http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12807126p-13657443c.html
Adelman denies trash talk
The coach says Jerome James and the Kings parted on good terms.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, April 29, 2005
It's a great story if you believe everything you read in the papers and hear on cable TV.
Big man gets cut, is handed a garbage bag to clear out his stall and told to find another line of work.
Only it's not very credible.
One of the best stories of this Kings-Seattle SuperSonics NBA playoff series is how Jerome James - the big man in question - has played his most inspired and effective ball of his career against his old team.
It's true that James was once a member of the Kings, but he was a project back then. He played in 16 games in the 1998-99 season, sat out a year because of a bad knee and then didn't make it through training camp in the fall of 2000 because he wasn't healthy.
But a trash liner and occupational advice?
"It would be nice if someone would ask me if it were true before putting it out on national TV," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "No. 1, I have never cut one guy in seven years here by myself. (Other team executives) are always there. This team never gives garbage bags out. I know for a fact Jerome got two equipment bags with a bunch of stuff in it.
"It's so erroneous. Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story. I mean, really, I don't know where Jerome came up with that. I have never told anybody to go find another (line of work), especially a 7-foot-1 guy."
James lasted 2 1/2 weeks into his third season with the Kings.
"We brought him to camp because he had nowhere to go ... he wasn't in shape, and we weren't going to use him," Adelman said. "He's feeling his oats right now. We've got to give him his due. He's playing with confidence, he's making shots, he's been effective. ...
"People in Seattle should be ecstatic to get two games like that out of him."
James bounced around the globe in pursuit of basketball work after his Kings tour, although this series shows that he's on to something.
"Sometimes it takes guys longer," Adelman said. "Maybe this can be an awakening for him. "I've always liked Jerome. He's a great kid. I don't know what job it would have been that I suggested for him. I mean, who says something like that? I did mind (the insinuation) when I heard it from my family, 'Gee, did you really say that?' "
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i knew adelman didn't do that. he's too classy and nice for that. way to tell the truth james.
jeez.
Adelman denies trash talk
The coach says Jerome James and the Kings parted on good terms.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, April 29, 2005
It's a great story if you believe everything you read in the papers and hear on cable TV.
Big man gets cut, is handed a garbage bag to clear out his stall and told to find another line of work.
Only it's not very credible.
One of the best stories of this Kings-Seattle SuperSonics NBA playoff series is how Jerome James - the big man in question - has played his most inspired and effective ball of his career against his old team.
It's true that James was once a member of the Kings, but he was a project back then. He played in 16 games in the 1998-99 season, sat out a year because of a bad knee and then didn't make it through training camp in the fall of 2000 because he wasn't healthy.
But a trash liner and occupational advice?
"It would be nice if someone would ask me if it were true before putting it out on national TV," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "No. 1, I have never cut one guy in seven years here by myself. (Other team executives) are always there. This team never gives garbage bags out. I know for a fact Jerome got two equipment bags with a bunch of stuff in it.
"It's so erroneous. Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story. I mean, really, I don't know where Jerome came up with that. I have never told anybody to go find another (line of work), especially a 7-foot-1 guy."
James lasted 2 1/2 weeks into his third season with the Kings.
"We brought him to camp because he had nowhere to go ... he wasn't in shape, and we weren't going to use him," Adelman said. "He's feeling his oats right now. We've got to give him his due. He's playing with confidence, he's making shots, he's been effective. ...
"People in Seattle should be ecstatic to get two games like that out of him."
James bounced around the globe in pursuit of basketball work after his Kings tour, although this series shows that he's on to something.
"Sometimes it takes guys longer," Adelman said. "Maybe this can be an awakening for him. "I've always liked Jerome. He's a great kid. I don't know what job it would have been that I suggested for him. I mean, who says something like that? I did mind (the insinuation) when I heard it from my family, 'Gee, did you really say that?' "
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i knew adelman didn't do that. he's too classy and nice for that. way to tell the truth james.
jeez.
