Kings Coach Plot Thickens - Voisin

[JoMama]

Ailene Voisin: Search for coach turns Kings wary

By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist

Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Stan Van Gundy caught their flight, ate their food, drove their car, then rushed to the nearest Kinko's and signed with the Orlando Magic. He was pretty Mickey Mouse about the whole thing, no question about it.

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]But why the sudden paralysis?[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Uncle Junior moved faster than this in his wheelchair. [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The search stalls again.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Scott Brooks, the last of the Kings' coaching candidates to meet with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie and the Maloofs at that same cafe in Las Vegas, can zip down to his family-owned car wash in Manteca and scrub a few more autos. He probably has time to apply the wax and polish the tires, too. He certainly has time and plenty of reason to sweat.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]"They're (Maloofs) not ready to make a decision," Petrie said Tuesday before flying to Los Angeles to attend player workouts for the NBA draft. "We may talk to some other people. I'm looking into it. That may happen. It's going to be their coach, too. You can't force anybody on them."[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Or anybody on him -- Petrie -- for that matter.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]At this point, group therapy might be advisable.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]For the past several weeks, Petrie and the Maloofs have interviewed several candidates to replace the one-year-and-done Eric Musselman, become excited about a few, not so excited about a few others, and in total agreement on only one: Van Gundy. And now that Stan is more mouse than man around here, snared by the Magic after its own painful encounter with Billy Donovan, the three Kings officials are slouching against the wall like schoolboys at the dance hall, debating how to proceed.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Joe Maloof likes the redhead.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Gavin Maloof likes the blonde.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Petrie likes the brunette.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]So much for men having one-track minds. The Kings' game plan is ill-defined, the process undoubtedly influenced by the Musselman Mistake -- the wrong coach for a team with stubborn veterans Mike Bibby and Ron Artest -- and more recently, the ill-fated Van Gundy recruitment. Fearful of making the wrong move, of stumbling into another Musselman mess or Van Gundy rejection, the Maloofs, in particular, are proceeding with uncharacteristic caution.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Meantime, Orlando hires Van Gundy. Indiana surprises with Jim O'Brien. Houston turns to Rick Adelman for an offensive fix. Memphis goes young, and hoping to play faster, with Marc Iavaroni. Charlotte goes even younger and hires Sam Vincent. The only vacancies remain in Seattle and Sacramento.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]So who's left? Who might fulfill the requirements of the basketball boss and please the owners?[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Petrie, reserved by nature, is uncomfortable with big-presence, high-maintenance coaches, which would seem to eliminate Larry Brown, Bill Laimbeer, Jeff Van Gundy, Reggie Theus and Rick Barry from serious consideration.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The Maloofs, who moonlight as billionaire movie producers, prefer dynamic personalities capable of motivating both players and members of the ticket-buying public. They favor big-name, high-profile coaches, and their criteria is thought to have dampened Kurt Rambis' prospects and probably precluded overtures to Del Harris and Terry Porter. Additionally, they endorse résumés thick with job experience and recommendations, which seems to be hurting the unproven, engaging Brooks.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The problem with all of this, of course, is that the search tends to obscure one hugely significant fact, namely that Sacramento is no longer one of the league's coveted coaching destinations. That distinction went the way of Vlade. Petrie, frankly, has a ton of work to do. He is intent on dumping weighty salaries and subtracting bad attitudes, in essence transforming the roster into an appealing, entertaining product.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]If he executes his plan effectively, these Kings will be virtually unrecognizable two seasons from now.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]But the new coach is only a part of the makeover, at this juncture perhaps not even the most important part. So where to from here?[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]If the pool of candidates expands, P.J. Carlesimo will be contacted for an interview. Brian Shaw will be granted a second visit. OK, but Petrie and the Maloofs might think about this: If you can't agree on one of the more established coaches? Aren't infatuated with any of them? Why not groom your own star? Why not go young?[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]There are worse things than hiring a young assistant and hoping he grows into the job. He would be cheap, and in two years easily replaceable. In this league, sometimes you have to improvise.[/FONT]

 

[zo0mmike]

Maloof: "Basically, Geoff has to be the one who makes this decision"

Petrie: "They're (Maloofs) not ready to make a decision"

Who the **** is in charge with this thing!?

 

[Geoff]

Maloof: "Basically, Geoff has to be the one who makes this decision"

Petrie: "They're (Maloofs) not ready to make a decision"

Who the **** is in charge with this thing!?

Not making a decision is much worse than making the wrong decision.

 

[JoMama]

Maloof: "Basically, Geoff has to be the one who makes this decision"

Petrie: "They're (Maloofs) not ready to make a decision"

Who the **** is in charge with this thing!?

Good question. Sounds like the Maloofs, at this point.

 

[ockingsfan]

PJ Carlisemo

smells like the kings may be waiting for the NBA finals to end, to interview PJ Carliemo... maybe they hope that the top assistant coach for the NBA top team in the for the past 6 years can instill some championship coaching into the kings... he has the ringing endorsement of Popivich... maybe he has learned a thing or two under popivich....

 

[greypoupon]

LOL at anyone who ever thought that the Maloofs were going to sit on the sidelines in this decision and leave Petrie to do the hiring.

They're every bit as involved as they were last year when they wanted to hire a WNBA coach and were then talked out of that completely insane idea by Petrie.

They're probably a little bit more wary about believing in any candidate that tries to wow them with a Powerpoint presentation, but people who thought they were backing off their hands on approach were deluding themselves.

 

[kennadog]

smells like the kings may be waiting for the NBA finals to end, to interview PJ Carlesimo... maybe they hope that the top assistant coach for the NBA top team in the for the past 6 years can instill some championship coaching into the kings... he has the ringing endorsement of Popivich... maybe he has learned a thing or two under popivich....

I think that could well be the scenario here. GP has said he won't interview anybody still involved in the POs, whether they are available for interview or not. He obviously doesn't think its appropriate and I'm with him on that one.

So how many Kings fans will be really be pi**ed if the wait is so we can end up with PJ?

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Maloof: "Basically, Geoff has to be the one who makes this decision"

Petrie: "They're (Maloofs) not ready to make a decision"

Who the **** is in charge with this thing!?

I think the Maloofs are playing semantics, and have their own definition of 'basically'. Whatever it is, it's painting a very murky picture, thats for damn sure!

 

[John Galt]

I think that could well be the scenario here. GP has said he won't interview anybody still involved in the POs, whether they are available for interview or not. He obviously doesn't think its appropriate and I'm with him on that one.

So how many Kings fans will be really be pi**ed if the wait is so we can end up with PJ?

Not me. I think PJ outclasses the current field of candidates and I'd be delighted if we end up with him.

But I'm not holding my breath. I'm starting to think they don't really know what they're doing - like the front office is not on the same page and you might say in disarray.

 

[Rockmeister]

Not me. I think PJ outclasses the current field of candidates and I'd be delighted if we end up with him.

But I'm not holding my breath. I'm starting to think they don't really know what they're doing - like the front office is not on the same page and you might say in disarray.

I really hope we do not get PJ as a coach.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

I really hope we do not get PJ as a coach.

PJ meet Ron...Ron meet PJ...

 

[fnordius]

smells like the kings may be waiting for the NBA finals to end, to interview PJ Carliemo...

That could be it, assuming that the Maloofs' fondness for experienced coaches isn't swayed by things like his .289 record at Golden State. Well... unless they're determined to get a better draft pick next year. If we went 23 and 59, I don't think anyone could catch up with us.

 

[Warhawk]

PJ meet Ron...Ron meet PJ...

Actually, if they put PJ in one of those plastic bubbles, would that make it safe for them to be in the same gym?




I agree with those questioning the PJ enthusiasm - the guy has been a head coach for hundreds of games and you know what you are getting - a coach with a losing record (batting about .452). So he is an assistant coach to Pop - I don't see stellar head coach material there.

Go with a Brroks or Rambis before PJ - I'd rather take a flier on the kind of car hidden behind curtain #1 than take the 1984 Chevy Citation I can see on stage #2.

 

[thedofd]

PJ meet Ron...Ron meet PJ...

I'd wager that the odds of Carlesimo being here at the start of the season are much better than the odds of Artest being here. If they're both here, PJ would be well advised to wear a suit of armor at all times.

 

[kennadog]

I agree with those questioning the PJ enthusiasm - the guy has been a head coach for hundreds of games and you know what you are getting - a coach with a losing record (batting about .452). So he is an assistant coach to Pop - I don't see stellar head coach material there.

Go with a Brroks or Rambis before PJ - I'd rather take a flier on the kind of car hidden behind curtain #1 than take the 1984 Chevy Citation I can see on stage #2.

LOL! I can't get excited about PJ either. At least not more excited by him than other options.

 

[Kingster]

PJ meet Ron...Ron meet PJ...

All indications are that Artest will be loooong gone by the time training camp begins. I doubt PJ would even take the job if he thought he'd have to coach Artest.

 

[KevinSalvadori]

Maybe I'm making the dumbest post of the thread, but is it possible that the Kings could be waiting for former King (way long ago, but still) and current Cavs assistant Kenny Natt?

Just a shot-in-the-dark....

 

[PFFFT!!]

I can see PJ as our next coach and we FAIL to trade Artest:

Carlisimo: Artest, out of the game now.
Artest: No way, I know what Im doing.
Carlismo: Get out now!
Artest: No! Let me stay in. I can do it!
Carlisimo: Dammit! (Runs towards Artest and begins choking)
Artest: AAAARRGGHH!! GAASSSP!!
Carlisimo: See, this is what I learned from my experience in the NBA. Choke them before they choke you.

 

[KevinSalvadori]

I can see PJ as our next coach and we FAIL to trade Artest:

Carlisimo: Artest, out of the game now.
Artest: No way, I know what Im doing.
Carlismo: Get out now!
Artest: No! Let me stay in. I can do it!
Carlisimo: Dammit! (Runs towards Artest and begins choking)
Artest: AAAARRGGHH!! GAASSSP!!

I know it's a joke, but I bet PJ could be a great coach, and again, the fact that an incident that long ago is still dogging his reputation is a little pathetic.

And Ron is toast in Sacramento, so the point is moot...

 

[Bricklayer]

I know it's a joke, but I bet PJ could be a great coach again, and the fact that an incident that long ago is still dogging his reputation is a little pathetic.

He was never a great coach in the first place. Preculdes becoming a great coach again.

Him arriving though would be the fitting end to our little saga. He's spent his entire NBA career tailing along after Adelman as his less talented and less successful polar opposite. Why not a third time?

 

[KevinSalvadori]

He was never a great coach in the first place. Preculdes becoming a great coach again.

Him arriving though would be the fitting end to our little saga. He's spent his entire NBA career tailing along after Adelman as his less talented and less successful polar opposite. Why not a third time?

Sorry, I misplaced the comma. I meant, "He could be a great coach, again..."

Like to make another point. I know his past record is nothing Riley-like, believe me...

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Maybe I'm making the dumbest post of the thread, but is it possible that the Kings could be waiting for former King (way long ago, but still) and current Cavs assistant Kenny Natt?

Just a shot-in-the-dark....

I wouldnt think so...but I guess we'll find out after one more game, now wont we? SWEEEEEEP!! lol

edit: because after all...We Are All Witnesses!

 

[kupman]

So what is going to happen first?

a) a new head coach is hired
b) a new arena deal is announced

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

So what is going to happen first?

a) a new head coach is hired
b) a new arena deal is announced

I'd probably say A, only because I doubt we'll hear anything about a new arena proposal until either the start of the season, or right after it starts.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'd probably say A, only because I doubt we'll hear anything about a new arena proposal until either the start of the season, or right after it starts.

Which the way this is going still wouldn't preclude the arena deal coming first...

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Which the way this is going still wouldn't preclude the arena deal coming first...

Good point!

 

[KevinSalvadori]

MAN do I want this thing over with. If it's not Carlesimo, Silas, Porter, or Tomjanovich, or some other darkhorse candidate, I'll have no idea what is behind the delay of this....

 

[BRad1055]

The thing is though if they want to interview PJ they don't have to wait. Pop has said if any team wants to interview any of his assistants during the playoffs they are free to do so. So waiting for the Finals to end does not matter if we want to interview PJ interview him now.

 

[sactownfan]

well im down with Porter, PJ, and Brooks. IN that order. i would support all three.

 

[hrdboild]

I'm not so convinced this is just a case of clueless owners gumming up the works. The Maloofs let Rick Adelman go because they didn't think he could turn the Kings into a defensive team. Great coach, offensive genius, but perhaps not the right coach to lead a terrorizing defensive squad. I think Adelman's a great coach, but that's a fair assesment.They didn't call Don Nelson last year for the same reason and that was probably a wise move as well as Nelson won't even commit to a second season in Golden State after getting to the second round of the playoffs. Musselman, having been an assistant in Memphis for a few years, seemed at the time like he could be a defensive coach. Whisenant won a WNBA championship with a defensive style, hence the appeal. I think they've been very consistent all along about this coach situation. They got close with offense and lost and now they're convinced that defense is the way to go. Stan Van Gundy would have been a good choice, but he preferred Orlando. Everyone here knew he would choose Orlando over Sacramento if given the choice. It was obvious. He supposedly quit coaching the Heat to be with his family, so why would he now uproot them to move across the country when another job was available next door? And now Voison is apparently trying to force-feed Scott Brooks with a "local boy makes good" story (notice the insinuation at the end of this article) but truth is that he's got even less of a track record than Muss did. He's a last resort at best. Not to knock the guy, he may be a genius in waiting, but he hasn't earned that respect yet. The Maloofs are, smartly I think, holding out for a coach that they have some confidence in. They want someone who can motivate, coach defense, and establish an offensive system that works. I would think that's what Petrie is looking for as well. But is such a coach even available? That's why the coaching search has dragged on. There simply aren't any good candidates out there. Stan Van was one, but he choose to go elsewhere. I'd much rather they took their time on this than rush to install someone who's wrong for the job.