Michael Malone (allegedly) opposed extensions for DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay

[ParniValjak]

Anyone rememeber when the Maloofs realized they were going to get disemboweled over firing Rick and so decided to try to throw shade at him after firing him? I do.

I also remember a number of fools trying to defend that move too.

Precisely. This is the hierarchy PR machine going into overdrive to try minimize the damage in fans relationships they just did not see coming at all. They thought they could fire the coach, spin their usual used car salesman bullcrap and the fans would buy it. When they realized it was not playing out as they thought it would they started leaking out bullcrap stories like this one to try and convince the fans buts it's still not working so they have gone into hiding trying to weather the storm.

Anyone who has followed this team knows that Malone had a great relationship with his team and especially the two star players and he is not stupid. He wanted those guys on the team because he knows its the ONLY way he can succeed. Without them, this team is a joke and Malone knew it.

 

[rainmaker]

These reports do make it seem as if Coach Malone wanted to go in a different direction in terms of our core of players.

No it doesn't. Those reports make it seem as if we have a weasel in our FO. Everything we've seen and heard from Cuz and Rudy suggests those three had a great relationship, from what we've actually seen on the court to Malone supporting them both in Spain to Malone saying he and Cuz had a "special relationship" to Cuz repeatedly going to bat for him publicly to Rudy just a couple days ago saying not only does he credit Malone with bringing out new aspects of his game but also saying Malone was a big part of signing his extension.

Then we weigh that against a FO and owner who can't stop publicly lying and a who unlike Petrie, leak almost anything and everything to the media.

Something stinks here and the smell sure as hell isn't coming from Malone.

 

[Dime Dropper]

I genuinely do not believe a word of this. All heresy, not one actual quote from anyone in the know.

Two things that make this whole narrative less than likely:

1) Malone had a visibly close relationship with Boogie - and big Cuz is on record numerous times supporting Malone.
2) Malone played a huge part in getting Rudy to re-sign.

In other words, let's slander Mike's name to get fans back on our side.

Well, um, no. **** yourselves, PDA and Vivek. I'm not over this and I won't be. More BS and manipulation will not help - most fans are not absolute morons. Your insistance that we are is only serving to cement your own downfall.

And number 3) for anyone who missed it - the source of this is Bruski: one of the worst, and most biased, journalists I've had the misfortune of reading. Don't care if he's a nice guy, I'm not here to judge him for his personality. His professional work is subpar and unreliable, to put it politely.

 

[kingsfan1O]

reluctance =/= oppose

at the time of the boogie's extension, Malone didn't know much about him. it was natural of him to be skeptical and go against the grain. as time progressed though, boogie & malone got along very well and ultimately, formed a strong bond.

not sure about malone/rudy's extension deal but technically, the kings could have let this season play through and let rudy dictate his worth through his play...maybe that was malone's reasoning.

that said, all we know is both rudy & boogie are pro-malone and had nothing but great things to say about him, vice-versa.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

sure he did. Probably just the front office leaking this info to try to get the players off of Malones side

 

[randymoss1881]

A rookie coach not wanting a franchise center in waiting at his new job. Yup I believe it

 

[Livinthedream]

reluctance =/= oppose

at the time of the boogie's extension, Malone didn't know much about him. it was natural of him to be skeptical and go against the grain. as time progressed though, boogie & malone got along very well and ultimately, formed a strong bond.

not sure about malone/rudy's extension deal but technically, the kings could have let this season play through and let rudy dictate his worth through his play...maybe that was malone's reasoning.

that said, all we know is both rudy & boogie are pro-malone and had nothing but great things to say about him, vice-versa.

Or could be Malone thinking if you lock all of the cap money in a couple of players, he'll never get the complete team he needs.

The FO could spin any line of questioning from Malone as opposition. Doesn't make it fact or provide context.

 

[John Galt]

Thanks to whoever fixed the title. My feelings are pretty well known but I don't want to participate in this particular thread's pissing match - let Vivek & PDA's supporters have their thread. My feelings are all expressed in the other thread and nothing has changed.

 

[Prince_XY]

There was no real rush (maybe that's debatable) to do it at the time they offered the extension to Boogie. Same with Rudy. Both they could have waited. Simple as that. That is quite a different thing than saying Malone wanted Boogie and Gay gone. Reluctance seems likea reasonable position. Boogie had the rep as a coach killer at that time, and Malone was just starting here. Maybe he wanted to get to know the guy before committing to 4 more years? Again, not really that crazy.

This I think is true.

Malone probably saw Cousins as a coach killer at that time that is why he was reluctant to endorse Cousins' contract extension. He was more worried about his tenure than making this team win games. What is worse was that he saw Cousins as a threat to the point of being reluctant to extend the contract of the player most of us fans see as the future of the Kings.

How could Vivek and PDA view Cousins as the future of the Kings (the same way we FANS saw Cousins) and yet Malone missed to see Cousins on that same light during that time?

Are we saying Malone has such a low basketball IQ and just a poor evaluator of talent than Vivek and PDA?

Or, Malone is such a selfish dude who saw Cousins as a coach-killer and that he needed to cast some doubt on Cousins character when he first got here?

This I think shows how dumb Malone is and how he does not share the same vision of the whole Kings organization and fans of this board. When more than 90% of fans in this board wanted to make sure Cousins get signed to a contract extension ASAP during that time to tie him up for the next 4 years, Malone was reluctant about the idea.

That was weird and dumb (and seems like smoking dope) for Malone. It is as weird and dumb as using an under-performing rookie (Stauskas) during crucial time to win a game.

 

[John Galt]

This I think is true.

Malone probably saw Cousins as a coach killer at that time that is why he was reluctant to endorse Cousins' contract extension. He was more worried about his tenure than making this team win games. What is worse was that he saw Cousins as a threat to the point of being reluctant to extend the contract of the player most of us fans see as the future of the Kings.

How could Vivek and PDA view Cousins as the future of the Kings (the same way we FANS saw Cousins) and yet Malone missed to see Cousins on that same light during that time?

Are we saying Malone has such a low basketball IQ and just a poor evaluator of talent than Vivek and PDA?

Or, Malone is such a selfish dude who saw Cousins as a coach-killer and that he needed to cast some doubt on Cousins character when he first got here?

This I think shows how dumb Malone is and how he does not share the same vision of the whole Kings organization and fans of this board. When more than 90% of fans in this board wants to make sure Cousins get signed to a contract extension ASAP during that time, Malone was reluctant about the idea.

Wow, Mr. Malone.

Oh NOW I get it. You had me for a minute there Prince_XY but now it is obvious - this whole thread is a parody huh? Good one.

 

[Chubbs]

This I think is true.

Malone probably saw Cousins as a coach killer at that time that is why he was reluctant to endorse Cousins' contract extension. He was more worried about his tenure than making this team win games. What is worse was that he saw Cousins as a threat to the point of being reluctant to extend the contract of the player most of us fans see as the future of the Kings.

How could Vivek and PDA view Cousins as the future of the Kings (the same way we FANS saw Cousins) and yet Malone missed to see Cousins on that same light during that time?

Are we saying Malone has such a low basketball IQ and just a poor evaluator of talent than Vivek and PDA?

Or, Malone is such a selfish dude who saw Cousins as a coach-killer and that he needed to cast some doubt on Cousins character when he first got here?

This I think shows how dumb Malone is and how he does not share the same vision of the whole Kings organization and fans of this board. When more than 90% of fans in this board wanted to make sure Cousins get signed to a contract extension ASAP during that time to tie him up for the next 4 years, Malone was reluctant about the idea.

There's a fine line, between clever, and stupid.

I'm glad this is a joke to you.

 

[Npliam]

This whole thing is such a mess. I would be pissed if I were a Kings fan. In fact, I am kind of pissed as a basketball fan and it isn't even my team.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Thanks to whoever fixed the title. My feelings are pretty well known but I don't want to participate in this particular thread's pissing match - let Vivek & PDA's supporters have their thread. My feelings are all expressed in the other thread and nothing has changed.

lol i know who did it. happened to me b4 also.

 

[Spike]

Incredible.
Were you like this during the Adelman years as well?

 

[Kingston Jamaica]

I liked Malone for his style in creating a winning culture. Clearly he was able to create a great defense that worked as well. I was less impressed about his subtitutions, but who I'm I to critisize that. However, we need to put this whole issue in proportions. This is the NBA and this kind of moves happen all the time and the people that do them have a vision of where they want to go with it. With the stories surfacing about the rift between Malone and the FO appear to be many. I don't have a clue what is correct and what is not, but obviously the confrontation with Malone and the FO was just a matter of time. Right now the Kings need to get going and do the necessary moves. We'll see in the end of the season how good the decisions were. We can't win anything by looking at the past. Let's focus on what can be done in the future.

 

[EJF]

Malone was growing on me, but I wasn't sad to see him go. Still, I really doubt he didn't want Cuz and Rudy. Sounds really silly to me.

 

[arusinov]

As already said DMC extension was signed before he played one game (even in preseason) for Malone... And if Malone opposed extention it had nothing to do with "tallent evaluation" but was dictated by problematic reputation DMC had then. It's completely irrelavant right now - as DMC played much better while Malone was coaching the team and their relations were good according to all reports.
Now about Rudy... If Malone actually opposed proposing him extension right now he could have reasons - Rudy is not very young and it's not sure he will perform as well as in present 3 years from now... This extension may be big success (especially as it's for quite modest salary on current NBA scale) but it may ultimately became failure if he'll became over the hill or too injury-prone... So Malone may want to see how it goes this year. Also let's say truth: Cousins is the current Kings team. He's unique player and the team should be built supporting his unique abilities, Gay is certainly second best player and one of top SF in NBA... but still I can't say he's unreplaceable and there's surely no good way for Kings to develop without Rudy... All in all if the leak is true it can change what Gay thinks about Malone's got fired... but not more than it.
I think those leaks look bad for FO - it seems as they're too desperately trying to convince players and public that Malone was actually "bad guy" and it looks even worse when recalling that FO explained that they didn't like style of the team offence run by Malone - so opposition to extentions doesn't seem to have anything to do with firing.

 

[KingMilz]

So what?

Maybe he's in the school of thought that you actually earn your money over a 82 game season (rather than 10-15 games), honestly the way Rudy has played since Cousins illness if Malone was against it, it was probably the right call. Pretty much a irrelevant story imo, it really doesn't matter if he wanted/didn't want the extensions, just cause you don't give a guy an extention right away does not mean you don't want him. Imagine if the Pacers had given Lance his extension last year after his hot start. Does the Bulls not giving Jimmy Butler a massive deal indicate they don't want him or that Thibbs does not like him.....NO.

 

[kupman]

Anyone rememeber when the Maloofs realized they were going to get disemboweled over firing Rick and so decided to try to throw shade at him after firing him? I do.

I also remember a number of fools trying to defend that move too.

Really? You want to compare this ownership and FO with the Maloofs?

In my best possible Monday Night Football voice "c'mon man."

 

[Chubbs]

Really? You want to compare this ownership and FO with the Maloofs?

In my best possible Monday Night Football voice "c'mon man."

It's completely appropriate at the moment.

The maloofs immediately came in and won games. That hasn't happened here. In fact, they seem to sabotaging any attempts to win right now cause it doesn't fit their timeline.

If Karl ain't here by Xmas, it's pitch fork time.

 

[John Galt]

Really? You want to compare this ownership and FO with the Maloofs?

In my best possible Monday Night Football voice "c'mon man."

Nothing wrong with comparing them. Just because Greg Wissinger says it is crazy, doesn't mean it is crazy. If you compare the first two years of Maloof ownership to the first two years of Vivek ownership the Maloofs win hands down in my book. They were engaging, accessible, they showed in the Skyline lounge for post game show, and they listened to the fans and appeared to genuinely care about het fans.

The arrogance of this FO is ridiculous. They don't give a damn about the fans - they are up in their own heads. They way they have fired the coach, demanded we like it, censored the signs at Arco, and lied all the way along... they have amends to make and they can make them by hiring George Karl and shutting the eff up for a few months.

 

[GQ_Gabriel]

Nothing wrong with comparing them. Just because Greg Wissinger says it is crazy, doesn't mean it is crazy. If you compare the first two years of Maloof ownership to the first two years of Vivek ownership the Maloofs win hands down in my book. They were engaging, accessible, they showed in the Skyline lounge for post game show, and they listened to the fans and appeared to genuinely care about het fans.

The arrogance of this FO is ridiculous. They don't give a damn about the fans - they are up in their own heads. They way they have fired the coach, demanded we like it, censored the signs at Arco, and lied all the way along... they have amends to make and they can make them by hiring George Karl and shutting the eff up for a few months.

 

[206Fan]

Anyone rememeber when the Maloofs realized they were going to get disemboweled over firing Rick and so decided to try to throw shade at him after firing him? I do.

I also remember a number of fools trying to defend that move too.

But Mike Malone isn't Rick lol. Nowhere near him...............

 

[Capt. Factorial]

It's completely appropriate at the moment.

Not a bit. The Maloofs came in and spent well over a decade sabotaging every attempt to build a new arena for the team, all the while intending to move the Kings to their preferred location, be it Las Vegas or Anaheim or Mexico City, and when all else failed desperately tried to sell the team to ownership in Seattle rather than to a group that would keep it in Sacramento.

The Ranadivé group came in and immediately signed on for a an arena deal with a 30-year residence clause. Already the demolition required to build the arena is in full swing. Fifteen years and the Maloofs wouldn't get it done. A few months and the Ranadivé group did.

The maloofs immediately came in and won games. That hasn't happened here.

And the Maloofs came in and immediately hired a Hall of Fame coach. That hasn't happened here. Time will tell if Malone turns into a very good coach or not but people are acting like we fired a Hall of Fame coach, forgetting that just days before his firing there were a litany of complaints. We've moaned about his rotations since day one. Continuing to play Sessions all season despite terrible results. The inability of the team to solve its turnover woes. His insistence on giving the ball to Reggie in the high post over and over.

Malone seems like a cool guy, he does. And Cousins likes him. And he talks the talk. But it was all grumble-grumble-grumble until he was fired and then suddenly he's the next Red Auerbach?

In fact, they seem to sabotaging any attempts to win right now cause it doesn't fit their timeline.

The timeline is to have a team that will be competitive in the playoffs by the time the new arena opens. That's two years maximum with no minimum. Ranadivé is nothing if not impatient. The last thing he's going to do is tank a season just because he doesn't want to be good yet.

If Karl ain't here by Xmas, it's pitch fork time.

You're telling me that we're not at pitchfork time yet?!? That there is another level of collective indignance above the one we're at right now? Because I might have to take a long vacation from here if that happens. I'm fed up with the relentless negativity as it is.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

What part of his post wasn't true?

 

[Uk kings fan]

censored the signs at Arco

whats this then?

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Not a bit. The Maloofs came in and spent well over a decade sabotaging every attempt to build a new arena for the team, all the while intending to move the Kings to their preferred location, be it Las Vegas or Anaheim or Mexico City, and when all else failed desperately tried to sell the team to ownership in Seattle rather than to a group that would keep it in Sacramento.

And this would completely invalidate his argument, if the Maloofs had only owned the team for a decade. But they didn't. Remember those first few years after Joe and Gavin took over, and how magical that was? How'd that turn out?

 

[206Fan]

Nothing wrong with comparing them. Just because Greg Wissinger says it is crazy, doesn't mean it is crazy. If you compare the first two years of Maloof ownership to the first two years of Vivek ownership the Maloofs win hands down in my book. They were engaging, accessible, they showed in the Skyline lounge for post game show, and they listened to the fans and appeared to genuinely care about het fans.

The arrogance of this FO is ridiculous. They don't give a damn about the fans - they are up in their own heads. They way they have fired the coach, demanded we like it, censored the signs at Arco, and lied all the way along... they have amends to make and they can make them by hiring George Karl and shutting the eff up for a few months.

The team should just move to Seattle. It'll be less of a problem for Kings fans right???
They clearly don't give a damn about fans at all. Nope, they're trying to put out a terrible product out there so it'll attract more fans!!! They have no plan, they just ask bums off the street about what they should do.

Vivek WAS THE ONLY PERSON WHO WAS WILLING TO SAVE THE KINGS. Why the **** would he become our owner and savior(for the team) if he didn't do it for Sacramento???? He could've just stayed at GS and maintain his high up position on a winning and much more marketable team, but he decided to help save the Kings for Sacramento and its fans. The NBA would not sell to Ron Burkle. They would not and it's the reason why he dropped out of the race. Vivek was the only guy willing to keep the Kings in Sacramento. You think he did it for the money??? He stepped down from Tibco!!!! He stepped down from the Warriors!!!

Let's just move the Kings to Seattle. Problem solved. We will never have to see Vivek and Pete again.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Vivek WAS THE ONLY PERSON WHO WAS WILLING TO SAVE THE KINGS.

This is verifiably false.

 

[206Fan]

This is verifiably false.

What other millionaire/billionaire was willing to buy the Kings and keep them here?