Okay, I think all of the media and some outspoken fans need to settle down about the micro-management of teams losses and issues.   Dudes, there are so many issues on a team this young!   On a team with this many young guys, and a few vets who are struggling to find their own cohesiveness, and you add a young, inexperienced coach, what else did you think was going to happen?

Sometimes this stuff does magically come together.   Like in New Jersey, when Lawrence Frank took over, they headed to the Eastern Conference Finals.   But they also had a superstar in Jason Kidd, and a serious slasher Jefferson, and (damn, was Eddie House on that team?) and a few other great players in their prime.   And they were playing in the East, at a time when the East was cake, basically.

We all know that these players have talent, but it really does take time to develop and get used to the NBA game.   Most of the younger players have had the experience of being the best player on the teams they played in highschool, or college, and scoring at will over less talented players, etc.   Then they fast forward to the NBA, where they are average, talent wise, where everyone is just as fast, intense, athletic, etc, and it takes a while to adjust to it.   Compound that with the intense schedule, lack of real practice time, rest and planning (like in college) and you have some big adjustments headed your way.   Not to mention the fact that you are suddenly a millionaire...

It takes time to build confidence playing at this level.   Look at our best teams of recent years:   They almost all had some serious experience in the league already, having played for a number of coaches and teams, figured out the refs, a personal schedule that works, how to work with coaches, etc, and when they got to Sac, one way or another, they found a way to make it special.

What other team, other than the Kings, have affected the League in the same way, igniting excitement, passion, fun and joy in the game of basketball?   You can argue the Celtics last year, but it wasn't the same.   The Warriors play in '07 was exciting, and the Suns had some good runs too, but it didn't feel anything close to the same level as the Kings run....  

The bottom line is, it sucks to lose, and it is easy to want to blame someone for the loss.   The refs stole the game.   So and so didn't play D, or missed some easy shots, or the Coach didn't call timeout, whatever.   But I think that we just have to keep our eyes on the little things that are encouraging, each game, and hang onto that, and build on those positives, and don't worry about the rumors, etc.   

I wouldn't be so quick to get rid of the veterans, though.   The youngsters don't need that much pressure all on their shoulders, every game.   If they have too much pressure, too quickly, it can really mess with your head, so we need the veterans to balance and moderate the game, help hold the team together, etc.

It sucks that KT is on the bench and can't play or contribute, or that Greene and Williams have trouble getting off the bench, but it's a long season and their chances will come.   In the meantime, I think we just need time to trust that Geoff is doing everything he can to win, that Reggie is working as hard as he can to help the team develop and find a way to win.   Everyone is really trying to win, and it isn't easy, but the most important thing about the Kings was their passionate fans, and that they love and support their team.   Arco used to be a place where road teams feared to tread, and the home crowd was fun to play for.   Now, it seems like it sucks.   

I wish I live close enough to see the games, or come to the arena if I could.   I would just love to see them all developing in person.   All of this Fire Theus Now stuff just is sad.   No one is going to win with this team instantly, so what the heck, let's just let him run with it and see what he can do with another month or two.    Besides, I doubt the Maloofs are going to pony up Avery Johnson type money, for several years guarrateed, while they are still paying Eric and Reggie too.    Anyway, I hope that I haven't offended anyone with my strong opinions, but I really get annoyed and depressed reading the super critical SacBee community bashing every article.   Of course, I have done my share of venting at times, but mostly I save it for bad reporting or lame stories, not our Kings players....

Go Kings!