Maloof Appreciation Thread

[kennadog]

The Maloofs were forced into staying in Sac by the people and city government of Sacramento and the NBA as a business unit.

I wouldn't normally rain on an appreciation thread, but these guys don't deserve appreciation since they were forced into the situation.

Luckily, they're broke, so there will be new owners soon. Until then, get used to the penny pinching rosters.

They didn't have to agree to a deal this last weekend, if they really didn't want to. That NBA would then have approved a move. So ultimately, there may have been some arm-twisting (of the city and the Maloofs) by Stern during the negotiations, he would not have forced the Maloofs to take a deal they couldn't live and have success with. And the owners would have let them move.

 

[BMiller52]

They said they want to keep Smart forever, think I might barf now. Not appreciating them so much anymore, LOL!

 

[Spike]

They said they want to keep Smart forever, think I might barf now. Not appreciating them so much anymore, LOL!

I disagree with a lot of his decisions, specifically the more recent moves, but there is some progress happening. That being said, owners generally don't come out and say, "Yeah, he's the best we could find for now" about their coaches. It's not a good locker room move, so despite how they truly feel, I'm sure they've learned from prior mistakes and have decided to remain positive and upbeat. My gut tells me Smart is the guy unless Sloan is signed and sealed. Any other move wouldn't make sense if they feel they don't have someone to take them to the next level.

I doubt they'll make the Theus/Natt/Muss/Westy mistakes again...unless it's a trend, in which case I can be perfectly happy with Smart. Better the devil you know..you know?

 

[Glenn]

I doubt they'll make the Theus/Natt/Muss/Westy mistakes again...unless it's a trend, in which case I can be perfectly happy with Smart. Better the devil you know..you know?

I know you are being sincere but if we settle for Smart, we are going down the same path as we have the last 5 years or so. At some point the FO and that also means the owners must realize that investing in a good coach can repay itself many times with wins which equate to butts in the seats, etc. If you go cheap, you are stuck where you are. Let's see how Smart finishes out the season. I am beting he will have Tyreke at the PF position in a week or two.

 

[Spike]

I know you are being sincere but if we settle for Smart, we are going down the same path as we have the last 5 years or so. At some point the FO and that also means the owners must realize that investing in a good coach can repay itself many times with wins which equate to butts in the seats, etc. If you go cheap, you are stuck where you are. Let's see how Smart finishes out the season. I am beting he will have Tyreke at the PF position in a week or two.

Oh, I'm totally on board if they have Sloan ready and waiting, but if they don't, I don't know that I can stomach the Maloofs going after someone on the cheap anymore. They can't fail again - not with the talent on board. It has to be someone who can take them to the next level. Basically, I'm saying you have to keep Smart anyway throughout the year, but you can't jettison him if the replacement isn't essentially in place.

Earlier, a case could be made for Smart to be the coach for the reasonable future in that he has straightened out Cousins (not an easy task) and has been working with Evans on how to be a true PG. We've read those articles. Now, he's gone smallballing in the hope of short term wins (my opinion) and has left Evans out in the lurch (again, my opinion), which I'm not a fan. I'd rather that Smart really stick his neck out on the line, work on long term championship style play and reap the benefits next year. I know I'd support that, because I'm much more interested in the long term, not the short term.

It shouldn't be that difficult for Evans and Cousins. You have a slasher who can get to the rim at ease, and an amazing talent that can play both the high post and the low post. Where have the pick and rolls gone?

 

[rainmaker]

I'm not saying we shouldn't bring Smart back. He does have positives. But if he doesn't improve the substitution he keeps massacring, and doesn't put our players in a position to succeed(see Reke at SF) then I think the most responsible course of action is to consider other coaches who'll lay a foundation which will win in the playoffs, and not just score a ton of point while giving up more(see GS and Pho).

I'd consider Sloan. I'd also consider JVG. They'll help lay a defensive foundation based on a style which can win in the playoffs, and not just look pretty. The small ball Smart is playing isn't meant to work long term, and doesn't lay a foundation fir future long term success. If anything, it reeks of an interim coach chasing wins over developing young talent correctly on both sides of the ball. Just my opinion though!

 

[Glenn]

Oh, I'm totally on board if they have Sloan ready and waiting, but if they don't, I don't know that I can stomach the Maloofs going after someone on the cheap anymore. They can't fail again - not with the talent on board. It has to be someone who can take them to the next level. Basically, I'm saying you have to keep Smart anyway throughout the year, but you can't jettison him if the replacement isn't essentially in place.

Earlier, a case could be made for Smart to be the coach for the reasonable future in that he has straightened out Cousins (not an easy task) and has been working with Evans on how to be a true PG. We've read those articles. Now, he's gone smallballing in the hope of short term wins (my opinion) and has left Evans out in the lurch (again, my opinion), which I'm not a fan. I'd rather that Smart really stick his neck out on the line, work on long term championship style play and reap the benefits next year. I know I'd support that, because I'm much more interested in the long term, not the short term.

It shouldn't be that difficult for Evans and Cousins. You have a slasher who can get to the rim at ease, and an amazing talent that can play both the high post and the low post. Where have the pick and rolls gone?

Ask Smart.

 

[Glenn]

I'm not saying we shouldn't bring Smart back. He does have positives. But if he doesn't improve the substitution he keeps massacring, and doesn't put our players in a position to succeed(see Reke at SF) then I think the most responsible course of action is to consider other coaches who'll lay a foundation which will win in the playoffs, and not just score a ton of point while giving up more(see GS and Pho).

I'd consider Sloan. I'd also consider JVG. They'll help lay a defensive foundation based on a style which can win in the playoffs, and not just look pretty. The small ball Smart is playing isn't meant to work long term, and doesn't lay a foundation fir future long term success. If anything, it reeks of an interim coach chasing wins over developing young talent correctly on both sides of the ball. Just my opinion though!

My opinion also not that that's surprising.

 

[mr. moustache]

They didn't have to agree to a deal this last weekend, if they really didn't want to. That NBA would then have approved a move. So ultimately, there may have been some arm-twisting (of the city and the Maloofs) by Stern during the negotiations, he would not have forced the Maloofs to take a deal they couldn't live and have success with. And the owners would have let them move.

This is where I disagree. I think the negotiations for the most part excluded the Maloofs. At the end, they were offered the option of accepting the conditions negotiated for them, or they could sell. I don't think either of us have fantastic evidence on our sides.