It's been a long time since Rick Adelman coached the Sacramento Kings. Since his firing Kings players and fans have watched coaches enter and depart the area as if there was a revolving door
at ARCO/Sleep-Train Arena. Finally (with a great sigh of relief) the Sacramento Kings have found a worthy replacement for Coach Adelman - Dave Joeger.
There is a German liqeur called Jagermeister. Although the spelling is not right, I think a comparison can be made. In German Jagermeister means Hunter Master. Appropriate? Okay, a bit of a stretch, but I like the idea of Dave Joeger as both a hunter (for the best players) and a master (of the team and the game).
It is not a winning season yet, not by a long shot, especially with a loose cannon like the talented DeMarcus Cousins at the center of the team. Still, one can sense Joeger's intelligence, will power, inventiveness, and flexibility. Add to that - from what I can tell watching him on the court - a sense of humor. These are traits that make for an excellent NBA coach.
So, Sacramento - like "Here's Johnny," heeeere's Coach Joeger. I'm taking bets that he's going to be around for a long time and usher in a decade of winning Kings' seasons.
The problem with waiting to post a blog until the next day is that the Kings lost to Miami in the interim. Since the Heat was playing without three of its best players and still won is not a testament to Coach Joeger's preparation or the teams improved chances for the playoffs. Even so, my belief in Dave Joeger remains firm. He is a solid coach with a solid future in the NBA.
I can't let this morning's blog go by without quoting Ashton Eaton, the world record holder in the decathlon, announcing his retirement. He said, "I gave the most physically robust years of my life to the discovery and pursuit of my limits in this domain (his sport)." What a wonderful and insightful statement. My guess is that most spots fans would not think of the athletes' life in this way, as a game by game, moment by moment test of their limitations. Nor do I believe many great athletes look at their life in this way. Does Usain Bolt believe he has any limitations? Or would Michael Jordan? Or Muhammad Ali, or fill in the blank______________________?
I saw this poem in a magazine sometime after the war in Iraq, writer unknown. My guest is a convalescing vet of that war or a loved one of a wounded vet. Certainly this message of this poem exemplifies Eaton's idea of testing one's limits.
After Iraq Anonymous
He rose every morning to see if he could.
Dress himself with no one's help.
To test his limits when he stood,
without crutches by himself.
