Meet Paul Westphal the Decider

I think you brought up a valid point. I don’t see GP bending much for a coach, but if that coach was trying to implement a system envisioned by the owners then I can see it happening. The only thing I ever heard about the Maloofs being down on Adelman was the lack of accountability on player defense.

Is it, perhaps, relevant that the Maloofs were talking about buying the Spurs? Is that the kind of game and system that they would like to see run here? I mean that would explain the importance placed on defense by a coach that hasn’t been known for it and could explain the seemingly openness of a GM to that coaches suggestion.

I try to not read between the lines too much, but what is the vision for this team? All I see so far is the importance placed on D…

the discussion is about the unevenness of it. the method, and PW using the press and his position to massage his ego at the expense of one of his players.

Its real easy to be snarky to the press about your players when you’re the coach, real classless too.

What I disagree with is any analysis that says the Kings traded Martin because he didn’t work with Reke. As I’ve said several times, I don’t think Reke was the problem. It was everyone else.

I also think that is an unfair criticism and perhaps that worst one you can make to an author.

i can think of worse criticism’s actually. But, that’s not the point. I said I didn’t think the piece is objective. And that may be my subjective opinion. Who knows?

The idea that PW in a span of roughly 9 months gained more voice in the franchise decisions is a bit over the top for me. And, to that, I don’t see as objective. This was not a guy who was Paul Westphal’s first choice. Anyone wishes to argue that Rick Adelman didn’t have input in a deal of a magnitude like this, I think, is arguing the very short end of the stick. The relationship with the Maloof’s had frayed, but that doesn’t mean Petrie didn’t actually ask Rick Adelman what he thought. (And, why wouldn’t Petrie try to save his job when he knows the Maloof’s had had it with RA?)

And this argues back to a point that has gone back & forth around here for several years: Who has the power? I think, and nothing suggests to me that PW has any more power than he did when the Kings took Tyreke Evans, that Geoff Petrie is the top dog. The Maloof’s for their mistakes in the past (and there have been plenty) probably didn’t know about it until they heard it on SportsCenter or something. I doubt Petrie keeps them in the loop when doing trades until they are completed.

I get the Martin contingent, and I get why they’re pissed off. But anyone who wants to argue TZ isn’t part of that contingent is crazy. And no one can be completely objective if they have reason to be emotionally tied to something. (Which is true of everyone here.) If that is indeed the case, the problem wasn’t objectivity. It was my using the wrong word to describe what I see as the problem.

It has a valid premise and is supported by stated facts to point to a conclusion.

First off, it does not have a valid premise if we define the words “has a lot of power” to mean that he has the power to decide if a player is traded. There is nothing to indicate that he has that power. It would be better to use the work “influence.” The supporting evidence that you cite is merely Westphal voicing his opinion about Kevin. Therefore, the conclusion that he was the decider (of the trade) does not follow from the premise that he has a lot of power.

If we look at a timeline of the events that transpired, Martin ends up looking like a douchebag.

1. Tyreke Evans is obviously a ball-dominant player.
2. Martin says he really wants Tyreke Evans in the draft.
3. Martin and Evans play five games together. Evans does nothing, Martin does well and then hurts himself.
4. Evans goes crazy as the #1 option with Martin out.
5. Martin returns from his injury, is rusty, and isn’t making shots. Evans continues to be Evans.
6. Martin starts to complain about his role on the team, which he SHOULD’VE SEEN COMING given Evans’ game.
7. Martin gets to the point where he wants out, and plays like it.
8. Martin gets traded.
9. …
10. Profit!

where are the specific examples? i’’m not saying there aren’’t any — i’m just saying that its been repeated so many times that its taken on a life of its own and become exaggerated

I know he’s a little mouthy, but where have you ever read or heard anything he said that leads you to believe he’s not coachable, or that he is a prima donna?

Because I haven’t heard anything. Not that warrants being labled as uncoachable.

In turn, I’d say that if your franchise player and two other players are saying the same thing in the same article…you might not want to isolate one of them for a more excessive punishment than the others.

:-)

PW stated that he didn’t know his role. Spencer’s comments did not address… ‘role’. Seems like there has to be something else not being said.

it happens regardless of your intentions or what you do about it.

PW’s actions this year certainly could give the impression he’d rather not have Hawes on the team. That doesn’t mean that’s what he thinks, but it is definitely plausible given what we know.

However, my point is that Spencer would have had this problem with any boss. You can’t throw your coach under the bus and expect nothing to come of it. He got what he deserved. If Hawes is a good player, then I don’t get why an NBA coach, whose job depends on success, would arbitrarily instigate a feud with the franchise’s supposed future starting center.

This is the crux of my point, and the point I made in my preview today (albeit very obliquely) at EC. It’s time for Shawes & PW to knock off the horseshit and make it work. If it doesn’t, then it doesn’t.

seems like a pretty straightforward insult; enlighten me on what you meant please, so I know how to take it next time someone calls me a douche, which the over/under on is about 15 minutes.

All I will say about Westphal, is it took less than 30 games for a guy that had been with the organization a long time to want out if you believe anything you read. And even comments Westphal himself has made seem to indicate he wanted Kevin gone as quickly as possible.

I’m not at all saying we know that to also be the case with Hawes, we don’t have nearly enough information to assert that. But given the short leash, and not starting the season and all the other things including this incident, its at least plausible that Westphal would really like a Center other than Spencer Hawes. Westphal certainly seems to have shown he’s capable of having an influence on whether or not existing players stay.

Let’s just hope they both work it out. If they both want to, there’s no reason why this has to be an issue.

No offense section, but that game the other night was never in doubt. I think the closest it got was 12 points right?

That’s not overly impressive, considering the opponent and being on our home floor.

I guess ultimately we are arguing over what’s worse…gonorrhea or syphilis?

Casspi has been that good.

Casspi is probably the 4th best rookie right now, behind Evans, Jennings and Curry. That’s not to say that he will be the 4th best player to come out of this draft, but he is the 4th best player today.