http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/419362.html
Ailene Voisin: Theus already shaking up the Kingdom
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:19 am PDT Sunday, October 7, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
Reggie Theus is so politically incorrect -- so not your typical NBA rookie head coach -- that you can almost feel a seismic rumbling beneath the Kings' practice facility. He has daring ideas and intriguing philosophies, and a personality so immense it barely squeezes through the door. He also has a rule book that includes three very startling sentences: No defense, no play. No partying past midnight. No cell phones on bus rides.
"I'm not trying to be a jerk," Theus explains, with a surprisingly carefree shrug. "All I want to do is set some parameters. The players know they were irresponsible last year. What worked for me as a player, even though I didn't like it, were the guys that pushed me, that didn't let up. I probably talked about them behind their back (laugh), and I'm sure that's going on here. But that's OK."
This is going to take some getting used to. Some images tend to linger. A montage of Theus during his playing career would be dominated by snapshots of Reggie, the entertainer, whipping overly imaginative passes, taunting defenders on the break and flashing the amiable, rebellious grin that drove his former coaches Jerry Sloan and Kevin Loughery to distraction. Clearly, the temptation is to fixate on the flamboyance and the hunky appearance, to ignore his two All-Star seasons and impressive career stats (18.5 points, 6.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game), and forget the time he slammed into the basket support, busting up his nose and his teeth, yet returned the next game wearing braces and a protective mask.
"Just to be out there was remarkable," recalled Jerry Reynolds, the Kings' coach at the time. "The players knew Reggie was a tough guy even though he didn't look it. He didn't take any B.S. from anyone, and that's how he's going to coach."
An early peek into Theus' NBA coaching career suggests that he will be both entertainer and disciplinarian, more the man behind the mask than the movie star or risque point guard. And although Kings executives are tempering their enthusiasm to avoid a repeat of last year's premature infatuation with Eric Musselman, Theus has quietly impressed and intrigued.
Practices are intense, brisk and organized, with an emphasis on defense and execution in the open court. His on-court demeanor is firm, though not unpleasant, and as he moves among the players, with his long sleeves rolled up and a whistle around his neck, there is an unmistakable presence -- almost an aura -- about him.
"I love what we're doing," Kevin Martin said. " ... With Musselman, it was pretty intense, but it was mostly halfcourt stuff. With Reggie we're getting in shape, being able to show off our legs. He's also giving us a mind-set that it's about the play of the team, not the individual. That's why we got in trouble last year."
Whether Theus can teach effectively, command a huddle, make the appropriate in-game adjustments, in essence, develop into a coaching star who makes Geoff Petrie look like a genius for spurning Larry Brown, remains to be seen. This is only training camp. Several of the players are ailing, among them center Spencer Hawes and power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Plus, there are other issues, among them Ron Artest's emotional equilibrium and Mike Bibby's ability to overcome his subpar 2006-07 season.
Theus, who volunteers that, "I will make mistakes, and most of them will be judgment, but I'll figure it out," already might have erred by publicly threatening to reduce Bibby's minutes if he doesn't assert himself defensively. Or maybe not. Maybe Bibby benefits from a mid-career challenge, especially from a former scoring point guard.
Then there's the unconventional move to impose a curfew and ban cell phones on team buses, and the astonishingly candid comments about discipline and changing the culture. So right up front, you have to wonder if Theus, who turns 50 next Saturday, is too inexperienced and crazy, or just crazy and creative enough to be really good at this?
"I don't know any other way," laughs Theus, whose only prior head-coaching experience was his recent two-year tenure at New Mexico State. " 'Pop' (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) is as hardcore as they come. Pop is straight up. He tells you exactly how it is. Sloan is the same way. How could you do it any differently? If I mess up, tell me, and let's fix it. But nobody has complained so far. Of course, we won't be able to tell how sincere their trust is until a couple of grenades are launched. We'll find out then."
Interestingly, he didn't sound worried.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com.
Ailene Voisin: Theus already shaking up the Kingdom
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:19 am PDT Sunday, October 7, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
Reggie Theus is so politically incorrect -- so not your typical NBA rookie head coach -- that you can almost feel a seismic rumbling beneath the Kings' practice facility. He has daring ideas and intriguing philosophies, and a personality so immense it barely squeezes through the door. He also has a rule book that includes three very startling sentences: No defense, no play. No partying past midnight. No cell phones on bus rides.
"I'm not trying to be a jerk," Theus explains, with a surprisingly carefree shrug. "All I want to do is set some parameters. The players know they were irresponsible last year. What worked for me as a player, even though I didn't like it, were the guys that pushed me, that didn't let up. I probably talked about them behind their back (laugh), and I'm sure that's going on here. But that's OK."
This is going to take some getting used to. Some images tend to linger. A montage of Theus during his playing career would be dominated by snapshots of Reggie, the entertainer, whipping overly imaginative passes, taunting defenders on the break and flashing the amiable, rebellious grin that drove his former coaches Jerry Sloan and Kevin Loughery to distraction. Clearly, the temptation is to fixate on the flamboyance and the hunky appearance, to ignore his two All-Star seasons and impressive career stats (18.5 points, 6.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game), and forget the time he slammed into the basket support, busting up his nose and his teeth, yet returned the next game wearing braces and a protective mask.
"Just to be out there was remarkable," recalled Jerry Reynolds, the Kings' coach at the time. "The players knew Reggie was a tough guy even though he didn't look it. He didn't take any B.S. from anyone, and that's how he's going to coach."
An early peek into Theus' NBA coaching career suggests that he will be both entertainer and disciplinarian, more the man behind the mask than the movie star or risque point guard. And although Kings executives are tempering their enthusiasm to avoid a repeat of last year's premature infatuation with Eric Musselman, Theus has quietly impressed and intrigued.
Practices are intense, brisk and organized, with an emphasis on defense and execution in the open court. His on-court demeanor is firm, though not unpleasant, and as he moves among the players, with his long sleeves rolled up and a whistle around his neck, there is an unmistakable presence -- almost an aura -- about him.
"I love what we're doing," Kevin Martin said. " ... With Musselman, it was pretty intense, but it was mostly halfcourt stuff. With Reggie we're getting in shape, being able to show off our legs. He's also giving us a mind-set that it's about the play of the team, not the individual. That's why we got in trouble last year."
Whether Theus can teach effectively, command a huddle, make the appropriate in-game adjustments, in essence, develop into a coaching star who makes Geoff Petrie look like a genius for spurning Larry Brown, remains to be seen. This is only training camp. Several of the players are ailing, among them center Spencer Hawes and power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Plus, there are other issues, among them Ron Artest's emotional equilibrium and Mike Bibby's ability to overcome his subpar 2006-07 season.
Theus, who volunteers that, "I will make mistakes, and most of them will be judgment, but I'll figure it out," already might have erred by publicly threatening to reduce Bibby's minutes if he doesn't assert himself defensively. Or maybe not. Maybe Bibby benefits from a mid-career challenge, especially from a former scoring point guard.
Then there's the unconventional move to impose a curfew and ban cell phones on team buses, and the astonishingly candid comments about discipline and changing the culture. So right up front, you have to wonder if Theus, who turns 50 next Saturday, is too inexperienced and crazy, or just crazy and creative enough to be really good at this?
"I don't know any other way," laughs Theus, whose only prior head-coaching experience was his recent two-year tenure at New Mexico State. " 'Pop' (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) is as hardcore as they come. Pop is straight up. He tells you exactly how it is. Sloan is the same way. How could you do it any differently? If I mess up, tell me, and let's fix it. But nobody has complained so far. Of course, we won't be able to tell how sincere their trust is until a couple of grenades are launched. We'll find out then."
Interestingly, he didn't sound worried.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com.
