Note: Even though this mentions the Kings and Jason Hart, I thought it was really more appropriate that it be posted here...
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/118548.html
Hart proud of Super Bowl coaches' progress
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:43 am PST Monday, February 5, 2007
Despite the two-game suspension of Kings coach Eric Musselman, he is allowed to run his team's practices on off-days.
But the schedule for Super Bowl Sunday was wide open for the Kings, who didn't practice after their win over Denver the night before. And although many players surely were eager to see whether the Colts or Bears would go home with the Lombardi Trophy, Kings point guard Jason Hart knew the victor long before kickoff.
"We already won," Hart said.
By "we," he was speaking of African Americans, making Hart among those thrilled to see a black coach in the Super Bowl for the first -- and second -- time in Chicago's Lovie Smith and Indianapolis' Tony Dungy.
"It matters because of where we came from, from not even being accepted to play any sports to managing teams and winning at the highest level," Hart said. "One thing it'll do is open doors for more people who are kids now who want to be coaches.
"We need to be at all levels of those power positions. It's who's capable of doing the job. It shouldn't be the color (of their skin)."
By George -- Before tipoff Saturday night, Scott Brooks made a beeline for George Karl and embraced in what was part hug, part wrestling match. There were smiles from both, with Brooks' growing even larger when he notched his first win as a stand-in head coach Saturday night.
Brooks, a former Denver assistant who filled in for Musselman against his former team, spoke at length about his admiration for Karl that goes beyond the court.
Karl's son, Coby, has been dealing with cancer for nearly two years. Last March, he had surgery to remove his thyroid and the disease as his father offered support while juggling NBA coaching duties. Coby juggled plenty, too, and now leads Boise State in scoring and assists as a senior.
"It's out of this world that he did that," Brooks said of George Karl. "He missed a few practices, never missed games, and that's a hard thing to do. I have two kids, and it's hard to focus on your job. It puts you to tears (what Karl and his son went through), but the guy is tough."
And not only in his personal life.
"He has the (presence) of (Robert) DeNiro and (Al) Pacino combined," Brooks said. "His halftime speeches are just amazing. He'll throw those bullets at (the team) once a month or once a week, and you stop what you're doing."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/118548.html
Hart proud of Super Bowl coaches' progress
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:43 am PST Monday, February 5, 2007
Despite the two-game suspension of Kings coach Eric Musselman, he is allowed to run his team's practices on off-days.
But the schedule for Super Bowl Sunday was wide open for the Kings, who didn't practice after their win over Denver the night before. And although many players surely were eager to see whether the Colts or Bears would go home with the Lombardi Trophy, Kings point guard Jason Hart knew the victor long before kickoff.
"We already won," Hart said.
By "we," he was speaking of African Americans, making Hart among those thrilled to see a black coach in the Super Bowl for the first -- and second -- time in Chicago's Lovie Smith and Indianapolis' Tony Dungy.
"It matters because of where we came from, from not even being accepted to play any sports to managing teams and winning at the highest level," Hart said. "One thing it'll do is open doors for more people who are kids now who want to be coaches.
"We need to be at all levels of those power positions. It's who's capable of doing the job. It shouldn't be the color (of their skin)."
By George -- Before tipoff Saturday night, Scott Brooks made a beeline for George Karl and embraced in what was part hug, part wrestling match. There were smiles from both, with Brooks' growing even larger when he notched his first win as a stand-in head coach Saturday night.
Brooks, a former Denver assistant who filled in for Musselman against his former team, spoke at length about his admiration for Karl that goes beyond the court.
Karl's son, Coby, has been dealing with cancer for nearly two years. Last March, he had surgery to remove his thyroid and the disease as his father offered support while juggling NBA coaching duties. Coby juggled plenty, too, and now leads Boise State in scoring and assists as a senior.
"It's out of this world that he did that," Brooks said of George Karl. "He missed a few practices, never missed games, and that's a hard thing to do. I have two kids, and it's hard to focus on your job. It puts you to tears (what Karl and his son went through), but the guy is tough."
And not only in his personal life.
"He has the (presence) of (Robert) DeNiro and (Al) Pacino combined," Brooks said. "His halftime speeches are just amazing. He'll throw those bullets at (the team) once a month or once a week, and you stop what you're doing."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
