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Kings vs. Suns
Thursday, October 11, 2007 – ARCO Arena
Kings fall 110-99
NBA Recap || Box Score

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The Kings and Suns put on a display of what preseason is all about Thursday night.

The two teams combined to play 26 players. Even in exhibition games, one team had to win, though it was clear the emphasis tonight was learning, getting different looks at multiple rotations and focusing on effort rather than who finished the game with the highest score. For the record, the Suns won 110-99 and both teams showed that they have room for improvement before the regular season tips-off at the end of the month.

"We never gave up," the Kings veteran Mikki Moore said following his three points, two steals and four rebound outing. "We put forth the effort throughout the whole game. We did what we wanted to do -- keep the ball out of the middle, but they shot well from the perimeter. They are a hard team to guard in transition and when they kick the ball to the corner because they have so many shooters. We'll use this as a stepping stone. We got a taste for (their game) in the preseason and now we'll know what to expect during the regular season."

Moore, who has admittedly struggled in his first two games, said that he and many of his teammates have struggled with having a flat shot due to their rigorous training in camp thus far.

"Our shots are not ready yet," Moore said. "A lot of guys haven't gotten their legs back, including me! All my jump shots are short. I'm pushing my shot with my arms instead of using my legs, but through the course of this preseason and as we get closer to the regular season, everybody's shot will be right and everyone will know exactly what their role on the team is...once we have a chance to recover from those two a days we'll be alright!"

While the Kings jumpers weren't as smooth as they would like them, the team still shot a respective 46 percent (39 for 85) from the field and 36 percent (8 for 22) from long range. The key for their shooting percentage was their ability to score in the paint as the Kings scored 46 of their 99 points in the paint.

The Kings were effective inside and the Suns were effective scoring outside. The Suns had four players make two or more long range shots and the team combined to hit 13 of its 26 three point attempts (50 percent).

“(Phoenix) led the league last year in three-point percentage, I believe, and they were in the mid-thirties," Coach Reggie Theus said. "They shot 50 percent from three tonight and that was impressive. Thirteen threes -- it’s tough to beat anybody with 13 three (pointers) and that also (helped get) them the 28 assists that they had."

The Kings and Suns both limited the action of all their players. The Kings player who saw the most minutes (24) was the aforementioned Moore. The Suns played fewer players (10) and had just one player (Boris Diaw) play more than 30 minutes.

Steve Nash and Kevin Martin did exactly what they are known for doing, dropping dimes and scoring respectively. Nash played just 26 minutes and dished out 11 assists and scored three points. Martin scored 17 points in 17-minutes and grabbed three boards.

Quincy Douby improved upon 11 point performance from the first preseason game. Douby knocked down seven of his 13 shots and scored 17 points in 19-minutes. He also grabbed four boards and nabbed two steals.

"He had a lot of minutes and put him in a situation where he was able to play freely," Theus said. "At that point, we were down and we were looking for people just to make plays. I was letting him call the offense. There were a couple times he settled for what the defense is gave him but he should take what he wants. And (same thing goes for) Cisco too.

"I thought when that (young) unit was out there they played hard and brought us back into the game. I also thought the crowd (helped bring us) back into it a little bit."

Coach Theus not only suggests the players learn from watching film to improve, but also suggests something that will remind the players of school.

"There are things about our team that we ought to fight through," Coach Theus said. "Holding the ball is one of them from an offensive standpoint. I mentioned to our guys, you take notes from some of the things you see. I know I did it as a player. You play against a guy who does something great -- you have to take notes on that and this is a team that moves the basketball. We have guys that are trying to make passes when a pass is not there."

So maybe the Kings first practice-free day of the preseason on Friday won't be all relaxation.

Well, at least not for Mikki Moore.

"I'm going to find a house!" Moore said with a smile. "I also have to take care of some other business, like get my car shipped out here! But I'm also going to get treatment, so I can get my legs back quicker so I can stop looking bad on the floor!"

Closing thought...

Coach Theus on playing 16 guys:

"I just really feel that guys work hard in camp and they deserve a chance to play. That’s just the bottom line. It’s preseason, that’s what it’s for. We won the other night. That’s great. I thought we played well the other night. It didn’t happen tonight and again it’s still preseason. And we still have a long way to go."

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