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Sacramento Kings With Webber back, the Kings should be in the hunt again
Updated: Wednesday October 10, 2001 6:56 PM
By Marty Burns, CNNSI.com The Kings took a major step forward last year, nearly winning the Pacific Division and claiming the franchise's first playoff series victory in 20 years. Although they lost badly to the Lakers in the playoffs, they succeeded in establishing themselves among the NBA's elite. With the return of Chris Webber and the acquisition of point guard Mike Bibby, there is no reason to think they can't be back in the title hunt again in 2002. Webber spent much of the offseason flirting with the Knicks, Pacers and Rockets, among others, before deciding to re-sign with the Kings for $122 million over seven years. It should have been a no-brainer. The Kings have a strong cast in Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic, Doug Christie, Hedo Turkoglu and Bibby, and play a wide-open, fun style that suits Webber's vast skills.
The main priority at training camp will be to get Bibby, acquired in a trade with the Grizzlies for Jason Williams, comfortable running Sacramento's high-octane offense. Head coach Rick Adelman also will work on further improving the team's defense, which made great strides a year ago. The implementation of some zones might be in the cards. The Kings probably still lack the inside forces needed to crown the Lakers, but with Webber back in the fold, they can't be ruled out. After all, that's why they're paying him a King's ransom. Standout stat: 6.1 Improvement in points allowed by the Kings' defense in 2000-01. Sacramento's opponents averaged 102 points per game in 1999-00, but only 95.9 per game last year.
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