Kingly appearance: versatile big man Brad Miller fits right in with his slick-passing Sacramento teammates, but he's the reason the team might be just different enough to finally win a championship

"Everybody knows how he feels," says center Vlade Divac. "It's frustrating for him, but he has to slow down. We need him ready, 100 percent."

A January return has been ruled out. Once Webber comes back, he will have less than three months before the postseason to readjust to playing. More important, his team must readjust to him. The Kings have been successful with Peja Stojakovic as the primary scorer and with Brad Miller and Divac teaming in the middle. When Webber returns, will he take back the mantle as the team's leading scorer? Who goes to the bench, Divac or Miller? The Kings will have precious little time to settle those situations.

Divac has said he'll willingly go to the bench (though some around the organization doubt it), and if Webber is able to lead the Kings in scoring from the post, it's ideal for the team. Either way, controversy is unlikely. "I have been here six years," Divac says, "and there has not been one problem in the locker room."--S.D.

E-mail staff writer Sean Deveney at sdeveney@sportingnews.com.

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