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Kings notes: Recollections: Red had a way with words
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:59 am PST Monday, October 30, 2006
The Kings remembered Red Auerbach on Sunday for his unmatched stature and personality, recalling the passion that turned the Boston Celtics into a sports dynasty and helped turn the NBA into the NBA.
"I read about Red in books when I was growing up in the Ukraine," center Vitaly Potapenko said a day after Auerbach died of an apparent heart attack near his Washington, D.C., home. "I would tell my friends that I met him, and they couldn't believe it. He was like a myth."
Potapenko is the only current King who played for the Celtics, even if his time there, from March 1999 through the end of the 2001-02 season, came as Auerbach largely had been reduced to a figurehead role. But Scotty Stirling knew the combative Auerbach.
Long before he became the Kings' director of scouting, Stirling was the league's vice president of operations, putting him in charge of referees and, therefore, putting him in Auerbach's legendary crosshairs. Just as Auerbach had no problem taunting opponents with a victory cigar, he would be openly cantankerous and confrontational in his dealings with the NBA.
"I'll tell you a story," Stirling said. "He said to me one day -- I won't tell you the referee's name -- 'It's bad enough that he's a damn poor ref, but he's also a Philly ref.' I said, 'Red, he's not from Philadelphia.' He said, '(Bleep), he ate there once.' "
Still ...
"I loved him," Stirling said. "He was a pain in the (butt) because he cared about his team and he cared about the league."
Boarding school -- Coach Eric Musselman, having identified rebounding as an emphasis of the exhibition season, said he was pleased with the production on the boards from the team that finished 26th in the league in percentage in 2005-06.
That weak standing came with added concern after losing free agent Bonzi Wells and his 7.7 rebounds per game, a great contribution for a shooting guard. The Kings were tied for 12th entering Friday's exhibition finale.
"If we can do that during the regular season, we feel like good things can happen," Musselman said.
Added forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim: "I thought we rebounded pretty well. I don't pay a lot of attention to stats, but I don't think we got beat up on the boards."
Thomas recovering -- After sitting out Friday's game because of tendinitis in his lower left leg and getting Saturday off with the rest of the team, forward Kenny Thomas practiced Sunday.
Thomas, a starter in each of his seven exhibition appearances, is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener Wednesday in Minnesota.
Et cetera -- The Kings held family day inside the practice facility after the workout, an idea conceived by Musselman for a casual gathering before the grind of the season begins in earnest. Players, coaches and staffers brought significant others and kids for games and food.
About the writer: The Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper can be reached at showard-cooper@sacbee.com
Kings notes: Recollections: Red had a way with words
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:59 am PST Monday, October 30, 2006
The Kings remembered Red Auerbach on Sunday for his unmatched stature and personality, recalling the passion that turned the Boston Celtics into a sports dynasty and helped turn the NBA into the NBA.
"I read about Red in books when I was growing up in the Ukraine," center Vitaly Potapenko said a day after Auerbach died of an apparent heart attack near his Washington, D.C., home. "I would tell my friends that I met him, and they couldn't believe it. He was like a myth."
Potapenko is the only current King who played for the Celtics, even if his time there, from March 1999 through the end of the 2001-02 season, came as Auerbach largely had been reduced to a figurehead role. But Scotty Stirling knew the combative Auerbach.
Long before he became the Kings' director of scouting, Stirling was the league's vice president of operations, putting him in charge of referees and, therefore, putting him in Auerbach's legendary crosshairs. Just as Auerbach had no problem taunting opponents with a victory cigar, he would be openly cantankerous and confrontational in his dealings with the NBA.
"I'll tell you a story," Stirling said. "He said to me one day -- I won't tell you the referee's name -- 'It's bad enough that he's a damn poor ref, but he's also a Philly ref.' I said, 'Red, he's not from Philadelphia.' He said, '(Bleep), he ate there once.' "
Still ...
"I loved him," Stirling said. "He was a pain in the (butt) because he cared about his team and he cared about the league."
Boarding school -- Coach Eric Musselman, having identified rebounding as an emphasis of the exhibition season, said he was pleased with the production on the boards from the team that finished 26th in the league in percentage in 2005-06.
That weak standing came with added concern after losing free agent Bonzi Wells and his 7.7 rebounds per game, a great contribution for a shooting guard. The Kings were tied for 12th entering Friday's exhibition finale.
"If we can do that during the regular season, we feel like good things can happen," Musselman said.
Added forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim: "I thought we rebounded pretty well. I don't pay a lot of attention to stats, but I don't think we got beat up on the boards."
Thomas recovering -- After sitting out Friday's game because of tendinitis in his lower left leg and getting Saturday off with the rest of the team, forward Kenny Thomas practiced Sunday.
Thomas, a starter in each of his seven exhibition appearances, is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener Wednesday in Minnesota.
Et cetera -- The Kings held family day inside the practice facility after the workout, an idea conceived by Musselman for a casual gathering before the grind of the season begins in earnest. Players, coaches and staffers brought significant others and kids for games and food.
About the writer: The Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper can be reached at showard-cooper@sacbee.com
