http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/424265.html
Ailene Voisin: Opening stanza is harmonious
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:06 am PDT Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C4
The Reggie Theus coaching era began with a series of flashbacks -- no-look passes, backdoor cuts, textbook fast breaks and occasional floor burns -- and, similarly noteworthy, more than a few possessions that left spectators blinking twice, staring at the overhead scoreboard for replays and turning toward each other for reassurance.
No, that was not an illusion. That was Mike Bibby, harassing opponents.
No, that was not a dream. That was Brad Miller, dunking.
No, that was not a mirage. That was Ron Artest, passing.
Yes, this was another meaningless preseason opener, but those were the Kings collectively defending, rebounding, running, attempting to make the extra pass and outlasting the Seattle Sonics on Tuesday night before a smaller-than-usual crowd of 13,284.
While the attendance figures would seem to suggest the league's longest sellout streak is in jeopardy of being shattered on opening night of the regular season, this still is an incredibly easy crowd to please. Give the fans some reason to embrace their team, even an ailing, incomplete squad continuing to evolve, and they extend their arms for a group hug. Be interesting and entertaining -- at least appear to be having fun -- and those boos of a year ago could also become a part of the past.
"Guys are trying to make this team," Theus said afterward, "and they have to do it on the defensive side. I expected to see that."
While he evaluates his roster, Reggie is proving to be an open book, his basketball prose stylish and prolific, yet remarkably rudimentary. He swipes from the coaches he most admires -- Jerry Tarkanian and his structured fast break, Gregg Popovich and Jerry Sloan and their disciplined, demanding approach, Rick Pitino and his pressure defenses -- and promises that his squad will be interesting, entertaining and improving.
Other than that, no guarantees. The 2007-2008 Kings are both underdogs and mystery men. How long until an identity is firmly established? Who emerges as the leader? How damaging is Artest's league-imposed, seven-game suspension to start the season. Will Bibby be sympatico with his demanding new coach, a former scoring point guard who understands the complexity of the dual responsibilities better than most? Who emerges as the second scorer behind Kevin Martin? What is the nature and extent of Spencer Hawes' knee injury? And how will the players react the first time Theus catches one of them sneaking out the window and blowing curfew?
"I'm interested to see how we respond," said Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, "and to see what some of the new guys do. But I still think the big key is going to be how we play together. That kind of got lost in translation last year."
As the preseason games get under way, Petrie is as cautious as he is curious, and well he should be. His talent assessment has far exceeded his soothsaying abilities of late. The opening months of Rick Adelman's final season here (2005-2006), when the pre-Artest nucleus of Bibby, Miller and Peja Stojakovic fizzled faster than a high school chemistry experiment, was the perfect antidote for lofty preseason expectations. The three stars were healthy and experienced, and absolutely miserable together.
Conversely, last year's start under Eric Musselman was encouraging -- the defense initially even frisky and inspired -- but ultimately misleading. Musselman lost the trust of his team mere weeks into the regular season, then spent his final months trying to save his job and prevent Petrie from embarking on yet another coaching search.
"We had talent," said Francisco García, echoing his teammates' sentiments. "What I want to find out about us now is, How hungry are we? How serious are we about being a real team? I can't forget how the fans booed us last year. That hurt me and stayed with me all summer."
Theus, who acknowledges the lowered expectations yet believes reaching the playoffs is a reasonable goal, can say this with a straight face for this reason: the Western Conference just isn't what it used to be.
Or as Petrie notes, "There are five teams that you can look at and say that, barring major injuries, are going to be in the playoffs, and every season there are going to be things that go better than expected for some people, things that are worse for some other people."
Bibby stopping the ball, Miller dunking, Artest passing ...
Strange things can happen.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com.
Ailene Voisin: Opening stanza is harmonious
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:06 am PDT Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C4
The Reggie Theus coaching era began with a series of flashbacks -- no-look passes, backdoor cuts, textbook fast breaks and occasional floor burns -- and, similarly noteworthy, more than a few possessions that left spectators blinking twice, staring at the overhead scoreboard for replays and turning toward each other for reassurance.
No, that was not an illusion. That was Mike Bibby, harassing opponents.
No, that was not a dream. That was Brad Miller, dunking.
No, that was not a mirage. That was Ron Artest, passing.
Yes, this was another meaningless preseason opener, but those were the Kings collectively defending, rebounding, running, attempting to make the extra pass and outlasting the Seattle Sonics on Tuesday night before a smaller-than-usual crowd of 13,284.
While the attendance figures would seem to suggest the league's longest sellout streak is in jeopardy of being shattered on opening night of the regular season, this still is an incredibly easy crowd to please. Give the fans some reason to embrace their team, even an ailing, incomplete squad continuing to evolve, and they extend their arms for a group hug. Be interesting and entertaining -- at least appear to be having fun -- and those boos of a year ago could also become a part of the past.
"Guys are trying to make this team," Theus said afterward, "and they have to do it on the defensive side. I expected to see that."
While he evaluates his roster, Reggie is proving to be an open book, his basketball prose stylish and prolific, yet remarkably rudimentary. He swipes from the coaches he most admires -- Jerry Tarkanian and his structured fast break, Gregg Popovich and Jerry Sloan and their disciplined, demanding approach, Rick Pitino and his pressure defenses -- and promises that his squad will be interesting, entertaining and improving.
Other than that, no guarantees. The 2007-2008 Kings are both underdogs and mystery men. How long until an identity is firmly established? Who emerges as the leader? How damaging is Artest's league-imposed, seven-game suspension to start the season. Will Bibby be sympatico with his demanding new coach, a former scoring point guard who understands the complexity of the dual responsibilities better than most? Who emerges as the second scorer behind Kevin Martin? What is the nature and extent of Spencer Hawes' knee injury? And how will the players react the first time Theus catches one of them sneaking out the window and blowing curfew?
"I'm interested to see how we respond," said Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, "and to see what some of the new guys do. But I still think the big key is going to be how we play together. That kind of got lost in translation last year."
As the preseason games get under way, Petrie is as cautious as he is curious, and well he should be. His talent assessment has far exceeded his soothsaying abilities of late. The opening months of Rick Adelman's final season here (2005-2006), when the pre-Artest nucleus of Bibby, Miller and Peja Stojakovic fizzled faster than a high school chemistry experiment, was the perfect antidote for lofty preseason expectations. The three stars were healthy and experienced, and absolutely miserable together.
Conversely, last year's start under Eric Musselman was encouraging -- the defense initially even frisky and inspired -- but ultimately misleading. Musselman lost the trust of his team mere weeks into the regular season, then spent his final months trying to save his job and prevent Petrie from embarking on yet another coaching search.
"We had talent," said Francisco García, echoing his teammates' sentiments. "What I want to find out about us now is, How hungry are we? How serious are we about being a real team? I can't forget how the fans booed us last year. That hurt me and stayed with me all summer."
Theus, who acknowledges the lowered expectations yet believes reaching the playoffs is a reasonable goal, can say this with a straight face for this reason: the Western Conference just isn't what it used to be.
Or as Petrie notes, "There are five teams that you can look at and say that, barring major injuries, are going to be in the playoffs, and every season there are going to be things that go better than expected for some people, things that are worse for some other people."
Bibby stopping the ball, Miller dunking, Artest passing ...
Strange things can happen.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com.
