Bee:Q&A With Kings Co-owner Gavin Maloof

Elise10

Starter
Q&A with Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof

Reports of Artest deal draw evasive response

By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer

Last Updated 12:05 am PST Thursday, December 28, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1

Above the doors where the Kings' players and coaches enter Arco Arena, there is a mural that once seemed to reflect the hierarchy and future of the franchise.

A 20-foot portrait of Mike Bibby on the left, a giant-size Ron Artest in the middle and a bigger-than-normal big man in Brad Miller on the right.

But in the past two weeks, it seems clear that two of the three core players -- Bibby and Artest -- have been part of trade discussions as the Kings look for ways to keep alive their playoff hopes while building toward that future.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Artest might be only days away from being sent to the Los Angeles Clippers, a deal in which Clippers swingman Corey Maggette would come to Sacramento. At least two Kings players are known to have told people that Artest has asked out of Sacramento.

Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof, however, said he had no knowledge of any trade request, and Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie would not directly answer whether Artest had asked to be dealt. Artest has said publicly that he wants to remain in Sacramento.

Still, the mere reality that there are or were ongoing talks of trading Artest is a sudden turn from the royal reigning that took place just months ago, when Joe and Gavin Maloof watched Artest lead a Kings turnaround to the playoffs and the feeling was that there was always hope so long as Artest was in town.

In an interview with The Bee, Gavin Maloof addressed the Artest trade rumors, the team's future and how coach Eric Musselman has fared in the first two months of the season:

Q: Gavin, it's been reported that you guys are days away from trading Ron to the Clippers. Is that true?

A: I really can't say. I really can't say if it's on or off or whatever's going on. I really can't say anything.

Q: Is the fact that there are even these discussions a sign of how badly you guys want to stop the losing and fix this?

A: I think we're still cautiously optimistic that we can turn this season around. We've got a pretty good stretch coming up against some teams that aren't doing so well, so maybe we can put together some wins. I hope so. I hope we can turn this thing around. I'm optimistic. I think the coaching staff is trying real hard, searching for answers. It's difficult anytime you have a new coach, new staff, a new philosophy, it's hard.
We had all that success in those other years because we had the same staff for so long, and the same philosophies. So anytime you change, it's going to be hard to pull it together. In time, we'll do it. We've got to get through this first period and then go from there.

Q: How tough is it to retool a roster while continuing to stay competitive? And where are you at in terms of thinking maybe you need to make major moves? Some would say blow this thing up and start building from the bottom.

A: I don't think we're at the point where we have to blow it up. I don't think we're at that point yet. Maybe later. Who knows? Who knows what the future brings? But we've got some good young players, and hopefully, we can just keeping getting some more good young players. We've got Kevin Martin, who's terrific, and Francisco (García) is going to be fine, and (Quincy) Douby is going to be good. So we've got some good pieces that we can move forward with.

Q: Considering how competitive your family is, is it hard to think about having to take a few steps backward to eventually move forward?

A: We don't like to lose. We're a competitive family. Nobody likes to lose (less) than we do. But sometimes some things are out of your control. You don't want to make all these moves just to make moves, or do things because you're trying to put a Band-Aid on it. So we have to be very calculating, have to be very careful what we do and how we do it in looking toward the future. That's what's going to happen.
Salary-wise, (salary) cap-wise, we're in good shape. We haven't mortgaged our future, so to speak. Geoff has done a wonderful job of putting us in a position to build it the right way, to build it for the long term that's going to help us be a championship-caliber team. The future, really, is bright. It doesn't look bright now, but I look at the future, and I think it's really bright.

http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/99511.html
 
Last edited:
continued...

Q: As far as the youth, is Kevin Martin the centerpiece of that future?

A: I think he's a really big part of what we need to build on. Of course, he's having a wonderful year, he's a good person, he's great in the community, a wonderful athlete, and he's young. Absolutely, we could build on someone like that. And Quincy's going to be fine, too. He's had some more playing time, and you could see some of his improvement in learning the game. This game is so fast, and the athletes are such great athletes, it takes rookies two or three years to get acclimated. Not everybody is LeBron James. That's what I've learned throughout the years is you have to give these young guys time to know the game, to jell and compete. Petrie does a (good) job of picking the right talent, but you have to give them time.

Q: The gamble in getting Ron has worked so far. But if you deal him, you know there will be people saying, "I told you so." What would your response be to that?

A: All I can say is that Ron has been great for us in the time he's been here, and we just look forward to him getting back out on the court and helping our team win. He got us in the playoffs last year, has been a great person for us. He's a wonderful person, and we just look forward to getting him back on the court. That's all I can say.

Q: Can you say if you're willing to trade him? It's not that long ago that you felt as if he was the guy you needed to build around.

A: I don't want to go there. I wouldn't say yes or no.

Q: Is it time for a big move, though?

A: You know, we're one of three teams to make the playoffs the last (eight) years, and that's a heck of an accomplishment. And we're not far out of the eighth spot. We're right there, and we could even get that eighth spot, and then who knows once you get in the playoffs. I'm sure we'll be the underdog, but there's something to be said for getting into the dance.
(But) when you lose, there's pointing fingers and the world's caving in, and when you're winning, everything's great. There's a fine line there. We're not satisfied with where we are. We're not happy. Absolutely not. We're still bullish on the season, and we're bullish on the coaching staff and Eric and what Geoff can do for our franchise. I think the future really looks good.

Q: When the team isn't playing well, are you more involved and have more contact with Geoff than normal?

A: We talk to Geoff probably two or three times a week, just like we always have. And we talk to Eric probably every other day, so we're in constant communication. We know what's going on. We know what's happening every step of the way. And I think that's good for us, because with the past coaching staff we didn't have the relationship or rapport that we do with Eric and his staff. I think just knowing what's happening and knowing what's going on doesn't satisfy us with the losing. But at the same time, we appreciate the communication.

Q: Where are you at in terms of the job Eric has done so far?

A: You have to give him a chance to really do what he does, and that's coach. There's no perfect world. No team's going to be perfect. There's going to be challenges that you go through with different personalities, and you have to find what works for him and what works for the players. He'll be all right. People just have to give him a chance. It's two months into the coaching job, and you just have to give the guy a chance. His work ethic is there, his attitude is right, he wants to win, he has a great staff, and what else can you ask for? You just have to give him time.

Q: I was told that Ron let it be known either to you or Geoff that he wants out. Is that true?

A: No. Not that I know of, no

http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/99511-p2.html
 
Very nice. And, its not the first time I've thought this in a maloof interview, but he seems really high on douby.
 
At least two Kings players are known to have told people that Artest has asked out of Sacramento.

What some fans seem to forget in all this stuff is that players are human.

I know, if someone had asked me after that blowout game in Dallas if I thought we should trade half this team away, I'd have said "YES!! DO IT NOW!!"

But I didn't mean that.

I also am on record in this forum as saying Muss should bench Bibby.

Now that was really stupid and said out of my total frustration after Bibby took a bunch of 3s in the Warriors game and bricked them all.

But I'm human. I'm emotional. I say things in the heat of the moment and change my mind later.

Ron Artest is human. He may even be more human than I am... LOL!!

What I'm getting at is this. Ron could have very easily expressed "I want out of here!" after a tough loss to a couple of teammates. In fact, I'd be surprised if every player in that locker hadn't said or at least thought that at some point after all these tough losses.

The problem is with players, reporters put their words down in print and it's like that one opinion is stuck as gospel throughout all history.

Which is why Artest never said a word last night when asked about this. Smart move.
 
Q: How tough is it to retool a roster while continuing to stay competitive? And where are you at in terms of thinking maybe you need to make major moves? Some would say blow this thing up and start building from the bottom.

A: I don't think we're at the point where we have to blow it up. I don't think we're at that point yet. Maybe later.

Well, I guess there's our answer as to whether to expect a great draft pick this year. Blowing up will not be an option, we will wait for the team to implode on its own.
 
8 straight playoff years is great, yeah congrats, but the Maloofs need to have their mind set on going further than that. making it into the 2nd and 3rd rounds, we're stuck right now, and we can't get over the hump.

I'm pretty sure the Maloofs have their eyes on the big prize. I'm also pretty sure they know, as businessmen, that something like that doesn't happen overnight...

It always amazes me when people act like they - as fans - care more about the team than the guys putting out the mega bucks every year. We are blessed with passionate owners. They WANT this team to win and they're willing to try just about anything to get the right combination that will get the job done. Be very thankful we have owners like the Maloofs. I'm willing to bet you weren't around when Thomas owned the team...
 
Q: As far as the youth, is Kevin Martin the centerpiece of that future?

A: You know, we're one of three teams to make the playoffs the last (eight) years, and that's a heck of an accomplishment. And we're not far out of the eighth spot. We're right there, and we could even get that eighth spot, and then who knows once you get in the playoffs. I'm sure we'll be the underdog, but there's something to be said for getting into the dance.
(But) when you lose, there's pointing fingers and the world's caving in, and when you're winning, everything's great. There's a fine line there. We're not satisfied with where we are. We're not happy. Absolutely not. We're still bullish on the season, and we're bullish on the coaching staff and Eric and what Geoff can do for our franchise. I think the future really looks good.


http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/99511-p2.html

I've never known a public vote of confidence from an owner, especially during tough times, to be a good sign for the continued tenure of the recipient. Muss may have snipped a couple of buttonholes in the seat of his Lazy Boy when he read that.:eek:
 
I'm pretty sure the Maloofs have their eyes on the big prize. I'm also pretty sure they know, as businessmen, that something like that doesn't happen overnight...

It always amazes me when people act like they - as fans - care more about the team than the guys putting out the mega bucks every year. We are blessed with passionate owners. They WANT this team to win and they're willing to try just about anything to get the right combination that will get the job done. Be very thankful we have owners like the Maloofs. I'm willing to bet you weren't around when Thomas owned the team...

Yeah, we could do worse than owners who spend the salary cap and try to hire good basketball people to figure stuff out. Serously. I sort of miss our old offense, you could run that with lots of people and win some games.

Go draft bobby hurley and pervous ten times in a row then complain about the past, sheesh, have we even missed the playoffs yet?
 
Well, I guess there's our answer as to whether to expect a great draft pick this year. Blowing up will not be an option, we will wait for the team to implode on its own.

Travel on over to Hoopshype.com and take a look at our contracts. The word "possible major capspace" comes to my mind.
 
Clear as day to me that there is a deal in the making. No guarantee that the deal is Artest, but seems likely. And if the deal doesn't materialize, that just means it didn't work out.
 
Back
Top