I keep racking my brain to pinppoint what is wrong with this Kings team. We have entered into a new stratosphere of suck. For the first time ever, I can identify with Milwaukee Bucks fans. Is it the players who are under-achieving? Is it the likeable coach who obviously lacks discipline? Is it Petrie for making questionable personel decisions lately? Or could it be the Maloofs for insisting on Adelman's firing and alienating a fragile small-market fanbase with a public coach-bashing and relocation rumors?

PLAYERS:  A healthy Kings team is capable of winning 30-40 games this year. Beno is extremely dissapointing, Martin is great when not injured, Salmons is good but really doesn't pass very well or come up big in the fourth, Moore is even more garbage than I, the biggest Mikki Moore hater in the world, anticipated, Miller does not have the same spark as last year, Hawes is potentially a future All-Star, and JT has his moments but looks very much like a rookie. Weak PG play and weak D all around.

COACHING: The Kingdom is undoubtedly losing confidence in Theus. The ultra-optomistic Theus just doesn't have the answers. Last year, we were so impressed by his ability to motivate the team to work hard. Remember all those upsets of elite teams followed by dissapointing defeats to the bottom dwellers? Now, the players aren't playing with energy AND there is even less D(perhaps Artest was more or less the defensive coach). His nice guy routine keeps the players' support but no decently coached team could turn the ball over this much...it is just a lack of discipline and accountability.

PETRIE:

Salmons contract was smart, signing Bobby Brown was smart, and the Artest trade had to happen. Donte might be pretty good in a couple of years. Also, our middle round draft picks have turned out pretty well with exeption to Douby.  Bibby is playing great and Beno is playing like a NBDL PG. At this point, I have to think that we prematurely dumped Bibby(who's contract would have come off the books at the end of this year--plenty of time to prepare for '10). Now we have to put up with Beno for the next 5 years unless someone would take him in a trade.--mistake.  I know I'm reaching way back, but maybe we should have let Webber's contract expire as a King...would have happened a hell of a lot sooner than K-9.--possible mistake. Grrrrr. Shareef was this close to signing with the Nets until they saw a pair of knees that were spent, but Petrie was confident enough to sign the guy--definate mistake.

MALOOFS:

I like the Maloof's passion for winning and their desire for results. We are lucky to have owners who spend money like they want to win. Sure, the arena talks can be upsetting and the ticket prices are high, but it could worse. I HATE;however, when they interfere with actual basketball related affairs. MUSSELMAN?!?!

So what do you think? I can't decide? If you could plug in the ideal coach, would we be competitive? If we keep Theus and add a couple stars, would we be competitive? Has Petrie gotten us into this mess?