http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/225768.html
Kings' search heads for the stars
Theus, Shaw take turns meeting with Maloofs
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 2:27 am PDT Saturday, June 16, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
LAS VEGAS -- As Reggie Theus and Brian Shaw spent much of Friday being courted by the royal family for the Kings' head-coaching position, someone else with a coaching history was right there on the premises.
Dennis Hopper, he of the Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor in the hoops classic "Hoosiers," wandered through the Palms Casino looking nothing like the drunken assistant high school coach, "Shooter" Flatch, from the 1986 film.
It has almost come to that for the Kings. If their coaching search were a Hollywood production, the critics surely would condemn the lack of plot direction or -- until recently -- big-name stars. And who puts the surprise twist in the middle of the story, that being the near-signing and quick exodus of Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy? Nonetheless, the interviews continued in a saga that has become like a four-hour movie.
Whether the end is near continues to be unknown, especially considering the late addition of the Larry Brown scene. The Hall of Fame coach has expressed his interest in the position, but team co-owner Gavin Maloof said he did not yet know if Brown would be interviewed.
"We haven't had a chance to speak to (Kings basketball president) Geoff (Petrie) about it," Maloof said Friday evening.
There was, at least, a different element to these interviews. Shaw, the Lakers assistant, and Theus, the New Mexico State coach, were the first to meet with the entire Maloof clan and without Petrie present.
While Petrie was in Sacramento for a workout with University of Washington center Spencer Hawes, the Maloofs -- Joe, Gavin, mother Colleen, sister Adrienne and brothers Phil and George -- hosted Theus and Shaw.
Theus was the first to arrive -- around noon, sitting at a booth in the back of the same 24/7 Café in which previous interviews had begun. But he was beckoned just minutes later toward the "Fantasy Tower" to join the Maloofs in a conference room.
The former King has made it no secret that his two fantasy coaching jobs are with the Kings and at UNLV, his alma mater. He said he felt confident about the interview but was given no indication about where he stood in the process.
"I though it was a very comfortable atmosphere for me," he said. "They're such good people that they're easy to talk to. They have some definite ideas on what they want, and it's really going to be about the fit. I felt the interview went fine."
Shaw arrived at 2:13 p.m. Less than 10 minutes later, Gavin Maloof welcomed him to the tower. His interview finished at about 4:30 p.m.
"I thought they were nice people and I enjoyed my visit with them," Shaw said by phone.
What it all means is, for now, unclear. While Kings assistant Scott Brooks is still receiving significant consideration, San Antonio assistant P.J. Carlesimo might not join the race after all. Although the agency that represents Carlesimo had been contacted, a meeting has not been scheduled. Carlesimo is also a candidate for the Seattle head-coaching job.
There was but one place where the outcome was anything but a mystery, in the "Cosmic Corner" of the casino. Behind the bead curtains, psychic Angela Rowen was asked who the next Kings coach would be without being given any names.
"I'm seeing a rugged man with wavy hair," she said.
"He has a nice build, and is very good looking. And he is tan skinned, light brown."
She was then given the names of Brooks, Theus, Shaw and Brown. "Reggie," she answered.
"That's funny," Gavin Maloof said with a laugh when told the tale. "You never know."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Kings' search heads for the stars
Theus, Shaw take turns meeting with Maloofs
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 2:27 am PDT Saturday, June 16, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
LAS VEGAS -- As Reggie Theus and Brian Shaw spent much of Friday being courted by the royal family for the Kings' head-coaching position, someone else with a coaching history was right there on the premises.
Dennis Hopper, he of the Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor in the hoops classic "Hoosiers," wandered through the Palms Casino looking nothing like the drunken assistant high school coach, "Shooter" Flatch, from the 1986 film.
It has almost come to that for the Kings. If their coaching search were a Hollywood production, the critics surely would condemn the lack of plot direction or -- until recently -- big-name stars. And who puts the surprise twist in the middle of the story, that being the near-signing and quick exodus of Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy? Nonetheless, the interviews continued in a saga that has become like a four-hour movie.
Whether the end is near continues to be unknown, especially considering the late addition of the Larry Brown scene. The Hall of Fame coach has expressed his interest in the position, but team co-owner Gavin Maloof said he did not yet know if Brown would be interviewed.
"We haven't had a chance to speak to (Kings basketball president) Geoff (Petrie) about it," Maloof said Friday evening.
There was, at least, a different element to these interviews. Shaw, the Lakers assistant, and Theus, the New Mexico State coach, were the first to meet with the entire Maloof clan and without Petrie present.
While Petrie was in Sacramento for a workout with University of Washington center Spencer Hawes, the Maloofs -- Joe, Gavin, mother Colleen, sister Adrienne and brothers Phil and George -- hosted Theus and Shaw.
Theus was the first to arrive -- around noon, sitting at a booth in the back of the same 24/7 Café in which previous interviews had begun. But he was beckoned just minutes later toward the "Fantasy Tower" to join the Maloofs in a conference room.
The former King has made it no secret that his two fantasy coaching jobs are with the Kings and at UNLV, his alma mater. He said he felt confident about the interview but was given no indication about where he stood in the process.
"I though it was a very comfortable atmosphere for me," he said. "They're such good people that they're easy to talk to. They have some definite ideas on what they want, and it's really going to be about the fit. I felt the interview went fine."
Shaw arrived at 2:13 p.m. Less than 10 minutes later, Gavin Maloof welcomed him to the tower. His interview finished at about 4:30 p.m.
"I thought they were nice people and I enjoyed my visit with them," Shaw said by phone.
What it all means is, for now, unclear. While Kings assistant Scott Brooks is still receiving significant consideration, San Antonio assistant P.J. Carlesimo might not join the race after all. Although the agency that represents Carlesimo had been contacted, a meeting has not been scheduled. Carlesimo is also a candidate for the Seattle head-coaching job.
There was but one place where the outcome was anything but a mystery, in the "Cosmic Corner" of the casino. Behind the bead curtains, psychic Angela Rowen was asked who the next Kings coach would be without being given any names.
"I'm seeing a rugged man with wavy hair," she said.
"He has a nice build, and is very good looking. And he is tan skinned, light brown."
She was then given the names of Brooks, Theus, Shaw and Brown. "Reggie," she answered.
"That's funny," Gavin Maloof said with a laugh when told the tale. "You never know."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
...Still not sure how I'd feel if my all-time favorite King WAS hired as head coach.
