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Kings' Victory Is Ugly: Rookies Learn The Hard Way By Martin McNeal, Bee Staff Writer (Published Jan. 31, 1999)

OAKLAND -- Jason Williams got stripped. Jerome James got banged. Chris Webber got booed.

Peja Stojakovic continued to make shots and showed he can rebound, too.

And the Kings got another victory.

It won't count in the standings, but Sacramento again showed that it could win ugly, at least against Golden State, prevailing 89-85 Saturday night before an announced full house of 19,596 at the New Arena.

The second and final exhibition game for both teams was another study in turnovers. The clubs combined to commit 42, 23 by the Kings, and again looked as if they had just put their teams together and started playing.

"We have," Warriors guard Muggsy Bogues said. "You just can't get together for seven days and then expect everything to go all right."

That's doubly true for Williams and James. Saturday's game provided the Kings' 1998 draft choices with important experience.

Williams could not draw on anything in his matchup with the 5-foot-3 Bogues. Williams had no problems getting past Bogues. Unfortunately and unknowingly for the rookie, that was when his problems were just beginning.

Twice he darted past the lightning-quick Bogues, only to realize he didn't know where the veteran was. By the time Williams found out, Bogues had the ball and was headed in the opposite direction. One of those steals came with the Kings leading 85-80 and only 1:30 remaining.

Asked if he had ever faced anyone like Bogues, Williams said, "Never in my life. I got by him and didn't know where he was. It took a little while, but I saw that he baits you into that. He wants you to get by him. I learned my lesson."

In the locker room afterward, Williams sat next to veteran guards Terry Dehere and Vernon Maxwell, both of whom had much love and understanding for the rookie.

"Hey, he got me, too, the first time," Maxwell said as Dehere chimed in with a personal nod.

Bogues said that's what he does.

"I'm low to the ground, and it's something I've been doing all my life," said Bogues, who had 12 assists and only one turnover. "I want to keep pressure on guys because most guys don't like the pressure."

The pressure was more physical for James, who battled veteran Terry Cummings. James picked up the first of his five fouls attempting to retaliate after one of Cummings' blows.

James played 12 minutes, grabbed four rebounds, blocked a shot, scored five points and gained a double-digit amount of knowledge.

"He was hitting me, but I respect that," James said. "Hey, he's a seasoned veteran and I'm just a rookie. I'm just glad to be on the court with a guy I grew up watching and emulating."

Cummings wasn't exactly sure what the kid's name was, but he said he thought he would be all right.

"Is that the kid I was hitting?" Cummings replied when asked for his impressions of James. "He's got a big body. He's a big kid. I think he'll be all right."

Cummings was asked if James had complained about the banging.

"He was too busy trying to hit back," he said.

Webber began his career in Oakland playing for the Warriors but forced a trade in 1994 after clashing with then-coach Don Nelson. Webber was booed during pregame warmups as well as every time he touched the ball. But he said he likes returning to the Bay Area.

"I was glad to be back and see some friends and the No. 4 jerseys in the stands," said Webber, who had 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes. "Oakland always has a special place in my heart."

In the fourth quarter, Stojakovic helped the Kings establish a lead they needed every bit of. He struggled early with his shooting but made 5 of 6 shots in the fourth to score 13 of his 15 points.

"He can shoot the (bleep) out of the ball," Corliss Williamson said of Stojakovic, who also had nine rebounds. "He may have been hot (Thursday). Then he was hot as hell in practice (Friday) and then he comes out (Saturday) and does it again. I think he can shoot."