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Paul Westphal had one thing going for him on his team's recent 0-6 road trip: the lack of Kings-centric media picking his brain throughout the painful process.
Other than the typical postgame scrums, it was just myself for the first four games, Jason Jones for the final two and esteemed radio man Gary Gerould throughout. That changed on Monday, when a fairly large group of Sacramento TV, radio and print journalists (and even a reporter from Italy, randomly enough) turned out to dissect the recent hoops disaster.
Westphal was amiable in these duties as always, and the following nine minutes of audio gives a decent window into his world at the moment. I'd venture to guess that only the hardest of hardcore fans want to know what he's thinking and saying right now, so I'll leave said interview in audio form below and be curious to check back later and see how many people listened in. As bad news goes, it's good stuff.
Before we go to Westphal, though, a few quick news and notes about tonight's game against the Warriors.
* Rookie forward Jon Brockman is questionable after bruising his left hip in practice on Monday. I don't expect him to play but do expect to see Spencer Hawes back in the starting lineup (as I pointed out in today's grades, the Kings are 11-15 when Hawes starts).
* While fifth-year swingman Francisco Garcia had talked recently as if he would be back in less than a week at this point, Westphal repeatedly said it would be a while - no specific date given - until he plays. I believe that's in the audio interview.
* Monta Ellis (ankle) is not expected to play for the Warriors, meaning a loss here for the Kings would be a new low considering it's a subpar opponent without its best player on your home floor coming with two days rest (one off-day, one practice day).
From The Bee
'Blame is spread for Kings' swoon,' (Midseason report card), By Sam Amick
From The Contra Costa Times
'Warriors GM Larry Riley promises changes, but when?' By Marcus Thompson II
'Monta Ellis doesn't deserve an All-Star spot,' By Tim Kawakami
From the San Francisco Chronicle
'Warriors' Ellis gets a pass,' By John Shea.
GAMEPLAN
Kings (15-28) vs. Golden State (13-29)
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Arco Arena.
TV: CSNCA.
Radio: KHTK (1140 AM).
Kings update: It's not as if the notion of Jon Brockman in the starting lineup was a flawless one, as the Kings lost the last four games after coach Paul Westphal put him in there. But whether the rookie big man starts or comes off the bench, he is a valuable asset to a team that once again is lacking toughness. Yet after Brockman took a fall during Monday's practice, he is questionable for tonight's game with a bruised left hip. Brockman had X-rays and a CT scan that were negative, but he surely won't be able to bang like his normal self even if he does play. It could mean much-needed opportunity for former starting center Spencer Hawes to redeem himself.
Warriors update: The Warriors are playing the best pro basketball of the two Northern California teams recently, as they've won six of their last 14 games while the Kings have only won two in that span. Shooting guard Monta Ellis will not play tonight. Ellis sprained his right ankle Friday against New Jersey and missed Saturday's game in Phoenix.
PROBABLE STARTERS
KINGS
No. Player Pos.
13 Tyreke Evans PG
23 Kevin Martin SG
20 Donté Greene SF
34 Jason Thompson PF
31 Spencer Hawes C
WARRIORS
No. Player Pos.
30 Stephen Curry PG
20 Cartier Martin SG
50 Corey Maggette SF
44 Anthony Tolliver PF
15 Andris Biedrins C - Sam Amick
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