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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14158381p-14986385c.html
Kings notes: Bad quarter was costly for coach
Jerry Reynolds recalls how Phil Johnson lost his job after the L.A. meltdown.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, February 6
Jerry Reynolds didn't have a flashback.
Chalk it up to intentional repressed memory.
When the Kings were mired in their 0-for-20 free-fall from the field in the fourth period against the Utah Jazz on Friday night, Reynolds didn't have immediate visions of when he experienced a similar run of futility, as an assistant coach to Phil Johnson with the Kings two decades earlier, the bit of irony being that Johnson is now on the Utah bench.
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On Feb. 4, 1987, the Kings oozed out of thegates at the Forum in Inglewood and fell behind 40-4 against the Los Angeles Lakers after managing just four first-period free throws. They were shelled 128-92.
Johnson took the fall. He was fired for that defeat, and Reynolds was thrust into the head-coaching spot, a quantum leap for the one-time small-college coach who was perfectly happy working as an NBA assistant.
Johnson recovered just fine, rejoining the Kings the following season when Reynolds brought him back to be his assistant. And for 18 seasons, he has been the top assistant to Jerry Sloan at Utah, with NBA general managers listing him as the NBA's top assistant coach in a survey before last season.
"It's even worse when it's the first quarter," Johnson said in comparing the field-goal droughts. "First of all, the Lakers were absolutely a terrific team. It's not a good experience. You know, it's just a weird thing."
All these years later, it still bothers Reynolds that Johnson was axed for that quarter.
"I don't remember Phil missing a single shot in that game," Reynolds said. "We weren't very good, and the Lakers were one of the greatest teams of all time. Phil took the brunt of it. Definitely don't think it was fair. I have no misgivings about it. I remember the next game we played was against the Lakers. In the first timeout, they were up 12-6, and I told Mark Olberding, 'We'll, we already have more points than we did the last time.' "
Blown air
No rookie wants to brace for the heckling of a blown gimme. You can line up Francisco García for his gaffe.The Kings' rookie missed a dunk off a steal and tried to figure it out later.
"I just took off way too far away," he said. "I don't know who I was trying to be. Kevin Martin? He's the one with the hops. Of course, (teammates) teased me. I'm the rookie."
Technically speaking
Shareef Abdur-Rahim picked up a first-period technical foul for contesting a foul call, quite an achievement for a man who has his jaw wired shut and doesn't yell as much as he mumbles loudly. He leads the team with four technicals this season, a contrast to his low-key demeanor off the floor."I don't know how I can get a technical when I can't say anything," Abdur-Rahim said.
Abdur-Rahim said he has "always picked up double-figure technical fouls" each season of his career, but "I know how far to go. I've only been kicked out of two games."
Et cetera
Corliss Williamson attempted his first three-pointer of the season - and made it. This is noteworthy because he is 5 for 41 lifetime from that distance, though he'll tell you with a straight face that he can hit those shots.
* Greg Ostertag was animated again Sunday, two days after smashing a courtside monitor in frustration and responding with his most inspired quarter of the season. This time, he drew a technical foul after disagreeing that the ball went out of bounds on his Jazz, hawking after referee Derek Richardson up the floor. Ostertag didn't play nearly as well, however, with two points and five rebounds.
Kings notes: Bad quarter was costly for coach
Jerry Reynolds recalls how Phil Johnson lost his job after the L.A. meltdown.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, February 6
Jerry Reynolds didn't have a flashback.
Chalk it up to intentional repressed memory.
When the Kings were mired in their 0-for-20 free-fall from the field in the fourth period against the Utah Jazz on Friday night, Reynolds didn't have immediate visions of when he experienced a similar run of futility, as an assistant coach to Phil Johnson with the Kings two decades earlier, the bit of irony being that Johnson is now on the Utah bench.
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On Feb. 4, 1987, the Kings oozed out of thegates at the Forum in Inglewood and fell behind 40-4 against the Los Angeles Lakers after managing just four first-period free throws. They were shelled 128-92.
Johnson took the fall. He was fired for that defeat, and Reynolds was thrust into the head-coaching spot, a quantum leap for the one-time small-college coach who was perfectly happy working as an NBA assistant.
Johnson recovered just fine, rejoining the Kings the following season when Reynolds brought him back to be his assistant. And for 18 seasons, he has been the top assistant to Jerry Sloan at Utah, with NBA general managers listing him as the NBA's top assistant coach in a survey before last season.
"It's even worse when it's the first quarter," Johnson said in comparing the field-goal droughts. "First of all, the Lakers were absolutely a terrific team. It's not a good experience. You know, it's just a weird thing."
All these years later, it still bothers Reynolds that Johnson was axed for that quarter.
"I don't remember Phil missing a single shot in that game," Reynolds said. "We weren't very good, and the Lakers were one of the greatest teams of all time. Phil took the brunt of it. Definitely don't think it was fair. I have no misgivings about it. I remember the next game we played was against the Lakers. In the first timeout, they were up 12-6, and I told Mark Olberding, 'We'll, we already have more points than we did the last time.' "
Blown air
No rookie wants to brace for the heckling of a blown gimme. You can line up Francisco García for his gaffe.The Kings' rookie missed a dunk off a steal and tried to figure it out later.
"I just took off way too far away," he said. "I don't know who I was trying to be. Kevin Martin? He's the one with the hops. Of course, (teammates) teased me. I'm the rookie."
Technically speaking
Shareef Abdur-Rahim picked up a first-period technical foul for contesting a foul call, quite an achievement for a man who has his jaw wired shut and doesn't yell as much as he mumbles loudly. He leads the team with four technicals this season, a contrast to his low-key demeanor off the floor."I don't know how I can get a technical when I can't say anything," Abdur-Rahim said.
Abdur-Rahim said he has "always picked up double-figure technical fouls" each season of his career, but "I know how far to go. I've only been kicked out of two games."
Et cetera
Corliss Williamson attempted his first three-pointer of the season - and made it. This is noteworthy because he is 5 for 41 lifetime from that distance, though he'll tell you with a straight face that he can hit those shots.
* Greg Ostertag was animated again Sunday, two days after smashing a courtside monitor in frustration and responding with his most inspired quarter of the season. This time, he drew a technical foul after disagreeing that the ball went out of bounds on his Jazz, hawking after referee Derek Richardson up the floor. Ostertag didn't play nearly as well, however, with two points and five rebounds.
