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Around SBN: Jeremy Lin's Game-Winner Was Incredible, Worth Remembering

The Defenestration of Chuck Person

As Sam Amick continues to report brilliantly on the end of Reggie Theus, it's worth wondering if the whole coaching change really came down to management's distaste for Chuck Person and the latitude granted to him by Theus. Amick offers the latest evidence:

By the midway point of last season, Natt had become Theus' lead assistant in name only while Person assumed many of the duties typically tied to the lead role. He handled practice plans, and would eventually be so active during practices and game preparation that some players would jokingly ask who was the real head coach. Over time, the front office would begin to beg that question as well. [...]

From the front office's view, the contrast between what Theus was and what Natt could be grew as the culture around the team became more lax in Theus' second season. What's more, their vastly different reputations when it came to ego, personal habits and the problems that arise when they mix with the professional, and management style were heavily considered.

Both Person's control and Theus' lax discipline combine to create power vacuum, from my view. It's hard to blame Person for grabbing the reins: you assume he saw the team's problems and saw that Theus had not addressed them. Person has not been shy in interviewing for head coaching positions, after all. He believes himself to be a leader.

And honestly, who knows how good a head coach he could be? As a "mere" assistant, he didn't have the authority in the eyes of the player. His defensive plan might be brilliant, but without Ron Artest perhaps the Kings found it confusing or silly to pay him so much mind while Theus (we assume) controlled the rotation.

Is it possible that Theus' tenure had been as messy and directionless as that of Eric Musselman? It seems hard to believe, given the reported nature of the Musselman/Scott Brooks relationship. But certainly, Theus did not provide the solid core of strength management believed it would get with his hire. That the Maloofs turned on the coach so quickly makes it clear his pitch failed the implementation stage.

All of this, of course, makes Natt's new gravity feel promising, results be damned.

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Ugly news, great article

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Dec 22, 2008 10:55 AM PST up reply actions  

Well said

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 Dec 22, 2008 1:44 PM PST up reply actions  

odd thing: we want another just like the other one

I wouldn’t have expected that from Muss to The-us. It is like post divorce gossip – never too flattering. Well, maybe Natt is right guy at the right time. Or maybe we will shake our heads about his command after he leaves. Thanks for the post Z and keep the handsome vocabulary coming.

no way I play Scrabble with you (Zillertastic – how did you get all of those Z’s?).

by betweentheeyes on Dec 22, 2008 8:05 PM PST up reply actions  

Peaches confirms it
As Sam Amick continues to report brilliantly on the end of Reggie Theus, it’s worth wondering if the whole coaching change really came down to management’s distaste for Chuck Person and the latitude granted to him by Theus.

I was listening to 1140 with Grant and Lamb. Some caller got Grant all worked up and then Grant bursts out screaming about how it was Chuck that became Reggie’s undoing. He called Chuck his usual freakin moron and said there you go, merry christmas. Remember it was Joe Maloof who expressed his displeasure with Chuck first. I guess Chuck really could not fit in as an lessor assistant. Some people have an over bearing personality. Maybe Chuck will be back as a head coach someday.

by KingsFan on Dec 24, 2008 9:41 AM PST reply actions  

Some caller got Grant all worked up and then Grant bursts out screaming about how it was Chuck that became Reggie’s undoing. He called Chuck his usual freakin moron and said there you go, merry christmas.

Doesn’t sound like Peaches at all. :)

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Dec 24, 2008 10:46 AM PST up reply actions  

Peaches would never be that difficult

Not Peaches!

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 Dec 24, 2008 11:21 AM PST up reply actions  

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