K.C. Jones has a plan.
The 65-year-old NBA Hall of Famer signed a four-year contract with the ABL in May, and isn't interested in going anywhere else. 'Four years sounded good to me so I just grabbed it,' said the well-traveled Jones. `As far as the NBA goes I can't see that far ahead. Right now I see myself staying with the Blizzard team for the rest of my go as a coach.'
Jones' arrival gave the league instant credibility. His career spans 40 years, dating back to the undefeated teams at the University of San Francisco with Bill Russell. Jones then played with Russell on the Celtic dynasty, and later coached throughout the NBA -- most notably with the Washington Bullets (now Wizards), Seattle Sonics and the Celtics. He won two NBA titles as a coach with the Celtics to along with his collection of rings earned as a player.
So many did a double-take when Jones not only decided to coach women, but also to spurn the WNBA and land in the ABL. Still, Jones has no regrets -- and has found some pleasant surprises.
'My impressions of the league have changed after training camp,' he said. `I am very happy to be in this league. I like the ABL and I like the personnel they have here. I am just seeing great basketball from these players. I was really surprised by the enthusiasm and the work ethic of these women. I never thought about it before I got here but it has been very impressive.'
Jones has seen that effort up close with his New England Blizzard, a doormat last year. 'This team works hard,' he said. `We would like to be better in the ball-handling department because we turn it over about 19 times a games. Once we correct that then I think we will be more competitive.'
The Blizzard has been plenty competitive so far this year, as right now they are among the six teams that would qualify for the playoffs. New England is three games better than it was last year at this time, the second largest improvement in the league.
Jones has focused on fundamentals, and he's impressed with how pure the women's game is. `The women play below the rim, so it's just basic fundamental basketball that uses all five players,' he said, as opposed to the isolation plays and two-man offenses that dominate the men's game.
He's also noticed a difference in how men and women deal with the rigors of the game. 'The men are strong and more macho with their ego,' said Jones. `The women's egos need a boost every now and then and I think I can do that for them.'
Despite New England's improved chances of beating their teams, ABL coaches are glad Jones is with the Blizzard. `Certainly we like K.C. in the league. I think it has been tremendous having his name in the ABL,' said San Jose Lasers' coach Angela Beck. 'He has a lot of good suggestions and he is a fabulous pro coach. It makes it exciting and gives the league some notoriety. His teams have always been well-coached and they are disciplined teams. He's also has done a tremendous job of selling the franchise in New England.'
He and the Celtics have also done a good job breeding coaches. There are a host of young NBA coaches and administrators who learned their trade under Jones.
'I am not suprised about that at all,' he said. 'I had all these people who are very intelligent people. Larry Bird is doing extremely well. He is laid-back but when he talks people listen. Danny Ainge is doing an outstanding job in Phoenix taking a team that started last year off at 0-13 and end up in the playoffs. Now this year they are 13-5 and contending in the West. Kevin McHale is doing a great job building Minnesota into a winner with young players he has there as well.'
But right now K.C. Jones has his own team to worry about -- and whether the players are men or women is unimportant. As always, Jones will teach the game, earn respect and find a way to win.
12/15/97
