Kings Teach Basketball 101 in Carmichael

Sacramento Kings fans got a glimpse behind the scenes of the team during Basketball 101 on Wednesday evening at the Carmichael-Arden .

The Kings and the fitness center chain have formed a partnership to create the series of summer classes designed for Kings fans and NBA buffs seeking a better understanding of the game and its strategies.

About 50 people, a combination of Kings season ticket holders and CFF members, attended the Carmichael class, led by head coach Paul Westphal. The panel also included Kings radio play-by-play announcer Gary Gerould, video coordinator Todd Purves, fitness trainer Lisa Harrington and NCAA referee George Putnam.

Glenn McKeever, who drove down from Loomis with his wife Susan, said he enjoyed sharing a knowledge of the game with the panelists and how officials like Putnam position themselves on the court to see the plays.

"It makes you appreciate them more," Susan McKeever said. "We're here tonight because it sounded interesting and we thought we might pick up some insight."

Before the session began, Kings public address announcer Scott Moak explained to the audience that, because of the current NBA lockout, the panelists could not mention current NBA players by name. That led to panelists referring to Kings guard Tyreke Evans as "a big guard" and Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki as "the big German."

Westphal said he taught similar clinics when he coached the Phoenix Suns.

"I like to talk basketball with people," he said.

During the lockout, he cannot have contact with players but said he took a cruise to Alaska and was given permission to attend the wedding of former King Beno Udrih.

"I've been watching (game) film- as far as I know there's no rule against that," said Westphal, a former vice president of the player's association in the late 1970's. "When the lockout ends... I'll get back to work."

The future of the Kings in Sacramento is unknown. Last season, team owners flirted with moving the team to Anaheim, citing an aging Power Balance Pavilion (formerly known as Arco Arena) and dwindling attendance numbers.

But after , led by Sacramento sports radio personality , let their voices be heard, the Maloof family that owns the team petitioned the NBA to give them one more season to finalize plans for a new arena.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, who played under Westphal in Phoenix, and a new campaign called Think Big Sacramento are now gathering regional support for a .

"It's exciting to see the enthusiasm for keeping the team in Sacramento," said Westphal, who appeared choked up in the press conference following the ' season-ending loss to the rival Los Angeles Lakers in what many thought was the final game in Sacramento.

"From the Maloofs on down, everyone in this organization wants this to work and thinks this is where the team should be," he said. "The (new) building has got to happen; everyone hopes it does."

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The remaining class schedule for Basketball 101 is as follows:

-Aug. 24 Elk Grove CalFit (8569 Bond Rd.)

-Aug. 31 Roseville CalFit (5001 Foothills Blvd.)

-Sept. 7 Citrus Heights CalFit (7700 Sunrise Blvd.)