MINNEAPOLIS – Alex English had two things that kept him busy before joining the Kings as an assistant coach.
One was working at the two Wendy's franchises he owns in his hometown, Columbia, S.C., where the Hall of Fame forward said he did everything from flip burgers to mop the floors.
The other thing was watch a lot of basketball, most recently focusing on the Kings as he prepared to join Keith Smart's staff.
English signed with the Kings on Saturday and was on the bench for his first game of the season Monday.
"I started watching the games, watching the players, and I see they've got a lot of talent, a lot of good young talent," English said. "It's just a matter of teaching and working with them and putting some time with them and making sure they get some reps up as far as the offensive aspect."
When Smart replaced Paul Westphal as head coach, it left a vacancy for another assistant. English came highly recommended from many within the organization.
Kings general manager Wayne Cooper and player development director Fat Lever were teammates of English in Denver, when he was one of the NBA's best scorers, making eight All-Star teams and finishing with 25,613 points, 13th in league history.
English also knows Kings assistant coach Jim Todd.
"I did put into a text to (Smart) and told him I'd love to come and work for him," English said. "I think I can help him with these young guys."
English has experience coaching post players primarily, but he has also worked with wing players and point guards.
English said he didn't have a specific role with the team.
"I've been here a day," he said. "I'm ready to do whatever coach Smart wants me to do to get this team better."
Familiar faces – There were plenty of hellos between some members of the Kings' and Minnesota staffs, with former Kings coach Rick Adelman in his first season guiding the Timberwolves.
Former Kings center Brad Miller even visited the Kings' morning shootaround. Miller has not played this season while recovering from knee surgery.
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