Sacramento Kings Consider Options & New Asst. Coach Emphasizes Defense
Written by Jason Coldiron, Wednesday July 15 2009
Sean May gets a workout with the Kings and new assistant coach Mario Elie has been given the responsibility of fixing one of the worst defenses in the league.
Yesterday in Las Vegas the Kings worked out former Bobcats forward Sean May. The workout was also seen by representatives from the Portland Trailblazers.
May has played in just 82 games in his first three seasons in the NBA due to three different knee surgeries. There were also many reports that he had a falling out with Bobcats coach Larry Brown.
While the Kings were working out May, another King, Ike Diogu waits for his fate. On a team that is clearly looking for frontcourt help, many are confused as to why Diogu hasn't received a contract offer.
Diogu was impressive in starting the last two games of the season for the Kings, but his team option was declined. Many expected him to be brought back into the fold with the Kings at a lower price. That has not happened. Diogu waits patiently.
"I was disappointed (the Kings declined the offer), because I felt that I handled myself extremely well in a very tough situation last year," Diogu said by phone from Phoenix. "I felt I could've helped the team a lot earlier than I was given the chance to, and I felt like they knew what they were getting."
It remains unclear if Diogu or May will receive offers from the Kings, who clearly need to fortify the frontcourt.
Mario Elie knows what it will take to change perception of the Kings.
Elie has come in and immediately stressed the importance of perimeter defense, especially considering the Kings lack of any true shot- blockers or intimidators down low.
"We really don't have shot blockers back there, so we have to depend on our guys up front to handle their business, keep their guys in front," Elie said. "That's something I was really good at so I'm going to try to relay that message come the season." (Sacramento Bee)
Elie knows that last season far too many teams were able to break down the Kings on the perimeter, leaving the team scrambling on defense. This is an area the Kings simply have to improve in.
To go along with this, Elie mentioned that the team must also play with some “swagger.” He knows from experience what the team's reputation around the league is.
"Anytime I would play against Sac, whether I was a player or a coach, the label on them was 'soft,' " Elie said.
The Kings have taken steps toward changing that conception about them through personnel changes.
The draft brought tough- minded players Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi, and Jon Brockman into the fold.
The team will attempt to bring these players along and teach them from the beginning about how the team expects to be viewed in the future and what they can do to change it.
Tags:
Leave a comment
Not So Fast! To publish your comment, you have to login
Not Registered? Register now as it only take 20 seconds!
Click here to browse
0 comments