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http://www.nba.com/kings/news/The_Tag_Cometh-126642-58.html
A Closer Look: The Tag Cometh
by Chris Navalta
After spending the last nine years with the Utah Jazz, new Sacramento Kings center Greg Ostertag will have to start getting used to a few different things.
For starters, he’ll have to get used to the fans at ARCO Arena cheering for him instead of the emphatic booing he’s been used to hearing.
“So far so good,” said the former University of Kansas standout. “I was hoping they’d make me feel welcome with open arms. I don’t know. Maybe if they boo me once in a while, I’ll feel a lot more welcome. They’re great here.”
Ostertag, a former first-round pick in the 1995 NBA draft, was a key component in the Jazz’s success in the late 90’s. Of course, it helps when you’re playing alongside two future Hall of Famers in Karl Malone and John Stockton. He owns two Western Conference Championship rings from playing in the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals.
As a Jayhawk, Ostertag was an honorable mention All-American in his senior year. He currently holds the Kansas and Big Eight record for career blocked shots with 258, and he experienced March Madness in all four years, going as far as the Regional Semifinals in his junior and senior seasons.
Having played in front of passionate crowds in college and in Utah, Ostertag knew he was stepping into a good thing once he became a King.
“One thing I’ve always thought about whenever I came here was this was a good crowd,” Ostertag said. “It can get crazy loud in there at times. It reminded me when we were making the NBA Finals. It was incredibly loud in our arena. And they can get like that in ARCO.”
Once he signed with the Kings over the summer, Ostertag spent some time with his wife, Heidi, looking for a place to live. He preferred it be close to a good school, where his three children (Cody, Bailey and Shelby) could attend.
After that was out of the way, he spent much of the offseason playing golf and going fishing.
“And once hunting season comes along, I’ll go hunting,” he added.
With today’s modern free-agent era, it’s typical that players quickly adapt to new surroundings. But Ostertag has been with the Jazz for nearly a decade. Now, living in sunny Northern California, he admits his new environment will take some time to get used to.
“I’ve known one way and one thing for nine years,” Ostertag said. “Over here, everything is much-more laid back. So, that gives it a different feel. I just need to get used to that.”
Brought in to fill a much-needed void inside the paint, Ostertag knows his limits. He’s not trying to re-flourish his career in Sacramento. He just wants to do what he does best – be ready and work hard when called upon.
“As far as when I’m expecting from myself, I just want to give the same thing I gave when I was in Utah,” he said. “Whether it’s rebounding or blocking shots or putting up six to eight points a night. I’ve never been a major scorer. So, I don’t expect much more than that.”
A Closer Look: The Tag Cometh
by Chris Navalta
After spending the last nine years with the Utah Jazz, new Sacramento Kings center Greg Ostertag will have to start getting used to a few different things.
For starters, he’ll have to get used to the fans at ARCO Arena cheering for him instead of the emphatic booing he’s been used to hearing.
“So far so good,” said the former University of Kansas standout. “I was hoping they’d make me feel welcome with open arms. I don’t know. Maybe if they boo me once in a while, I’ll feel a lot more welcome. They’re great here.”
Ostertag, a former first-round pick in the 1995 NBA draft, was a key component in the Jazz’s success in the late 90’s. Of course, it helps when you’re playing alongside two future Hall of Famers in Karl Malone and John Stockton. He owns two Western Conference Championship rings from playing in the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals.
As a Jayhawk, Ostertag was an honorable mention All-American in his senior year. He currently holds the Kansas and Big Eight record for career blocked shots with 258, and he experienced March Madness in all four years, going as far as the Regional Semifinals in his junior and senior seasons.
Having played in front of passionate crowds in college and in Utah, Ostertag knew he was stepping into a good thing once he became a King.
“One thing I’ve always thought about whenever I came here was this was a good crowd,” Ostertag said. “It can get crazy loud in there at times. It reminded me when we were making the NBA Finals. It was incredibly loud in our arena. And they can get like that in ARCO.”
Once he signed with the Kings over the summer, Ostertag spent some time with his wife, Heidi, looking for a place to live. He preferred it be close to a good school, where his three children (Cody, Bailey and Shelby) could attend.
After that was out of the way, he spent much of the offseason playing golf and going fishing.
“And once hunting season comes along, I’ll go hunting,” he added.
With today’s modern free-agent era, it’s typical that players quickly adapt to new surroundings. But Ostertag has been with the Jazz for nearly a decade. Now, living in sunny Northern California, he admits his new environment will take some time to get used to.
“I’ve known one way and one thing for nine years,” Ostertag said. “Over here, everything is much-more laid back. So, that gives it a different feel. I just need to get used to that.”
Brought in to fill a much-needed void inside the paint, Ostertag knows his limits. He’s not trying to re-flourish his career in Sacramento. He just wants to do what he does best – be ready and work hard when called upon.
“As far as when I’m expecting from myself, I just want to give the same thing I gave when I was in Utah,” he said. “Whether it’s rebounding or blocking shots or putting up six to eight points a night. I’ve never been a major scorer. So, I don’t expect much more than that.”
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