http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/47419.html
Ailene Voisin: New boss -- and new framework
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in PROJECTS section, Page KINGS TIPOFF8
Eric Musselman's ultimate challenge -- proving himself to be a capable, effective leader and worthy successor to Rick Adelman -- recently became a tougher ordeal. No doubt about that. His arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, at the very least, contrasts with the image he is trying to convey, namely that of a mature authority figure equipped to guide the Kings into the next era.
But Musselman offered his mea culpa. He shed his tears. He survived his public flogging. His legal issues are pending, to be dealt with in the future. So now the Kings' ambitious, aggressive young coach begins sweating the small stuff: Mike Bibby's thumb injury. The glut of wing players. Brad Miller's declining rebounding numbers. The ongoing duel between power forwards Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. And after a two-year hiatus, his desire to re-establish himself as an enduring, respected member of the NBA head-coaching fraternity.
As he begins his first head-coaching gig since his two seasons with the Golden State Warriors (2002-04), Musselman, 41, nonetheless retains a clear sense of the system he is attempting to develop and the methods to achieve the results -- one rooted in fundamentals and fueled by a surplus of desire. He remains very much his father's son. The late Bill Musselman was a fierce, relentless worker who maintained a commanding presence despite his slight stature. When he entered a locker room, the players took notice. His colleagues often joked about his 24/7 cycle; it was not uncommon for the former Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves coach to phone peers for scouting reports or study game tape in the wee hours.
The ethos and organizational skills appear to have been inherited. Same for the philosophy. The younger Musselman, the divorced father of two sons, emphasizes conditioning, defensive pressure, ball movement, and a combination of physical and mental toughness. He is disciplined and demanding, though not incapable of humorous asides, and, unlike his predecessor, a stickler for basic rules. Players will be fined for the usual transgressions (cell phones going off during meetings, etc.).
"We made some changes," Musselman said. "The big thing is, don't be late. And don't disrespect the game. If you're wondering why you're not playing, look at your stats. If you need to work on your ballhandling, work on your ballhandling. If your foul shooting is down, spend extra time in the gym.
"But there will be things to lighten the mood. We played music at one of our practices, so things like that."
After eight seasons under Adelman, a reclusive individual who maintained an unusually low profile within the community and the local and national media, the atmosphere around Arco has experienced a seismic shift. The media-friendly Musselman is both looser and more structured, and most noticeably, almost omnipresent. The state-of-the-art practice facility, for instance, accommodated a crowd throughout the offseason. The new assistant coaches, a gathering of former Continental Basketball Association types who together comprise an unusually young staff, drew raves from longtime Kings officials for their tutorials and near-constant presence on the practice court.
Geoff Petrie seems energized. Joe and Gavin Maloof, aware their former coach resented their once-frequent appearances in the gym, appear more comfortable in their own building. Media members are allowed to view a portion of practice, another departure from a previous regime that became so insular -- really, so paranoid -- that the Monarchs routinely were barred from the premises.
The philosophical differences extend to personnel decisions, as well as offensive and defensive schemes. An unabashed admirer of Pat Riley, whose Miami Heat training camps he occasionally observed, Musselman favors more extensive use of his reserves, prefers mixing up and extending his defensive coverages and seems intent on restoring Miller to his prior role as an initiator of the halfcourt offense.
No surprise here, either: Musselman is enamored of Ron Artest; pleased about Bibby's slimmer frame; encouraged by Francisco García, Ronnie Price and newcomer John Salmons; and immensely impressed with Kevin Martin, the vastly improved third-year guard with the funky stroke. And, yes, the stroke stays.
"I never touched a player's shot," Musselman said. "My dad never touched my shot, and my elbow stuck out. He said to stay with whatever is comfortable, but you had to practice it a lot. I used to hear him speaking at lectures, talking about George Gervin's unorthodox form and saying that the ball still went into the net because he practiced all the time."
As for his own touch? The reports that he alienated players during his years in Oakland? That he was excellent with the X's and O's but not so sharp with the interpersonal skills?
"I'm more mellow," Musselman insisted. "I'm not always so intense. I think the players will sense that. I've learned to adapt. My life is all about my sons and basketball. I just want to work hard and win."
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com.
Ailene Voisin: New boss -- and new framework
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in PROJECTS section, Page KINGS TIPOFF8
Eric Musselman's ultimate challenge -- proving himself to be a capable, effective leader and worthy successor to Rick Adelman -- recently became a tougher ordeal. No doubt about that. His arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, at the very least, contrasts with the image he is trying to convey, namely that of a mature authority figure equipped to guide the Kings into the next era.
But Musselman offered his mea culpa. He shed his tears. He survived his public flogging. His legal issues are pending, to be dealt with in the future. So now the Kings' ambitious, aggressive young coach begins sweating the small stuff: Mike Bibby's thumb injury. The glut of wing players. Brad Miller's declining rebounding numbers. The ongoing duel between power forwards Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. And after a two-year hiatus, his desire to re-establish himself as an enduring, respected member of the NBA head-coaching fraternity.
As he begins his first head-coaching gig since his two seasons with the Golden State Warriors (2002-04), Musselman, 41, nonetheless retains a clear sense of the system he is attempting to develop and the methods to achieve the results -- one rooted in fundamentals and fueled by a surplus of desire. He remains very much his father's son. The late Bill Musselman was a fierce, relentless worker who maintained a commanding presence despite his slight stature. When he entered a locker room, the players took notice. His colleagues often joked about his 24/7 cycle; it was not uncommon for the former Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves coach to phone peers for scouting reports or study game tape in the wee hours.
The ethos and organizational skills appear to have been inherited. Same for the philosophy. The younger Musselman, the divorced father of two sons, emphasizes conditioning, defensive pressure, ball movement, and a combination of physical and mental toughness. He is disciplined and demanding, though not incapable of humorous asides, and, unlike his predecessor, a stickler for basic rules. Players will be fined for the usual transgressions (cell phones going off during meetings, etc.).
"We made some changes," Musselman said. "The big thing is, don't be late. And don't disrespect the game. If you're wondering why you're not playing, look at your stats. If you need to work on your ballhandling, work on your ballhandling. If your foul shooting is down, spend extra time in the gym.
"But there will be things to lighten the mood. We played music at one of our practices, so things like that."
After eight seasons under Adelman, a reclusive individual who maintained an unusually low profile within the community and the local and national media, the atmosphere around Arco has experienced a seismic shift. The media-friendly Musselman is both looser and more structured, and most noticeably, almost omnipresent. The state-of-the-art practice facility, for instance, accommodated a crowd throughout the offseason. The new assistant coaches, a gathering of former Continental Basketball Association types who together comprise an unusually young staff, drew raves from longtime Kings officials for their tutorials and near-constant presence on the practice court.
Geoff Petrie seems energized. Joe and Gavin Maloof, aware their former coach resented their once-frequent appearances in the gym, appear more comfortable in their own building. Media members are allowed to view a portion of practice, another departure from a previous regime that became so insular -- really, so paranoid -- that the Monarchs routinely were barred from the premises.
The philosophical differences extend to personnel decisions, as well as offensive and defensive schemes. An unabashed admirer of Pat Riley, whose Miami Heat training camps he occasionally observed, Musselman favors more extensive use of his reserves, prefers mixing up and extending his defensive coverages and seems intent on restoring Miller to his prior role as an initiator of the halfcourt offense.
No surprise here, either: Musselman is enamored of Ron Artest; pleased about Bibby's slimmer frame; encouraged by Francisco García, Ronnie Price and newcomer John Salmons; and immensely impressed with Kevin Martin, the vastly improved third-year guard with the funky stroke. And, yes, the stroke stays.
"I never touched a player's shot," Musselman said. "My dad never touched my shot, and my elbow stuck out. He said to stay with whatever is comfortable, but you had to practice it a lot. I used to hear him speaking at lectures, talking about George Gervin's unorthodox form and saying that the ball still went into the net because he practiced all the time."
As for his own touch? The reports that he alienated players during his years in Oakland? That he was excellent with the X's and O's but not so sharp with the interpersonal skills?
"I'm more mellow," Musselman insisted. "I'm not always so intense. I think the players will sense that. I've learned to adapt. My life is all about my sons and basketball. I just want to work hard and win."
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com.
