Not the world's greatest article, but it alleviates the boredom for a couple of minutes.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/paul_forrester/08/01/coaches/2.html
Reggie Theus, Kings
Vital stats: Led the Deering Tornadoes from 1995-98 in the NBC teenage morning TV league; spent two seasons as Rick Pitino's assistant at Louisville; led New Mexico State to a 41-23 record and a 2007 NCAA tournament berth in two seasons as the Aggies' head coach.
Pressure points
1. Generate team harmony: Rumors simmered all last season that the Kings were caught in a power struggle over whether Mike Bibby or Ron Artest was the team's leader. Meanwhile, Team USA center Brad Miller morphed into Chris Mihm, and coach Eric Musselman pleaded no contest to a drunken-driving charge. Look, no team is ever entirely on the same page, but this group wasn't in the same library. If the former Coach Fuller can work the same magic he did in the NBC series Hangtime, there is enough talent in Sacramento to at least entertain thoughts of a No. 8 seed.
2. Find Miller: The Kings averaged fewer assists last season than they had in the previous four. No one seemed more affected than Miller, much of whose effectiveness derives from his passing ability. At only 31, Miller shouldn't be readying for retirement to the farm quite yet. Theus should attempt to direct more of the offense through Miller, but that requires getting the ball out of Artest's hands first.
3. Help Artest find inner peace: Last year's domestic violence incident was just the latest episode for a player who has a habit of becoming a distraction to his team. If Theus can somehow get Artest to just play basketball again -- minus the CD promotion tours, debates over his leadership skills and trade demands -- the Kings can play with the defensive intensity that marked their 8-5 start last season. If he can't, Theus has to convince GM Geoff Petrie, and, more important, the Maloofs, that Artest has to be shipped out, no matter the cost.
Prognosis: Doubtful. Trying to salvage the Kings with a roster full of veterans who remember better times would be a tall order for the most experienced of coaches. For an NBA rookie who has never assisted on the pro level, this is a recipe for trouble. Which is why Petrie probably will give this group until the trade deadline to mesh before retooling the roster and letting Theus mold a younger cast of characters -- like he did on TV. In the real world, though, NBA coaches need an NBA coaching track record, one that makes other players familiar with him and him familiar with the motivations and distractions with which the modern player must cope. Theus can't fake that.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/paul_forrester/08/01/coaches/2.html
Reggie Theus, Kings
Vital stats: Led the Deering Tornadoes from 1995-98 in the NBC teenage morning TV league; spent two seasons as Rick Pitino's assistant at Louisville; led New Mexico State to a 41-23 record and a 2007 NCAA tournament berth in two seasons as the Aggies' head coach.
Pressure points
1. Generate team harmony: Rumors simmered all last season that the Kings were caught in a power struggle over whether Mike Bibby or Ron Artest was the team's leader. Meanwhile, Team USA center Brad Miller morphed into Chris Mihm, and coach Eric Musselman pleaded no contest to a drunken-driving charge. Look, no team is ever entirely on the same page, but this group wasn't in the same library. If the former Coach Fuller can work the same magic he did in the NBC series Hangtime, there is enough talent in Sacramento to at least entertain thoughts of a No. 8 seed.
2. Find Miller: The Kings averaged fewer assists last season than they had in the previous four. No one seemed more affected than Miller, much of whose effectiveness derives from his passing ability. At only 31, Miller shouldn't be readying for retirement to the farm quite yet. Theus should attempt to direct more of the offense through Miller, but that requires getting the ball out of Artest's hands first.
3. Help Artest find inner peace: Last year's domestic violence incident was just the latest episode for a player who has a habit of becoming a distraction to his team. If Theus can somehow get Artest to just play basketball again -- minus the CD promotion tours, debates over his leadership skills and trade demands -- the Kings can play with the defensive intensity that marked their 8-5 start last season. If he can't, Theus has to convince GM Geoff Petrie, and, more important, the Maloofs, that Artest has to be shipped out, no matter the cost.
Prognosis: Doubtful. Trying to salvage the Kings with a roster full of veterans who remember better times would be a tall order for the most experienced of coaches. For an NBA rookie who has never assisted on the pro level, this is a recipe for trouble. Which is why Petrie probably will give this group until the trade deadline to mesh before retooling the roster and letting Theus mold a younger cast of characters -- like he did on TV. In the real world, though, NBA coaches need an NBA coaching track record, one that makes other players familiar with him and him familiar with the motivations and distractions with which the modern player must cope. Theus can't fake that.
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