Reggie Theus Responds

by Ziller on Nov 15, 2008 12:03 PM PST in Commentary Comment 24 comments

Reggie Theus responded to Joe Maloof's criticism through a Sam Amick Q&A before Friday's game.

"I'm coming to work with my hard hat on, lights blinking," he said. "That's what I do. Whatever they decide to do, it's up to them. I think if you were putting a checklist together in terms of what we said in the beginning of the season and what's going on right now, I think we've done that. I will be here with my hard hat on, doing my job."

Theus also explained his system a bit -- it's a "a C-action (corner action), high-post, double-high post" thing. (Note: He didn't call it a thing.) And overall, he came off as completely classy if a bit surprised Maloof came at him like this. (I'm surprised, too.) I question Theus as much as anyone, but he really has taken a fresh, likeable stance this season, not throwing his players under the bus or reacting defensively.

Amick also reports that had Theus lost the home opener to Memphis, dropping the team to 0-5, he would likely have been canned.

When the Kings tucked their tails between their legs and headed home from the 0-4 road trip that started the season, the future of their coach was being discussed by the team's front office and ownership behind closed doors.

This isn't just a Maloof thing. And that's not entirely surprising as Geoff Petrie wanted to hire Brian Shaw in 2007 and had to be convinced by his bosses to go with Theus.

At this point, it seems clear the Maloofs do not want Chuck Person at the helm. (Joe absolutely ripped Chuck in that Rise Guys interview.) Kenny Natt couldn't very well ascend to the top role -- he missed the first road trip with chicken pox and has an awful eye ailment right now. Jason Hamm, Rex Kalamian, Randy Brown (oh Lord help us) and (cough) Shareef Abdur-Rahim aren't head coach options. So to fire Theus, the Maloofs and Petrie need to have a replacement ready to come in. For any replacement you'd actually want, there would have to be negotiations and interviews. (I really don't even think the Maloofs would let Person take over for a game, the way Joe said Chuck's name in disgust [twice!] during the interview.) Petrie has a good record of discretion. The Maloofs do not. The second Flip Saunders is called, it will be in The Bee and the Daily Dime.

Meanwhile, Scott Howard-Cooper opens fire on the Maloofs in a blog post I think many of you will agree with. (I do not. Joe didn't demand Theus turn this set into the 2008 Celtics. He demanded three-point defense get better. This is a loooong team. Defending the three-point line comes down to discipline and effective rotation schemes. Theus has had 92 games to get it right, and the Ron Artest excuse no longer exists.)

0 recs | Comment 24 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Read More: theus, maloofs, Sacramento Kings

Comments

imo

Basketball teams are not run and do not respond like businesses. Maloof sounded like a petulant and delusional meathead who is used to getting his way and does not understand that he cannot always get his desired results. The players appear to respond to Theus, they have consistently played hard (of late, anyway), the offense has run well since Brad has been back, and as TZ notes, Theus was not given defenders with which he could work. There may not be a uniquely definable system, as in the Adelman days (toss to high post, repeat, repeat, etc), there is a philosophy (still high post in nature) that is used and has been effective. If Theus is tossed aside by the Maloofs he will land on his feet elsewhere. The last thing the Kings need is an Al Davis.

by sactown on Nov 15, 2008 2:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

TZ

I understand where your coming from, and while I find myself breathless I’m saying this, Scoop nailed it with this:

Theus is far from blameless. But a couple things to keep in mind for perspective on Joe’s media tour de force within the last 24 hours or so: *If he’s killing the coach on 1140, he’s had this on his mind for a while. The Rise Guys are good stuff, and Whitey Gleason and Phantom in particular have more knowledge about basketball than their Zany Morning Show personality, but this isn’t exactly Dan Rather jumping out from behind the bushes with a cameraman and microphone. KHTK is a Kings partner. It’s largely a PR wing, not a place for the boss to air out the coach. If Maloof did, and he definitely did, this was not a quick thought on his part

. I agree with everything said here. Nothing to add. In fact, thankfully I don’t have to, but have alluded it in every response. I’m finally glad someone had the balls on the Bee to say so.

I don’t know what to make of why Joe Maloof did this, but somebody has his ear, and that person is not a fan of Reggie Theus. If that’s Geoff Petrie, it’s very devious, and a very dubious thing for Joe Maloof to cover Petrie’s hide on this. I hope not, but then again, nothing surprises me.

One question: How do you, TZ, know that Petrie for 100% sure wanted Brian Shaw? Was it an article you read? The tone you were getting from “inside” sources? What is it? This I’d like to know. (I still don’t necessarily see why Terry Porter didn’t just pick up & leave the Palms. For this reason.)

And then there’s the whole playing-time thing. Maloof got on Theus in March for not investing enough minutes in the prospects, because it had become all about the future. Now, nearly eight months with a younger team and a worse team, Joe is going with “I want to make a run for the playoffs, and I think we can”? This is why some coaches get fired and don’t mind.

I think Porter is exactly what Scoop is referring to myself, but maybe I"m reading that wrong. (Maybe that has to do with the NBA in general.)

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Nov 15, 2008 8:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agree to disagree

I disagree with Cooper calling 1140 a “PR wing.” Peaches is a brown noser without compare, but the Rise Guys, Carmichael Dave, Jim Crandall’s show, etc. have never just jumped to the Kings side. The Rise Guys regularly discuss and questions organizational moves, Carmichael Dave has never been one to speak the “company line,” and Crandall was the guy that gave Amick the radio forum after last year’s Theus ’get the ball to" debacle (as you recall, Reggie called into the show and then we were really off to the races).

While Cooper does a good job, this accusation by him as it pertains to 1140 smacks of professional jealousy. He should be better than that.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Nov 15, 2008 9:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Disagree about the Rise Guys a bit

Whitey had more than one opportunity to ask Joe about if Reggie isn’t doing so hot, where is Geoff Petrie. Whitey took the easy way out, and so did Joe. Sorry, but Whitey didn’t want to push any buttons because he understands if he does, it’s his ass. Would he under a looser environment? I don’t know, and neither does anybody else.

I’m sorry but at this point, it was a copout bullshit statement for Joe to pop Reggie Theus the way he did. I’m not say Reggie deserves to be here 5 years, I’m not saying that at all. I’m saying the level of dysfunction is so high around a group with so much “stability” that it’s becoming alarming. You may not have heard what I did, but I saw an owner whose trying to push his team past a level of it’s capability. None of this is a good sign.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Nov 16, 2008 10:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but

I listen to the Rise Guys every morning and they never just ride the “company line” as it pertains to the Kings. And that was the sole focus of my comment – Cooper’s assertion that 1140 is nothing more than a paid shill for the Kings, which infers that the Bee is the lone bastion of unencumbered information. I think that is a small, narrow and prejudiced statement coming from a writer that is usually much better than that. If he wants to call out an individual (Peaches?), fine. But to paint with such a broad brush is bush.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Nov 17, 2008 7:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Coop

Doesn’t want to be back covering high school football. Conflict sells, ya know.

Kevin Pritchard has Chuck Norris tied up in the trunk of his car.

by otis29 on Nov 17, 2008 9:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with your overall point Section (and you're not necessarily wrong Otis)

But the problem I see it is that Whitey took the easy way out with his questioning, because if he asks the tough or honest question, Mike Remy takes a look a hard look at him and says, Whitey there are alot of “personalities” out there who wouldn’t do that. I would hope Whitey could actually ask those questions, but I’m not sure he could. I’m not sure who I blame for the public image of the Kings more: the Maloof family or Mike Remy.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Nov 17, 2008 11:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No disagreement here

It may not be anything so malicious on the part of the Rise Guys. I’m not sure any of them are qualified to do a real journalistic interview (consisting of follow up questions based on answers given, etc.)

My guess is they prepare a list of questions and just go from one to the other.

So I think you guys are both a little bit right on this point.

Kevin Pritchard has Chuck Norris tied up in the trunk of his car.

by otis29 on Nov 17, 2008 11:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I could see that Otis

But Whitey asked about Reggie TWICE. That’s the only reason I said any of that statement in the first place.

I think you’re absolutely right. But if you’re all doing is reading off a list, you’re no better than Dale Schnorack. I have liked the Rise Guys because of their humor, and in general, because they will mock themselves and others in Sacramento. I appreciate the levity & un-PC attitude they have. In addition I believe they care about the community, and are not in it just for money or fame They genuinely enjoy their job, and try to do it in a real way. That being said, Whitey has been doing this a long time, and if all he can do in an interview is ask questions, and read them off a list, then maybe I’ve overrated him.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Nov 17, 2008 2:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I know I misspelled that Douche's name

But he’s a Douche and isn’t worth figuring out the real spelling. And he’s got a pompadour. No thanks.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Nov 17, 2008 2:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it's TZ

that has Joe’s ear. TZ already called it out when he said Joe made similar accusations to himself. David Thorpe, Kelly Dwyer, Joe Maloof. Not outside the realm of possibility.

AK47, SN13, B52, and K9. One guns, Another runs, He fits, while it licks.

by CAB on Nov 16, 2008 12:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Media reports and what I'd heard

There was a story the day before Theus was announced which had Shaw as the front-runner, and I’d heard from several folks that Petrie really pushed for Shaw, but the Maloofs convinced him to go with Theus.

by Ziller on Nov 16, 2008 7:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mmm Okay

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Nov 16, 2008 11:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

One other issue

Meanwhile, Scott Howard-Cooper opens fire on the Maloofs in a blog post I think many of you will agree with. (I do not. Joe didn’t demand Theus turn this set into the 2008 Celtics. He demanded three-point defense get better. This is a loooong team. Defending the three-point line comes down to discipline and effective rotation schemes. Theus has had 92 games to get it right, and the Ron Artest excuse no longer exists.)

Uhm, okay. What did exactly Joe say? It is a long team. Especially fully constittued. But Salmons isn’t particularly long, and neither is Beno. They have been on the perimeter every game. And if Salmons is playing well, i don’t really think it matters. The team was porous on the road trip defending the 3, it has to gotten better. You can’t get much worse than the way the Kings did practically anything on that road trip. That’s why I agree with Scoop. If this crap was still really a bad problem after say, 30 games, then rip Reggie for it. Why do it now? That’s the biggest problem I have with Joe is the timing of this, and that’s about it. Everything else is downhill from there.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Nov 15, 2008 8:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The Maloof''s "SYSTEM"

for hiring coaches is worse than the King’s perimeter defense. Since Reggie’s firing is inevitable there is no better time to fire him then now. If they have a new coach in place within several weeks the team will still have 50+ games to get used to his coaching style and our youth will be served.

"We are in the business of kicking butt and business is very, very good." - Charles Barkley

by Bluejohn on Nov 15, 2008 10:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Canning Theus

won’t put more butts in the seats of arco. It will only make the situation worse. Why am I starting to see shades of Al Davis in this?

by KingsFan on Nov 16, 2008 12:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hallelujah

Joe Maloof is complaining about a lack of a “system” in place from a sophomore coach, what does he have to say about his established system of management? I see it as:
1) hire/retain Guru Petrie and then ignore his recommendations for coach.
2) undermine the coach’s authority by pressuring to put the youngins’ into play more
3) blab to the public about internal matters
If the Maloofs want an established system in place by now, why did they insist on hiring a coach with no record of establishing time-tested NBA systems and then complain about the results of their shortsightedness publicly?

by sacsplr on Nov 16, 2008 6:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Reggie Theus is going a great job; he has a bunch of young placers that are learning and I think Joe Maloof needs to leave the coaching to Reggie.

by genny on Nov 16, 2008 10:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Only consistant 'Organizations' usually win

Unless you suddenly are able to put together Garnet etc. on a team organizations with roster stability, GM stability and Coaching stability usually win the day….

No only has the roster changed, Reggie hasn’t even had that roster to work on for more than a game or two in a row yet.

Shut up Joe!

(at least for now)

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Nov 17, 2008 12:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The roster has changed

But MOST of these guys were on Theus’ roster last season. Udrih, Miller, Salmons, Martin, Garcia, Hawes, Douby…

Kevin Pritchard has Chuck Norris tied up in the trunk of his car.

by otis29 on Nov 17, 2008 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And your point?

No team is going to be able to survive the lose of 3 of the 4 players in it’s SG depth chart at the same time. And, having to play the rookie PF as their starting SF. Then take into concideration the fact that only Salmons & Hawes have played slightly better than they did last year. Garcia hasn’t played at all, and the rest have performed worst than expected.

Even with everyone available, this isn’t a winning team. The rookies have potential but aren’t proficient yet. Miller, Moore & Jackson are over the hill. Beno & Garcia have yet to prove themselves. So, basicly you have a two man team of Salmon & Martin without a Super Star.

The Maloofs can bring in anyone they want to coach these guys but their not getting a contender for at least 2 years. And, frankly who would want the job under the pressure their putting on everyone.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Nov 17, 2008 2:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Otis - Hightops

O: Just how much has Theus had of Cisco, Miller, Martin? Three of the key pieces returning? Hawes is very different, a real option as he seems to growing up fast.

HT: How in the world would we know whether this is a winning team with everyone back? They haven’t had the chance yet. The three games they ‘almost’ had everyone, they won. Nevetheless I agree the roster is incomplete – and possibly flawed. BMiler is pretty much the player he was three years ago, I agree about BobbyJ and MM. Hawes and Thompson might be good enough to really grow THIS year, we’ll see. Take a look at my ‘Incomplete Roster’ thread if you want.

Cisco? Cisco? CISCO!!!! #*$!%! !

by lietothegirls on Nov 17, 2008 2:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My point is

That most organizations are stable – their coaches run their offensive and defensive systems in a certain manner, and the players either buy into the system and perform within it or they don’t.

So the larger point is that our entire starting 5 for most of these games were all players who played substantial minutes last season. I did a little bit of math, and so far nearly 75% of the minutes played by this team are from players who played with this organization last year. It’s not exactly as if the entire operation has been turned upside down. Injuries happen – they will happen next season and the season after…that’s life in the NBA.

You are talking about winning and losing games, while I am talking about actually progress from our head coach on building HIS program that will be conducive to future victories.

Kevin Pritchard has Chuck Norris tied up in the trunk of his car.

by otis29 on Nov 17, 2008 2:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs