Ask Jim Fox, part 5

The next set of answers from Jim…

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KingsFan4Life said:
Heya Jim!
First off I would like to thank you and Bob for the great job you do on a regular basis. It’s great to hear an objective analysis to the game, rather than the “homer” type announcers, like the guys to the south.
So my question: Have you ever had any aspirations to coach in the NHL? (I heard there’s a team in need of a coach… and no, I’m not talking about the Islanders)

KingsFan4Life:
Thanks for the compliments regarding our broadcasts.
I have just answered that question, so if you don’t mind I’m going to just write in a copy of my previous answer…
…I don’t have enough experience to apply for an NHL coaching job…I have always been very interested in coaching and have tried to study coaches as much as possible, but, since I love my job so much, I have never given it serious consideration…I think I can read the game well, I think I would have good enough communication skills, but there is so much more to learn…I would have to quit broadcasting and start at a lower level than the NHL…at this time, I would like to stay where I am…I would be lying if I said I have never thought about coaching, but as I mentioned, I am not willing to give up broadcasting to do it…thanks again!

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July 15, 2008 3:11 AM
B-MEL said:
Hey Jim,
It’s been awhile since the Fantasy Camp in Palos Verdes. I have since moved to Destin, FL and I miss my LA Kings. Thank God for Center Ice.
Have you ever considered getting into coaching? You run great clinics and your “Mad Skills” still impress.
On another note. I am trying to build a rink here. There is not a sheet of Ice within 180 miles. Especially since the Pensacola Ice Pilots were booted from the ECHL. There will be no hockey in the area. Do you know anyone interested in backing me? Call me!!
Michael

B-MEL:
…Re the coaching, please read the above answer…nice to hear from you again…good luck with the rink in Florida…I’ll pass your information along to Bob Miller…he is the guy with the “big money”…

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Paul said:
Jim,
Keep up the GREAT work, and I think I speak for all Kings fans when I say I hope to have you and Bob on the Kings broadcasts for the next 20 years!
2 questions for you:
1) Any interest in coaching this team, or becoming a coach at all?
2) Which goalies do you see making the Kings team this year, assuming the Kings don’t trade for one (which I believe they have to do).

Paul:
…Thanks so much for the kind words about our broadcasts…

As far as the coaching issue, I have answered this question a few times already, but since I’m not sure what format will be used for my answers, I will include a copy of my answer here:
Thanks for the confidence in me…I don’t have enough experience to apply for an NHL coaching job…I have always been very interested in coaching and have tried to study coaches as much as possible, but, since I love my job so much, I have never given it serious consideration…I think I can read the game well, I think I would have good enough communication skills, but there is so much more to learn…I would have to quit broadcasting and start at a lower level than the NHL…at this time, I would like to stay where I am…I would be lying if I said I have never thought about coaching, but as I mentioned, I am not willing to give up broadcasting to do it…thanks again!

I assume the Kings will go with LaBarbera and Ersberg…Jason is still trying to play with the same consistency he has played at the AHL level…Ersberg showed that he has the skills to be an effective NHLer…having said that, this area must improve if the Kings are going to improve as a team…it is a team sport, but the most important position is the goalie and the Kings goalies must be more consistent…

…the wild card is Jonathan Bernier…I believe he has the skill level and mindset to be a top NHL goalie…right now, development is important and that means playing as much as possible…he has a chance to earn the #1 position with the Kings this year…but…if he is not the #1 guy in LA, I would play him at Manchester to get as much action as possible…

…I do have to say, for the 1st time in a long time, it looks like the goalie position is getting some depth…even though most of the goalies are young and inexperienced, it does look like to group as a whole is very solid for the future…

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MartinRW said:
Jim, thank you for teaching me the game of hockey.
Assuming that you watch hockey games for pleasure, do you watch it differently than when you are doing it for work? There’s so much action on the screen, what do you focus on?

MartinRW:
Usually when I watch a game I am “scouting” the game for our next broadcast or an upcoming broadcast for the Kings…I am listening, more than watching, to see if I can pick up any information that would be useful for our telecast…if something happens and I want to see it again, I use the TIVO system to look at things again…

I look for line combinations…styles of teams more than “action”…that’s why I don’t mind a game off every once in a while so I can just watch for fun…

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Joey said:
Who was your favorite teammate(s)? Your favorite current player? You8r thoughts on the addition of Stoll and Greene and loss of Cammy and Vis?

Joey:
…favorite teammate would have to be Dave Taylor…as I mentioned before…when a guy plays that hard for you…it’s easy to play hard for the team…Bernie Nicholls was also a favorite…he was so “happy-go-lucky”…it helped take some pressure off…
Favorite current player…toss-up between 2 guys…they play different styles…Frolov for his intelligence and Brown for his energy…

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Anonymous said:
Jim,
Do you plan on any altercations with Ottawa coaches this season?

Anonymous:
No plans so far…

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July 15, 2008 8:40 AM

Anonymous said:
From KQ949
Jim,
I’m afraid that DL will sqaulsh Teubert’s toughness and grit like he did Jack Johnson if he makes the team. With one of the issues being lack of “toughness” and aggressive play, do you think this is the right thing to do to a kid that thrives playing this way? Won’t it also soften his spirit?

KQ949:
Wow…I think you’re getting way too far ahead…not sure where the “DL squashing toughness comes from”…Jack has to learn a few things before he can “run around” and do things like he did in college…if you watch the broadcasts, I think you can tell that I think very highly of Jack Johnson…having said that, the scouting report of Jack was that he was a “little bit of a wild horse”…and he needed to settle down a bit at the NHL level…I think he has done a good job of that and I assume his hitting will come back as he gets experience…hitting overall is down around the league…it is much more difficult to line someone up now…compared to the days of “obstruction”…when it took forwards a longer time to build up speed…I know a top priority regarding the pick of Mr. Teubert was his ability to hit and intimidate…I assume that will be a big part of his game and welcome addition to the Kings when he makes it to the NHL…

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nykingfan said:
Jim,
Thanks for making every game an enjoyable listen…even when we’re losing.
What are your feelings on Jonathan Bernier? Do you think he has a good shot to make the team this year, and how high do you think his ceiling is?

Nykingfan:
Thanks for the comments…
As far as this year with Bernier…I think he should be with the Kings only if he is the #1 guy…if not…it’s still about development with a youngster like Jonathan…but…I do think his “ceiling” is extremely high…he has all the tools…mentally strong/fundamentally sound/good read of the play/athleticism…he will be a top goalie in the NHL…sooner or later…can he make it this year…I think he has a chance, but I would not be surprised or disappointed if it takes him another year or so to get here…

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Shutout said:
Hi Jim,What are your favorite “hang-outs” in the South Bay? Also, besides the great weather and proximity to the beach, why do so many players past and present choose to live here?

Shutout:
…1st things 1st…I wonder why more past players don’t stick around…there are only about 8-10 former Kings who still live in this area…I think that number will grow in the future…as we have seen in the last 5 years or so, more and more NHLer’s are moving to LA…who can blame them…

…as far as the south bay…I have lived in the south bay for over 20 years…so my list is long but I’ll try to cut it down a bit…I do enjoy going out, but mostly to restaurants as opposed to nightclubs…most of my dancing is done at home or at friend’s houses…

Chez Melange (Redondo Beach)…outstanding cuisine (Robert Bell is the chef)…fresh ingredients…menu is always changing…Eclectic California Cuisine…nice wine list that can be served in different portion sizes so if you just want to “taste” a wine, you don’t have to get a whole glass…

Bottle Inn (Hermosa Beach)…a long time personal favorite…Italian Cuisine…great service…all of the servers are fantastic…wine list has a little of everything…

Rock ‘n Fish (Manhattan Beach)…more of a casual, bar atmosphere than “fine dining”…a lot of energy and a lot of food…wine list is well above average and the glass pours are huge…

Ercoles (Manhattan Beach)…has been around forever…a “neighborhood bar”…music/TV’s for sports…food is casual but I dare you to find a better value than “Thursday Taco Night” at Erc’s…some say it’s a “dive bar”…they say it with love…I say “Dive In”

Old Venice (Manhattan Beach)…will be reopening in the near future after a devastating fire…also more horrible news…owner Jimmy Hantzarides just passed away last week after a car/bike accident…but his wife Julie, children Anthony and Natalie will be reopening as soon as possible…another local “family” restaurant…Greek and Italian food…casual and fun with huge portions…love the “Greek Salad”

Redondo Beach Caf ( Redondo Beach)…specialize in Montreal style “deli meat” sandwiches…Quebec food…Greek specialties…big hockey fans and always have something going on…

Manhattan Fine Wines (Manhattan Beach-Artesia/PCH)…ask for Joe…I get “all” of my wine there…shameless plug for Joe but he deserves it…great service and knowledge…

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Kevco said:
Jim,
Are you ever going to show up to the Kings 5K run or are you going to let Daryl Evans keep going till he drops?

Kevco:
Run Daryl Run…

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