SF PEJA STOJAKOVIC
The most scrutinized groin in the world right now belongs to Kings forward
Peja Stojakovic. Stojakovic strained his groin last Friday as Sacramento beat the Lakers and has not played since. His availability for the start of the series is in question, and Stojakovic told Sacramento reporters that he wants to play it safe and not risk re-injuring himself. (Of course, declarations like that have been known to change under the glare of the playoffs before.) Obviously, the Kings need Stojakovic. 42-24 with him in the lineup this season, Sacramento is just 8-8 without him. One of those losses was the second meeting between the Sonics and Kings, when Stojakovic and
Chris Webber were both sidelined. After posting one of the best offensive seasons in recent memory in 2003-04, when he averaged 24.2 points and shot 48.0% from the field and 43.3% from 3-point range, Stojakovic slumped this year. Partially because of injuries and partially because of his issues sharing the ball with Webber, Stojakovic's numbers were down to 20.1 points per game, 44.4% from the field and 40.1% on 3s. Even his rebounding average dropped by two boards per game. The concern for the Sonics is that Stojakovic did seem to be getting going before his groin injury, averaging 23.6 points in five full April games. Before the injury, Stojakovic had 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting (including four 3-pointers) in eight minutes against the Lakers. On the other hand, Stojakovic has not stepped up in the playoffs, shooting only 37.6% from the field in the 2002 Playoffs and 38.4% last year. In between, Stojakovic did put together an outstanding playoff run in 2003, averaging 23.1 points and shooting 48.0% from the field. Arguably the league's best perimeter shooter, Stojakovic will also destroy inattentive defenders with his ability to move to the basketball, particularly going backdoor in the Kings Princeton-style offense. He has improved defensively, and his 6-10 size means the Kings think they'll miss him just as much defensively against
Rashard Lewis as offensively if Stojakovic is unable to play.
PF KENNY THOMAS
The centerpiece of the Kings return haul from Philadelphia in exchange for Webber,
Kenny Thomas has emerged as Sacramento's starting power forward. With the Kings, Thomas averaged 14.5 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 49.2% from the field, performance that helped minimize the blow of losing Webber. A year ago, Thomas averaged a double-double, and, like Sonics counterpart
Reggie Evans, Thomas is undersized (6-7) but still a fine rebounder. With the Kings, Thomas averaged 13.2 rebounds per 48 minutes - not in Evans' class, but still very good performance. On offense, Thomas' best asset is his mid-range jumper, which allows him to pull his defender away from the basket. That skill has fit in nicely with the Kings, who have the ability to create open looks for their big men by moving the basketball from side to side. That's been particularly problematic for the Sonics, and Thomas scored 20 points on 9-for-13 shooting in the teams' only meeting after the trade. Thomas is more of a liability defensively, where he doesn't have the speed and quickness to make up for his size disadvantage against most power forwards. Alas, the Sonics also lack big power forwards and don't really have the personnel to take advantage of Thomas.
Rick Adelman has spoken about playing Thomas some at small forward in Stojakovic's absence, and Lewis would have the ability to take Thomas outside and blow by him on the dribble or shoot over him.
F CORLISS WILLIAMSON
Did you know?
Corliss Williamson is the only player on either side who was around when the Kings and Sonics met in the 1996 Playoffs, playing two minutes. In between his two tours of duty with Sacramento, Williamson has played for three other teams, winning the 2001-02 Sixth Man Award while in Detroit. A starter in Sacramento the first time around, Williamson has found his niche off the bench since then, coming in to play both forward positions but primarily small forward. There, the 6-7, 245 Williamson is too much for many defenders to handle in the post. Those favorable matchups allowed Williamson to shoot 51.0% from the field in 2001-02 and 50.5% last year, though he was down to 46.7% this year. Damien Wilkins should be a solid matchup for Williamson for the Sonics, but his presence will keep them from using three-guard lineups off the bench. Williamson can be vulnerable to turnovers in the post. He's also a liability on defense, which is why he's used as a reserve against less potent offensive players. Despite his size, Williamson is only an average rebounder.
PF DARIUS SONGAILA
One of Kings President Geoff Petrie's best finds in recent years,
Darius Songaila was Boston's second-round pick (50th overall) in 2002. After an outstanding season with CSKA Moscow, Songaila was dealt to the Kings for the 56th pick of the 2003 Draft and Sacramento's second-round pick this June. In two seasons, he's quickly established himself as a fine reserve forward. In stereotypical European fashion, Songaila contributes mostly at the offensive end of the court. He has a very soft touch out to about 15 feet and shot 52.7% from the field this season, scoring 7.5 points per game. He's also a good passer for a power forward. Songaila has scored double-figures in each of the Kings last three matchups with the Sonics, and shot 69.0% against them this season. In the other areas of the game, Songaila's softness hurts them. He's a below-average rebounder and can be beaten in the post, though his defensive statistics are solid.
Continue to Centers
