The Final Entry in The Theus-Amick-Napear-Martin-Artest Clusterf*ck
Sam Amick posted the audio from Jim Crandell's show, which is a tour de force of WTF. Listen if you haven't.
Marty McNeal had the definitive column on the matter, which is all sorts of awesome considering McNeal's traditional point-of-view on such matters.
I emailed Grant Napear Saturday morning. My questions and his response follows:
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Ziller: Yesterday on your show, you accused Amick of taking comments out of context in order to write his story on Theus's thoughts on Artest. ...
- Have you listened to the full comments?
- Did you attend the media session?
- Do you stand by your statement that the comments were taken out of context?
- Did you meet with Theus before going on the air Friday to discuss how to attack the story, though you said during the show you had not?
Napear: I never mentioned Sam's name. I never said he took the comments out of context. Reggie made that statement. Once again you have your facts wrong!!! Why don't you call and ask Reggie? He's the one that was quoted...not me..All I did was ask the questions. I knew what he meant all along, but to accuse me of ripping Sam is absurd
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You can listen to Napear's interview with Theus here. Halfway through, Grant talks about Sam's article(s). You be the judge. (It's also worth mentioning that Napear -- who assails Amick for not understanding they phrase "throw the ball to" -- gets it completely wrong, per Theus's Saturday comments.)
Ugh.
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35 comments
Comments
I heard a bit of this
And he didn’t really need to mention Sam’s name. Lamb was speaking of the article and Napear went off on his indictment of taking any information out of a newspaper. He was immediately in full-support mode for Theus.
I bet Napear’s KHTK microphone smells faintly of Theus’ backside.
"Boo Lakers! Boo Kobe! Go Kings! Go Giants! Boo Dodgers!" - my 5 year-old daughter - 4/15/08
by otis29 on Apr 22, 2008 12:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Marty Mac...
Makes one good point that I thought got lost amid all of the He said She said semantic sound and furry. That Martin came across as a little overly sensitive in regards to the whole situation. I’m not questioning Kevin or his arsenal or his capabilities in the clutch, all of which have been documented unendingly here, but we (at least I) crucified Webber when he made similar entreaties to the aforementioned McNeal four years ago during his ill-fated, Peja alienating “We need to play more street” salvo. I feel like our own perception of Martin as a theoretical franchise savoir, or certainly a cornerstone of that franchise salvation, biases our opinions occasionally. He of course is entitled to complain, and Theus’ shabby treatment all season has warranted Martin’s irritations. But Kevin Martin is still Kevin Martin, a burgeoning talent yet to fully prove himself. It’s o.k. to call him out for immaturity intermittently.
by rbiegler on Apr 22, 2008 12:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The crux of the problem
I’m not questioning Kevin or his arsenal or his capabilities in the clutch
Is that’s exactly what Theus questioned. And if Theus is going to call a player out for anything, it should not be done through the media. That’s not only classless, but it (obviously) fosters misunderstanding and hard feelings.
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by LeaguePassAddict on Apr 22, 2008 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
...
This story has gotten beyond old. Theus mis-spoke, Martin retorted, Amick reported, Peaches did his usual, and now we’re hitting the repeat without the rinsing inbetween.
I was as pissed as anyone about Theus’ statements, whether or not he misspoke I don’t even care anymore… This is getting old. People need to start reporting real news/rumors again and not this garbage.
Sam go do some investigating, start analyzing draft prospects ask theus and petrie the type of player they’re looking for so we can speculate.
by dkons21 on Apr 22, 2008 12:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Just listened to the Crandell bit
and you are correct: WTF? Reggie keeps trying to rewrite history, unfortunately for him, it’s all recorded. Sam was correct to get pissed and hang up. “Throw the ball to” has gone from “post up and draw a double team” to “draw a double team in the post, on the perimeter or on the short corner”. And everyone knows what he really meant was a guy you could count on in crunch time.
Kevin was pissed and rightfully so IMO. Should he have gone to the coach instead of the media? Maybe, but maybe he’s tried that in the past and felt like it hasn’t worked. After listening to Reggie on the radio, I’d guess he wouldn’t be able to get two words in, in any conversation. Maybe that’s also why the Maloofs went to the paper to request more playing time for the youngin’s.
Grant’s reaction is just fracked up.
Marty’s article is good, but is also very similar to Section214’s post.
by Kfan in Korea on Apr 22, 2008 1:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
As I just posted on a messenger comment a minute ago
I heard rant’s show and crandall’s
And all i know is this
Theus is wrong about artest
Martin is overly sensitive on the subject
Peachosaurus Rex is an asshole who only pushes his own agenda.
Sam did the right thing by hanging up in disgust
And Crandell did a good thing by letting sam air his concerns.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
by pookeyguru on Apr 22, 2008 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The only reason I think it matters, truthfully, is that because
that things are not happy and wonderful in Kings land at the moment.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
by pookeyguru on Apr 22, 2008 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
True
Silence by Petrie and Maloofs is interesting. I think Cuban would have weighed in had this been Dallas.
by Kfan in Korea on Apr 22, 2008 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let me make another point
Reggie thinks this is the biggest area the Kings need to improve in:
Theus cited toughness and rebounding as his major areas of emphasis for next season. Entering Wednesday’s close of the regular season, the Kings ranked 29th in rebounds (40.1 per game) and 23rd in rebounding differential (minus-1.8) and were tied for 24th in opponents’ offensive rebounds (11.8 per game).
“This team, with a couple of more pieces, I think is a very viable team,” Theus said. “We have all the elements, except for that one area. Rebounding, to me, is the biggest thing we have to look at.” Hmm, why hasn’t anybody mentioned that in the media? Because Theus was too busy stirring the pot. Sam even mentions it, and might have mentioned it if he had time at some point on Saturday, had Theus been not so busy in spin mode.
For the record I still think that’s yet another argument against Artest. On a sub-par rebounding team, and where Artest is probably in the bottom 3rd of SF’s in per game rebounding, how does Artest really make your team better?
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
by pookeyguru on Apr 22, 2008 2:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A couple of clarifications
Sam even mentions it, and might have mentioned it if he had time at some point on Saturday, had Theus been not so busy in spin mode.I meant to say that Sam mentioned on air with Crandell that Reggie kept talking is what gave the whole “throw the ball saga” legs to begin with. Had Sam gotten the chance he might have asked Reggie to speak a bit about rebounding, which Sam devoted a ton of words to in the original story, about perhaps a player in the draft or free agency the Kings could be potentially interested in. No, Reggie was only interested in spin control.
Sam, who spent most of his time being the classy individual he probably almost always is, only garnered more respect than I already had for him.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
by pookeyguru on Apr 22, 2008 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
if rebounding is the variable
he doesn’t. I think Peja was a better rebounder at the time of the trade. Might still be.
by Kusian on Apr 22, 2008 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then of the course the argument becomes
if you lose Artest what are you really losing? (Now you know why I’ve stumped (for so long) for Artest’s removal from the fine shores of the Evil Cowtown. I’m pretty sure you understood the argument the whole time though.)
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
by pookeyguru on Apr 22, 2008 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quick answer
if you lose Artest what are you really losing?
Drama.
BTW, Peja averages 5.0 rebounds career, Artest 3.8.
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by LeaguePassAddict on Apr 22, 2008 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I miss the KTHK callers who said Peja didn't rebound
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
by pookeyguru on Apr 22, 2008 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or defend
Not a great team defender, but above average at on-ball defense.
Shut down Nowitzki twice in final posessions in play-off games back in the day. The Serbian Stopper.
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by LeaguePassAddict on Apr 22, 2008 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Artest's Rebounds
Actually he’s averaged 5.1 a game for his career. The 3.8 is his defensive rebs per game.
by coolcatreportdotcom on Apr 23, 2008 1:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The fact that they're nearly identical in rebounding proves one thing to me
Artest is a different type of player, but his impact isn’t what many would like to believe it is on that end of the court.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
by pookeyguru on Apr 23, 2008 1:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're right
He has a different kind of impact.
Second in the league in steals behind Chris Paul. Again, that’s nice company to have your name mentioned with.
Fifth in scoring among small forwards, eighth in assists.
He does need to take 2-3 less shots a game, though.
by coolcatreportdotcom on Apr 23, 2008 2:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No doubt he's a talented player
and I’m resorting to hope that a team’s early exit (houston?) could use an Artest type player. If that isn’t the case where do the Kings go from here?
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
by pookeyguru on Apr 23, 2008 2:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully
Either to the playoffs or the trade mill at midseason.
by coolcatreportdotcom on Apr 23, 2008 2:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hilarious
Peahces is the only guy I know that can take himself out of context!
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Apr 22, 2008 3:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What's sad
is that he should have listened to the interview before he answered TZ’s questions, because either he has a very bad memory of things he has said, or his mouth and brain operate independently of each other.
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by LeaguePassAddict on Apr 22, 2008 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I knew
that Peaches never listens to the other members of the media for information. I just didn’t know until this moment that he doesn’t listen to himself, either.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Apr 22, 2008 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha!
he doesn’t listen to himself, either.
Who does?
TickTickTickTickTickTick
by LeaguePassAddict on Apr 22, 2008 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm Artest...
I’ve long been a fan of Artest, even when he’s tried my patience. However, I would be willing to part with anyone, even my beloved b52 First jersey I ever bought, it was on sale! to appease kmart.
Question is who do you pick up that can help this team either in rebounding or defensive tenacity in general? Those people are few and far between on the market, or command a higher price than we are willing to pay…
Only thing that comes to mind is Artest+second round pick for Corey Maggette maybe… but then again that gives us another small forward when what we really need is a POWER forward… Ugh I hate this game somedays.
by dkons21 on Apr 22, 2008 4:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Splitting hairs
This whole “throw the ball to” thing is complete bullshit. Reggie used the term “give the ball to” earlier in the interview, as if there is some huge distinction between “throw” and “give.”
by Carl on Apr 22, 2008 4:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow
I could care less about this entire situation.
Although Peaches’ answer to TZ was funny. Instead of responding to any of the questions he states that he didn’t rip Amick because he didn’t mention him by name.
Alright, somebody’s got to fess up, who’s messing with TZ by posing as Grant Napear? The more e-mails of his I read the more it reads like a characterization of him. No man can possibly have his enormous head stuck that far up his ass.
Muff rules. http://vegaskings.blogspot.com
by Muff209 on Apr 22, 2008 4:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ridiculous
The whole thing has just gotten ridiculous. Reggie just kept throwing Amick under the bus over and over. He in no way took Reggie out of context. Kevin Martin being unhappy has NOTHING to do with Sam Amick and everything to do with Reggie, so Theus ought to quit blaming Amick.
by Carl on Apr 22, 2008 5:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
But coaches/athletes blaming the media for sh*t happens all the time. It’s just what happens. I agree it’s Reggie’s fault, he could have been a lot more specific. But oh well, the media gets blamed for something every 6 minutes in Boston. Hell, Curt Schilling probably wouldn’t have a blog if it wasn’t for blaming the media. Amick handled it phenomenally and comes out looking better after hanging up on Crandell’s show. And Theus, yeah, spin mode wasn’t the best idea. He handled himself pretty bad, but is his passing of the buck to Amick really that surprising/deplorable?
Muff rules. http://vegaskings.blogspot.com
by Muff209 on Apr 22, 2008 5:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Last Rub on Artest
Finished the season seventh among small forwards in PER:
Ranked ahead of him were LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Caron Butler, Paul Pierce, Corey Maggette and Andre Iguodala. Josh Howard was just below, and Hedo Turkoglu was two spots under him. Not bad company to keep.
You’re right, though, he was 42nd among small forwards in rebound rate.
by coolcatreportdotcom on Apr 23, 2008 1:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice Links
I guess they don’t work very well, so here it is the old-fashioned way.
by coolcatreportdotcom on Apr 23, 2008 1:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whose comments are those for?
(I would assume me, but you didn’t exactly make it clear.)
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
by pookeyguru on Apr 23, 2008 1:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh God
I finally got the time to listen to all the interviews ‘cause so far I only read about it but I haven’t listened…
Lord, if I ever listen to the sentece “throw the ball to” again I’m gonna smash my head on the keyboard. So annoying.
I really think we should move on to something new, the more we dig, the worse it’ll get. I don’t even know who I think is right on this whole thing anymore.
But I definately hated the way Napear and Theus talked about Sam, it was ridiculous, that’s all I can say. I love Napear as the Kings play by play, I think he and Renolds are by far the most entertaining, so I had nothing but respect for Grant. But after listening to all this, I’m having second thoughts on my opinion about him, unfortunately. Just as i’m having second thoughts about Reggie as well.
by Line_Brazil on Apr 24, 2008 1:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You're being subjected to what many Kings fans are subject to in Sacramento Line
Grant’s abrasive personality is stoked by the asskisser’s who run KHTK. There are many people there who believe talk radio would die without him, I believe. (I am not one of them.)
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
by pookeyguru on Apr 24, 2008 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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