http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14155243p-14983302c.html
Kings notes: Adelman has had to adjust
It has been a trying last few months for the Kings' coach.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, February 5, 2006
Rick Adelman would only concede one thing for sure.
On a gauge of strange to really strange, he'd rate this season clear off the chart. Or, as the Kings' coach said simply: "It's been really different."
From the vain pursuit of coach Phil Jackson last summer by Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, to Adelman trying to piece together a new team during a slow and wildly inconsistent season, to a rash of injuries, to the Peja Stojakovic-Ron Artest trade drama, the veteran coach with seven Kings playoff trips to his résumé has had both hands on the safety bar on this roller-coaster ride.
Oh, and he has no contract following this season.
In a Sports Illustrated note this week detailing the Artest move, Joe Maloof was quoted as saying of Adelman: "He's a little angry at Gavin and me. That started with the Phil Jackson thing, but I don't have any animosity toward him, and I'd like to have him as our coach for many years to come."
Adelman said Saturday that this came as news to him.
"Really? Is it written down?" the coach said, with a chuckle, suggesting there's no contract extension resting on his desk. "I don't have any response. It's the first I've heard about it. (The Jackson pursuit) was over so long ago. That's past history to me. I've got enough worries trying to get this team to win some games. It's nice of Joe to say that.
"But I'm a realist, too. I've got to get this team to play well. If we do OK, then you see what happens. If it doesn't play well, then you see what happens, too."
Adelman continued:
"There's been a lot of quotes and a lot of words in a lot of different directions this season. I've got to avoid those and just do my job. But it's nice to hear (what Maloof said)."
On his future following the season, Adelman said he's thinking only of the immediate.
"I'm not even thinking about (the future), I'm really not," he said. "I look ahead to tomorrow. I'm just trying to stay the course. I know that's a cliché, but that's all we can do as a team. If we can get on some type of roll and we can close the gap, who knows what can happen. That's what I've got to keep these players believing, that they can get it done. If we win games, all the situations will take care of themselves."
Bracing for Tag - Greg Ostertag, who mostly sat on the Kings' bench last season, his one and only year in Sacramento, had perhaps his best effort of the season in the fourth quarter Friday, grabbing eight of his 10 rebounds and recording two of his three blocked shots.
Do the Kings expect another Tag performance today?
"I hope not," Kings forward Corliss Williamson said. "He played extremely well, especially on the defensive end. Hopefully, he's a little tired, with an early game and he didn't have much rest."
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at (916) 321-1280 or jdavidson@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Adelman has had to adjust
It has been a trying last few months for the Kings' coach.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, February 5, 2006
Rick Adelman would only concede one thing for sure.
On a gauge of strange to really strange, he'd rate this season clear off the chart. Or, as the Kings' coach said simply: "It's been really different."
From the vain pursuit of coach Phil Jackson last summer by Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, to Adelman trying to piece together a new team during a slow and wildly inconsistent season, to a rash of injuries, to the Peja Stojakovic-Ron Artest trade drama, the veteran coach with seven Kings playoff trips to his résumé has had both hands on the safety bar on this roller-coaster ride.
Oh, and he has no contract following this season.
In a Sports Illustrated note this week detailing the Artest move, Joe Maloof was quoted as saying of Adelman: "He's a little angry at Gavin and me. That started with the Phil Jackson thing, but I don't have any animosity toward him, and I'd like to have him as our coach for many years to come."
Adelman said Saturday that this came as news to him.
"Really? Is it written down?" the coach said, with a chuckle, suggesting there's no contract extension resting on his desk. "I don't have any response. It's the first I've heard about it. (The Jackson pursuit) was over so long ago. That's past history to me. I've got enough worries trying to get this team to win some games. It's nice of Joe to say that.
"But I'm a realist, too. I've got to get this team to play well. If we do OK, then you see what happens. If it doesn't play well, then you see what happens, too."
Adelman continued:
"There's been a lot of quotes and a lot of words in a lot of different directions this season. I've got to avoid those and just do my job. But it's nice to hear (what Maloof said)."
On his future following the season, Adelman said he's thinking only of the immediate.
"I'm not even thinking about (the future), I'm really not," he said. "I look ahead to tomorrow. I'm just trying to stay the course. I know that's a cliché, but that's all we can do as a team. If we can get on some type of roll and we can close the gap, who knows what can happen. That's what I've got to keep these players believing, that they can get it done. If we win games, all the situations will take care of themselves."
Bracing for Tag - Greg Ostertag, who mostly sat on the Kings' bench last season, his one and only year in Sacramento, had perhaps his best effort of the season in the fourth quarter Friday, grabbing eight of his 10 rebounds and recording two of his three blocked shots.
Do the Kings expect another Tag performance today?
"I hope not," Kings forward Corliss Williamson said. "He played extremely well, especially on the defensive end. Hopefully, he's a little tired, with an early game and he didn't have much rest."
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at (916) 321-1280 or jdavidson@sacbee.com.
