Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

by louismg on Jun 12, 2007 1:30 AM PDT in News Comment 16 comments

As TZ noted earlier this week, Scott Brooks was up for his second round of interviews yesterday, and preliminary responses are very positive.

The latest from Sam Amick says the Maloofs were the only thing standing in the way of Brooks getting the job. Petrie loves the guy, and after yesterday's interview, the Maloofs were speaking well too.

"He's not flashy, and he's got his feet squarely on the ground. He's a family man. He knows the game. He's got a lot of positives. He's pretty hard not to like."

But, in a note many here will be happy with, the Maloofs say the decision to hire Brooks or not falls squarely on the shoulders of GM Geoff Petrie.

"Basically, Geoff has to be the one who makes this decision," Joe Maloof said. "But Gavin and I interviewed (Brooks), and we felt very comfortable with him and he had a great interview. He was terrific. We need to talk to Geoff before we decide on anything."

Seems like they got the hint that being aggressive and choosing Musselman wasn't the way to go. Now the Maloofs want this round of success or failure to be somebody else's deal. Should Brooks not get the job, one out of left field rumor says he'll be competing for an assistant position with ... wait for it... the Milwaukee Bucks.

See: Bucks set to check out top draft prospects (Lowest portion)

But the most telling item may be in a line from Amick that says simply, "there are no interviews scheduled with other candidates." After last week's Van Gundy fiasco, this process may go a lot more smoothly.

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Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

Catching the early worms Louis. Good catch on the Milwaukee article. The only thing is that it very much looks like that Scott Brooks is the next head coach at the moment. Before the scheduled next interview it seemed Rambis had an inside track. I don't really think the Kings can go wrong hiring Scott Brooks. He'll be relativy cheap and the kings can rebuild this team at the expense of Brooks. If he wants the job that will be the circumstances he will get. I hope the Kings give him 3 years though. If he's got the chops, and I don't think he would have been interviewed if he didn't, then give him a chance. This is a much better shot to see how good Brooks could be.

On a side note if you bring Brooks in do you sell Artest and Bibby cheaper to give Brooks a fresh head start with a younger newer roster? I think it's only fair the Kings give Brooks every chance to succeed rather than expect him to clean up some of the problems that existed with Musselman between Bibby and Artest. I don't know if you can blame Musselman for all of the control struggles that those two had but I also think that a stronger head coach would have been able to straddle those problems somewhat. I also feel if that the Kings don't go young for Brooks, with players who don't have a fresh memory of last season on this roster, then I think it could be a wasteful hire too. Either way I think the hiring of Scott Brooks will signal a major personnel shift in this team's future.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jun 12, 2007 3:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

This is a side theory also. What if the real idea was to tab Brooks all along if Van Gundy didn't pan out? What if Rambis 2nd interview was a smoke screen to Van Gundy but no more? That would be interesting if that was the case. I would be curious as to why Rambis was given a 2nd interview without being given a stronger look Laker ties and all.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jun 12, 2007 3:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

Hire Brooks. Charles Barkley will be so conflicted his head will explode. Sir Charles has never been a particular fan of Sacramento, but Brooks is one of his all time favorite teammates. I can't wait to hear Charles pity the plight of his old friend while the Kings are rebuilding.

by section214 on Jun 12, 2007 6:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

Nice post, Louis. After reading that story, I expect a press conference this afternoon. Brooks is the dude.

by Ziller on Jun 12, 2007 7:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

I have been really busy this summer up here in Oregon but I have been Loyal to the Royal, great job STR keeping me up to date with the off season thus far. Brooks needs to be the hire. The more I read here and in the Bee he fits the mold. I was unaware of the gap between Muss and some of his assistants regarding the team last season. Brooks has played at this level, he familiar with the team, doesnt want to lose which to me equates to what this team needed last year, "Finding a way to Win" instead of trying not to lose. Hopefully he can find/build an experienced staff, specifically including a Pete Carill-Del Harris-PJ type to be that sounding board-advisor when things go south or get tense. Grab the ink pen Geoff and show him where to sign.

Russman

by ridnour8 on Jun 12, 2007 7:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

If they hire Brooks, he would have real working knowledge of the roster and who he would want. Is Artest able to be kept, likewise with Bibby as well.

I wonder how he would be received by the players?

by Murf on Jun 12, 2007 8:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

I've not heard of any players having a rift with Brooks. Six players had issues with Muss, according to Marty McNeal.

by Ziller on Jun 12, 2007 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

RAMBIS AND PORTER PLEASE...

NO ON SCOTTY

Time to blow 'em up, boyz.

by kingme18 on Jun 12, 2007 10:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

Why?

by Ziller on Jun 12, 2007 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

I agree--NO ON SCOTT BROOKS--This would really be scraping the bottom of the barrel.

No head coaching experience in the NBA.

Limited experience as an NBA assistant-- under George Karl and Eric Musselman.

No proven leadership ability (sitting on the bench for two games as the acting head coach doesn't do it for me).

Medicore NBA playing career.

Another "runt."

by aspen on Jun 12, 2007 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

I just want a coach with NBA experience. Yes he coached to a 2-0 record with the Kings with Musselman suspended but Scottie just doesn't inspire much confidence in me yet. Scottie is a great assistant.

WHY CAN'T WE BRING IN TERRY PORTER OR KURT RAMBIS???

Time to blow 'em up, boyz.

by kingme18 on Jun 12, 2007 12:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

Judging by what happened, I'd say the Maloofs weren't sold on Rambis.

Who the hell knows what happened with Porter. And given Petrie's discretion, we'll probably never know.

by Ziller on Jun 12, 2007 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

Who the hell knows what happened with Porter. And given Petrie's discretion, we'll probably never know.

Unless TP spills the beans. But then he'd be off Petrie's Christmas card list.

by otis29 on Jun 12, 2007 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

I say 1000-1 odds against that TP will.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jun 12, 2007 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

I may be wrong about this, but does Brooks have more NBA head coaching experience than either Jackson or Riley had before the Bulls and Lakers hired them? Does Porter and Rambis have similar NBA head coaching experience to E-Muss? Silly comparisons, but that's my point. The head coaching decision that Petrie makes must stand on its own. Adelman had a lot of experience. So did Dick Motta. That's where the similarities end with those two hirings. I would prefer TP but if Petrie thinks it's Brooks, then I'm OK with Brooks.

by section214 on Jun 12, 2007 9:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Scott Brooks Leading Candidate, Bee Says

Riley had been an assistant coach for 3 or 4 seasons. He also had been a color commentator for the Lakers after his (playing) career ended. He essentially wielded a ton of power because Magic Johnson got Paul Westhead fired for Riles. here is the link for the coaching history via the excellent
Basketball Reference.com.

Phil Jackson rose under similar circumstances to coach the Bulls. Believe it or not Jerry Reynolds revealed a story about Don Buse that is relevent here. When Reynolds first interim stint ended (at the same time Bill Russell got hired) Don Buse was his assistant. After that though Buse retired and Jerry Krause (yes that fat piece of sh!t) wanted to hire Buse instead of the hippie Phil. This was of course to sit on the bench next to Doug Collins. Yes that Doug Collins.

This can all be a crapshoot. You never know though. Maybe Brooks is another in a long line of successful WHERE THE HELL DID HE COME FROM coaches. Plus he can always run a car wash in a time of community fundraising need.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jun 12, 2007 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs