http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14235258p-15056606c.html
Kings notes: Mutual respect by Sloan, Adelman
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, March 26, 2006
SALT LAKE CITY - They coach in cities that sit off the beaten path. They have spent most of their long careers winning everything but a championship, save for a few unfortunate seasons. They rarely, if ever, toot their own proverbial horns.
The similarities between Kings coach Rick Adelman and Utah coach Jerry Sloan are many. But that wasn't even the point of what Adelman was saying, as he unintentionally stumbled upon an intriguing parallel.
"When you start talking about the Olympic team and coaches for that, I don't understand (how Sloan is overlooked)," Adelman said. "But he doesn't play the political game. As a result, sometimes he's overlooked."
Adelman is, one could say, the anti-Phil Jackson, his style quieter and more introverted than that of other NBA coaches who seem to embrace the spotlight. With an overall record of 743-477 in 16 seasons, he ranks 14th all-time in victories and is sixth among active coaches.
Aside from his trademark berating of officials, Sloan also has made his way quietly, spending his first three seasons in Chicago before his current 18-season tenure in Utah that makes him the longest-tenured coach with one team in all four major professional sports. With an overall record of 975-654, he ranks fifth all-time in victories and is third among active coaches. Since he began in Utah in 1988, there have been 184 NBA coaching changes.
"Since (John) Stockton and (Karl) Malone have left, he's got his team playing pretty good again," Adelman said. "I just think he's really overlooked in this league a lot of the time. You hear a lot of names constantly mentioned, and a lot of those guys are mentioned because they're constantly talking."
Sloan was a fan of Adelman's long before they both became coaches. The two men were teammates in Chicago in 1973 and 1974 before Adelman was traded to the then-New Orleans Jazz.
With Adelman in the final year of his contract, Sloan said a coach who has won 50-plus games in five consecutive seasons has no business being on the hot seat.
"That's the sad part of it, what he's had to go through all year," Sloan said. " ... I think it's mind-boggling to think that he wouldn't be (back with the Kings). But that's the way this business is."
Martin out - The bruise on Kevin Martin's right thigh felt no better Saturday than the day before, forcing the Kings shooting guard out of action.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Mutual respect by Sloan, Adelman
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, March 26, 2006
SALT LAKE CITY - They coach in cities that sit off the beaten path. They have spent most of their long careers winning everything but a championship, save for a few unfortunate seasons. They rarely, if ever, toot their own proverbial horns.
The similarities between Kings coach Rick Adelman and Utah coach Jerry Sloan are many. But that wasn't even the point of what Adelman was saying, as he unintentionally stumbled upon an intriguing parallel.
"When you start talking about the Olympic team and coaches for that, I don't understand (how Sloan is overlooked)," Adelman said. "But he doesn't play the political game. As a result, sometimes he's overlooked."
Adelman is, one could say, the anti-Phil Jackson, his style quieter and more introverted than that of other NBA coaches who seem to embrace the spotlight. With an overall record of 743-477 in 16 seasons, he ranks 14th all-time in victories and is sixth among active coaches.
Aside from his trademark berating of officials, Sloan also has made his way quietly, spending his first three seasons in Chicago before his current 18-season tenure in Utah that makes him the longest-tenured coach with one team in all four major professional sports. With an overall record of 975-654, he ranks fifth all-time in victories and is third among active coaches. Since he began in Utah in 1988, there have been 184 NBA coaching changes.
"Since (John) Stockton and (Karl) Malone have left, he's got his team playing pretty good again," Adelman said. "I just think he's really overlooked in this league a lot of the time. You hear a lot of names constantly mentioned, and a lot of those guys are mentioned because they're constantly talking."
Sloan was a fan of Adelman's long before they both became coaches. The two men were teammates in Chicago in 1973 and 1974 before Adelman was traded to the then-New Orleans Jazz.
With Adelman in the final year of his contract, Sloan said a coach who has won 50-plus games in five consecutive seasons has no business being on the hot seat.
"That's the sad part of it, what he's had to go through all year," Sloan said. " ... I think it's mind-boggling to think that he wouldn't be (back with the Kings). But that's the way this business is."
Martin out - The bruise on Kevin Martin's right thigh felt no better Saturday than the day before, forcing the Kings shooting guard out of action.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
