ANALYZING STARTERS:
G Beno Udrih may have played well enough to inspire the Kings to give him a five-year, $32 million deal over the summer, but he must now prove that he's worth it. The move was met with much criticism from the team's fan base, as Udrih's reputation as injury-prone has caused some concern that he will inevitably miss major parts of every season. G Kevin Martin can no longer flourish in anonymity. With Ron Artest gone, he will need to carry much of the scoring load and perhaps even improve on his 23.7 points per game that was good for sixth in the league in the 2007-08 season.
F John Salmons has the chance he always wanted. In his first five seasons in Philadelphia and Sacramento, he had a new coach every year and struggled to flourish in the presence of larger-than-life teammates Allen Iverson and Ron Artest. Now, he has the starting job he so badly coveted and is entering his second season with coach Reggie Theus.
F Mikki Moore has much to play for, as his contract that ends after next season only includes $2 million of his $6.2 million salary guaranteed. With the likes of rookie forward and No. 12 pick Jason Thompson, fourth-year forward Shelden Williams and veteran forward Kenny Thomas at his position and the emphasis on grooming young talent, Moore must convince Theus to let him retain his role.
C Brad Miller looks ready to turn in another productive campaign just as he did in 2007-08. Despite the reality that he will miss the first five games of the season due to breaking the league's drug policy, he returned to training camp just as fit as he did a year ago. The fear from the organization that he may have reverted to the heavier version of the 2006-07 campaign is no more.
ANALYZING KEY RESERVES:
G Bobby Brown will back up Beno Udrih at the point. His up-tempo style may earn him minutes as he pushes the ball a fair amount more than the incumbent starter.
G/F Francisco Garcia is coming off a breakout year and has every opportunity to take another significant step. His versatility, outside range and leadership make him the team's most valuable reserve.
C Spencer Hawes has long since been tagged as the center of the future. This is his season to continue learning from Brad Miller and making major strides that -- in the Kings' best-case scenario -- would see him pushing for the starting job before season's end. On Oct. 16, the team exercised the option for 2009-10 in Hawes' contract.
F Jason Thompson is seen as NBA-ready and should see substantial time. Having logged four seasons at Rider University, he showed at summer league in July that he could score and rebound against talent on the next level.
MEDICAL WATCH:
G Quincy Douby (sprained right ankle) has played just eight exhibition minutes in four games because of a sprained right ankle. The third-year guard turned the ankle in training camp and isn't expected to play on Friday night at Houston and will be day-to-day thereafter.
G/F Francisco Garcia (sore left foot) will not play on Friday night at Houston. His injury is not considered serious.
