Head coach & GM options

[Telemachus]

Cousins will get long with a coach he respects. He will get along with a coach that will take the time to explain to him the "why" of anything he is told to do. Frankly, I would be like Cuz as if I know the "why" I can execute better. If Malone fits those qualifications, we are in great shape. If he isn't, we will either get a half effort and a troubled effort at that or we should trade Cuz and get the best we can. I still don't know Malone as much as people have said he is great. With this team is is "great at what?" Mussleman was great at Powerpoint, Smart is great at a gift of gab, Theus looked good in a suit, and Westy was living off an undeserved reputation built off of coaching teams that had great players.

As I think Cuz is super important to this team, I'd like to know how Malone would handle him. Does anyone know?


Edit: Gilles, sorry I didn't read your note before typing away but we seem to be close in out attitudes.

The other thing I have gotten from Cousins (in interviews) is that he wants a coach who is a straight shooter. Not someone who says one thing in private while saying something else publically. I know that Westphal talked out of both sides of his mouth, as he didn't always remember which side he was supposed to be talking out of. Smart plays things a little closer to the vest, but the play of the team started showing how the players seemed to give him less and less respect as the season went on.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

while Keith might be good at player development

Huh?

 

[Gilles]

Smart was a positive presence as far as skill development was. Too bad he chose IT to be his pet project.

 

[VF21]

Smart was a positive presence as far as skill development was. Too bad he chose IT to be his pet project.

Could you go into more detail? I must be missing something because I don't think Smart was anything close to an asset as far as skill development. If you want to talk personal trainer for Isaiah, that's one thing. But I cannot recall any instance where I saw any other player add to his skill set as a result of anything Smart brought to the table.

 

[Gilles]

Maybe not personally: IT and devising that great defense took all the time, but he brought Alex English and Clifford Ray to help Evans and Cousins. He doesn't know how to use them properly, but they improved as players, Tyreke is finally showing progress with his shot and Boogie might flirt with 50% from the field next season. Everybody can't wait to get rid of him soon enough, so he was just a part of totally dark past. Smart is worthless as HC, but he had his moments, however rare they might be.

 

[NewArena]

The other thing I have gotten from Cousins (in interviews) is that he wants a coach who is a straight shooter. Not someone who says one thing in private while saying something else publically. I know that Westphal talked out of both sides of his mouth, as he didn't always remember which side he was supposed to be talking out of. Smart plays things a little closer to the vest, but the play of the team started showing how the players seemed to give him less and less respect as the season went on.

Cousins and the rest of the world, would want that. Westphal was so damn phony, it was disgusting.

 

[Bricklayer]

Return of the King
by Mahant Chopra
Mumbai Express

Mumbai born Vivek Ranadive is set to finalize his purchase of the NBA's Sacramento Kings this week, and is expected to move quickly to secure a new general manager and head coach.

One name that has been rapidly gaining purchase in basketball circles as someone who could further the cross cultural connection is that of former Kings head coach Kenny Natt, who shares with Mr. Ranadive connections in both Sacramento and India.

Natt, who now lives in Bangalore while serving as head coach of the Indian National Basketball Team, sees the logic in his return.

"While I hate to leave the job of developing Indian basketball at the international level unfinished, I also feel as though I have unfinished business in Sacramento," he said.

Natt believes he can relate to Mr. Ranadive's struggle to lift himself cont...

 

[jalfa]

Return of the King
by Mahant Chopra
Mumbai Express

Mumbai born Vivek Ranadive is set to finalize his purchase of the NBA's Sacramento Kings this week, and is expected to move quickly to secure a new general manager and head coach.

One name that has been rapidly gaining purchase is basketball circles is that of former Kings head coach Kenny Natt, who shares with Mr. Ranadive connections in both Sacramento and India.

Natt, who now lives in Bangalore while serving as head coach of the Indian National Basketball Team, sees the logic in his return.

"While I hate to leave the job of developing Indian basketball at the international level unfinished, I also feel as though I have unfinished business in Sacramento," he said.

Natt believes he can relate to Mr. Ranadive's struggle to lift himself cont...

if he can still grow that afro, I'm on board!

 

[Kingsfan23]

Return of the King
by Mahant Chopra
Mumbai Express

Mumbai born Vivek Ranadive is set to finalize his purchase of the NBA's Sacramento Kings this week, and is expected to move quickly to secure a new general manager and head coach.

One name that has been rapidly gaining purchase is basketball circles as someone who could further the cross cultural connection is that of former Kings head coach Kenny Natt, who shares with Mr. Ranadive connections in both Sacramento and India.

Natt, who now lives in Bangalore while serving as head coach of the Indian National Basketball Team, sees the logic in his return.

"While I hate to leave the job of developing Indian basketball at the international level unfinished, I also feel as though I have unfinished business in Sacramento," he said.

Natt believes he can relate to Mr. Ranadive's struggle to lift himself cont...

First thing I've read on this board in a while that made me literally LOL

 

[Return To Glory]

Return of the King
by Mahant Chopra
Mumbai Express

Mumbai born Vivek Ranadive is set to finalize his purchase of the NBA's Sacramento Kings this week, and is expected to move quickly to secure a new general manager and head coach.

One name that has been rapidly gaining purchase is basketball circles as someone who could further the cross cultural connection is that of former Kings head coach Kenny Natt, who shares with Mr. Ranadive connections in both Sacramento and India.

Natt, who now lives in Bangalore while serving as head coach of the Indian National Basketball Team, sees the logic in his return.

"While I hate to leave the job of developing Indian basketball at the international level unfinished, I also feel as though I have unfinished business in Sacramento," he said.

Natt believes he can relate to Mr. Ranadive's struggle to lift himself cont...

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

Peter Vecsey (Who I actually think is kind of a clown) has been tweeting that Mike Malone is a 'lock' for Kings head coach. I wouldn't believe it if I didn't already expect it, considering the source, but here you go.

Mike Malone is a living lock 2B Kings' head coach, I'm informed. Don't know time frame of announcement, but go to sleep on it happening.

https://twitter.com/PeterVecsey1

 

[annihilator_33]

Vecsey also added this a few minutes later...

Peter Vecsey ‏@PeterVecsey1 40m

Warriors' CEO Joe Lacob told me last year he'd do everything 2 help Malone. So when team part owner bought into Kings, Mike became easy sell

 

[Bricklayer]

Peter Vecsey (Who I actually think is kind of a clown) has been tweeting that Mike Malone is a 'lock' for Kings head coach. I wouldn't believe it if I didn't already expect it, considering the source, but here you go.



https://twitter.com/PeterVecsey1

Guys it could be true -- lots of smoke is a good indicator of fire -- but Vescey doesn't even qualify as rumor-monger at this point. I remember a decade ago when people still took "The Viper" seriously, but even most of them eventually realized he just blatantly invents 99% of his material and he's now universally considered a hack.

Remember too the rumors weeks ago that we were already talking to coaches/GMs? Well, I sincerely doubt that meant Malone while the Warriors were still in the playoffs. Vivek might technically have been a part owner of the Warriors, but at the point he is bidding on another franchise and threatening to pillage your staff during a playoff run, he's not working fro your interest anymore.

 

[Hallama]

I'm warming up to Malone a little bit. I viewed him as a "tweener" type - half assistant, half head coach - and have watched a lot of Warriors games over the last few seasons. He definitely has helped their defensive culture, no denying that, but it took some time to get the right players. Most of the reason I'm starting to think he will be a good coach is from NBA players respecting him, like Chris Paul.

 

[AaronPDX]

Malone was mentioned going about everywhere else, too. I take what Vecsey says with a grain of salt, however now others (some reputable) are mentioning Malone to Sac. Wonder exactly how SOON a coach can be named/hired now that the BOG has approved sale.

 

[rhythmless]

Budenholzer, who I wanted for half a year now, agreed with Hawks.

 

[Glenn]

Malone was mentioned going about everywhere else, too. I take what Vecsey says with a grain of salt, however now others (some reputable) are mentioning Malone to Sac. Wonder exactly how SOON a coach can be named/hired now that the BOG has approved sale.

From what I am hearing on this forum, all hiring and firing can begin when escrow closes and that is Friday. No matter what the day, I think there will be a lot of activity once escrow closes. I am sure all the decisions have been made and negotiated and it is a matter of having a specific date when action can occur legally.

 

[Hallama]

from a Golden State beat writer:

Fast Break ‏@GSWFastBreak 25m
For what it's worth, I'm also hearing through sources that Michael Malone is leaving the Warriors to become the Kings' head coach.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

from a Golden State beat writer:

Fast Break ‏@GSWFastBreak 25m
For what it's worth, I'm also hearing through sources that Michael Malone is leaving the Warriors to become the Kings' head coach.

He also said "new ownership group wanted to build around Cousins, but he wants out following failed SEA move"

we'll see.

 

[Bricklayer]

Much better source.

Indeed.

 

[Kingsfan23]

He also said "new ownership group wanted to build around Cousins, but he wants out following failed SEA move"

we'll see.

That sounds like a veiled attack against the city of Sacramento from a Bay Area guy. Demarcus only wanted to stay with the team if it relocated to Seattle? I heard Demarcus come out to the media during this season say that this relocation saga affected him and that he felt as a Sacramento citizen

 

[Livinthedream]

I never got the impression that Cousins didn't like Sacramento, the city. In fact, he's always said he wanted to start and end his career here. Cousins is a lot of things, but I don't think he lies or deceives when he talks.


And on queue:

Jason Jones ‏@mr_jasonjones 11m
FWIW @boogiecousins never wanted to go to Seattle and is not demanding to be traded since he's not a Sonic.

Jason Jones ‏@mr_jasonjones 8m
Cuz actually dislikes the idea of a guy leaving a team that's not good to latch on to a good one. Wants to be a part of the turnaround.
Expand Reply Retweet Favorite More

 

[Livinthedream]

With it looking imminent that Malone will be hired, do we think it's going to be a Schlenk/Malone combo package? I can see the advantage of bringing in people that you are familiar with and are familiar with each other if you're Ranadive. On the other hand, Buford would be too hard to pass up if he's interested. I know people say that Buford has no reason to leave San Antonio, but I don't think his name is coming up by accident. Not saying we get Buford, but it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[John Galt]

when I was a teenager, afraid of girls, my mom told me "ask the hottest girl in the school out. she'll turn you down, but then the second one you ask will feel very flattered and elevated - to be considered second to the hottest one - and she'll say yes".

No I didn't try it.

But maybe flirting with Buford (hottest one in school) is just window dressing and Schlenk (who has probably got to be the guy, else how would Malone's hiring leak first) has been in the bag all along.

 

[rainmaker]

Here's the actual tweet.

Fast Break ‏@GSWFastBreak 1h
One more Kings bit: new ownership group wanted to build around Cousins, but he wants out following failed SEA move. Drama ahead.


This could be completely fabricated and wouldn't be surprised if it is. I wouldn't put any stock in it unless something concrete actually were to surface. However, I do find it odd Cuz hasn't tweeted anything regarding us staying. Not a word. Complete silence. Also noticed since I was there, he didn't attend the rally, while the two other "faces" of the franchise, if you even want to call them that, were there and spoke first. Most popular players on our squad are IT/Reke/Cuz, in no specific order, and the other two both have been pretty outspoken about being happy we're beginning a new era.

Look at my sig, I do believe Cuz wants to stay here, but.........., is there something else there? You'd have to be blind to not notice his complete silence while IT/Reke have been very public with their excitement(and while other players are silent as well, they aren't face of the franchise types either, so it's different if a JT or Jimmer were to be silent). And just looking at it logically, there actually might be something there. Again, nothing I'd worry about or concern myself with unless something concrete comes out, but going on what we have it's plausible. Could also be complete BS too.

I wonder if something happened during the exit interviews, not that that would be anything Vivek/new GM couldn't smooth over.

 

[ParniValjak]

Here's the actual tweet.

Fast Break ‏@GSWFastBreak 1h
One more Kings bit: new ownership group wanted to build around Cousins, but he wants out following failed SEA move. Drama ahead.


This could be completely fabricated and wouldn't be surprised if it is. I wouldn't put any stock in it unless something concrete actually were to surface. However, I do find it odd Cuz hasn't tweeted anything regarding us staying. Not a word. Complete silence. Also noticed since I was there, he didn't attend the rally, while the two other "faces" of the franchise, if you even want to call them that, were there and spoke first. Most popular players on our squad are IT/Reke/Cuz, in no specific order, and the other two both have been pretty outspoken about being happy we're beginning a new era.

Look at my sig, I do believe Cuz wants to stay here, but.........., is there something else there? You'd have to be blind to not notice his complete silence while IT/Reke have been very public with their excitement(and while other players are silent as well, they aren't face of the franchise types either, so it's different if a JT or Jimmer were to be silent). And just looking at it logically, there actually might be something there. Again, nothing I'd worry about or concern myself with unless something concrete comes out, but going on what we have it's plausible. Could also be complete BS too.

I wonder if something happened during the exit interviews, not that that would be anything Vivek/new GM couldn't smooth over.

Cousins was the first one to speak up when relocation committee recommended that the relocation request to Seattle should be rejected

demarcus cousins Verified account
‏@boogiecousins
#Salute Mayor Kevin Johnson ...he really fought for the city of Sacramento much respect sir @KJ_MayorJohnson

https://twitter.com/boogiecousins/status/329011205442244608

I very much doubt that Cousins wants out. He has always said that he wants to be in Sacramento and a one team guy. He even took shots at stars joining up to form "super teams" and said he saw himself more like Durant, staying with his team and turning them into a contender.

On Malone, if he is the coach, expect Marcus Thornton to be traded. Thornton was nailed to the bench when Monty Williams and Mike Malone got to NO and started preaching defence. The positive in all this is that Malone would want to keep Tyreke (our best wing defender)

 

[Bricklayer]

He also said "new ownership group wanted to build around Cousins, but he wants out following failed SEA move"

we'll see.

Ok, I take back what I said about it being a better source.

Straight from Napear's lips to this guy's ears.

 

[Bricklayer]

Cousins was the first one to speak up when relocation committee recommended that the relocation request to Seattle should be rejected


https://twitter.com/boogiecousins/status/329011205442244608

I very much doubt that Cousins wants out. He has always said that he wants to be in Sacramento and a one team guy. He even took shots at stars joining up to form "super teams" and said he saw himself more like Durant, staying with his team and turning them into a contender.

On Malone, if he is the coach, expect Marcus Thornton to be traded. Thornton was nailed to the bench when Monty Williams and Mike Malone got to NO and started preaching defence. The positive in all this is that Malone would want to keep Tyreke (our best wing defender)

Yeah, I went looking for that Boogie quote almost as soon as this "rumor" popped up.

 

[Bricklayer]

That sounds like a veiled attack against the city of Sacramento from a Bay Area guy. Demarcus only wanted to stay with the team if it relocated to Seattle? I heard Demarcus come out to the media during this season say that this relocation saga affected him and that he felt as a Sacramento citizen

And that too.

 

[rainmaker]

Cousins was the first one to speak up when relocation committee recommended that the relocation request to Seattle should be rejected


https://twitter.com/boogiecousins/status/329011205442244608

I very much doubt that Cousins wants out. He has always said that he wants to be in Sacramento and a one team guy. He even took shots at stars joining up to form "super teams" and said he saw himself more like Durant, staying with his team and turning them into a contender.

On Malone, if he is the coach, expect Marcus Thornton to be traded. Thornton was nailed to the bench when Monty Williams and Mike Malone got to NO and started preaching defence. The positive in all this is that Malone would want to keep Tyreke (our best wing defender)

I forgot about that tweet. I'm still surprised we've heard nothing from his aside from that tweet 4/29. Do hope it's nothing though and he's fully on board.

As for Malone, a few players might be shipped out due to poor defense and poor defensive capabilities. Our backcourt might end up looking completely different come Aug, as aside from Reke and Douglas who's a FA, IT/MT/Jimmer all have difficulty on that end, some more than others of course.