Kings Blog and Q&A

According to two sources with knowledge of the situation, two-time D-League Coach of the Year Bryan Gates will be added to the staff of Kings coach Paul Westphal.

Gates has coached the Idaho Stampede since 2006, although he was with the organization in various roles as early as 1997. His Stampede team won the 2008 D-League championship.

While Gates was being considered for an assistant job almost immediately after Westphal was hired on June 9, his name wasn't called when the Kings coach added Mario Elie, Jim Eyen, and Truck Robinson to his staff in the subsequent weeks. Gates, however, indicated to News2 in Boise, Idaho that he still believed he had a chance.

"I feel very comfortable with everything that's happened," he told the television station. "They've been very up front and honest about everything and I'm okay...
"I love the Stampede, everybody treats us great. I don't really want to leave. It's going to have to be a great pasture on the other side."

Gates has already been spending some time on the other side, watching Monday's Kings game with Westphal and much of his staff before interviewing with the head coach on Tuesday. Former Clippers coach/director of player development Neal Meyer was among the candidates for the job as well. - Sam Amick

Here's Jason Thompson talking about his best game of the Summer League. He scored 31 points to go with 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. My apologies for the shoddy camera work. It's only my second or third time using this camera and it's not like my camcorder.

--Jason Jones

The chatter about two-time NBA Developmental League coach of the year Bryan Gates potentially joining Kings coach Paul Westphal's staff that has been around for a while, resurfaced via Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski yesterday.

Sure enough, the Idaho Stampede coach met with Westphal in Las Vegas to discuss an assistant post on Tuesday. Westphal told The Bee's Jason Jones in Vegas that he would be adding one more coach to the staff, although he did not indicate who that would be. And while my sources tell me that former Clippers assistant/director of player development Neal Meyer is also in the running (as well as at least one other candidate, I believe), Gates is already looking the part.

I didn't notice this until a day after it came out, but our own Jose Luis Villegas captured this shot of Gates already looking the part of Kings assistant at summer league Monday while watching the action with Westphal and other Kings folks. He's the one in the light blue shirt on the left.

And for what it's worth, Meyer is working with Cleveland this summer league in Vegas and is a candidate to be added to the staff of Cavs head coach/fellow University of San Diego alum Mike Brown. Meyer worked with new Kings assistant Jim Eyen with the Clippers previously.

HAWES ON MISSING SUMMER LEAGUE: "It's...more of a suggestion-type thing rather than a requirement."

So third-year center Spencer Hawes missed summer league, and we'd been hearing a number of reasons for why that was the case.

But thanks to Bob Nakutin from Hoquiam, Wa., who e-mailed to alert us that the rumor about Hawes keeping his commitment to attend a kids camp was true. Hawes was the featured guest at Hoquiam High School, where his mother, Lisa Reynvaan Hawes, was a 1974 graduate. Per this story from "The Daily World" in Aberdeen, Wa., we discover Hawes' whereabouts and hear his take on missing summer league. I'm not too sure this will clear his name with the Kings higher-ups. - Sam Amick

Photo by Jose Luis Villegas - see entire slideshow here

***

Donté Greene wants a time machine.

He said as much last week in Las Vegas, where the process of improving his game for the future continued at summer league but the Kings second-year small forward couldn't help but look back. During a long and candid interview inside his Palms hotel that resulted in Sunday's piece on his life and still-stalling career, Greene talked about a number of things that didn't make the story.

But the part about wanting to turn back time stuck with me the most, as even the most candid of athletes typically steer clear of admitting regret. Yet Greene didn't hesitate at all, discussing his decision to leave Syracuse after just one season and wondering what might have been if he had stayed. To review, he was drafted by Memphis with the 28th pick and traded to Houston that night before coming to the Kings in the August trade that netted the Rockets Ron Artest.

"It's been a long road, a lot of shoulda, coulda, wouldas," Greene said. "I wish I would've done this, wish I would've done that, wish I had me a time traveling machine. All kinds of crazy stuff. My family has definitely been there, told me to hang in there. It's just been a lot of tough things going on and off the court with me.

LAS VEGAS -- Tyreke Evans hopes to play in tomorrow's Summer League game against the NBA D-League Select team.

"I don't know," Evans said. "I'll just keep icing it and getting treatment and go from there."

Evans said he injured his finger on Monday when Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings hit his hand while knocking the ball away.

--Jason Jones

LAS VEGAS -- Tyreke Evans (sprained right index finger) is not practicing today. He will play in tomorrow's Summer League game. After last night's game Evans said the finger was injured but didn't think it was a serious injury.

--Jason Jones

LAS VEGAS - Sorry for the (very) late update. Computer issues slowed me up last night.

But as you might imagine, Tyreke Evans vs. Brandon Jennings was fun to watch.

Statistically, Evans was the dominant player. He finished with 33 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, but also had seven turnovers.

Jennings had 13 points, 14 assists and seven steals with four turnovers.

Evans was able to stay in front of the speedy and quick Jennings for the most part defensively. Jennings was able to use his quick hands to force a couple of turnovers.

Below is some video of Kings coach Paul Westphal discussing Evans' play and Evans commenting on his game and how his finger feels after a hard fall.

*I hear Spencer Hawes could be in town today to watch his teammates, but not play in the Kings final two games.

*The Kings will work out forward Sean May today. May is in town looking noticeably slimmer. The Kings are still in the market for another post player and May is trying to salvage what was a non-descript career in Charlotte.

*The Kings scrimmage the Blazers tonight at 6 p.m. I'll check in from there. And I'll tweet away during some of the other Summer League action. Follow me at twitter.com/jejones_sacbee.

I also have some leftover tidbits from Mario Elie that I didn't use yesterday. I plan to get that information out today.

--Jason Jones

LAS VEGAS -- One of the points of emphasis at the Kings' shootaround this morning was Tyreke Evans posting up smaller guards.

Evans has done some of that in tonight's game against Milwaukee, taking advantage of the smaller and very talkative Brandon Jennings.

So far, Jennings has been outclassed, with an emphasis on class.

Nevermind that Evans has already posted up Jennings and earned as assist by finding Jason Thompson open for a jump shot. Or that Evans scored easily on the block against Jennings.

Jennings showed some of the immaturity he was criticized for having before the draft when after missing a shot on which he thought he was fouled, Jennings tripped Thompson.

Thompson only offered a stern glare, but has not retaliated.

--Jason Jones

LAS VEGAS - Better late than never, but here are a few chats I had after the Kings' second summer league game against Golden State. (to see the rundown of their overtime loss, click here).

Kings second-year forward Jason Thompson talks about his play...

Kings rookie small forward Omri Casspi discusses his summer league experience thus far...

- Sam Amick

LAS VEGAS - Pardon the lack of blog presence for the last 36 hours, but there was much time spent on old-fashioned journalism as I put together a Donte' Greene piece that will run in tomorrow's paper.

It meant there was a delay on a number of fronts, including my intent to share information about how fans can view the summer league games. It's online only viewing this year, with a $14.99 fee granting you access to all of the games either live or in archived form. Even if you missed the Kings' first two games (or any others), you can pull them up after the fact. For those interested in doing so, go to this website to sign up.

Also, for those who aren't already on our Twitter path, click here to start the stalking and follow Kings and NBA chatter. - Sam Amick

As promised the other day, Rabbi Bob Taff of the Mosaic Law Congregation generously chatted on his cell phone a few minutes ago as his tour group of 21 Sacramentans rode on a bus through windy hills in central Israel Friday morning. And, yes, the weary travelers met up with members of Omri Casspi's family shortly after they arrived in Tel Aviv Tuesday evening. In Rabbi Taff's own words: "We arrived about 45 minutes early, and we immediately boarded the bus. I surprised everybody and told them where we were going. They didn't know. The Casspis live in Yavne, a bedroom commuity outside Tel Aviv. When we got there, they were outside the house waitinng for us. It was Omri's father (Shimon), his mother (Ilana). his brother (Eitan), and his sister (Aviv). They invited us into their home, and then we went outside and had refreshments and cold snacks in the back yard. Shimon brought out bottles of wine. Later, I had the kids from each family give them one of the Kings shirts, with Omri's name, and the number on the back. (Rabbi Taff bought these at the team store in Arco Arena) Then the families took a photo with the Casspis ... We were there almost two hours. They were so engaging, so down to earth. I think they were delighted to make the connection with people from Sacramento because they really don't know that much about the city. But there is no question they are thrilled about this opportunity, and the people in Israel are all excited. They told me that after Omri was drafted, people started coming to their house, leaving hundreds of bouquets of flowers on the sidewalk in front of their house. We just had a wonderful time."

Other offerings from the Rabbi
* Omri's brother, Eitan, plans to move here with Omri. (I have also heard that Ilana Casspi has been inquiring about Sacramento high schools for Aviv, who is a promising 16-year-old basketball star in her own right).
* Family members are not observant Jews in a religious sense, but Omri's parents want their son to observe the High Holy days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Sept. 18-28). "I'm sure he'll have to diplomatically make the rounds of the local synagogues," Taff added, with a chuckle.
* Asked the size of the Jewish population in Sacramento, the Rabbi said estimates are between 23,000 and 30,000. "Nobody really knows," he added. "There hasn't been a Jewish population study in 15 years."

Casspi cleared to play

Meanwhile, now that Casspi has received his letter of clearance from FIBA, basketball's international governing body, the small forward will make his unofficial Kings debut against the Detroit Pistons on Friday in the Las Vegas Summer League. From what my Bee colleague Sam Amick tells me, the rookie small forward is so geeked he'll probably turn the ball over, say, half a dozen times in the first half. imagine if he can play?

LAS VEGAS - The coverage continues here from summer league, where we've already discussed Spencer Hawes' decision to not take part and other news and notes from the first day.

Now The Bee has officially arrived on location as it pertains to the blogosphere. But before we get to first day video interviews with all of the team's draft picks, a few additional tidbits of relevance.

* Regarding Hawes, the reasons for him not playing that I've heard include a wedding he attended, a camp he had to make an appearance at, a groin that was bothering him and an abdominal strain that bothered him last year and was apparently a tad touchy again recently. I haven't spoken to Hawes, but Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie cited only a "family commitment" and coach Paul Westphal referenced something with his "leg" as well as other personal matters.

Petrie said he has not spoken directly to Hawes about the matter. And for the record, he said he was unsure whether Hawes might play when he arrives Monday. Westphal said he didn't expect Hawes to play, and that he was coming to offer his teammates support.

His longtime friend, former University of Washington teammate and new Kings teammate Jon Brockman, meanwhile, said no one should question how hard Hawes has been working on his game elsewhere.

"I've been working out with him almost every day in Seattle," Brockman said after Wednesday's second practice. "He just had some other stuff going on that he could not miss, and I think he's a little banged up just from - he's been working really hard.
"He's been working really hard in the weight room and on the court, so you know I'm a little disappointed (he's not here) but I think we'll get a chance to see him here at some point. I think he'll be down here in a little bit."

Now on to the videos...

Tyreke Evans, the former Memphis guard who was taken No. 4 overall by the Kings in the June 25 draft, discusses his first day on the job. That day included the signing of his contract.

Brockman, who was taken 38th overall and impressed in his first day, talks about how he went 7-0 in the day's scrimmages.

Omri Casspi, the Israeli small forward who was kept off the court because of red tape, talks about his anticlimactic start.

- Sam Amick

Led by unofficial tour director Rabbi Reuven "Bob" Taff, 21 members of Sacramento's Mosaic Law Congregation are en route to Israel for a 10-day trip that will include a visit with Omri Casspi's famiy at his home outside Tel Avis. Although the rookie forward is in Sacramento preparing to play for the Kings in the Las Vegas Summer League, with practices beginning Wednesday, his parents extended an invitation to the groups after learning of their plans through a mutual friend. "I have a friend over there who happens to be close with Omri's father," said Taff, "and he made the arrangements. Ilana (Casspi's mother) initially said she wanted to cook for us, but I said, 'no, no, that's too much trouble.' So we settled on light refreshments. We'll go over there after we land in Tel Aviv about 6. p.m., Tuesday. We asked everyone in our group to bring a Kings T-shirt. One family even designed their own T-shirts with a Kings logo intertwined with the star of David, and Omri's jersey number (18) in Hebrew. I also went to Arco Arena and had four shirts made - the ones they had at the rally that say, 'New Kings on the Block." We're going to present the shirts to Omri's parents (Shimon and Ilana) and his sister (Aviv) and brother (Eitan) when we get there. This is such a historic moment for the state of Israel. If Omri has an impact ... it would be incredible."

The rangy 6-foot-9 Casspi, a small forward who played for Maccabi Tel Aviv before the Kings selected him with the second of their two first-round picks (23rd overall) in the recent NBA Draft, will become the first Israeli to play in the NBA. Taff, who says the size of his bi-annual travel groups had been almost halved because of the economy, expects a sizable representation from the Jewish community at the Kings home opener. "I don't think there's any doubt about that," he added. "They take their basketball very seriously in Israel."

We'll catch up with Taff and the weary travelers after they meet with the Casspi family on Tuesday. Hopefully, we'll have some photos from the scene. Meantime, here's a quick glimpse of the Sactown adventurers. (Rabbi Taff is in the pink shirt).

Hedo Turkoglu is one of the most amiable, easy-going players you'll ever meet. He would be happy playing on Mars, Pluto or Saturn, which is why his decision to recant his verbal acceptance of a five-year, $50 million deal from the Portland Trail Blazers leads one to believe that his wife was a major factor in the about-face. ESPN's Ric Bucher is reporting that Turkoglu, who was very popular during his three seasons with the Kings, in fact reneged on his agreement with the Blazers because his wife, Banu, preferred that the couple relocate to Toronto, an international city with a sizable Turkish community. Plus, living in the East cuts the roundtrip visits back to Istanbul almost in half. While I haven't spoken to Hedo in a few weeks, when we chatted before his former Orlando Magic lost to the Lakers in the NBA Finals, he mentioned that family considerations would be a large factor in his free agency. His daughter, Ela, was born in February. I think Bucher is probably right. I feel badly for Hedo, though, because his reputation is going to take a hit for taking the Blazers for a ride. (Think Carlos Boozer). Well, at least he will be well-compensated. He is expected to earn an additional $3 million from the Raptors.

Ron Artest routinely had trouble defending Kobe Bryant during those heated Kings-Lakers meetings, especially when the Lakers superstar initiated his offense on the perimeter and utilized his quickness against his stronger, slower opponent. But based on numerous reports within the past few hours, Artest plans leave the Houston Rockets and sign a three-year deal worth approximately $18 million with his favorite L.A.team. For all the angst Artest experienced in the years preceding his free agency - remember, he was upset when the Kings refused to offer him an extension last summer - the situation couldn't have worked out any better. He will live in L.A., where he spends his offseasons anyway, and gets to play for the best team in the league. Can't imagine he has any complaints.

Interestingly, my sources in Houston are telling me that the Rockets' desire to re-sign Artest waned dramatically when it was learned that both Tracy McGrady (knee) and Yao Ming (fractured foot) will be sidelined with injuries for much of next season. Rockets officials viewed Artest as a second or third star - a complementary star to Yao and McGrady on a contender - but feared that he could become a disruptive force on a team that is rebuilding or, at the least, missing its two most dominant performers.

The fact that Artest was lobbied hard by Lamar Odom tells you that the Lakers have every intention of re-signing their versatile forward, and in essence, valued his talents over those of fellow free agent Trevor Ariza ... who is planning to sign with the Rockets.

Though he was laughing last week when he said he wanted Pete Carril to coach the Kings team in the Las Vegas Summer League, new head coach Paul Westphal was serious. "Coachie," who returns as a special assistant/consultant, will celebrate his 79th birthday on July 10 - but only after coaching the Kings in their opening game against the Detroit Pistons.
For those who follow this stuff closely, the Kings roster is pretty stacked, and includes recent draft picks Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi and Jon Brockman, along with young veterans Spencer Hawes, Jason Thomas and Donte Greene. The complete list is as follows:
Robert Battle, F, 6-8, Drexel.
Jon Brockman, F,6-7, Washington.
John Bryant, C, 6-11, Santa Clara.
Pat Calathes, G, St. Joseph's
Omri Casspi, F, 6-9, Israel.
Tyreke Evans, G, 6-6, Memphis.
Donte Greene, F, 6-11, Syracuse.
Spencer Hawes, C, 7-0, Washington.
Marcus Landry, F, 6-7, Wisconsin.
Wes Matthews, G, 6-5, Marquette.
Jerel McNeal, G, 6-3, Marquette.
Brian Roberts, G, 6-2, Dayton.
Jason Thompson, F, 6-11, Rider.
Victor Stowes, G, 6-2, Reinhard College.
Ryan Toolson, 6-4, Utah Valley.