As far as true insiders go, Ryan Hollins fits the bill. The 30-year-old center has seen the underbelly of various NBA operations. Hollins has worked in the D-League, played for tiptop organizations like the Dallas Mavericks, as well as a few cursed lottery clubs. He even suited up under Donald Sterling, yet nothing prepared him for this season with the Sacramento Kings.
“Very unique in a sense,” Hollins reflected to Cowbell Kingdom last week. “I never had three coaches in one year. It’s an interesting dynamic here.”
Second-year head coach Michael Malone went 11-13 before getting his walking papers on December 15. Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin led the club to a dismal 7-21 record in his place, and George Karl has gone 8-12 since. Hollins is familiar with losing teams and their atmospheres, but he is impressed by the fight in the current Kings roster.
“Our guys are getting up through injury, through change, turmoil, and still just competing every night,” Hollins explained. “I’m going to grade our guys an A, honestly. Because people have no idea what it’s like to deal with. You can try to imagine, but just learning those (systems) on the fly, and you’re playing teams that have had the same players in some instances and the same coach for years. So we’re trying to build that chemistry. It looks like we have a great foundation here. But we definitely get an A just for the process, and the patience we had to go through.”
Having played for a few winning franchises, Hollins is well aware what ails the Kings. Like coach Karl, the journeyman echoed an emphasis for patience.
“I think it’s just experience,” Hollins insisted. “Consistency. That’s what coach Karl will bring. Keeping the nucleus of guys here. That’s something to build with, because those teams (like Oklahoma City) weren’t always good to start with. And obviously talent helps, but we have talent. We have young guys that we’re still teaching. DeMarcus and Rudy aren’t necessarily older players. We have great players but we got to be great together. And that’s something that we’re learning to do and it comes with time.”
In 40 appearances this season, Hollins has made nine starts and averaged 2.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.4 blocks in nine minutes a game. The reserve and the bench are formally acquainted, but the big makes his biggest impact as a useful instrument in practice and a voice of reason.
Despite the lack of floor time, Hollins remains as driven as ever to put his stamp on the team. Contrary to belief, smiling on the sideline when the Kings are down is not a sign of indifference.
“Man, the day that not winning doesn’t bug you, it might be time for you to wrap it up,” Hollins quipped. “That’s the end of your career. So it’s definitely a tough process (in Sacramento) but you got to keep striving, you got to keep working. You want to be able to see those results coming and want to use it as a chip on your shoulder. We got something to fight for.”
With a 26-46 record, the Kings are headed to their ninth straight losing season. Regardless, the roller coaster ride of 2014-15 should be a lesson that sticks with the players forever.
“At the end of the day we’re going to be better for being able to go through this,” he emphasized.
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