Kings add to coaching staff--Hire Cousin's old highschool coach

[Kingster]

Why not hire Cousin's pe teacher? Sure signals a hyper-sensitivity by the Maloofs about Cousin's maturity issues. The guy has coached as an assistant at also-ran colleges, not exactly the cream of the crop credentials. Obviously, his main credential is the Cousins' connection. So what do you do in order to promote maturity? Go retrograde and hire a high school guy. Kind of like a 20s guy moving back in with the parents to get more mature.... What a weird move.

 

[kennadog]

Why not hire Cousin's pe teacher? Sure signals a hyper-sensitivity by the Maloofs about Cousin's maturity issues. The guy has coached as an assistant at also-ran colleges, not exactly the cream of the crop credentials. Obviously, his main credential is the Cousins' connection. So what do you do in order to promote maturity? Go retrograde and hire a high school guy. Kind of like a 20s guy moving back in with the parents to get more mature.... What a weird move.

So you are choosing to ignore that he's coached at Pete Newell's big man camp for 10 years? I believe that's considered the premiere big man camp for all levels of basketball. Why is it so weird?

He's only one assistant coach. If his connection with Cousins will help Cousins reach his potential on the court, I have no problem with it. Tyreke is surrounded with family members who've helped him achieve everything he has acomplished so far. Cousins doesn't happen to have that same kind of familial, knowledgeable support, although his sister will be with him in Sacramento. I don't think she, by herself, equals what Evans has in his corner.

 

[JB_kings]

I think he's a legit candidate to be an assistant coach in the NBA. Anyone who is calling him a babysitter just doesn't know the guy or his resume. I also think it's a smart move to hire a person that Kings front office has control over to work with him and the other big men.

 

[bajaden]

Why not hire Cousin's pe teacher? Sure signals a hyper-sensitivity by the Maloofs about Cousin's maturity issues. The guy has coached as an assistant at also-ran colleges, not exactly the cream of the crop credentials. Obviously, his main credential is the Cousins' connection. So what do you do in order to promote maturity? Go retrograde and hire a high school guy. Kind of like a 20s guy moving back in with the parents to get more mature.... What a weird move.

Your underselling him just a tad. He was considered one of the best highschool coaches in the nation. His team won several state championships. As others have mentioned, he worked Pete Newels big man camp for 10 years. Its probably no accident that Cousins is light years ahead of others at his age with post skills. But all that aside, the Kings have a huge investment in dollars and the future of the team in Cousins. So anything they can do to help Cousins become the player they hope he can be, is a small investment by comparison.

Gary St. Jean, basicly talked his way onto Nellies team with less credentials. People forget that he was a highschool coach before joining the Warriors. Of course some would say he should have stayed in highschool.

 

[The Hammer]

Why not hire Cousin's pe teacher? Sure signals a hyper-sensitivity by the Maloofs about Cousin's maturity issues. The guy has coached as an assistant at also-ran colleges, not exactly the cream of the crop credentials. Obviously, his main credential is the Cousins' connection. So what do you do in order to promote maturity? Go retrograde and hire a high school guy. Kind of like a 20s guy moving back in with the parents to get more mature.... What a weird move.

I'm sorry but this post is just completely idiotic. It doesn't signal a "hyper-sensitivity". It signals wanting to do whatever they can to make sure he develops properly. You need to also understand Cousins life. No male role model. No father figure. This guy was the closest thing. If this means that he becomes part of Cousins personal support system, all the better.

 

[Kingster]

So you are choosing to ignore that he's coached at Pete Newell's big man camp for 10 years? I believe that's considered the premiere big man camp for all levels of basketball. Why is it so weird?

He's only one assistant coach. If his connection with Cousins will help Cousins reach his potential on the court, I have no problem with it. Tyreke is surrounded with family members who've helped him achieve everything he has acomplished so far. Cousins doesn't happen to have that same kind of familial, knowledgeable support, although his sister will be with him in Sacramento. I don't think she, by herself, equals what Evans has in his corner.

Whoopdee. What has he done? Pick up towels and erase chalk boards? His credentials were so awesome that he was hired at the best basketball colleges in the nation - not. Obviously, his biggest credential is the Cousins connection. I wonder how many individuals in the basketball world have his "credentials". 100? 200? 500? So out of that universe they pick the guy that just happens to be his high school basketball coach. Tyreke is a red herring. If we hired Tyreke's high school coach as his pg mentor, I'd think that was weird too. Nepotism wrapped as patronage in a baby-sitter's job. Wierd.

 

[hammystyle]

Your underselling him just a tad. He was considered one of the best highschool coaches in the nation. His team won several state championships. As others have mentioned, he worked Pete Newels big man camp for 10 years. Its probably no accident that Cousins is light years ahead of others at his age with post skills. But all that aside, the Kings have a huge investment in dollars and the future of the team in Cousins. So anything they can do to help Cousins become the player they hope he can be, is a small investment by comparison.

Gary St. Jean, basicly talked his way onto Nellies team with less credentials. People forget that he was a highschool coach before joining the Warriors. Of course some would say he should have stayed in highschool.

Another example that jumps to mind is Mike D'Antoni hiring his brother Dan. Coaches make hires all the time to surround themselves with people they are comfortable with. Hiring a guy to make your player more comfortable makes at least as much sense as that does.

All in alll, I think this could be a brilliant move in its simplicity. Cousins has trust issues, he trusts this guy, he's a good coach, hire him. Just because something hasn't been done before doesn't make it a bad idea.

 

[Spike]

Whoopdee. What has he done? Pick up towels and erase chalk boards? His credentials were so awesome that he was hired at the best basketball colleges in the nation - not. Obviously, his biggest credential is the Cousins connection. I wonder how many individuals in the basketball world have his "credentials". 100? 200? 500? So out of that universe they pick the guy that just happens to be his high school basketball coach. Tyreke is a red herring. If we hired Tyreke's high school coach as his pg mentor, I'd think that was weird too. Nepotism wrapped as patronage in a baby-sitter's job. Wierd.

Sorry dude, but to assume that a guy can't coach because he's in high school is pure BS.
As an example:
Every year (when I lived on the east coast) I attended Coach Wootten's basketball camp. All he did was coach HS. It was, and continues to be, an amazing camp. Hubie Brown has been there as a speaker, Mike Krzyzewski, Tubby Smith, Jim Boeheim and Gary Williams, etc. They came because they knew how good of a teacher he was, and he built this camp into what it is today. Is Hughley the same? I can't speak to that, but I do know that HS coaches make great coaches as well. A young, hungry guy is perfect for an assistant coach role.

You have to be a teacher more than anything at that level, and that's what you want from your assistant coaches. Teachers. Let the head coach worry about managing egos and lineups. That's his job. Now, if the Kings hired him as head coach, that'd be something entirely different.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

This is similiar to when we hired Steve Fisher after trading for Chris Webber

Exactly! Even though Fisher was only here for a season, it still helped C-Webb ease into Sacramento with familiarity.

 

[vikinginferno]

If it helps? Great. If not? Not a big deal...

 

[SacTownKid]

All his resume needs to say is, "Helped develop Demarcus Cousins."

You're talking about one of the most talented and skilled bigs to come out in a long, long time. Look at his footwork! Enough for me. Welcome coach!

 

[Bricklayer]

Gary St. Jean, basicly talked his way onto Nellies team with less credentials. People forget that he was a highschool coach before joining the Warriors. Of course some would say he should have stayed in highschool.

Er...yeah. Not exactly the example I would have broken out in support of this move.

 

[Kingster]

Too Many Cooks?

The newbie high school coach Newell's big man's camp assistant basketball coach guy.
Shareef
Truck Robinson
Walton

It would be interesting to know the division of labor here. Or, at least the hierarchy. When one guy wants to do one thing, and the other wants to do something else, does Westphal act as an intermediary. I think Westphal needs to hire a coordinator to coordinate Cousins' assistant coaches.

 

[JB_kings]

Whoopdee. What has he done? Pick up towels and erase chalk boards? His credentials were so awesome that he was hired at the best basketball colleges in the nation - not. Obviously, his biggest credential is the Cousins connection. I wonder how many individuals in the basketball world have his "credentials". 100? 200? 500? So out of that universe they pick the guy that just happens to be his high school basketball coach. Tyreke is a red herring. If we hired Tyreke's high school coach as his pg mentor, I'd think that was weird too. Nepotism wrapped as patronage in a baby-sitter's job. Wierd.

He did work at the college level at Wright State, Liberty and Southern. So only premium colleges can produce NBA worth assistant coaches? Bubba Burrage never even coached at any level and also played at Cal Poly SLO. Otis is qualified to be hired and his connection with DMC is a benefit. It's not like the guy is some part of his possee looking for a free ride.

 

[NME]

Whoopdee. What has he done? Pick up towels and erase chalk boards?

Now you're just being dense and insulting.

Obviously, his biggest credential is the Cousins connection. I wonder how many individuals in the basketball world have his "credentials". 100? 200? 500?

Yeah, because hundreds of coaches have probably spent the last decade coaching at the camp that's the gold standard for developing young NBA big men. No wait, more like five and he's one of them. Frankly, I'd have been happy to have any one of them on the Kings bench even if he'd never even heard of Cousins.

If we hired Tyreke's high school coach as his pg mentor, I'd think that was weird too. Nepotism wrapped as patronage in a baby-sitter's job. Wierd.

Has Tyreke's HS coach spent a decade working at the world's top point guard development camp? If so, sign him up!

 

[Kingster]

Now you're just being dense and insulting.



Yeah, because hundreds of coaches have probably spent the last decade coaching at the camp that's the gold standard for developing young NBA big men. No wait, more like five and he's one of them. Frankly, I'd have been happy to have any one of them on the Kings bench even if he'd never even heard of Cousins.




Has Tyreke's HS coach spent a decade working at the world's top point guard development camp? If so, sign him up!

You're leaving out the teency weency bit about his assistant coaching jobs. If he's the be-all end-all in big man's coaching why no Duke, Kentucky, Memphis, UCLA, etc. etc. coaching background? For that matter, why no NBA experience? I would think these guys would have bidding wars over this guy. By the way, pejoratives are a poor substitute for intelligence.

 

[NME]

You're leaving out the teency weency bit about his assistant coaching jobs. If he's the be-all end-all in big man's coaching why no Duke, Kentucky, Memphis, UCLA, etc. etc. coaching background? For that matter, why no NBA experience? I would think these guys would have bidding wars over this guy.

So now a guy has to be the hottest coaching property on earth to be worthy of being one of six assistant coaches? The NBA actually hired him for their international development program, so he's been noticed outside Sacramento. Assistant coaches break into the league from all kinds of different backgrounds, we're not hiring him to be the freaking head coach.

By the way, pejoratives are a poor substitute for intelligence.

Like calling a coach a chalkboard eraser?

 

[rhythmless]

The newbie high school coach Newell's big man's camp assistant basketball coach guy.
Shareef
Truck Robinson
Walton

It would be interesting to know the division of labor here. Or, at least the hierarchy. When one guy wants to do one thing, and the other wants to do something else, does Westphal act as an intermediary. I think Westphal needs to hire a coordinator to coordinate Cousins' assistant coaches.

I must have missed where Walton skipped the mic to go down into the bunkers and be our big man coach? Where did you hear that Walton would be coaching our big men?

 

[Bricklayer]

I must have missed where Walton skipped the mic to go down into the bunkers and be our big man coach? Where did you hear that Walton would be coaching our big men?

I think there was some mention of it after we got Cousins. Could not hurt.

 

[NME]

I must have missed where Walton skipped the mic to go down into the bunkers and be our big man coach? Where did you hear that Walton would be coaching our big men?

That recent Maloof Q&A in the Bee mentioned that he would work with Cousins in some way. I'm sure it's nothing extensive, he's only even announcing a handful of games, but maybe a session here or there.

 

[est.1999]

If he had no connections with cousins and we hired him based on his credentials alone(most worthy the big man camp) then we'd have no complaints. It's the fact that he was cousins' HS coach that has some peoples' panties tied up in a bunch. Geez, there's always a complainer. Just live life people and stop stressing over pointless arguments. This is a good hire, continue on with your day, and let's look forward to a great season.

 

[bajaden]

The newbie high school coach Newell's big man's camp assistant basketball coach guy.
Shareef
Truck Robinson
Walton

It would be interesting to know the division of labor here. Or, at least the hierarchy. When one guy wants to do one thing, and the other wants to do something else, does Westphal act as an intermediary. I think Westphal needs to hire a coordinator to coordinate Cousins' assistant coaches.

Hey, all I'm saying is that if St. Jean can be an assistant coach, this guy should be a shue in. St. Jean is a walking, living example of the Peter prinicple in action.

 

[bajaden]

Somehow I attached my last post to Kingster's post. Not sure how I did that, but I was responding to Bricky's humorus post about St. Jean.....

 

[bibbinator]

If they keep adding assistant coaches there will be no room for fans in the court side seats, and since those seats are prime revenue for the Kings I must pronounce this hire as a terrible, terrible mistake.

 

[JB_kings]

I think the Walton thing was simply just some idle synergy at work. Walton is not going to live in town and be part of the Kings staff of coaches. More like once or twice this season they might have a sitdown and discuss being a big man in the NBA. We pretty much have heard Walton's schtick for a long time now. Walton can barely walk. I doubt he's going to show him any moves.

Truck and Elie are near the same level as lead assistant coaches and has some responsibilites to work with the big men. Other assistants have specific responsibiliies anywhere from scouting, video, etc. Reef has worked with the big men and while a fine NBA player with good footwork, I think Reef is an ex-NBA player that really may not have any idea of formal coaching. I think the guy they hired might be a better fit than Reef to be honest.

It's silly to have to spell out all this stuff because it's pretty appearant the Kings are doing something to help the kid develop. If you think the guy is some sort of possee for DMC and unqualified, then you just haven't paid attention.

And the Kings have done something like this before in a different situation when Steve Fisher was hired as an assistant coach after Webber was traded here. A qualified guy who can make sure the transition goes well.

 

[NME]

If they keep adding assistant coaches there will be no room for fans in the court side seats, and since those seats are prime revenue for the Kings I must pronounce this hire as a terrible, terrible mistake.

Cuban has calmed down since, but one year I think the Mavs had more assistant coaches than players.

 

[Bricklayer]

If he had no connections with cousins and we hired him based on his credentials alone(most worthy the big man camp) then we'd have no complaints. It's the fact that he was cousins' HS coach that has some peoples' panties tied up in a bunch. Geez, there's always a complainer. Just live life people and stop stressing over pointless arguments. This is a good hire, continue on with your day, and let's look forward to a great season.

Well that's not true -- his resume is nonexistent by NBA standards. Its not like until this very moment when we have decided it is so that big man camp coaches are some hot comodity that are all over the league. And jumping stright from hihg school with no major college assistant jobs -- his resume is one of the weakest in the league (other than the various ex-players who basically just put "ex-player" on their resumes). He would never ever, ever, have been directly hired from high school as an assistant here were it not for the Cousins connection. Or at least never as a bench assistant -- and he's replacing Gates so you would think that's where he would be unless we've decided to go one man short on the coaching staff next season. Or I suppose either Coachie or Shareef could fill that role in a pinch.

It reminds me of hiring Kevin's agent to be part of our front office more than anything else. And then firing him almost as soon as Kevin was no longer on the team. There is an obvious upside if he can keep Boogie focused, but this is not a move made if we draft Wesley Johnson, or even if Cousins is a mature 22 year old rather than a19 year old who needs a little extra help.

 

[kennadog]

Cuban has calmed down since, but one year I think the Mavs had more assistant coaches than players.

I know one season the Mavs had 10 assistant coaches. I thought, "It must be nice to have money to burn."

 

[Bricklayer]

And the Kings have done something like this before in a different situation when Steve Fisher was hired as an assistant coach after Webber was traded here. A qualified guy who can make sure the transition goes well.

The reasoning is indeed similar, but there is also a "come on" aspect to that comparison -- Fisher was at that time one of the most famous college coaches in the land and a guy with a NCAA title under his belt. There is no doubt at all why he was hired, but his resume was potentially NBA caliber even without it.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Cuban has calmed down since, but one year I think the Mavs had more assistant coaches than players.

One guy's job, I swear, was simply to bring over a special butt pad for Nellie to sit on and diagram plays during time outs.