Jerry Reynolds - Reynolds Remembers: 20 Years with the Sacramento Kings

Copyright 2005, 2006, 2011 by Jerry Reynolds and Don Drysdale

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10 9876543 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file

ISBN: 978-1-61321-141-0

In his 20th season as part of the Sacramento Kings, Jerry Reynolds serves as the director of player personnel as well as television analyst. A longtime college coach, Jerry joined the teams staff when the Kings moved from Kansas City to Sacramento in 1985 as an assistant coach to Phil Johnson. After coaching the team himself for a year, he served as an assistant to Bill Russell. He replaced Russell as head coach before moving into the Kings front office in 1988. Jerry also served as general manager of the WNBA Sacramento Monarchs for six seasons. In other words, there is little in the world of professional basketball that he hasnt done. Jerry and his wife, Dodie, reside in Roseville, California. They have a son, Jay, and a daughter, Danielle.

An award-winning sportswriter, Don Drysdale covered the Sacramento Kings from 1985 to 1994 for the Sacramento Union. He also worked for the Marin Independent Journal and the Oakland Tribune and has written about basketball for numerous magazines. He lives in Sacramento with his wife, Liz; son, Donald; and daughter, Cassie.

He never drained a game-winning jumper, cleared a rebound, led a fast break, or swatted away a shot, but Bill Jones did just about everything else for 23 seasons as the teams trainer. Jonesy, as he was affectionately known, died of cancer at the age of 69.

Jonesy retired in 1995> before playoff shares became a given for the teams staff. His job description was simple: Keep the players healthy, because theres always another game. While he never ran onto the court to a standing ovation with fireworks blasting and rock music blaring, his importance to the team went far beyond making sure that the ankles were taped.

These days, the Kings and every other NBA team fly from city to city in chartered planes. But when the Kings first came to Sacramento, they flew commercial. Jonesy was not only the trainer, but also the traveling secretary.

In the franchises bad old days, it was left to Jonesywith his easygoing manner, quick smile, wit, and large stack of greenbacksto smooth things over with hoteliers and bus companies who were leery of the sometimes slow-to-pay Kings. When a group of players pulled a dine-and-dash at a Bennys in Cleveland, Jonesy quietly convinced the manager not to press charges when the cops showed up in the lobby of the teams hotel. Jonesy took care of all the details, whether it was loading luggage or finding a practice facility on the road. He did a thankless and difficult job with good cheer, grace, and dignity.

Beyond that, Jonesy was a father confessor for players and the confidant of coaches. He had a kind word and a joke for everybodythe kind of guy youd want as your neighbor or fishing buddy Many players turned to Jonesy when they were disappointed in their playing time, experienced self-doubt, or had personal problems. Coaches knew that they could count on Jonesy to listen patiently when they had to rant and counted on his insight into the physical and mental state of the players.

Jonesy even had the grace to befriend the leagues pariahsreferees and sports writers. One longtime Kings beat writer, in particular, is grateful that Jonesy managed more than once to stall the team bus long enough for a story to be filed on deadline.

Jonesys insight into human nature was so uncanny that the Kings had an unwritten law known simply as aThe Jonesy Rule: If someone new in the organization couldnt get along with Jonesy, their character was considered suspect. Jonesy did so much for this franchise that it doesnt seem right to ask anything more of him. But heres one last request:

Jonesy if the Kings are playing the Lakers in the playoffs, and the free throws arent dropping, please feel free to provide some divine guidance.

Chapter 1
The Pump-Station Hoodlums

Chapter 2
I Want To Hold Your Hand

Chapter 3
A Wedding Ring and a Championship Ring

Chapter 4
A Room of My Own

Chapter 5
Someone Should Put Up a Statue

Chapter 6
Mr. Smith Goes to Sacramento

Chapter 7
The Fuss About Russ

Chapter 8
Collapse

Chapter 9
The Matter of Motta

Chapter 10
Welcome to Hell

Chapter 11
Down in the Ditch

Chapter 12
A Change at the Top

Chapter 13
The Stars Were Aligned

Chapter 14
Lockoutand Lookout

Chapter 15
Not Quite Ready for Primetime

Chapter 16
Robert Roof

Chapter 17
Transition Game

Chapter 18
Long Live the Kings

Remembering 20 seasons with the Sacramento Kings was made much easier with the help and assistance of several people.

The teams Public Relations staff, led by Troy Hanson and assisted by Darrin May, Devin Blankenship, and Chris Clark, went above the call of duty. Also, members of the Basketball Operations department who were extremely helpful included Darryl Arata, Dayna Simondi, and Steve Shuman. Certainly Danette Leighton, Vice President of Marketing, deserves special props for great advice and assistance.

Most importantly this book would have little significance without the outstanding leadership provided by Joe and Gavin Maloof, truly top-of-the-line owners, who provide not only a class basketball team but also a great organization and working environment.

The final credit must go to my family. Without support from Dodie, Jay, and Danielle, this book and my career would have questionable value!