It looks grim...

[HoopMatron]

Today's Bee is echoing what we've been hearing elsewhere -- Whiz is going to be the next coach of the Kings.

I am having so many emotions -- anger, of course, and a sense of betrayal, too. Frustration. Disbelief.

I'm angry because a foundation was built with this team and it is being taken away. I can't believe someone who wasn't sure he even wanted the commitment of a 34 game season is so willing to jump to a grueling 82 game season. I'm frustrated because I don't believe any of the assistant coaches are capable of stepping into the head coach position.

So, my request to the Monarchs' management is this: If Whiz is moved to the Kings side of things, bring in a top quality head coach for the Monarchs. At first, I jokingly thought "Pat Summitt would do." But that's not realistic. However, there are some quality coaches out there, and some of them are not that far from home. Elston Turner is one. Terry Porter is another (I remember watching him with his kids at some Monarchs games a few years ago -- his 8- or 9-year old daughter was enrapt with the game). They could go with some college coaches -- Marsha Sharp, as I've mentioned before, is available. But perhaps some other coaches such as Mickie DeMoss or Melanie Balcomb would be willing to make the jump.

I know I'm not abandoning the team over this issue, but it does take something away from my passion. If management can get someone of top quality to replace Whiz, I'll be fine. But they need to act as quickly on that as they do on hiring him for the Kings position. To leave the team in limbo for a few weeks is not acceptable, given the compressed schedule.

Okay, that's my rant. I realize I'm dreaming on my new coach desires, but I won't be satisfied for them to just promote any of the assistants to the head coach position. I truly do not believe any of them are ready for that task, although I think they are all talented and excellent assistant coaches.

Here's the link to today's SacBee article on Whiz:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14261431p-15075015c.html

GO MONARCHS!!!

 

[Kingsgurl]

Okay, that's my rant. I realize I'm dreaming on my new coach desires, but I won't be satisfied for them to just promote any of the assistants to the head coach position. I truly do not believe any of them are ready for that task, although I think they are all talented and excellent assistant coaches.

I'd bet you dollars to donuts that is exactly what will happen. Then they will issue some double speak statement about how it's best for the team to give them some continuity with coaches they are familiar with who will carry on with the system that was so successful. Blah, blah, blah. They have shown exactly how much they really care about their 'other' team.

 

[mitzukosan]

Doesn't Henry Bibby need a job? LOL!

 

[raybrun]

Shows where the women fit in this organization

I am outraged that they would trash the defense of the championships like this. I guess Whiz and the Maloofs got what they want already. However, what about all us loyal fans? You know, the people who stood by the team while they struggled and fell deep while they had to learn a whole new system installed by Whiz just 2 years ago.

Everyone knew Addleman was gone for about a half year. If Whiz is the guy they wanted all along, why didn't they just do it on the last day of the playoffs and give the Monarchs a chance to a least work with a new coach/gm?

My guess now is that they insert Reynolds back as an interim GM and Coach T as interim coach and just try to keep out of the lottery for Yo's last year. You can't bring in a new high-powered coach with a new system at this point.

If season ticketholders have to bear games like the Houston one, they will leave in droves. Fans know they can always comeback later and get a seat about anywhere they want anyway. Even worse will be the impact on attendance this year.How is it going to look for the WNBA to have a bunch of empty seats to watch the the champs defend the title? Maybe I am sounding a little alarmist right now, but if this happens I feel cheated. The women have earned more respect than this.

 

[MamaBristow]

I think anger is at the top of my list of emotions over this.

The Monarchs are getting screwed in this deal, and it doesn't even seem to be a concern. We finally have everything set in this organization from top to bottom. This team has a great chance to repeat. This team isn't trying to be successful, they are successful.

But I guess none of that is important when the Kings need a new coach. Nevermind that the Monarchs need Whiz or that we're actually IN SEASON.

I really hate the Maloofs for this. I hate the Kings more than I already did. And I resent Coach Whiz for even sniffing at the opportunity. Because for the last two years we have heard nothing but retirement hints from him...that coaching, as much as he loves it, is too hard on his health. And while I understand that moving to the NBA arena is a huge opportunity, the timing of this move is classless on everyone's part.

It's having a negative effect on our team. Anyone at Arco last Thursday could see it. They are distracted. They didn't even look like they were there against the Comets.

So what...are the Monarchs just supposed to get a new coach and GM right now... and just adjust? Abandon the system that won them a championship? This isn't the NBA season, there isn't time for that.

 

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

If it's gonna happen, I'd rather them promote an assistant than go out and bring another coach and system in.

I really am starting to get the feeling (and I posted this in a thread down the hall on the Kings board) that Whisenant's only reason for coming to Sacramento was to bide time until they figured out what to do with Adelman. Then he had to take Maura's job and then he went and won a championship and screwed with the tidiness of that plan. I dunno, maybe I'm overthinking this now. But I'm pissed.

Further...if I'm overthinking this, how on EARTH are the twelve women in that lockerroom remotely staying focused on what they need to do against Seattle?

 

[6th]

What more can be said? **sigh**

I am sick of this whole fiasco. I just booked a vacation starting the last weekend in August (only 4 days). If the playoffs are going on (and they might very well be), I will catch them at sports bars (road games) and hope to be here for home games. If not, oh well.

 

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

I dunno....if this is gonna go down...I gotta have some faith in #33 and the rest of her teammates' ability to carry on and work through this adversity. They want to defend their title as much as we want them to. They can leave the hand wringing and fist shaking to us. I just reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallly don't need to see another sleepwalked game like I saw last week. If they come out and beat the crap out of Seattle like they beat the crap out of Detroit after they slept through their first game without DeMya last year, I might get over this whole stupid distracting mess. (well ok, I won't but I might feel better than I have since last Thursday )

 

[zeke04]

Who is the #1 assistant? Is it coach T? I'm sure he is in the Maloofs ear trying to get the top job. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I dunno....if this is gonna go down...I gotta have some faith in #33 and the rest of her teammates' ability to carry on and work through this adversity...

I find myself reminded of the Detroit Pistons, and the fiasco that they went through with Larry Brown after they won the Championship... The Monarchs will get back to the playoffs on talent and pride alone... but, no matter how good the players are, coaching is involved once the playoffs come around; I can't help but be concerned whether or not anyone the Maloofs see fit to appoint will be good enough.

I'd heard some time ago that Whisenant was a wolf in sheep's clothing, and this power play seems to confirm it.

 

[MamaBristow]

I can't help but be concerned whether or not anyone the Maloofs see fit to appoint will be good enough.

I'm more likely to believe that they don't even care. As evidenced by their pursuit of our coach and GM during their actual season. If they don't mind disrupting the Monarchs, taking their coach and GM, they obviously are not thinking of their best interests. I seriously doubt they've even given second thought to the vacancies that will be left by Whiz. Which leads me to believe that Coach T will move up to the HC spot with Monique as the lead Assistant. Goodie for us.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Gee, try to contain your enthusiasm, MamaBristow...

 

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

If they do just slide the coaching staff up a seat, that's about the best we can hope for right now in terms of the minimal amount of disruption.

I can just hear Joe and Gavin coming on to tell us that they've left the M's in capable hands with Abetamarco: he's got a winning track record in the WNBA since he's 1-0 as head coach when he took over for Whiz one day when Whiz had an allergic reaction to some medication he was taking. Abetamarco is someone they've lobbied for before. So, as long as they leave him here (he's responsible for the new offense the Monarchs have) I'd be ok. (Okay-er than I was before I was punched in the stomach and poked in my eye with stick).

Worse case scenario, the brothers take them both....I suspect tho that they would surround Whiz with NBA bench veterans.

 

[MamaBristow]

Gee, try to contain your enthusiasm, MamaBristow...

I know, I'm just bubbling over with enthusiasm at this point... I'll try to contain myself.

If they do just slide the coaching staff up a seat, that's about the best we can hope for right now in terms of the minimal amount of disruption.

I agree. Sad as it is, this is the best option. What would be worse would be to bring in an entirely new staff with an entirely different system. As bad as this situation already is, that would mess up any positives that we actually have going at this point. We aren't doomed with the loss of Whiz, I think the bigger problem is the distraction. If this is already set in stone... then get on with it. Let this team get a chance to re-group and focus on what is important for them. Why should they have to yo-yo back and forth with the Maloofs and their ridiculous ownership antics?

 

[Carole]

I used to be puzzled as to why the 'brothers' didn't come regularly to the Monarchs games like they did to the Kings games. Now I'm glad they don't. I'd rather not see them there.

 

[DWalkfan22]

I really hate the Maloofs for this. I hate the Kings more than I already did. And I resent Coach Whiz for even sniffing at the opportunity. Because for the last two years we have heard nothing but retirement hints from him...that coaching, as much as he loves it, is too hard on his health. And while I understand that moving to the NBA arena is a huge opportunity, the timing of this move is classless on everyone's part.

EXACTLY how I feel. I guess I'm just praying for some miracle now, that Whiz will say he won't be taking the job.

 

[6th]

It sounds like it would indeed take a miracle at this point.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I really hate the Maloofs for this. I hate the Kings more than I already did. And I resent Coach Whiz for even sniffing at the opportunity. Because for the last two years we have heard nothing but retirement hints from him...that coaching, as much as he loves it, is too hard on his health. And while I understand that moving to the NBA arena is a huge opportunity, the timing of this move is classless on everyone's part.

EXACTLY how I feel. I guess I'm just praying for some miracle now, that Whiz will say he won't be taking the job.

...


So... are there any regular Monarchs fans here besides me, 6th and slugking that actually like both them and the Kings? I mean, I've been a Monarchs Fan since the WNBA was first formed, but I've been a diehard Kings Fan for eighteen years, so it's not like I can just take my anger over this situation out on the men's team, like some of you...

 

[DWalkfan22]

maybe I should have deleted that part, I don't hate the Kings. I really like Artest and Garcia, actually. But, the Maloofs are another story...

I'm not taking my anger out on the Kings, either. I just don't want our coach to coach them.

 

[6th]

Yes, I am a fan of the game of basketball. While I have been a fan of the Monarchs (and the WNBA) since they began 9 years ago, I have been a Kings fan since they moved to Sacramento in 1985.

I couldn't have been more excited when I learned that Sacramento would have one of the 1st 8 teams in the WNBA, but I cannot hate the Kings just because the Maloofs are acting like idiots.

 

[Kingsgurl]

...


So... are there any regular Monarchs fans here besides me, 6th and slugking that actually like both them and the Kings? I mean, I've been a Monarchs Fan since the WNBA was first formed, but I've been a diehard Kings Fan for eighteen years, so it's not like I can just take my anger over this situation out on the men's team, like some of you...

Ahem

 

[Sirius]

I used to go to the Monarchs games with my folks back when they were just awful and the only good players they had were Bolton and Penicheiro...I've stopped going to the games but I still watch and follow both teams when I can.

It's hard for me to form an opinion on this Coach Whiz saga that's forming. The Maloofs gambling with the Ron Artest trade was different because you knew you were getting a hell of a player despite the baggage, and Whisenant has never had any involvement in the NBA aside from watching games. I'm not for it...but I think people should appreciate his ability a little more. He's a big reason Sacramento has a championship at all.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Ahem

An oversight, I assure you...

Haven't seen you around lately, KG; where you been hiding?

 

[NothinButHoops]

I'm gonna play the wait & see...So far we haven't heard any comments from the players themselves. That's a good sign, that they are sticking together.
Better this is happening following a championship or our team could be in turmoil. Lets just think positive & stand by our Monarchs...more than anything they need us now.

 

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

I have no emotional tie one way or the other to the NBA....certainly not enough for me to spend time deeply analyzing their games during the season in a forum. I've found that over the years the more I've gotten into the W the less appealling the NBA is to watch. I rank myself as a casual fan of the Kings and Warriors and by extension the NBA.

I'm not angry at the Kings. I'm angry at this situation and how it has played out.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Better this is happening following a championship or our team could be in turmoil...

Our team could be in turmoil anyway... Like I said earlier, remember what happened to the Detroit Pistons last year. We already know that Yo Griffith's not going to come back next year; this could just be the *start* of turmoil...

 

[Prophetess]

...


So... are there any regular Monarchs fans here besides me, 6th and slugking that actually like both them and the Kings? I mean, I've been a Monarchs Fan since the WNBA was first formed, but I've been a diehard Kings Fan for eighteen years, so it's not like I can just take my anger over this situation out on the men's team, like some of you...

well since I only really started following basketball in 99(i think-lockout season), I discovered the Kings, then about 3 years ago discovered the Monarchs. I love both teams. I hate the way that the Monarchs are getting shafted if this happens. But if I end up blaming anyone it will be those fools who make it happen.

 

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

I wouldn't call it turmoil, in that sense, I'd say transition, which was going to happen anyway since neither Whiz nor Yo were going to be here in 2007 (presumably). If my turmoil this year ala the Pistons means we get to the Finals again and have a chance to repeat - I'll take that because the ball could bounce either way anyway once you get to the big dance. I need to see them play like they're not in a fog for me to believe that they'd be able to focus and regroup enough to get through the rest of the season if Whiz leaves.

From the quotes after Thurs game, Yo seems to have taken the brunt of the responsibility for not leading this team well through all of it. That's why I think they'll might look better next time out, because she'll take it upon herself to demand it. The one person she might want to stick a proverbial foot into is her heir apparent who got yanked early Thurs for failing to rotate properly defensively. The next time she missed a rotation on Snow Yo lit into her or at least in her direction because Brunson smartly was not in the vicinity to hear what ever it was Yo was yelling or to be more accurate in my description - snarling.

 

[MamaBristow]

...
So... are there any regular Monarchs fans here besides me, 6th and slugking that actually like both them and the Kings? I mean, I've been a Monarchs Fan since the WNBA was first formed, but I've been a diehard Kings Fan for eighteen years, so it's not like I can just take my anger over this situation out on the men's team, like some of you...

I would assume it's just me. I used to be a diehard Kings fan. That's actually how I became a fan of the Monarchs. But some things turned me off in a big way some years ago...and I just quit watching. In the years since I have started to enjoy the NBA again, just not the Kings. I loved them when Mitch and the L-Train were the stars, and I still have a Tyus Edney jersey in the back of the closet somewhere. I miss the good ol' days. So anyways, yeah, it's very easy for me to transfer my anger over to the Kings. But that's also why I particularly hate this situation. Cause it's not like the NY Knicks are luring away Whiz...it's our very own owners. And they are taking him away to move him to the Kings, and then to top it off...Kingsfans don't even want him. He's not good enough, not qualified enough, and worst of all...a "womens coach". It just fuels the bitterness.

I wish Whiz the best, but I can't wait for this to be over. I hate the Kings sticking their foot in the Monarchs season in the middle of their title defense. And it's not even their fault, it's the owners who always spoil everything. I don't blame the Kings, they are as much victims of the Maloofs as the Monarchs are.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I would assume it's just me. I used to be a diehard Kings fan. That's actually how I became a fan of the Monarchs. But some things turned me off in a big way some years ago...and I just quit watching. In the years since I have started to enjoy the NBA again, just not the Kings. I loved them when Mitch and the L-Train were the stars, and I still have a Tyus Edney jersey in the back of the closet somewhere. I miss the good ol' days...

When they stunk, you mean? So, you haven't liked them at all since they became good?