Reggie Rules
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The Sean A. Cunningham
November 11, 2007
Reggie Rules
 Reggie Theus has been less then impressed at practices during the Kings recent home stand, where they finished 2-1. After claiming a home opening victory against Seattle, Theus labeled the team as "weak".
"I spent a little extra time talking to them after practice today about the joy of being a professional basketball player and not somebody who's just clocking in", Theus said. "We're not that good to (just) clock in. I was explaining to them (that) the guys who are 4-0 right now, I guarantee you they're nails; they're fists are balled up and the intensity level is tremendous".
Then Theus gave his team a dose of reality.
"We've won one game and we act like we've won ten. It's weak. It's weak minded and it doesn't show the type of passion I want to see from my players."
Theus has been rather candid about the lackadaisical nature in which players have treated shoot-arounds and practice sessions.
During the opening road trip, Theus called out his team about not treating shoot-arounds on game days as if they were important. Even going as far to call out previous Sacramento coaches who may have treated shoot-arounds as nothing more then a formality.
He's even taken his shot at players directly. The practice following the heart breaking loss to Cleveland, Ron Artest, who is serving a seven game suspension but may still practice with his team, suffered a blow from Darryl Watkins during scrimmage. Artest lost a tooth as result and the scrimmage ended. The team went through the rest of shooting drills as practice came to a close and Artest was right there with his teammates with tooth in hand.
"You know how tough Ron is; he lost a tooth," admired Theus. "I had one player get kicked in the shin, he was out for the whole practice. I had another player lose a tooth where you could see the root, he's playing with the root in his hand and finished practice. There's a big difference in mentality.
That player with the sore shin...Kenny Thomas.
Beno Udrih....the savior?
The former world champion as member of the San Antonio Spurs has found his way to the Sacramento Kings. In a much needed transaction in the bleak Kings backcourt, the Slovenian castaway should fit nicely into "Reggie Nation". Udrih (pronounced BAY-NO OHH-DRECK) is a true point guard who can push the ball up court and find the open shooter or big-man.
 But despite his first game heroics against the hapless Minnesota Timberwolves, (who cut Beno after acquiring him from the Spurs via trade) albeit a nine point, two assist performance, Beno is what he is...mediocre. An average shooter, average defender, average speed, decent passer, not a lot a speed, high basketball IQ, and all round good guy, right?
Udrih clashed with San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich (not a hard feat by any means) which ultimately led him to ride the bench, with very little playing time behind Tony Parker, which became "trade me". San Antonio obliged, won a championship, and Beno got his ring, but as a member of the Sacramento Kings.
Nevertheless, Beno Udrih is a sight for sore eyes for a team who lacks depth at the point. With Mike Bibby merchandised with a "do not open til' Christmas" tag, Udrih can be a serviceable backup to the John Salmons/Cisco Garcia experiment, or the defensive minded Orien Greene.
Again, a serviceable backup, nothing more.
Artest's Return
Almost seven games Kings fans. The Kings have weathered the storm of the first six games without arguably their best player in Ron Artest (and Mike Bibby). Artest will return Wednesday in Minnesota against the T-Wolves which will ultimately bring back some sort of post presence.
My question is: with no sort of consistency from the power forward position, will Artest return to the lineup at the four? If he doesn't, you will undoubtedly Ron-Ron play the power forward throughout any given game.
Theus has talked about playing the players who show the most intensity. The small lineup of Miller, Salmons, Garcia, Martin, and Douby has become that lineup that offers the most intensity, but the addition of Artest can spread the defense more, as well as draw a double team.
If Reggie Theus is searching for intensity, he'll have a gold mine in the player wearing #93.
Sean Cunningham is entering his 5th season covering the Sacramento Kings & Monarchs for Sports 1140 KHTK-AM. Sean is also the producer for the “Jim Kozimor Showgram”, which airs weeknights from 7-9pm PST on KHTK. Email Sean at: Sean.Cunningham@CBSRadio.com |
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