http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/72698.html
Ailene Voisin: Kings are a reflection of their energetic coach
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C6
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]They are him.
They are just like him.
They work an entire shift, sweat through their clothing, make extensive use of their body parts -- hands swiping passes, arms swatting shots, legs churning downcourt, ahead of the opponents. And need we mention that these Kings are undersized, much like their inexhaustible new coach, Eric Musselman?
If these 2006-07 Kings are going to compete for a playoff berth in the ridiculously competitive Western Conference, this is who they are, and this is what they have to do. Steal passes. Block shots. Contest jumpers. Rotate defensively, covering each other's derrière. In essence, they have to be him, have to play the way their coach coaches. They have to be more of a Maltese than a Lassie, seldom coasting and never resting.
In his regular-season debut as coach of the Kings, as the man chosen to replace the very successful Rick Adelman -- his philosophical opposite, as it were -- Musselman played an entire game within inches of the real game. When not otherwise cheating over the line and onto the court, the wiry, 5-foot-7 former college point guard went at it for an entire 48 minutes. Were the officials inclined to turn a blind eye, one suspects Musselman gladly would have sprinted on the court and tackled Kevin Garnett, Mike James, Marko Jaric, Troy Hudson or any of the other Minnesota Timberwolves who threatened to ruin his night.
Instead, he stayed on his property and screamed over the fence.
In one microcosm of his coaching style, chronicled during one two-minute stretch, Musselman did all of the following: Frantically scooted along the baseline, whipping his arms in a frenzy as he urged Kevin Martin to hustle back defensively. Stormed to his feet after the Kings relinquished an offensive rebound. Placed his hands in his pockets and whirled around to avoid barking at the refs. Scratched his chin. Crossed his arms. Placed his hands in his pockets. Informed the referee that he missed a call.
Applauded Francisco García for a hustle play. Greeted Kenny Thomas as he walked toward the bench. Placed his hands in his pockets. Thrust his fist into the air after yet another steal resulted in yet another field goal. Not that he needs to shed a pound -- the man is a fitness fanatic -- but his behavior Monday was a terrific recipe for a diet.
"Coach brings so much energy," reserve Ronnie Price said, grinning, "and his will to win is so great, that we kind of get caught up in it. He puts that drive into us."
And this is important because, given the Kings' current predicament, they need to outwork and outhustle the opposition to remain competitive. With 7-foot center Brad Miller sidelined, the next- tallest King is 6-10 Vitaly Potapenko, and he never plays, which has forced 6-9 Shareef Abdur-Rahim into a quick transition from power forward to starting center. And which means the Kings will have to win the old-fashioned way, by rebounding collectively, utilizing their length and quickness defensively, and then capitalizing on transition opportunities.
Indeed, that pregame moment of silence for the late Red Auerbach has added meaning. Heck, old Red, he would have liked these Kings on Monday night. There was Mike Bibby deflecting balls (who said he can't defend?), Thomas and Abdur-Rahim contesting layups, Martin scampering after loose balls, John Salmons quietly producing a very effective all-around game. And, of course, there was Ron Artest, his brilliant defensive instincts on display throughout, contributing two blocks, four steals and eight rebounds, and just being his usual, disruptive self.
No, if Musselman can keep his cool just enough to keep from ticking off his players throughout the course of an 82-game season, he could be a nice fit over at Arco. Artest e-mails him. Bibby phones him. Martin sends text messages. So far, these Kings are responding, checking in, buying in. "He's got us playing a little bit like the Phoenix Suns," Martin noted. "We get the rebound and get out and run."
And did we mention how much they sweat? How much their coach sweats? Before greeting the media afterward, with his voice hoarse, his features reflecting his obvious relief, Musselman changed out of his suit and into a long-sleeve T-shirt.
Asked if this was to be expected, if this was the routine, he laughed. "Yeah," he said, laughing. "Every night."
[/FONT]
Ailene Voisin: Kings are a reflection of their energetic coach
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C6
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]They are him.
They are just like him.
They work an entire shift, sweat through their clothing, make extensive use of their body parts -- hands swiping passes, arms swatting shots, legs churning downcourt, ahead of the opponents. And need we mention that these Kings are undersized, much like their inexhaustible new coach, Eric Musselman?
If these 2006-07 Kings are going to compete for a playoff berth in the ridiculously competitive Western Conference, this is who they are, and this is what they have to do. Steal passes. Block shots. Contest jumpers. Rotate defensively, covering each other's derrière. In essence, they have to be him, have to play the way their coach coaches. They have to be more of a Maltese than a Lassie, seldom coasting and never resting.
In his regular-season debut as coach of the Kings, as the man chosen to replace the very successful Rick Adelman -- his philosophical opposite, as it were -- Musselman played an entire game within inches of the real game. When not otherwise cheating over the line and onto the court, the wiry, 5-foot-7 former college point guard went at it for an entire 48 minutes. Were the officials inclined to turn a blind eye, one suspects Musselman gladly would have sprinted on the court and tackled Kevin Garnett, Mike James, Marko Jaric, Troy Hudson or any of the other Minnesota Timberwolves who threatened to ruin his night.
Instead, he stayed on his property and screamed over the fence.
In one microcosm of his coaching style, chronicled during one two-minute stretch, Musselman did all of the following: Frantically scooted along the baseline, whipping his arms in a frenzy as he urged Kevin Martin to hustle back defensively. Stormed to his feet after the Kings relinquished an offensive rebound. Placed his hands in his pockets and whirled around to avoid barking at the refs. Scratched his chin. Crossed his arms. Placed his hands in his pockets. Informed the referee that he missed a call.
Applauded Francisco García for a hustle play. Greeted Kenny Thomas as he walked toward the bench. Placed his hands in his pockets. Thrust his fist into the air after yet another steal resulted in yet another field goal. Not that he needs to shed a pound -- the man is a fitness fanatic -- but his behavior Monday was a terrific recipe for a diet.
"Coach brings so much energy," reserve Ronnie Price said, grinning, "and his will to win is so great, that we kind of get caught up in it. He puts that drive into us."
And this is important because, given the Kings' current predicament, they need to outwork and outhustle the opposition to remain competitive. With 7-foot center Brad Miller sidelined, the next- tallest King is 6-10 Vitaly Potapenko, and he never plays, which has forced 6-9 Shareef Abdur-Rahim into a quick transition from power forward to starting center. And which means the Kings will have to win the old-fashioned way, by rebounding collectively, utilizing their length and quickness defensively, and then capitalizing on transition opportunities.
Indeed, that pregame moment of silence for the late Red Auerbach has added meaning. Heck, old Red, he would have liked these Kings on Monday night. There was Mike Bibby deflecting balls (who said he can't defend?), Thomas and Abdur-Rahim contesting layups, Martin scampering after loose balls, John Salmons quietly producing a very effective all-around game. And, of course, there was Ron Artest, his brilliant defensive instincts on display throughout, contributing two blocks, four steals and eight rebounds, and just being his usual, disruptive self.
No, if Musselman can keep his cool just enough to keep from ticking off his players throughout the course of an 82-game season, he could be a nice fit over at Arco. Artest e-mails him. Bibby phones him. Martin sends text messages. So far, these Kings are responding, checking in, buying in. "He's got us playing a little bit like the Phoenix Suns," Martin noted. "We get the rebound and get out and run."
And did we mention how much they sweat? How much their coach sweats? Before greeting the media afterward, with his voice hoarse, his features reflecting his obvious relief, Musselman changed out of his suit and into a long-sleeve T-shirt.
Asked if this was to be expected, if this was the routine, he laughed. "Yeah," he said, laughing. "Every night."
[/FONT]
