Barkley: With Artest the Kings Could Win the West

TNT analyst Charles Barkley likes the Sacramento Kings chances in the reshaped Western Conference if they can trade Peja Stojakovic for Ron Artest.

"Ain't no moves under the radar, buddy. I'll tell you what: If Sacramento will trade Peja Stojakovic for Ron Artest, they could win the West. They need that defensive element. They need that. They don't need the offense. I would do that trade yesterday. That's a great trade for Sacramento. I don't know what they're holding up."

Via NBA.com

Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers

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Turkoglu Was Last Year's Highest Rated Player by Sagarin and Westin

Based on a ratings system developed by Jeff Sagarin and Wayne Winston, the NBA equivalent of Bill James and Rob Neyer, Hedo Turkoglu was the highest rated player last season.

Factored in are stuff such as chasing loose balls, taking charges and playing off-ball defense, intangibles overlooked by most traditional stats.

Sagarin is known as the father of USA Today's computer college-football ratings. Winston is an Indiana University professor and a past Jeopardy! champ. They were math whizzes years ago at MIT and combined their love of computers, statistics and sports.

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and star of the telvision show 'The Benefactor,' was a student in Winston's math class at Indiana. When they ran into each other at a Mavs' game four years ago, Cuban asked Winston how his team could be improved.

Winston had an epiphany while lounging at his Dallas hotel pool, and the "Winval" rankings system was born. It is modeled after hockey's plus-minus system, in which players are evaluated on how their team performs when they are on the ice.

It's not surprising that Turkoglu admired the all-around game of the recently retired Scottie Pippen, "because he can do so many things and hurt you in many ways. He did more things for his team than just score."

Finishing behind Turkoglu on this list were Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Brad Miller and Manu Ginobili.

Via Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings

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Kings to Adelman: Earn Your Next Contract

The Sacramento Kings were both cautious and noncommittal to coach Rick Adelman's request for an extension as he enters the final year of his contract, the Sacramento Bee is reporting. Kings management want Adelman to prove that he is still the right man for the job in Sacramento before a new contract will be offered in light of recent rumblings from within the player's ranks.

Sagas surrounding the likes of Peja Stojakovic, Chris Webber and now-Laker Vlade Divac have dominated the headlines for the Kings this offseason, but that aside there is no doubting that Adelman has been able to turn the franchise around in his seven years at the helm in California, shattering most franchise marks for regular-season and playoff victories.

"I certainly feel our staff deserves that nod of recognition, a little security," Adelman told The Bee last week.

"Rick and I have talked," said Petrie, speaking slowly, and visibly uncomfortable, "but that conversation will stay between us. He has a contract."

Via Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings

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