http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/409472.html
New season, same faces for Kings
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 5:30 pm PDT Monday, October 1, 2007
The new season didn't necessarily mean new faces.
At least not in abundance.
At Kings media day on Monday in the team's practice facility, the likes of Ron Artest, Brad Miller, Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin took pictures and conducted interviews as there were familiar faces aplenty.
But the freshest face was holding court at halfcourt, where first-year coach Reggie Theus said his return to the NBA has him excited in every way.
"I'm so stressed out, I don't know what to do with myself - but in a good way," Theus said. "I'm excited.
It really is a dream come true. Not many people get a chance to do this, to have the life that I've had.
...I've had the two best jobs in all of America - player, announcer, and now a coach. Really, the three best jobs." Whether he feels that way a few months from now will be the real question. The Kings' offseason resulted in little change, and Theus inherits a roster that ended the 2006-07 campaign with issues aplenty and just 33 wins.
Theus' ability to motivate and manage Ron Artest will be among his most talked-about challenges. If nothing else, the Kings small forward said Theus taught him the value of unselfishness when the two had dinner in recent months.
"I met him like three times, had some dinner with him," Artest said. "We both like sushi, so we've got that in common." Asked if he liked what Theus had to say, Artest said with a laugh, "I like that he shared his sushi. No, he's a great guy.I think he's going to definitely hold people accountable and make sure we work hard, and that's all you can ask for." By looking like his old self, Miller brought a new look. The center lost 25 pounds during the offseason, and is looking ready to run under Theus' system. Old was new again for Kevin Martin, the fourth-year shooting guard who signed a five-year, $55 million extension this summer and enters with his profile raised to a new level.
Looking to razz Martin for his new deal, his teammates created a red carpet of sorts from white towels leading to his locker. Point guard Mike Bibby, Martin said, was doing most of the dishing.
"That's all I heard for the first five minutes," Martin said. "It was the normals - the Mikes, the Mikes again, then the Mikes again.
"(But) I know what the expectations are, and I put a lot of pressure on myself. You could say it's a little different (this year), but it's just all basketball."
New season, same faces for Kings
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 5:30 pm PDT Monday, October 1, 2007
The new season didn't necessarily mean new faces.
At least not in abundance.
At Kings media day on Monday in the team's practice facility, the likes of Ron Artest, Brad Miller, Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin took pictures and conducted interviews as there were familiar faces aplenty.
But the freshest face was holding court at halfcourt, where first-year coach Reggie Theus said his return to the NBA has him excited in every way.
"I'm so stressed out, I don't know what to do with myself - but in a good way," Theus said. "I'm excited.
It really is a dream come true. Not many people get a chance to do this, to have the life that I've had.
...I've had the two best jobs in all of America - player, announcer, and now a coach. Really, the three best jobs." Whether he feels that way a few months from now will be the real question. The Kings' offseason resulted in little change, and Theus inherits a roster that ended the 2006-07 campaign with issues aplenty and just 33 wins.
Theus' ability to motivate and manage Ron Artest will be among his most talked-about challenges. If nothing else, the Kings small forward said Theus taught him the value of unselfishness when the two had dinner in recent months.
"I met him like three times, had some dinner with him," Artest said. "We both like sushi, so we've got that in common." Asked if he liked what Theus had to say, Artest said with a laugh, "I like that he shared his sushi. No, he's a great guy.I think he's going to definitely hold people accountable and make sure we work hard, and that's all you can ask for." By looking like his old self, Miller brought a new look. The center lost 25 pounds during the offseason, and is looking ready to run under Theus' system. Old was new again for Kevin Martin, the fourth-year shooting guard who signed a five-year, $55 million extension this summer and enters with his profile raised to a new level.
Looking to razz Martin for his new deal, his teammates created a red carpet of sorts from white towels leading to his locker. Point guard Mike Bibby, Martin said, was doing most of the dishing.
"That's all I heard for the first five minutes," Martin said. "It was the normals - the Mikes, the Mikes again, then the Mikes again.
"(But) I know what the expectations are, and I put a lot of pressure on myself. You could say it's a little different (this year), but it's just all basketball."
