Postgame Quotes - Kings vs. Bobcats
February 25, 2009 by kingsconnect
Kings Head Coach Kenny Natt
On the way the game played out
“The game plan was to play Drew (Gooden). He practiced yesterday and had a good practice – he indicated he was ready to go. He said he was ready to go. So from a doctor’s standpoint, speaking with Pete (Youngman) they said he’s ready so I was just planning to get him in. I figured if anything his wind would be short and that would hurt him but I know what Drew is capable of doing. I’ve been with him long enough to know that he’s a legitimate post guy and he can rebound. So those are things that are going to really help us. From a standpoint of the amount of minutes, I had no idea because that depended on how he was going.”
“It was the same thing all over again – digging a hole for ourselves. I think they shot nearly 60% in the first half and it was 70% at one point in the first quarter I thought. Digging a hole and then fighting back the way that we’ve done – that’s something that has really hurt us and really hindered us throughout the season. I just told them again, somewhere along the line we’re going to have to learn that it’s important to do your homework early, not late. In order to win in this league you’ve got to do your homework early – come ready to play from the start of the ballgame, not once you get down and try to fight back. You’ve shown us some heart and determination, yes, but you’ve got to play smart now. It’s time to really play smart and learn how to play the game and win in the NBA. To do that you start the game playing hard every night, not waiting until you get down, then having to fight back and coming up short.”
Kings Forward/Center Drew Gooden
“I was good enough to go out there and do what I do and I kind of surprised myself. I didn’t think I was going to be able to cut and drive like that. I think that it caught up with me toward the end of the game. I made a move and it didn’t feel right so I decided to sit down. I still think I will be able to go out there and do something. At that particular point it wasn’t good.”
On his groin injury
“I’m going to try and go out there and play (Friday). It will either get better or get worse. Until I can’t go no more we will make a decision then. I will continue to play and get some good treatment tomorrow and see what I can do. I think I will be alright.”
“I went in there blind and I knew I needed to provide energy for the team. That is how I was going to earn my minutes. I have been with Coach Natt for three years and I know if I am out there helping out my teammates I will earn my minutes.”
On his first game back from injury
“It was my first game in a month in a half, so I was a little rusty. I was just glad I made my first shot. I had a lot of butterflies, especially joining another team I’m glad I made my first shot.”
Kings Forward Jason Thompson
On working with Development Coach Pete Carril on his shot
“It is something that is a work in progress. He said I may have a few bad habits but it shouldn’t really affect it. It is consistent enough and I just need to add some other stuff to it. I work on it somewhat during the season, but more during the summer.”
On the starting rotation
“This may be the most interesting season. It is my first year and I have pretty much seen it all. Maybe I haven’t been traded, but I have pretty much seen it all and I feel like even though I didn’t want things to happen like this, I feel like it is the beginning of a new season. Even though I am in the starting lineup, I feel like I have to find my identity back. It is because we have new guys and guys didn’t know who was going to start. It is a tough situation we are in.”
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Bobcats Head Coach Larry Brown
On letting the Kings back in the game
“We had a bad beginning in the third quarter. Then we righted the ship, had a 24-point lead with the ball and tried to make plays. You have to give them credit, they made plays. We made plays when we had to. I would have liked to have an opportunity to use the bench more in the fourth quarter.”
On integrating all the new players
“It is still a work in progress. I am learning what guys can do and how we can help certain players. This is a great group of guys, they want to get better. It is like the Kings, we have so many new players. It is hard to implement a lot of stuff when you have so many new players. But as long as they try and look out for each other, everything will work out in the end.”
On not being able to play his bench until late
“I wasn’t real happy at that time because I wanted to use our bench. We came off a game against Phoenix and have another back-to-back ahead. I like to reward the young players and unfortunately we were unable to do that.”
His thoughts on the Kings new roster
“Sacramento can score. I think the changes they made are really good. You saw what (Drew) Gooden is capable of doing and (Andres) Nocioni is a competitive kid. I am happy we won the game and thought we did a lot of good things tonight.”
On bringing Boris Diaw to the team
“All the guys Michael (Jordan) has brought over have been positive. He (Boris) is just a good basketball player. He makes people better, can guard anybody, does all the little things, is a great passer, has a high IQ and is a great guy. We gave up a great player and Raja and Boris have been a great help.”
Bobcats Forward Gerald Wallace
On coming to Sacramento and playing against the Kings
“It still was a bad start for us. In the first quarter, we had three or four unforced turnovers there. It is one of those things we have to work on. It is fun to come and show improvement because I never got to play here. I spent three years wasting. I am just happy I had a chance to go somewhere and have a chance to play.”
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