Does Kenny Natt Have a Case?
by Tom Ziller on Mar 22, 2009 6:49 AM PDT
in Commentary
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PrintAs fans, we are not totally privy to conversations between ownership, management and the coaching staff. To be frank, we only know what a) ownership, management or the coaching staff deems appropriate to tell us, or b) what the beat writers and columnists -- those with access -- can fish out. There is no such thing as perfect information in sports; as such, our own opinions need to be weighed down appropriately.
That is a long way of saying: considering how little we really know about the inner machinations of the franchise, we ought to defer to management opinions a bit.
This isn't the case when it comes to analyzing players, plays, units or the like. In that, we have nearly perfect information. We can watch every play of every game. We can access some incredibly advanced statistics comparing players, comparing duos and comparing five-man units. I, for one, have a ton more confidence discussing where a player needs to improve rather than discussing whether Coach A should return or that we should hire Coach B tout de suite. We can gather some ideas about coaches, typically through previous journalism. But so much of that job has to do with day-to-day people managing, and l'esprit du corps, and carrying out tasks sent down from above. We just can't know it all.
So, as Kenny Natt approaches his Waterloo, we ask ourselves "should Natt return?"
Sam Amick publishes Natt's own case:
"I think I've done everything management has asked me to do," Natt said before the Kings routed the Knicks 121-94 on Friday. "Obviously we would love to have had more victories along the way. No one wants to lose. But I think I've done a great job of playing the young guys, making them better, instilling the discipline that they need as young guys to become better pros, professionals in this league, playing the right way, just instilling a lot of the things I've learned along the way as an assistant coach. …
"I think we've made great strides since I've taken over. It's just a matter of having an opportunity to reap the benefits of it."
On the court, in a real, basic, win-or-losses/offense-and-defense sense, the Kings have not made strides, minor or great. The team as a Basketball Entity is worse than under Theus. This is pretty basic to assess: the team was 6-18 under Reggie Theus (25%), and 9-36 under Natt (20%). The offense has regressed, the defense has regressed. This was the case even before the trade that sent two of the team's top three producers to Chicago, and before the opening day starting power forward was cut. Martin had been injured under both Theus and Natt. In every basketball sense that you can measure with a stick and a pencil, the Kings are no better than in December.
Giving the young players minutes? It's a tricky balance, sure. But Spencer Hawes played less than 20 minutes a game during Natt's first full month, after playing about 30 minutes a night for Theus. (The Miller trade and Moore waiver has gotten Hawes near 40 minutes a night, which is magnificent.) Jason Thompson has benefitted somewhat from the coaching change, though Shock has regularly been held out of fourth quarters as Natt remains enamored with a small line-up. Donté Greene played more minutes in November than he has even this month.
So the argument for Natt comes down to this:
making them better, instilling the discipline that they need as young guys to become better pros, professionals in this league, playing the right way, just instilling a lot of the things I've learned along the way as an assistant coach. …
This, I think, if you listen to Kevin Martin and Bobby Jackson, is where Natt has had greatest impact: he has turned the locker room around. (Honestly, the trades helped too.) Kenny Natt is Professional. No slight to Theus or Eric Musselman, but Natt is a grown-ass man -- not a kid in a camera-and-lights candy store, or a dude trying to be his players' BFF. Natt is businesslike in demeanor and expectations; the fact that he "intervened" in the Jackson-Greene prank war once Donté jacked Bobby's car is hilarious and kind-of awesome. Say what you will about it never getting to that point with a real disciplinarian at the head, but it takes something to have the respect of the players, kids and veterans alike, when you're a flailing lame duck.
Look at Nate McMillan. He came to Portland highly heralded due to his exemplary work in Seattle. He promised to install a professional operation on the court, to emphasis teamwork, leadership, good behavior, and disciplined play. In that first halycon season of the McMillan era, with some decent talent but an overall sub-par roster, the discipline and professionalism and leadership of McMillan took the Blazers to ... a 21-61 record. Professionalism, discipline, leadership -- you make those investments today so they show up tomorrow. (Drafting Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge the following summer also does not hurt.)
I guess the final argument in favor of Natt would be this: look at Washington. No offense to Ed Tapscott, who I understand to be a complete gentleman. But the Wizards have run roughshod all over him. Every account of their locker room has kangaroos bounding through the showers, confetti swirling through the HVAC vents and Pixie Stix replacing orange wedges. The second-worst team in the league has had a party this season on Abe Pollin's dime. Again, by all accounts, no one but two veterans gives a damn about the Wizards right now. A cornucopia of me me mes.
That's not the case in Sacramento, and that counts for something. Enough to overcome Natt's obvious tactical deficiencies? Well, only management has enough information to make that call.
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Shudder
This may be the creepiest headline that I’ve read at StR.
If Natt returns, it is for one reason and one reason only – he’ll work for a lot less than guys like Saunders, Jordan, Van Gundy, etc.
Whether or not the Kings make their “move” next year or in 2010, they need to get the system that will carry them into the future in place ASAP, before they lose the hearts and souls of their young core.
To paraphrase Aykis16, “Natt no!!!”
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
No, Kenny Natt does not have a case.
nice post though.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
- lend the eye a terrible aspect,
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Mar 22, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions
I like Natt
but if you compare the results he achieved with the Kings to the results Scott Brooks got with the Thunder it is clear Natt did not get results. I would rather try someone else.
should we compare talent bases also?
The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give…Howard Cosell
Interesting point
PJ Carlesimo had the same talent base as Brooks, and Brooks improved upon it, primarily by moving Durant to the 3 and Green to the 4. Nonetheless, he took his talent base and made it better.
Natt has not improved this talent base. To be fair, much of the talent was jettisoned at the trade deadline.
And while none of the current state of the Kings may be Natt’s doing, I have not seen him do anything that would have me excited about giving him the gig. Remember, this is not a matter of whether or not he should be fired. He is an interim coach. This is a matter of whether or not he should be hired. Is he the best candidate in an open market? My opinion is that he is not.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Mar 22, 2009 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I agree
Brooks certainly deserves to be commended for what he’s done. I just think he also had much more opportunity for improvement because of the talent on the roster.
The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give…Howard Cosell
This is even more so
When you consider where those players are drafted. (I think it’s a mighty compliment to even list those 3 as a trio compared to the Durant/Green/Westbrook trio.)
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
Still
The Thunder improved and the Kings are remarkably worse. Even before the trade we were remarkably worse.
They already bottomed out
Now, they’re reaping some of the rewards.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
you sir have won!
BINGO!
depressing to think of it as we have hit and bounced off the bottom several times the last two seasons (oh wait, it is just one very long season) only to have settled there. Climbing out takes time, just like getting to these depths has. It will probably be a 2 or maybe 3 season evolution.
by betweentheeyes on Mar 23, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Only if the alternative would be another unknown
I think Natt is a great assistant coach, and he has not been a terrible interim coach—meaning that on a scale of -10 to +10, he is not a negative number. I’d probably place him at about a 3 as a get-me-to-the-end-of –the-season head coach, but no more. I don’t think he has done actual damage to the team, which for the most part is all you can hope for out of someone in his position. He has done what you would expect of an interim, which is to keep the ship from sinking under his watch.
All that being said, this is a team in need of direction. These young players need a captain. While Natt has kept the ship from sinking, he has not steered it in any discernable direction. I didn’t expect to see more wins out of him, but as TZ so eloquently points out, there was no visible growth in offense or defense and there appeared to be at least some backsliding.
If he stayed another year, I don’t think he would do many of the damaging things that both Theus and Muss did. But—in my opinion—he would not turn this hodge-podge of talent into anything resembling a real team.
So, if the choice is between Natt and another college/assistant/WNBA coach, for $ or any other reason, keep Natt. But if I get to choose between Natt and a true head coach with a real track record (e.g. the kinds of guys Section mentions above), it’s not even close.
"Shut up and Coach!"
Vfettke
You bring up an interesting point
Natt has done good things. He is a great assistant coach. So, I wonder, it is possible to keep him as an assistant? A lot of factors at play here, obviously. Would he accept a role as an assistant with this team next season? Would the new head coach want to keep him? There’s no way we can answer these questions. But in the search for stability, it’s an idea I hadn’t considered until this moment.
Never forget: I am a complete idiot
Boo Kenny Natt, hooray Beer!
45 games in and still no answer to why the other team continues its lay-up drill the entire game. I just haven’t seen the improvement in scheme or execution to warrant Natt retaining his job. At this point I’m not even sure this guy is a good assistant, it took the return of Carril for the offense to work and the defense has never worked. This defense is so bad, Rashad McCants looks like the next Sidney Moncrief and I think it’s because he is still running his own Kevin McKale defense while the others are Natting around under Natt’s tutelage.
Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.
Well, he has done one thing that Theus hasn't
He’s been giving Hawes playing time. I’ll give Natt that one. Other than that, Natt doesn’t know jack sh*t about playing time. He decides to put players in at mind-numbingly wrong situations. We need a real coach, ESPECIALLY if we pick up Rubio or Griffin.
GP gave Hawes the playing time
by trading Brad Miller. It wasn’t until then that Natt really started giving Hawes big minutes.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Scott Brooks wasn't going to give Hawes those minutes either
That would have ENSURED he wouldn’t have gotten the job.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
We need a proven coach,
with a solid coaching philosophy/mentality/plan.
Natt was fine as temp solution. He controlled the locker room and he gave minutes to JT and Hawes (I’m not sure Greene is worth more minutes). I don’t think the defense got any better. However the team player better overall but because of the trades and not Natt.
Yes
as an assistant possibly?
by KingsFanfromCentralEurope on Mar 22, 2009 9:14 AM PDT reply actions
I am on the same plane of thought as Central
Kenny Natt is a proven commodity – but as an Assistant. IF, big if,he can return as an assistant, which is tricky turf, I vote(d) yes.
Your point, TZ, is a very valid one. Coaching, especially a young team, is very much more about discipline than with a veteran squad. A Coach Natt is a man, a Daddy-man, in fact. He is not Ward Cleaver (sorry you pre-1970 birth years), and he is not the Great Santini. He is likeable, but as a Head Coach, I am not on board as saying he is capable. He has had this season to show if he could learn to be the Head Coach of the Future (HCotF). His substitution patterns, his game plan, his adjustments, his implementing a successful presence on the offense or defense leave me, as a Kings Fan, wanting.
What do I want of the HCotF?
1 – Direction. A Kings team that can perform with a focused theme – be it scrappy defenders, Princeton or Triangle offense – something. The coaches of the NBA with a voice – Popovich, Sloan, Riles, RIck Adelman, Fratello, Jackson, Larry Brown, crazy Don Nelson, D’Antoni, Scott Skiles, SVG all have teams that play for them. Eddie Jordan, Avery Johnson, JVG (not Flip IMO) have teams that you know will play a determined style of basketball. You can dislike this style, It may not work for a particular group of talent, but it is a path of direction.
2 – Congrueity. The ability to work, in hand, with the General Manager. There are Popovich/Spurs players, Sloan/Jazz players, crazy Nellie/Warriors players, D’Antoni/Knicks players, etc. You can’t run the race without the horses. Can you play Sloan ball with Knicks players? Nellie ball with Spur players?
3 – Support. Does ownership, not just management see this vision and approve of it? Will the Clippers EVER produce a championship contender? Not with the other Donald as owner. Never happen. The players can’t see it, the coaches can’t see it, so it is an invisible possiblity.
4 – Permanence. Is this search the start or the finish? 4 Coaches in three years. Carousels are fun, but only for maybe three turns. Then you just look around waiting to get off. The problems are the same as mentioned above on all 3 counts, but magnified. Of course managment and ownership are signing the coaches to long term (3 or more years) contracts with that intention. How could they have known that Muss would get a DUI and the team would collapse incrementally throughout the season with Ron Artest as your foundation of stability? I don’t know, but due diligence is lacking.
Of these 4 items Kenny Natt only reaches the last one. He is a known quantity. I want more, at least 2 of the other 3. I don’t know if this is a reaistic possibility.
by betweentheeyes on Mar 22, 2009 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions
What scares me about #2
Is that I think you’re insinuating a GP/Eddie Jordan style. But, unlike the tough, hard nosed Sloan/Jazz or fundamentally sound Pop/Spurs style, a GP/Jordan style in my mind reeks of softie, finesse, no-defense shooters. Nellie/Warriors and D’Antoni/Knicks may have a distinct identity, but that identity is to look pretty but ultimately lose. I fear bringing in a coach that will cater to GP’s weaknesses.
I think you are correct LP
and that is the reason Coach Adelman is working for the Rox. But my point is that if GP is the at the helm than he picks the players and the style of play – you have to have a Coach who buys into the program. The owners don’t buy into it so, well, here we are today.
As for winning: Petrie/Adelman went to many finals to meet the indominatblle Mr. Jordan and Co.and our own Kings met smirky Phil in the WCF. They have to had the chance to win, I don’t think you can say that about Nellie or D’Antoni.
by betweentheeyes on Mar 22, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm fine with doing ANYTHING well
at this point.
Desperation talking – I know.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
- lend the eye a terrible aspect,
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Mar 22, 2009 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions
This is what I worry about
After three years of Muss, Theus, and Natt, people are craving for an experienced, familiar face. But Eddie Jordan is not Rick Adelman. Let’s not forget that. I’m not adamantly opposed to hiring him, but I think there should be more caution here before jumping on the Jordan bandwagon
I worry about the coach out of desperation too
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
Please refresh my memory
This was the case even before the trade that sent two of the team’s top three producers to Chicago, and before the opening day starting power forward was cut.
I don’t recall who the opening day starting forward was. It’s been a long year.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Mar 22, 2009 10:03 AM PDT reply actions
Ah yes
The utterly forgetable Mikki Moore.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Mar 22, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm surprised Kenny got as many yes' as he did
While I think a lot of the criticisms of Natt are ridiculous, I agree he hasn’t done enough to make me want to keep him.
Certainly, showing the young guys what it means to be a professional is a start, but that’s an absurdly low level of accountability for a head coach to be held to. We need a lot more in terms of molding this team than that.
The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give…Howard Cosell
by ForThree on Mar 22, 2009 10:04 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
This
Unless you believe that coaches are mostly irrelevant, then your coach needs to have some clue about rotations, offensive sets and defensive schemes, calling plays out of timeouts, making halftime adjustments, etc. These are job specific skills that are a must for any NBA head coach.
Adding professionalism is great and all, but I’d like our head coach to have a handle on those other more important aspects of his job.
So put me down for a resounding “no”.
Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not allowing natural selection to do its work. You're like the guy that invented the seat belt.
by otis29 on Mar 22, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
The way the poll is worded, the question is "do you want him back"
the question is intended to mean as Head Coach, but many of us have answered it subversively with “yes, but as an assistant”
by betweentheeyes on Mar 22, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
I would agree with that
Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not allowing natural selection to do its work. You're like the guy that invented the seat belt.
Its hard to imagine a scenario
where I’d want a guy who “failed” as interim head coach back as an assistant coach, regardless of how good an assistant he is, just for team dynamic reasons.
That’s not a knock against Natt, just an acknowledgement of the weirdness of the situation.
The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give…Howard Cosell
awkward
and yet some consistency, which with discipline is desirable. Also gives the current “accepted” level of professionalism an “in”. But it may be disruptive in terms of authority. If a name coach is hired, there will be no doubt who is in charge.
by betweentheeyes on Mar 22, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
To win in the NBA
we absolutely need to have a coach with professionalism and great basketball concepts.
A team simply can’t be successful without BOTH
I voted no
I think Natt deserves a different team to be an assistant on. That’s me. He’s not coming back as the head coach. His X&O’s are not what they need to be for the Kings to retain him.
Here’s where I cite Nate McMillan. He didn’t have a problem with the X&O’s. He had a problem with personalities. (And everyone has had problems with Zach Randolph.) However, once Portland started to find players that McMillan could reach with his style, it became much easier for his x&o’s to be embraced. McMillan was not a perfect coach, but that one season in Seattle he had changed the perception of him. Given that Portland hired him for 5 seasons, he could live to endure a subpar season or two. I think it says something about him (and Brandon Roy) that the Blazers have done so well so quickly. Obviously getting lucky in the draft had a lot to do with that. McMillan, though, has spent a lot of time trying to get a roster that’s mostly offensively edged playing better defense. As time moves on, it will get better. Ultimately, though, a lot of Portland’s improved defense will center around Greg Oden. Players matter more in the NBA than coaches do. That’s not to say, though, coaches don’t matter. As Jerry Reynolds put it: “In the NCAA, it’s Bobby Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers. In the NBA, it’s Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.”
Obviously, there is a matter of opinion in where the effectiveness of Reggie Theus lied. This was true of Eric Musselman too. This was also true of Rick Adelman. Who is the best coach of 3? Does any of us have to even work that hard to figure it out?
I think the problems of yesteryear are being paid multiple times over this season. The franchise dysfunction, the insistence on staying competitive to ultimately be mediocre, to make free agent signings that keep the team above a certain level, but not much higher, and the lower draft spots that have resulted in less opportunities to take players who could change the course of this franchise.
Natt isn’t a bad guy. This is true. He’s not Ed Tapscott either. (Or Tony DiLeo.) He’s not Scott Brooks. The wrong situation for Natt, and you know what? Natt is pretty typical of most interim coaches. They’re not really ready for the position, and the reason they’re still assistants.
5 names I would like to see the Kings consider for a variety of reasons: Paul Silas, Jeff Bzdelik, John Beilein (which is unlikely), Mo Cheeks and Isiah Thomas. Well, maybe not Zeke. But the other 4 for certain.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
Pookey
Don’t even joke about Thomas. I can’t imagine it ever happening, but that would be the straw the broke the camel’s back. You know he’d sexually harass Katie. Of course she would kick his butt. But then she’d leave and we’d have nothing to look forward to.
"Shut up and Coach!"
Vfettke
by SavageBeast on Mar 22, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
You've got it wrong 214
He’d harass Kayte AND Koz. (And Sandra.)
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
You say that as that would be a bad thing
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
Actually I'd pay for that to happen
Kayte slapping the shit outta Zeke? Cmon, you know you want that. Do it Maloof’s! Do it!
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
you are so left on Zeke that you are not right
can you see the Maloofs with Isiah? Blog history would be overwhelmed.
I know I am watching too much TV basketball – but instead of Isiah Thomas I would rather have the Dos Equis Most Interesting Man in the World.
by betweentheeyes on Mar 22, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Zeke at The Palms
At least we would be relevant again.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
I'll add an addendum to this
I don’t think Natt should be brought back, but with that being said, if having a cheap coach next year is the priority, I’m pretty sure there are worse coaches than Kenny Natt.
I’m also fairly sure that no coach, regardless of whose selected in the draft, will make this team into a playoff team next season. But the year after that? I think that should be the goal. The Playoffs in 2011.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
Agree, but with a caveat...
Good point. Being inexpensive and respected at the same time may be enough for the Maloofs to buy off on Natt for another year. With that said though, I believe that it is pretty clear that Natt doesn’t have the requisite coaching chops for a head job in the league. An experienced lead assistant would be an absolute must if keeping Natt is the plan. I love coachie as much as anyone, but Natt needs a peer who would provide more X&O experience to help guide the team as a whole. If Natt can motivate and an assistant can coach, it could work. This wouldn’t be my preference, but we have seen worse…
I don't think this would ever work
But, hire Natt as a caretaker, and bring in a college coach under him to learn the NBA game & ropes, while helping Natt as a head coach. I don’t think it would work; but any college coach interested in the NBA game could see that work out much better for them in the long run than any other scenario. (None of them would do it. I’m just noodling for the hell of it.)
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
Natt would hire a whole new staff if he was retained
Rex & Hamm & SAR & even Coachie, weren’t hired by Natt. I suspect based on that post, (I don’t remember who’s) where the Kings fan was sitting behind the Kings bench on the last road trip, that Rex & Hamm would be gone. The poster suggested that they didn’t go along with Natt on a lot of things.
With only a one year contract, and without the ability to pick his own staff, Natt would go into next year still being a lame duck coach. Whether the team likes him, respects him, or what ever, if the team doesn’t win under his leadership, next year will turn into another total disaster. And, the team will have to learn a completely different system the following year, and the rebuild will be extended at least one more year.
Whoever coaches next year, need to have a long term contract. The players need to know that he’s going to be around for an extended period. They need to know that he has the power to control their PT if they don’t produce under his system. Natt’s not getting a long term extension after this years performance. Let the search begin soon.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
by HighTops on Mar 22, 2009 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Game Set Match to HT
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
I wouldn't be mad
if Silas became Sacramento’s coach.
"Greed is the inventor of injustice as well as the current enforcer." - Julian Casablancas
All that need be said..
QUOTE "On the court, in a real, basic, win-or-losses/offense-and-defense sense, the Kings have not made strides, minor or great. The team as a Basketball Entity is worse than under Theus. This is pretty basic to assess: the team was 6-18 under Reggie Theus (25), and 9-36 under Natt (20). The offense has regressed, the defense has regressed. This was the case even before the trade that sent two of the team’s top three producers to Chicago, and before the opening day starting power forward was cut. Martin had been injured under both Theus and Natt. In every basketball sense that you can measure with a stick and a pencil, the Kings are no better than in December. " UNQUOTE
They regressed. That means the coach was in over his head. I dont care how professionally they lost, the LOST. The worst team in the league last I looked. I believe that Knatt is the fallguy for all of this. I believe that Petrie wanted the losses and is trying to get the best draft pick possible. I believe that Theus lost the team so he had to go. They became unprofessional and lax. Sure Knatt has instilled some order to the chaos, but that doesn’t mean he is the man for the job! I would LOVE to see the Kings hire a good coach that can cultivate young talent. Knatt does not have what it takes to relate and cultivate the young talent on this team. There is going to be more youth coming via the draft, and we really need a coach that can mold a young team and get them playing together with fire and conviction. That is what Knatt’s team lacks. Fire and Conviction. Since Knatt started, the Kings have just been playing out the string….
A good young coach like Eddie Jordan would be the perfect fit for a young Kings team that is going to get a high draft pick this year and probably next year as well. We need to bring in a REAL NBA COACH, not the placeholder that is running things now… Time for the Magoofs to rectify the mistake they made letting Adelman go and hire a REAL NBA COACH that can handle the job. Staying with KNATT says to me and the fans and the players that the ownership doesn’t care about wins or playoffs or anything other than money. If that is the case, I will tune out….
I have cut the Mouth and Nose out of my Paper Bag, but I am contemplating not cutting out any EYE HOLES so I don't have to watch this mess at all...
I voted no but not out of lack of respect for Natt.
He has been put in an impossible position and the fact that he hasn’t surmounted the numerous challenges in a meaningful wins and losses way makes it unlikely that the Maloofs and GP will bring him back.
I actually have some empathy for Coach Natt. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for him to step up to the mike in a post game press congerence and explain the reasons the Kings lost again. I imagine that overall the Maloofs and GP have been fairly happy with the way he has kept the team together and developed the kids.
If next year is really going to be the 2nd year of the rebuilding process and the focus is going to be about developing the kids and integrating the rookies we pick up in the draft we could do worse than retaining Coach Natt which is damming with faint praise.
Ultimately the reason that I think he doesn’t come back is that he hasn’t done what Scott Brooks has done in Okl or the old pro Larry Brown has done in Charlotte or even (before the injuries happened ) Kevin McHale in Minnie which is take the exisiting talent and put more wins in the season’s ledger. Frankly I never understood Reggie’s rotations but the way Natt has handled the closing minutes in the last 4 games in what were some winnable games is why, in my view, he should not be brought back.
"We are in the business of kicking butt and business is very, very good." - Charles Barkley
No on Natt
because a coach like Avery or EJ will give the Kings:
- Much needed respect around the league
- Excitement about the coaching staff as fans
- Name recognition…national TV broadcast please!!
- That much needed professionalism we’re always talking about
- Sound basketball concepts. Do you remember the Mavs actually playing D under Avery? I do
Plus, I have a hunch that Kenny Natt, despite all of his inexpensive gloriousness is just too plain for the flashy Maloofs.
Natt = head coach?
Interesting thread…
1) Natt an assistant? If the NBA is like other corporations, when Natt’s term is up and he is not re-hired (I think), his coaching staff will be gone as well to give the incoming HC opportunity to build his own staff. If an incoming HC wants Natt, fine. I have my doubts that any marquee head coach would accept holdovers as a condition of his contract.
2) Professionalism, as noted, is great. Natt needs to grow into being a head coach, though, and management doesn’t seem bent that way. Natt’s skills may make him a great assistant, but a bad candidate for any HC job. Cf. Del Harris, et al.
3) The elite NBA coaches have the attention and respect of their superstars. They don’t treat all players equally…they treat players as needed to maximize their production. When Kobe pouted, Phil J. called him out — publicly and in print. The reason this issue is now a non-issue is that Kobe knows Pjax won’t hesitate to do it again as necessary. Adelman’s rep while in Sac was that he was a player’s coach who could wring performance out of just about anyone…and he proved it by getting production from some of the league’s misfits and knuckleheads who arrived as trades or FA signings. But he wasn’t the type to bark at his players. He finessed Artest to keep him from blowing up the team. But people like Ron-Ron tune out the HC after a short while, and it’s already happening in Houston. can’t imagine Artest’s mind games playing at all were he with the Spurs. The first time he pulled up lame or ill 30 minutes before game time, Pop would hand him his head.
In short, as good as Adelman is, he is missing the weapon in his arsenal that Jackson, Riley, Popovich, and other head coaches with rings all have:
They mean business…always. And they understand that you always get what you are willing to pay for.
If you refuse to pay for anything except championship atttitude and execution…you can figure out the rest.
by twenty-one on Mar 22, 2009 9:13 PM PDT reply actions
If Natt is not given the head coaching gig here,
my bet is that he will wind up back in Utah working with Jerry Sloan.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
I don't know if I agree, but I don't disagree
You would think Sloan, depending on how the Jazz perform this year or next, have to start grooming someone for the next Jazz team.
by betweentheeyes on Mar 22, 2009 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Natt has no offensive or defensive philosophy that I can perceive
We have no simple scoring plays except for occasionally getting someone open for a 3, its always a scramble.
Its even more of an ‘Every man for himself!’ scramble on D
’nuff said
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
- lend the eye a terrible aspect,
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
I wish I could see how many new accounts were created after this fanpost
Probably about 68. Welcome to StR, Kenny (and your 67 doppelganger sockpuppets)!
m*****f***ing c***s***ing peanut butter and jelly!! f*** f*** f***!!!
If we want to be ready for a playoff push in 2011
We need a coach who’s been there before to have this team prepped starting next year so he can build chemistry. He needs to be a known commodity.
Natt has been very popular in the locker room with the guys. Why? Perhaps its because he’s been in the league for years. He’s not totally new to coaching (although it feels like it sometimes). With Theus and E-Muss, they weren’t guys who seemed to hold player’s respect. Theus didn’t think before he said anything and alienated a lot of his players. E-Muss started off bad with the drunk driving incident.
Basically what I’m saying, is that if we hire someone that has had the experience, we shouldn’t worry that the guys won’t take to them. I think they’re sick of the losing. I know we are.
I don’t have a coaching candidate but I do have some requirements:
1. Has coached in the NBA before.
2. Has coached a team into the playoffs.
3. Has worked with young players and succeeded.
4. Brings a strong presence that commands respect. Not a disciplinarian, but a guy the players want to do good for.
Why Not?
Next season will be a throw away season much like this year. Does it matter who’s steering?
by BORN IN SACTOWN on Mar 23, 2009 6:47 AM PDT reply actions
I thin it does matter
You have a young team in need of guidance and direction. And while next year won’t be a playoff year, it’s certainly not a “throw away.” The Hawks and Blazers did not have “throw away” years when they set on their rebuilding path.
The system for the future needs to be established with our young core, and the sooner the better.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Yeah a new coach that doesn't encourage Cisco to take 20 shots a night
would be a huge start.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....
in defense of Cisco
He was the only one who looked motivated most of the game, certainly early. The rest of the team seemed ‘concerned’ by thier start – he was pissed!
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
- lend the eye a terrible aspect,
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Mar 23, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions
No on Natt
I do not think the Kings should bring Natt back. It is not like he turned the team around what did they win at this point with him like 5-6 games Big deal. Kings need a coach that will turn this train wreck around and put a quality product on the floor again. I know the coach doesn’t play but if you don’t have the right players or chemistry then the coach must go. Maybe the GM should go too.
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