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10-28-2007, 10:15 AM
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October 28, 2007
Carlesimo Returns With Intensity Intact
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hands on his knees, leaning against a green padded wall beneath the baseline, P. J. Carlesimo (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/c/p_j_carlesimo/index.html?inline=nyt-per) is miffed.
Miffed is putting it kindly.
He is frustrated and angry, seething as his Seattle SuperSonics (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/sports/probasketball/nationalbasketballassociation/seattlesupersonics/index.html?inline=nyt-org) slog toward the end of a grueling practice, mistakes mounting by the moment. Exhausted by the countless miscues, Carlesimo does what has come naturally since he started coaching in 1971. He bellows expletives in his raspy voice, above the squeaks of shoes and huffing of his players.
Yes, Carlesimo has changed since he was last a head coach, in 1999, when his much-publicized and scrutinized stint heading the Golden State Warriors ended. But his demanding style and willingness to chew out a player, or his entire team, has not changed. It is his way of developing accountability and part of the new culture he is trying to create in Seattle.
“Players want that,” Carlesimo said. “There is a misperception about this league that players don’t want that. Players want that as long as you’re fair.”
Eight years removed from his time in Golden State, Carlesimo is back as a head coach. Now it is his task to develop Kevin Durant and to revitalize a once-proud franchise rife with questions about its off-court future.
It is not a simple endeavor. And it is one Carlesimo and the Sonics understand will not be accomplished in one year. Patience is important for everybody, especially Carlesimo.
Ten years ago with Golden State, Latrell Sprewell (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/latrell_sprewell/index.html?inline=nyt-per) responded to Carlesimo’s terse command to “put a little mustard” on a pass by choking him. It took several players and team officials to break it up.
Carlesimo said he understood that he would be forever linked with the Sprewell incident. But he has also grown from his experiences. He has two children demanding his attention at home, and teaching him patience.
“My wife certainly doesn’t think I’m as patient as I should be with our little guys,” Carlesimo says with a smile.
Entering new surroundings, Carlesimo has friends around. He previously worked with General Manager Sam Presti before they were plucked from San Antonio.
He also added Paul Westhead to his staff as an assistant, luring him away from a W.N.B.A. title team in Phoenix. Westhead was an assistant for Carlesimo at Golden State.
Their relationship dates to the 1970s, when they were starting as college coaches and spent their off-season coaching summer league teams in Puerto Rico. Having Westhead on the staff helps keep Carlesimo grounded and adds another “graybeard.”
Having Westhead’s voice on the bench will surely help Carlesimo deal with a season that probably will be rocky.
Gone are Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, Seattle’s two leading scorers from last season, and the two strongest voices in the locker room. They have been replaced by Durant and his fellow rookie Jeff Green, and the veterans Wally Szczerbiak, Kurt Thomas (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/t/kurt_thomas/index.html?inline=nyt-per) and Delonte West.
Ultimately, the most influential voice until the Sonics’ youngsters mature will be Carlesimo’s. Screaming and yelling sometimes come with that, but that style is all he has known.
“We have good guys,” Carlesimo said, “and if you have good people, they will accept what you ask them to do.”
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October 28, 2007
Carlesimo Returns With Intensity Intact
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hands on his knees, leaning against a green padded wall beneath the baseline, P. J. Carlesimo (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/c/p_j_carlesimo/index.html?inline=nyt-per) is miffed.
Miffed is putting it kindly.
He is frustrated and angry, seething as his Seattle SuperSonics (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/sports/probasketball/nationalbasketballassociation/seattlesupersonics/index.html?inline=nyt-org) slog toward the end of a grueling practice, mistakes mounting by the moment. Exhausted by the countless miscues, Carlesimo does what has come naturally since he started coaching in 1971. He bellows expletives in his raspy voice, above the squeaks of shoes and huffing of his players.
Yes, Carlesimo has changed since he was last a head coach, in 1999, when his much-publicized and scrutinized stint heading the Golden State Warriors ended. But his demanding style and willingness to chew out a player, or his entire team, has not changed. It is his way of developing accountability and part of the new culture he is trying to create in Seattle.
“Players want that,” Carlesimo said. “There is a misperception about this league that players don’t want that. Players want that as long as you’re fair.”
Eight years removed from his time in Golden State, Carlesimo is back as a head coach. Now it is his task to develop Kevin Durant and to revitalize a once-proud franchise rife with questions about its off-court future.
It is not a simple endeavor. And it is one Carlesimo and the Sonics understand will not be accomplished in one year. Patience is important for everybody, especially Carlesimo.
Ten years ago with Golden State, Latrell Sprewell (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/latrell_sprewell/index.html?inline=nyt-per) responded to Carlesimo’s terse command to “put a little mustard” on a pass by choking him. It took several players and team officials to break it up.
Carlesimo said he understood that he would be forever linked with the Sprewell incident. But he has also grown from his experiences. He has two children demanding his attention at home, and teaching him patience.
“My wife certainly doesn’t think I’m as patient as I should be with our little guys,” Carlesimo says with a smile.
Entering new surroundings, Carlesimo has friends around. He previously worked with General Manager Sam Presti before they were plucked from San Antonio.
He also added Paul Westhead to his staff as an assistant, luring him away from a W.N.B.A. title team in Phoenix. Westhead was an assistant for Carlesimo at Golden State.
Their relationship dates to the 1970s, when they were starting as college coaches and spent their off-season coaching summer league teams in Puerto Rico. Having Westhead on the staff helps keep Carlesimo grounded and adds another “graybeard.”
Having Westhead’s voice on the bench will surely help Carlesimo deal with a season that probably will be rocky.
Gone are Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, Seattle’s two leading scorers from last season, and the two strongest voices in the locker room. They have been replaced by Durant and his fellow rookie Jeff Green, and the veterans Wally Szczerbiak, Kurt Thomas (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/t/kurt_thomas/index.html?inline=nyt-per) and Delonte West.
Ultimately, the most influential voice until the Sonics’ youngsters mature will be Carlesimo’s. Screaming and yelling sometimes come with that, but that style is all he has known.
“We have good guys,” Carlesimo said, “and if you have good people, they will accept what you ask them to do.”