Argentina - Kings' Nocioni is all business, not buddy-buddy

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Kings small forward Andres Nocioni and San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili stood on the AT&T Center floor Saturday night, two Argentines catching up before tipoff.

There was a visible bond, a mutual respect rooted not only as countrymen but in the similar ways in which they approach the game. But there was also the halfcourt line running between them, a symbolic separator of sorts that created a far more literal scene than necessary.

It's obvious they are living in vastly different basketball worlds.

Give Nocioni some truth serum and he'd tell you he wants to compete now, to play the role of beloved reserve on a roster like the Spurs' that is loaded with championship-caliber talent. His strengths would be lauded – the frenetic pace at which he plays, the penchant for agitating opponents' key players, the occasional offensive breakout by way of a slashing game and capable outside shot. His weaknesses would be overlooked – the lack of athleticism, speed or polish.

But Nocioni isn't on any such team, having been traded from the playoff-bound Chicago Bulls to the lottery-land Kings in February. And until that changes, he'll make the best of the situation.

"I'm 30 years old, so I want to do something," said Nocioni, who reaches that milestone later this month. "It's tough to be rebuilding again, but if I need to do it, it's my job. Sacramento and the NBA pay me to play games and improve the team. So if I need to do it, then I do it."

He doesn't pretend it's easy, though. The impassioned player is the transparent type, his highs and lows expressed on his face for all to see during practices and games. He cringes when a young player doesn't execute a play, throws his hands up if nobody sees he has the open shot, and sometimes grinds on teammates with his passive-aggressive ways on the floor.

He can also be equally ecstatic. In Friday's 97-92 loss at New Orleans, he scored 16 points off the bench and reveled in the physicality of the game. Kings players were flying everywhere – going for loose balls, rebounds, second-chance baskets – with Nocioni and rookie Jon Brockman setting the tough-guy tone. For once, his style matched that of the Kings.

Nocioni insists that's all it will take to keep him happy this season. And, no, he no longer plans to share any doubts and concerns about the Kings with an Argentinian publication, as he did shortly after his arrival.

"Last year was really tough," Nocioni said. "It was the first trade of my career, and in the middle of the season change teams, to see new teammates and try to find my place was hard. Right now is much better for me."

The adjustments haven't been easy off the court, either. Nocioni keeps to himself while preferring the company of his wife and two young boys. But he hasn't seen his family – in General Pico, Argentina, with his 5-year-old son in school – since the start of training camp. A reunion may not be possible for another month. Despite being alone, he's not one to fill the void by spending more time with teammates.

Beno Udrih, a Slovenian point guard who is one of Nocioni's closest friends on the team, calls him "a quiet one." He's described as all work and no play on the road, most often relaxing in his hotel room or going to dinner by himself. You won't find him taking part in the nightlife.

"He's a good person," Udrih said. "Just quiet."

Kings rookie forward Jason Thompson said his exchanges with Nocioni are largely unspoken.

"When he knows you're giving your body and your all out there, for a guy (in Nocioni who) you may not know that much off the court, he'll respect you and you get along with him," Thompson said. "He'll respect you for how you play."

There have been lighter moments between them, though.

"He can be funny," Thompson said. "Guys (give him a hard time) about the tattoos he has – the wolf, Scrappy from 'Scooby Doo' that's on his leg. He doesn't have the brightest skin color. … Us American guys think he's a little funny with his accent."

Kings coach Paul Westphal said he has enjoyed Nocioni.

"He's a great guy," Westphal said. "He just wants to come play basketball and come give everything he has. Everybody would like to have him on their squad."

Which is a blessing and a curse, of course, because it means uncertainty remains for Nocioni. When the February trade deadline arrives, some of the league's better teams may be interested in his skill set and competitive reputation.

Nocioni waited to pack his bags last February in Chicago even after being told of the Kings trade because it looked as if he might join the Boston Celtics, who showed interest.

His contract, while certainly not small, is movable because his salary declines every season through its end in 2012. Nocioni is owed $7.5 million this season, $6,850,000 next season, $6,650,000 in 2011-12 and there is a team option worth $7,500,000 in 2012-13.

He's here now, though, playing hard as always and trying not to focus on the other side of the line.

"I feel like a Sacramento King player," Nocioni said. "And on this team, with my experience, I can help because I know what you need to do to win. I've had a lot of success in Europe, in Chicago (and) on my national team. I think I can bring this kind of stuff to the court and try to play hard enough to win games.… This is where I am. I cannot complain about where I am. I'm in the NBA, and I'm fine."