Musselman press conference - Oct. 22

#6
Just watched the press conference. He made the basic statements you'd expect. All the players came up and stood behind him during it as well, which I found to be a team coming together for their coach. It was noted that Bibby said "we're going with him".
 
#8
Arrgghh. Had trouble accessing News 10. By the time I switched over to Channel 13's stream, it was just the Maloofs and Geoff answering a few questions.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#11
It may sound silly, but this could bind the whole team together in a way few other things can.

I hope they'll put up a transcript of the press conference, although I'm pretty sure they'll show it during half-time of this afternoon's game.

(BTW, I split this out from the existing "arrested" thread...)
 
#17
I watched it on the live internet stream. I liked how the team stood behind him. I think it was Petrie who said it was the teams idea and they were not told or asked to do so. When things get rough it either rips people apart or binds them together. Hopefully this will do the latter for us.
 
#18
It may sound silly, but this could bind the whole team together in a way few other things can.

I hope they'll put up a transcript of the press conference, although I'm pretty sure they'll show it during half-time of this afternoon's game.

(BTW, I split this out from the existing "arrested" thread...)
Not that silly. Sometimes the bad things that happen bring people closer.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#19
I took the time to watch the statements by Petrie and Musselman. Because a dial-up connection means you have to continually wait while the feed buffers, I had plenty of time to copy down what was said.

The press conference started with Petrie and Musselman getting up on the stage, followed by Joe and Gavin. Then the entire team took the stage behind them...

Petrie said:
As you know, early yesterday morning Eric was pulled over for a routine traffic stop. At that point he was arrested on a DUI violaton.

We've communicated our deep displeasure at the poor personal judgment that allowed this incident to occur. I think he understands completely the gravity of the situation in which he finds himself and the potential ramifications of his actions.

At the same time, though, we don't intend to desert him in his hour of need. Certainly this is a self-inflicted wound that needs not be or should not be a mortal one. Eric's a terrific coach who to this point has done an excellent job in taking control of this team, preparing it for the upcoming regular season. We are all totally committed to continue to do our best to support his efforts to obtain the maximum performance from the team.

And hopefully this incident will serve as an ongoing reminder of the very clear and present danger which we all face when you combine social drinking and driving and how quickly an evening of essentially good natured fun and some frivolity can turn treacherous or even worse.

With that I'll turn it over to Eric.
A very contrite, embarrassed and somber Musselman then stepped to the podium:

Musselman said:
As you know from what has been reported I was involved in an incident on Friday night.

First, let me say that I'm sorry. I'm embarrassed and ashamed. I'm well aware of the seriousness of the situation. It's not representative of how I've lived my life and I want you to know I will never take it lightly.

It was a huge mistake on my behalf. I apologize to the team, I apologize to the city of Sacramento and its great Kings fans, I apologize to the Maloof family and to Geoff Petrie. I'm very grateful for the opportunity the Maloof family has given me to coach the Kings. I want to apologize to my family and most certainly my sons, Michael and Matthew.

Please keep in mind that this is a legal matter and per advice that's kind of all I have to say at this time. Again, I am extremely sorry. Thanks for coming today... (pause) ...You know, one thing I am looking forward to is hitting the floor again ... you know ... with the team.
There is more on the Ch. 13 website, including a statement from the Maloofs, but I ran out of patience with my dial-up connection.

;)
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#22
No maybe about it if you want to bring peopel togher make them face adversity togheter. Just ask any war Vet.
Ture, but they have to be in the adversity all together -- the common opponent thing. I don't think this is the sort of thing that will necessarily tear us apart, but this is Muss's adversity, not the team as a whole's. And in the NBA you also often see the opposing sharks smelling blood in the water phenomenon where an embattled coach (for whatever reason) finds his troops less and less cooperative as they sense weakness. I would say the current incident kind of shifts the balance of power a bit between the coach and the players -- Muss is weakened, both owing the players for their support and needing their support.
 
Last edited:
#23
Well, we can see tonight how much it has impacted us.

Personally, I think this is going to end up being a non-factor. It's neither going to bring us together or tear us apart.

I'd lean towards the event causing Muss to loose a bit of leverage with the team over the short term, but I don't think it'd be a catostrophic thing.
 
#24
I was impressed with how the organization handled the press conference. that is saying alot since it has been a while since I have been impressed them as a whole. Muss seemed genuine in his apology - not just in getting caught. The Maloofs and Petrie did not excuse his behavior. The called it out for what it was, without abandoning the coach. It was also impressive to the see the TEAM as unit supporting him. I will never condone drinking and driving. It is deplorable. Hopefully he has learned from this and it will not happen again. Much LESS importantly, maybe the Kings will be a stronger team because of this.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#25
Ture, but they have to be in the adversity all together -- the common opponent thing. I don't think this is the sort of thing that will necessarily tear us apart, but this is Muss's adversity, not the team as a whole's. And in the NBA you also often see the opposing sharks smelling blood in the water phenomenon where an embattled coach (for whatever reason) finds his troops less and less cooperative as they sense weakness. I would say the current incident kind of shifts the balance of power a bit between the coach and the players -- Muss is weakened, both owing the players for their support and needing their support.
While that's one possible scenario, I don't think that's true in this case. The players have done things they would just as soon forget, even if the media doesn't always catch wind of them. I don't believe they're going to feel as though they have something over Musselman.

I also don't see this as an "embattled coach." He made a mistake; he'll face the legal ramifications. It's not like the case with Webber, whose legal difficulties stretched out and out and out. The incident is over. The apology has been issued. There may be a few reporters - one immediately comes to mind - who may or may not try to make more of it.

I think this is going to become something that happened, was dealt with and then put behind them. And I firmly believe that's the best way to handle it.
 
#26
Very impressed w/the way the whole organization has handled this.

I still want to see some kind of public service message from Muss w/o it being court ordered. (but that's just me)

I was also impressed w/bibby's interview. Way to stand behind your coach.
 
#27
I found it interesting that Joe Maloof said nothing and that Gavin did all the speaking. Usually Joe is at the forefront of these press conferences or it is Joe and Gavin together. Probably nothing....
 
#28
good thing that he isnt the coach of the knicks

hes lucky that sac has a small media market that when compared to new yorks media, it makes it look like an 8th grader reporting project
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#29
I found it interesting that Joe Maloof said nothing and that Gavin did all the speaking. Usually Joe is at the forefront of these press conferences or it is Joe and Gavin together. Probably nothing....
I'm confused. Why would you think it makes any difference? And what do you think that difference could be?
 
#30
Very impressed w/the way the whole organization has handled this.

I still want to see some kind of public service message from Muss w/o it being court ordered. (but that's just me)

I was also impressed w/bibby's interview. Way to stand behind your coach.

I did not see any player interviews. My video stream was just Muss. Petrie and Maloofs. What did Bibby have to say?