... and all from the same Melody Gutierrez notes column!

Kenny Natt on Kevin Martin's Saturday practice:

Natt said he was encouraged by Kevin Martin's progress during Saturday's practice, noting the Kings' leading scorer improved by "leaps and bounds" from Thursday's practice.

There's still no timetable, which means to me he could come back tomorrow or never; the team knows what's more likely but doesn't want its opponents to know and doesn't want to disappoint the fans by being wrong.

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Natt on the big man rotation:

"We're confident that Spencer [Hawes] is going to come along and get back into form like he was earlier in the season. What that takes, maybe it's him coming off the bench to get that. We'll make those adjustments." [...]

Natt said if he makes the move, [Mikki] Moore will return to starting.

A lot of fans around here have called for a switch at the starting power forward position. Most have called for Jason Thompson to get the job, as J.T.'s energy and rebounding cover for Brad Miller's passing and shooting (and vice versa). A few have even called for Shelden Williams for this same reason. But no one has requested Moore back in the starting line-up. He doesn't rebound enough and his turnovers cost too much. (Although, in fairness to Mikki: his rebounding has picked up the last two games and since his six-turnovers-in-20-minutes game against Portland last month, he hasn't had more than one giveaway in any game. Still ... history says Moore is a minus rebounder and a minus ball-handler.)

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And finally, Natt on ... Kenny Thomas:

Natt described Thomas as "a very good, if not the best, post defender" the Kings have.

"We go back," Natt said. "Kenny and I have always had our conversations about his struggles, and I've encouraged him during his down time. If he can play and perform, maybe I can put him in the game against some of these All-Star bigs. Hey, I'm not against playing him."

Natt figures to have a free pass from Kings fans the rest of the season ... so long as he doesn't play Kenny Thomas in lieu of Hawes, Thompson, Donté Greene and Williams. Please, Coach -- don't do it.