Kings Reach the Coaching Search Stretch Run

I thought the article had a great point about how Petrie runs these workouts himself. He’s got SAR and Fat Lever on the floor with him as well. So, you’ve got three former players who know exactly what a good player looks like on the floor. And then you throw in the crew who are watching from the sidelines (Jerry Reynolds, etc.), and I feel good about the draft.

But I’m OK with any of these guys.

1. Kurt Rambis – learning at the feet of Phil Jackson, long-time assistant, some head coaching experience, tough hard-nosed player in his day.
2. Tom Thibodeau – above average defensive coach, no NBA head coaching experience, highest risk-reward of the three.
3. Paul Westphal – plenty of head coaching experience, mixed results. Would seem to be able to right the ship and at least bring some modicum of professionalism to the position.

Other factors – the Kings low salary demands may be offset by the fact that this job is currently the only open position in the NBA. They can’t afford to make another poor decision after Musselman/Theus, so do they go with someone (relatively) safe like Westphal and bypass the chance that Thibodeau/Rambis could be in over their heads? Do they worry about offering the position to Rambis, only to get SVG’d at the last minute if Phil Jackson decides to retire?

I can see why this decision is taking so long to make. We aren’t talking about an elite group of candidates – the Kings can’t afford to miss on this pick, and they can’t afford to get dumped at the altar either. They obviously need to process every bit of available information before making a decision.

I voted for Rambis in the poll, but after considering all the factors I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Westphal is the pick…and ultimately the right choice here.

But, I can’t see Thib or Rambis having the impact that Westphal will have. I’m biased; I think I’m always right.

We hire Rambis or Westphal as the head coach. We then trick Thibodeau into signing as an assistant coach:

Joe Maloof: Congratulations, Coach! Here’s the contract… just sign right there…

Thib: Okay… what’s that word in front of “Coach” that you’re covering with your finger?

Joe: Nothing. There’s no other words. Just sign there.

Thib: That word… that word right there, under your finger…

Joe: You’re talking crazy, Coach. Don’t be crazy. Just sign. Sign!

I agree with much of the concise terms used by Otis29.

I voted Westphal after being originally swayed away. I believe he would be an asset and with the assistants mentioned, I just don’t see any room for complaint.

Rambis worries me in that should the fellows south state complete what seems an inevitable championship run that Phil Jackson may call it a career thus leaving a vacancy. Should that occur, the Kings are in danger of being Kinko’ed – same copy, different original – and that would leave an unneccessarily unfortunate mark on the process.

Thibodeau is too much of a gamble, IMO, at this time. I am still disappionted that more interviews were not done.

It looks like the Kings will have a Head Coach by next week and that is the best choice of all.

and a new era begins, let’s hope it brings success.