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Since landing Kings job, it's been a whirlwind of activity for ex-Grizzly
By Ronald Tillery
June 9, 2006
ORLANDO -- He stood in a corner of the Milk House gymnasium, out of sight but on the minds of many. The scene painted a clear picture: Former Grizzlies assistant coach Eric Musselman is back.
That is what the toothy grin he can't seem to hide suggests. So does Musselman's newfound popularity.
"It's been a whirlwind," Musselman said of his new job -- head coach of the Sacramento Kings -- a position he's held less than a week. "From getting the job to coming here ... There hasn't been much time for rest."
Musselman's new gig began with two trips to Las Vegas to hang out with the Maloof family, which owns the Kings. Within several hours of his hiring, Musselman darted to a Sacramento mall to meet and greet fans.
He posed for photos.
He signed autographs for frenetic supporters.
Some five days later, he's dealing with different type of groupies during the NBA's pre-draft camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. Musselman paused a time or 10, from watching prospects to entertaining potential candidates to join his staff.
This is all craziness that Musselman badly wanted to experience again.
He'll gladly take it in his second coming as an NBA head coach, and also unpack a large chunk of his Grizzlies experience when he settles in.
Musselman signed a three-year contract worth more than $7 million with a team option for a fourth year.
He earned the job with interviews that focused on defense -- something the Kings' coaching search was based on.
That he came across as the perfect fit with an impressive mixture of the style and substance the Maloofs sought is why Musselman said he'll always appreciate Memphis.
"I came there to be associated with (Griz team president) Jerry West and then (head coach) Mike Fratello. And I learned a lot from Mike, especially at the defensive end of the floor," said Musselman, who spent the past two seasons on the FedExForum sidelines. "I lot of the stuff we'll try to implement defensively, we picked up from Mike.
"With Jerry, it was important to go to Memphis and for him to see my work so he could help out the next time a job opened up. That's kind of what happened. He was the guy that really helped me. That was a big reason why I wanted to come to Memphis."
West's glowing job reference to Geoff Petrie, Kings president of basketball operations, carried some weight. Musselman, who interviewed with Orlando and Cleveland last summer, emerged as the leading candidate.
"It was a combination of knowledge and his personality," Petrie said of Musselman's hiring. "His level of preparation was great. He clearly was well prepared and came in like he wanted the job. There was a lot of energy, which (the owners) really liked. Plus, there's a relative history of success everywhere he's been."
Golden State hired Musselman in 2002 as the NBA's youngest coach at 37. He compiled a 75-89 record in two seasons before being fired by new Warriors exec Chris Mullin.
Musselman's first season stood out because the Warriors' 38 victories represented a 17-game improvement from the previous year. He proved to have an effective coaching style early and that is one reason why Musselman's departure from Memphis could be viewed as bittersweet.
Many saw Musselman as a natural and capable successor should Fratello leave after completing a deal that expires after the 2006-07 season.
"He did a very good job at Golden State and, frankly, that team hasn't been as successful since he left," West said. "I think he's learned a lot and he's learned something about himself everywhere he's been.
"(Sacramento) is a great opportunity with players who are capable of playing at a high level every night. He knows Bonzi (Wells), which I think is a plus for him. He knows that Bonzi is a small forward. He knows that. It's a real good fit for (Eric) because he's a good combination of an offensive and defensive coach."
Musselman's presence might give the Kings another edge in re-signing Wells, a free agent. Musselman and Wells enjoyed a solid relationship in Memphis. Musselman's father, the late Bill Musselman, was an assistant coach in Portland during Wells' Portland stint. Musselman also coached Kings forward and former Grizzly Shareef Abdur-Rahim in Atlanta during the 2001-02 season.
Those connections perhaps enhanced Musselman's stock given his overwhelming interview skills.
Much has been made of Musselman's basketball acumen, detailed knowledge of the Kings' roster and organizational charts during the search process.
"It almost got to the point where I felt that if we didn't hire him, then we'd be at competitive disadvantage to wherever he went," Gavin Maloof said. "So I said, 'Maybe we've got to get this guy on the team.' I think that's how all of us felt."
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_4761900,00.html
By Ronald Tillery
June 9, 2006
ORLANDO -- He stood in a corner of the Milk House gymnasium, out of sight but on the minds of many. The scene painted a clear picture: Former Grizzlies assistant coach Eric Musselman is back.
That is what the toothy grin he can't seem to hide suggests. So does Musselman's newfound popularity.
"It's been a whirlwind," Musselman said of his new job -- head coach of the Sacramento Kings -- a position he's held less than a week. "From getting the job to coming here ... There hasn't been much time for rest."
Musselman's new gig began with two trips to Las Vegas to hang out with the Maloof family, which owns the Kings. Within several hours of his hiring, Musselman darted to a Sacramento mall to meet and greet fans.
He posed for photos.
He signed autographs for frenetic supporters.
Some five days later, he's dealing with different type of groupies during the NBA's pre-draft camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. Musselman paused a time or 10, from watching prospects to entertaining potential candidates to join his staff.
This is all craziness that Musselman badly wanted to experience again.
He'll gladly take it in his second coming as an NBA head coach, and also unpack a large chunk of his Grizzlies experience when he settles in.
Musselman signed a three-year contract worth more than $7 million with a team option for a fourth year.
He earned the job with interviews that focused on defense -- something the Kings' coaching search was based on.
That he came across as the perfect fit with an impressive mixture of the style and substance the Maloofs sought is why Musselman said he'll always appreciate Memphis.
"I came there to be associated with (Griz team president) Jerry West and then (head coach) Mike Fratello. And I learned a lot from Mike, especially at the defensive end of the floor," said Musselman, who spent the past two seasons on the FedExForum sidelines. "I lot of the stuff we'll try to implement defensively, we picked up from Mike.
"With Jerry, it was important to go to Memphis and for him to see my work so he could help out the next time a job opened up. That's kind of what happened. He was the guy that really helped me. That was a big reason why I wanted to come to Memphis."
West's glowing job reference to Geoff Petrie, Kings president of basketball operations, carried some weight. Musselman, who interviewed with Orlando and Cleveland last summer, emerged as the leading candidate.
"It was a combination of knowledge and his personality," Petrie said of Musselman's hiring. "His level of preparation was great. He clearly was well prepared and came in like he wanted the job. There was a lot of energy, which (the owners) really liked. Plus, there's a relative history of success everywhere he's been."
Golden State hired Musselman in 2002 as the NBA's youngest coach at 37. He compiled a 75-89 record in two seasons before being fired by new Warriors exec Chris Mullin.
Musselman's first season stood out because the Warriors' 38 victories represented a 17-game improvement from the previous year. He proved to have an effective coaching style early and that is one reason why Musselman's departure from Memphis could be viewed as bittersweet.
Many saw Musselman as a natural and capable successor should Fratello leave after completing a deal that expires after the 2006-07 season.
"He did a very good job at Golden State and, frankly, that team hasn't been as successful since he left," West said. "I think he's learned a lot and he's learned something about himself everywhere he's been.
"(Sacramento) is a great opportunity with players who are capable of playing at a high level every night. He knows Bonzi (Wells), which I think is a plus for him. He knows that Bonzi is a small forward. He knows that. It's a real good fit for (Eric) because he's a good combination of an offensive and defensive coach."
Musselman's presence might give the Kings another edge in re-signing Wells, a free agent. Musselman and Wells enjoyed a solid relationship in Memphis. Musselman's father, the late Bill Musselman, was an assistant coach in Portland during Wells' Portland stint. Musselman also coached Kings forward and former Grizzly Shareef Abdur-Rahim in Atlanta during the 2001-02 season.
Those connections perhaps enhanced Musselman's stock given his overwhelming interview skills.
Much has been made of Musselman's basketball acumen, detailed knowledge of the Kings' roster and organizational charts during the search process.
"It almost got to the point where I felt that if we didn't hire him, then we'd be at competitive disadvantage to wherever he went," Gavin Maloof said. "So I said, 'Maybe we've got to get this guy on the team.' I think that's how all of us felt."
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_4761900,00.html
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