http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/44187.html
Players shocked but 'support' coach
By Martin McNeal - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:20 am PDT Monday, October 23, 2006
RENO-As an NBA player, even stretching the imagination, one can expect certain things when waking up in the morning.
Learning your coach has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving usually is not on the list.
But whatever legal consequences Kings coach Eric Musselman might face following his arrest early Saturday, he will know his players have his back.
"I was shocked that it happened," veteran forward Corliss Williamson said Sunday afternoon while dressing in the team's locker room before its game against the New Orleans Hornets at Lawlor Events Center.
"He's our coach, and we believe in him. I think we've all been in compromising situations, situations where we've made good decisions and bad decisions.
"Fortunately, no one was hurt and 'Muss' is fine. He knows he made a mistake and that doesn't excuse what happened."
Most of the players learned of Musselman's arrest the same way most NBA news travels -- word of mouth.
"I heard about it in the morning when I woke up," Kings forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim said Sunday. "I was surprised and shocked, but mostly concerned."
Abdur-Rahim said he hopes Kings fans will not hold the incident against the coach.
"There are a lot of places -- America, specifically -- where you can redeem yourself and come back," said the forward who played for Atlanta in 2001-02, when Musselman was a Hawks assistant. "People have done far, far worse things and bounced back, so I don't see why he can't."
New Orleans coach Byron Scott said he was a disbeliever at first.
"I was, like, 'Wow! Are you serious?,' " Scott said. "I know when I go out with my wife and I have a couple of drinks, she always drives. I think I was so surprised because we have so many options. We have friends, car services and taxis."
Scott said some people likely will not give Musselman the benefit of the doubt.
"Everywhere you look, there are people who will judge," Scott said. "Just like any and every other situation, people will throw stones. There are not too many people out here who are perfect. Luckily, it didn't cost a life, and Musselman doesn't have to face the ultimate personality. And he can learn and move on."
Kings forward Ron Artest has been involved in several controversial incidents and had compassion for his new coach.
"I think the press conference (Sunday afternoon at Arco Arena) said it all," Artest said. "Coach was very apologetic, and now we have to move on. History shows that he's never had this in his situation and the only one perfect is God. It's Jesus and no one else. It's a situation similar to (former President Clinton). He said he smoked (marijuana) before, that got out and that was it."
Mike Bibby and Williamson were among those who suggested players join Musselman at his news conference.
"I was surprised to hear that it happened," Bibby said. "He's remorseful.
"You hope people will understand, but you also know how some people are. As a team, we just wanted to show appreciation and support for him. He knows he wasn't right. And people do make mistakes."
Said Brad Miller of his coach: "He's still our coach, and we're with him. He made a mistake. We've made them, too. I'm definitely a guy who will forgive and forget."
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
Players shocked but 'support' coach
By Martin McNeal - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:20 am PDT Monday, October 23, 2006
RENO-As an NBA player, even stretching the imagination, one can expect certain things when waking up in the morning.
Learning your coach has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving usually is not on the list.
But whatever legal consequences Kings coach Eric Musselman might face following his arrest early Saturday, he will know his players have his back.
"I was shocked that it happened," veteran forward Corliss Williamson said Sunday afternoon while dressing in the team's locker room before its game against the New Orleans Hornets at Lawlor Events Center.
"He's our coach, and we believe in him. I think we've all been in compromising situations, situations where we've made good decisions and bad decisions.
"Fortunately, no one was hurt and 'Muss' is fine. He knows he made a mistake and that doesn't excuse what happened."
Most of the players learned of Musselman's arrest the same way most NBA news travels -- word of mouth.
"I heard about it in the morning when I woke up," Kings forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim said Sunday. "I was surprised and shocked, but mostly concerned."
Abdur-Rahim said he hopes Kings fans will not hold the incident against the coach.
"There are a lot of places -- America, specifically -- where you can redeem yourself and come back," said the forward who played for Atlanta in 2001-02, when Musselman was a Hawks assistant. "People have done far, far worse things and bounced back, so I don't see why he can't."
New Orleans coach Byron Scott said he was a disbeliever at first.
"I was, like, 'Wow! Are you serious?,' " Scott said. "I know when I go out with my wife and I have a couple of drinks, she always drives. I think I was so surprised because we have so many options. We have friends, car services and taxis."
Scott said some people likely will not give Musselman the benefit of the doubt.
"Everywhere you look, there are people who will judge," Scott said. "Just like any and every other situation, people will throw stones. There are not too many people out here who are perfect. Luckily, it didn't cost a life, and Musselman doesn't have to face the ultimate personality. And he can learn and move on."
Kings forward Ron Artest has been involved in several controversial incidents and had compassion for his new coach.
"I think the press conference (Sunday afternoon at Arco Arena) said it all," Artest said. "Coach was very apologetic, and now we have to move on. History shows that he's never had this in his situation and the only one perfect is God. It's Jesus and no one else. It's a situation similar to (former President Clinton). He said he smoked (marijuana) before, that got out and that was it."
Mike Bibby and Williamson were among those who suggested players join Musselman at his news conference.
"I was surprised to hear that it happened," Bibby said. "He's remorseful.
"You hope people will understand, but you also know how some people are. As a team, we just wanted to show appreciation and support for him. He knows he wasn't right. And people do make mistakes."
Said Brad Miller of his coach: "He's still our coach, and we're with him. He made a mistake. We've made them, too. I'm definitely a guy who will forgive and forget."
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
