Kings call, but is Jackson listening?

EmKingsFan4 · May 6, 2005

Kings call, but is Jackson listening?

Sacramento gets in touch to gauge the coach's interest if a coaching opening arises.

By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 11:30 pm PDT Thursday, May 5, 2005

In an attempt to determine whether former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson would have any interest in a potential coaching vacancy, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof has contacted Jackson's representative, The Bee has learned. Jackson, who is being courted by several NBA teams, including the Lakers and New York Knicks, in the past has spoken favorably about the Maloofs, team president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie and the region.

"I have nothing to say," Joe Maloof said tersely when contacted late Thursday night. "Let us run our business."

According to sources close to the situation - all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity - members of the Maloof family decided to make an overture shortly after the Kings were eliminated by the Seattle SuperSonics on Tuesday in the opening round of the NBA playoffs but were unwilling to proceed before discussing the matter further with the ailing Petrie.

Attempts to reach the respected team executive, who is immensely influential with the Maloofs and largely operates with little interference, were delayed until Thursday because he was urged to immediately undergo a cardiac procedure the previous day.

Petrie underwent an angioplasty Wednesday at UC Davis Medical Center and is recovering at home.

"Geoff is willing to do what's best for the franchise," said one Kings official. "It's a delicate situation for everyone, but Phil Jackson is a tremendous coach. We need to find out what his degree of interest would be, because we're very interested. We're ready to move right now."

After speaking with Petrie on Thursday, Joe Maloof contacted Jackson's agent, Todd Musburger. Further discussions are expected. The situation is delicate, because current Kings coach Rick Adelman has one year remaining on his contract.

Initially, no coaching change was anticipated, but in the aftermath of the playoff ouster, Jackson's stature and his apparent indecision caught the Maloofs' attention.

Previously, Jackson eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers from consideration. Along with the Lakers, Knicks and Kings, other teams thought to be in pursuit included the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Contrary to earlier reports, a planned meeting between Jackson and Lakers owner Jerry Buss has yet to occur, though the two were expected to speak by phone today. The possibility also exists that Jackson, who coached the Chicago Bulls to six titles and the Lakers to three, could sit out another season.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12840570p-13690311c.html

EmKingsFan4 · May 6, 2005

What?!?!

Okay, does anyone actually believe this bull****? By my count this is Voisins THIRD get rid of Adelman-Bring on Jackson article in THREE DAYS! Is this some kind of record?I truly hope this is simply wishful journalism on her part...Although having Phil Jackson come and coach for Sac would definetly put us in the media spotlight I'm not sure that it would make us play any better...Anyone else??

Ryle · May 6, 2005

EmKingsFan4 said:

LA Times is also reporting it as well. This makes me at least have some hope that Adelman will be gone and the Maloofs aren't content to go with the status quo.

Peja · May 6, 2005

I am not really sure what Kings have to do now?!Jackson is certanlly interesting to Jeoff,because of so many titles he won,but on the other side,RA is emotionally connected with Kings and maybe he would be champion if he had a better team,so...I really don't know what to say.I never liked Jackson,but if he would bring us title,then...

M10Bibby · May 6, 2005

i dont know if id like to see jackson as coach.....as of right now i cant see him coaching...but as we all have discovered...anything possible

Diehard Jim · May 6, 2005

I would take jackson in a second.

This guy has proven to be the best coach in the last 20 years.

Hiring him would not guarantee a championship, but it is pretty close, and there are big name free agents who would want to play for him.

as far as loyalty to adleman, I love/hate the guy like a relative, but you have to do what is in the best interest of the team. adleman is an amazing coach and has a way of getting the most out of his players in the regular season, unfortunately he is not the best playoff coach.

Diabeticwonder · May 6, 2005

I don't care who coaches the team if the Kings win a title and with Phil I would think that they would have a greater chance than if RA was still the coach.

LilMissDiva · May 6, 2005

It is also being discussed on the The Rise Guys Show.

I would not oppose to this type of decision.

Kev.in · May 6, 2005

It's getting pretty interesting. Three days ago, I would've thought there was no interest from the Kings side in bringing in Phil. Two days ago, to me, it was looking like this Phil in Sacramento stuff was going to be a persistent rumor. Today, it's looking like there actually is something there.

As for Voisin, there'd better be something there if she's going 3 (or more?) days in a row with an article about PJ.

love_them_kings · May 6, 2005

I just don't think Phil would be interested unless GP has some major moves planned for this summer & let's Phil know about them. phil is used to coaching championship calibre teams, and we have a good team, but not even PJ is going to make this group of players championship worthy. We'll have to say how this plays out...

4cwebb · May 6, 2005

love_them_kings said:

Agreed. Phil has always relied on having one of the best (if not the best) players in the NBA at the time, together with a second gun who is also playing at an extremely high level (think Kobe or Pippen). At this point, the Kings only have players who could potentially fill the second slot in Bibby and Peja, but don't have that absolute superstar.

Now, if GP can work some magic and somehow convince the TWolves to part with KG, then I could see Phil landing in Sacramento in a heartbeat. Don't know why he's already ruled out Cleveland, other than the fact that Lebron is so young and the rest of that roster, other than Big Z, is comparable to a top-level CBA team.

G_M · May 6, 2005

I think Jackson is headed back to L.A.

I think this is something to talk about but I don't think it's going to happen. Most people seem to think Jackson will be back in L.A. within a week or two.

4cwebb · May 6, 2005

G_M said:

If I'm Phil, I wait until the playoffs are over to see how things shake out with player movement. Going back to the Lakers at this point seems a tad premature, imho, but that's just me.

G_M · May 6, 2005

4cwebb said:

I think the Kings overty pursuing PHILLIP certainly can't hurt his bargaining position. Your right no need to rush things for PHILLIP.

Kingsgurl · May 6, 2005

I could see Jackson being interested in coaching the Kings of 01 or 02, but this current roster?

G_M · May 6, 2005

Kingsgurl said:

The Lakers have less talent than the Kings. So, that wouldn't appear to make any sense either.

Maybe the Maloofs are just tweaking Buss and driving up the price.

Ryle · May 6, 2005

Kingsgurl said:

Both Bibby and Miller are ideal for the triangle offense. Throw in this sign and trade(Mobley for Artest) and you have a pretty good starting line-up:

PG-Bibby
SG-Artest(yes he can play shooting guard)
SF-Peja
PF-Thomas/Skinner
C-Miller

Kingsgurl · May 6, 2005

Jackson doesn't coach 'pretty good' line-ups. He likes teams on the cusp, that need just that little nudge to get over the top. That line-up isn't it.

Ryle · May 6, 2005

Kingsgurl said:

Yes, it is.

This team is soft and it didn't help to have a coach who, during the middle of a series, complained that the team we were playing was too rough. The team is a direct reflection of their coach and at least Jackson would make these players accountable for not playing defense and hitting the boards. Adelman didn't seem to care about defense and only worried about offense.

Bring in Artest and Jackson and this team automatically gets better/tougher and stronger.

G_M · May 6, 2005

Kingsgurl said:

Well, there doesn't seem to be any teams that fit that category. The only teams that fit that definition aren't looking for a coach.

If you added Artest and a rebounding/shotblocking PF to the mix the Kings would be title contenders.

mcsluggo · May 6, 2005

Kingsgurl said:

exactly

PFFFT!! · May 6, 2005

The way the team is now, I don't think he will want to come here. If we traded 2 or 3 guys for 1 star guy, now that might change his mind. He works best on teams with at least one all-star, and that means VOTED allstars, not coach picked like Bibby and Miller. Keeping Bibby and Miller and possibly Peja as the core, we can pick up an allstar somehow with a stroke of luck when Petrie gets better.

mcsluggo · May 6, 2005

Ryle said:

if the Kings made the trade yousuggest AND managed to find a serious PF then perhaps maybe ther would be the budding hint of an inkling of the suggestion of a possibility.

As it is, a middle of the road team in a media backwater for the most bright lights craving coach of the last few years? Please.

Diehard Jim · May 6, 2005

ron artest will never be a king

sidney · May 6, 2005

The Kings are probably the best team right now that could be interested in hiring a new coach. To me that just rules out the logic that PJ wouldn't come here because of a lack of talent.

Picking up Jackson would give Sac a lot of buzz in the offseason and might IMHO make some moves possible that otherwise would not be.

Another thing that I'm curious about...does anyone here think that even if RA stays on as coach for next year that he would continue beyond that year? It seems to me like change is coming anyway, so if a good opportunity presents itself this change may be a good thing.

mr. moustache · May 6, 2005

Ryle said:

Dude.. No way we get Artest for Mobley. Artest's value is low right now, but Mobley isn't worth much. And getting a sign and trade isn't always all that easy.

Ryle · May 6, 2005

mr. moustache said:

Mobley would be great for a team like Indiana who actually has some low post players and who set screens. Mobley didn't fit in all that well here in Sac but he is still a very good player. His career average is 17 points a game.....not too shabby.

gman23 · May 6, 2005

I personally would love to have Phil as the kings coach. The man is a coaching genuis and would definetly put some toughness in the Kings organization. However, the question about Phil is how much input does he want as far as personnel and players. The Current coaches would all be axed and most players.

Twix · May 6, 2005

I don't think Phil will come to Sac. I think the Maloof are just taking their best shot knowing that Phil is available and see how it goes.

ultraman206 · May 6, 2005

Phil Jackson has no intentions of coming to Sac for the various reasons already mentioned. He will be the head coach of the Lakers next season. They already have a mega superstar to build upon. Do you think Buss will just sit around this off season?

Kings call, but is Jackson listening?

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