Kings Notes: Frontcourt Mates Working To Shake Rust Before Season

The potential is there.

A slimmer Brad Miller at center, next to a lengthy and active Mikki Moore in the paint. The combination gives the Kings scoring options down low and plenty of passing ability, albeit with the disclaimer that the wing players need to help rebound.

But the performance isn't matching the potential quite yet.

The pinpoint passes Miller is known for are a bit off target, while Moore has struggled to keep pace during some game action. The frontcourt duo had five turnovers apiece in the exhibition-opening win over Seattle on Tuesday, then combined for five more turnovers in Thursday's loss to Phoenix.

And while one would be hard pressed to wipe the smile off either player's face -- Miller because he's enjoying life without the 25 pounds he lost in the offseason and Moore because he's just the cheery type -- Kings coach Reggie Theus is looking for more. Like Rick Adelman and Eric Musselman before him, Theus will rely on Miller's passing skills but expects to see a refined version come November.

"On the court so far, he's moving well," Theus said. "I think his timing has not been very good. He's trying passes right now that are not there. He sees them, and they're not there. "Defensively, he's busting his (butt), really getting after it. He's trying to be in the right spots."

Miller disputes none of it -- the critique of himself or the 31-year-old Moore. The braided big man, who signed a three-year contract worth $17 million during the offseason, has been candid, admitting that the pressure that comes with his deal has been on his mind. He's tallied a combined seven points and five rebounds in 49 minutes.

"Once he gets his (darn) legs in normal shape, he'll be all right," Miller said. "He's an old guy like me. It takes us a while to get our legs underneath us on our shots and timing."

Theus said Moore's conditioning has been an issue.

"I think Mikki struggled the first two games, and I think his conditioning is average," Theus said. "Right now, I think part of his problem is he's tired. He's pressing. ... All of that comes from not being in the best condition possible. Some of that doesn't have anything to do with what he's done here, but with what he did before he got here this summer."

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source : sacbee.com