Meet Alex English, New Kings Assistant Coach

by Tom Ziller on Jan 16, 2012 11:00 AM PST in Commentary

The Kings added legendary scorer Alex English to the coaching staff last week to fill out the bench after Keith Smart ascended to the top spot. Those of us entranced by those old 1980s Nuggets whenever they make an appearance on NBA TV know English the player well. But what does he brings as a coach?

English has spent the last several years on the bench of the Toronto Raptors. We tabbed Adam Francis of Raptors HQ to break down English the coach. You can see that insight below the jump.

Alex English was one of the longest tenured members of the Toronto Raptors organization. He had been with the Raptors since 2004, serving as both Director of Player Development and an assistant coach to the likes of Sam Mitchell and Jay Triano. With Bryan Colangelo's decision not to retain Triano as head coach this past summer, English's tenure unfortunately ended as well, as the club decided to go in a different direction regarding the various bench bosses.

While the change in direction was understandable, it was disappointing to hear that English would no longer be part of the coaching staff. He excelled at working with the team's youngsters, something that bodes well for the Kings' and their current roster, and commanded a ton of respect in the locker room. He had this soft-spoken yet authoritative presence, and was one of the more fascinating people I've ever spoken with regarding the NBA, thanks to his storied past and basketball experience.

But Sacramento isn't simply getting some whimsical storyteller here. Raptors' big men from Chris Bosh to Amir Johnson can place a ton of credit in the development of their game at the feet of English. In particular, he spent a lot of time working with youngsters like Ed Davis, helping them on and off the court. Considering the similar raw big man talent collected by Sacramento, my hope is that the Kings will leverage English's calm insight, and Raptors' fans wish him the best of luck in his new role.

English is one of the true professionals in the game, and it's great to see him getting another shot at something he does so well.

Thanks to Adam for the insight!

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Comments

Kings are averaging -26.5 since the hiring of Alex English

Fire English!!

by HeuristicLineup on Jan 16, 2012 11:06 AM PST reply actions 2 recs

So...

In order to get Smart, we have to understand English first?

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 16, 2012 11:11 AM PST reply actions 6 recs

Lmfao brilliant comment.

by CousinsEvansDUO on Jan 16, 2012 11:12 AM PST up reply actions

Smart needs to use English correctly.

Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."

by Slam_Dunk on Jan 16, 2012 11:18 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

He just needs to put some English on it.

"Live Long and Prosper." - Spock

by hozr on Jan 18, 2012 4:27 PM PST up reply actions

i think we will beat the twolvez today. it will be a VERY close game, but thornton and reke will drive and get and 1’s to win by 1 or 2 points in the late 4th quarter.

by CousinsEvansDUO on Jan 16, 2012 11:12 AM PST reply actions

I would hope so...

…with Timberwolves rated dead last.

Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."

by Slam_Dunk on Jan 16, 2012 11:21 AM PST up reply actions

Que?

Words of wisdom from the great Billy Dee Williams

Because I'm suave you can suck it, I'll ski on your lunch if I want.

by wallywagon11 on Jan 16, 2012 11:22 AM PST up reply actions

My bad!!!

Perceptual Expectancy: One sees what one expects to see. I expected the Timberwolves to rate dead last, so that is what I saw.

Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."

by Slam_Dunk on Jan 16, 2012 11:38 AM PST up reply actions

Let's hope that you expect to see a Kings win today.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Jan 16, 2012 12:50 PM PST up reply actions

I do.

Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."

by Slam_Dunk on Jan 16, 2012 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

I think it was sarchasm or conditioned thinking....

I give the Kings a decent chance tonight. I like the match-ups, redemption for previous humiliation, although the Kings should not be favorites versus anyone, except Wizards.

Their 4 wins are misleading as to how generally awful they have been.

Their eFG% (43.89) is second worst in the NBA. Their opponents eFG% (51.18) is second best. So they are 29th out of 30 shooting, and they are 29th out of 30 in stopping shots.

This team has been generally horrible in offense and generally horrible on defense. Their point differential of -11.5 is 29th out of 30, a good barometer of overall performance.

The Kings are lucky to be 4-9.

Smart Era, y'all.

by bench_blob on Jan 16, 2012 11:51 AM PST up reply actions

yeah i've noticed the point differential and the giant chasm between the ORtg and DRtg (which obviously points to the point differential)

Words of wisdom from the great Billy Dee Williams

Because I'm suave you can suck it, I'll ski on your lunch if I want.

by wallywagon11 on Jan 16, 2012 11:57 AM PST up reply actions

Somewhat misleading due to their strength of schedule which I believe ranked 6th hardest

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Jan 16, 2012 12:53 PM PST up reply actions

pretty sure that's accurate

Words of wisdom from the great Billy Dee Williams

Because I'm suave you can suck it, I'll ski on your lunch if I want.

by wallywagon11 on Jan 16, 2012 1:30 PM PST up reply actions

I read David Aldridge's post this morning

And his one sentence on the Kings summed it up.

“The Kings have one four games… how?”

Never Turn Back - Crush 40

Being a Fan: 10% luck, 20% skill, 15% concentrated power of will, 5% pleasure, 50% pain, and 100% reason to remember the name!

by raiderking21 on Jan 16, 2012 12:53 PM PST up reply actions

The 21 point comeback vs. Bucks was fluky, taking nothing away from inspired rally...

But Bucks sort of gifted that one. The win in Toronto was helped when Raptors go-to player (Bargani) hurt his back in the second half, though he struggled up to injury. So those 2 wins were fortuitous.

A 2-11 record would be more aligned with Kings quality of play.

Every loss, with possible exception of Bulls game, has been lopsided at the end. Thats pretty telling too, that the Kings have not even had a fair chance in the 4th quarter of all 9 losses.

The good news is Hayes is hopefully 2 weeks away, and that should be about the time to expect Coach Smart and his new system to show some tangible results.

Smart Era, y'all.

by bench_blob on Jan 16, 2012 1:34 PM PST up reply actions

Great, so Hayes is gonna come back and mess it all up!

FIRE THE KINGS!!!

" 1 + 1 = 3 " - David Kahn

by Shizzo on Jan 16, 2012 1:48 PM PST up reply actions

He said "one" instead of "won"?

"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!

by caseycheesecake on Jan 16, 2012 2:51 PM PST up reply actions

Shift key, please.

by Tom Ziller on Jan 16, 2012 2:05 PM PST up reply actions

Any chance Alex might want to suit up?

There’s a good chance he’s the best small forward on our bench.

No mikev, no peace
Know mikev, know peace

by Mike Garza on Jan 16, 2012 12:29 PM PST reply actions

Off topic (except that this is written in English)

Kings are 24th in attendance at 15066

http://espn.go.com/nba/attendance

35 and 31. I'm calling it now. Reke and Cousins 1-2 in most improved award both All-stars. Jimmer leads rookies in scoring, passing and Ole's. Make 2nd round of playoffs and Salmons is not here by seasons end.

by ElRonToro on Jan 16, 2012 12:30 PM PST reply actions

I would not have expected that

Sucks that we’re still in the bottom half, but at least we aren’t last

Never Turn Back - Crush 40

Being a Fan: 10% luck, 20% skill, 15% concentrated power of will, 5% pleasure, 50% pain, and 100% reason to remember the name!

by raiderking21 on Jan 16, 2012 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

That should be the Sacramento Kings slogan

“At least we aren’t last”

by HeuristicLineup on Jan 16, 2012 1:24 PM PST up reply actions

Yet!

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Jan 16, 2012 2:01 PM PST up reply actions

Percentage is what's important.

Kings have one of the smaller capacities.

by Tom Ziller on Jan 16, 2012 2:04 PM PST up reply actions

Isn't our max like 17000?

Never Turn Back - Crush 40

Being a Fan: 10% luck, 20% skill, 15% concentrated power of will, 5% pleasure, 50% pain, and 100% reason to remember the name!

by raiderking21 on Jan 16, 2012 2:20 PM PST up reply actions

17,317

"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!

by caseycheesecake on Jan 16, 2012 2:52 PM PST up reply actions

English is gonna show Jimmer how score 50 tonight!

by hesabasketballplayer on Jan 16, 2012 1:04 PM PST reply actions

From the insight, English seems like he’s going to be able to have a very positive effect on the team. Can’t be worse than Westphal..

by Toby93 on Jan 16, 2012 1:28 PM PST reply actions

let's not temp fate with "can't be worse than" comments

knock on wood or something

Words of wisdom from the great Billy Dee Williams

Because I'm suave you can suck it, I'll ski on your lunch if I want.

by wallywagon11 on Jan 16, 2012 1:31 PM PST up reply actions

I've always liked Alex

I became an NBA fan when he was in his second year with the Bucks, my home team away from home (‘cause I was living part time in Wisconsin). Wasn’t too surprised when he became a star. He’s always been a class act, and I hope his tenure in Sactown generates positive results.

by Elvin Unseld on Jan 16, 2012 9:14 PM PST reply actions