Like Sam Cooke said "Change Gone Come"

[Fillmoe]

The Winds Of Change Are Blowing
Bob Souza - 17th June, 2005 6:00 PM

A recent interview with King’s mastermind Geoff Petrie was more revealing than usual. The sly guy normally doesn’t give away any part of his hand, but under the circumstances (that being last season’s disappointing effort), he can ill afford to seem complacent.

What else can he do?

While not exactly shoveling out loads of specifics, it was obvious from his tone there will be quite a few new faces in the locker room. None will have the slightest resemblance to Phil Jackson.



The enormously successful coach has decided to cast his lot with the Lakers again, and without Shaq – well, good luck bro. His chances with the Kings would have been better, but maybe he can’t handle loud arenas. From here it appears to be an ego decision, one based on bigger bucks and greater limelight. Have fun with Kobe.

Put in an awkward situation with the screwy flirting of Jackson by the Maloof boys, Petrie must have been relieved to find out he would not be changing coaches. Rick Adelman had just been given an extension, for crying out loud.

Considering the revolving door due to trades or injuries, Adelman’s wringing out of 50 victories probably makes him deserving of one more shot – one last chance to get it right. He talks a lot about defense, but his teams rarely seem to play much of it. And his “disrespected” feelings over the Jackson thing, while understandable, should not have been an item.

It’s part of the game, Rick. Get over it.

The most likely people to be moving on will be Cuttino Mobley, Darius Songaila, and possibly Maurice Evans, all free agents. Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner could find themselves packaged in trades. Greg Ostertag may be retained in order to weigh down the far end of the bench.

There is no sense in breaking up the team nucleus of Mike Bibby, Brad Miller and Peja Stojakovic. Bobby Jackson is a bargain, so he stays. And the snicker put forth by Petrie over the idea of trading Peja for Ron Artest pretty much said it all. That means it’ll probably happen.

The Kings need to get tougher and bigger inside, and may also be looking for a shooting guard for the present and/or the future. With their draft pick at number 23, this would be a great time to get lucky.

Wayne Simien of Kansas or big-body Sean May from North Carolina are two attractive options at power forward, but will probably be gone when Sacramento gets its turn.

Jason Maxiell of Cincinnati should be more likely, and could help as a shot-blocker and offensive boarder. Although he is a bit small at 6’6”, his wingspan makes up for it. He also has a nice little shooting touch.

With a possible need for a long-range two guard, the best candidates would be Tiras Wade of Lafayette or Salim Stoudamire of Arizona. Franscisco Garcia of Louisville will be gone.

If you want to get crazy, how about Texas prep stars, 6’8” Gerald Green (33 points, 12 rebounds), or C.J. Miles (23 and 10)? No… probably not for this team.

What it boils down to is an overhaul of the roster through slick trades and free agent signings. Always fun hoping for a solid draft, but help from there immediately is a bonus if it happens. Retooling this team could be Geoff Petrie’s biggest challenge ever -- we’ll see if he’s up to it.

Of course, if there is a lockout and we don’t get basketball next year…

source: http://kings.realgm.com/articles/160/20050617/the_winds_of_change_are_blowing/


the ron artest part made me feel really happy!!!!! i hope it does happen

 

[mazzystar]

^^^ I second that.. Would love to have Artest here.

 

[VF21]

Hmmm. Much like Petrie's press conference itself, this guy uses a lot of words to pretty much SAY NOTHING NEW.

Personally, I think Bob Souza needs to get over himself. "Get over it Rick?" Whatever...

Just to point out the painfully obvious, sometimes words mean exactly what they say:

And the snicker put forth by Petrie over the idea of trading Peja for Ron Artest pretty much said it all.

Yeah, it did pretty much say it all...and, at this point, I think it's pretty clear that Petrie's snicker might be more telling than anything else. Petrie can be and generally is Mr. Stone Face when it comes to questions about possible trades. If he actually snickered, it could have been that he couldn't control his true reaction to the absurd idea that the Kings would give Peja away for someone who is a loose cannon, hasn't played in a year, etc.

Artest lost a lot of market value by sitting out a year. At this point, with the Maloofs and Petrie apparently committed to the idea of rebuilding a team around the Bibby, Peja, Brad core, I would think it would take more than Artest to lure Petrie into putting Peja on a plane...

 

[Fillmoe]

Petrie said hes gonna focus on defense getting better... getting Artest would be a good start

 

[VF21]

Fillmoe - Yes, Petrie has said he's going to focus on defense getting better. It couldn't get much worse, so what else could he say? That much is obviously true.

"...getting Artest would be a good start" is open to differing opinions. We've had this discussion SO MANY TIMES. Why not wait until something more tangible is out there before revisiting the same tired arguments? Besides, the equine carcass is now pretty much totally devoid of anything but bare bones. I don't think it's right to keep beating it.

 

[SoupIsGood]

I really don't understand why you some of you guys want Artest so badly, I can't wait for the day that he is traded from the Pacers.

 

[thesanityannex]

I really don't understand why you some of you guys want Artest so badly, I can't wait for the day that he is traded from the Pacers.

The grass is always greener.

 

[VF21]

Thuggery worship?

 

[foretaz]

there is a faction of pacer fans that want artest gone....they are, however, the minority....however it really doesnt matter what we the fans think....the artest situation, for obvious reasons, is a highly controversial and volatile topic....in the end it will be the larry birds, donnie walshes, and geoff petries of the world that decide his fate....

that being said....i could give u a million reasons why he shouldnt be traded....and the other faction could give u a million reasons why he should be...
and probably the same goes for u kings fans on both sides of the fence...

i will say this....IF ron is traded....i dont see it being sacramento...with all of the issues ron brings with him, i dont think that kind of baggage would suit a team thats trying to get a new arena....too easy of a target for politicians with an agenda....

you may love hearing this, but i would say the two most likely candidates in the west would be the Lakers and the Mavs.....sorry....but they would both tend to make better sense for a number of reasons...(and not from a pacer perspective, mind you)

 

[bigdog5142]

I have to admit that it would be nice to see someone put somebody on the floor when they're driving to the basket rather than letting a team put 120 up on the scoreboard when we're at home...I don't know that I like the idea of Artest here in Sac, but I'm tired of soft defense as well.

 

[foretaz]

I have to admit that it would be nice to see someone put somebody on the floor when they're driving to the basket rather than letting a team put 120 up on the scoreboard when we're at home...I don't know that I like the idea of Artest here in Sac, but I'm tired of soft defense as well.

u know u have a guy that was renowned for putting guys on the floor when they drove to the basket....Brad Miller....he developed that reputation in chicago and definitely supported in indiana.....if hes stopped doing that, it would be very interesting to find out why....

 

[Bricklayer]

there is a faction of pacer fans that want artest gone....they are, however, the minority....however it really doesnt matter what we the fans think....the artest situation, for obvious reasons, is a highly controversial and volatile topic....in the end it will be the larry birds, donnie walshes, and geoff petries of the world that decide his fate....

that being said....i could give u a million reasons why he shouldnt be traded....and the other faction could give u a million reasons why he should be...
and probably the same goes for u kings fans on both sides of the fence...

i will say this....IF ron is traded....i dont see it being sacramento...with all of the issues ron brings with him, i dont think that kind of baggage would suit a team thats trying to get a new arena....too easy of a target for politicians with an agenda....

you may love hearing this, but i would say the two most likely candidates in the west would be the Lakers and the Mavs.....sorry....but they would both tend to make better sense for a number of reasons...(and not from a pacer perspective, mind you)

I could see Phil Jackson getting his hands on Ron as being a real disaster for the Kings.

 

[bigdog5142]

u know u have a guy that was renowned for putting guys on the floor when they drove to the basket....Brad Miller....he developed that reputation in chicago and definitely supported in indiana.....if hes stopped doing that, it would be very interesting to find out why....

I agree, however, he was hurt a lot this season. Plus, Brad isn't used to the "leader" role yet...don't know if he ever will be. He could definately be our defensive leader...

 

[foretaz]

I could see Phil Jackson getting his hands on Ron as being a real disaster for the Kings.

ummmm....yupppppp.....

and as a pacer fan i think about that opportunity....

artest is in many ways like pippen....the similarities on the court are eerie....

kobe and artest would be a scary wing....

theres already a strong rumor regarding the lakers and pacers involving the pacers first round pick....and though i would hate it, i wouldnt be totally shocked if artest ended up a laker....crazier things have happened...

 

[VF21]

u know u have a guy that was renowned for putting guys on the floor when they drove to the basket....Brad Miller....he developed that reputation in chicago and definitely supported in indiana.....if hes stopped doing that, it would be very interesting to find out why....

That's something to think about. Not only has Bad Boy Brad cleaned up his act, he's pretty much turned into "Pouty Face" Brad...

I have to suspect the Bad Boy is still in there somewhere. Maybe if we could coax it out once in a while? And banish the "Pouty Face" forever? I so HATE it when he gets called for foul, legitimate or not, and looks like he's going to throw himself down on the floor and have a major tantrum.

Any suggestions?

 

[foretaz]

That's something to think about. Not only has Bad Boy Brad cleaned up his act, he's pretty much turned into "Pouty Face" Brad...

I have to suspect the Bad Boy is still in there somewhere. Maybe if we could coax it out once in a while? And banish the "Pouty Face" forever? I so HATE it when he gets called for foul, legitimate or not, and looks like he's going to throw himself down on the floor and have a major tantrum.

Any suggestions?

actually....i think alot of it has to do with the image the kings seem to want to have....

like it or not....the kings have been much more of a 'pretty boy' team than a 'bad boy' team....u have to wonder if that isnt a bit by design....cause brad definitely has that mean streak in him....it was far too evident at both chicago and indiana....seems hes just following in the footsteps of some of the other kings....whine and scowl a bit....

you cant be too surprised at the soft label the kings have earned based on this approach....

and its ironic that defense is the talk...because that requires more intensity....less whining and more getting in peoples faces and putting butts on the floor....

the question is...does that go over with the people in sacramento? i know it would probably go over with the diehard fans that long for that....but what about sacramento as a community??....the smaller, more conservative communities tend to frown on such activity....not unlike whats happened in indiana a bit with regards to artest....

it always will create controversy.....which seems to be better suited for the very large markets....ie....detroit

 

[thesanityannex]

This team needs to "sac up" in order to play D. I want the mean Miller back, not the pouty face like vf said.

 

[Bricklayer]

Have to wonder if Brad's earlier thug rep wasn't inspired and encouraged by some of his teammates (Artest, Oakley etc.), and he just followed along/felt like he had their support, but is not an independent actor who carries that sort of aggression when surrounded by Peja Stojakovic and Cat Mobley.

 

[kingsfannPDX]

yeah i want the brad miller who shaq threw punches at, not the pouty face version we have.

 

[VF21]

the question is...does that go over with the people in sacramento? i know it would probably go over with the diehard fans that long for that....but what about sacramento as a community??....the smaller, more conservative communities tend to frown on such activity....not unlike whats happened in indiana a bit with regards to artest....

it always will create controversy.....which seems to be better suited for the very large markets....ie....detroit

At this point, if putting some butts on the floor, which both Miller and Corliss are able to do, gets rid of the pouty faces and whining, I'm all for it.

I have been a fan of Vlade's since he first came to the NBA. (Hence my name - Vladefan21, now shortened for obvious reasons.) The ONLY part of his game I found unbearable and, in fact, embarrassing was the flopping. Flopping, whining and scowling haven't gotten us squat. At this point, I'm seriously thinking one or two technicals once in a while for pounding someone to the court might be worth it.

As far as controversy goes, this community is already so divided over things like Adelman being coach, Webber being traded, a new arena being necessary, etc. that actually focusing on what the team is doing would be IMHO a welcome relief.

Note to self: Send memo to Brad. Remind him he's from Indiana, not Foo-Fooville.

 

[thesanityannex]

anyone got a good pouty face pic of Brad? I'd love to see a pouty face contest if possible

 

[VF21]

Have to wonder if Brad's earlier thug rep wasn't inspired and encouraged by some of his teammates (Artest, Oakley etc.), and he just followed along/felt like he had their support, but is not an independent actor who carries that sort of aggression when surrounded by Peja Stojakovic and Cat Mobley.

See? Another reason to bring Denis Rodman into the fold. He could give "thuggery" lessons.

 

[thesanityannex]

Since I am in Long Beach, and I think Rodman still plays here, maybe i could meet up with him to discuss this upcoming seasons "thuggery lessons" he can share with the Kings.

 

[foretaz]

Have to wonder if Brad's earlier thug rep wasn't inspired and encouraged by some of his teammates (Artest, Oakley etc.), and he just followed along/felt like he had their support, but is not an independent actor who carries that sort of aggression when surrounded by Peja Stojakovic and Cat Mobley.

i think what may be a more viable possibility is this....and this kinda goes to what i was trying to say....the players will take on the personna that the management and coaching staff want, by and large....brad came to sacramento as an outsider and wanted to fit in....if the team wanted him to bring that 'enforcer' mentality and rough some people up....i think u wouldve seen that....

but thats not the image that the kings seem to have....and i would trace that back to ownership, petrie, and the coaching staff....

you may indeed have a couple players that are very capable of doing these sorts of things, however if its frowned upon by the coaches and management, its much less likely to occur....

and this really does seem to be a theme for the kings....

thats why they have the so called 'soft' reputation....feeling being if u get physical with them u will have an advantage...

 

[VF21]

At this point, I think the coaching staff, the owners, and the management have prettymuch made it clear changes are going to be made. Just like "The Karate Kid," I think our team can change their image without becoming bullies...

The idea of Peja actually putting the hurt on someone, however, completely and totally dissolves me into gales of laughter...

 

[thesanityannex]

The idea of Peja actually putting the hurt on someone, however, completely and totally dissolves me into gales of laughter...

I would pay money to see Peja give a nice hard flagrant foul.

 

[Entity]

Beating that dead carcass again maybe Brad needs Artest to bring it back. and Maybe Artest being to much of a thug would balance out when teamed with whinners and pretty boys.

 

[thesanityannex]

I see the reasoning and I like it. One hard dude surrounded by wheenies would seem to even everything out. Sac is the perfect place for an NBA player to have an identity change.

 

[VF21]

Maybe Artest being a nut case would be the final straw that breaks the back for a whole lot of people who aren't sold on him being in a Kings uniform, too, Entity. The Maloofs have to start winning back fans, including those who were very disappointed about Webber's FIVE GAME suspension for violating the drug policy. How do you think those people - and there are a number of them - are going to feel about a certifiable nut case?

 

[4cwebb]

ummmm....yupppppp.....

and as a pacer fan i think about that opportunity....

artest is in many ways like pippen....the similarities on the court are eerie....

kobe and artest would be a scary wing....

theres already a strong rumor regarding the lakers and pacers involving the pacers first round pick....and though i would hate it, i wouldnt be totally shocked if artest ended up a laker....crazier things have happened...

I just don't see who the Lakers offer to the Pacers to pry Artest out of a Pacer uniform? Odom would be the only one that I can think of, but I just don't see his game fitting in that well with JO'Neal, not to mention Odom really isn't a SF, but a PF with a SF's game. Still, he doesn't play SF defense, and unless Jermaine has changed his tune about playing C, I don't see Odom as an attractive commodity in an Artest swap. At that point, who else is there on the Lakers' roster? I'm hoping that doesn't happen.