Artest and Theus on KHTK (split)

[BMiller52]

BTW I love Reggie theus and the job he has done and really enjoyed his interview with Grant and Mike but I do not want to see that Zone defense next season being the primary defense used.

What'd he say? Also what'd Ron say talking to Grant on KHTK today?

 

[PurpleHaze]

What'd he say? Also what'd Ron say talking to Grant on KHTK today?

It would be impossible to give every detail of the Ron Artest interview which I believe was around 30 minutes; Coach Theus was on for more like 90 minutes - both talks minus the usual station breaks.

For me a highlight of RonRon was saying he's aware of his confusing statements from time to time and he wants to and is trying to get better about it. He also talked about his daughters cancer, but said his playing when she first got sick was about him wanting to push hard for the Kings to make the playoffs. Then as the rest of the season played out it became more of an escape from his family ordeal and working to get the team better everyday. He also said he plans to play the last 4 games of this season assuming his hand injury does not get any worse. He did not directly answer opting out or not, basically saying it was a decision for his agent to consult on. He mentioned that when he was traded to the Kings for Peja he was blown away since he knew what big shoes those were to fill in Sacramento. Artest called in to the show and was interviewed by Grant and Mike with no calls from listeners until after he left. The callers were around 50-50 in support for more Ron over less Ron.

Theus got lots of congrats calls (actually 100%) from listeners with Q's interspersed with banter from Grant and Mike. No earth shattering news that I recall - just letting him know the breaking news that he would have Ron Ron for the final 4 games! Reggie took that latest news in stride. He delivered a pretty interesting recap of the season, lots of details about his individual players, what he learned, his coaching philosophy, etc. He did say that he and Artest "90% of the time" were absolutely in agreement and as one. But, there was "10%" when that was not the case. He then went on to say that such "difficulties" are not unheard of in the NBA with "a teams top player" and adjusting to it is just another part of his job as a head coach. Other tid bits. Spencer Hawes need to develop a defensive presence and that's why he didn't play as much earlier in the season. He also needs one or two "go to" offensive moves and stop thinking he's a 6'5" player with tons of moves. Theus loves the 19 year old progress overall. Beno and coach are now totally as one on his running the team at the point and he likes his progress as well. Kev Martin has made lots of progress as the season went along on his team defense and some better offensive moves that will elevate his game even more next season. Cisco Garcia is not a PG although he can play the position more like a Point Forward. Coach likes his leadership potential saying the Kings have a noticable lack of leaders out on the court. I guess there was more, but that's about all I can remember for now.

 

[NewArena]

Sorry i couldnt give my recap of it a little quicker Bmiller but it appears that purplehaze has taken care of that.

 

[BMiller52]

It would be impossible to give every detail of the Ron Artest interview which I believe was around 30 minutes; Coach Theus was on for more like 90 minutes - both talks minus the usual station breaks.

For me a highlight of RonRon was saying he's aware of his confusing statements from time to time and he wants to and is trying to get better about it. He also talked about his daughters cancer, but said his playing when she first got sick was about him wanting to push hard for the Kings to make the playoffs. Then as the rest of the season played out it became more of an escape from his family ordeal and working to get the team better everyday. He also said he plans to play the last 4 games of this season assuming his hand injury does not get any worse. He did not directly answer opting out or not, basically saying it was a decision for his agent to consult on. He mentioned that when he was traded to the Kings for Peja he was blown away since he knew what big shoes those were to fill in Sacramento. Artest called in to the show and was interviewed by Grant and Mike with no calls from listeners until after he left. The callers were around 50-50 in support for more Ron over less Ron.

Theus got lots of congrats calls (actually 100%) from listeners with Q's interspersed with banter from Grant and Mike. No earth shattering news that I recall - just letting him know the breaking news that he would have Ron Ron for the final 4 games! Reggie took that latest news in stride. He delivered a pretty interesting recap of the season, lots of details about his individual players, what he learned, his coaching philosophy, etc. He did say that he and Artest "90% of the time" were absolutely in agreement and as one. But, there was "10%" when that was not the case. He then went on to say that such "difficulties" are not unheard of in the NBA with "a teams top player" and adjusting to it is just another part of his job as a head coach. Other tid bits. Spencer Hawes need to develop a defensive presence and that's why he didn't play as much earlier in the season. He also needs one or two "go to" offensive moves and stop thinking he's a 6'5" player with tons of moves. Theus loves the 19 year old progress overall. Beno and coach are now totally as one on his running the team at the point and he likes his progress as well. Kev Martin has made lots of progress as the season went along on his team defense and some better offensive moves that will elevate his game even more next season. Cisco Garcia is not a PG although he can play the position more like a Point Forward. Coach likes his leadership potential saying the Kings have a noticable lack of leaders out on the court. I guess there was more, but that's about all I can remember for now.

Thanks man, sounds like I should have found a way to listen. I'm glad to hear Ron is trying to improve his confusing statements and such. IMO that really shows he is a team player though, that he played when his daughter had cancer to try to get the team into the playoffs and that he's trying to improve his indecisiveness.

The Reggie thing sounds interesting though. He really seems to tell things how it is and talk about things straight rather than bs'ing like Muss did. Interesting players evaluations too.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Just remember (and I'm not promoting this or any radio station) that you can hear SportsLine streaming at http://www.sports1140.com with Grant and Mike 4-7pm weekdays. This afternoon at around 4-5 pm I was in my car listening, got home and turned on a portable radio while out in the backyard, finally back inside the house listening on my PC.

 

[BMiller52]

Just remember (and I'm not promoting this or any radio station) that you can hear SportsLine streaming at http://www.sports1140.com with Grant and Mike 4-7pm weekdays. This afternoon at around 4-5 pm I was in my car listening, got home and turned on a portable radio while out in the backyard, finally back inside the house listening on my PC.

Can you listen to old broadcasts/interviews or whatever like the Theus/Artest ones?

 

[NewArena]

Another thing that he said about spencer that i agree with is that he needs to stop going to his left hand as a first option. Thats what reggie meant by going to his strong hand and using two go to moves down low. He made great points/examples by saying Gasol, duncan and boozer are great with their left hands but they go to thier strong hands before they even think about using the left and pump faking all the time.

 

[NewArena]

Can you listen to old broadcasts/interviews or whatever like the Theus/Artest ones?

You should be able to go to Khtk.com and listen by at least tomorrow or in the next couple of days. I know the rise guys have old interviews on there.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Another thing that he said about spencer that i agree with is that he needs to stop going to his left hand as a first option. Thats what reggie meant by going to his strong hand and using two go to moves down low. He made great points/examples by saying Gasol, duncan and boozer are great with their left hands but they go to thier strong hands before they even think about using the left and pump faking all the time.

Yep, I remember Coach Theus saying that specifically and now some more stuff that I recall. He said Hawes MUST get stronger along with several other players because they are TOO SOFT - and basically as a team THE KINGS ARE WAY TOO SOFT. I put emphasis in caps because Reggie says he likes SMASH MOUTH and wants a group that can play that way as well as up tempo. He says in the playoffs such grind it out tough play is what wins when everything slows down into more half court execution. Although he had some good things to say about Brad Miller having a comeback season he called him a "finesse player." He basically said Artest for all his baggage is the only Kings player who plays smash mouth as only way he knows to play. Interestingly, I don't recall him saying anything about Mikki Moore, John Salmons or Q Douby. He said Kenny Thomas and SAR are obviously not in the Kings immediate or probable long-term plans - whatever exactly that could mean. Didn't mention AJ or Shelden either, but I might have missed a minute here or there in the interview.

 

[fnordius]

I put emphasis in caps because Reggie says he likes SMASH MOUTH and wants a group that can play that way as well as up tempo... He basically said Artest for all his baggage is the only Kings player who plays smash mouth as only way he knows to play.

Assuming he's using "smashmouth" in the traditional football sense, I guess this should come as no surprise from an athletic 6'7" PG who had obvious physical mismatches against most of his opponents. And yes, Ron is the only guy on the roster who can simply overpower the players he's facing.

But the front office has never drafted with that in mind. More like the opposite. When faced with the choice between a freakish athlete and a skilled shooter, we all know which way Geoff will go. Hawes over Thornton, Douby over Millsap. Kevin's fast and athletic, but he's also built like Olive Oyl. So Reggie's got himself a roster that's really not suitable for his vision of the team.

I wonder how he expects to get around that?

 

[gunks]

New GM. Haha...

 

[PurpleHaze]

So Reggie's got himself a roster that's really not suitable for his vision of the team.

I wonder how he expects to get around that?

Yep, clearly Reggie sees that reality of Kings current roster and has his own ideas for going forward. He said as soon as the season is over and for several weeks leading up to the draft he would be giving input to Geoff Petrie, Wayne Cooper and ownership on "his vision," including potential trades, free agents, etc.

 

[fnordius]

Well, at around 12th pick, the only athletic freaks available are total projects, a category that Geoff has avoided like the plague, and which Reggie himself has shown almost no inclination to play.

This could provide some interesting moments over the next several years.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Theus did say in passing, "maybe moving up in the draft." I assume that's a strong recommendation he'll make if there's any way for it to happen.