http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/448457.html
Kings workout isn't a winner
Coach Reggie Theus says the team is unfocused on a day of 'Fandemonium.'
By Martin McNeal - mmcneal@sacbee.com
Last Updated 12:06 am PDT Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C4
It didn't take a long time or many words for coach Reggie Theus to sum up Monday morning's workout at the Kings' practice facility:
"It was (garbage)," Theus said before being asked what made it that way.
"I don't know. I think it happens. I think guys hope they get the next day off after playing the night before. But at the same time, since training camp started, I think there's maybe been three or two and a half days where I could say it's been like that. They were just unfocused.
"I don't know, maybe they were all saving it up for Fandemonium."
The Kings held their annual introduction of the team to the fans Monday evening at Arco Arena. The event, intended to provide fans with a lot of interaction with the players and coaching staff, was attended by between 4,000 and 5,000 fans.
Theus said following the workout that he didn't know much about the event, but he was happy to participate.
"I've gone through things I think are similar, but anything that has to do with the fans, you have to be sensitive to doing," he said. "It's not about you, it's about them. It cuts into your day, but you know what? You didn't work a 9 to 5, either."
Theus repeatedly has said his most important job is attempting to change the team's mind-set.
"The team has to figure out how to win games, how to play hard, how to push the ball," he said. "Anybody can come in and put in plays and a structure. But it's the mind-set that has to be changed; the team had structure last year. And I'm pleased with the effort."
Theus said he and his staff must constantly provide the impetus.
"I won't let down," he said. "I have to come in with the energy and effort every day, and so does the staff."
Theus said Monday's practice left him ambivalent.
"The player side of me understood that it was just one of those days," said Theus, who played 13 NBA seasons. "The coaching side of me almost sent them home. But I knew there still was stuff to do. I think vets know how on days like this to fight through it for 35 or 45 minutes and then coast."
Theus had one more veteran with which to work Monday after the return of power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in late June. Abdur-Rahim, 30, said his first day of practice with the team went well.
"It felt pretty good," he said of his knee. "I think you can do all the stuff you do when you rehab, but it's different when you actually play. That's the real test. And I really hadn't played since the end of last season."
Abdur-Rahim has been with the team throughout training camp, although he had been unable to practice. He is encouraged by what he has seen, but knows he needs to see more.
"I see a lot of potential," he said. "I think we can be good if everybody comes to play hard every night. Really, that's how it was last year. If we come to play hard every night, we can beat anybody. If we don't, we can get beaten by anybody.
"We're not talented enough to try to turn it on and off."
One who has it turned on is former Kings guard Randy Brown, who now is a member of Theus' coaching staff.
"I was here at 8 a.m. Sunday watching tape," said Brown, who added he loves watching film. "I'm the prep guy for the (Los Angeles) Clippers (Wednesday's opponent) and also look and see some tendencies of Portland (last Sunday's opponent)."
That made for a 14-hour day, including the victory over Portland.
Kings workout isn't a winner
Coach Reggie Theus says the team is unfocused on a day of 'Fandemonium.'
By Martin McNeal - mmcneal@sacbee.com
Last Updated 12:06 am PDT Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C4
It didn't take a long time or many words for coach Reggie Theus to sum up Monday morning's workout at the Kings' practice facility:
"It was (garbage)," Theus said before being asked what made it that way.
"I don't know. I think it happens. I think guys hope they get the next day off after playing the night before. But at the same time, since training camp started, I think there's maybe been three or two and a half days where I could say it's been like that. They were just unfocused.
"I don't know, maybe they were all saving it up for Fandemonium."
The Kings held their annual introduction of the team to the fans Monday evening at Arco Arena. The event, intended to provide fans with a lot of interaction with the players and coaching staff, was attended by between 4,000 and 5,000 fans.
Theus said following the workout that he didn't know much about the event, but he was happy to participate.
"I've gone through things I think are similar, but anything that has to do with the fans, you have to be sensitive to doing," he said. "It's not about you, it's about them. It cuts into your day, but you know what? You didn't work a 9 to 5, either."
Theus repeatedly has said his most important job is attempting to change the team's mind-set.
"The team has to figure out how to win games, how to play hard, how to push the ball," he said. "Anybody can come in and put in plays and a structure. But it's the mind-set that has to be changed; the team had structure last year. And I'm pleased with the effort."
Theus said he and his staff must constantly provide the impetus.
"I won't let down," he said. "I have to come in with the energy and effort every day, and so does the staff."
Theus said Monday's practice left him ambivalent.
"The player side of me understood that it was just one of those days," said Theus, who played 13 NBA seasons. "The coaching side of me almost sent them home. But I knew there still was stuff to do. I think vets know how on days like this to fight through it for 35 or 45 minutes and then coast."
Theus had one more veteran with which to work Monday after the return of power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in late June. Abdur-Rahim, 30, said his first day of practice with the team went well.
"It felt pretty good," he said of his knee. "I think you can do all the stuff you do when you rehab, but it's different when you actually play. That's the real test. And I really hadn't played since the end of last season."
Abdur-Rahim has been with the team throughout training camp, although he had been unable to practice. He is encouraged by what he has seen, but knows he needs to see more.
"I see a lot of potential," he said. "I think we can be good if everybody comes to play hard every night. Really, that's how it was last year. If we come to play hard every night, we can beat anybody. If we don't, we can get beaten by anybody.
"We're not talented enough to try to turn it on and off."
One who has it turned on is former Kings guard Randy Brown, who now is a member of Theus' coaching staff.
"I was here at 8 a.m. Sunday watching tape," said Brown, who added he loves watching film. "I'm the prep guy for the (Los Angeles) Clippers (Wednesday's opponent) and also look and see some tendencies of Portland (last Sunday's opponent)."
That made for a 14-hour day, including the victory over Portland.
