How Christie Improved Kings’ Chemistry Using an Unconventional Method

How Christie improved the Kings’ chemistry with unconventional methods originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Doug Christie has pushed all the right buttons since taking over as interim coach of the Kings, including some outside-the-box team bonding activities.

During a recent road trip, Christie had Sacramento’s players participate in an escape room, sparking a collaborative effort in hopes that chemistry would carry over to the hardwood.

“I’ve always wanted to make one and watch it, but it never happened. I just had the thought that we should practice and then I just thought, ‘This is a mental exercise.’ And we put it together,” Christie told reporters on Saturday. “It was about communication, about team building, about being there together and trying to figure something out. We go to a gym on the way, it’s an escape room. We have to figure out how to get out of here with a W. And that was kind of the message, and they really had a good time.

“There was a lot of cheering, my team finished last – but as far as I know we were in the most difficult room. But it was a lot of fun, a lot of fun.”

Kings big man Trey Lyles described how Christie’s methods have helped the team in ways it hadn’t before.

“I just think the guys are in good shape mentally and physically. “Doug let us set up an escape room on the street and just do things like that that we wouldn’t normally do because a team helps a lot,” Lyles said. “The guys just have a little bit more of a vibe and team dinners and stuff like that. I just think everyone is in a good place mentally at the moment and I think that shows, it carries over to the pitch and how we respond on the bench and so on.”

Sacramento entered Sunday’s game against the Washington Wizards with an 8-2 record under Christie, a testament to the energy he has brought to the Kings team.

After the escape room trip, Sacramento will now look to continue its spirited escape from the bottom half of the Western Conference standings as the Kings push hard for a playoff spot.

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