Postgame Quotes: Kings vs. Blazers
October 7, 2009 by kingsconnect
Kings Head Coach Paul Westphal
When asked how it feels to be back on the sidelines:
“Well I like it a lot – I like this team a lot. We have a long way to go; we have a lot of things to cover. We’re not nearly in the league with the Blazers right now but I like the way we fought out there. I saw some good things.”
On the defense of Tyreke Evans:
“That’s one of the things we like about him so much – he can affect the game in many different ways. He’s learning himself and we’re learning how to utilize him in all of those areas but the good thing about Tyreke is he cares about doing things right in having an all-around game. I think he’ll take pride in his defense and have a really good career on both ends of the floor.”
When asked what stands out in the first two games of preseason:
“We need tall people – at least healthy tall people. You look at Portland and they’re really one of the top teams in the league. I don’t hear people talking about them quite as much as some of the other prominent teams but they can beat anybody anywhere. They’ve got tremendous size and they have a real sound defensive philosophy. They move the ball well and are unselfish – they’re no joke.”
On whether or not he’s getting a sense of identity with this team yet:
“No, not yet – we need to get some key players back and healthy to figure out what our identity is. However, we’re going to fight. We’re going to hustle and scrap and if nothing else, that will be our identity.”
Tyreke Evans
“I felt more comfortable than I did last night. I just tried to get in there and learn the offense and look toward the mindset of penetration. So every time I am coming off the screens I am looking for Martin or Garcia. Once I get it together I will be looking to score other than just passing. I am just working at it.”
On his nerves:
“No, no nerves tonight.”
On playing with Kevin:
“I just tried to find out where his spots were tonight. If I see he was on the wing or in the corner my goal was to try and find him. When I was driving I was looking for him.”
On his first home game at ARCO:
“It was pretty good. We did a good job, we did better than last night. We got out there and (Greg) Oden played a good game. We have to get out there and get better and return to practice.”
Omri Casspi
“This morning I probably had 10 missed calls from Israel. Everyone is excited, but I am just taking it one day at a time.”
On Playing at ARCO for the first time:
“It was great and good to meet the fans and they get to know us. We are a new, talented and strong team. I am happy that everyone got to see us tonight.”
On his run in the third quarter and the teams chemistry:
“I have done that in my career before. I had done that overseas. I like to come off the bench and don’t mind if I start or if I come off the bench. I’ll do anything I can to help my team. I felt like we needed that boost of energy and I adapted to the ball and I am happy that the crowd liked it. I am happy that the team played really hard. That is a good sign and good basketball.”
Kevin Martin
“We got down in the fourth quarter and our guys didn’t give up. So that is a positive. We made some adjustments from the pick and roll from last night. This is what coach wanted us to do. We took pride in that tonight and we defended the ball well. I think that is what gave us the chance to win in the end.”
On playing with Tyreke:
“I love playing with that guy. That is the guy I wanted since day one and we got him. So, just being on the court with him, we are still learning each others’ games. We work together everyday, so it is just going to get better and better.”
Portland Head Coach Nate McMillan
Greg Oden’s progress:
“He’s in better shape than last year. Last year, he came in off the injury and he didn’t know how he wanted to come into the league to start his year. He wanted to be bulky because he wanted to be a physical player. He realized that after being in the NBA for a year that being a little lighter is better so he’s dropped about fourteen or fifteen pounds. He is lighter than he was at the start of training camp last year and I think that has helped him. We’ve talked about being light is better when you play an 82 game schedule. He’s moving much better, he’s worked all summer long to come into camp mentally and physically ready to go.”
Deciding who is going to be the starting center:
“For me I’ve always been a coach who if you earn it, you take it, you earn it. He knew that at the end of the season last year, that at the start of training camp, that he wouldn’t be at the starting center spot. I wanted to see him hungry and he’s been hungry to work to become a starter.”
Andre Miller fitting in
“Andre is a “baller”. He plays basketball and knows how to play the game. I would put his IQ up there with the top point guards in the league as far as knowing what to do on the basketball floor with the players that he has.”
Greg Oden
Are you trying to slim down or gain muscle?
“At first I thought I needed more muscle but this year I’m going to try slimming down.”
Thoughts on slimming down
“With my weight I am kind of prone to injury. I wasn’t able to move as quick so I wasn’t able to move out of the way or help on defense because I wasn’t moving that fast. I figured I would lose some weight to move better, help on defense and get over to the help side quicker.”
LaMarcus Aldridge
Greg Oden’s impact
“He’s huge. He gets guys in foul trouble. He gives us that threat at the rim that we always needed. A guy that has to be double-teamed and can get to the basket.”
I am very dissapointed in what I see so far. The team does not seem to have their act together. I know it is early, but they seem to be totally lost. I am hoping that the front court improves dramatically because so far it has not looked good at all.
Even though it is still very early, I am afraid that the team as assembled is going to be even worse than last year. It is hard to believe any team could be worst than the mess on the floor last year, but so far this team is not giving any indications that they are able to improve with these players. The front court hasn’t made any progress. They actually seem like they have regressed. If Hawes doesn’t improve, this team is. not going anywhere fast. And in a season where you would expect the young players to have worked out hard and have fine tuned their games. But so far Hawes is not improved and now is injured. J T has looked poor. That is the whole young team. If those 2 players don’t improve, this team will be very bad for many years to come. So let’s hope the two young bigs have better games this preseason or we are doomed! The backcourt looks like they can score, but can they play together and play defense? This is supposed to be the strength of the team so we need to have Kevin Martin be strong way. And we have to rely on a rookie to step up and play great for us. With the trouble we have in the front court, the back court needs to be the strongest part of the team. I hope that the young players not only improve Individually and as a team. There is still hope, but we need a miracle to happen for this team to win more than last years pace.
Since coach mentioned that the team needs "tall players/more height" does that mean we might have a trade soon or sign some big man?
I know this team is good. It just has to believe in itself and play Defense. Get in peoples faces, get an attitude, Yes, swagger, that is what I want to see. If you believe your good then you will play good. That is what I am talking about. Knock the ball loose. Get up front and personal. Let the other team know your on the court. The Kings got the talent to win. They got determination to win. Just get some defense, stop the opponent runs, slow the game down. Get the win, go to the Playoffs, and Championship. It is OK to think big. How many people out there want to see some Sacramento King's swagger? I do. I little arrogance might help too. I remember when Doug Christie and Rick Fox tussled with each other during the Western Conference Championship. Now that was fun. I would like to see more of that attitude without the punches.
Go Kings!
It depends if Maloof Brothers will spend the money on high impact players. However, I really believe the players currently on the team can win games. It takes commitment, attitude, and desire to get to the Playoffs and Championship game. That should be the goal for all seasons, regardless if the team is rebuilding. Yes, there are players who just got that talent to win games. The Kings have talent. The thing is other teams have talent also. We have to play to win and compete in the NBA. That is all you can ask from a team.
Go Kings!