http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/217558.html
Maloofs gush over Brooks
Kings assistant wows co-owners in second head-coaching interview
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
LAS VEGAS -- It was only 10:45 a.m., and they were ready to ink a deal.
Not the Kings and their prospective head coach, but the nearly 20 people waiting outside a tattoo parlor in the same Palms Casino where Scott Brooks was hoping to inspire an inking of a whole different fashion.
Entering Brooks' second official interview Monday for the Kings' head-coaching position, some within the organization said the only obstacle between the assistant and his official promotion was the approval of team co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof.
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie knew Brooks on a much different level than the Maloofs and is known to think highly of the 41-year-old, making the top objective of this session to gauge the Maloofs' opinion. And if their reaction just after a nearly 90-minute lunch at the familiar 24/7 Café was any indication, consider Brooks endorsed.
"I felt terrific about it," Joe Maloof said as he stood wearing sunglasses just outside the casino's front doors. "He's not flashy, and he's got his feet squarely on the ground. He's a family man. He knows the game. He's got a lot of positives. He's pretty hard not to like."
Though Petrie is the clear point man for the coaching search that began with the April 20 firing of Eric Musselman, the Maloofs' influence remains. Candidates who have not garnered a comfort level with both Petrie and ownership have come and gone or never been interviewed, with the one apparent agreement ending when Stan Van Gundy bolted out of Sacramento to sign with Orlando. Yet Van Gundy's runaway act only strengthened Brooks' case, with the consensus that not only does Brooks -- unlike Van Gundy -- badly want the job, he is a known commodity who has unique credentials.
Before Brooks joined the Kings, his three seasons under George Karl in Denver had put him on the proverbial hot list of young coaches seemingly destined to be a head coach. Joe and Gavin Maloof cited Brooks' NBA playing experience that included playing under seven head coaches, and they said they're enamored with his ability to overachieve as a player despite lacking the size and skills of most of his colleagues.
The smallish Manteca native was cut by Philadelphia as a rookie and played in the American Basketball Association before surviving 11 seasons in the NBA. He played a key role in a championship with Houston in 1994.
"I don't like that about him -- I love it," Joe Maloof said. "I look at (Brooks), and I see a lot of Gavin and I. People have always underestimated our abilities throughout our lives, and we've overachieved. I see that in this guy."
Said Gavin Maloof: "How many guys told him he couldn't make the team, that he'd never play in the NBA? How many people told him that?"
With their feelings clear, the decision is clearly Petrie's to make.
"Basically, Geoff has to be the one who makes this decision," Joe Maloof said. "But Gavin and I interviewed (Brooks), and we felt very comfortable with him and he had a great interview. He was terrific. We need to talk to Geoff before we decide on anything."
Petrie said early Monday evening that he would talk with the Maloofs either later Monday night or today to decide what comes next. But beyond Brooks, there are no interviews scheduled with other candidates.
Just after 1 p.m., Brooks, Petrie and Joe and Gavin Maloof sat in the same red room in the back of the 24/7 Café where Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis was interviewed June 3. Brooks wore a light blue collared shirt, his suit jacket pulled off as they ate. A balloon floated near Brooks that read "Congratulations!" as a high school graduation party -- and perhaps some unintentional fortunetelling -- was taking place.
At 2:38 p.m., all four men rose and shook hands. Petrie and Brooks headed for the airport, and the Maloofs went to the high limit lounge. Having gambled and lost on Van Gundy, they might be making a safer bet this time.
"I know that our people in the organization know him, and they like him a lot," Joe Maloof said. "He has the respect of everybody within the organization. Today was very positive."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last time I heard them being this excited was over a powerpoint presentation
I think we can expect an announcement in the next couple of days.
Maloofs gush over Brooks
Kings assistant wows co-owners in second head-coaching interview
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
LAS VEGAS -- It was only 10:45 a.m., and they were ready to ink a deal.
Not the Kings and their prospective head coach, but the nearly 20 people waiting outside a tattoo parlor in the same Palms Casino where Scott Brooks was hoping to inspire an inking of a whole different fashion.
Entering Brooks' second official interview Monday for the Kings' head-coaching position, some within the organization said the only obstacle between the assistant and his official promotion was the approval of team co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof.
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie knew Brooks on a much different level than the Maloofs and is known to think highly of the 41-year-old, making the top objective of this session to gauge the Maloofs' opinion. And if their reaction just after a nearly 90-minute lunch at the familiar 24/7 Café was any indication, consider Brooks endorsed.
"I felt terrific about it," Joe Maloof said as he stood wearing sunglasses just outside the casino's front doors. "He's not flashy, and he's got his feet squarely on the ground. He's a family man. He knows the game. He's got a lot of positives. He's pretty hard not to like."
Though Petrie is the clear point man for the coaching search that began with the April 20 firing of Eric Musselman, the Maloofs' influence remains. Candidates who have not garnered a comfort level with both Petrie and ownership have come and gone or never been interviewed, with the one apparent agreement ending when Stan Van Gundy bolted out of Sacramento to sign with Orlando. Yet Van Gundy's runaway act only strengthened Brooks' case, with the consensus that not only does Brooks -- unlike Van Gundy -- badly want the job, he is a known commodity who has unique credentials.
Before Brooks joined the Kings, his three seasons under George Karl in Denver had put him on the proverbial hot list of young coaches seemingly destined to be a head coach. Joe and Gavin Maloof cited Brooks' NBA playing experience that included playing under seven head coaches, and they said they're enamored with his ability to overachieve as a player despite lacking the size and skills of most of his colleagues.
The smallish Manteca native was cut by Philadelphia as a rookie and played in the American Basketball Association before surviving 11 seasons in the NBA. He played a key role in a championship with Houston in 1994.
"I don't like that about him -- I love it," Joe Maloof said. "I look at (Brooks), and I see a lot of Gavin and I. People have always underestimated our abilities throughout our lives, and we've overachieved. I see that in this guy."
Said Gavin Maloof: "How many guys told him he couldn't make the team, that he'd never play in the NBA? How many people told him that?"
With their feelings clear, the decision is clearly Petrie's to make.
"Basically, Geoff has to be the one who makes this decision," Joe Maloof said. "But Gavin and I interviewed (Brooks), and we felt very comfortable with him and he had a great interview. He was terrific. We need to talk to Geoff before we decide on anything."
Petrie said early Monday evening that he would talk with the Maloofs either later Monday night or today to decide what comes next. But beyond Brooks, there are no interviews scheduled with other candidates.
Just after 1 p.m., Brooks, Petrie and Joe and Gavin Maloof sat in the same red room in the back of the 24/7 Café where Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis was interviewed June 3. Brooks wore a light blue collared shirt, his suit jacket pulled off as they ate. A balloon floated near Brooks that read "Congratulations!" as a high school graduation party -- and perhaps some unintentional fortunetelling -- was taking place.
At 2:38 p.m., all four men rose and shook hands. Petrie and Brooks headed for the airport, and the Maloofs went to the high limit lounge. Having gambled and lost on Van Gundy, they might be making a safer bet this time.
"I know that our people in the organization know him, and they like him a lot," Joe Maloof said. "He has the respect of everybody within the organization. Today was very positive."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last time I heard them being this excited was over a powerpoint presentation
I think we can expect an announcement in the next couple of days.
Last edited by a moderator:
