If you saw him on the King's bench, you might think former Idaho Stampede coach Bryan Gates has taken a back seat. As a first-year assistant coach, Gates sits directly behind the team bench during games.

"It's all in steps," said the two-time NBADL coach of the year.

"At first all I wanted to do was be a first assistant with the Stampede. Then when Larry (Kryskowiak) left, it was 'could I be the head coach?"

His first step with the Kings is mainly doing opponent prep for the team. Gates is in charge of knowing ten teams inside and out - including the Lakers and Jazz, which both feature systems he fared well against as Idaho coach.

Prepping for a single game takes about eight hours, but the additional resources at his disposal compared to his time with the Stampede mean he can offer much more to his players - even if he chooses not to.

"He ilkes to switch it up; one time was just clips of us making plays on defense and on offense. It was all about us, he didn't even worry about the other team," said Kings rookie Jon Brockman.

Sacramento is one of the youngest teams in the league. Gates said the starting lineup against the defending NBA champions was the youngest in league historycombinationwe started the youngest starting 5 in NBA history against the world champs - younger even than teams he coached in the NBADL.

"It's a learning process," Gates quipped. At 16-34, the Kings have a lot of learning left to do, but have already exceeded many expectations this year. Sacramento staffers told me the team and coaching staff is the best its been in years off the court - a key to keeping things moving in the right direction on the hardwood.

The learning process extends to Gates as well. As nice as it is to fly right home after a road trip, the travel takes some getting used to.

"The biggest difference in the D-league is that you would play two or three games a week," Gates said.

"[In the NBA] if you get three, you're lucky. It's more like five or six games a week, playing almost every night. The travel's easier, but it's still wear and tear - more of a mental fatigue - and I've had to learn to adjust to that."

Other adjustments to the NBA: getting past the 'firsts.'

"Walking into Chicago and seeing the statue of Jordan, that introduction I is pretty cool," he said.

"Watching LeBron and Shaq come off the bus together, that was like, oh great - I was kinda hoping one had the flu or something."

Now, Gates is on his second trip through the NBA's arenas, and those moments - which he largely kept to himself before - are fewer.

Those moments, though are a clear indication of Gates' love for the game of basketball, a trait he owes his success to as well.

"His love for the game; he's passionate about it. He was ready for the next step," said Kings head coach Paul Westphaul when asked why he hired Gates this past summer.

And through all the learning, Gates' biggest smile came telling me about the little things that are different now

"I never have to touch my bags! I miss Kevin, our traininer and I with three bags each, running around trying to solve the world's problems, travelling around the country winning some D-league games. (laughs)"

"I don't know why - but the shower heads in the hotel are just... It's a big difference. I do miss Boise, and the Stampede family tremendously, but i'm kinda creating a new life in Sacramento. Simply put, I'm having the time of my life."