How much time do you figure the Maloofs are gonna give to Theus?

[Bricklayer]

Another question keeps popping up: How much more time do you figure the Maloofs are gonna give the city of Sacramento to get a new arena before they bolt?

The arena issue is looking brighter from what I have been able to garner. It is still there, and will be there until a deal is actually struck, but going through Cal Expo has largely gotten it beyond the reach of community activists and no tax politics etc. so there might be a legit chance now. Of course I think one of the later attempts up at Seattle was to use their own fairgrounds as well -- perhaps an emerging new reality -- and obviously that did not work. But there is one last good gasp here for Sacto on the arena issue. Stern arriving to take over the negotiations has been immensely helpful.

 

[kingsfan916]

i wouldnt fire theud it aint his fault of whats going on

 

[AriesMar27]

he should be hear until petrie actually builds a team for theus to coach and fails at that... until then, let the good times roll...

i love this team but man do they suck... but arent the bulls and wizards 0-3 as well?

 

[John Galt]

... but arent the bulls and wizards 0-3 as well?

heh heh, well there's 0-3, and then there's 0-3. Ours have been spectacularly bloody I think. Any power rankings out yet? We must be #30?

 

[fnordius]

heh heh, well there's 0-3, and then there's 0-3. Ours have been spectacularly bloody I think. Any power rankings out yet? We must be #30?

29th, per Marc Stein at ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/powerranking
30th, per Steve Weinman: http://mvn.com/nba-takingittotherack/2007/10/24/nba-power-rankings-opening-2007-08/

There were one or two that put us as high as the mid-20s, but that was before the regular season started. Give them a little time to update.

 

[KingsCitizen]

If you haven't observed, Theus is pulling the strings well amidst this severely handicapped lineup. His willing to go down to his last man on the bench(Watkins) to experiment on his rotations. Doing this, he is showing that he really means that the players need to work hard to play on the floor. See how KT's minutes are down from 14mins(NOHs) to 6mins(Dallas) or Reef's 18min(NOHs) to 9mins(Dallas). Kings might be losing in big margins but it's good to see Theus is learning a lot and doing the changes immediately.

With the unexpected absence of Bibby and Williams plus Artest and Hawes, we are expected to lose these games.We lost category leaders of this team Bibby(assists), Artest(steals), Williams(rebound/block). Not to mention Bibby and Artest are 2nd and 3rd top scorers on this team. That's the same as removing Duncan(reb/block), Ginubili(assist/steals) and Finley(scorer) from the Spurs or maybe Garnett, Allen, and Pierce from Boston(exaggerated comparison though). Even if your the Spurs or the Celtics, if your into this big hole, there'll be no guaranteed win. This reality sucks! But I don't put the blame on Reggie coz I don't see anything wrong with what he does. Miami, GS, or Bulls are 0-3 yet these teams are considered playoff contenders. We'll be playing 82 games and were just losing games that we are expected to lose. So put your axes down coz Reggie ain't going anywhere now. Let's continue to play KINGS BASKETBALL! GO KINGS!

 

[Bricklayer]

If you haven't observed, Theus is pulling the strings well amidst this severely handicapped lineup. His willing to go down to his last man on the bench(Watkins) to experiment on his rotations. Doing this, he is showing that he really means that the players need to work hard to play on the floor. See how KT's minutes are down from 14mins(NOHs) to 6mins(Dallas) or Reef's 18min(NOHs) to 9mins(Dallas). Kings might be losing in big margins but it's good to see Theus is learning a lot and doing the changes immediately.

There is a chicken and egg question there.

Theus may be doing the right thing by looking under every rock, but he has also, by looking under every rock, helped to create the chaotic feel of the games so far. Nearly everybody has sucked, but its also true that very few have had any chance to play together for any stretch of time before changes, often wholesale changes, jumble the lineup again. Like I say chicken and egg, but it is notable that the only time we have really stuck with a lineup for a long stretch all season was in the third quarter vs. the Spurs, and they responded pretty well.

I'm certainly not going to say I'm sure Reggie is helping to create the mess, but I'm also not going to say I'm sure he has not. He's coaching the way most of us feel sitting at home watching this mess, but that has a downside too. Real people thrive in a comfort zone, and you have to wonder when we insert our 5th big man 15 minutes into the game if maybe some of the guys aren't responding too well to being out there every time with a different set of teammates, playing in 4 minute stretches, and having to look over their shoulder every time they make a mistake. I really don't have a rotation to suggest givne the all around suck, but I'm very aware that there is a reason teams have them. Just one of those things Reggie will have to figure out as the year goes along.

 

[tyrant]

i like Theus for several reasons. He makes you EARN your minutes. Just because Kenny Thomas has been starting ever since he put on a kings uniform doesnt mean that the job belongs to him. I like how he gives Moore the opportunity to show what he's got. now its Moore's fault that he sucks as bad as Kenny Thomas, therefore im glad that Watkins got some playing time. He played pretty well against Dallas so i know Theus will give him more minutes. He's earned it. He's going to play the best players and thats why salmons and martin have gotten major minutes. this team is beyond crappy. lets see how theus does when everyone is back in action. everyone!!

 

[Jerryaki]

I agree he won't be fired any time soon In fact he probably won't ever they have fully committed to Theus but I'm not sure how long its gonna take to change this crappy roster.

but the title of this thread implies that you think theus is on the hotseat.

 

[Glenn]

Perhaps Reggie needs to read KingsFans.com to know how to behave and handle this mess of a team.

 

[Warhawk]

but the title of this thread implies that you think theus is on the hotseat.

Oh, so you noticed that, too? Hence my comments earlier.

 

[6th]

Perhaps Reggie needs to read KingsFans.com to know how to behave and handle this mess of a team.

Absolutely. After all, we are all arm-chair coaches.

 

[nbrans]

If Theus keeps calling out players in the press like this:

"The real side of that was I gave him the ball, and I didn't think he embraced it," Theus said of Green, who started the first two games. "I didn't see that burning desire. I know if it was me, I'd have been slobbering at the mouth. I'd have been like a rabid dog, and I didn't see that."

this is not only going to be a really bad season, it's going to be ugly as well. Good coaches do not call out their players in the press, unless they want guys to quit on them and create an acrimonious locker room. Even George Karl nearly lost his team when he publicly berated JR Smith, during the playoffs no less.

I like that Theus is willing to tell it like he sees it and isn't scared of the players like Muss was, but the calling players out in the press is a fantastic way to lose a team and get yourself fired.

 

[VF21]

It's not like Orien Greene is going to be in big demand anywhere else. I think the whole point in making the statement was so that it's abundantly clear all the way around WHY Greene isn't getting the minutes. No secrets, no lies... and I'm pretty sure this doesn't come as a surprise to Greene.

I don't think the Maloofs will fire Reggie for being honest. My guess would be they WANT a coach who can light fires under the guys. It works for Gregg Popovich on the sidelines and this just might work for Reggie Theus. We simply don't know yet.

This could change Greene's attitude just as easily as it could sour it. If this does light a fire under him to show why Petrie picked him, both he and the Kings are the better for it.

 

[nbrans]

It's not just Orien Greene, he's been doing this with every player (starting with the comment about Miller being out of shape in the offseason). And honestly, it doesn't matter whether it's Orien Greene or Kevin Martin -- the fact is that you break a code when you throw a player under the bus in the media, and the other players take notice. This type of thing enver ends well. If he wants to discuss this type of thing in private, fine. Taking it to the media is childish and pointless.

 

[VF21]

I think you're reading too much into it, but we'll see, won't we?

 

[fnordius]

I'm thinking that Greene might have gotten that comment, also, because he's just become expendable. Udrih will be ready soon, and Salmons and Garcia may not be good PGs, but they have both shown that they can be left in the position without any cause for regret. Greene's contract isn't guaranteed AFAIK, so this may be his warning to either start producing or get his agent busy making phone calls.

And look at the bright side -- with about 4 active players out of 15, the odds are that none of his targets will matter. If he'd lit into Artest, THAT would be trouble. But Greene? Naah.

I do hope that he tones it down a bit, though...

 

[VF21]

I'm thinking that Greene might have gotten that comment, also, because he's just become expendable. Udrih will be ready soon, and Salmons and Garcia may not be good PGs, but they have both shown that they can be left in the position without any cause for regret. Greene's contract isn't guaranteed AFAIK, so this may be his warning to either start producing or get his agent busy making phone calls.

And look at the bright side -- with about 4 active players out of 15, the odds are that none of his targets will matter. If he'd lit into Artest, THAT would be trouble. But Greene? Naah.

I do hope that he tones it down a bit, though...

His comment about Brad was correct. His comments about Greene are correct. And that's where I think the difference is... Theus isn't pulling any punches. He's not seeking out the media to make those kinds of comments but he isn't changing the subject when those questions come up.

It's all about effort, IMHO. Players who are truly making the effort aren't being called out. Those who aren't shouldn't expect anything less. Put up or get out of town would be my new motto. I am beyond tired of watching players skate by simply because they have guaranteed salaries. Reggie has made it clear that he's NOT going to play people simply because they make the most money. He's not going to play people because they're the veterans. He's said he's going to give the minutes to those who show the effort and really WANT to be part of this.

Reggie isn't yanking people simply because they have two fouls. He's letting players make some mistakes and learn from them BUT he's also lighting fires. He lit one under Francisco and look how that turned out.

Reggie knows what it's like to be the guy on the court. He's been there and done that. As long as he's fair in how he judges effort and performance, I don't think the players are going to revolt. It's when your coach does things like automatically pulling you for two fouls - a favorite tactic of Musselman's - that players get upset.

Since we're sitting across from the bench tonight, I hope to be able to see first-hand how the players interact with Reggie.

 

[Bricklayer]

George Karl was right about Smith too. He was also right about Ray Allen and Big Dog Robinson not playing enough defense in Milwaulkee. Larry Brown was right about most of the Knicks he ran down in the press too. Yet those guys still lost their teams. How would you feel if you screwed up at work and the next day your boss was yapping to the press about it?

Its a bad habit. A coach and a player have to have mutual trust, and part of that trust is that the guy isn't going to run you down in public, true statements or not. That just creates resentment, and its completely unnecessary. We as fans are the only beneficiaries. The coach could deliver the same message to the player without publicly shaming guys. You can't say it never ever works -- Phil Jackson is the master of it. But a) he's a sleaze; and b) he picks his spots and targets carefully.

Reggie's a very young coach experiencewise, so I don't think this is set in stone the way it is wth guys like Karl. But respect is a two way street. This could be a very tough year. You would like to see the players unite behind Reggie, not see them wary of him.

 

[VF21]

I think you're assuming facts not in evidence, Brick.

You've been down on Reggie from the very beginning while I have been labeled the Reggie apologist more than once. So, in my continuing role, I'll simply point out that these cases are not like George Karl or Larry Brown. This is a new coach setting a tone and making sure the players know they're going to be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof.

If players are going to accept public accolades, they have to also accept public criticism. Reggie didn't say anything really nasty; he simply commented on Greene's apparent apathy about performing as the starting PG.

Respect is a two-way street. Being the starting PG is an honor and privilege and should be treated as such. If Greene doesn't respect that, he doesn't deserve to start. And I still fail to see anything wrong with it.

 

[kennadog]

I think you're assuming facts not in evidence, Brick.

You've been down on Reggie from the very beginning while I have been labeled the Reggie apologist more than once. So, in my continuing role, I'll simply point out that these cases are not like George Karl or Larry Brown. This is a new coach setting a tone and making sure the players know they're going to be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof.

If players are going to accept public accolades, they have to also accept public criticism. Reggie didn't say anything really nasty; he simply commented on Greene's apparent apathy about performing as the starting PG.

Respect is a two-way street. Being the starting PG is an honor and privilege and should be treated as such. If Greene doesn't respect that, he doesn't deserve to start. And I still fail to see anything wrong with it.

I don't think it helps to call out an individual player publicly. It may motivate some, but I think it could lose you more. You can't handle all people the same way. A coach can let players know they will be held accountable for their actions without calling them out by name in public. I thought what he said about Greene was somewhat true, but was awfully harsh to say publicly. I think loss of playing time and the possibility of being out of the league is sufficient "holding him accountable."

Reggie said playing time for all will depend on performance. We can see for ourselves whether that has any truth to it, by how he coaches the games. If a player isn't getting into the game or has his minutes drop off, we'll know which players are performing up to the coach's standard and which aren't.

If that doesn't motivate the player, then I have to wonder why they are in the NBA. If all they care about is collecting a paycheck and sitting on the bench is okay with them, then get them the heck out of here, ASAP.

As for accepting public criticism, these players get plenty of that from sportswriters, commentators, fans, etc. I don't think they need their coach publicly piling on, too.

As to answering questions, if Reggie says "we need to grab more rebounds," I can usually figure out which players he's talking about without him having to say names.