COACH: Rick Adelman | 2004-05: 50-32
Sacramento Kings

Abdur-Rahim gives the Kings another offensive weapon.
Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Images
Video: NBA TV previews the 2005-06 Kings
Before you had a chance to call the Kings' run as one of the best teams in the West over, they had the kind of off-season that can put them right back on top. With the additions of Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Bonzi Wells to the starting lineup, the Kings should have no problems scoring points. Add Abdur-Rahim and Wells to Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic and Brad Miller, and you have probably the most offensively potent starting lineup in the league.

Abdur-Rahim, who has always put up great numbers but never had much talent around him, should get his first taste of the playoffs with the Kings. His career mark of eight rebounds per game will certainly help the team that was outrebounded by 1.9 boards per game (sixth worst in the league) last season. Wells will likely be happier with more playing time then he saw in Memphis. The only question may be how the two new starters fit in with the Kings’ motion offense. Neither is know for their passing and both are more comfortable in isolation situations.

Bibby is the anchor of the team, not the most flashy or high-profile point guard in the game, but a very good shooter and a steady presence on a roster that has seen a lot of turnover. At 28 years old, Stojakovic is a former MVP candidate in his contract year. His scoring dropped from 24.2 to 20.1 points per game and his shooting percentage fell from .480 to .444 last season. The pressure will be on him to return to his old form and prove that he can lead this new group deep into the playoffs.

Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner, all acquired in last season's Chris Webber deal, give the Kings solid depth on the frontline. The addition of Jason Hart gives them a true point guard off the bench, something they really haven't had, which should help Bibby. Second year guard Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia, selected No. 23 in the 2005 Draft, give the Kings a nice combination of perimeter offense and defense in their second unit.

It was a "down year" in Sacramento last season, but the Kings still won 50 games. With the new additions, they could certainly improve on that and move back up to the top of the Western Conference.

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All Eyes on the Knee

Abdur-Rahim
Everyone in both Sacramento and New Jersey will be keeping a close eye on Abdur-Rahim's health over the next couple of years. As part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Blazers, Abdur-Rahim had agreed to a six-year contract with the Nets early this summer. Scar tissue discovered in his right knee scared the Nets off though and he signed with the Kings three days later. Did the Nets make the right decision? Did the Kings take a big risk? Only time will tell. In addition to proving that he's in good health, Abdur-Rahim must also prove that he can contribute to a winning team. He is the active career leader with 672 games played without a playoff appearance.

269
THE STAT
The Kings have sold out 269 consecutive games at Arco Arena.
X&O STRENGTH

Stojakovic
Out are Bobby Jackson, Cuttino Mobley and Greg Ostertag and in are Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Bonzi Wells, Jason Hart and Francisco Garcia... This is Abdur-Rahim’s fourth NBA team. Is this the place he will finally excel like we all have all been waiting for?... Peja Stojakovic will continue to average 20 plus points and 40-plus percent from the three-point line... Mike Bibby should assert him self more offensively this season.

X&O WEAKNESS
This team has never defended consistently and I don’t think they will start now with the new group of players coming in... The NBA's second highest scoring team won’t go far in the playoffs if they can’t stop anybody... Other than Stojakovic and Bibby, who on a consistent basis will give you something?

HEAD COACH PHILOSOPHY
Rick Adelman has a creative offensive mind and every time everyone thinks he should be exiled, he keeps winning. The Maloofs are loyal to him, but this is a wait and see year. He is a real pro guy in that he will run the turn-out series, the high pick and roll series, he’ll do his back screens. He won’t leave much to chance. And as an ex-player, he won't put them in a system where they aren’t free to express themselves.
-- Don Casey (courtesy of the National Basketball Coaches Association)

Mike Bibby: Will put up better numbers and might get overlooked.
The bench: None of the Kings' back-ups have any fantasy value.
"I've always liked Shareef, but every place he's gone, they've had problems, and I'm not sure why. It will be interesting to see if they can turn him into that high post player that Webber was. Miller is solid, but the biggest difference for them has been the absence of Webber and Vlade, and their ability to handle the ball and pass in the high post... They play in a crazy building. That building is probably worth 25 wins a season alone... They have an interesting mix. They're one of those teams that has to outscore you. They're in that 7-10 range in the West along with the Lakers."
-- Eastern Conference scout
PLAYER/2004-05 STATS
PPG
RPG
APG
PG
19.6
4.2
6.8
SG
10.4
3.3
1.2
SF
20.1
4.3
2.1
PF
16.8
7.3
2.1
C
15.6
9.3
3.9
G
9.5
2.7
5.0
G
2.9
1.3
0.5
F
4.8
5.7
0.9
F
12.4
7.3
2.1
F
10.3
3.6
1.1
F
Free agent
G
Draft
G
Trade
G
Free agent
F-C
Free agent
F
Trade
G-F
Trade
G
Free agent
G
Free agent
G
Trade
G
Free agent
C
Trade
F
Free Agent
PPG
20.1
RPG
9.3
APG
6.8
SPG
1.55
BPG
1.72
Points Scored
103.7
(2nd)
Points Allowed
101.6
(26th)
Field-Goal Percentage
.459
(7th)
Opponents' FG%
.459
(23rd)
Rebounding Diff.
-1.90
(25th)
Nov. 1 at New Orleans/Oklahoma City (8:00 p.m. ET)
Oklahoma City gets its first taste of regular season NBA basketball as the Kings visit on opening night.
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Radio: KHTK 1140 AM
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