http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13728024p-14570895c.html
By Joe Davidson
The sudden death of Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier sent shock waves across the NBA, including two Kings and one of their executives. Kenny Thomas and Collier were Houston Rockets teammates for parts of the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, and Kings rookie Luke Schenscher played against Collier in summer workouts at Georgia Tech.
Wayne Cooper, the Kings' vice president of basketball operations, talked for a moment with Hawks general manager Billy Knight after learning of Collier's death, apparently of a heart attack. Cooper and Knight are best friends.
"I called to let him know I was thinking about him," said Cooper, who recalled having Collier come into Sacramento for a predraft workout in 2001.
"He was a real good guy," Thomas said of Collier, known as a jovial teammate and a strong family man. "A good all-around guy. No one seems to know what happened or how it happened, and that's the most devastating thing. I knew his wife, used to talk to her in Houston. It's really sad."
Schenscher said it was a battle of 7-footers when he banged against Collier, the pup (Schenscher) learning from the vet in the gym of their alma mater.
"He was someone I looked up to," Schenscher said. "He played my position, offered ideas on how I could get better. I appreciated that. It's sad because you can't understand why it happened."
Return of "Wetz" - Looking fit and tan in his Hawaiian shirt and content in blissful retirement, John Wetzel was back at Arco Arena to chat it up with old friends - and to catch a glimpse of the new-look Kings.
Rick Adelman's longtime assistant coach retired before last season. He spends time in Hawaii and Arizona, golfing and driving his wife of 37 years, Diane, nutty. And he doesn't miss coaching a lick.
"I did it for 31 years," said the man who goes by "Wetz." "I was approaching 60, and I didn't want to work until I was decrepit. I came back to watch a game here last March, and I had no pangs. I didn't feel a need to be over there on the bench, and that was a good sign."
Wetzel said Adelman will mold another winner and theorized that his old friend is probably a bit "energized" at the challenge of working with so many new faces.
New Kings fans - Coree Caliste and six family members are trying to make a new home in Sacramento, displaced and weary from the fury of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast.
The Caliste family was one of several families invited by the Kings and Maloof Sports & Entertainment to play some hoops at Basketball Town last week. They were handed Kings garb and front-row tickets to Sunday's game against the Warriors at Arco Arena.
"It's been very nice and special, especially for the kids," Caliste said. "We're trying to give them something positive and happy to think about."
By Joe Davidson
The sudden death of Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier sent shock waves across the NBA, including two Kings and one of their executives. Kenny Thomas and Collier were Houston Rockets teammates for parts of the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, and Kings rookie Luke Schenscher played against Collier in summer workouts at Georgia Tech.
Wayne Cooper, the Kings' vice president of basketball operations, talked for a moment with Hawks general manager Billy Knight after learning of Collier's death, apparently of a heart attack. Cooper and Knight are best friends.
"I called to let him know I was thinking about him," said Cooper, who recalled having Collier come into Sacramento for a predraft workout in 2001.
"He was a real good guy," Thomas said of Collier, known as a jovial teammate and a strong family man. "A good all-around guy. No one seems to know what happened or how it happened, and that's the most devastating thing. I knew his wife, used to talk to her in Houston. It's really sad."
Schenscher said it was a battle of 7-footers when he banged against Collier, the pup (Schenscher) learning from the vet in the gym of their alma mater.
"He was someone I looked up to," Schenscher said. "He played my position, offered ideas on how I could get better. I appreciated that. It's sad because you can't understand why it happened."
Return of "Wetz" - Looking fit and tan in his Hawaiian shirt and content in blissful retirement, John Wetzel was back at Arco Arena to chat it up with old friends - and to catch a glimpse of the new-look Kings.
Rick Adelman's longtime assistant coach retired before last season. He spends time in Hawaii and Arizona, golfing and driving his wife of 37 years, Diane, nutty. And he doesn't miss coaching a lick.
"I did it for 31 years," said the man who goes by "Wetz." "I was approaching 60, and I didn't want to work until I was decrepit. I came back to watch a game here last March, and I had no pangs. I didn't feel a need to be over there on the bench, and that was a good sign."
Wetzel said Adelman will mold another winner and theorized that his old friend is probably a bit "energized" at the challenge of working with so many new faces.
New Kings fans - Coree Caliste and six family members are trying to make a new home in Sacramento, displaced and weary from the fury of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast.
The Caliste family was one of several families invited by the Kings and Maloof Sports & Entertainment to play some hoops at Basketball Town last week. They were handed Kings garb and front-row tickets to Sunday's game against the Warriors at Arco Arena.
"It's been very nice and special, especially for the kids," Caliste said. "We're trying to give them something positive and happy to think about."
