Amick: TNT's Kenny Smith enters Sacramento Kings' GM search

[Padrino]

Trust Ranadive, we have to anyway. If there are differences in the qualifications of those you cite, I'm quite sure that Ranadive can handle without my help. Hey, I understand the feelings but this task is out of my hands and I do trust the man.

we do not have to trust anybody, ranadive included. trust is earned. and it can be lost expediently. a great many used to enjoy trotting out the tired "in petrie we trust" motto until he and the maloofs systematically turned the kings into a mismatched roster of undersized chuckers. you haven't seen much of that "in petrie we trust" crap bandied about kf.com in the last few years, and justifiably so. results matter...

i suspect that kenny smith is not a serious candidate for the kings' vacant GM position. but if he is, and if he is hired for that particular position, rather than for a supplemental position at which he would be better suited, i will not be placing the kind of trust in vivek ranadive that i would certainly like to as this new era of kings basketball begins. if the team improves, if there are quantifiable results in the next couple of seasons, then my trust is freely given. but when a name like kenny smith is associated with the front office position most associated with the building of franchises, it's hardly cause to declare that "we have to" trust the kings' new decision makers...

personally, i'm waiting until a GM and ensuing front office staff are officially hired before i pass any kind of judgment on the matter. rumors are just that--rumors, and even though i consider it a waste of time for the kings to interview a guy like kenny effing smith for the GM position, if ranadive considers it part of his due diligence, no matter how unlikely a hire smith actually is for that particular position, then so be it. but i do not expect to see ranadive hire kenny smith as the kings' new GM, and i do not hope to see ranadive hire kenny smith as the kings' new GM...

 

[sidney]

After the Chris Wallace discussion went on for more than 10 pages, I'm having a hard time getting worked up about this. There are a lot of front office spots: President and Vice President of BBall operations, GM, assistant GM, scouting positions. Who knows which name is in consideration for what spot.

Picking Smith as the GM would be puzzling, but I do like how Ranadive has interest in bringing in name players from the past and getting them involved. That says a lot about the tone he is trying to set as a classy organization that appreciates it's players. In the end I suspect this has more to do with bringing in Smith since he is a former King of some note rather than letting him lead the path of the team.

 

[ninjabiscuit]

I think it's safe to say that we don't know exactly what is going on. I suggest overreacting completely, though.

 

[Arco Arena]

Generally not a good idea to give somebody the highest/2nd-highest position in the front office if they have no front office experience. I'd be very surprised if Kenny left his cushy, high-paying, successful job at TNT to be anything less than GM.

The last former NBA player turned TNT analyst to be given a GM job with no front office experience was Steve Kerr. He did an awful or solid job depending on who you believe was behind the Shaq trade (supposedly D'Antoni/Sarver) and cost saving moves (supposedly Sarver).

 

[Bosnian Diehard]

I would only consider having Smith as a part of the front office if he was not GM. He can pull some strings and who knows, maybe he can get a good free agent to come to Sactown. But if he is being considered for the GM job then no thanks, I would be fine with Schlenk, D'Allesandro, etc. over him (but it seems like he going for the GM job anyways).

 

[macadocious]

I can't imagine what position he would take that is not GM that would not constitute a huge pay cut for him. That is the only thing that scares me.

 

[nebs]

lol On PTI they said the Kings want him to be GM and Kenny is the one thinking about it.

 

[Entity]

any idea why? I mean of all the ppl that are semi qualified for the job. Can anybody ANYBODY here think of a logical reason Kenny Smith was even thought about even more so in talks with the owner about it??? Am I missing something?

 

[Glenn]

any idea why? I mean of all the ppl that are semi qualified for the job. Can anybody ANYBODY here think of a logical reason Kenny Smith was even thought about even more so in talks with the owner about it??? Am I missing something?

Kenny is the one thinking about it, not Vivek.

 

[Entity]

well at least he seems to be a Demarcus Cousins appologist

 

[Mojo]

Kenny is the one thinking about it, not Vivek.

Then why is ownership meeting with him about the position?

 

[Glenn]

Then why is ownership meeting with him about the position?

OK, we'll parse the words. Kenny is thinking of the GM job. Ranadive is talking to him. This does not mean that Ranadive is considering him for GM.

 

[mac]

OK, we'll parse the words. Kenny is thinking of the GM job. Ranadive is talking to him. This does not mean that Ranadive is considering him for GM.

Doesn't make sense to me though. If I made it known that I was interested in thr position and Vivek wasn't considering me would I get an interview?

 

[sauce-26]

If i remember correctly, Bill Romanowski wanted to be the head coach of the broncos. They had "discussions" about the position, being between Pat Bowlen and Romo, but Romo was never really considered for the position.

 

[Glenn]

Doesn't make sense to me though. If I made it known that I was interested in thr position and Vivek wasn't considering me would I get an interview?

I have no idea but you must admit that was a clever response on my part. My idea would be that Vivek wants to gather as much information as possible and although Kenny wouldn't be interviewed for the GM job, he might know who is respected. Just another source of knowledge. I think gathering ex-Kings around the franchise in one way or another is interesting. Can't hurt especially when the ex-Kings talk on a large stage. Who knows, perhaps Kenny really is looking for a job of some sort. However. if Kenny seriously thought he should be considered for GM, I would disqualify him immediately for his lack of judgment.

 

[Glenn]

If i remember correctly, Bill Romanowski wanted to be the head coach of the broncos. They had "discussions" about the position, being between Pat Bowlen and Romo, but Romo was never really considered for the position.

Scary thought.

 

[NewArena]

lol everyone is claiming to be "in discussions"

please.

 

[mac]

I have no idea but you must admit that was a clever response on my part. My idea would be that Vivek wants to gather as much information as possible and although Kenny wouldn't be interviewed for the GM job, he might know who is respected. Just another source of knowledge. I think gathering ex-Kings around the franchise in one way or another is interesting. Can't hurt especially when the ex-Kings talk on a large stage. Who knows, perhaps Kenny really is looking for a job of some sort. However. if Kenny seriously thought he should be considered for GM, I would disqualify him immediately for his lack of judgment.

I guess I just want Vivek to stop wasting time with avenues that he isn't going to pursue. Kenny Smith can wait if its some other non-GM position.

 

[NewArena]

I guess I just want Vivek to stop wasting time with avenues that he isn't going to pursue. Kenny Smith can wait if its some other non-GM position.

You don't know what Vivek is doing behind the scenes though. Just assuming because he hasn't officially hired anyone yet. This decision isn't
something to rush, just because fans are impatient

 

[mac]

You don't know what Vivek is doing behind the scenes though. Just assuming because he hasn't officially hired anyone yet. This decision isn't
something to rush, just because fans are impatient

Fans are impatient for a reason - because we feel that having a GM is important in setting the direction for the team. The draft is coming up and I am really not keen on having a 3rd straight top 10 pick (Jimmer counts as 7 even though he wasnt actually drafted there) not helping our team. People were saying that Vivek had been having conversations with people even before the team was officially sold. He's had some time already, and here we are sitting with a new head coach and reports of GMs that aren't very enticing. Forgive me for starting to get impatient and antsy.

 

[John Galt]

We don't need a GM in order to draft well. Petrie giving counsel to Malone and Vivek is enough. This is all a lot of freaking out for no good reason. Seems a lot of the hand-wringing is coming from "in Petrie we trust" guys... so now you have Petrie giving guidance on the draft, his supposed strong suit. What is the big rush?

The direction has been set for the team. Malone is coach for 3+ years and is going to have a lot of personnel clout. DeMarcus is focal point. Vivek will go to practices and stuff, he will interfere in personnel decisions too (but I bet a dollar he won't interfere in bench decisions - he loves Malone).

Why is Vivek Ranadive having such a hard freaking time getting the benefit of the doubt from most of you. He was part of a successful run in Golden State. His daughter isn't such a good singer but she is pretty enough (I'd have rather had Jeff Keith sing Love Song at the rally but oh well). He hired a very well regarded young coach instead of a retread (although I wanted Sloan). And he's deliberately and thoroughly considering the entire landscape of potential GM candidates - including the impossible Bird and Buford, and the bizarre Smith and Webber. And oh, yeah, he saved our team... there's that too.

He hasn't even used up his first chance yet. Let him have his first chance to hire his guys whether it is Wallace, Smith, or Whisenant. Then he should get a second and third chance.

 

[The_Jamal]

Fans are impatient for a reason - because we feel that having a GM is important in setting the direction for the team. The draft is coming up and I am really not keen on having a 3rd straight top 10 pick (Jimmer counts as 7 even though he wasnt actually drafted there) not helping our team. People were saying that Vivek had been having conversations with people even before the team was officially sold. He's had some time already, and here we are sitting with a new head coach and reports of GMs that aren't very enticing. Forgive me for starting to get impatient and antsy.

Again, we don't know what when on in the meeting between Smith and Ranadive. Maybe they plan on bringing in Smith in an advisory role and Ranadive wanted information on some of his contacts around the NBA? Who knows.

A big issue we've had the last 6 years is our FO, Coaching staff, and ownership group were never on the same page and planning on going the same direction. This is a decision that shouldn't be rushed and I hope Ranadive waits for the GM candidate who fits what direction he and Coach Malone want to take the team.

 

[macadocious]

We don't need a GM in order to draft well. Petrie giving counsel to Malone and Vivek is enough. This is all a lot of freaking out for no good reason. Seems a lot of the hand-wringing is coming from "in Petrie we trust" guys... so now you have Petrie giving guidance on the draft, his supposed strong suit. What is the big rush?

The direction has been set for the team. Malone is coach for 3+ years and is going to have a lot of personnel clout. DeMarcus is focal point. Vivek will go to practices and stuff, he will interfere in personnel decisions too (but I bet a dollar he won't interfere in bench decisions - he loves Malone).

Why is Vivek Ranadive having such a hard freaking time getting the benefit of the doubt from most of you. He was part of a successful run in Golden State. His daughter isn't such a good singer but she is pretty enough (I'd have rather had Jeff Keith sing Love Song at the rally but oh well). He hired a very well regarded young coach instead of a retread (although I wanted Sloan). And he's deliberately and thoroughly considering the entire landscape of potential GM candidates - including the impossible Bird and Buford, and the bizarre Smith and Webber. And oh, yeah, he saved our team... there's that too.

He hasn't even used up his first chance yet. Let him have his first chance to hire his guys whether it is Wallace, Smith, or Whisenant. Then he should get a second and third chance.

While agree with most of what you said, this only works if we are for sure keeping our pick and just drafting BPA. If we think trading up or down, or moving the pick in a package for a vet is something we need to do, then we need a GM soon.

 

[VF21]

Fans are impatient for a reason - because we feel that having a GM is important in setting the direction for the team. The draft is coming up and I am really not keen on having a 3rd straight top 10 pick (Jimmer counts as 7 even though he wasnt actually drafted there) not helping our team. People were saying that Vivek had been having conversations with people even before the team was officially sold. He's had some time already, and here we are sitting with a new head coach and reports of GMs that aren't very enticing. Forgive me for starting to get impatient and antsy.

Yeah, we're impatient BUT Vivek Ranadive is the one who has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the Kings and Sacramento.

All this hand-wringing over every little name that's being associated with our complete front office overhaul is amusing. The Kings are back in the spotlight and everybody wants to sneak in for a photobomb or two.

I'm just glad we have a team to be antsy and impatient about. And, until proven otherwise, I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to the guy who made it all possible. If you've read anything about Ranadive, you will know that he doesn't make decisions without having enough data to make an intelligent one. I'd rather he talked to too many potential candidates over not talking to enough.

 

[macadocious]

We are also dealing with battered housewife syndrome. For the last almost 10 years we have watched bad decision after bad decision. We have supported a team that didn't support us back. We are used to being screwed, metaphorically. It's going to take some time to get out of that mentality.

 

[kingjatt]

Yeah, we're impatient BUT Vivek Ranadive is the one who has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the Kings and Sacramento.

All this hand-wringing over every little name that's being associated with our complete front office overhaul is amusing. The Kings are back in the spotlight and everybody wants to sneak in for a photobomb or two.

I'm just glad we have a team to be antsy and impatient about. And, until proven otherwise, I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to the guy who made it all possible. If you've read anything about Ranadive, you will know that he doesn't make decisions without having enough data to make an intelligent one. I'd rather he talked to too many potential candidates over not talking to enough.

well said! I think part of the reason why skepticism and outcry is occuring so fast is because we as fans showed alot of blind faith in petrie and the maloofs for far too long and were naive enough to wait way too long without seeing what was really going on when alot of the writing was on wall as each move or non-move was being made for the past 3-4 years.

 

[Glenn]

I think he has been waiting to see if Bird would sign. Yesterday Bird officially withdrew. It's in the Bee. As much as I am impatient, I would rather he made the correct choice than a bad choice done in a rush. We certainly should know the pains of having a bad GM - Axelson.

 

[NoBonus]

I think if the Kings are hiring a duo to share the GM/President spot, one flashy, one technical, then Kenny Smith would fit the bill.

 

[Bricklayer]

I think if the Kings are hiring a duo to share the GM/President spot, one flashy, one technical, then Kenny Smith would fit the bill.

 

[sdballer]

I think if the Kings are hiring a duo to share the GM/President spot, one flashy, one technical, then Kenny Smith would fit the bill.

I guess. Not sure why this is even a consideration. How many teams in the league have a "flashy" part of the management team?

We need someone who understands talent evaluation and roster makeup and potentially someone who gets the cap and contract management. Those are the two pieces a team needs not any of this other nonsense.