But we need Chris."
Stojakovic, who scored 21 points in the Kings' 116-109 victory over the
Clippers on Saturday, averaged 19.2 points last season, but he's up to
24.9 this year. He is taking more shots, and making more of them -- with
a .496 field-goal percentage. Bibby's floor leadership has been invaluable
, and he also has improved his scoring and rebounding averages.
Those factors have the Kings averaging 104.5 points, up 2.8 from a season
ago.
Sacramento has won its 22 games by an average of 12.6 points but has yet
to play the Lakers. The first of the teams' four meetings takes place Jan.
16 at Arco Arena.
"When we pass and cut, we're pretty hard to defend, with the type of team
we have," coach Rick Adelman said.
The offensive numbers have been easier to maintain because, odd as it might
seem, the Kings are in good health now, even without Webber.
Besides Webber, the Kings' top six players have missed just two games
combined this season -- Bobby Jackson's one-game illness and Stojakovic's
one-game suspension.
Last season, Bibby, Jackson, Stojakovic and Divac combined to miss 62
games. Webber, who hasn't come close to a full healthy season in four
years, alsomissed15 games.
The Kings learned to win without Webber last season, but they aren't a
particularly deep team. Jackson is an excellent sixth man, but beyond him,
the Kings turn to Anthony Peeler and Tony Massenburg, and the combined
scoring averages forthe reserves are down significantly this season.
A December return was expected for Webber, but he just recently started
light practice, and no timetable for his return has been set. There's no
fretting in Sacramento; the Kings are getting by just fine.
"I can't say we feel very good without Chris," Stojakovic said, "because
no team feels good without their best player. With Chris, we've still been
able to do a lot of things, but without him we can't accomplish our goals,
which is to win the NBA championships. We need him back."
轉自http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~28541~1869299,00.html