As a Kings player, Doug Christie experienced the warm atmosphere of Arco Arena, and as a coach, here he is learning to defend a new territory: the Golden 1 Center. The bells gave way to a laser beam, lit after each victory, and this night, for the fifth time in a row, spectators were treated to the “Light The Beam” “ceremony”.
“The Arco Arena had its own character”believes Doug Christie. “Here there is wood, metal and concrete, and if you put it all together it makes strange sounds. This room is starting to define itself. Part of my message to them is that no one comes into your house and makes a mess. You must protect your home. »
Winners of the Rockets after a stifling end to the match, the Kings have still not lost at home since the appointment of Doug Christie. With Mike Brown, these same Kings had a record of 6 wins in 18 home games.
Share this joy of playing
“I played in front of these people, and they watch the way we fight, possession after possession after possession.” continues the Sacramento coach. “They really appreciate it when you take off your jacket and make it clear, ‘It’s me. I’m here and this is what I’m going to do’. For me, this is a huge thing. When you come to Sacramento, we get shabby, and I like what the guys bring.”
-Clearly, Doug Christie is instilling a new energy into the group, and it’s rubbing off on the public and the players. “It’s contagious” confirms Malik Monk. “I have always enjoyed playing basketball, but especially now. The fans are all in, we’re all in, and it’s always a joy to see everyone happy. »
The notion of “pleasure” is at the heart of Doug Christie’s project. The players must have fun playing together, so that the public shares it too.
“The trust between players and the joy they experience playing together are essential elements of our work,” concludes the coach. “It’s a sport that you learn to play as a child, and the childish joy that you feel, you should never lose it because that’s what makes this sport so unique. That’s why we got here. And it can come back sometimes. It can be professional, but also thanks to the 17,000 fans who are there, when we do the right thing. I never want to take that away from them. Do what you have to do, have fun, have fun. When it’s time to put on a show, we do it.”
