Theus recalls Slam days

In the spring of 2002, Reggie Theus paced the sidelines at Cox Pavilion.

The arena was empty most nights.

Theus was head coach of the Las Vegas Slam, an American Basketball Association team that existed only briefly. In his one season as coach, Theus led the Slam to the playoffs.

“We damn near won the thing,” said Theus, who couldn’t recall exactly how far his team went in the postseason.

Who were the players on that unforgettable Slam team?

“I can’t remember. Don’t even ask me,” he said, laughing.

Theus, a star player at UNLV and in the NBA, has gone from coaching an anonymous ABA team to coaching the Sacramento Kings in a rather short period of time.

“It’s a long way from there,” he said. “It’s all a part of my upbringing. It’s like a kid who plays in the CBA and moves up.”