Sacramento, Calif. • Tyrone Corbin leaned on a pair of crutches as he stood outside his locker room Monday night, his left foot in a protective boot after having surgery on his Achilles.
In 16 years as a player in the NBA, Corbin never suffered an injury so serious. But while he was working out a player last week, the 51-year-old former head coach of the Utah Jazz tore the tendon.
When it was suggested he might not work his players so hard, Corbin laughed.
"We gotta get a win!" the new Sacramento Kings assistant said enthusiastically.
The coach's work ethic and desire is why Jazz forward Gordon Hayward knew Corbin would land on his feet quickly after parting ways with the Jazz this summer.
And his experience is why Sacramento head coach Michael Malone wanted him.
"I thought he did a hell of a job his four years as a Jazz head coach" Malone said. "He's another guy who's going to challenge me. He's been in my seat before. He knows the trials and tribulations of being a head coach. He can help me out and see things coming and help me deal with those."
After taking over the Jazz in the wake of Jerry Sloan's resignation, Corbin coached for three and a half seasons. Last year, in the final season of his contract, he coached the rebuilding Jazz to a 25-57 record before the franchise ultimately announced it would not renew his deal.
The change might have been best for all parties involved.
In his new job, Corbin is already building bonds with his players.
"I love Ty," Kings rookie Nik Stauskas said. "He's always been the guy that pulls me aside when I'm struggling or pulls me aside when I'm doing something wrong. He tells me what I need to do and he's always really honest with me. I appreciate that from him."
The Jazz, meanwhile, are trying to take advantage of a fresh start of their own.
"That's kind of how the NBA works," Hayward said last week. "It's pretty rare for somebody to stay for a long time. That's why Utah was a rare case with Coach Sloan here for so long. Sometimes you just need a fresh voice and I think it's good for Ty and us."
Corbin was away from the bench for a third straight game Monday, delaying an expected reunion with some of his former players. The 51-year-old coach won't be able to travel with the Kings when they head to Los Angeles this week, but could return to his court-side seat as early as Dec. 11.
afalk@sltrib.com
Twitter: @tribjazz
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