A day later, Donté Greene realized his prank wasn't so funny after all.
The Kings rookie small forward exacted revenge on Bobby Jackson on Thursday, retaliating for a recent popcorn prank on his car by dousing the veteran's Mercedes with a variety of condiments and dog food after practice. Yet the hijinx that was intended to be in fun wound up reflecting poorly on Greene and sparking little laughter within the organization.
Not long after it happened, Jackson's angered opinion could be clearly heard at the team's practice facility. And while Greene may not have come to his senses in time to avoid the subsequent fallout, he said he eventually realized the error of his ways.
"Let's just say this," Greene said with a straight face before Friday's game when asked if there was any resolution to the matter. "I did a lot of apologizing today."
Considering there was already concern within the organization about Greene's maturity level and professional focus, the event certainly didn't help slow down the growing sentiment.
Numerous veterans on the team outside of Jackson said they disapproved of the prank, as Greene's car had been filled with popcorn only because he had failed to bring fruit for the team per age-old rookie duties.
While one team source said Kings interim coach Kenny Natt intervened in the matter to keep it from escalating, he said that was not the case and was not eager to discuss the matter.
"Everything was handled," he said. "I'm not commenting on it, because we're concentrating on the game."
Greene watches old team – Greene was concentrating on a different game Thursday night, when his former college team was making collegiate basketball history without him.
The player who spent one season at Syracuse said he watched every minute of the Orange's six-overtime win over Connecticut (127-117). He had to keep his cheering to a minimum, though, as his recently born son was sleeping nearby.
"I was quietly yelling," he said. "I'd forget that he was asleep, so I would clap my hands or bang my fist or something, and he would jump. It was crazy."
Greene admitted he wonders what might have been when he watches Syracuse. He entered the NBA with no shortage of critics saying he should have played at least one more season in college.
"Every time I watch them, I think it'd be fun to be a part of," he said.
He said his defensive improvement, however, has been the most substantial part of his growth that came from turning pro.
"One more year wouldn't have done anything for me when it comes to defense, with the zone (that Syracuse runs) and everything like that," he said. "I don't totally regret coming to the NBA. I'm with a great organization. … It's a perfect opportunity for me to find a role in the league, and get with a team and hopefully be here for a while."
Maloofs on hand – Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof attended Friday's game, though they didn't sit in their halfcourt seats per usual.
Joe Maloof spent much of the night sitting on a chair inside the tunnel that is typically occupied by Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, while Gavin bounced around the arena for much of the game.
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