Olga Gatchel was all smiles as Ronnie Price approached her with his arms outstretched. After working as an usher for 10 years at Arco Arena, Gatchel said this kind of warm greeting from an NBA player was not typical.
"He's the only one," Gatchel said. "Besides Scot Pollard. Scotty will do it once in a while, but Ronnie does it always. Every time he comes to town, he gives us a hug."
Price was in high demand before the game Tuesday night, with Arco personnel greeting him at every turn.
"I had a great time here," said Price, who played his first two seasons with the Kings in 2005-06 and 2006-07. "I got to know a lot of people throughout the arena and staff."
Price has found a home in Utah, benefiting from the Jazz's injuries while on a two-year deal worth $2.3 million. Price entered Tuesday averaging a career-high 7.2 points during his 18 games this season, 13 of which he started at the point in place of then-injured Deron Williams.
Hungry Hawes – In one of the season's pleasant surprises, second-year center-forward Spencer Hawes began the month ranked sixth in the league in blocked shots. The 7-foot, 233-pound Hawes, who was inserted into the starting lineup Tuesday night in Reggie Theus' attempt to shake up his team and break a six-game losing streak, is rejecting 1.9 shots per game.
Hawes, 20, said he patterns his technique after San Antonio's Tim Duncan.
"Just the way you rarely see him get chippy fouls," said Hawes, "and a lot of time, he doesn't even jump. He just uses his position and his length. It's footwork, too, and being savvy about it, knowing when to go after the ball."
Petrie prescribed bed rest – Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie is bedridden with walking pneumonia. According to one team official, Petrie went to the doctor Tuesday and was told to stay home for four to five days.
Farmer Sloan – Theus placed a pitchfork in Jerry Sloan's hands when painting a visual picture of the Jazz coach.
"Coach lives by farmers' rules," Theus said. "Grit, dirty hands and the law of the land. I mean that sincerely. He only cares about guys working hard."
Theus would know, having spent his first three seasons (1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82) in the NBA under Sloan while with the Chicago Bulls. Theus, who did not miss a game during his first five seasons, said he still employs several of Sloan's coaching tactics today.
"One of the things that comes to mind is that he's not shy of confrontations," Theus said. "I've gone nose-to-nose with him a couple times. But when the confrontation is over, it's done. There are no lingering effects. "
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521. The Bee's Ailene Voisin contributed to this report. To get breaking news alerts and game scores sent to your phone, text KINGS to 72737.
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