Westphals' Staff Completed

Post #1 » by **KF10** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 11:10 pm

I don't have the details regarding salaries, but a league source just confirmed that Kings coach Paul Westphal has hired assistants Jim Eyen, Mario Elie and Truck Robinson. Eyen, an NBA assistant for 17 years, was a recent victim of the Los Angeles Clippers' budget cuts. Elie and Robinson are former players. Elie, who interviewed for the Kings head coaching vacancy three offseasons ago, was a physical, tough-minded guard who was lethal from the corners. Robinson was a two-time All-Star and one of the league's most physical power forwards during the 1970s and 80s. During the 1977-78 season, he led the NBA in minutes, defensive rebounds, total rebounds and rebound average (15.7). Westphal apparently is addressing the two areas he emphasized while interviewing for the job: defending the perimeter and controlling the boards.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sp ... st-24.html

So, it's:

Head Coach:
Paul Westphal

Assistant Coach(s):
Jim Eyen
Mario Elie
Truck Robinson

I think they are great fits for Westphal's system. And I like how he got Mario Elie to the Kings finally. He was a coaching candidate a while back.

Post #2 » by **pillwenney** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 11:50 pm

Cool. And if I'm not mistaken, SAR is still around as coach too, is he not?

Post #3 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 11:56 pm

Congratulations.

I'm very high on Mario Elie and he will help your young team.

Post #4 » by **KF10** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:30 am

mitchweber wrote:Cool. And if I'm not mistaken, SAR is still around as coach too, is he not?

I'm pretty sure they kept SAR and Coachie for another year. (Don't quote me though, I remember reading it somewhere)

KM44 · Post #5 » by **KM44** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:10 am

I like the staff, lets have a great draft!

SacKingZZZ · Post #6 » by **SacKingZZZ** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:40 am

If I'm remembering correctly Reef was moving into an undefined role, not on the coaching staff per se.

Post #7 » by **KingInExile** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:46 pm

SacKingZZZ wrote:If I'm remembering correctly Reef was moving into an undefined role, not on the coaching staff per se.

SAR was really only an assistant coach in title only last season. His primary responsibility was to work with Spencer and Justin on their game.

Smills91 · Post #8 » by **Smills91** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:48 pm

KingInExile wrote:
SacKingZZZ wrote:If I'm remembering correctly Reef was moving into an undefined role, not on the coaching staff per se.

SAR was really only an assistant coach in title only last season. His primary responsibility was to work with Spencer and Justin on their game.

Jason you mean? freudian slip I guess.

Post #9 » by **KingInExile** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:51 pm

Smills91 wrote:
KingInExile wrote:
SacKingZZZ wrote:If I'm remembering correctly Reef was moving into an undefined role, not on the coaching staff per se.

SAR was really only an assistant coach in title only last season. His primary responsibility was to work with Spencer and Justin on their game.

Jason you mean? freudian slip I guess.

Yes, Jason...chalk it up to distraction and typing while half asleep.

Smills91 · Post #10 » by **Smills91** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:14 pm

KingInExile wrote:
Smills91 wrote:
KingInExile wrote:SAR was really only an assistant coach in title only last season. His primary responsibility was to work with Spencer and Justin on their game.

Jason you mean? freudian slip I guess.

Yes, Jason...chalk it up to distraction and typing while half asleep.

I usually do that with ALL your posts! ;-)

Post #11 » by **pillwenney** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:38 pm

Well, I think that still makes SAR an assistant. I guess it really doesn't matter what the title is though. As long as he and Coachie are here and helping out, I'm happy.

Smills91 · Post #12 » by **Smills91** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:30 pm

mitchweber wrote:Well, I think that still makes SAR an assistant. I guess it really doesn't matter what the title is though. As long as he and Coachie are here and helping out, I'm happy.

It's definitely a solid coaching rotation!

cdt3 · Post #13 » by **cdt3** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:41 am

Sounds like Robinson and SAR even each other out which is what we were missing with the bigs last year. Both Chuck Person and SAR were better offensively and Robinson sounds like they balance each other. If our 3/4/5 can improve on their paint defense and shotblocking, plus getting princeton ball movement back again lookout.

This is not even including the improvements any PG at # 4 will get us.