http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14255325p-15070667c.html
NBA insider: Adelman gets support, but it's too late
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, May 14, 2006
We learned this week there is no place like Sacramento when it comes to its Kings.
The furor set off by the Maloofs' decision against re-signing coach Rick Adelman is a tad short of incredible.
Adelman, the winningest coach in franchise history with 395 regular-season victories, suddenly went from one of the league's most maligned and second-guessed coaches by his own fan base to something of a basketball martyr.
Where were all of these Adelman supporters before Tuesday afternoon's announcement? The support the man has received since the "mutually agreed" decision has been as resounding as it was late.
The Maloofs have every right to feel comfortable with a man to whom they paid $4 million this season and more than $20 million during his eight-year stint, and they did not. End of story.
And while some might believe it's not necessary for a coach to schmooze with the owner - or owners, in this case - it is undeniable Adelman did absolutely nothing to endear himself to a group he ultimately would ask for more dollars.
Moreover, some of his decisions in dealing with the Maloofs - many of which were naturally shaped by his private persona - eventually slashed his tether.
In conversations with both sides, it's clear the communication level between the Maloofs and Adelman was basically zero.
Adelman sometimes gave an aura - knowingly or not - that he didn't feel the need to talk to them or anyone else else, and that understandably made the Maloofs wonder why they should go out of their way to talk to him. And that's even with their offices - shared with Monarchs coach/general manager John Whisenant - at the practice facility just 15 or so feet apart.
Adelman says he plans on coaching again because that's what he does.
Undoubtedly, it's difficult for a leopard to change its spots, but Adelman can make his life much easier and relatively more pleasant for his family, if he just does what he knows he needs to do - coach.
There were times when Adelman, who has been an NBA coach since 1988, seemed as if he didn't know he was responsible to meet with the media. And this comes from a reporter with whom he always had a good relationship.
Hey, we all - unless we own the joint - have to talk with our bosses, even if we don't like them.
Then again, we're talking about the Maloofs - passionate, yet somewhat neophyte owners, who say they don't understand their responsibilities. And we're talking unquestionably about some of the best owners in professional sports.
They've invested huge bucks in the team and the community.
Those who say the Maloofs are looking to move the team are nuts. They are businessfolks looking to stay in a community that is fertile, if not blessed with mega-corporate dollars. However, one way or another, a new arena is necessary. And that's for their group and local leaders to figure out.
Yet owners should not be seen on camera screaming for their coach to call a timeout. Owners, no matter their courtside seat locations, should not scream anything other than encouragement to their players.
Yet Kings guard Jason Hart acknowledged a few days ago that Joe Maloof, in more than one game, had screamed at him to do something different from Adelman's instructions. Hart, who admittedly struggled this season and Thursday activated the $1.68 million option on the second and final year of his contract, was having enough problems without having to hear that.
It's not Utah owner Larry Miller walking into the huddle and berating his players, but it's certainly overboard.
Yet it's that fan's passion and competitive nature that has made the Maloofs a luxury-tax paying ownership group up until this season. It's what has led Gavin Maloof to dance and jump onto the press table after a big victory.
They are like many of us. Some of the same characteristics that make us excel in one area fail in another.
What has become intensely clear from all the sound bites is that this decision was patently correct. Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie is hardly perfect, but he was right to sign off on this one. Who knows how many times he has been caught in the middle of this Sacramento vise?
These two parties no longer could work as one. And it had nothing to do with how Adelman was going to use Ron Artest in his first full season, find a way to restore the hard-nosed edge in center Brad Miller or get Mike Bibby to move his feet better at the defensive end.
This divorce was granted because of irreconcilable differences, folks. Deal with it. In the best scenarios, the Maloofs will hire a coach who can take a talented squad, make the most of it and sit down and enjoy dinner with them as well.
Adelman will get another job, ease up a tad and enjoy what outwardly seems like a heck of a lifestyle, and work for owners with whom his personality fits.
Now, in the worst scenario, it's another story, hopefully, one that will not unfold.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
NBA insider: Adelman gets support, but it's too late
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, May 14, 2006
We learned this week there is no place like Sacramento when it comes to its Kings.
The furor set off by the Maloofs' decision against re-signing coach Rick Adelman is a tad short of incredible.
Adelman, the winningest coach in franchise history with 395 regular-season victories, suddenly went from one of the league's most maligned and second-guessed coaches by his own fan base to something of a basketball martyr.
Where were all of these Adelman supporters before Tuesday afternoon's announcement? The support the man has received since the "mutually agreed" decision has been as resounding as it was late.
The Maloofs have every right to feel comfortable with a man to whom they paid $4 million this season and more than $20 million during his eight-year stint, and they did not. End of story.
And while some might believe it's not necessary for a coach to schmooze with the owner - or owners, in this case - it is undeniable Adelman did absolutely nothing to endear himself to a group he ultimately would ask for more dollars.
Moreover, some of his decisions in dealing with the Maloofs - many of which were naturally shaped by his private persona - eventually slashed his tether.
In conversations with both sides, it's clear the communication level between the Maloofs and Adelman was basically zero.
Adelman sometimes gave an aura - knowingly or not - that he didn't feel the need to talk to them or anyone else else, and that understandably made the Maloofs wonder why they should go out of their way to talk to him. And that's even with their offices - shared with Monarchs coach/general manager John Whisenant - at the practice facility just 15 or so feet apart.
Adelman says he plans on coaching again because that's what he does.
Undoubtedly, it's difficult for a leopard to change its spots, but Adelman can make his life much easier and relatively more pleasant for his family, if he just does what he knows he needs to do - coach.
There were times when Adelman, who has been an NBA coach since 1988, seemed as if he didn't know he was responsible to meet with the media. And this comes from a reporter with whom he always had a good relationship.
Hey, we all - unless we own the joint - have to talk with our bosses, even if we don't like them.
Then again, we're talking about the Maloofs - passionate, yet somewhat neophyte owners, who say they don't understand their responsibilities. And we're talking unquestionably about some of the best owners in professional sports.
They've invested huge bucks in the team and the community.
Those who say the Maloofs are looking to move the team are nuts. They are businessfolks looking to stay in a community that is fertile, if not blessed with mega-corporate dollars. However, one way or another, a new arena is necessary. And that's for their group and local leaders to figure out.
Yet owners should not be seen on camera screaming for their coach to call a timeout. Owners, no matter their courtside seat locations, should not scream anything other than encouragement to their players.
Yet Kings guard Jason Hart acknowledged a few days ago that Joe Maloof, in more than one game, had screamed at him to do something different from Adelman's instructions. Hart, who admittedly struggled this season and Thursday activated the $1.68 million option on the second and final year of his contract, was having enough problems without having to hear that.
It's not Utah owner Larry Miller walking into the huddle and berating his players, but it's certainly overboard.
Yet it's that fan's passion and competitive nature that has made the Maloofs a luxury-tax paying ownership group up until this season. It's what has led Gavin Maloof to dance and jump onto the press table after a big victory.
They are like many of us. Some of the same characteristics that make us excel in one area fail in another.
What has become intensely clear from all the sound bites is that this decision was patently correct. Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie is hardly perfect, but he was right to sign off on this one. Who knows how many times he has been caught in the middle of this Sacramento vise?
These two parties no longer could work as one. And it had nothing to do with how Adelman was going to use Ron Artest in his first full season, find a way to restore the hard-nosed edge in center Brad Miller or get Mike Bibby to move his feet better at the defensive end.
This divorce was granted because of irreconcilable differences, folks. Deal with it. In the best scenarios, the Maloofs will hire a coach who can take a talented squad, make the most of it and sit down and enjoy dinner with them as well.
Adelman will get another job, ease up a tad and enjoy what outwardly seems like a heck of a lifestyle, and work for owners with whom his personality fits.
Now, in the worst scenario, it's another story, hopefully, one that will not unfold.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
