http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/38266.html
Marty Mac's World: Musselman patient with players but not defense
By Martin McNeal -
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, October 12, 2006
Kings coach Eric Musselman is checking out his new team and said he rolls with the concept of former coach Chuck Daly.
"When I was an assistant under Chuck, he said it took 50 games for him to get to know his team," Musselman said this week. "So I certainly don't know this team yet."
Musselman's new players are checking him out, too. They watch, listen and try to see what's real and what's fake.
For the record, Musselman and Daly were referring to the teams as a whole.
Coaches and/or front-office personnel can be among the earth's quickest to rush to judgment. Players likely are even quicker to judge coaches.
The early reviews of Musselman mostly have been positive. Significantly, players have been hugely supportive of the little fella's commitment to accountability.
Musselman says his team will change defenses. It will use zone and traps and different types of pressure to keep opponents off-balance.
That is a major departure from the approach of former Kings coach Rick Adelman, and a good one. There is no reason for guys to be together from October to April and not work throughout the season on different defenses to utilize against different teams.
Musselman says game situations will influence who plays at a given time -- possibly leading to five shooters or five defensive-minded guys sharing the floor.
"We'll have to mix things up," Musselman said of his defensive schemes, "because players are so good."
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
Marty Mac's World: Musselman patient with players but not defense
By Martin McNeal -
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, October 12, 2006
Kings coach Eric Musselman is checking out his new team and said he rolls with the concept of former coach Chuck Daly.
"When I was an assistant under Chuck, he said it took 50 games for him to get to know his team," Musselman said this week. "So I certainly don't know this team yet."
Musselman's new players are checking him out, too. They watch, listen and try to see what's real and what's fake.
For the record, Musselman and Daly were referring to the teams as a whole.
Coaches and/or front-office personnel can be among the earth's quickest to rush to judgment. Players likely are even quicker to judge coaches.
The early reviews of Musselman mostly have been positive. Significantly, players have been hugely supportive of the little fella's commitment to accountability.
Musselman says his team will change defenses. It will use zone and traps and different types of pressure to keep opponents off-balance.
That is a major departure from the approach of former Kings coach Rick Adelman, and a good one. There is no reason for guys to be together from October to April and not work throughout the season on different defenses to utilize against different teams.
Musselman says game situations will influence who plays at a given time -- possibly leading to five shooters or five defensive-minded guys sharing the floor.
"We'll have to mix things up," Musselman said of his defensive schemes, "because players are so good."
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
