Bee: Frustration reigns after loss to Minnesota

[VF21]

Artest's return doesn't help Kings
Frustration reigns after loss to Minnesota
By Sam Amick - samick@sacbee.com
Last Updated 9:33 pm PST Wednesday, November 14, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS - John Salmons exited the locker room long before it was time to leave, storming past reporters and pacing down the Target Center hallway while none other than Ron Artest was close behind.

As if it wasn't evident enough in the Kings' 108-103 loss to Minnesota that the return of Ron-Ron didn't exactly go smoothly Wednesday night, the tension-filled postgame scene made it official. Artest - still wearing his jersey but sans sneakers - was playing the part of peacemaker, trying to corral the teammate whose frustration overflowed inside the locker room.

Salmons, who averaged 20.7 points and led the team in assists (4.0) while starting during Artest's seven-game absence, had just four points on 2-of-4 shooting in his first game coming off the bench. And though he returned to the locker room after his quick exodus, Kings coach Reggie Theus said the larger question is whether Salmons can return to his productive ways in the new reserve role...

The rest of the story...

 

[Bricklayer]

Could see this coming. Must go finish those grades lest it lok like I was stealing form this article.

 

[nbrans]

Only took Theus 8 games to lose the team.

Muss at least made it until game 17 against Phoenix where he started that ridiculous lineup.

 

[Jechtsphere]

So is Salmons mad that he was benched for Artest or what?

 

[NewMonkey]

The young guys are getting playing time, so I'll give Theus credit there, but that crap Reggie pulled on Kevin Martin early in the third quarter isn't helping. Martin and Salmons have been the absolute bright spots of the season so far. They're fun to watch and effective players, so he ought to give them a freaking break. Salmons is already pissed and Kevin has every right to be.

Criticizing players in the media, pretending Shareef doesn't exist, repeatedly yanking guys out of games...It's all getting really tiring really fast.

 

[Jechtsphere]

The young guys are getting playing time, so I'll give Theus credit there, but that crap Reggie pulled on Kevin Martin early in the third quarter isn't helping. Martin and Salmons have been the absolute bright spots of the season so far. They're fun to watch and effective players, so they ought to catch a bit of a break. One of them is already pissed and the other has every right to be.

Criticizing players in the media, pretending Shareef doesn't exist, repeatedly yanking guys out of games...It's all getting really tiring really fast.

Shouldn't a guy like Kenny Natt be in Coach Theus ear about all that :/

 

[sauce-26]

First off, we dont know what happened. So saying it is getting old when we dont even know what caused it is jumping the gun. What gets old is people criticizing someone when you dont know a tenth about basketball as Theus does. We are not a very good team. When you dont have much to work with, it is not going to look good.

 

[creAtivetfh]

i have a feeling this is getting blown out of proportion

 

[VF21]

First off, we dont know what happened. So saying it is getting old when we dont even know what caused it is jumping the gun. What gets old is people criticizing someone when you dont know a tenth about basketball as Theus does. We are not a very good team. When you dont have much to work with, it is not going to look good.

We know enough to realize that the players are already starting to complain. And when it's so obvious that Sam Amick leads a story with it, it's worth discussing.

I have been a strong supporter of Reggie Theus and hope this blows over, but let's not pretend he's above criticism, okay?

Kevin Martin did not deserve the treatment he got tonight. And I have no problem at all in saying so. And whether or not Reggie Theus knows 10 times as much about basketball as I do doesn't mean a thing.

 

[Bricklayer]

Why would you say that? Every coach has different coaching tactics. If your kid skips a class, you'd ground him to teach him a lesson. Martin is relatively a young player and shouldn't get mad at the coach. But now, Martin will know what he did wrong, and maybe will never commit the same mistake

The problem is that your kid came into the game as the third leading scorer in the NBA and you absolutely need him on your side. Thsi yanking guys in and out crap is blatantly showing players up. Publicly embarrassing them when jsut yelling at them might do the trick. Do that to Mikkki Moore, and its a little issue. pee off your stars and its quite another. Wihtout them, you are an unemployed coach.

 

[PoundForPound]

I am extremely disappointed

I am extremely disappointed in reggie's decisions so far. When you've got a guy playing extremely well, YOU DON'T BENCH HIM. It doesn't matter what the situation is, you find a way to get him the starting role as long as he keeps it up, which Salmons has been doing. If Theus doesn't start John on Friday, that would just be plain ridiculous. anyone agree?

 

[VF21]

Juicy_J - Reggie is a rookie NBA coach who is bound to make some mistakes. To assume otherwise is just naive. What he's doing to the players is a mistake; and I'm a Reggie fan from way back in the day. Speculation? I know what I saw on the court tonight and it wasn't speculation.

Go ahead and bury your head in the sand if you like, but this is not a good sign.

 

[Fresno King]

What the hell is Salmons so mad about? He should have known he was going back to his original role when Artest came back. How can he be mad about playing time when he got 27 minutes and was in the game in the final minutes of the 4th quarter? I'm ticked that he only took 4 shots. What is he doing, pulling a Kobe Bryant out there? 4 shots in 27 minutes when you're averaging 20 a night?

SALMONS' MINUTES, GAME BY GAME:

at New Orleans-45
at San Antonio-29
at Dallas-40
vs. Seattle-43
vs. Cleveland-41
vs. Minnesota-32
at Utah-35
at Minnesota-27

 

[VF21]

Maybe you and Brick should apply for a head coach position, since you can tel every time Reggie makes a mistake. Heck, you'd be a perfect coach, matter of fact. Absolutely flawless.

I mean, seriously. If he didn't sit Kevin on the bench, the Kings would've still lost. They would still get terribly out rebounded and they still would get abused in the paint. I think it's great to show the players once in a while who's the boss.

What exactly did Kevin Martin do that was so horrible that he needed to be benched?

I mean seriously... Great to show the players who's the boss? Yeah, because that worked so well for Musselman, right?

Reggie Theus was a player. He knows how fragile egos are, he knows how demeaning it is to be benched for some minor mistake. And yet, he's done it several times.

If you're going to jump on me over this, I suggest very strongly that you do your homework first. I have steadfastly defended Reggie and praised him. Well, tonight I'm not going to do so.

A message board is about opinions and observations. If you don't agree, fine. Say so...and bring some argument. But at least know what you're talking about.

 

[VF21]

What the hell is Salmons so mad about? He should have known he was going back to his original role when Artest came back. How can he be mad about playing time when he got 27 minutes and was in the game in the final minutes of the 4th quarter? I'm ticked that he only took 4 shots. What is he doing, pulling a Kobe Bryant out there? 4 shots in 27 minutes when you're averaging 20 a night?

SALMONS' MINUTES, GAME BY GAME:

at New Orleans-45
at San Antonio-29
at Dallas-40
vs. Seattle-43
vs. Cleveland-41
vs. Minnesota-32
at Utah-35
at Minnesota-27

I don't think we know what John Salmons was mad about. The article says he stormed out of the locker room and was followed by Artest, who was attempting to be the peacemaker.

 

[Bricklayer]

I think it's great to show the players once in a while who's the boss.

The difference is that I have watched the NBA for a long time, including during the decades while Reggie was off playing a coach on TV. I can tell you unequivocably who is the boss in this league. And its not the rookie first time head coach. If the players don't want to play for you, you are out of a job. It is an ego management position.

 

[Fresno King]

I don't think we know what John Salmons was mad about. The article says he stormed out of the locker room and was followed by Artest, who was attempting to be the peacemaker.

Maybe he was mad that Martin was benched for no reason.

I didn't see what happened, but didn't he come back in the game after he was "lectured" and make that ridiculous shot for a 3 point play?

 

[LPKingsFan]

What the hell is Salmons so mad about? He should have known he was going back to his original role when Artest came back. How can he be mad about playing time when he got 27 minutes and was in the game in the final minutes of the 4th quarter? I'm ticked that he only took 4 shots. What is he doing, pulling a Kobe Bryant out there? 4 shots in 27 minutes when you're averaging 20 a night?

SALMONS' MINUTES, GAME BY GAME:

at New Orleans-45
at San Antonio-29
at Dallas-40
vs. Seattle-43
vs. Cleveland-41
vs. Minnesota-32
at Utah-35
at Minnesota-27

Maybe it wasn't just minutes? Maybe the team didn't run any plays for him? Maybe he didn't like his new role in the offense?

Ugh. This makes me sick to my stomach.

 

[VF21]

I don't know how to respond to so many fallacies.

Oh come on. Give it a try.

 

[gunks]

Brian Shaw for headcoach!

 

[fnordius]

Maybe it wasn't just minutes?

His minutes didn't change all that much. The big change was his 4 points, 1 rebound and 4 assists in almost half an hour of PT. And I don't have any explanation for that.

 

[beb0p]

What exactly did Kevin Martin do that was so horrible that he needed to be benched?

Probably defense. In the post game show, the group was discussing how KMart was just going through the motion and how it put added pressure on the post defenders. Something I noticed during the game too.

 

[Fresno King]

Maybe it wasn't just minutes? Maybe the team didn't run any plays for him? Maybe he didn't like his new role in the offense?

Ugh. This makes me sick to my stomach.

Maybe Reggie didn't give him his cell phone back.

 

[kennadog]

Unfortunately, I don't see any of this heading anywhere good for our Kings. I sincerely hope I'm wrong, but I don't have a good feeling about this.

 

[bajaden]

Let me see if I understand all this. When Reggie was hired he said he was going to treat every player the same and not play favorites. He also said that if you didn't play defense, he was going to sit your butt down and let you think about it for a while. Most people on this fourm applauded him for saying it.. SO, now he does it, and everyone wants to hang him in effigy.

Personally, I would have started Salmons and had Artest play the PF spot. But Reggie is the coach and decided otherwise. Of couse, if he would have done what I wanted, it probably would have been old Mikki storming out of the locker room.. For the record, I have seen Pop's pull star players out of the game and sit them down, and I've also seen Sloan do it. Of course neither one of these guys has a clue on how to coach.

 

[Glenn]

Probably defense. In the post game show, the group was discussing how KMart was just going through the motion and how it put added pressure on the post defenders. Something I noticed during the game too.

I saw what seemed to be the same behavior from Salmons. He seemed to be sulking.

As to Reggie: he is not a stupid man which makes this all very difficult to comprehend. He should know better but apparently doesn't. Maybe we are missing something but I kinda doubt it.

This is where a team captain comes in handy. The captain can collect the grievances and bring them to the coach. The sooner the better as the way it seems to my outside view, Reggie is losing the respect of this team at an NBA record pace. From what I know of Reggie, his people skills are great and this is just the opposite.

Bizarre.

 

[VF21]

Let me see if I understand all this. When Reggie was hired he said he was going to treat every player the same and not play favorites. He also said that if you didn't play defense, he was going to sit your butt down and let you think about it for a while. Most people on this fourm applauded him for saying it.. SO, now he does it, and everyone wants to hang him in effigy.

Personally, I would have started Salmons and had Artest play the PF spot. But Reggie is the coach and decided otherwise. Of couse, if he would have done what I wanted, it probably would have been old Mikki storming out of the locker room.. For the record, I have seen Pop's pull star players out of the game and sit them down, and I've also seen Sloan do it. Of course neither one of these guys has a clue on how to coach.

Reggie Theus has a long, long, long way to go before he's Jerry Sloan or Gregg Popovich. Both of those coaches have years of successful NBA coaching under their belts and have earned the respect of their players.

If he loses control of the team in November, he's going to be the one paying the price in April. You can take that to the bank.

 

[Fresno King]

Let's consider what Reggie is dealing with: A mish-mosh of veterans who have been in trade talks all offseason (Bibby, Artest), vets that think they can play but can't (Thomas, Shareef), a horrible frontcourt, a young backcourt, an agent pissed that his guy (SAR) isn't getting any run, a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad free agent acquisition (Moore), a 19 year-old 7-foot rookie that thinks shooting threes is a good idea (Hawes), and now, an unhappy 6th man that started the first seven games and went back to the bench with a chip on his shoulder (Salmons).

It all equals a total lack of team chemistry. Guys that don't want to be there, guys who have their bags half-packed and guys who think they should be starting and/or playing more.

Bottom line is no-one wants to take on Kenny's and SAR's contracts, both are unhappy and both want out. That means they aren't going anywhere, and they'll be unhappy members of team Purple Reign for a few more years. Salmons needs to get back in 6th man mode no matter how difficult it may be after his success as a starter.

There was a chemistry problem before, and it won't change until these multimillionaires who live more luxurious lives than anyone on this board just grin and bear it. We can thank Petrie for most of this mess. Maybe Reggie needs to adjust some of his substitute patterns and cut down on the player-coach lectures as well. Wouldn't hurt.

 

[mac]

What really interests me is how the guys will play the next game. What happened in this game could just be one event of frustration. If I were playing against a winless team with one of my supposed best players back and still lost I'd be pretty pissed as well. If I led the league in FT attempts and wasn't getting to the line I'd be pissed too.

On the coaching side, maybe it was poor coaching by Reggie, but we can only speculate as to why Martin was benched and such. Just hope that they can pull their act together and play well the next game.

 

[tyrant]

didnt martin get 38 minutes? how is that benched?