Fighting Fire with Fire: With 2 Coaches out do the Kings follow?

by betweentheeyes on Nov 25, 2008 1:14 AM PST

OKC and the WashWiz are currently using second string coaches. They are hunting for replacements (see Scott Howard-Coopers’ Bee article on which names are available). Will the Kings pull the trigger on Coach Theus so they can hire one of those names before the other two teams?

Reasons not to:

- The Kings, even with their injuries, are building momentum towards some cohesiveness as a team with strong fall-short performances against the Lakers and Blazers and a road win against New Orleans.

- With the new front office hire ready for official announcement, re-evaluation as to what they have might first cause them to move players before coaches or they may just stand pat for the next few months leading up to the February deadline or beyond

- It would reek of desperation and Geoff Petrie does not play his hand from desperation

- These same names were available over the summer and they weren’t signed then

- None of the names are re-building team coaches and this team will need more seasoning to become playoff caliber

Reasons to grab a name:

- The Kings should have their full line-up healthy enough to play within the next week (or so)

- With a new front office face, it is time to show the new direction

- The stands are not fiilled and this might make some feel a move would entice improved attendance

- Once one of those names is hired, itchiness to act in kind will strongly increase

- It would be a headline

(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)

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I’m not really sure what we’ll see. Whatever happens, we will find out who is truely in control of this franchise. If theus is fired, it is obvious the maloofs are holding the final say on personel descisions. Vice versa, the maloofs are trusting in petrie (like most of us Str members do) to make decisions. My personal opinion is that unless we can get Flip, Theus should stay. From my perspective, i see guys playing hard (especially from Beno tonight, despite his turnovers). In the end, that is the most important thing I ask. It’d be nice to have an X’s and O’s guy as an assistant, however.

by Ball in Cup on Nov 25, 2008 2:20 AM PST reply actions

I think if there is an interim coach

It’ll be John Whisenant in almost certainty. The Wiz firing Eddie Jordan isn’t necessarily that bad of a thing. The Nets did the same thing with Byron Scott, and he landed on his feet with the Hornets. Best wishes to Eddie, whom I’ve always liked, and rooted for.

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 25, 2008 3:02 AM PST reply actions

i wouldnt mind

i like theus…i think he’s done a good job with what he had to work with (bibby, artest, numerous injuries). but i also think jordan and carlesimo (sp?) could do well with our squad too.

by sactoreg on Nov 25, 2008 5:33 AM PST reply actions

I don't

I think I would rather have John Whisenant be the GM than see PJ Carleismo as a ticket seller with the KIngs.

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 25, 2008 5:39 AM PST up reply actions

A worthy topic for discussion (and rec'd)

I think you do a nice job outlining the basics of the argument. I’ve been wondering about Reggie long term for a while. Pookey is right, though, that it would be the Whiz getting the reins. In my humble opinion, that is a recipe for disaster if it comes to pass—not b/c Whiz can’t coach. From what I hear, those Monarchs were quite good when he coached them. I think the issue is that he would be tagged with the “interim” title, likely would not have the support of Petrie (who scuttled the hire a year or two ago), and has no cache’ with NBA players. None of those qualities are damning in and of themselves, but they don’t exactly scream season turnaround either. (And is season turnaround really more of a goal this year than player development?)

Beware certitude.

by Reges on Nov 25, 2008 6:11 AM PST reply actions

It's not that I'm right

It’s that Ailene Voisin has already said so. Among other things. I’m sure Amick would confirm it if he really had to do so.

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 25, 2008 6:23 AM PST up reply actions

The only concern

- The Kings, even with their injuries, are building momentum towards some cohesiveness as a team with strong fall-short performances against the Lakers and Blazers and a road win against New Orleans.

Nothing else matters. Keep Reggie.

by Tom Ziller on Nov 25, 2008 6:17 AM PST reply actions

Maybe I'm alone in this TZ

But I think Eddie Jordan being fired in Washington is a good thing for his legacy. Running a crappy team only brings down his record, especially when he & Grunfeld didn’t quite see eye to eye. I also would not be surprised to see Avery Johnson or Flip Saunders there at some point.

Conversely, Reggie and Geoff do see somewhat eye to eye. I think how the team develops it’s offensive & defensive strategies are paramount to Reggie’s long term status as the coach of the Kings. What does that mean? For me, it means defending the 3 better, while letting the post players defend on their own, and finding a shot blocker at some point so that funnel action can start developing. The KIngs have never had a shot blocker who could play strong individual post defense at the same time. It would be nice if Petrie/Cooper/Reynolds/Levien/Stirling can go out and find a way to bring that guy in, as the 4th big man, this team would get even better.

Offensively, I’m irritated by Spencer playing outside so much, but at this point, he needs to do anything offensively to help this team. Throwing in too many bad shots down low will not keep him on the court. Thompson’s mulligan aside, he’s only a month in. I would like to see him mix it up more and demand the ball some. Part of that is the newness of this squad, and part of that is the fact he hasn’t even remotely begun to figure out what shots he can get. This happens when you’re in the first month of playing games in the NBA.

Bottom line, as I’ve said in a few comments elsewhere, I’m as encouraged by a 5-11 team as any fan could be given the circumstances.

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 25, 2008 6:28 AM PST up reply actions

And for what it's worth

I know Saunders and Johnson have been rumored to be in play for the Bullets. I just meant that it could come sometime earlier than what’s currently expected.

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 25, 2008 6:30 AM PST up reply actions

I agree with TZ

though as i said in the other thread, I’m a little weary right now of Moral Victories and could use a few actual ones.

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

by lietothegirls on Nov 25, 2008 10:52 AM PST up reply actions

Also this is required reading

If you wanna talk about the Jordan firing. Also, Jake the Snake of Bullets Forever has a quality, lengthy recap of the whole shenanigans in DC.

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 25, 2008 6:37 AM PST reply actions